A/N: Sorry this took so long to update. Families, real and imagined, got in the way!
It might be worth re-reading the last chapter if you want to remind yourself of where they are or...
Cliff Notes: Castle & Beckett are staying at an Inn in the small Virginian town of Luray, trying to repair their relationship. Castle has just confessed that he feels guilty that he helped lure Kate to Tyson because he didn't fight back, all because he really wanted to see her again. Kate more than forgives him, just grateful that he still wanted to see her at all after the way she left him to take the job in DC.
They are now headed out for a drive together into the Shenandoah National Park, accompanied by the Hudson's dog, Tammy.
Chapter 11 – The Appalachian Trail
"She gave you a thermos of coffee?" asks Castle, with amusement, looking over his shoulder into the back seat of the car as he reverses out of the Hudson's driveway.
"Oh, it doesn't stop there. She packed sandwiches, apples, a bag of chips and a couple of freshly baked blueberry muffins. Oh, and some treats for Tammy. There's a whole picnic basket back there," grins Kate, so relieved to see him smiling and enthusiastic after their dark discussion before breakfast.
"I think I love that woman," declares Castle, sounding the horn as they pull out into Main Street, bidding Jerry and Missy a friendly goodbye as they head out for the day.
Kate's lips quirk upward in a fleeting, shy smile, and then she looks down at her lap on hearing this harmless, slightly theatrical remark.
They're backing away from this terrible nightmare that they lost each other somewhere in the middle of – her poor decisions, Tyson's twisted hell – and somehow it's like going back a couple of years to hear him say that he loves anyone.
She knows in her heart that he still loves her and she's more certain than ever that she loves him, come hell or high water, come what may. But she's suddenly unsure where they sit in this moment after his confession this morning – that he endured Tyson's captive hell just so that he could see her again. What does that say about his importance to her that only a serial killer could get her attention, could bring her home to him? He may feel ashamed for not fighting back (she's grateful that he didn't) but she feels even more devastated at her own reckless abandonment of their relationship.
"Hey?" he says, snagging her attention.
"Mm?" murmurs Kate, her fingers twisting back and forth in her lap.
"Why the sad face?"
"I—sorry, I was just thinking," she tells him, vague but true.
"Nothing good, by the looks of that frown," he teases, and she's grateful that he's trying. But it's still hard to accept the mental torture he's been putting himself through on her behalf.
"Just thinking about this morning…out in the yard," she confesses, forcing herself to be honest with him. "About what you said."
"I'm still sorry I did nothing to protect you," he says, staring straight ahead. "But everything you said makes sense too. I'm trying to hold onto that."
"Good. Because we're still here, Castle. Tyson is gone and we get a second chance," she says, fiercely, as fiercely as she told him that she loved him not two hours ago out in the Hudson's front yard.
"You know that I love you too," he says, startling her with this upfront proclamation, making her wonder if he really can read her mind. "None of what we talked about this morning changes that. Nothing we went through. DC didn't even change that," he adds, quietly, glancing at her before focusing his eyes back on the road.
"For me too," she agrees, leaning against her own door to look at him, her head pillowed against her hand, her eyes soft and clear, a sincere smile playing at her lips.
Tammy is riding in the cargo space of the SVU, nestled on a ratty old towel with her favorite chew toy and a squeaky, pink ball rolling around beside her. Kate feels ridiculously like they are a family; as if borrowing a friend's dog is enough to repair the trauma they're currently wading their way through.
Still, they do say that pets can be a powerful aid to those suffering from depression, loneliness, trauma or PTSD. Maybe spending time with Tammy will be good for both of them.
They turn West on Main Street, heading for US-211. Downtown Luray is an old style Virginian Main Street community of well maintained and restored nineteenth century brick storefronts with large display windows, retro-warehouse stores and eateries.
"Looks fun around here," observes Castle, taking in the sights as they drive by. "We could go out for dinner tonight. Sample the local scene."
"I'd like that," nods Kate, watching an old man unlock the ornate glass door to an antique store, flicking the sign from 'Closed' to 'Open', his red bow tie standing out like a bloodstain against the crisp collar of his sparkling, white shirt.
"Seems…quaint and friendly."
"After Washington, New York will seem quaint and friendly," muses Kate, looking out the window at a secondhand bookstore whose owner is setting out a folding table with boxes of pre-loved paperback novels Kate has a strong urge to stop and rummage through.
"Maybe we should stay on here for a few days," Kate suggests, not sure if she kept this idea to herself or said it aloud.
