Recap: Castle and Beckett announced their new relationship on TV and are spending time together.
Kate awoke early. Castle's luxurious sheets softly caressed her while his huge bed perfectly cradled her body. She could almost still feel Castle's lips whispering their love over her body. She smiled as she stretched her arms over her head, then moaned as her abused ribs protested. Ooo, maybe not a good idea. She felt them tenderly. There was one spot in particular that was quite sore. Maybe she actually cracked a rib, but she thought it would have hurt more. It probably wasn't the smartest idea to be having sex while she was still injured, but it was so worth it.
She looked over at Castle. He was on his back, his mouth slightly open, making soft snoring noises. She smiled and watched him sleep. Everything about him seemed so adorable – except when everything was so hotly desirable. She was looking at his profile. Even though she always accused him of doing the creepy staring thing, she did her fair share of staring at him. She was just less obvious. She remembered once at the precinct he had been engrossed with a game on his cell phone and she stared at him for quite a while without him noticing. It struck her then that his profile looked like a Greek god. The straight line of his nose, his strong chin definitely made her think of a statue of Apollo she had seen. That was back when she was mostly annoyed with him so her love for him wasn't causing her to think he was handsome, he just was – in a Greek god sort of way. She smiled and rolled her eyes at her own thoughts.
She suddenly realized there were a lot of things she didn't know about him. Did he like to sleep in when he didn't have a reason to get up? It was only 7:33. Was it too early to wake him? She kind of figured he made breakfast for Alexis most mornings, but she didn't even know that for sure. Well, she couldn't lie in bed all day. She got up and threw on her robe. First she would get coffee started and then she would see if Rick wanted to get up.
After she started the coffee, Kate returned to the bedroom. She removed her robe and crawled back in bed. She cuddled up to Rick's side and started lightly running her fingers across his abs then up to his chest. Castle twitched awake at her touch.
He quickly got his bearings. "Good morning beautiful," he said with a smile wrapping his arms around her pulling her closer. "This is the perfect way to wake up."
"You hungry?" Kate asked.
"Ravenous," Castle replied as he rolled them over so Kate was on her back. He leaned over her and planted a good morning kiss on her lips. His lips wandered down to her neck seeking out her most sensitive areas and causing light shivers to traverse her body from her scalp down to her thighs. His left hand covered her breast. It was the perfect handful. He bent down and kissed the other breast. Kate's chin quivered slightly and she closed her eyes as he brushed his hand lightly down her side.
"I like breakfast in bed," He said with a smirk.
It was almost 9 o'clock when they got around to making breakfast. Kate insisted on making pancakes. Rick insisted on having bacon with their pancakes. Kate rolled her eyes but didn't complain when Rick cooked some up.
"So what are we going to do today?" Kate asked.
"I think we should stay in. So we could watch movies or read or have sex," Rick wiggled his eyebrows at his last suggestion. Kate shook her head and rolled her eyes. The man was insatiable. Not that she was complaining…
After they got their breakfast dishes washed up they decided to watch a movie. Castle insisted that Beckett pick one. She decided on "Pretty Woman".
"Chick flick," Castle muttered.
"What was that?" Beckett asked knowing perfectly well what he had said.
"Great flick," Castle answered. He actually liked it so wasn't upset at all at the selection.
After they started watching the movie, Castle was glad Kate had selected it. She so obviously enjoyed it. She kept saying things like "I love this part!" or grab his arm and say "Watch this" or "watch the elevator guy's face. He's so funny!"
In the middle of the dinner meeting scene, Castle suddenly stood up. "Um, I'm sorry, could you excuse me for just a few minutes?" he sounded apologetic.
"Sure," Kate said a little puzzled. "Should I stop the movie?"
"Oh no, go ahead and watch. I'll be back soon." He hurried off towards his office.
Before she knew it the movie was over and still no Rick. Kate was starting to wonder if she had done something to upset him. She got up and walked over to his office. He was sitting there typing on his laptop. His fingers were flying. Kate stood in the doorway watching him. He was so intent on his typing he never noticed her. Kate smiled. It dawned on her that something had suddenly inspired him and he had to quickly get to his laptop to get it down.
Kate thought that she might as well make herself useful and she decided to clean the kitchen thoroughly. She went to the laundry room and found some cleaning supplies. She cleaned the sink and countertops, wiped down the stove and refrigerator, then started mopping the floor.
