A/n: Hey, thanks for all the feedback for the last chapter. I really appreciate it!
To reward all your awesome reviews- I'm updating a longer, funnier chapter sooner than I would have. I had some free time, and a laptop so I attempted. Hope you like it! Don't forget to tell me what you think… hope you love it as much as I loved writing it!
-K.H.
Date Night?
Chapter 3: Rookie
From across the room the phone sang in a fuzzy tone, static sounding music hitting cloth. Though her coat muffled it, Kate knew exactly who it was. The ring tone was a distinct warning of him, it told Kate to 'brace herself' and hope for the worst. Kate ignored it, still stuck in Sleep's evil clutches; she let it ring. But the phone persisted, continuing it's Siren-like call. She groaned.
It was Castle.
It sang to her, enticing her to walk what seemed like miles to the sofa on the other side of the room. The phone buzzed still and the song started up again, seeming to play in a round because of the constant calls; he'd called, texted, voice-mailed… her phone was practically having a seizure on the couch.
Every fiber of her body told her to ignore it. She was too tired for Castle. Besides it was Saturday morning, and after a night of deliberating to nowhere over the case- Kate deserved a break. Not deserved per se but needed- thoroughly needed; Castle would just interrupt her Saturday. Though there hadn't been anything new in the case for days, it drained her more than if there had. Agitating, and boring holes into her skull with its cruel sameness, a case unsolved left her antsy and grumpy.
She definitely wasn't a morning person.
Then a thought bloomed in the small crevice of her mind that was still optimistic- what if he found something? Curiosity drew her hazily to the cell phone, but she resisted at the last second. It was Castle, she knew of course because of the distinct tune of 'You Talk Too Much' softly buzzing under her jacket, still waiting where she left it. Castle would either call to enlighten her of some silly matter… or he had a clue.
It was worth a shot considering, if he did have a clue… something that would solve the case and clean their slate- he'd win. He'd win…a date with her. It sparked her curiosity and with begrudging strength she took the last steps to the couch to retrieve it.
It rang again, and Kate scooped it out of its constant buzzing when it rounded the second verse of the ring tone.
'…You talk too much, you worry me to death-" She interrupted it's chime, checking her phone.
2 missed calls, a text and a voice mail- all from Castle. Was it really all that urgent? She wished it wasn't.
"Good Morning."
"Mmmph. 'Morning Detective." His speech was slurred, but still had its familiar melody just with a tinge of drowsiness. It seemed Sleep had claimed more than one victim this morning.
"Did you get any sleep last night Castle? You sound terrible."
"Pff! Richard Castle doesn't sleep," He joked; even at 7 o'clock in the morning Castle was comical. "Oh well if you must know Detective, I spent my evening, and morning… investigating."
"Investigating? Please tell me you didn't do anything illegal…"
"Well…I'd be lying."
"What was it this time…you didn't go streaking again?"
"No. But ummm about that, illegal stuff- I did get something, in the process though."
"Oh do tell Castle, what did you investigate?"
"Our case of course. I found some tidbits about our suspects… care to hear of my findings?"
"Sure."
"I'll be at your place A.S.A.P…"
"What but-"
"-No complaining."
Click.
He didn't give her time to protest. Castle hung up, cutting off the conversation before she could make a single complaint about the fact it was 7 o' clock, and she wasn't dressed. Beckett knew he didn't care. She knew Castle had no boundaries when it came to her. He was just hesitant about them. 'No complaining', he'd said… he would be there 'as soon as possible'. She wasn't complaining, but Kate was scrambling to find some way to make herself look fit to be seen.
That meant she'd have only a few seconds to make herself look presentable. She ran for the bathroom.
Gripping her mascara like a sword Kate fought with her face for beatific triumph. Her brush cut into her curls like a evil claw, pulling on the strands in shriek–inducing flurries. Changing into new clothes was no use; her pajamas and sweats would have to do. She was applying lipstick when she heard a knock on the door. The sound of his 'Hey Becks open up!' made her lipstick draw outside its intended lines. She sighed, "Oh God-I look like the freaking Joker." Taking a quick napkin to her face, and last check in the mirror Kate ran for the door.