"Not quite ready to move on?" asks Castle, confirming that she definitely vocalized her thought.
"Mm. I don't know. This town just has a good feeling about it," she says, stretching out in the passenger seat, feeling relaxed and languorous after their hearty breakfast.
Castle's eyes momentarily leave the road as he glances at her, a spark of hunger igniting in them that isn't missed by Kate when he takes in the elongation of her body with her seat slightly tipped back. She's all long legs, lean torso, and delicious feminine curves; her body sharply delineated in skinny jeans and a close-fitting turtleneck the puts everything out on display.
He clears his throat a couple of times, and Kate watches his Adam's apple bob, notes the way his fingers clench around the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white. That she still has this power over him pleases her, since looking at him has a similar effect on her mind and body. All's fair...
"Would that be a mysterious vibe you're feeling, Detective Beckett?" Castle teases, getting them back on a lighter track. "A phenomenon you can't see or hear or prove or measure? Like the magical properties of your gut!" he smirks.
"Shut up!" she laughs, slapping his thigh. "Do you want to stay on here or not?"
"I want to do whatever makes you happy," he replies, with frustrating honesty.
"Oh, no," says Kate, shaking her head emphatically and sitting upright once more. "You can't do that. No. Castle, I know you're still feeling guilty about New York, but you can't put yourself last because… Look, I told you—"
"Kate, relax. Relax. Please? Making you happy will make me happy. End of story," he tells her, as if it is the simplest solution in the world, and maybe it is.
"So…you're actually saying that there's maybe a little self interest involved in making me happy?" she teases, letting her frown relax, smooth out and soften into a twinkle-eyed smile.
"Exactly. So we should stay. And besides, you were right. We still haven't tried out that Jacuzzi," he adds, giving her a playful nudge.
They haven't even left Luray and the color of the leaves on the trees and lying by the side of the road is spectacular. The route to Shenandoah National Park takes them up in elevation until they reach the closest entry point, which is at Thornton Gap, about nine miles outside of town. They pull off the road, pay the $15 entrance fee to take the rental car in, and then park up in the parking area.
"You're sure you want to hike?" asks Kate, thinking only of Castle, who is still overcoming the physical trauma of Tyson's period of capture. "We can always take the Skyline Drive. The view from the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains is supposed to be just as spectacular."
"Beckett, we're walking," insists Castle, releasing his seatbelt and cutting the engine.
"Castle," sighs Kate, swiveling in her seat to face him, "you're still…look, you're still recovering from…"
She pauses, her whole body deflating, doesn't want to say the man's name again, doesn't want to bring up bad memories or ruin the happy mood their day has evolved into. But she can't ignore the facts – that he was chained to a radiator for days, drugged, starved and beaten.
"Look, I know that you maybe feel fine, but we haven't exactly been physically active recently. Either of us, and—"
"All the more reason to get out there," he says, waving the hiking trail map the Park employee gave them in front of her. "It's the Appalachian Trail, Beckett. We can't come to Virginia and sit in our rental car, coasting along the Skyline Drive, peering out the windows at the view. Come on. It'll be fun. Right, Tammy?" he calls out, getting a resounding woof from the excited dog thumping her tail in the back of the car as he opens the door and gets out.
A waft of pleasantly cool, freshly scented mountain air swirls into the vehicle when Castle opens the tail lift to the cargo space and lets the dog out.
Kate sighs, unsure why she's dragging her feet at this point. Castle was so quiet in Washington that she worried about him. He unburdened himself to her this morning and now he wants to get out in the fresh air and go for a hike, burn off some energy. It should be as simple as that. If she's frustrated by their lack of physical intimacy, then it stands to reason he would be too. They were apart for months, neither of them saw other people, the attraction they feel for one another didn't just disappear over that time, and now they're back sharing a bed every night with nothing beyond the briefest hugs and the lightest of touches happening between them.
She wants him back in her life in all the ways that count, but he asked for time, and she is trying to respect his request and give him as much space as he needs to let him lead the dance again. Maybe this hike is exactly what she could do with to burn off some frustration of her own.
"Right behind you," she yells, getting out of the car and running to catch up with man and dog, who're already heading towards the pathway that will eventually lead them to the panoramic viewing point known as Mary's Rock, some 3000 feet above Luray.
Castle is wearing a backpack with all the food and their thermos of coffee packed inside. The plaid blanket Missy gave them for their picnic is rolled up and strapped to the top.
