Spirit of the Season

Disclaimer: Don't claim to own Castle. The writing geniuses over there are much more evil.

AN: What happens when two writers decide to tell the same story from different points of view? The working title for this was "The Project of Awesome!" We hope you agree. For Castle's perspective follow: CuffedBunnies.

AN2: Double header!

To CB, The sun will come out tomorrow. May we both sleep long enough to miss it!

Day 10: Reindeer Games

December 9, 2012

She jolted awake almost immediately at the sudden obnoxious buzzing that filled her ears. Kate jumped out of bed, even as she heard Castle slowly come to in response to the racket. She didn't have her gun handy, but long years of training and experience had left her immediately action ready.
"'you think that's really necessary?" Castle asked. from the bed. "I'm sure it's one of my gadgets I left on. It's not like this hasn't happened before."

"Just let me handle this," she whispered and slipped through the door, cautious not to make any noise that might alert an intruder.

What she found on the other side of the door was more shocking than even that would have been. Sitting on the counter of his kitchen island was breakfast. And it was waiting for them, two empty plates at the ready.

"Hey, Castle, you know anything about this?"

"Breakfast?" he asked, from behind her, then walked into the kitchen. The island was set up with two plate settings, and several platters piled with bacon, eggs, and pancakes.

"I didn't do this, Kate. I don't have a clue... But I don't think I can complain."

She wasn't about to disagree with that statement, but still. This was weird. As he sat down and started making his plate, She wondered how he could so casually focus on breakfast while the awful buzzing continued. Seriously, it was even louder out here.

"I'm sure it was Mother or Alexis, making some sort of deal about leaving us alone for the day," he went on, undaunted.

She found the damned thing, switched it off. He didn't take notice, so she switched her focus to the suspicious little envelope under his plate. "Yeah, look here," she said, picking it up and turning it over in her hand. It was too familiar to be a coincidence, and she gave him a questioning look. "It's like the first one, from the tree lighting. Are you sure you don't know what's going on?"

"I swear, I'm just as surprised as you, and I'm also hungry. Aren't you?" His plate was full, and he took hers and started fill it. She snatched it away.

"I can take care of myself, thanks," Kate grumbled reflexively. But then she felt badly for snapping, so she held the plate as he spooned the eggs on and she put a few slices of bacon on it as well. "Oh, and this," she held up the bright green alien looking timer, "is what woke us up."

"Yeah, okay, I do recognize that. It's something Alexis picked up at the convention..." he got up quickly, almost tipping his stool back. She caught it as he made his way to the counter next to his refrigerator and checked the coffee pot. "I thought I smelled coffee! She really thought of everything, didn't she?"

She smiled at his quick little change of subject. He was still really uptight about running into his daughter at that convention. "What does the note say?"

Kate opened the envelope, getting more confused as she read it.

Today is a day of tea for two,
Just find the Dormouse and the Mad Hatter's view.

Come on, play the game. It's what the reindeer would do.

And then, she felt around in the envelope, looking for another clue. Sure enough, there was a second note in the envelope. She pulled it out. "I think this one was supposed to come out first, it says 'reindeer games.'"

"I think my daughter has put in her two cents on our little holiday note-passing."

Kate nibbled at her food, and considered the riddle.

"What do you think it means?" Castle asked. "The note, that is."

She swallowed and took the cup of coffee he offered. "It's obviously a clue. She wants us to go to the Alice in Wonderland statue."

"But what this about the reindeer?"

Kate gave that smile where her tongue peeked out from behind her teeth, "I guess we'll find that out when we get to the park. But I don't think it has anything to do with the first part since it's separated." She pointed to his plate, "You need to finish eating so we can leave."

Castle went back to the stool almost immediately, began eating doubletime..

"I didn't mean for you to scarf it down," she said, "I don't want you to get sick on me, especially if we're going to the park."

Not that he took her advice, which wasn't really a surprise. But still. She watched him try to swallow the obviously too hot food, and restrain herself rolling her eyes at him again.

"What about the reindeer games? I can think of a few ideas of how to go about that part..." he waggled his eyebrows suggestively, and earned a punch on the shoulder. "You hit hard," he said, rubbing the spot. "Was that really necessary?"

"In your case, yes." He was a ridiculous man, but she was glad.

Kate let him hold her hand was in his as they walked through Central Park, making their way toward the Alice in Wonderland statue.

She was happy, because it was always nice to get a chance to be out with him without having to think about the protocols of work. But she was also happy because it seems like whatever progress she was making with his daughter was moving forward. After all, why else would the girl have so openly participated in Castle's little experiment in Christmas?

Of course, Alexis had done that before. Given her the suggestion of the hot chocolate in the form of one of these notes. But that was as much an afterthought of an ongoing thing as anything else. This, this was deliberate participation That only be a good sign.

They stopped in front of the statue, both studying it carefully. Kate took out the poem again, and they read it together.

