Almost what you've been waiting for! (with a road block of course but with great prospects) This chapter features Send me the Moon by Sara Bareilles. Enjoy!
P.S. First part is Kate's POV and the Second is Castle's.
Send me the Moon
Kate walks into her apartment an hour after her singing confession. She sets her case down by the door and rushes to the kitchen to pour herself some hard liquor. It burns pleasantly on the way down and she sets the glass on the counter to hard. The harsh sound make her jump and blink a few times. With a sigh she brings her hands up to her face and through her hair like she always does in a serious situation. She can feel her hands shaking against her head causing a few strands to fall into her face.
With her heart racing, she paces the kitchen, one hand in her hair while the other covers her mouth. She stares at the floor without even seeing it. Eventually she stops mid pace and her eyes grow wide. She's freaking out and needs to calm down. Deciding not a second later to take a shower, Kate walks as slow as possible to her bathroom. She can't seem to shake the need to do everything in haste out of her system. Her hands are still quivering, along with the rest of her body, as she turns the water on to her shower and removes all articles of clothing while she waits for it to heat up. Her skirt slips down her long legs, and she steps out of it and into the shower. The hot water scorches her skin but she doesn't care. She just lets out a soft moan and dives her head right under the shower head.
Most of her anxiousness melts away in minutes of being under the hot flowing water. Kate sort of just stands there, facing the shower head. Letting the water trickled down her hair and over the plains of her body, down the drain with everything she wishes she could take back...well maybe not take back, but..ugh! She doesn't know! She doesn't know what came over her with that song...she thinks maybe he didn't even get what she said.
Of course he got it, he's not stupid. He's a writer, he's supposed to be able to read between the lines. She scolds herself inwardly.
Through the silence of her apartment and the flowing water of her shower Kate hears the distant knocking on her door. She freezes. And then her head snaps up eyes wide. She realizes that it's probably Castle...Kate turns the water off, jumps out of the shower and throws a robe on, on her way to the door. She braces herself at the door and opens it dripping wet.
"Kate." Rick Castle says a little flustered. His hair is all messed up like maybe he was running his hands through it. His face is wrinkled in areas where it was creased in deep thought.
Kate sighs quietly and leans against her doorframe. Her hair slips into her face dripping wet, and water trickles down the inside of her robe making her shiver. "Hey." She says huskily yet shy.
"Did you mean it?" He stands ready for...something? perhaps a shut down, and he sounds so hopeful his eyes wide and waiting.
She responds by biting her lip in that way she knows he loves.
He smiles broadly and goes to step towards her but his phone starts to ring in his pocket. He groans ignoring it and moves closer to her. He brings a hand up to her cheek. Kate closes her eyes at the feel of his skin touching hers. Igniting a fire in her. His phone rings again and all too soon his touch is gone. He leans on the doorframe in front of her breathing in her cherry scent and answers his phone aggravated.
"Yes Paula." he says through gritted teeth. "Tomorrow?" He then says stepping back going ridged.
Kate sighs and walks into her apartment leaving the door open. She tightens her robe and looks back at Rick who walks in behind her a few seconds later and shuts her door. She walks to her bedroom door and watches him.
"That early?" He's saying. He fists his hand in his hair.
Kate goes to open her door, the sound catching his attention and he gazes at her apologetic. Placing a hand over the mouth piece he calls to her before she disappears into her room. "I'm so sorry." He says eyes pleading.
She just smiles at him in understanding closing her door behind her, which she leans her back against with a sigh. Asking herself if she's really ready for this. She remembers Royce's words again. About how risking our hearts is why we're alive. If she's not doing that, then how can she truly be living? She's been playing it safe. Rick's right. She's been hiding in relationships with men she doesn't love. Kate pushes off the door, changing into something more comfortable and towel dries her hair. Back at her bedroom door she places her hand on the knob and takes a deep breath before opening it.
Rick is just getting off the phone when she comes out. He's sitting on her sofa. She crosses over to him, bending one leg underneath her body before sitting down beside him. She puts her elbow down on the back of the sofa, head in hand just like she had done in LA. The two only gaze at each other. Only this time no one is running.
