Chapter 10:

Unwanted Thoughts and Feelings

After Castle left, Kate decided to try and get some rest. She knew that tomorrow was destined to be a long day for both of them, and she hoped to God that Castle wouldn't screw up. Part of her chastised herself for thinking that he would, but she knew that he was under an incredible amount of pressure by even taking on this job. Kate turned on her television, intent on finding something to watch. Gone with the Wind was playing, so she took the opportunity to settle in for the night. Closing her eyes, she tossed and turned for what seemed like several hours before drifting into a restless slumber.

She was somewhere else. She was someone else. Everything seemed much clearer somehow. Kate found herself in an old house, decorated in what seemed to be furniture straight out of the mid 1800s. Blinking harshly in order to make sure that all of this was real, she glanced around. Two large French doors opened and led out onto a balcony, and she took the time to survey the land before her. Somewhere in the distance, she heard dogs barking madly. Someone was coming. Kate heard a sound from inside her room, and she turned to see Mammy rushing about, looking for her. Her maid tried not to look flustered, but she was failing miserably at it.

"Miss Kate," she began, "You have a gentleman caller. Rhett Butler is here to see you."

Kate reentered the room and allowed Mammy to busy herself with attempting to get her ready. She felt odd, like she knew who Richard was, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. She was shoved into a dress of the deepest crimson, and the skirts themselves ruffled and seemed to widen endlessly due to the corset she wore, which did nothing but accentuate her breasts, decrease her waistline, and make her virtually unable to breathe. She left her neck free of jewelry, but sought a pair of ruby earrings. Her hair was pinned in soft, romantic curls down her back. When she was sure she was ready, she exited the room and headed straight for the landing.

He was waiting at the bottom of the stairs for her. Rhett Butler. He wore a simple black suit with the top two buttons undone on his shirt. His eyes never left hers as she floated down the stairs toward him, a kind smile plastered onto her face. She wasn't completely sure what he was doing here, but she'd at least attempt to play nice.

She took his outstretched arm and walked with him out into the family garden. A maze of trees and hedges lay before them, and he led her inside. Everything seemed to move at a quicker pace for a second, for his lips had somehow found hers. His lips were soft and warm, caressing hers to open to the passion he wanted to give her. For once in her life, she let herself go, wrapping her hands around his neck and hanging on for dear life.

Lord, that man could kiss.

That wasn't all. His lips blazed a trail down her neck to the tops of her breasts, and he allowed his tongue to slip in between them, sampling sweat and a taste that was uniquely hers.

She wanted to see his face. This was so surreal. This place, the man before her, everything about it…nothing seemed real.

Taking his head in her hands, she gently pulled him up so she could look in his eyes. When she did, however, she found that she no longer was looking into the eyes of Rhett Butler. What she saw was Rick Castle, her partner and friend.

Closing her eyes, she leaned in for another kiss. Before their lips met, a gunshot sounded from some unknown place in the night.

Kate awoke with a start, hands flying immediately to her mouth. She could have sworn that she still felt Castle's lips on hers, and her body burned for him. Damn, she needed release. This case was going to kill her.

An angry pounding sounded at her door. Frowning, Kate slid out of bed to answer it. Esposito and Ryan were standing there, arms crossed and frowning.

"You're late," Esposito growled, pushing past her to enter her apartment. "Montgomery is already pissed off about it."

"Why? What time is it?" she replied, rushing around looking for her father's watch.

"Almost nine. You were supposed to report to the salon an hour ago in order to be fitted with your disguise. Castle is almost done and has to report at eleven for his audition. You are supposed to go with him, but Ryan's going instead."

"Yeah, but I'm the one supposed to be protecting him."

"Not anymore. Gates is so pissed off with you right now, she gave the assignment to Ryan. Come on, girl, this isn't like you. What's going on?"

"I don't know, Espo. I feel like this case is one huge accident waiting to happen. I've been worried that he's going to get himself killed if he even goes out there. And then what? I'd have to be responsible for explaining to Martha and Alexis…and maybe even his damn publisher…about what happened to him. And I couldn't live with that."

"Look, Ryan and I will make sure he's fine the entire time he's on this assignment. If you're that worried, you could always come check on him at the club when he's performing, or maybe even pay for a private session…"

Kate rolled her eyes. "Funny."

"Hey, I'm just offering a friendly suggestion. I just thought it might make you feel a little better about all of this."

"I'm not paying for a private session with Castle. That implies we'd be doing something completely different than what would really be happening."

"Hey, that's your prerogative."

"You've been around Lanie entirely too much. You're officially starting to sound like her."

Esposito shrugged, sighing heavily. "Can you blame us? We're just tired of watching the two of you do this extremely exhausting dance."

"It's not my fault that you see something that's not there. I would never go for someone who didn't really love me back. He's always got a personal harem following him around. It's disgusting."

"What harem? The only one I see lately is the one that includes only you, Alexis and Martha. And I don't really think Alexis and Martha really count because they're related."

"He'd never be able to commit to just one woman. There'd be too many temptations out there. I could never compete with that, much less make him give it up."

"What makes you think that he wouldn't do just about anything for you? The man follows you around like a puppy. You have him so unbelievably wrapped around your little finger that it's almost disgusting."

Kate scoffed. "Let's turn that finger around, shall we? Because as I recall, every time Lanie calls, you're off like a shot. So Castle's not the only one who's whipped here."

Esposito sighed. "Just promise me you'll at least think about it. He's going to be very nervous and on edge now that you're not going to be around. I think he was kind of counting on you to have his back."

"I do have his back. Always! Shouldn't he know that by now?"

"With the way he's been acting today, I'd guess not. Look, I've got to go. I have to help Ryan get the details on the case. Just promise me that you'll at least think about what I said. He needs you."

Kate rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Fine. I promise."

"Good. I'll at least keep you informed to let you know he's okay. I hate this for you both; I really do."

"Thanks. I know you'll keep him safe."

With that, Esposito turned and left, leaving Kate alone with her thoughts in her apartment. Between that odd dream and her discussion with Esposito, she didn't exactly know what to think anymore.

A/N: Here's the latest installment! It's a bit random, but the idea came to me and I couldn't NOT write it. So what do you think will happen next? Will Kate go to the club and/or pay for a private session now that she knows she's off the case? Tell me in a review!