The Plan

Chapter 7

She gave him the entire week and didn't bug him once. Not once. She did it for a good reason. At least, she told herself it was for a good reason. She didn't want her PMS to interfere with anything. She didn't want to blow up at him. She didn't want to say something she didn't mean to say. Most importantly, she didn't want to lose him. She realized that her mother was right. He really was good for her and she wanted to be good for him.

She showed up after a week of almost no contact. Even the calls she made to Castle were brief. Rick answered the front door. "Hi." He felt a little cold to her.

"Hi, would you like to go out somewhere?" Kate asked him. "My treat this time. That is if you're not busy writing or anything."

"Sure, just give me a minute. Come in." He stepped back to let her in and retreated to his bedroom.

She waited in the hallway just off of the kitchen. Rick was back in a few minutes. "All set. Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise. Yes, I know, I hate surprises, but I don't hate giving them."

Rick raised an eyebrow and looked at her. "I see."

Kate smiled at him. She didn't want to present a defeated look; she wanted to be upbeat for him.

It was lunchtime, so he knew it wasn't a bar, though it could be lunch.

"238 Canal Street," she told the taxi driver.

That didn't help Rick much, so he sat back and waited for the taxi to deliver them.

Rick read the sign. "Magic Jewelry?" He didn't understand, but he went inside. It turned out it was an Aura Photograph. The photo was going to show if they loved each other. It cost Kate thirty dollars for the simple Polaroid.

Red aura promotes vitality, motivation, and courage. When you are in bright red aura you are physically active, have strong leadership and assertive power. You may have intense and fiery temperament.

Orange aura could indicate good circulation, self confidence, and self-motivation. When you are in bright orange aura your inner and outer communication, healing ability, and sensuality could be strong.

Yellow aura is about influence and power. It promotes independence and courage. It helps talent for organization and career thinking. Bright yellow aura supports discipline and integrity.

The pink aura is a gentle loving energy. It represents tenderness, kindness, compassion, nurturing and love. Bright pink aura corresponds to a natural curiosity and a strong desire for love and peace.

Green aura is about transition, growth, and change. Green aura could bring opportunity. Plenty of bright green aura promotes healing ability, and unity of body, soul, and mind.

Indigo aura brings intuition, sensitivity, and empathy, Bright indigo aura helps clarity, healing ability, mental and will power.

Blue Aura helps one to be expressive and a good problem solver. Bright blue aura supports inner balance, trust, and confidence.

People with plenty of purple aura usually like to be involved in spiritual causes. People with lighter purple aura are adventurous dreamer.

White aura contains all the colors. It is associated with wholeness. Murky tone of white aura shows confusion and perhaps a lot of thinking, Bright and clean white aura shows open mind and innocence.

"Let's see it." Kate wanted to see what their photo revealed. They were kissing in the picture. She saw a lot of orange, some red, a touch of pink, and a touch of white. She smiled at him. To her, this showed a lot of love. She would cherish this photo. "Lunch? We're in Chinatown, and we can have Chinese while we're here."

They saw several Chinese restaurants to choose from and decided on Wo Hop. That was followed by a trip to the Chinese Ice Cream Factory.

"I'll have coffee, please," Kate told their server. "And I'll have the banana, please," Rick said. Once they had their cones, they walked through Chinatown while enjoying their ice cream.

"I'm sorry I haven't been in touch with you. I didn't want my PMS to interfere. I didn't want to say something I didn't mean," Kate told him while they walked.

"PMS?" Then it clicked. "Ah, PMS. I would have understood, Kate. You keep sending me conflicting messages. One minute I think you're interested in me, and the next, you're not."

"Maybe, but I didn't want to risk it. I'm interested in you. Trust me, I am. No matter what I do or say." Kate stopped and kissed him in front of all those strangers. "I am interested, Castle."

~oo0oo~

Kate waited two entire days before seeing him again. She went to see him at 8 in the morning and smiled when he opened the door. "Hi." Then she kissed him. "I'm still interested." She brushed past him. "Take off your clothes. I'm here all day and all night," Kate told him. "Unless you have somewhere to be?"

Rick followed her into his bedroom. "No, I have nowhere else to be."

Kate was naked first and out into the living room. "What do you have for breakfast?"

Rick shook his head. She was so at ease being naked. He wasn't, but he was willing to learn. He stripped and joined her in the kitchen. "I have eggs, bagels, bread for toast, and orange juice. That's about it."

"Have you ever had Egg in a Hole?"

He thought for a minute. "I don't think so."

She put on a chef's apron since cooking while naked without one wasn't smart. "Great! Okay, watch closely. First, you take a piece of bread and cut a hole in the center. Hmm, you better use the rim of a glass since I doubt you have a biscuit cutter. Melt the butter in a skillet, and once it spreads out, put the bread in. Then you crack an egg into the hole and add salt and pepper. Wait about two minutes, and flip it with a spatula. Salt and pepper it again, wait about two more minutes, and it's done. Then you repeat how many times you need. I want two, and you'll probably want three."

