A/N: Hi, it's Sam (S.K. Knight) and I'm writing Chapter 4. I also wrote Chapter 1 but forgot to put it. Hehe. :D Hope you enjoy this chapter, it goes downhill even more from here, folks, but as with most fics, it's gotta get worse before it gets better. Thanks for the support!
Castle hated the way this day was going: from bad to abysmal. First, he was forced to entertain the wishes of an injured Perlmutter, also known as the "House Guest from Hell" and secondly, his plans with his girlfriend were blown, literally. His only cheerful thought was that he still had a few hours left to make it up to Kate and salvage what remained of their plans. So, in light of that, he had set up a special dinner, complete with candlelight. It was the epitome of all romantic gestures.
He walked upstairs and crept up to the room and saw that Kate had fallen asleep, likely due to her painkillers and the eventual ceasing of the pounding guitar riffs coming from the old ME's bedroom.
She looked beautiful sleeping, so much so that it almost hurt him to wake her. Her golden brown hair was spread out on the pillow on one side, and one arm was underneath it.
"Kate." He said gently, tentatively reaching to touch her arm. He didn't want to startle her in case she accidently shot him.
Her eyes opened and she rolled over, wincing as another pain shot through her head. This damn headache was getting on her last nerve, almost as much as Perlmutter was.
Castle sensed his girlfriend's pain. "You need a painkiller, Kate?"
"Yeah." She answered, slowly pushing herself up into a sitting position. He helped her put the pillows behind her and went downstairs to grab her some water and medicine.
When he came back, he handed them to her and she drank some water, swallowing the pill hurriedly.
She smiled gratefully, waiting for it to kick in. "Thanks."
"Always." He said with sincerity.
"So, why did you wake me up?" she questioned.
He took her hand in his. "About that…listen, Kate. I know this day didn't go exactly as you planned and that was entirely my fault, but I was hoping you'd let me…make it up to you."
She smirked. "What did you have in mind?"
He brought her hand to his lips and smiled. "Dinner…and a movie."
She looked perplexed. "Here?"
Castle grinned. "Yes, right after Dr. McGrouchyPants falls asleep. I promise there'll be no interruptions. Not even Gates herself could keep me from spending time with you."
She smiled briefly but then it dropped. "Castle, he won't leave us alone."
Castle smiled as he heard the door shut in Perlmutter's room. "See? He just went to bed. No interruptions. Come downstairs with me, Detective, and see what I have planned for us." He wiggled his eyebrows playfully.
"Ok." She said, getting up and following him downstairs.
When she saw what was downstairs, she let out a gasp. There were candles all around the room, giving off a soft glow that was the perfect romantic ambiance. The glass coffee table had a table cloth on it now and there were pillows next to it on the floor.
"Wow, Castle," she breathed. "Did this take you all day?"
"Just about." He told her proudly. She smelt fresh Chinese take-out on the table and she grinned. He took her hand and led her to the pillows, and she sat criss-cross on it, starting to eat.
"This is gorgeous, thank you." She said, and he joined her on the other pillow.
He smiled warmly at her. "It's all for you, Beckett. Plus, we never got to celebrate. Again, totally my fault."
Suddenly, a whiny shout arose from the master bedroom.
Castle groaned unhappily. "What does he want?"
Beckett rolled her eyes, cursing herself for not remembering her pain. "Who knows? You better go see."
Castle sighed. "I'll be right back, I swear."
Beckett smirked. "You better, you owe me."
He stopped midway to the door to grin at her. "You know me, Detective, I always pay my debts."
She blushed as he headed for the bedroom.
"What do you want now, Perlmutter?" Castle questioned a slight edge to his tone.
"I need medicine;" the old doctor demanded, "my arm is killing me."
"Fine." Castle muttered, and he shuffled off to get the medicine. When he returned, Perlmutter was looking at files. He downed the pills with the water quickly.
"Do you need anything else?" Castle asked, hoping the answer was no.
"Yes," Perlmutter began. Damn, Castle thought. "I need you to stay out of my light. I'm trying to catch up on reports up here"
"With pleasure, Dr. Hyde." Castle muttered as he made his way back to Kate.
He sat down on the pillow again, seeing that Beckett had finished her dinner.
He finished his and then smiled. "Shall we start the movie? We can watch anything you want."
Kate smiled. "Hmm, Night of the Zombies?"
"Yet another reason why I am in love with you." Castle said, smirking as he popped the DVD in and Kate moved to the couch. He sat with her and cuddled her close.
A few minutes into the movie, another whiny cry arose. "Castle!"
Beckett huffed impatiently. "Go see what he wants…again."
Castle frowned. "Do I have to?"
Beckett gave him a look. "It was Gates' orders. If you wanna continue working with me at the 12th, yes, you do."
"The things I do for love." Castle muttered, heading off to see what he wanted now.
When Castle entered, Perlmutter frowned. "I need to use the bathroom."
Castle tried to hide his disgust but failed. "I have to help you with that?"
"Yes, numbskull, I have a bad wrist." Perlmutter said irritably.
Castle made a disgusted face and helped him into his wheelchair, to the bathroom, and back into bed.
Castle put on a fake smile. "Is there anything else?"
"No." Perlmutter said flatly.
Castle made his way to the living room yet again and cuddled with Beckett. "He's like a fussy three year old. Maybe he'll finally sleep."
Beckett frowned, looking at the screen. "Let's hope."
An hour later, the movie ended and they hadn't heard a word out of Perlmutter. Castle and Beckett faced each other on the couch, wine glasses in hand.
Castle smirked. "You know Detective; there is one thing we haven't done to celebrate."
Beckett frowned. "No sex tonight, Cas, my head hurts."
"Who said anything about sex? I just wanted a few birthday kisses." Castle whispered, smile lighting up his ruggedly handsome features.
"Mmm, ok. We can try." Beckett agreed, and Castle leaned in, putting a hand in her hair, parting her lips with his. She moaned in his mouth as their tongues met. She felt the warm heat of his breath in her mouth and leaned over him more, trying to get closer. He was just about to deepen it when a thump startled the couple apart. Kate pulled back, shaking a little.
He stroked her hair. "Ssh, Kate, it's ok. It's nothing. I'm here."
Her shaking lessened. "I'm going to bed."
"Ok, I'll be there in a minute." He said, going to check on Perlmutter. He found him on the floor and quickly helped him up and into bed again.
"Are you ok?!" Castle asked.
"Yes, yes, I'm fine. But I could've been injured more due to your gross negligence, in which case, I would've had to report you to Captain Gates." Perlmutter snapped.
"Is there anything you need before I go to bed?" Castle asked.
"Yes, go away so I can sleep." Perlmutter answered harshly.
Castle shut out the light and went to settle in bed with Kate, thankful for the peace and quiet.