So, here I am again with another chapter. No sooner had I said I was going to end this story, and then this pops into my head. So of course I had to get it out of there. More fluff. There seems to be plenty of you out there who want this so I am happy to oblige.
Characters are not mine. Oh, how I wish.
"This can't seriously be happening."
Castle had a wide childish grin on his face. "It's the Universe again trying to tell us something."
Captain Montgomery looked at Beckett and then back at Castle and shook his head and said as he left, "I'm sure I don't want to know."
He had said she could take Esposito and Ryan, however she knew they had big plans to go out with their girls for the evening. She could have taken one of the other officers too, but she knew Castle and sometimes the worst of what you know is better than the best of what you don't know.
"Come on Castle, we'll stop at my place first and then yours and then we're off." He chattered incessantly about snacks and the best place to stay and Kate just kept on driving. After grabbing a few items from her place and changing into jeans and a sweater they headed over to the loft. Martha and Alexis met them at the door.
"Dad, you're going on an overnight field trip with Beckett?"
Kate rolled her eyes and said, "Alexis, we're going to talk to a victim's mother who happens to be in a nursing home in Boston." Martha looked at Kate sympathetically.
"Yeah, isn't it great, Pumpkin?" He took off to pack his overnight bag and Martha handed Kate a glass of wine.
"Uh, Thanks Martha but I'm driving."
"Oh, you really are a big rule follower aren't you? Well then, at least take a bottle for later. God knows you'll need it." She handed it to Kate and then gave her a reassuring pat on the back.
Alexis had made sandwiches for them and put together a few other snacks. She took the wine from Kate and placed it all in the small cooler, then placed two to-go coffees on the counter.
"Alexis, thank you. You really didn't have to do this."
"Detective, you have no idea how many times he'll try to make you stop if there isn't food in the car."
Kate took a deep breath, she was already regretting this. Esposito and Ryan were going to pay dearly for this. Just then Castle came back in with two bags.
"Castle, it's just one night, you can't possibly need all that stuff."
"We have to be prepared, Detective. Plus I packed some games and music."
"Castle….."
"You'll thank me later, I promise."
She glared at him and took another deep breath, raking her hand through her hair and turning around to look at Martha and Alexis. Martha handed her the glass of wine that was now half gone and said, "Go ahead, a few sips aren't going to hurt."
Kate took the glass and drained it and then grabbed her coffee and smiled at Alexis. "I'll try really hard to bring him home in one piece."
Alexis gave her a nervous smile and then went over and said goodbye to her father. Martha gave Kate a hug and pushed them both towards the door.
As soon as they were on the road Castle started to pull out some CDs. "Um, Kate where's the CD player in this car?"
"Castle, there's just the radio. How many times have you ridden in this car and you are now just realizing this?"
"Seriously?"
"Seriously."
"I don't suppose there's a jack for my iPho…. No, I guess not." He started to reach for the dial on the radio and she shot her hand out and pushed his away.
"You know the rule Castle, driver chooses the station."
"But you always drive."
"Exactly."
"But we can't sing along to this stuff, what is this anyway?"
"It's new age jazz and I like it."
"We need something more upbeat or we'll fall asleep, you have to sing on a road trip, Beckett."
"Maybe you should take a nap."
"Oh, haha very funny, how much longer?"
"Don't start with that or you'll sit in the back seat."
He rolled his eyes at her. "We should stop for snacks."
"Alexis packed you a doggie bag."
"Really? She's such a great kid." He reached into the back seat for the snacks. "So what'll it be Detective, pretzels, popcorn, oreos….."
"How about we just eat the sandwiches?"
"OK, find a good place to pull over and we'll stop and eat."
"No, Castle, we're eating and driving, no stopping."
"You, Detective Beckett are a killjoy. You do not know how to take a proper road trip."
"Why do you think I don't have a partner?"
"Lucky for you, you have me then."
"Oh, yes lucky for me, sandwich please."
He handed her a chicken salad sandwich and looked at the itinerary for their trip. "Um, Beckett this says we are staying at a Days Inn."
"That's sounds about right."
"You're kidding, right?"
"Gee, Castle did you really think the City of New York would pay for us to stay at some ritzy hotel on the harbor?
"No, but I can."
"It's not necessary, it's just one night."
"Yeah but Boston harbor is gorgeous." He pulled out his phone and started looking up info for the Boston Harbor Hotel.
"Castle, what are you doing?"
"I'm canceling our reservation for the Days Inn and making new ones."
She reached over and tried to grab his phone but he moved it just in time.
"Eyes on the road Detective, don't want to crash this nice car of yours, on second thought, maybe we would get a newer more comfortable model."
"Fine Castle, you can make your reservation but I'm staying at the Days Inn."
"Not anymore."
She glared at him and then went back to eating her sandwich. It was futile trying to argue with him. Next he'd be trying to talk her into staying the whole weekend. He was actually quiet after he ate. Just like a kid with a full belly, it wasn't long before he drifted off to sleep. Which, for Kate was even worse than all his babbling, because now her mind wandered, back to their weekend of not sleeping together. She had to admit it was nice having him there. He was good to her; some might say he was good for her. She was never sure what his ulterior motives were. At first she was sure she would just be another notch on his bedpost. She hadn't let that happen. She wasn't sure where she wanted this to go. They were a great team. He was, without a doubt, the best partner she'd had in a really long time. He'd saved her life numerous times and in more ways than one. He made her happy, she trusted him. She looked over at him. Good looking too. She sighed and continued to drive letting her thoughts wander.
They'd been driving for a few hours when Castle finally started to come to. "Oh, wow. Sorry I fell asleep, not very good company am I?"
She looked over and smiled at him. "Some might say perfect company."
He ignored her remark. He noticed she looked tired. "Hey, how about we stop and grab some coffee, and stretch our legs?"
"Yeah, that sounds like a good plan."
They pulled into the next rest area, and went their separate ways once inside. Rick bought coffees and donuts and a few snacks for the rest of the ride and headed back out to the car to wait for Kate. When she came out he was standing against the passenger side door, she reached around him to unlock it and he slipped his arms under her jacket and around her waist and pulled her towards him. Her forearms landed up against his chest. She looked up at him with a smile and raised eyebrows.
He pulled her in closer and said, "This is the real reason I wanted to stop."
She slid her arms up his chest and around his neck and rested her chin on his shoulder. His arms came around her tighter and he pulled her into a hug. He slipped one hand out from her waist and moved the hair back off her shoulder and placed a few light kisses on her neck. She pulled back smiling; lip curled under her top teeth and then he looked down at her and brushed his hand along her jaw and leaned in and kissed her, she tightened her arms around his neck and kissed him back. It was a long, slow and sweet, mind numbing kiss that left her knees weak.
When he finally pulled back and she had caught her breath, he reached for her hand and said, "I have a surprise for you."
"Oh, another one?" Smiling, she took a deep breath and raked her hand through her hair.
"Close your eyes and open your mouth."
"Um, I don't think so Castle."
"Come on Kate, trust me, you'll like this." He was smiling like a six year old with a new two-wheeler.
"OK"
He let go of her hand and started to unwrap something and then put it in her mouth.
She smiled immediately, and started chewing the pink gooey mess. As soon as she could speak she said, "I love this stuff, hurts my teeth though."
They climbed back in the car and drove the last leg of the trip having bubble gum blowing contests, while Castle, using the flashlight app on his phone, read all the comics to her.
OK, so seriously, one more chapter and then I have to either change the title or do a sequel. Thanks again for your generous reviews and alerts. I'm sending you all cyber cookies and hugs!