She cooked all five, plated them, and handed Rick his plate. They retreated to the dining room table.

"Castle, are you still having trouble being naked around me?"

Rick looked away from her. "I'll admit it's different."

She reached over and took his hand. "The more you do, the more you'll get used to it. Anya and I did it all the time. I don't mean to suggest that you're Anya. You're you, and I like that. If it's too big a problem, we can get dressed again. Just give it a chance."

"I'll adjust."

Kate smiled at him. "Good."

~oo0oo~

They were sitting in the media room watching TV. Rick placed his hand on her thigh and gently ran his fingers back and forth.

Kate retaliated by placing her hand on his cock and started stroking it.

This soon led to doing more then just touching and stroking.

~oo0oo~

Kate rested against a still naked Castle. "I like this, I like it a lot. It reminds me of my time…" She stopped since she was going to say, "with Anya." She wanted this to be about Castle, not Anya and hurriedly said, "This is amazing."

Rick was sure she was about to say something else, but he let it slide. "Yes, it is. But we need to get up and order something for lunch. I think Mexican would be good."

"Mexican? I was thinking Italian. How do you suggest we resolve this impasse?"

"I was thinking…" Kate squealed when he put her on her back, spread her legs, and buried his face between her thighs.

~oo0oo~

Castle got his way. Kate sat there at the dining room table eating an Ultimate Burrito. She pointed at him. "That was cheating."

He rolled his eyes. "Just admit it, Kate. You wanted Mexican."

"No, I didn't. I wanted Italian. But you won out. I still say that was cheating."

"All's fair in love and war," Rick retorted.

But what Kate heard was the word love. "You love me?"

He blinked. "Wait, what? How did you get that out of love and war?"

"You said that magic word."

"I said love and war and you got I love you out of it." Rick shook his head. "You're weird. You do know that, don't you?"

She tried to smile while looking sweet. "But you love me."

"If you say so." But Rick wasn't really sure if he meant it or not.

Kate smiled at him.

~oo0oo~

They were sitting in the living room side by side. "I'm not keeping you from your writing, am I?"

He shook his head. "I didn't have anything planned until you showed up. So thank you."

"What do you write on, Castle, paper? Except I don't see any." She looked around but didn't see where he had written anything. She thought about it and realized he didn't even have a desk where he could write.

"No, not paper. If you must know, I use a pad," Rick said.

"What's a pad?" Kate didn't understand.

Rick got up and went into the media room, coming back with his pad and holding it in his lap. "This is a pad."

She stared at it. "It's like a laptop computer?"

Rick put the pad on the coffee table. "YES, just like that, and no, you're not interrupting anything."

"Good. I don't want to be the one that causes you to stop writing. My mother would kill me," Kate said with a chuckle.

"That would be bad," he agreed. "So, anything you want to do?"

"Yes, I want to relax against you." She took hold of his arm and leaned into him. "I don't want to do anything."

"We can do that." Rick put an arm around her and held her close.

~oo0oo~

Kate won out in the end and got her Italian for dinner. Rick had Fusilli e Manzo, while she chose Tagliatelle verdi con ragù alla Bolognese.

"This is good," she said with her mouth full.

"It should be since you won this time," Rick said.

"You can admit it, Castle. It won't kill you. You liked the blow job I gave you."

He just shook his head. "And increase the size of your ego? I don't think so."

"MY EGO? Mine? You're the one with an ego, mister," Kate said, her eyes blazing.

Rick's eyebrows climbed toward his hairline. "And we're naked while eating because of who?"

"You know you love it," Kate insisted. "It gives you instant access."

"It does do that." Rick was willing to admit that part was the truth.

~oo0oo~

It was one month later. Actually, it was late July.

Kate had practically moved in. Practically, because only about half of her clothes and half her shoes were in Castle's space, the fact that they went naked when they were home notwithstanding. Plus, she had an entire walk-in closet that was all her own.

She rarely saw her parents, so she didn't know what they thought of her moving out. She only hoped they would be happy for her.

Presently, she was in her walk-in closet getting dressed. Castle was taking her out to dinner again and had told her to dress up. She had already done her hair and her makeup. Now she just needed her dress, shoes, and jewelry.

A short time later, she had her dress on, her shoes picked out, and what matching jewelry she wanted. Kate walked out into the living room. She came up short when she saw Castle. He was standing there looking incredibly dashing and handsome.

Rick saw her at the same time. "Wow, you look stunning."

"Thank you." Kate smiled and turned around for him. "You're sure this is a good idea? Remember what happened the last time?"

"Yes, it's a good idea, and we're not going back there." Rick clenched his jaw momentarily. "In fact, we're never going back there again. Ever!"

"Good, so where are we going?" Kate asked. "Remember, I hate surprises."

"You hate getting them but don't have a problem giving them. You'll love getting a surprise this time," Rick told her. Kate glared at him for that. He shook his head a couple times. "That doesn't work on me, Kate. Not anymore."

