A/N: This story took me a little longer than originally planned but after reading everyone's comments on my last one, I wanted to make sure and add to its length. It takes place after Still but before Watershed (even though my "six months of work" idea doesn't really match up with the timeframe, you'll see what I mean.) I had fun with this one and I'm hoping to keep it going. I would love to hear your feedback/reviews and I hope I do not disappoint. Thank you!
A very distracted Kate Beckett…
A very distracted…
Wait.
A COMPLETELY DISTRACTED Kate Beckett is packing for an upcoming vacation with her boyfriend and their best friends. They have all been working non-stop the last six months and it was taking its toll.
With only a small window of time to pack, the two blouses Beckett picked from her closet slowly slide out of her hands and into her suitcase. One actually misses the suitcase and hits the floor.
Does she notice? Of course not. Will she? Maybe later. What is she so distracted by?!
Richard Castle.
Even though he was right by her side during those long, six months, their time together was either spent working or sleeping. Midway through, he left for an unbearable, two-week writer's convention. So much so, that she actually admitted it out loud once he returned.
With a fresh perspective, Castle saw what was happening to the people he loved and decided to make some calls. As much as he enjoyed the Hamptons, he knew it wasn't warm or far enough this time around. So, he booked a private, beachside villa in Cabo that was spacious enough to accommodate their entire group and provide enough privacy for he and Beckett, uh, each couple as needed.
No surprise, everyone was on board. He did extend the offer to Captain Gates since she was just as deserving of the trip, but she politely declined. Her husband already planned a trip for the family to visit his mother. Yikes.
While he's got Beckett distracted, Castle manages to put his arms around her and guide them both away from the closet, towards her bed. She somewhat tries to escape his grasp but when he starts planting those little kisses over her face and down her neck that drive her wild, she goes along with it. She even manages to plant a few on him before speaking.
"Castleeeee?"
"Hmm yeah?"
"We'll have plenty of time for this, in Cabo."
"Why not start early?"
"Because if I don't finish packing now, I'll have no clothes to wear."
Castle smirks, "sounds good to me! In fact, I'll unpack all my clothes and join you."
Beckett bites her lip to hide her smile and runs her hand through Castle's hair, ruffling it up. "And how do you think our friends will react to that plan?"
"Oh…" Castle responds with a pout.
"Yeah, nice try Castle." Beckett kisses him and he smiles.
"Can I help you pack at all?"
"Really?"
"Yeah, I'll just make us some coffee first."
"Okay, wanna fold while I finish picking everything out?"
"You got it." Castle gives Beckett a quick kiss as he moves off the bed. Beckett sits up as he heads for the door.
Suddenly, Castle turns back to her, "Wait. Wait. Wait." He runs back to the bed and gives her another quick kiss.
"You just stole my move, mister."
As he leans his forehead against hers, he explains, "I'm just really excited for our trip."
"Me too," Beckett responds in her signature whisper.
"I love you Kate."
"I love you too."
Castle kisses her forehead and whispers, "be right back" before walking out of the room. Beckett stands up and looks over at her empty suitcase with a sigh.
"Focus…"
She manages to pick out a few clothes before Castle returns with their coffees. As he hands Beckett her mug, she notices the sun design he made in the foam.
"You learned a new one!"
"I was saving it for our first morning in Cabo but I figured it might help motivate us now. Plus, this one only took me four minutes."
They both take a sip. Castle places his mug on top of the nearby dresser and reaches out for Beckett's. She steals another quick sip and hands it to him.
"How's it going so far," Castle asks.
"Not bad, I picked out a few more things," Beckett points over to her suitcase.
"Nice!" Castle kneels down in front of the suitcase and starts folding.
Beckett turns back towards her closet, "how did you manage to finish packing so early?" She tosses a pair of pants in Castle's direction and he catches it mid-air.
"It's going to sound silly but I actually enjoy packing."
"Really?"
"Well, definitely more for a vacation but yeah, this time I actually started once I had everything booked."
Beckett rapid fire tosses more clothes in Castle's direction. He manages to catch and fold a shirt while the rest of the clothes end up on top of his head.
"Heyyy!"
Beckett turns to him and laughs.
"Sorry!"
Castle shakes the clothes off his head.
"I packed a few things in my bag for you too."
"Oh really? Like what?"
"You'll just have to wait and see…"
She's hoping for at least one of his crisp, white button downs and maybe, if he's been paying attention, the grey, vintage Mickey Mouse tee she found scrunched up in one of his drawers. She fell in love with it the minute she tried it on but she wanted it to smell more like him. So, she insisted that he wear it more often before eventually claiming it back.