"I have to go." He says softly but doesn't move to get up.
"Oh..." She says looking down. Her heart plummets .
"To LA." He then adds. She looks back into those blue eyes of his. "They need me desperately at the movie set...it's non negotiable.. I am so sorry Kate..." His voice dips in sadness.
"Rick." She starts. Surprising herself when her hand reaches for his chest.
His breath seems to quicken and he can only stare at her. Her hand travels up his shirt to his neck. Where she stops, still not meeting his gaze. "For how long?" She sounds shy almost.
He doesn't answer right away. "A few weeks." He's silent once again.
She rubs her thumb along the skin of his neck. Her eyes widen and she looks up at him. "I see." She says huskily. She gets this look in her eyes that almost startles him.
Kate surprises herself again by hooking her hand behind his neck, and drawing him in. Their faces draw closer, and Rick's mouth parts slightly, eyes darkening. They are an inch from each other now. But his hand comes up to hold the one on his neck, the other to her cheek. She closes her eyes when his forehead touches her and his thumb caresses her cheek.
"Kate." He whispers breathlessly.
A thrill goes through her along with a slight disappointment. She knows what he's implying. "Please." She whispers back but doesn't make anymore moves.
He hums deep in his throat and smiles at her plea. "If I kiss you now I'll never be able to get on that plane to LA..." He trails off.
"Then don't." She plays with the hair on the back of his neck, and she feels him shiver under her hand. She smiles, letting out a small hum herself.
"Non negotiable remember." He murmurs. He pulls back, but still close enough to breath in her scent and feel her soft flushed skin under his palm.
She only nods.
~Caskett~
"What are you doing here Alexis?" Kate's sitting at the bar the next night drinking a glass of red wine. Rick can see her on his phone as Alexis walks up to her.
"Uh...Okay you weren't supposed to see me..but dad wanted me to get a video of you tonight to show him...please don't be mad!" The girl replies almost to quickly.
Rick chuckles all the way across the country in the hotel room in LA. He has his own glass of wine, and he's sitting in the sofa in the area between bedrooms. Before he got on the plane the next day. He begged Alexis to go to the bar and live chat with him so he could see Kate. Of course he wasn't anticipating her to be out at the bar.
"Did he now?" Kate is saying, swinging around on the stool. Her legs are crossed and she sips her drink, looking at Alexis with a grin over the rim of the glass.
"Yeaaaa." Alexis draws out the word. The image rattles. She must be adjusting her hand.
"Well tell your Father no." And then she laughs a little into her glass before putting it down and getting off the stool. Rick is just smiling his face off. He leans back on the sofa stretching out with a hand behind his head.
"Tell him yourself." He hears his daughter say.
"No Alexis!" He hisses.
Alexis holds the phone up into Kate's face, who's whirled around in surprise. She glares into the phone. She can see Rick laying on the sofa. He waves sheepishly.
"Castle!" She yells at him, and then turns walking back stage. Alexis follows. He sees the many regulars who show up at the bar weekly watch Kate go, and then it's dark, before bright again back stage.
He laughs. And watches as Kate finds her guitar case and opens it. And then he notices her outfit. Pretty casual. "What you didn't dress up for me?" He asks teasing but hopeful at the same time. She has on dark blue jeans and a purple blouse. The usual heels
She turns her head over her shoulder while she's bent down at her guitar. He hears Alexis giggle, and the camera moves a little. "Uh no. Your not here."
"I am in spirit." He offers which gifts him a Beckett eye roll. He chuckles.
"You know your se-"
"Don't finish that statement." She warns him and then looks at Alexis who giggles again.
"He does talk about how he loves it when you roll your eyes at him." Alexis remarks. By now Kate has turned back to her guitar. Alexis moves over a little to get better view of her face. She's smiling.
"All right..." She concedes standing up and pulling the guitar strap over her shoulder. "But you weren't supposed to hear this one." She says. looking down at her hands on the strings of the guitar neck.
"What song?" He asks.
"You'll just have to wait and see. Go find a table Alexis. I'm on any minute."
Alexis already starts moving away. "okay she says." Sounding giddy and excited.
