Chapter 3 - She Cares
These characters do not belong to me. AWM is the creator.
Last night, I had told Kate that I had to go out for dinner, right after Jacinda had called. I made it look like I was going out on a date with her, but the truth is, I was not. It was maybe I just wanted her to suffer through the same thing I went through. Even after going out on three dates with Jacinda, I was unable to bring myself to give her even a simple good-night kiss, just because it did not feel right. I figured that she knew something was wrong; therefore yesterday she had just called me up to tell me that she was leaving, going back to Vegas. I had to collect my Ferrari from the airport, which is why I left. Beckett was behaving differently yesterday, she was more open, and I kind of liked it. The truth is that I had not given up on her, I was not willing to let her go, not yet. Mother was right; I could not just turn off my feelings. But still I needed to see her. I had no intentions of giving her our morning coffee, but still I went to the precinct, not to talk to her but just to be near her.
The elevator door opened and the first thing to meet my eyes was Kate, sitting on her usual spot, lost in thoughts. Her hair like a cascade of brown water, framed her face perfectly, matching the colour of her eyes, they looked hazel in the natural lighting. One hand was supporting her face while the other was engaged in keeping the pen between her lips. The thing that caught my attention was that she was staring right at the chair next to the desk where usually I seated myself. I walked towards the chair and slowly seated myself down when suddenly she came back from her lost state, smiled brightly and said 'heyy Castle, I was just thinking about you'. Not telling her that I was thinking about her too, I simply said 'hi'. After a few minutes of silence and awkward side glances at one another, she finally said-
'I hate to break this news to you but, Castle, I am sorry...No one was murdered' that was dramatic and funny and I could not suppress my laughter.
'Well, New York has sadly become a safe place' I said, smiling at her.
She just rolled her eyes, nodded slightly and went back to whatever she was doing. I had actually missed her eye rolling a lot, not that I was going to tell her. For a moment there I had forgotten about her secret that had severely wounded me, but then the pain was back again. I took out my phone and started playing angry birds while she got up and came a moment later with two cups of coffee.
'Oh you shouldn't have' I said, though taking the glass. Actually I really wanted coffee and the 'shouldn't have' was just for formality sake.
'No, I wanted to, I still owe you 98 more' she said, winking at me. I couldn't believe she still remembered. She cared to remember what I had told her a while back, after she had made through a day of PTSD. I just took a sip and went back to the game.
'So you still having trouble with writing' she asked. Oh damn! My ex-wife. She must have told her about my writing problem and lack of inspiration.
'Yes, well, you know, ups and downs, I'll be writing in no time. It's just a phase.' I said, not meeting her eyes.
'Oh, I thought...never mind, I just wanted to give you something I thought would help you to write?' she said. Wait a minute, was she asking for my permission. When did that happen? Though a little confused about her intentions, I still said 'Sure'.
She took out a yellow envelope and handed it over to me. I took it from her hand, our fingers gently brushing, though I tried to ignore the heat that passed through me just by merely touching her. I took it and not waiting a second to guess what it was, I opened it. Yes I was curious.
There was a note that said: "To Richard Castle, when he was just a 14 year old Richard Rodgers - People may let you down, but talent doesn't''And there it was a cutting from the literary magazine. My first story that I had submitted and was published. I had certificates framed in my office of my failures and achievements and only this cutting was missing from them. I was unable to even find words to express my happiness.
'I hope it helps' was all she said, and she went back to her paper work.
'Kate- this is amazing, I mean, I am speechless, Thank you, really...thanks a lot.' Was all I was able to say. I was so overcome by emotions. I had two wives and trust me, they gave quite expensive gifts, but somehow Kate's gift was so easily able to touch my heart. It's true, after all not the price, but the feeling it is that matters.
'How did you manage to find it?' I asked, not able to control myself.
'...Magic..' was all she said, and once again she gave me that dazzling smile which made my heart do a lap dance.