As Castle finishes up the last of the packing, Beckett let out an exhausted yawn.
"Go lie down, I'll take care of the rest."
"Can't, I still have that paperwork…"
Beckett had been planning to finish the paperwork from their last case tonight. As much as he hated doing paperwork, Castle was willing to take one for the team.
"I'll work on it."
"But…"
If I have any questions I'll wake you. Promise."
"Are you sure?"
Beckett yawns again and Castle's heart practically skips a beat. He walks over to Beckett, takes her hand, and leads her to her bed. Once she's all tucked in, he whispers in her ear, "just one more work day. We got this."
She whispers back, "Thanks."
The next morning, Beckett wakes up snuggled in Castle's arms. It's still early; their phone alarms haven't gone off yet. She tilts her head sideways and watches him, still fast asleep beside her.
She reaches for one of his hands and entwines their fingers together, settling back into his embrace. He feels it, and reacts by reaffirming his grip around her.
"Cmon Beckett we'll miss the dolphins…"
Dolphins? Beckett tilts her head back at him questioningly.
"No Espo, it's my turn to steer the boat…"
Beckett covers her mouth to avoid waking him with her laughter.
"I'M THE KING OF THE WORLD!"
Just then, their alarms go off. Beckett watches as Castle's eyes flutter open.
"Morning… your highness."
"Huh?" Castle pulls her even closer towards him.
Beckett smirks as she turns to lay her head on his chest.
"How late were you up last night?"
"Not too late, just procrastinated a little."
"Oh no."
Don't worry, paperwork's all done."
"Thanks again Castle."
"Does this mean we can have five more minutes?"
Beckett lifts her head and kisses Castle's forehead. Even though he's awake, she can't help but take in how at peace he still looks.
"No."
He let's out a whimper as she tugs him up.
"We just have to make it through today..."
"With no murder," he reminds her.
"It worked out last time, remember?"
"Yeah, until that guy-"
"-That's NOT gonna happen this time!"
Castle laughs at Beckett's quick response. She playfully pushes him back down on the bed.
"See, we could have had five more minutes!"
Beckett smirks as she reaches for a pillow. Castle's eyes widen.
"Alright! You win, I'm up!"
Beckett drops the pillow triumphantly. Castle carefully crawls over and kisses her.
"Don't worry Beckett, we'll have a good work day. I'm glad you got some rest." Castle makes his way over to his drawer and picks out his clothes. Beckett happily joins him and picks out her own clothes.
The next few hours at the precinct go by smoothly and quietly. Beckett spends the majority of them fixated on her digital clock, just as she did before her first trip with Castle to the Hamptons.
Finally, they reach the last hour before their all clear. Castle picks up his empty coffee mug and reaches for Beckett's.
"Should I make us more?"
With her eyes still on the clock, Beckett responds, "you know what, I'll make it. I could use a distraction." She reaches for their mugs before slowly getting up and walking away from her desk.
After making the coffee, Beckett returns to find Castle, Esposito, and Ryan all huddled around her desk.
"Guys, I'm stressed," Ryan confesses.
"Just hang in their buddy, we're almost there" Castle responds.
"Shhhh," Esposito interjects.
Suddenly, the elevator doors open: Lanie and Jenny walk into the bullpen.
"Lanie? Jenny? What are you guys doing here," Beckett asks.
Jenny responds, "we got an emergency text from Castle to meet you guys here."
Suddenly Castle calls over, "Lanie! Jenny! You're just in time!"
"In time for what," Lanie asks.
"T-minus one minute and counting!" Castle calls out.
"Ohhh!" Beckett finally understands what the boys are up to. She leads Lanie and Jenny over to her desk. Beckett whispers to Castle as she hands him his coffee.
"So, this was all your doing?"
"Yep, thought it would be fun for us all to be together when the clock strikes five."
Beckett smiles. "Just like last time."
"Except we can actually kiss this time."
"Do I detect a hidden agenda, Mr. Castle?"
"Just putting it out there, Detective Beckett."
They both turn to check the time.
Everyone counts down, "IN THREE! TWO! ONE! NO MURDER!"
While their friends' cheer and high five, Beckett kisses Castle.
"Happy New Year Castle."
Mesmerized, Castle musters out, "There, wasn't that fun guys?"
Esposito responds, "The real fun doesn't start until we get to the beach bro!"
Everyone else cheers in agreement. Beckett, Castle, Esposito, and Ryan rush to gather their things and leave the precinct. As the group rides down the elevator to the parking garage, Castle reminds them, "Don't forget, the limo is picking us all up extra early tomorrow. Our flight leaves at 7am."
The elevator doors open and they all say their goodbyes before heading to their respective cars.
