Chill In The Air
Season 4

He watched her trying to lift her the collar on her jacket to stop the wind that must have been sending a chill through her but she wasn't having much luck, her collar not coming up nearly high enough to keep her warm. A breeze had picked up as they walked the crime scene and it carried an icy chill with it. Winter had definitely come to New York.

He observed her as she carried out her sweep, committing every detail to her memory and giving Perlmutter her attention as he talked her through everything they'd found so far. She instructed the boys to start a canvas and she'd start talking to witnesses with Castle. He saw the involuntary shiver run through her and she hunched in her jacket a little more.

"How is it for a woman who has a scarf to match every outfit, you aren't wearing one today?"
"It wasn't that cold when I left this morning. I've got one at the precinct." She shrugged. "Dead body, Castle. I've got more pressing matters."

He unraveled his scarf from his neck, handing it to her as he pulled up the collar on his own coat which succeeded in doing a better job for him than her coat had.
"I'm fine Castle," she told him, pushing the scarf back to him.
"Catching a cold isn't going to help you get this guy," Castle reasoned. "I'm warm enough with my jacket." As if on cue, the wind picked up again and ruffled her hair, icy fingers curling against her neck. "Unless you want to keep pretending you're not cold."

She knew that look on his face. The one that said he would continue to make this an issue. The one that said he couldn't fool her. The one that said he was just trying to help. She was starting to regret running out to their crime scene without a scarf this morning and they were going to be at the scene for a little while longer. She took the scarf from him, rolling her eyes as if she was reluctantly giving in but in reality she was touched by his concern and appreciated his caring nature.

"Thanks," she gave him a small smile as she wrapped the scarf around her neck, trying to control the fluttering in her stomach. It was warm and so soft and it smelt like him. Oh, she was in deep if wearing his scarf was affecting her like this.
He smiled in return. "Looks better on you anyway."

She flashed him a shy grin and cleared her throat, turning to head back to Esposito and Ryan to check with their progress on the canvas and led Castle over to the witnesses they needed to talk to.

"How do you fit all your clothes in that apartment anyway?" He called after her as he followed.

AN: Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! I'm off with family for a few days but I still have a few Christmas and winter stories to post if you still want to read them! Hope you all have a wonderful festive season.

Also wanted to thank anybody who listened to, downloaded and purchased my Castle album "Always". I was able to send a donation to Children's Hospital LA this holiday season on behalf of all the cast, crew, writers and fans of the show. If you wish to listen to original songs inspired by Castle, go to thefifthsister dot bandcamp dot com.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!