I wasn't going to do this, but I wrote it at work this weekend, and there are still 8 hours and 20 minutes (Exactly as I write this) And I need something to do while I wait. Still waiting for Ideas! come on readers!

Anyways, This particular acoustic was inspired by this video: h t t p : / / w w w . y o u t u b e . c o m / w a t c h ? v = p k 1 1 K W F M Z y 0

Stop and Stare

Castle stands outside Kate's door. He hasn't seen her since she got out of the hospital almost 3 months ago. The new captain told her she needed time off. He just didn't think she'd take that time off from him as well. Although he didn't want to let her out of his sight, he unwillingly gave in to her request for space. As much space he's still unsure of, but after staying away this long he can't take not seeing her anymore. So here he stands, oddly nervous and about to knock on her door. He closes his eyes and breathes in deeply, trying to calm his racing heart, raising his fist to the familiar wooden door.

He pauses mid knock when an unfamiliar sound percolates through the door. At first it sounds like she has the radio on, maybe a CD player. Soft guitar filters trough to his ears and he considers turning around. Maybe see her tomorrow instead. She's probably in there relaxing in a bath or something. He starts to turn away, lowering his hand, but then the music stops. There is a short silence before it picks up again. To Castle's surprise, her voice accompanies the melody of the guitar. It hits him then, she's playing. Castle's hand rises again, as if to knock, but instead lays flat against the door. He closes his eyes again. Her voice sending a warmth through his entire body, and he starts to smile. He opens his eyes when she stops singing and playing. She chooses a new song, one he recognizes but has never heard in acoustic before. His smile broadens. He wishes he could see her but doesn't want to disturb her. So instead he sits on the ground with his back to her door and just listens to this rare treat.

This town is colder now, I think it's sick of us
It's time to make our move, I'm shaking off the rust
I've got my heart set on anywhere but here
I'm staring down myself, counting up the years

There a is a small pause where she only plays and then continues

Steady hands, just take the wheel...
every glance is killing me
Time to make one last appeal... for the life I lead

He sings the chorus with her quietly.

Stop and stare
I think I'm moving but I go nowhere
Yeah I know that everyone gets scared
But I've become what I can't be, oh

On the other side of the door, Kate sits in a chair in the living room, adorn in comfy clothes. Her favorite purple wrap and a pair of black leggings. In her lap sits her guitar comfortably. Something she has been picking up a lot lately in her unwanted spare time. She's strumming it gently, swaying just a little to her own music, and sings the chorus.

Stop and stare
You start to wonder why you're here not there
And you'd give anything to get what's fair
But fair ain't what you really need
Oh, can you see what I see

With her eyes closed, a softness comes across her face. She's finally letting herself relax. All this time she's been hating herself, hating her body that just doesn't work the same anymore, and just plain being down on herself. And why shouldn't she. She's allowed to feel everything once and a while, and what better time than a suspension from work and some actual alone time? She just wishes Castle was here. She opens her eyes and continues her song, staring at her door. Maybe hoping he'll come knocking even though she told him to stay away...

They're trying to come back, all my senses push
Untie the weight bags, I never thought I could...
Steady feet, don't fail me now
Gonna run till you can't walk
Something pulls my focus out
And I'm standing down...

kate hits the chorus again, only this time, she realizes that she's no longer singing alone. Her brow creases but she keeps singing, as if feeling the other voice out.

Stop and stare
I think I'm moving but I go nowhere
Yeah I know that everyone gets scared
But I've become what I can't be, oh

There is another voice. A mans voice. She stops playing, and stands up, placing the guitar against the chair and walking across the room a little shaky. Swinging the door open none other than Richard Castle falls back onto the floor of her apartment. She stares down at him. A whoosh of air leaves his longs on impact, and he closes his eyes to reopen them, seeing her green eyes staring down at him. He stares back for a moment before he sees her fighting a smile that threatens to crease the sides of her mouth. She wins the battle, and puts one hand on her hip, while the other holds the door open.

"Castle?" She asks. Slightly stern although on the inside she's all but too excited to see him.

"Kate!" He exclaims, jumping up from the ground so fast she has to blink a few times.

An awkwardness that has never been present between them before fills the space. He stands in her doorway, and her hand slips from her hip. She's still fighting a smile, incredibly relieved to finally be seeing him but unsure how to show it. Castle looks down at the ground.

"What are you doing here?" She asks, voice softer than she intended. She hopes he missed her. Because even though she asked him to give her space, she's missed him so much and doesn't know if she can, or know how to admit such a thing.

Castle looks up at her and shrugs. "I missed you?"

Kate stares right into those eyes, and Smiles.

That's it. I have nothing else in me today until I see more Castle! That and I need ideas! Please review!