Kate looked at Rick as the cameras flashed and the Senator got more and more agitated and he started to call out threats toward Kate and Rick as the committee dissolved into chaos. Leading the way was the Doctor standing tall and proud. He led them to a different coat room.
"I take it you have been in this building before?" Rick asked.
"Oh Loads! I really liked the Cloak room It was designed by John Q Adams you Know?" the Doctor said.
"I was unaware." Kate murmured.
"Oh Yes and he built this little panel here…" the Doctor said.
The panel shifted and there was a room just big enough for the TARDIS to sit. And there it was out of sight of prying eyes.
"So he built this hidden room just for you?" Kate laughed.
"Oh I am sure he used it from time to time. But…Yeah well…I believe so but one can never know the thoughts of another completely." The Doctor said.
He quickly unlocked the device and soon they were back in the loft. Changing clothes they were returned to the Island.
"Well like I said. We are done!" The Doctor said.
"How will we explain our absence in 3 days time?" Kate asked.
"Well I am sure you can figure out something to do" the Doctor said.
Rick looked like he knew something.
"Well I am thirsty I think that drink of mine is somewhere Ah yes there it is." The Doctor said laying out on the lounge.
Kate and Rick said their good byes
The Doctor corrected them.
"It is never goodbye when one is owned by a Time Machine. It is just a parting for now." The Doctor hugged them both then settled into his lounge again.
Kate and Rick famished headed to the main building where the Luau was beginning. Sam had earlier brought a wild Pig to the pit that was his reason to be at the Main building before.
The Whole Village appeared with all sorts of fruits and delicacies. Rick was feted by the assembled crowd of 600 people.
Before the Meal everyone was waiting for their benefactor Senor Rick to say some words.
"I am glad to see all of you doing so well. As you know and my guest will find out. This is my 13th trip to The Island. I am happy to see all of the new faces from the prior time. The year has been good and we are here to feast so let's have it!" Rick announced.
Then the older Males got up to do their ancestor's Fire Dance as everyone ate and drank and had a great time.
It was way late until everyone returned to their rooms.
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The Next morning the Catamaran called the Explorer was readied.
Rick and Kate bid everyone adieu since they were heading out to sea for a few days.
Of course they knew but the people on the Island would find out that Special Agent Hayes had sent word for them to appear in front of the Select Committee in the Senate chambers in two days.
After Kate and Rick had gone the Island kind of returned to normal life. As if normal was ever in the vocabulary of one Richard Freaking Castle. But the Islanders were happy that their benefactor who had made all their lives much better was there and now gone again.
\\\\\
Kate and Rick were only out of sight of the island when Kate wrapped her hands around Rick's strong muscles while he was piloting.
"So Rick, where are we going?" Kate purred in his ear.
"Away from any civilization Kate but close by I assure you." Rick hummed loving Kate's attention with her head resting on his shoulder. His finger was resting on the slight bulge in his left front pocket. Tonight under the stars he would propose.
Soon a small piece of land appeared on the horizon.
"What is that?" Kate asked.
"Well I call it Crow's Nest since it had a harbor and a lagoon where Pirates of old would put ashore. That is our destination Kate." Rick informed. "It is not as big as the Island but I have done some improvements."
Rick was not kidding about the improvements. As they settled in the bay Rick took off his shirt and jumped into the waters. There were Sharks circling all around him but he paid no mind to them and the Sharks seemed to welcome him.
"Come on Kate the Sharks are not man eaters actually they're pretty gentle creatures" Rick said from the water as one of the Sharks bumped him.
"Oh No I am not getting into there with those Sharks." Kate exclaimed.
"Ok Shall I run to the shore and bring out the dinghy?" Rick asked hopefully.
"Yeah a boat to shore would be most helpful." Kate said looking at her partner who she thought was crazy swimming with Sharks.
"Ok Princess your wish is my command" Rick laughingly said.
Then Dolphins appeared and raced along with Rick as he headed to the shore not more than 500 ft away.
Kate was marveling at all the aquatic sea life which was abundant in the bay. Kate spied a Sea Turtle who had breached the surface to breath. It was at least half the length of the boat.
Soon a motor was running and a zodiac came out of a hidden cove. It was Rick aiming the boat directly under the Cat. Soon Kate was aboard and Rick expertly placed the zodiac back in the cove where there was a wharf and stairs leading to the main building which was perfectly blended into the thick Jungle.
"Welcome to the Crow's Nest. It is part of the Island chain I discovered about 20 years ago." Rick said.
