Tip of the Iceburg – Owl City

Recommended by - jpdesperaux

Author's Note: I am a senior in high school riddled with sports, classes, and the anxiety of college applications. This will definitely be updated less frequently than it has been in the past, but fear not, I have no abandoned this. I will get to the recommendations. It just might take me a while. Enjoy!


"It's the girlfriend. There's no question about it, Castle. She had motive and she was there! Isn't that proof enough? She was the only one with him anywhere near the time of death."

Castle shook his head stubbornly. "No, nope… I don't think so. I think you're wrong on this one."

"And what do you think, writer boy? Who did it?" Beckett snapped, emphasizing the fact that her partner was not, in fact, a cop at all.

"I think it was the friend," he answered with confidence, overlooking Beckett's previous jab.

"Why?"

"I just have a feeling." He smirked as Beckett whirled around in frustration. She studied the murder board intently, but found nothing to doubt that the girlfriend had, in an act of passion, killed her victim.

"You're wrong, Castle," she mumbled, still staring at the facts. "You have to be."

"Care to bet on it?" he asked with a smirk.

Beckett deadpanned back to him. "You're kidding?"

"I would never!" he exclaimed.

With another glance back at the board, Beckett decided that her chances were quite good. "Fine. I win, you have to stay here all night while I finish my paperwork for the next week, and keep me supplied with fresh coffee the entire time."

Castle nodded. Those terms weren't terrible. The prospect of spending more time with Kate Beckett, spending more time just watching her, he could live with it. Hell, he might just do that even if he won the bet.

"And if I win, you go skating with me… tomorrow." Rick grinned as her eyes widened.

"Skating?" she asked as if she didn't fully understand the question.

"Ice skating," he clarified. "With me."

Kate cocked an eyebrow and shook her head. "Alright, if you win, I agree to waste my day off going ice skating with you."

"Alright," he grinned.

As the case progressed and more information became available, Beckett realized with a sense of horror, that Castle was right. All along it had been the friend. She desperately searched for some evidence otherwise but when Castle's pick confessed of his crime, she could avoid the issue no longer.

"I'll pick you up at your apartment… 12 o'clock." He smirked.

Beckett sighed and nodded in response. She had lost, fair and square, whether she liked it or not.

12 came quickly and Castle was right on time at the door. He was wearing deep red scarf with his usual sports coat attire, and Beckett couldn't help but admire him. She coincidentally wore a red scarf as well. The fact that they matched perfectly didn't slip past Castle.

"Nice scarf," he said with a grin. Beckett couldn't find words to snap back at him.

"Let's go," she said in annoyance.

The ride to the rink was quick. Instead of going to a busy, popular place to skate Castle seemed to have rented his own private rink.

Kate wasn't surprised to find skates already out for her, and the ice completely free of people. She bantered with Castle about his excessive use of money as she laced her skates.

When her skates were ready Beckett hopped up and started out on the ice. It had been years since she'd skated and she was anxious to see if any skill that she once had remained.

Castle had been hoping that Beckett was a terrible ice skater. He had been hoping she'd be clumsy, clinging onto him just to stay afoot, but as he realistically imagined, she was flawless.

As soon as her skates touched the ice she took off. Her movements were graceful and smooth. She slid across the ice perfectly, not missing a beat or fumbling in the slightest.

She hooked her thumbs into her coat pockets, twirled to face him, and took off. Her dark hair cascaded behind her, catching the wind and kissing the air.

She didn't wait for him as she disappeared across the rink and Castle had to remind himself to stop staring and hurry after her. He stepped onto the ice, found his footing, and lost no time catching her.

He had been skating all his life. It was second nature; although he seriously doubted that he looked half as wonderful as Kate did with her fluid, relaxed movements.

She was an angel, truly. Ice skating was surely the greatest idea he'd ever had.

"Something wrong, Castle? Having trouble keeping up?" She turned to smirk at her partner, nudging him gently.

He swiftly recovered from the slight fumble caused by her touch. "No trouble, Detective. You just… you're good," he managed, hoping she would realize this was about her skating abilities.

"Yeah, well, I used to go skating with my mom all the time. It was kind of a tradition." Her eyes glazed over as they often did when filled with memories.

"Kate, I'm sorry. I… I didn't know." His words were soft and genuine.

Kate looked down at her skates for a moment before reconnecting with Castle's eyes. "No. It's okay. I've missed this." She smiled and suddenly grabbed the writer's hand, pulling him after her as she increased her speed.

The warmth of her hand caught Castle by surprise and he nearly fell as he was swept after her. He recovered and skated by her side, still clutching her hand.

Castle expected her to pull away, to remove her hold on him, but Kate never did. Throughout their skating, Castle and Beckett held on to each other's hands, staying close in proximity.

Their conversation was natural and comfortable, and often they skated in complete silence. It was a pleasant silence that they both rarely got to enjoy.

And at the end of the night when Kate leaned into him for a soft kiss, Richard Castle was completely sure that this was the best idea he'd ever had.


Author's Note: I would love to hear any of your thoughts. :)