'I thought you did not believe in magic?' I asked. A while back, she had told me she didn't. 'What caused that sudden change?' I asked, raising an eyebrow.
'A wise man once told me that if I do not believe in even the possibility of magic, I will never find it' she said simply. Oh god! Was she planning to kill me? I just wanted to kiss her. She knew how to talk in verse, and by what she said, I was able to figure out that the change was no one else but me.
'I must say, the man is quite wise' I said smiling at her.
'He is extraordinary' was all she said. She was the same Kate. The one I had fallen in love with and now I was sure of that. I just simply stared at her as she finished her paper work, just like old times. I did not need to find inspiration any more; it was right in front of me.
Time literally flew today and as much as I wanted to stay, I had to leave. Alexis was waiting for me. We had to decide on universities. I stood up to wear my coat, when Kate suddenly got up too.
'Heyy, I got to go, Alexis must be waiting' I said, wearing my coat.
'So, no date with Jacinda?' she asked. I could make out that she was relieved.
'Oh no! She went back to Vegas today, morning' I quickly added. Not telling her what really had happened. I thought maybe I should wait for 10 months more to tell her. Or maybe never. But what happened today, made me realize that she still cared. She may not realize that she loves me, but somewhere deep down I know she does. Jacinda was a catalyst just to make her show her emotions and it worked.
'That's gre-' she said, quickly changing it to 'sad'.
'Heart breaking' I said, winking at her and then I started to walk towards the elevator.
'Rick! Can I take you out tomorrow for dinner' she asked. Was 'she' asking 'me' out on a date?
'A date?' I asked foolishly.
'Yes, I mean no...I just wanted you to come with me to this one place, it truly is magical' she said, trying hard to take out a yes from me.
'Well, I can't, I got to go-' I started. I was not ready to just go out on a date with her when she had lied to me. I was still angry with her but maybe I could talk things out tomorrow and clear the air.
'Okay! Pick you up at 8?' I asked, not sure whether I was doing the right thing.
'No actually, it's a casual thing, I don't want to push you, we can go on a proper one some other time. I will pick you at 8' she said now blushing a little. Well, she had just given me a hint that she was ready to go out with me, and honestly, under different circumstances I would have asked her right away for 'day after' since tomorrow was already fixed. But I simply nodded gave her a smile and started walking again.
'Until tomorrow Rick' she said hopefully.
'Night Kate' I said, a little optimistically.
We were going out on a casual outing tomorrow at 8. She was picking me up, and I had agreed to it. Today's events just showed me she cares, maybe even loves me. Maybe I misinterpreted her. Maybe she had a solid reason, not to tell me that she remembered. All I knew now was that I was willing to give her a chance to explain herself. Katherine Beckett would have had a proper reason to lie to me and I was going to eventually ask her now. I did not want to take steps in a hurry and mess up what we now have, which is more precious than what we had two days ago. We both care now, we both are ready, and hopefully we 'both' are still in love. What I learned is that, two days can change a lot. The wound is still there but the sting is gone and it just needs healing.
So to all those who are reading this, do tell me whether you liked it so far or not. Suggestions are welcome, and to those who did leave me a review, I just want to say that this chapter was dedicated to you all, as reviews do help me to proceed. Trust me! And I promise I will update at least every alternate days or maybe regularly if I get time. Also you can tell me want you want in the next few chapters!
So the next chapter I think will be from Kate's POV as she has made the plan to take him out on a casual outing. I am going to start getting things sorted out too as it seems both are ready! I think they should be honest with each other before taking the 'big step' and I am trying hard to keep the angst low, because this story is supposed to be basically Friendship/Romance with a little angst. I am trying to get the secrets out with them NOT yelling at each other but understanding each other. Just have to get them ready! Tell me what you want in the next chapters that follow and tell me did you like this chapter from Castle's POV? I hope you liked this chapter and should I continue?