Prompt by Nathan fan.
Disclaimer: Castle belongs to ABC.
Today's special: Buy one, get one free! (While supplies last. Not valid in the states of Disarray, Undress, or Denial.)
Predicament
There are just a handful of people that she's let get close to her, and two of them are in danger. She'll be the first one in the door, and she'll have only a fraction of a second to make a decision that could save a life or end one. Castle has Alexis and Martha to think about; Ryan has Jenny. Castle can keep his wits in a tough situation. Ryan has courage and training on his side. She kicks the door in, intent on saving both of them, but Castle's name is the first to fall from her lips.
Her heart was hammering and her throat was dry, but she could focus on the job as long as Castle and Ryan were in trouble. Now the danger is past, the adrenaline's gone, and the overwhelming sense of relief at finding them relatively unharmed has left her shaky and spent.
He's in far worse shape. She brings him coffee and sits poolside with him. When he picks up her hand and folds it tightly inside his own, it doesn't feel particularly new or different; it's simply right. Whatever else they are to each other, they'll never again be just friends.