Summer Rain
Disclaimer: Characters are property of ABC of Borg
Summary: After Kate's shooting, Castle finds that he can't stay away. They discover that nothing clears the air like a summer rain. Co-written with lms2457
A/N: Again, you have my apologies for this taking so long.
Chapter Seven
Castle held her for a long time as they watched the fire slowly dwindle into glowing embers. The rain continued to fall slowly against the roof, its tapping echoed throughout the cabin, making him sleepy.
Kate sat next to him, with her head laying on his shoulder. He loved how perfectly she fit against him and wished there was some way he could find the words to tell her so, without her closing up on him. She'd been so open today, and it was hard to believe how things had changed between them in just the past few hours.
Her measured breathing told him she might be asleep, so he gently nudged her with his shoulder and asked, "You awake?"
"Barely," she mumbled and snuggled closer to him, as if trying to get as close as possible.
Rick took a deep breath, not really wanting to bother her, but he knew if they fell asleep like this, they both would be in pain in the morning. After all, in spite of how good it felt to finally be able to hold Kate Beckett in his arms, the events of the day had only served to make him more mindful of the fact that she was still recovering, both mentally and physically.
"It's been a long day," he said softly, trying again.
"Yeah," Kate shifted again, but still so close, and stretched. She got to her feet and walked toward the staircase, then stopped at the first step. For a moment, Castle wondered if she would have trouble managing them. Slowly, she turned toward him, her eyes bleary as she gave him a confused look, "You comin', Castle?"
His heart pounded hard in his chest at the familiar phrase, and he didn't for the life of him know what to say. The last thing he wanted to do was chase her away. "I... I thought I'd take the couch tonight."
She rolled her eyes and quirked her eyebrows in that way that drove him crazy. "I promise I don't bite, and I know you don't either. Besides, the bed is way more comfortable than the couch."
"Are you sure?" Castle got up and walked to her side.
Kate looked a little exasperated, and with the sleepiness in her eyes, she was adorable. "If I wasn't sure, I wouldn't have asked."
He nodded, taking the hand she offered him, not missing the way that she leaned into him as he did so. "Okay then, lead the way, Detective."
He could tell the day, wonderful though the outcome had been, had been pretty rough on both of them as they both changed and got ready for bed.
He let Kate get into bed first, since he didn't know what side she preferred, or if he was honest, what to expect. He waited until she seemed settled then slipped under the covers with her.
It was very awkward, to say the least. He laid on his back, staring at the ceiling, wondering what to do, what to say. Kate was right there. In bed. Beside him. And Castle, for the life of him, didn't know where to even begin.
What he wanted to do... well, he knew that was out of the question. This was all so new, and he didn't want to screw it up. Literally. And he wasn't entirely sure that she would be physically up for the kinds of things that came to mind, anyway.
"You're thinking too hard, Castle," Kate said as she rolled over to face him, "Come on, I've been beside you, and practically in your lap, all evening. You should know by now, I'm not gonna pull my gun on you if you put your arm around me."
Well, that was a relief, at least. "That's nice to know," he said finally, then rolled on his side to face her, really see her, for the first time. She was beautiful, even free of makeup and readied for bed, and he could hardly believe he was here, in this moment.
Rick couldn't stop as his hand reached up and brushed the backs of his fingers against her cheek, then carded his fingers through her hair.
Kate leaned into his touch and the next thing he knew, her hand was at the back of his skull as she pulled him into a kiss. He relaxed into the touch, and lost himself in the moment.
Her hands were now on his shoulders, massaging deep into his muscles, and that mixed with the satin of her kiss, Castle thought he'd never felt anything so extraordinary in his life. But then, it would always be this way with Kate. Of that, he had no doubt.
It wasn't long before Kate's hands slowed their exploration of his chest and the kisses lost some of their intensity, but there was still so much there, right in front of them. It was like a taste of what was to come, and if he had to wait a little longer, he could deal with that.
"Castle," Kate slowly pulled away, and it pained him to hear the uncertain tone in her voice.
"I know, and it's okay," he said, and smiled as he took in a deep breath. He touched his forehead to hers. "Just let me hold you?"
She whispered, "Yeah, I think I'd like that."
Rick shifted so he was on his back and let Kate settle by his side. She laid her head on his shoulder and stretched her right hand across his chest. Once she was still, he rested his left hand over hers.
"You okay?" He asked softly. He didn't see any sign that she wasn't, but he couldn't help remembering the last time she had been laying in his arms, she'd nearly bled to death. He'd been serious about that earlier: the emotional scars would stay with both of them for a long time. But he couldn't allow himself to forget that it was she who still carried the physical ones as well.
"Yeah," she returned in the same soft tone, "I'm good."
Then he felt her hand slip from his as she raised it to brush the hair from his forehead with her fingers. Their eyes met, and her fingers slipped down to curl slightly behind his ear. "We're good."
And then she was out, and he gently reclaimed her hand in his, holding on. Yeah, they were good.
