Bad Day – Daniel Powter
You're faking the smile with the coffee to go
.
He doesn't bother to offer words of comfort for what they've just seen, what they've had to work through. He just ensures he's as attentive and helpful as he can be, even if at times she is snapping at him. But as soon as he hands her another cup of coffee she smiles slightly at him, silent apology. He doesn't joke, doesn't do anything he normally does. This is not the case for that.
The neighbour had called in the scene, complaining a woman wouldn't stop screaming in the apartment next door, didn't answer the knocks at the door. She'd still been inconsolable as she clutched her murdered toddler to her chest as she hunched over the body of her husband, kneeling in the pool of their blood, clinging to them both as long as she could.
It's hard to say something that does justice to the fact his partner had knelt in the blood beside the woman, urged her to give her the toddler and then moved between husband and wife as Castle stepped forward, only at her silent instruction, a single glance in his direction was all he needed to usher the woman into a corner. He'd seen Kate over the top of the woman's head as he left her cling to him, he'd watched as she set the child down carefully, stripped off her jacket and passed it to Lanie without meeting her gaze. They'd had to get the wife and mother to do the same. As if she hadn't been through enough today, now she was human evidence was the crass comment his partner had made as they'd headed back to the precinct. He'd just agreed, choosing not to vocalise the fact she too had become evidence, just swallowed as he took in the scrubs that she'd been given after Lanie had glared at her and lead her into the bathroom.
She's in some spare clothes now, disappearing toward the lockers in the back. when she'd emerged five minutes later, re-dressed, her hair wet he'd been curious how she'd managed it so quickly. But then she'd spoken, asked what they had and he'd realised – she was focused on the case, he should be too. That's when the onslaught of coffee had begun.
Now it's late, too late for anything productive to eventuate so he sends Esposito and Ryan home with a nod, she's had her back to them all for the past hour just staring at the board so he figures he has the authority. Both of the guys just give him a knowing look, they'd been waiting for their out, the assurance that he'll get her to go home is unspoken.
He waits until the elevator will have them safely on the ground floor or the basement, wherever they've parked, however they're getting home doesn't matter as he leans off Esposito's desk, headed for her. She doesn't look at him as he settles down beside her, so he glances back at the board, scooting his bum right back on the blotter, not caring about the papers he's crumpling. He knows she needs another five minutes. She probably has a few theories she wants to toss around.
But then she shifts closer, leaning the whole weight of her body against his side, he slips his arm around her, rests his hand on her shoulder blade, not quite sure what exactly is happening but he knows she needs him, she needs this. So he gives it to her. Just like he gave her the coffee. Then when she's composed herself again he'll give her a ride home.