She looked up when she heard the door open. Alexis was home. "Hi Kate," she said happily as she entered. Alexis glanced in the office as she walked by on her way to the kitchen. "Uh oh, I guess Dad is on a writing jag."
Kate nodded, "Yeah, he's been at it for a couple of hours."
"Well, I just stopped by for a minute. Actually, I'm going shopping with Whitney and her mother."
Alexis went into Castle's office. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. "Oh, hi, when did you get home?" Castle paused from typing. He only spared his daughter the briefest glance before his eyes returned to the screen.
"I'm going shopping and thought I'd get your credit card."
"Sure Pumpkin," Castle said distractedly already starting to type again.
"Whitney and I are meeting guys we found on-line," Alexis added with a huge grin winking at Kate.
"OK, have a good time," Castle replied having no clue what Alexis said. Kate's hand flew to her mouth to stifle the laugh that threatened to escape.
Alexis went into her dad's bedroom to get his credit card out of his wallet. As she came back through the office she said, "By the way, Dad, did you know that Kate is here?"
Castle froze, a shocked look on his face. He quickly stood up and saw Kate standing in the office doorway. "I am so sorry Kate. I just had a thought I needed to get down." He gestured weakly at the laptop.
"Bye, Dad, Kate," Alexis called out as she went through the door.
"Bye," Kate and Castle said simultaneously.
Castle turned to Kate. "Really Kate, you should have made me stop. I just get carried away sometimes. I'm so sorry."
Kate couldn't hold her laughter any more. She had no idea how wrapped up he got in his writing. She had tried to be quiet so she wouldn't disturb him, but apparently she could have set off fireworks without disturbing him. "Castle, it's fine. I know you are behind on the book. You have to get your work done. How about I sit by your desk and watch you work?" she said teasingly.
Castle looked appalled, "Um, no, you, uh, would just be bored. Do you want to finish the movie now?"
"Oh Rick, the movie ended over an hour ago. It's lunch time now."
Rick raked his hand through his hair obviously embarrassed and flustered that time had gotten away from him like that. "God Kate, I don't ever want to ignore you like that."
Kate stepped forward and put her arms around him. She landed a gentle kiss on his lips. "It's OK, Rick. Even though we are together now, we can't be attached at the hip. We both need to have lives apart from each other too. If I had a job, I'd be running off to work and you wouldn't think less of me. It shouldn't be any different just because you work at home."
Castle smiled, "You are very understanding – and smart – and sexy."
"OK, big boy, don't get carried away." Kate with a laugh.
The rest of the day was uneventful. Kate picked out a couple of books to read from Castle's vast library. They had supper with Alexis and shared another enjoyable evening together. The next day was almost identical.
That night Kate had her first nightmare. She was reliving the scene on the rooftop only her mind was rewriting parts of it.
She was fighting with Maddox but this time she was a child of about 10. He towered over her and terrified her. In real life her adrenaline and training had kept her going. It hadn't permitted her to be afraid, but in this dream she was a child experiencing terror like she had never known.
She opened her mouth to scream but her terror only allowed her to get out a sobbing gasp. Maddox grabbed her arm and she hit him and kicked him but she was so little and he was strong. He just laughed and slapped her across the face so hard that she fell and rolled off the roof. She managed to hang on by her fingertips. She cried and begged him to help her, but he just laughed and walked away.
Then she heard Castle calling her name. She started screaming for him saying she couldn't hold on much longer. Suddenly his face appeared above hers. "Help me!" she screamed.
Castle shook his head. "You shouldn't have rejected me." He watched as her fingers slipped off the ledge and she plunged toward the street below.
Kate snapped to a sitting position. Her chest was heaving, gasping for air. She was drenched in sweat, wisps of hair stuck to her face and neck. Her heart was about to burst through her chest. She looked at Castle. He was on his side facing away from her still sound asleep. She swallowed the lump in her throat. Her chin quivered. Tears pooled against her lashes and gradually slipped out leaving wet trails down her face. She couldn't stop them. She brought her hand up to her chest, her fist protectively covering the scar of the bullet that nearly cost her her life. She took a trembling breath and glanced over at Castle again. How could he just watch her die? She knew it wasn't fair. He hadn't let her down, but the nightmare had been so vivid.
Kate quietly got out of bed. She found her robe and made her way to the couch. She curled up in a ball in the corner of the couch and sobbed.