"It says that about the Dormouse and Mad Hatter's view..." Castle looked at the statue. "He's looking at the mushroom."

"And the Dormouse is also on the mushroom," she added, then went to the statue and knelt beside it, looking closely at the pieces.

"Try underneath," he offered, and she slid her hand along the edge of the mushroom.

About halfway around, she stopped and smiled. "I think I found it." After a moment, she pulled the next clue out. Sure enough, it had been taped to the underside of the statue.

Kate opened the envelope and read,
His story is not about the prize, but the journey.

"That's different," said Castle, "I expected something a little longer, but it still works." He took Kate's hand and started to walk off.

"Where are we going?" she asked, once again letting him lead. After all, he seems to know the way. She was at loss, for once.

"To Balto. Where did you think I was going?"

"I wasn't sure." But as she thought about it, that made perfect sense. There you was with that masterful mileage of children's literature again. She didn't quite know why she found that so endearing, but she did. "But you're right," she concluded in affirmation.

"Of course I'm right," he said smugly. She raised an eyebrow at his tone. "I mean, you know, his story is about the journey... He brought the medicine to the sick kids when the train couldn't make it through," He amended by way of explanation and then squeezed her hand in apology. "Sorry I came off wrong there..."

"It's okay," she said with a small smile, "It's just one of those annoying egotistical quirks of yours I've learned to live with."

"Really?" He chuckled and shook his head, "If you want to go there, I've got a list a mile long for you..."

"Keep dreaming, Castle, you can make up lists all day, but you love every bit about me." She kissed his cheek and ran ahead of him, already thinking of the next clue. "You coming?"

She hadn't felt like this in a very long time. Not been well over a decade. Because by the time they made it to the statue, both of them were a giggling mess.

And while she peered at Balto, trying to find evidence of where the next clue might be, Castle grabbed her by the waist and swung her around, lifting her of her feet and spinning around before setting her down again.

That hadn't happened since she was a little girl. She grinned at him. "What was that for?" she asked. Not that she was complaining. That might have surprised her if she stopped to think about it, but the thing was, she had stopped stopping to think about it.

"Does there have to be a reason for everything?" he asked as he held her close resting his forehead against hers "I like surprising you, and you seemed thoroughly distracted. I just took advantage of the situation."

Kate smiled and rubbed her nose against his before she kissed him. She still had his hand as she stepped closer to the statue of Balto.

"What do you think?" he asked, "I'm not sure where to start," then, off her look, "Other than, obviously, the next clue."

Kate shrugged, "I would try looking around the statue. It has to be somewhere around it, or Alexis wouldn't have sent us here."

After a few moments, Castle started to climb up the base toward the statue. When he was nearly there, a spark of inspiration struck Kate and she called out, "Castle, look behind his front right paw."

He started to, then looked at her, "My right or his?" When she rolled her eyes in response, he waved at her off. But really, Castle? "Nevermind. I'll check both paws," he said in reply to her unspoken question.

He examined the area carefully and then called back, "How did you see that from down there?" he asked, "I could barely tell it was there, and I'm right beside the statue."

She grinned at him. Ten points for her to deductive reasoning skills. "Who's the detective?" She asked impishly.

"Always you," he replied as he gently pulled the envelope off of the statue.

"Yep, it's ours," he said, then climbed down the rock. He walked back to her, "Let's see where we're headed next," Rick said, and tore the edge of the envelope open, pulled the paper out, then read:

The dog on Gargoyles is named for this part of the city.
We haven't been there in so long, it's quite a pity.
You'll find it's best to go by car,
To find the place where the animals are. (5 PM)

At the same time, Kate and Castle said, "Bronx!"

"You watched Gargoyles?!" His voice nearly squeaked with surprise. Really, he was cute.

"Yeah," she answered. All the kids did in her class back then. Sure they were teenagers, but it was just funky and unreal enough to not bug them that it was a cartoon. "Everyday after school."

"That's so awesome!" He picked her up again, but instead of swinging her around he brought her down slowly, leaving a trail of kisses up her neck and across her jaw, stopping at her lips. It was nice. She never quite understood why displaying her geeky side affected him this way, but she liked it.

When they stepped apart, he asked, "What about the next part? Do you-"

"It's the zoo," she answered, "The Bronx Zoo. It all makes sense now. Come over here."

Castle followed her to a nearby bench, and sat beside her. Kate pulled out the papers. "The first note has the line about reindeer-"

"And this one refers to the Bronx," he continued, "It has to be the Bronx Zoo."

She smiled, "Because they always have Santa's Reindeer there after Thanksgiving."

Really, Kate was impressed. Alexis has put together a little scavenger hunt quite well. And considering that the girl was in the midst of finals, that was saying something. He touched her to think that she would go to the trouble.