Rick gets a view of backstage, hearing the sounds of Kate plucking her strings where it fades to chatter in the bar where Alexis finds a table in the corner. She test out angles, and finds she has a nice view from her table.
"She wasn't supposed to know." Rick scolds his daughter.
She turns the phone around to face her. "I'm sorry dad, but she was right at the bar when I walked in. she saw me right away." She looks so apologetic with her puppy eyes.
"Then you should have shut the phone off till she played." He's saying when guitar is heard.
"Shhhh." Alexis says. The lights get dark and Alexis moves the phone. There is Kate, sitting on her stool. A breath catches in his throat. and a deep longing enters his heart.
"This one is called, Send me the moon." She says into the mic and looks down at her fingers to find the first chord. She starts to strum.
Holding my breath
Last one I've got left
'til I see you
She looks towards Alexis
Deliver my heart with the
Pieces and parts of me left
...
Every last day seemed to carry the weight
A life time
...
Watch from the ground
As the gold fluttered down from the sky
Her eyes close her head tilts upwards her voice rising.
Sweet sun
Send me the moon
Empty the skies out
Bringing me one step closer to you
...
His heart is pounding like it never has before. She's singing directly at him. She was going to even though she thought he wasn't going to see.
...
Send it soon
And I will breathe in, breathe out
Until you come in and out
Of view
Of view
...
Inches away from you
Scared what I'll take from you, darling
Again she looks at Alexis, who adjusts the phone to zoom in a little.
..
I can live with your ghost
If you say that's the most I'll get
Her voice sings out so beautifully. It's like he's really there.
Darkness to light
Moved from day into night to be near you
Still here I stand
I am sinking like sand in your sea
...
He has perfect view of her face. She's so completely relaxed. Very un Beckett, and all Kate. Her eyes closed again and she moves back and forth to her own music. He can't help but lift a hand to his screen, touching her cheek. Wishing he could for real.
...
Sweet sun
Send me the moon
Empty the skies out
Bringing me one step closer to you
...
Send it soon
And I will breathe in, breathe out
Until you come in and out
Of view
Of view
You already do
...
She winks at him. And then her voice goes low.
...
Never you mind where the evening should find us
Together
She sings without strumming
...
Distance can't take what is hidden here
Safe in my chest
...
I'll wait for the day when
We finally say now or never
Till then I'll be here wanting more
As I settle for at most fear
...
Strumming continues again, and Rick sits up on the sofa. Seeing as Alexis zooms out a little to get full picture of Kate singing and playing, and then she zooms in on her hands strumming, to her fingers on the chords. She makes it look like a music video. A private music video between two new loves.
...
Sweet sun
Send me the moon
Empty the skies out
Bringing me one step closer to you
Send it soon
And I will breathe in, breathe out
Until you come in and out
Of view
Of view
When the song is over. Kate sits for a second while everyone claps, Smiling at Alexis who's still holding the phone up. Kate winks at him again and moves off stage. "Want me to follow?" Alexis asks, turning the phone around.
"No pumpkin. I'll call her later." He says with a smile and a little wave before he shuts down. Once he's alone again. He can't help but grin. The one where his eyes wrinkle at the corners making them appear like they are smiling too.
Rick checks the time. It's seven at night for him making it ten for Kate. He'll go get dinner and call her afterwards. Knowing she might be on her way home now. She'll wash up and get ready for bed, but wont be able to sleep.
What do you think! One of my favorite Chapters. And now you can yell at me for giving them a moment and ruining it with an LA trip! ahhaa! Like we do with the creators when all we want is them together. BUT! I had to. Because I have so many songs I want to use, and I seriously cannot right kissy moments with those two if I haven't seen it. You know? I don't want to mess up the dynamic unless it's set in that setting...(if that makes sense?)
Okay! Those of you who sent me suggestions. I wrote a few down and may use them. And I got more ideas from your ideas so your all a big help! So. The person who said Fearless by Cindy Lauper? That's next. And then after that Kate sings with Luther. But a song I found. and it's already fixed for who sings what parts. So I'll right Fearless and then post the duet. I'm having so much fun with this! Thanks so much!