"Are you sure I can't take a turn carrying that thing?" asks Kate, not for the first time.
Castle slams to a stop on the trail and turns to face her. Kate and Tammy almost collide with him, all three ending up in a tight bunch.
"Okay, I am not an invalid, and you are in charge of the dog," he points out, gesturing down at Tammy, who is straining on her leash, the heavy scent of fresh deer scat drawing her attention. "So, can we just enjoy the view and can you maybe…stop trying to drive for once?" Castle whispers, his face scrunched up in an adorable grimace, since he's desperately trying not to offend Kate, but he really needs her to back off with the fussing, she can see.
"Sorry. I'm sorry," she murmurs, letting him usher her ahead of him when the path narrows slightly and the rock walls come into view in the distance.
They ascend the trail through a natural corridor of red spruce and balsam fir trees. The yellow-green needles of the red spruce glow a glossy lime in the sun, while the shorter balsam fir have smooth, grey bark that is split and stained with burst blisters of dried resin in places. Kate hears the thud of a pinecone as it hits the springy, needle covered ground beneath the tree canopy, popping open to release it's winged seeds to the ground below.
The air has warmed up a lot since they sat outside before breakfast, and Kate takes off her jacket, trying it around her waist, her turtleneck sweater more than warm enough while they climb.
Eventually, they near a side trail where the path branches off to the right, the sound of fast running water drifting up from the hollow down below.
"What is that?" ask Kate, when Castle stops to consult the map.
"There's a creek less than a mile down that way. Wanna go see?" asks Castle, with that little boy excitement she so loves.
The sunlight catches his face, making his blue eyes pale as turquoise and his hair shine with a healthy luster.
Kate finds herself staring at him, her lips slightly parted, as she takes in the beauty of this briefly broken man; a man she almost lost forever. A man she now can't ever imagine being without.
"Kate?" asks Castle, prompting her back to blushing awareness.
"Sorry, I was…"
"Staring," he grins, finishing her hanging sentence for her.
"Yeah. Busted," she laughs, looking down at the ground, kicking at a worn tree root with the toe of her boot until Tammy tugs on her leash and they have to make a decision.
"So? Creek or Mary's rock? You choose," he says gently, letting her off the hook without embarrassing her in a way he might once have found fun.
"I do love the sound of running water," she admits, giving him a hopeful look.
"Fine. But if I have to go potty behind a tree, I don't want to hear you complain," jokes Castle, leading them off down the winding trail in search of the bubbling stream.
The trail suddenly opens out a couple of minutes later and they find themselves on some wide, flat rocks with trees extending out on either side and the rushing, tumbling, burbling creek running right past them a few feet below.
The water is crystal clear and it looks cold and fresh. The trees on the other bank are deciduous – oak and maple - their leaves now a riot of fall color.
"Wow!" says Castle, stopping to admire the view.
"That is breathtaking," agrees Kate, coming to stand beside him.
The foilage on the opposite side of the creek looks as if it is on fire. The leaves positively glowing with color: maple rimmed in a bright scarlet red that burns through orange to the gold of a flickering flame at the heart of each palm shaped leaf. The shiny oak leaves are a palette of greens and yellows that span from bright lime to bitter lemon.
"Is this a good spot for a picnic?" grins Castle, hoisting the backpack down onto the ground and rolling his shoulders. "Or is this a good spot?"
The sun is bathing the flat rocks in warmth, and there's a softer patch of ground off to the side of the trail that's clear of ground cover due to the thick, acidic layer of springy pine needles covering the dry earth.
"I think you may have found the perfect spot," agrees Kate, calling the dog to heel and then holding her leash out for Castle to take charge of her.
Kate spreads the plaid, woolen blanket on the ground and then she busies herself with the contents of Missy's picnic, while Castle walks the dog down to the edge of the creek to drink, after he finds a path to take them the rest of the way to the water, which is flowing several feet below.
After a quiet moment or two, Kate can hear stones hitting the rocks that lie out in the center of the creek, some small and light, some splashing loudly, more like boulders being dropped into a deep pool. She smiles, pleased Castle is having fun, enjoying being out in the fresh air herself, feeling the sun on her face after weeks of being cooped up inside a dry, air conditioned office building.
When Castle doesn't immediately return, she lies down on the blanket to wait for him, letting the heat soak through the dark fabric of her jeans and sweater, all the way down into her bones.
