A/N: Hey everyone! So here's my next update, a little bit faster than my previous updates (again, really sorry). A reviewer mentioned that Jameson Rook doesn't have a daughter, and that it was his mother, rather than Derrick Storm's mother, that was mentioned in the series. You made very good points, and I'm really sorry I didn't address them sooner. I gave Rook a daughter to make him look more sympathetic (and also I felt like Richard Castle would have written his daughter, Alexis, into his books, so I kind of took artistic license on that, hope that's okay. I may delve a bit further into her character, most likely I won't, but if you have name suggestions, please let me know!), and about Storm's mother, that was purely a mistake on my part, and I will do my best to fix it. :P Sorry!
Not to take up any more of your time, here is my next chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Castle series (I wish I was smart and awesome enough to create something that brilliant), the Storm franchise, the Heat franchise, or any of the characters. I also don't own the song 'Heat Wave' by Linda Ronstadt (although for all the Merlin fans reading this I did stumble across this really cool video of Alexander Vlahos (who is a very gorgeous Mordred in season five of Merlin) singing this song in another show, called 'The Indian Doctor' (never seen it, but he's a *beautiful* singer) anyway, here's the link: www *DOT* youtube *DOT* com *SLASH* watch?v=8JaHPcgVLDk)
Enjoy!
Palladium, written in shining, Broadway-style light up gold letters glared at Nikki Heat, staring her down until she cowered. Her tank top style dress wasn't enough to keep her warm, and she regretted not bringing a jacket.
Stepping into the dance club, she looked quickly around her for Derrick Storm, and she saw him walking towards her, a large smile on his handsome face.
Nikki Heat shook her head quickly. I will not fall for a liar.
"Hello, Detective Heat!" he said, his eyes squinting with a smile.
"Hello Mr. Storm, it's nice to see you," she said, smiling softly.
"Would care to dance?" he asked, offering her his arm. She nodded, nervously looping her bare forearm through his clothed crooked elbow.
He led her through the crowds and onto the dance floor.
Music belted out of the loud, old fashioned speakers.
"Whenever I'm with him
Something inside
Starts burning
And I fill with desire
Could it be the devil in me
Or is this the way love's supposed to be
It's like a heat wave
Burning in my heart"
As they fox-trotted across the wooden floor, it really did feel like a heat wave. Red blood flushed through her cheeks as he dipped her. He looked towards her, concern filling his chiseled features. She smiled and nodded softly. His hands found their way to her waist and they continued to swirl, oblivious to the world.
"Can't keep from cryin'
It's tearin' me apart
Whenever he calls my name
Soft, low, sweet, and plain"
"Nikki," he whispered.
"I feel, yeah, yeah
Well I feel that burning flame"
Her cheeks flushed red again as the smile spread into a full painted grin. Forgetting her true intentions for a moment, Nikki pressed her chin into his shoulder, and his arms wrapped around her waist as he twirled her.
"Has high blood pressure got a hold on me
Or is this the way love's supposed to be
It's like a heat wave
Burning in my heart
Can't keep on cryin'
It's tearin' me apart"
Suddenly, the memories of their third date flooded back into her mind. Her eyes danced towards the ceiling, tears beginning to well.
"Sometimes I stare in space
Tears all over my face
I can't explain it
Don't understand it
I hadn't ever felt like this before"
"Are you alright?" he murmured nervously in her ear.
"Yes, thank you." He still looked concernedly at her, expecting an explanation. "It's just… It's all so surreal, being here right now, with you." She felt the lie sting at her chest. "Thank you. For being so kind to me, and so honest."
He glanced at his feet at her last remark. While it could have been easily mistaken for bashfulness, it wasn't. To Nikki, the look was unmistakably guilt. It almost made her feel better inside. She knew it could possibly compromise her mission, but in that exact moment, she wanted to hold him accountable for everything he had done, and she felt that she had.
"I have never met a more beautiful, kind, passionate woman to spend time with, and I am grateful for every second I get with you. Thank you," he said. His voice sounded honest, causing her to well up even more.
"Now that funny feeling has me amazed
I don't know what to do
My head's in a haze
It's like a heat wave
Burning in my heart
Can't keep from cryin'
It's tearin' me apart"
A chorus of "oohs" and "yeahs" followed. Nikki buried her face in the crook of his neck, and he pressed his lips to her temple.
"Don't pass up this chance
This time it's true romance
It's like a heat wave"
And with that, the song came to an end. The final lines haunted Nikki Heat as Derrick Storm lead her off the dance floor.
True romance? Was it really a true romance if it was all built on lies?
"Can I get you a drink?" Storm smiled at Heat, eyes penetrating her soul.
"You know what I drink," she said, smiling. He smiled back at her, walking towards the bar.
Heat saw her shirt light up and she felt a vibrating against her shoulder. Reaching into the dress's secret pocket, she pulled out her ringing phone.
"Heat," she said, her voice the usual monotone.
"Heat, you need to get down to the precinct, right now," Ochoa said into the phone.
"Come on, Ochoa, I thought I had the night off!" she exclaimed.
"No, you don't understand, there's been a development in the John Doe case. A man claiming he's with the CIA is here, and he took all of our evidence!"
Heat sighed, dropping the phone to her waist.
Storm looked at her from the bar, waving with an idiot's smile on his face. She waved back, rolling her eyes.
"You okay?" he mouthed.
"Fine," she mouthed back with a smile. "Work thing," she mimed, pointing at her phone.
He glanced sympathetically.
"Hello?" Ochoa called into the phone. Heat could hear it from it's place in her hand.
"Right, sorry. I'll be there in fifteen. Try to keep the agent there until I arrive," she said with a sigh.
After hanging up, she slid the phone into her secret pocket, just as Storm walked up with two whiskeys. One was half empty.
"Have I mentioned that you look stellar tonight?" he said, sounding slightly inebriated.
Heat chuckled to herself. "I have to go, there's an update in one of my cases. I'll see you soon, yeah?"
Storm smiled. "Yeah."
"Can you get home okay? Do you need a ride?" she asked.
"Nah, I can call a cab," he said smiling. He kissed her, a little too sloppily for her tastes, and then she walked towards her car.
"Ochoa!" Heat called, walking out of the precinct elevator.
"I'm sorry, chica. Agent Jones got away, there was nothing we could do to stop him. He left with all of our case files. We have nothing," Ochoa said in defeat.
Heat sighed.
"Nikki, there's really only one thing you can do," Raley said.
Heat frowned. "And what's that?"
Raley and Ochoa glanced nervously at each other, and then they both spoke in unison.
"You need to talk to Storm."
Okay, one more thing. Next, in Chapter 6 (or possibly Chapter 7, we'll see where my mind takes me), will be what I will henceforth refer to as, 'the infamous roof scene', a.k.a. the confrontation, but that will *NOT* be the end of this fic :P
Anyway, have a nice day, and enjoy my first post of 2014! Happy new year!
-Laura (Laura013)