Who am I kidding? This is Rick Castle… why am I getting dressed up for him? Then again why aren't I?
She flung the door open in a nervous flailing of door and arms. He stood there. Richard Castle leaned against the threshold like something out of a cheesy 80's movie. He just stood there, arms crossed, his usual thousand-watt smile radiating at her with blinding accuracy.
"Detective, you rang?"
Her eyes slanted to the panels of her ceiling, annoyed and comical. The look across his face seemed to rehabilitate her smile.
"Castle, you called me."
"I know I just wanted to say that."
Kate thrust the urge to laugh into the deepest sections of her heart. She'd save for later, and cherish it then; they had a case to solve. Time to get to business.
"Castle. You said- you had something to show me?" Kate continued, pulling a tired hand through her hair.
"Oh yeah, that." He took a folder from inside his jacket and barged into her apartment without an invitation. He plopped onto her couch without a single hesitation and within minutes he was at home there. For a second time, Kate's eyes hit the ceiling; he hadn't even thought to ask. He knew he was welcome. She leaned on a chair beside him, rifling through the folder.
"Where did you get these?"
They were pictures of the suspects, Evan Dawson and Mia, his girlfriend. Evan wore a janitor's uniform and he pushed a cumbersome cleaning supplies cart into a fancy, business-like building. Mia sat in a coffee shop, which seemed to be across the street, watching for his signal. They looked like something a private investigator might submit, grainy but good enough for evidence.
"I took 'um."
"What?"
"I followed them from their apartment, to the coffee shop."
"Wow, Castle. Hey- Looks like Evan Dawson, got a new job."
"Yeah, he's a janitor at some big advertising agency. Guess who owns it?"
"Who?"
"Quinton Quarts-"
"-The girls' uncle?"
"You got it."
She shifted through the photographs, a series of them this time all of different angles of the same building.
"His shift starts at five in the morning, but he started a little late today. Around the time, the uncle comes into work. My sources tell me he's setting up a deal."
"And your sources are… who?" Kate quizzed him, hoping he hadn't done anything stupid to get this information. Hoping he hadn't promised any favors…
"Mia Everett, herself."
"What? You talked to her? How…"
"Well…"
She stared at him, confused and agitated. From the look on his face, it would take more than a simple glower to get him to spit it out. Castle did something stupid didn't he? Her eyes decided to take a detour to the little creases in the paint on the ceiling. She took a deep breath, and tried to think it through. It couldn't be too bad could it?
Her phone buzzed at her knee. Kate scooped it up; it was Ryan, he'd texted her.
Check your email. I sent you something… you have to see it.
Kate sighed and followed his instructions, and found what he was talking about. A fit of anger, hilarity, and confusion hit her. It was a security video of the outside of Le Café Big City where Castle had been that morning taking pictures. It depicted a man who resembled Castle, with coiffed hair hidden under a blue hat. He wore a police uniform, but even in the disguise she knew it was him. He, had trying to be conspicuously, pretended to be a police officer to scare the lady into telling him what he needed to know. He looked like an idiot.
"Castle… what's in that bag?"
"Oh… um-"
When he didn't answer, she jumped at it. The bag was a plain canvas thing; she hadn't seen him carry it in. Castle fought her for it, but Kate was merciless and clawed back at him for the bag. He surrendered to her 'lady claws' and let her open in it. Inside was a costume police uniform, complete with a little gold tinted tin badge and hat.
Kate just laughed.
"You, pretended to be a cop?"
"Yeah, you got a problem with that?"
"Yes. It's not like playing dress up in kindergarten… it's illegal."
"Whatcha gonna go Detective? Huh cuff me… I'd like that," He beamed a devious smile. "You know I would." He winked and Kate slapped him.
"Shut up."
"I'd think you'd think it was kind of funny ya' know…"
Kate took out the little rookie style hat from the bag, and placed it atop his head askew. He modeled it proudly. A little smile found its way onto her face, and he mirrored her.
"Come on Rookie… we got a case to solve."
A/n: I know… I know. She called him 'Rookie', not only is adorable but it's a reference to Heat Wave… and to Castle's dress up game. Did you love it? I knew you would… It feels nice to have something comical and fluffy during this tortuous hiatus we've been subjected to.
-K.H.