Kate was impressed it was their own private Island.
The Islanders had made sure everything was stocked and there was food and wine for a special event.
Rick showed Kate the main building then the solar system and the waste disposal which allowed the nutrients to wash back into the sea.
"No wonder there is so much sea life." Kate said.
"Yeah it is perfectly in tune with Nature. I tend to like that" Rick said. "Now let me show you the sleeping area."
Kate was surprised it looked like the room at the Hamptons.
So you recreate the Bedroom here from the Hampton's" Kate asked.
"Guilty as charged." Rick said.
"I see well I think we should try it out what do you say Mr. Castle?" Kate looked at him with heavy rimmed eyes.
"I think we shall Kate" said as he grabbed her and pulled her into the bed with him.
Kate squealed and weakly struggled but she was enjoying every second of their love making.
Soon it was getting toward night. There was a bonfire prepared on the beach and the ring was clutched in his left hand and his right was clutched with Kate's.
Getting to the spot there was so many stars overhead some from the Northern and many from the Southern which Rick pointed out.
Rick started his speech.
Kate did not wait. He had only said a few words until her lips were on his.
"I accept Rick. Now put on the ring!" Kate said.
Rick chuckled. He knew he could not have fooled the best detective in NY. So he simply placed the ring on her finger. It glowed in the firelight as they made love on the beach.
/
Morning came and after a quick swim in the lagoon which Rick assured there was nothing bad in it. Rick left to shower then to make them Breakfast.
While swimming, Kate had found the perfect way to get out of the lagoon. Kate slipped then placed her hand into a knot hole to steady herself. Pulling it out Kate had found a map in the old tree.
Excitedly she ran to the house and found Rick.
"Come on Rick let's look for Pirate booty." Kate said excitedly showing off the map.
"The only Booty I see is yours and it is quite impressive indeed." Rick leered at her.
Kate smile and cajoled. "Come on Castle…"
"Can we wait until we both eat? I do not know about you but I am famished!" Rick said.
"Ok Rick we can wait." Kate said as her stomach growled.
Rick brought out tropical fruits and juices and plated two eggs the way she liked them.
They were eating on the veranda which covered the entire house. They discussed Kate's discovery while eating. Kate was also so famished that she cleaned her plate after seconds. Finally sated they were still discussing the map.
"Oh there could not be any treasure left here" Rick deadpanned.
That was all the confirmation Kate needed.
"Come on Lazy bones let's find that treasure!" Kate said with a gleam in her eye.
Reluctantly Rick picked up the necessary equipment then followed along.
"Ok Kate where do we go first?" Rick laughed.
They spent the day enthralled by the hunt.
Soon the hunt was at an end. Rick got down and started digging.
The hole was pretty deep.
"Kate, like I said there is no treasure." Rick said standing in the waist high hole he had dug.
"Rick just for me? Use the metal detector?" Kate pleaded.
"Oh…Ok" Rick placed the shovel down and picked up the detector. A few moments later the machine was whizzing and chirping.
"Rick you have found something?" Kate excitedly said.
"Yeah hand me back that shovel" Rick yelled his excitement was almost as high as hers.
Rick dug and soon two silver sand incrusted bars appeared.
They weighed about 15 pounds apiece. Rick was amazed.
"I knew it!" Kate said.
Rick was perplexed that was not supposed to be there. Had they struck a real artifact? Rick thought.
"Ok Kate let's leave them here and get out the photography equipment." Rick said.
"Why? Rick?" Kate pouted.
"It must be of historical importance. Kate you can not disturb without proper documentation." Rick said.
Right Paperwork Kate knew all about that.
Rick created a grid out of string in the main house and plotted using the GPS on his phone app. Kate was surprised that there was WiFi also covering this island.
Rick and Kate took careful notes and then carefully lifted the bars.
It had a Spanish seal. Rick knew that the Philippines had silver mines.
"Kate this is a great discovery!" Rick said.
Kate read the seal. I was from the mines of Gilbert Ortez who was The Governor of Philippines for the Spanish.
"OK Kate now let's put it back. We have the documentation now but the artifacts should remain here." Rick said.
"Ok Rick" Kate said.
Placing the bar into the sand and Rick covered the hole then removed any trace they were ever there.
After the hunt they ate and drank and made love again and again. Rick was glad his ruse worked but those bars were unexpected.
It was idyllic but after two days Kate was getting sore. So they packed up and said good bye to Crow's Nest.