She must have fallen asleep at some point, because she startles awake when she feels the light whack of a tail repeatedly hitting her boot and then gets a nudge in her ribs when Castle sinks onto the blanket beside her and accidently bumps against her when the enthusiastic dog decides to follow him, knocking him over.
"Hey! No! Off! Stay off the blanket. That's a good girl," he tells Tammy, as Kate sits up on her elbow to watch the comedic scene unfolding in front of her.
"You have such a way with the ladies, Castle," she grins, nudging him back with a playful bump of her shoulder. "How they listen to you…quite a sight!"
"Oh, no! No way! I am not taking that from you," he grins back, primed for retaliation.
His large, powerful hands are on her waist without a second's thought, and he uses his extensive knowledge of her body to tickle her to tears.
Kate pulls her knees up, trying to protect herself from his fiendish onslaught, gasping for air as she writhes on the blanket in a fit of hysterics. By the time Tammy starts barking her disapproval, Castle is starting to ease off, and they both flop onto their backs in exhaustion, still laughing, shaking and fighting for breath, tears leaking out of the sides of their eyes.
"That was mean," gasps Kate, straightening out her sweater, which has ridden up exposing an inch or so of her stomach.
"I know. But I'm not even sorry," replies Castle, with an amused sigh, pillowing one arm behind his head and grinning up at the blue sky. "I can't remember the last time I laughed so much."
"Yeah. Me either," agrees Kate, her smile shrinking as they slowly come back down to earth.
She sighs and rolls onto her side to look at him.
"Promise me whatever happens you'll never stop laughing, Castle?"
"What?" he asks, frowning, before he rolls over to face her. "What does that mean? Whatever happens?"
"It means…it means what it means," she shrugs. "We don't know what's around the corner. That's all. Not many men get to adulthood still full of the joy they had as kids. I don't ever want that to stop for you."
"Okay," he says, warily. "I will try to take that as a compliment and not a sign that you think I'm childish and immature."
"Castle, you already know what I think of you. Stop fishing for compliments," she scolds lightly, meeting his eyes and smiling at him.
Flirting would actually be a more accurate description of what they're doing right now, both as deeply engaged as the other.
"I've missed this," he says, after a beat or two of silence, where they just stare at one another. "Just spending time with you…doing nothing in particular."
"Castle?" says Kate, her tone questioning, when he looks down at the blanket, plucks at a pine needle he finds lying there, and then looks into her eyes with such longing that it makes her heart jump in her chest.
"I've missed you," he confesses, leaning in closer, curling a strand of her hair around his forefinger.
He briefly rests his forehead against hers, and Kate holds her breath, keeping her eyes trained on the blanket, hope filling her to the brim. He has to do this for them, it's only fair, so she leaves every move up to him.
When he cups the back of her head, fingers threading into her hair, she shivers despite the heat of this warm, fall day.
"Kate?" he whispers, swallowing hard, seeking her permission.
She raises her eyes to him and whatever he sees there is enough to spur him on. He presses a feather light kiss to her forehead and then lowers his mouth to kiss each of her cheeks in turn, so softly, so tenderly, that she wants to cry out.
Kate feels a swell of emotion rising in her chest, a sob building in her throat, and she finds her hand gripping his shoulder before she knows what she's even doing.
Castle rubs his cheek against hers, up and down, his freshly shaved skin so soft and cool when it touches hers, and Kate whimpers, her fingers clutching onto his jacket to keep him close.
His nose nudges hers and she feels the exquisite sensation of his warm breath whispering against her damp lips a millisecond before he kisses her. Her lips part in longing as he brushes her soft mouth with his own, so lightly that she wonders if he's teasing her, until he takes a sharp breath in and crushes his lips against hers. He rolls her onto her back, still cradling her head, with the momentum of his own body's desperate surge towards her.
When the first shot rings out, it's as clear as a bell - a loud crack that echoes through the trees and bounces off the rocks, splintering the sound and making it appear as if two or three shots in quick succession, instead of just one.
Kate's senses are all to hell. She's still floating on the sea of sensation she was completely giving herself over to when the next shot comes, and Castle is the one who reacts.
"Gun!" he yells, scaring the dog, who starts to bark and run in panicked circles around them.
Castle throws his body fully over Kate's to protect her, covering her head with his hands, his cheek pressed next to her ear, breathing heavily, as she fights to get to grips with the situation, to get her brain around what the hell is going on.
The third shot comes terrifyingly close, cracking off a nearby boulder and sending shards of rock and dust raining down a few feet away from them.
The noise is terrifying, and that's when Castle snaps...
Thoughts?
