Here Comes the Sun

Disclaimer: The characters don't belong to me. I'm just borrowing them for a bit. ;)

Summary: Post-ep for Target/Hunt. No spoilers. (none I can find, anyway)

A/N: I was sitting in bed, unable to sleep, feeling very nauseated (thank you so much, #4), and listening to music. Then, this song came on, and everything was all right.

The week had been long and hard on the two of them, especially Castle. He knew Kate was still concerned for him and Alexis, and if he was honest with himself, he was, as well.

But really, things were getting better. At least, they seemed so. He could see the tension in her as the days passed, in how she watched him so closely, how she didn't judge when he called Alexis just to say 'hi.' He'd actually caught her doing the same, but he'd pick another time to bring that up.

Kate had the day off, and he wanted to show her things were getting better. There was still light, somewhere deep inside, and it was slowly getting brighter.

It was well before dawn, and Castle had actually been up for a while. He was already dressed and made coffee.

"Come on, Kate," he said quietly as he set a coffee mug for her on the night stand, then gently shook her shoulder. "Time to get up."

She cracked an eye open. It took a moment for her to focus on him, her brow furrowed so adorably before she inhaled deeply and stretched. "'Sun's not even up yet, Castle. You okay?"

"I'm fine," he answered, then handed the mug to her, "I just wanted to share as much of the morning with you as possible."

Kate sat up and took the coffee, closing her eyes as she sipped it. "It's just not like you to be up before the light of day."

"Well," he said, and smiled, loving her honesty so much. "Today's a little different. Finish your coffee and get dressed. It's not much, really, but I do have a plan."

She shrugged and took another drink. Her eyes were so warm and it filled him completely. "Whatever you say. Give me a few to wake up, and I'll be ready."

"Okay. I'll be in the kitchen." He stood and started to walk out. If he stayed in there much longer, he'd have to change plans and do this another day. "Just don't take too long... there is a schedule to keep."

She watched him for a moment, the question lingering in her eyes, but she didn't ask. "I get it, Castle. Fifteen minutes all right with you?"

"It'll be great." He smiled at her once more and left his bedroom.

It seemed like no time had passed at all when Kate stepped into the kitchen, dressed, and ready for the day. Castle couldn't find his voice for a moment, and she seemed to notice.

"What has you waking up well before dawn on our day off?"

Her words pulled him back into orbit. "Come with me, and you'll see."

"Where are we going?" Kate's eyebrow arched and her eyes narrowed just a bit.

"Somewhere. Just trust me." He walked over to the closet and pulled out her coat, "You'll probably need this."

Castle helped her into the coat, then pulled his on. "We've got a short drive ahead of us, then you'll see what's going on."

Kate shrugged and followed. It was a little strange, her letting him take the lead so easily and not asking questions, but he didn't say a word. He just let it be. If it bothered her, she would have said so by now.

Or maybe, it was as simple as knowing that she trusted him. Yeah, maybe that was it.

They got into his car and wove his way through the city.

After a few minutes, Kate broke the silence. "So how long is the drive?"

"We'll be there in about half an hour," he said, noticing how the sky was still fairly dark. "Not too far away." He smiled and squeezed her thigh, "Just something I want to share with you today."

"All right," she also smiled and put her hand on his, "if it's that important to you, then I can be patient for a little longer."

Castle continued on his way through the city, eventually bringing them to Coney Island. He followed the directions on the GPS to a road leading to the coastline, and found a place to park.

"We're here." He took the key out of the ignition and got out of the car, walked around and opened the door for Kate.

The wind gust was cold, and Kate pulled her coat a little tighter around. "You brought me to Coney Island?"

"Well, yeah, I guess so," he answered, "but that's not all of it."

He took her hand in his and brought her out onto the beach. They walked quietly for a while, hand-in-hand. The wind was cool, and the sound of the ocean as it came in waves onto the beach was calming to him. A few seagulls had already taken flight on the ocean breeze, giving the makings for quite an amazing morning, even now.

Finally, Castle found the right place and stopped. The sky was still partially dark, and the last few stars glittered in the sky.

"What are we doing?" Kate asked. She squeezed his hand and pressed in close to his side.

"Waiting," he said, and turned so he could see her better. "A new day is about to be born, and I wanted to share it with you."

Kate's eyes widened as she smiled. And it was that smile he thought might've been lost. It overwhelmed him, and he felt tears stinging in his eyes. But this time, they were tears of joy. Not worry, or fear, or sadness.

He looked back to the horizon again, seeing how the the sky had brightened into a golden yellow, and how the clouds were painted in shades of purple and pink.

"Here comes the sun," he said, "and it's going to be all right. Maybe not today, or next week, but it's going to be all right. Because that light?" He pointed, nearly choking on his words as he spoke, "It takes the darkness away a little at a time."

Kate fell in against him, her head against his chest. "I'm so glad," she said, sounding genuinely relieved.

"And so we're clear," he whispered into her ear, "you're that light for me. Every day, Kate. Don't ever doubt that." He felt her nod and knew she was at a loss for words.

As Castle held her into the first moments of the day, the sun's rays warmed the air, and them, and he knew it would definitely be all right.