Ficlet Prompt from MaineCastle: Once Upon a Crime AU. Martha secretly invites Beckett to the play unbenounced to Castle. Beckett shows up at the loft and is the last one to leave... you know what to do.
A/N: Warning (and a repeat) - this is an AU. Also, for those not following my tumblr - this is probably the last piece I write for a while, so I'm marking Notes from the Castle as complete. ((for now))
To MaineCastle - I apologize for this taking so long. I do hope you enjoy it! :)
Castle entered his loft not long after he and Beckett had closed the case. It was fairly easy, for once. Their last "victim" had done an excellent job at making them believe she was also attacked by their serial killer, but after they found the empty syringe with her fingerprints all over it, getting her to confess didn't take long at all.
Now, he could fully unwind and relax, as best he could, into this event his mother had decided to put on. He took a flute of champagne from the table and took a sip. He was a bit surprised to find so many people here to see and support the first run of Martha's one-woman show. But then, he was also aware of how well she knew the business, and how to sell a play.
There were several couples milling about, and it struck him that he was here, alone. It had crossed his mind - or really, his mother had brought it to his attention - to ask Kate if she would like to see the play, but he backed out at the last minute. He shouldn't have, but he also had no idea what all was in the show. Just going by the little bit he had read before, it could turn more than embarrassing for him, and quick.
It wasn't long before Alexis stepped onto the make-shift stage and announced the show would be starting soon, so every one slowly began filtering to their seats. He started toward the seating area as well, just as there was another tap at the door. As the door opened and Kate stepped inside, his feet froze into place and his heart lifted. She saw him, and her smile brightened the dimly-lit room.
"Hey," she said, as she approached.
"Hey," he returned, and offered his arm, "I wasn't expecting you."
"Yeah, well, Martha called after you left and invited me." Kate appeared shy for a short moment. "She said that it was imperative that I come and see this show."
"And you can't say "No" to Martha Rodgers when she tells you it's imperative." Castle walked them over to the table and handed a flute of champagne to her.
"I kinda gathered," she answered, then slid her fingers across his as she took the drink from him. "Thanks."
He took them to the seats left open on the front row for them, and it didn't go unnoticed when they sat down, that Kate's hand slipped onto his knee. Through the entire first act, her hand was there, unmoving, except for an occasional tap of her fingers.
When the second act began, their eyes met briefly when she took his hand. It must have been obvious how he wanted to fall through the floor because of his mother's antics, this 'artistic license' she had taken on his early years of life. Knowing Kate was there, taking this in with him, - hearing some of these stories that were absolutely not true - and supporting him through this, meant more than he ever thought possible. He could feel this partnership-bond they shared was growing into something more, something tangible, and before this night, it had never felt so strong.
It seemed like only an instant had passed when the curtain fell for the last time. The small audience broke into applause as his mother stepped onto the stage again, taking her bows and waving her appreciation to everyone there. Kate stood, pulling Castle up to his feet as well, and the clapping increase as Martha gratefully accepted the standing ovation.
The lights in the loft brightened as she stepped off the stage, stopping first to hug Richard and Kate, briefly thanking them both for not wandering off to another body drop. Then, with a flourish, the diva stepped away to work the crowd.
"That was definitely something," Castle replied, thankful that 'worst' part of the event was over, even if he was more than a little proud of his mother for putting together such a show.
"Yeah, it was," answered Kate, as her fingers twined with his again. "Are you going to be okay? You look a little worn."
He nodded, taking a deep breath as he smiled. The play wasn't as embarrassing for him as he expected, but there were still a few details he wished his mother had either left out or was at least somewhat truthful about. "I think so. You know, it really wasn't that bad. I sort of expected, well, more drama. This is my mother, after all."
He loved the sound of Kate's laugh, and took it all in, then, their eyes locked for almost too long. Castle flexed his fingers lightly between hers, breaking the moment. "More champagne?" he asked.
"I think I'd like that," she said, then followed his lead back to the bar, set up with fresh drinks and various snacks.
He picked up drinks and she filled a small plate of the snacks and followed him to his office. Kate sat next to him on his couch and took the small glass Castle offered.
She took a sip, and he was at a loss for words, wanting to say so much, but not knowing where to start. The quiet moment almost dragged on too long, then Kate looked at her father's watch and stretched, arching her back and rolling her shoulders in an almost-feline motion. His eyes wandered for a bit too long, then, he cleared his throat and said, "You must be tired, after the day we had."
"A little," she admitted, sliding a bit closer to him, "But I can't complain about the ending. I'm kind of glad Martha invited me, Castle, I've had a great time."
Kate felt so warm against him, and between her proximity and the late hour, he felt brave, and let his hand reach up and tuck that errant bit of hair and tucked it behind her ear.
When she leaned into his palm, he couldn't stop the words from leaving his mouth. "I've enjoyed today, especially the company. I hope it doesn't mess things up, but I wish this night would never end."
Her voice was soft when she answered, "Yeah, me too."
Castle leaned in closer and brushed his lips across her cheek, then saw Alexis and the Martha still moving the furniture back into place. "You want to go some place else? Less, um, crowded?"
Kate followed his gaze and her eyes lit up with amusement, and something else - something he hoped he would see a lot more of. "My place?"
He loved the way her mind worked. In fact, he loved everything about her.
"Lead the way."