26

They stood in the short line for the next boat, close enough to feel the cold mist on their faces. No wonder the place was nearly deserted in the winter. It was freezing, even with coats, scarves, and gloves. Kate leaned back against Rick's chest with her hands on the railing and his arms wound snugly around her waist. The roar of the falls filled their ears, the mist filled their lungs. Despite the cold, it was invigorating, awe-inspiring. He rested his cheek against her head, smiling. Kate was amazed at how calm he was being. She fully expected him have already pulled out his phone to read factoids off Wikipedia to her about the falls. But he was just holding her contentedly.

When the boat finally docked, he gently placed his hand at the small of her back, a gesture already familiar, to lead her onto its deck. The boat's guide not only provided the factoids like the height of the falls and how glaciers carved them out of the earth, but also some of the more interesting traditions of the Mohawk and Iroquois tribes. The boat took them over to the Cave of Winds, and Castle began bouncing a little on the balls of his feet.

"Just imagine. What would it have been like to actually go into the cave behind the falls? Like in a movie."

"Yeah, well, Castle, you're like a hundred years too late for that. I don't think the cave even exists back behind there anymore. Wasn't it destroyed in a rockslide or something?"

Castle grinned. "A rock fall in 1920 made it too dangerous to tour, then another one,a massive one, obliterated it in 1954. But I want to hear the story of why it's called 'Bridal Veil Falls.' I bet there's some good folklore about star-cross'd lovers from opposing tribes meeting behind there then jumping to their deaths while trying to run off together. Or something like that."

"Wow. That's really morbid."

"Eh. Occupational hazard."

"Wouldn't it be a better story if the earth opened and created the cave for them to hide from their families while they had a secret wedding ceremony?"

"Ooh. Yeah. I like it. I bet it really is a story like that. Look at you, letting your romantic side show."

He smiled and hugged her; she half-way rolled her eyes and retorted, "Isn't this whole trip letting my romantic side show?"

She kissed him chastely before he could answer, finishing with a light touch of her tongue to his lips that left him wanting more.

"Tease."

"Always."

The boat passed on by Bridal Veil, heading toward the larger falls. Castle listened for the guide to tell the story behind the name, but all he said was that there were pedestrian platforms and bridges during warmer months in front of the falls. Rick made a mental note to bring Kate back here to walk the bridge across the base of the falls sometime when it's warm.

They approached Horseshoe Falls, the biggest of the three falls, the roar even louder once they were surrounded on three sides by it. They stood silently on the bow, hand in hand, astounded by the sheer size of the falls wrapping around them. Rainbows appeared and disappeared in the mist billowing in the sunshine. It was gorgeous, but the mist was icy. Freezing, they went inside the enclosed area of the boat, even though Rick said it was "cheating."

As the boat pulled away from the falls to meander back to the dock, Rick caught sight of the Skylon Tower on the Canadian side of the falls. "Do you have your passport with you?"

Kate leaned against him. "Yeah why?"

"Really? You carry your passport with you?"

"Thought we might need it."

"But you didn't tell me to bring mine? What if I wanted to go eat in the restaurant up there?" He pointed at the tower.

Kate chuckled. "You have a passport card in your wallet."

"You snooped in my wallet?

"How would I do that, Rick? You'd notice me pulling it out."

His lips quirked into a smile.

"Of your pocket!"

"Then how'd you know I had one?"

"I just saw it one time when you were looking for your favorite card to pay for dinner."

He remembered that time. She'd made fun of him for having a favorite card. "Huh. That was like two years ago. I didn't know you paid that much attention."

"I'm supposed to pay attention to details, Castle. It's my job."

"Details about murders and suspects. Not about me."

"Seriously? You know that's crap."

Rick grinned. He'd baited her and gotten her to admit she'd been paying close attention to him for a long time.

She pursed her lips and gave him that look that had mostly replaced the eye-roll.

They got off the boat on the Canadian side and walked through the tourist traps. He bought an oversized lollipop from one vendor, a hot cocoa for Kate from the next.

He pulled her into a kitschy photo studio with period clothing from pre-colonial Native American to 1950's Americana.

"No, Castle! I'm not putting on a costume for a picture! If I was 16, maybe. Now, not a chance."

He sighed and shrugged at the bored teenager behind the register and bought a Niagara Falls shot glass.

The next shop had rock n' roll memorabilia and Cuban cigars. He bought the cigars and got excited by an electric guitar signed by The Who.

"Castle, are you going to buy something at every shop?"

He shrugged and grinned. "Maybe."

He aimed them toward the tower, honestly planning to make it there for a late lunch, but distracted by all the shiny things. Like the huge amusement park. "Can we go? It'll be fun. Do you like roller coasters?"

She took a deep breath and clenched her jaw a little.

"Ooo, Kate. What about the Serenity Spa? Mother said it's wonderful. It's right over there. Couples massage?"

"Castle. Cool it. Let's just go eat."

"'Kay."

She was getting pissy. He didn't want her to be pissy. She had a plan, and his exuberance was getting in the way. He was just excited but tried to make himself dial it back some. But her hand was in his and they were on a get-away that she surprised him with and they had fantastic sex the night before and the falls were awesome and there was just so much to be happy about. He squeezed her hand and cut his eyes over to her.

She squeezed back and glanced up at him. He was really cute trying to hold back his glee. She shook her head and kept walking. She really was such a sucker for him.

It seemed like everything here vied for a view of the falls, and the tower restaurant had a great one. Seated at a table next to a window, they could see for miles in every direction, so Rick had to describe everything he could see.

"Castle. I can see it, too. Seriously. Cool it." Being cute didn't make it any less annoying.

"Seriously? Kate, you've got to be kidding. There's so much we could do here. Together. Or we could just sit here and take in the view. Together. Can't help it… that really makes me happy."

She took his hands in hers and said quietly, "Makes me happy, too." That was, after all, why she'd planned the trip. To spend some time alone together, to make them both happy.

His eyes were twinkling, his expression both sincere and adoring; she just couldn't stay irritated. She let out a little laugh, kept hold of his hand, and held up her menu. He picked his up and began to read, so she peeked over the top of the menus just to watch him.

When he did the same, catching her in the act, she was about to whisper, I love you, but he spoke first. "That little V between your eyebrows; it's still cute."

The first time he said that - during their very first case together, peeking over the top of his crazy fan mail - she rolled her eyes and scoffed.

This time, she laughed, making her eyes sparkle, crazy about the man in front of her, and simply squeezed his hand that was still in hers.

A/N: Please review! They're addictive like the youtube video: "Shake it Out by Florence + The Machine/ Castle Fan Video." LittleMoreTime did it, and it's phenomenonal!

And I have no idea what the story behind the name of Bridal Veil Falls is - I guessed. Anybody know for sure?