She startled when his stomach growled loudly. It surprised her, because it felt as if they just eaten breakfast. But then again, they had meandered through the park and rather leisurely way. Just enjoying alone time together between clues.
"Maybe we should grab a bite for lunch, before we go on to the zoo? I don't know about you, but I'm starved," Castle suggested.

"That sounds great," she agreed and looked at her watch. "I didn't realize we've been out here so long, Castle. It's nearly one o'clock. But we have more than enough time." Yes, she wants to go to lunch with him. To sit and linger, and then walk it off on familiar city steers while they wait.

Castle smiled as he stood and offered her his arm "M'lady?"

Oh he was pouring on the charm today. She smiled brightly and she excepted farm, leaning in and she stood next to him.

"You okay, Castle?" she asked, after a moment. He was too quiet.

"Yeah, I'm fine, just getting caught up in the moment," he smiled, "I don't think I could be happier."

She agreed. It was a beautiful day, and they were enjoying themselves. She bit her lip, thinking hard. Because for the life of her, she couldn't think of away she could possibly thank Alexis enough for this.

The cab pulled up to the zoo, and they made their way to the entrance. She waited as Castle dealt with admissions. He was a member and had said he could sign her in as a guest. It's after regular zoo hours now, but the crowds are still gathering for the evening's holiday display.

As soon as they were through at the admissions counter, Castle opened the zoo map and found where the reindeer were located.

"We're not far," he said, "Why don't-"

"Dad! Kate!"

Kate barely had time to register the surprise of finding Alexis waiting for them before his daughter had wrapped the two of them in a group hug.

"I'm so glad you guys made it!" she said, then stepped back, still holding onto their hands. "Come on, the best part is this way!"

"How long have you been here?" Castle asked, and Kate felt a rush of regret. If they had known she was waiting here for them, they might have hurried along a bit more. But, Alexis doesn't seem to mind.

"A while, but I've been inside, so you don't need to be concerned about me being outside in the cold, Dad."

Kate suppressed a grin. She might personally find his overprotective fatherly side charming, at times even adorable. But she knew well enough but the same was probably not true for his daughter.

"I didn't-" he tried.

"You 'didn't say it' very loudly," Kate cut in, squeezing his hand, "Your concern is all over your face. It's a wonder you win as often at Poker as you do."

"Looks like you've found a way to keep Dad quiet," Alexis joked, smiling so innocently at him. "Just hit him with the truth."

"Yeah, just wait until you have kids. You'll see..." Castle quipped and then his face seemed to contort in horror. Kate couldn't blame him for the reaction, what was he thinking? "No, let's not have this conversation. Where are the reindeer exactly?"

Kate and Alexis both burst out laughing. That was not smoothest of transitions, Kate thought. But it was funny… And kind of cute.

"You know," Castle said slowly as he reached out and put an arm around each of them, drawing them in close. "I am so happy to see the two of you working together to torment me, but you have to know that I'm going to remember all this. It will come back to haunt you."

They just laughed harder, and connected as they all were, it made balance a difficult thing to maintain. Kate snuck a glance at Alexis and by mutual agreement they each hooked an arm through his.

They walked along in companionable slice that made Kate feel lighter. These last several days had been incredible. Little by little she'd found uncertainty and insecurity fading away.

Before long, Castle saw the sign that pointed them in the direction of the reindeer. "We're almost there!" he exclaimed, and Kate grinned wider. She loved his excited side, too. Just not always on duty.

As they walked, the bushes and holiday fixture suddenly erupted with lights.

Both women gasped in surprise.

"Oh Castle, this is beautiful," Kate said softly, and she reached over to touch his daughter's arm, "And thank you, Alexis, for bringing us out here."

"You're more than welcome, Kate," she answered as she hugged her dad, "I had a feeling this would be something you'd both enjoy." She then took a step ahead of them, pulling Castle along by his arm, "Come on, they're just around the corner!"

Castle nearly fell, but found his feet before she got too far ahead. They fast-walked behind Alexis, and followed the crowd of other people all going to see the reindeer.

And just like his daughter said, just around the corner, the trees and plants parted to an enclosed meadow holding the twelve reindeer. Several of them were almost close enough to touch.

"This is great," he said, "I'd forgotten how big they can get."

Suddenly Castle let go of her and began brushing at himself. What on earth was that about?

"What's going on, Castle?" Kate asked, "You all right?"

"He's fine," Alexis answered, "It's snowing!"

"Wow Castle, creepy weather control part two," Kate bumped her hip into his, and when he looked over at her, she had her head tilted back and her tongue sticking out. She stopped when his eyes met hers and said, "You gonna taste the snow this time?"

Alexis laughed and stepped away from him to twirl in the snowfall. "Come on, Dad. Are you feeling all right?"

"I'm fine," he said, lifted his head toward the sky, and smiled.

Suddenly, he stretched his arms out to his sides and gathered them into a group hug. "I've never felt better than I do right now, in this moment," he said.

Kate hadn't either. At this point neither of them would make it to Christmas.