Thanks to everyone who has taken the trouble to write a review on the story so far. I love receiving them. I wasn't going to post a new chapter but you'd be amazed what a long walk wearing your thinking cap can do. I have a number of ideas floating around my head which will see the light of day in the not too distant future. Until then here is the next instalment. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own them. I am merely a humble custodian however temporary.

Chapter 6

"Let me get this straight. We left yesterday and arrived tomorrow?" Beckett said sounding and looking confused.

"That's right." Castle replied with a growing smile.

"But what happened today?"

"You spent today asleep on the plane, and you looked so adorable."

Beckett gave him a look but did not speak. She was still trying to get her head around the implications of crossing the International Date Line. Some where along the way they had lost a day.

Beckett and Castle had emerged from the Arrivals Hall at Tullamarine Airport Melbourne. A porter followed them close behind pushing a trolley that contained their luggage. The hall was full of people greeting friends and loved ones as they came out Customs. There was almost as many people out here as there were in Customs, Beckett thought to herself.

"I wonder where I can get one of those hats with all the corks hanging off the brim?" Castle mused aloud.

Beckett rolled her eyes. "You're not going to get one of those silly hats."

"Why not?" He shot back. "When in Australia..."

"Castle, no."

The firmness in her tone of voice brooked no further discussion.

"Oh all right." He conceded.

"Is someone meeting us, Castle?"

Almost on queue a loud voice rose above the hubbub.

"Ricky, me old china!"

Beckett spotted the man who had called out. He was of average height with a solid build and close cropped grey hair. She pegged him around fifty years of age. He was dressed in a white shirt and dark tie.

"Bluey, how are you man?" Castle said excitedly as he reached him. The two men shook hands.

"You know me Ricky." Said Bluey with a beaming smile. "Fit as a Mallee bull, mate."

Castle put his hand on Beckett's back and made the introductions.

"Kate, I'd like you to meet my friend Bluey Truscott." Castle said. "Bluey, this is my very good and dear friend, Kate Beckett."

Beckett cast a quick look at Castle. This was the first time he had included dear when he introduced her to people. Usually it was my friend or my good friend, when did he start using my very good and dear friend, she wondered.

"Pleased to meet you Kate." Beckett shook the man's hand and discovering he had a very strong handshake. "Any good and dear friend of Ricky's is a good and dear friend of mine."

"Pleased to meet you, Mr Truscott." She said.

"Please call me Bluey."

"Ok, Bluey."

"Come on let's get out of here. I got the chariot parked out the front." Bluey announced and pointed towards the nearest exit.

Beckett watched Bluey as he chatted to Castle as they walked. The way the man carried himself and swept the path ahead of them with his eyes told her that Bluey was or had been a bodyguard. He was unobtrusive with the way he scanned ahead but there was little that escaped his notice.

The moment they emerged from the terminal they were hit with a blast of hot air. It was not even nine o'clock in the morning. The bright sunlight stung their eyes.

"Yeah, the weather people did say were in for a real scorcher today." Bluey said noticing Beckett's sudden discomfort. "Seems they got it spot on for a change."

Bluey gave her a quick smile and then pointed to the waiting car.

"We'll be right as rain as soon as we have the aircon cranked up." He added.

Bluey swiftly deposited the luggage in the trunk of the car and got behind the wheel. He turned back to look at his passengers.

"Ricky your book publisher rep sends her apologies." He announced. "She wanted to be here to meet you but she got called away."

"Nothing serious I hope?" Castle replied with a hint of concern.

"You tell me mate." Bluey shot back. "She got a call from one her writers in her stable, all in a tizzy, something about suffering severe writers block or some such and needed his hand held."

Castle smiled and nodded his head in understanding. He knew what that unnamed author was going through. He had been there and done that at one point or another in his writing career.

"I'm sure we'll catch up later."

"Oh and before I forget, I got you something mate."

Bluey produced a khaki coloured bush hat replete with corks suspended from the brim.

"Thanks Bluey." Castle exclaimed as he took the hat and put it on his head.

He beamed at Beckett like a the kid who got the Christmas present he had been desperately hoping for. He shook his head from side sending the corks dancing back and forth. Beckett stared back at him, closed her eyes and shook her head.

"Welcome to Australia folks." Bluey announced with a big grin.

Bluey started up the car and smoothly slipped into the traffic.

I would dearly love to know what you think about this chapter.