Chapter 4:
The Plan in Motion
Dawn came a little too quickly for Beckett. She didn't sleep as well as she would have liked. Her conversation with Lanie and Beckett's personal feelings had meshed together, creating a myriad of emotions that she was trying very hard to ignore. Today was definitely not her day, she decided as she dragged herself slowly out of bed to shower and get ready for work. By the time Beckett had parked her car, gotten on the elevator and made her way into the building, she had almost successfully put all things concerning a certain writer out of her mind. That quickly changed when she was quickly called in to Captain Montgomery's office as soon as she made it in to the bullpen.
"Beckett! Come here!" Captain Montgomery called. He was still a little pissed from last night's wakeup call from Castle, but after having a few hours of sleep to think about it, he found the whole idea that Castle proposed to be highly amusing. He couldn't wait to see the look on Beckett's face when he played his part in Castle's plan.
Beckett sighed. She felt like she didn't even get to her desk before she was in trouble. She turned and walked briskly into the Captain's office, where she was very quick to discover that she wasn't alone. Standing before her was not only Roy, but Castle as well. Castle seemed to have the funniest look on his face, like he was almost smug. She couldn't quite place that look, but it made her very uneasy.
"So, Beckett, would you care to enlighten me about what is going on? Why exactly would my best detective be caught crying alone in the bullpen? I could classify that as highly unprofessional, you know. So, what was it? Stress? Memories? What?" he demanded, trying to make his displeasure clear to her. He hoped he sounded convincing because he really felt like he was doing a terrible job at this acting business.
"Yeah, I guess I was just really stressed out, sir. It won't ever happen again. Might I ask how you heard about my outburst?" she inquired, looking right at Castle with a death glare. She knew exactly who said it. She wasn't stupid. However, what she wanted was a verbal confirmation of her suspicions. Esposito and Ryan would have never pulled something like this. They knew better. This had Castle written all over it.
"Why does it matter? The fact still stands. Listen, I'm putting my foot down. You have worked entirely too hard. You deserve a break. I know you're never going to take a break on your own, so I'm ordering you to take a mandatory vacation. I'm giving you a week to relax. You are not to even come near this precinct until next week, and if I catch you in here before your vacation time is up, I'm going to have to take necessary measures of disciplinary action. Now, I hear that Castle has offered to take you to the Hamptons with him. That sounds like a wonderful vacation place to me. Therefore, you're going with him. You chickened out, Beckett. You're going whether you like it or not."
Beckett opened her mouth to protest, but was quickly cut off again.
"Do we understand each other, Detective? You and Castle, going on a mandatory vacation for a week together?"
Beckett scowled. "Oh, I heard you. I was hoping that either you're joking, or that this is a horrible nightmare. If you're joking, it's not funny. As far as this being a nightmare, I'm going to start slapping myself awake."
"Well, I guess this is a nightmare, then. This is definitely not a joke. You apparently leave later on this evening, so I'm ordering you to go home and get ready. Oh, and Beckett? Have some fun and lighten up, will you?" Roy said with a smile.
Beckett couldn't form a response. The annoyance she felt at first suddenly flared into anger. She couldn't believe that this was actually happening. Her heart seemed to stop as she suddenly realized that she wouldn't be able to hide from Castle while she was with him. She was afraid that she would do something stupid that would betray the feelings that she was trying so hard to keep to herself. She was still fighting the confusion. This was definitely going to be a challenge. She stormed off towards the exit to the precinct, aware that she was being followed. Castle's telltale footsteps echoed behind her as he struggled to catch up.
"Kate! Wait up!" Castle yelled.
She spun around to face him then, cheeks red and eyes blazing with fire. Castle stopped and stared at her. He couldn't look away from her if he tried. She was absolutely stunning. He didn't even notice she was speaking to him because he was too busy staring at her cherry colored lips and wondering what it would be like if he just leaned in and took a quick taste. However, that wasn't meant to be, for she had quickly picked up on the fact that he wasn't listening to anything she was saying. She then grabbed him by the ear and dragged him to the parking lot.
"Castle, focus! What the hell is wrong with you? I said no, remember? So, what possessed you to go out of your way to Montgomery? I can't afford the time off. I need you to go back in there and tell Montgomery that you were just kidding. I'll even provide you with a little view of what would happen if we were to even vacation together. You would do something stupid, and I would kill you for it. After that, you'd repeat. There. We don't need this unnecessary trip."
"Look, if it's money you're worried about, I'm more than willing to compensate you for this. I'll match your weekly earnings and then add twenty percent. I just wanted to do something nice for you since you're always giving so much of yourself on a daily basis. We leave early tonight, so I'd suggest we start heading home to pack. Bring some warm clothing, and maybe a swimsuit or two. I have an indoor pool and Jacuzzi that are for your personal use."
"Wait, slow down. You are NOT going to pay me to go on vacation with you. That's just insane. Anyone else would be happy to accept that very generous offer. I just can't do it. Secondly, you're just doing this so you can see me in a bathing suit. That's just so…creepy. I'm only doing this because the Captain ordered me to. If you try any funny business, I do sleep with a gun and am not afraid to use it," she clarified. Her thoughts suddenly shifted to the simple fact that she didn't even own a swimsuit. She worked almost nonstop, so the only time she ever got any exercise or leisure time to herself was when she used the gym in the basement of the precinct.
"Then we're agreed. I've asked Lanie to take the day off as well to help with whatever you need. I'll be by your apartment at seven to pick you up. The drive is going to take at least four hours, so be sure that you have an iPod or something to keep you entertained. While we're there, I'd like for you to read through my manuscript as I write it. I'd love to have your feedback."
"You, Richard Castle, are going to let me help you write your manuscript? You've never needed anyone's help before, so why now? What gives?"
"Well, I can't seem to get over my writer's block. Everything I have written so far doesn't seem to flow as nicely as I would like it to, and I'm starting to feel like I have no idea what my characters are doing. I figured that since you're my number one fan, you'd be more than willing to help me," he replied honestly.
Kate stared at him, stunned. "I hardly think that I'm your number one fan," she said. "I've never begged you to sign my chest or tattooed your name on my butt."
"That just means you're not crazy or stalking me. I don't think I wouldn't enjoy working with you if you were like those people. Enough with the chitchat! We've got to go," he said, grabbing her arm and pulling her in the direction of her car.
This was going to be the best vacation Kate Beckett had ever been on…..
A/N: I don't know why, but this chapter really bugged me to write for some reason. I've edited it several times, and I'm still not completely happy with the way it turned out. Anyway, let me know what you guys think….your reviews provide real honesty and I appreciate the time you take to write feedback. Feel free to even send me a message with ideas about where to take this…I'd love to incorporate some of your ideas as well!