Ch. 11 Anywhere With You
When Kate stepped through Walker's door, she instantly became flooded with excitement. She had thought it over in her mind several times and she was going to tell him that she wanted "this" to go somewhere. She didn't have to look long because, towards the back, seated at a small, intimate, table, sat Richard. He didn't see her make her way towards him, so when she all of a sudden came up to the table, she surprised him.
"Twenty minutes. You weren't kidding." He stood up and leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. It was an impulsive move but one he was happy to have made.
She was surprised to find herself not taken back in the least. She actually was happy he kissed her. It made what she wanted to tell him easier.
"I am an on time kind of person. I am just glad you wanted to talk." She sat down across the table and ordered a Guinness.
He took the same and smiled. "I am just glad you took the initiative."
"You weren't going to?" She slid off her jacket and was delighted to notice that her sparkly tank top caught his eye and better yet caught him off guard.
"Uh, well, I was unsure how to approach the topic."
"Right. Well I am not." Which wasn't the whole truth, but who was going to tell him? "I wanted to talk to you about that exactly."
He was glad the drinks arrived just in time. He wasn't sure what she was going to say and how we would react. He noticed she needed a little boost so he gave it to her. "Ok. Go on."
She nodded and didn't hold back. She looked him right in the eye and recited what she had practiced on her way there. "Well, I was thinking about our first date and I had a really good time. By a good time I mean, I would like another one."
"As would I." The devilish grin he gave her made her relax into the conversation.
"I don't always voice what I am feeling and that makes it hard for others to know what I am feeling. Which is a good thing while I am at work but I have a hard time turning it off." She made sure she was being received in the right way before she continued. The light in his eye was the confirmation she needed, so she went on. "So, I am taking a leap of faith here in telling you that I feel strongly for you. I think there is a connection, and I hope I am not the only one that feels this way but…"
He reached across the table and took her hand in his. "You're not. I feel the same, I was just nervous on how to voice it. I didn't want to scare you off."
"Neither did I. We're on the same page then?" She continued to let him hold her hand while she watched the decision play across his face.
"Yeah, I think we are." He gently released his hand from hers and took a big sip of his beer.
The conversation seemed to flow very easily for both of them after they settled on their common ground.
"So, you say he was very smart and secretive?"
"Yeah, I just feel bad for the guy. He had no one."
"No family? No friends?"
Kate sadly shook her head. "None. He was a loner and his parents passed away three years ago."
"It's hard isn't it?"
"Well, it always is. Whenever I get a call, it's sad but the ones who have no one seem worse to me. Sure no one misses them but I think that's the whole point. When you do go, you would want others to miss you and shed some tears. It's called being human."
"Do cases like that happen a lot. The no one missing them part, I mean." He signaled for two more beers while she collected herself.
"Not too much but it does happen." She noticed his somber expression and felt bad. "I don't mean to talk about work, especially the work I do."
"No, it's fine. I mean my work can be sad, I prosecute your cases. Remember?"
"How could I forget what led us here in the first place?" She laughed at the situation and straightened herself up. "So why don't you tell me about your family. You know about my mom and dad. What about you?" She leaned her elbows on the table and gave him her full attention.
"Family is so boring."
She could tell he was dodging her question but wasn't sure why. "If you don't want to talk, I understand but don't lie. I read people for a living remember?"
He nodded knowing he'd been caught. "My parents died when my sister and I were fairly young. She was eight and I was eleven."
"Sorry for your loss. That was too young for you to lose them. I didn't know you had a sister. What's she like?"
"Well, thank you. She is lovely. Her name is Alexis and she is my only family."
"Is there something wrong?"
The look of concern she gave him was something he knew came with the territory of his family's story but was something he didn't want from her. He couldn't say there wasn't anything wrong because she knew him too well. It was something he loved and feared. "My sister is actually going through some things right now that are hard on both of us. I am not at liberty to say what because they're not mine but, it's hard. I worry about her and sometimes don't know what tomorrow holds."
She reached for his hand and pulled him further across the table to her.
"You don't have to tell me but, know I am here for you. I mean it. In anyway I can help, let me know. But can you tell me about how you are dealing with all of this?"
"I am actually seeing a therapist tomorrow. It will help me help her and myself I guess." He expected her to freak out on him and think he was crazy. What he didn't expect was for her to accept it.
"I get it but if you don't mind me mentioning, how come when I said a job can be overwhelming you treated me like I had a weakness? I know it's not a weakness but it worried me that you thought it could be."
"I was determined to push you away remember? I was being a jackass. It's not a weakness, it takes strength. I am glad you brought it up, I don't want you to think ill of me in any way or in any manner. I am glad you don't think I am crazy."
"I don't. Should I?" She playfully smiled at him and gently squeezed his hand.
"No. That wouldn't work for us at all. So, you think you know who did it?"
"That I am not so sure on. I think I know what got him killed, but who actually did it, not so much." She finished her third beer and ordered another.
He raised his eyebrows at her and decided to let them do the talking for him.
"I know what you're thinking Castle. But, to ease your mind, I hold my liquor and I took a cab here. Safe driving." She made a toast to him and took a big taste of her beer.
"Well, here's to us."
She clinked mugs with him and savored the last of her beer. "Ok. Cut off time for me." She checked her watch and decided it was also leaving time.
"Heading home?" He seemed a little disappointed but understood she needed to leave. He enjoyed her company and couldn't wait to get more of it.
"Yeah. I guess it is." She placed a twenty dollar bill on the table and stood up.
"I'll join you." He rose out of his seat and placed a twenty also.
She looked at him oddly. "Still not that kind of girl Rick."
"No, I mean leaving. I'll join you in leaving. Kathryn Beckett, I never."
She laughed at her own assumption and gladly walked out with him. Once she hailed a cab she turned to say her goodbyes. "I had fun, once again."
"Can't wait to do this another time." He opened the cab door for her.
She leaned in the door of the cab and pulled on his shirt to bring him closer. She didn't hesitate on pulling him fully on top of her and placing her lips directly on his. She embraced him and the kiss was both tender and menacing. Once they parted, he was still leaning on her, when she licked her lips.
"Mmm. Wow." She smiled and gently bent down for a peck on the lips.
"I was thinking the same."
She pushed him away then slid in the cab. She reached to close the door but was shocked to see him sliding in next to her.
"Oh, Rick, I wasn't inviting you back, I." She stopped unsure how to put it nicely. She felt bad if her intense kiss was led for him to believe that she wanted more. But, once again, she made an assumption.
"I want to make sure you get home safely. Kate, you really are a tease aren't you?" He laughed and gave the driver her address.
She laughed and leaned into his shoulder. "I sure am making a fool of myself tonight aren't I?"
"Better you than me."
Once the cab pulled up to her apartment, he was just about to exit the cab when she stopped him.
"No need." She slid across his body to exit the open cab door. Once she stood safely on the sidewalk, he closed the door.
"Wow, you are shameless."
"Well, if I am a tease, I have to play the role, right?" She smiled and blew a kiss before entering her building.
