Disclaimer: I don't own Castle.

Prompt: RunningWithTime728 said "You should write a deleted scene from Linchpin where Castle and Kate first get out of the water. "

With his lungs burning, head pounding and ears ringing from the blast of the gun in the confines of the car, Castle reached for Kate's hand. Her pale skin looked eerily green from the river water and thoughts of aliens briefly entered his head. I need oxygen, now. I am losing my mind. It felt like time was slowing down and somehow, Castle had time to think all this. He pulled her from her seat and out the back window. Spots formed in his vision and he shook his head to clear it. With one last effort he kicked off from the car and hoped (because that is all he could do) that they would float to the surface.

His head broke the surface and he sucked in deep lungfuls of air, choking on the dirty river water. Kate's eyes fluttered and she coughed up water. They hit the side of the dock and held on tight, there was no strength left in them to pull themselves over the side and they had no idea if the driver was still around. The stayed there for a long while just holding onto each other and onto the rough side. Their eyes stayed locked on each other and their hands were gripped tightly together, knuckles white.

Someone must have seen the car going over the side and called it is as a cruiser pulled up not too long later, lights flashing. Kate and Rick called out, their voices hoarse and the face of a young blonde cop appeared over the side. He was green, very green, probably not six months on the job and he had not mastered the poker face yet. He must have a great imagination as his look of surprise and terror showed plainly and they could see he was visibly shaken.

Kate barked orders at him with as much dignity and authority as she could while shivering in the Hudson River. The boy pulled them up and gave them reflective silver blankets from his car while they waited for the paramedics. They sat in silence, their sides flush against each other, just revelling in the comfort of another human being and feeling that other person breathe beside you. The paramedics and their team from the 12th arrived and they were questioned while they were checked out.

Kate went to get changed into some clothes she had left in her locker and that the boys had brought for her. Castle watched her as she walked away, he didn't want to lose sight of her so soon. Kate evidently felt the same way and looked back just to make sure that Castle hadn't disappeared since she had left just a few seconds earlier. Their eyes met and they smiled softly at each other. Espo brought some sweats and a sweatshirt for Castle to put on while he waited for Alexis and he changed quickly so he wouldn't miss Kate when she got back. When she reappeared, they left the team to check out the scene while they walked over to the spot where they had gone over the side.

Kate spoke first, taking those first steps that she often shied away from. "How are you doing?

Castle smiled ruefully. "Fine. My fingers are like prunes and my ears are still ringing but other than that I think I'm ok. You?"

Kate smiled back, looking up at him through her eyelashes. "My lungs are a little sore but I'm fine." She could feel the warmth emanating form his body and wanted to lean into that big strong chest and just hold on. Instead, she dug her hands into her pockets and shivered slightly.

"Are you warm enough?"

"Yes, thanks. I just keep seeing us going over the side."

"I know what you mean." He wanted to put his arm around her and comfort her but he just couldn't.

Kate took a deep breath and decided to take another baby step. "Why don't I go get us some coffee, we will be here a while and it will get rid of the chill." The smile that broke across Castle's face was more than memorable; Kate took a picture of that smile in her mind to save forever.

Castle was over the moon, his heart pounding and face splitting. "Thanks, that would be really nice."

Kate smiled back, sweetly, her eyes burning with what Castle could, and would, only describe as love. He locked his gaze with hers for the umpteenth time that night. The moved just that much closer together, facing each other now, body's swaying. As luck would have it, the sound of shuffling feet interrupted them, and without taking their eyes from each other Kate asked. "What's up Ryan?"

"Uh...Castle, Alexis is here..."

"Thanks man." He said without turning from the beautiful face in front of him. He sighed. "I might as well get the coffee while I'm there."

"Thank you."

"Always."

A/N: I am sure this is not realistic in the least and I know it is clichéd at the end but it's just what came from my finger tips. Thanks for feeding this addictive form of procrastinating :)