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The distance between two
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One scene – A thousand words (ish)
The same challenge as last year; to see if I could create a linking moment between each Season Six episode.
One chapter a day until Season Seven arrives.
Wish me luck.
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6x11 – 6x12
Under Fire – Deep Cover
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Snow falls slowly from the sky, the soft flakes melting as they touch the skin on his face, and he drops his head back, standing still while they land, barely-there kisses of wonder.
It's a timely reminder of all that the world offers, the little things which are taken for granted, the need to stop and smell the roses.
Not that they brought flowers with them this morning, she'd said it wasn't necessary, but he can't help feeling that his hands are empty, that he should have some token of thanks for the woman that gave him Kate.
Today's not about him though, and he continues his silent vigil from the path.
"Hey, you ready to go?"
Jerking his head forward, he draws the corner of his mouth into a tight smile, his hand extending in her direction. Kate continues moving even as she tangles their fingers together, the front of her body snuggling into his, and he steps away. Releasing her hand, he opens the sides of his coat, wrapping the material around her, sheltering her from the cold as they linger several yards from her mother's headstone.
"We can stay for as long as you need."
She nods against his chest, fingers dancing under his ribs and across to his spine, and he settles his chin gently on her shoulder. He'll stand here forever if that's what she wants.
"I keep thinking that it could've been worse. That we could've been here under much different circumstances, and I feel so grateful that we aren't, but then so damn upset that I'm here." Her head stays down, the confession falling from her lips muffled but he hears every word, and his heart aches over the conflicting emotions that battle within her.
She's not the only one grateful that their latest close call, that Javi and Kevin's latest close call, had a happy ending, and while normally they're the ones in trouble, it was no less soul destroying to be on the other side of the disaster.
"It's just- I'm still here without justice, Castle, and it tears me apart."
Oh, Kate. If only he could take that burden from her.
"I know, but it's a marathon we're running, not a sprint. We'll get there, get justice for your Mom. And just think after all that exercise we'll be mighty buffed for the cameras when we do put the bastard behind bars."
Kate huffs, her spine arching under his fingers as she pulls back, her grin giving away her internal laughter, and he flies in for a kiss, quick and hard against her lips.
"Thank you, Rick. For being here. I don't say it enough-"
"You don't need to say it at all. Two way street, babe."
He chuckles as her nose wrinkles, but two can play at the nickname game.
"I don't know what I would do? If I was faced with the same situation as Jenny. If-"
"Hey, we can't live like that, Kate. Remember. The what ifs will suffocate us. I…" Lifting a hand, he brushes her loose hair away, the flying strands obstructing his ability to see into her stunning eyes. "I know it's not the same, but after last year, with Alexis and what happened in Paris. I thought I'd go insane, that every time she left my sight it would all go horribly wrong again."
It had taken all he had to stand strong and bid her farewell when she'd left for Costa Rica.
"But you're okay now." There's no question in her statement and he drops his forehead to hers, a smile spreading across his lips.
"I am. Mainly because I had you. Have you." Closing his eyes, he searches for just the right words that explain how her presence in his life has shown him that there is such a thing as happily ever after, that for all the bad and evil in the world there is love and light.
Her glow is blinding, illuminating every corner of his soul, chasing the shadows away.
"Castle, it's because when someone stands beside you, holds you up when you think you're going to drown, stays awake when you can't sleep at night, makes you smile even as the tears fall, then there's still joy even on the worst day."
He opens his eyes, and as he stares into hers, the moisture glazing her expression, he breathes her love in.
Today, fifteen years ago, was a very devastating day. But they are here now…
"Exactly. And sometimes we lose sight of that, in the big and little moments of every day, with work and family pressures, but it doesn't mean we forget, Kate. It doesn't mean that I forget." Lowering his mouth, he gently ghosts his lips against hers, seeks entrance, and she allows him in, the heat inside her mouth warming him from the tips of his toes to the top of his head and the all the inches in between.
He doesn't have to hope he does the same for her. He witnesses their shared love every moment that they spend together.
Kate pulls back a fraction, her nose nudging his. "I don't forget either; like an elephant that way. Long memory."
Grinning at her sentiment and the truth within, he catches one last kiss before straightening. It's time to get them home where they can curl up in bed, a hot cup of coffee and each other for company.
"Come on, Castle. I promised your mother I'd teach her how to make pancakes, and today seems like a good day for it."
Walking away, joined by their fingers fused as one, he swallows the thick swell of emotion that rushes through his veins as he listens to his fiancée's plans. Kate wants to spend today, of all days, with his mother, and with the back of his hand, he swipes at his eyelids, clearing his vision.
One person can't replace another, but a heart doesn't have an in and out score sheet. A heart loves exponentially, metaphorically growing in size with every new person that comes along, becomes another loved member of the family.
Family is more than blood, more than that which a person is born into...
Family is love.
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Thank you for all your love and support xoxo
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Thank you to Jamie and Jo for being family xoxo
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Thank you for reading xoxo