Her eyes narrowed. "We'll see about that."

"Great, let's get going. You look wonderful, by the way. Or did I tell you that already?" Rick was confused.

Kate grinned. Her glare seemed to be working on him just fine.

~oo0oo~

Kate recognized what it was. "This a fashion show. Whose?"

"Matilda King's. She's doing it early, and I got tickets for us."

Kate walked inside on his arm with a worried look on her face. She hoped she didn't run into her. She would die from embarrassment if she did.

"Katherine Beckett." Kate cringed when she heard that voice. "It is you, isn't it?"

Kate turned to greet her and wished she hadn't. "Hello, Matilda."

"Don't you look lovely," Matilda told her. "You would look even more lovely wearing one of my designs, but still, you look nice."

"It's good to see you, Matilda," Kate said, ignoring the look Castle was giving her.

"Aren't you going to introduce me?" She meant to introduce her to Castle.

Kate swallowed hard. "Um… Matilda, this is Richard Castle. Castle, this is Matilda King."

"Richard Castle, the writer? It's a pleasure to meet you. I see you've done well for yourself, Katherine. Come sit right up front where I can see you." Matilda took Kate by the arm and directed her to where she wanted her.

"These seats are yours. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do. I expect to talk to you after the show. Do not force me to track you down," Matilda cautioned her. "Richard Castle, a pleasure."

Rick sat down and watched Kate sit to his right. "You know her?"

Kate sighed and sort of withdrew. "Yes, I know her. Listen, because I'm only going to say this once. I was sixteen years old and thought modeling would pay better than waitressing. Matilda offered me a job, but I turned her down, and that's all there is to that."

He tilted his head and smiled at her. "Oh, I don't think that's all there is to it. Far from it. In fact, I'm looking forward to talking to Matilda again."

Kate squeezed her eyes closed and groaned. "I just knew this was going to happen."

~oo0oo~

"Do you like that dress?" Rick asked since he saw her react to it.

"It's nice," Kate told him. Not that he could do anything about it.

Rick hummed; he knew a reaction when he saw one. He was definitely going to ask Matilda about it.

~oo0oo~

The show was over, and Kate wanted to escape. "Let's go."

"Oh, no. No, no. We're going to talk to Matilda." Rick took her hand and dragged her behind him. He walked backstage, and there were models back there undressing.

"Matilda," Rick called out and got her attention. She raised a finger and had them wait for just a moment.

Her issue dealt with, Matilda came over to them. "Richard Castle and Katherine Beckett."

"Kate saw a dress she loved, and I was wondering…" He stopped talking when Matilda held her hand up.

"I think I know which one. It's yours," Matilda told them. "I'll give it to you, Katherine…if you answer a question."

Kate dreaded it. "What question?"

"Why you turned me down," Matilda replied.

"Really? That's all you want to know?" Kate didn't believe her. "Fine, I was sixteen years old and felt way out of my element. I didn't belong. That's why."

"Is that all? Do you want to know how young all of my models are? Each and every one of them is underage. They're sixteen to seventeen years old with maybe one or two who are eighteen. With your cheekbones and complexion, you were perfect. Seeing you today, you still are. Think about about it, Katherine. It's not too late. It's been wonderful to see you." Matilda hugged her and kissed her cheek. "Think about it." Matilda left her and went back to work.

Kate saw Castle standing there looking at her. "No, I'm not becoming a model. So forget it."

"You need something to do during summer vacation. This could be it," Rick said.

"Not modeling, and who says I need something to do? I already have my motorcycle, so I don't need a job," Kate argued.

He rolled his eyes. "Whatever you say."

Kate was more than ready to leave. "Let's go."

"No. Not without your dress." And Rick stood there and waited.

It took a little while, but soon enough, a helper showed up with a dress. "Matilda said you should have this." She handed Kate a dress in a garment bag.

"Thanks." Kate didn't know what else to say. Matilda didn't have to do that.

She inclined her head just a touch, then left them. "See? It was worthwhile," Rick told her.

"She really didn't have to do that." Kate ran her hand along the dress in a bag.

"So, Kate, how many more surprises do you have for me?"

"None," Kate said. She didn't think Matilda was a surprise. Or she shouldn't have been. It was just her luck that the show was one of Matilda's.

~oo0oo~

With the garment bag in hand, Kate entered the pizzeria. They were getting a pizza for dinner. She felt so overdressed for this. But then, so was Castle.

Kate smiled at him when he looked at her and grinned. She did like the dress and was thrilled to get it. She had the garment bag draped over her arm as she waited.

"What?" Kate asked as he looked at her.

Rick shook his head. "Nothing, nothing at all."

"It was nice of her to give me that dress. She really didn't have to do that," Kate commented.

"Probably not, but she was nice. Allow her the moment, Kate," Rick told her. "It won't kill you."

"Fine," Kate sighed.