I'm baaaack 8D sorry about the delay... i suffered from some serious writer's block after that finale... i mean, who wouldn't? plus the classes are getting in the way of my writing D: so, anyway! here it is! hope you enjoy it! please let me know !

Oh! and kuddos to MyNameIsJeffNImLost for figuring the stargate reference :D and than you to everyone that are kind enough to leave a review :D sorry i'm not responding but the site is not allowing me to, don't know why :C

Disclaimer: Still don't own anything!

It was about six o'clock in the afternoon when they arrived. The timber line was completed and began a lake; in the shore there was an old wooden dock, large enough to fit up to 4 people sitting in a row. In the background you could see a line of trees occupying the skyline, with its luxuriant pines and flitting birds. Behind the trees could be seen a line of snowy mountains, these were so high that clouds cover the peeks. The sun was setting, which made the reflection in the shining water, creating a feeling of pure bliss.

"Castle, this is…"

"I know, right?"

"How did you…?"

"Well, I was having writers block on my first novel so I went for a walk to clear my head. I lost track of time and I liked to walk so of course I got lost. I walked for about 3 hours, it was already dark and I was not exactly a boy scout."

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" – She said with a mocking voice.

After a playful glare at her, he continued.

"As I was saying, I kept walking and saw the forest came to an end. In the distance there was a surface reflecting the moon light, I followed and end up here"

After that, Rick took his backpack and placed it on the corner of the deck closest to the shore. He opened it and took a blanket, placing it on the deck he sat and indicated Kate to accompany him by patting the spot next to his with his hand. She sat next to him, legs horizontal and shoulders barely brushing his. She observed the sunset and he observed her. The light was hitting her face in all the right places, making her even more beautiful and breath taking to him. She looked like and angel and he couldn't help to grin like a fool.

It had been so long out there that the sun was down and a beautiful layer of stars and constellations covered the sky, making the moon shine even more and producing a sparkling effect on the lake.

She was lost in her thoughts, so absorbed in her world that she didn't noticed when the writer laid on his back on the blanket, with one hand behind his back and the other on top of his chest.

He didn't want to disturb her, he knew she needed her space, not to be pushed (especially after what happened in the morning), so he laid back. He waited for her to realize that he had moved. It took all of about 10 minutes. When she did, she simply lay back as well; he instinctively putted the arm that was on his chest around her. She placed her head on his shoulder, using it as a pillow. He was surprised at first, but he didn't complain, not at all. He slowly traced idly patterns on her arm with his hand. The touch was a caress really, almost imperceptible, just enough to let her know he was there for her. She relaxed eventually and putted an arm around his mid section, still looking at the stars.

"You don't see this many stars on the city, it's so beautiful."

"I know. After I found this place I built the deck so I could watch the stars at night, it gave me a sense of calm and inspired me, so much."

"Mmhmm, I can see what you mean."

A brief paused passed before it clicked on her brain.

"Wait; did you just say you build this thing?" – She asked, finally looking at him.

He was in memory land, looking at the sky.

"Yeah, I'm actually very skilled with my hands."

He chose that moment to meet her eyes and couldn't help but to wiggle his eyebrows at her and showing her his classic smug grin, which, of course, made her roll her eyes. His tone was serious when he continued the story; he kept his eyes on the stars.

"When I discovered this place, I was amazed at the beauty and at the feeling it created on me of pure serenity. The problem was that the tree line covered the perfect view of the stars, the times I got to see them I was on my swimsuit and couldn't stay for long because the water was so freezing cold. One day I decided to use my hands for something more that writing and got some tools and wood. I think it took me a month or two to finish it, maybe more. But it was worth it, to just lie here, looking at the stars and letting my imagination run wild. Soon I came here every night to sleep. I wasn't sure the thing had lasted this long, I was so happy when I saw it still here after all these years."

"Well, you do have a gift, this is extremely well built."

"Oh, wow. An actual compliment from the Kate Becket, maybe the stars will begin to fall"

She smacked him lightly and he grinned.

As if on cue, a shooting star flew the horizon which made them laugh like crazy.

"I told you the stars will begin to fall."

"Oh, shut up Castle."

"Make a wish, Kate." – he said in a low voice, almost a whisper. It felt intimate somehow.

…

"So, tell me Castle; How did you learn?"

"The art of carpentry?"

She nodded and he took a deep breath.

"When I was like 15, or maybe 16, Mother had a boyfriend, very nice fellow, treated her right and all, James Riley was his name. The relationship lasted almost two years and he was very kind to me. He was a carpenter and a businessman, a big CEO of a furniture company. Every Sunday he would teach me a thing or two about the art. Apparently I had a skill for the craft and it was fun. It also made the girls go crazy for me"

The last sentence he said it wiggling his eyebrows, lightening the mood a bit. She, in between laughs said "Figures". They stayed there, looking at each other's eyes for what seem like an eternity and not long enough at the same time. She was going to say something when her stomach grumbled in protest, making her blush, and he chuckled a bit.

"Don't worry, I brought supplements." – He said while sitting up and reaching for the backpack.

She smiled while sitting up as well, silently cursing her stomach for breaking, yet, another moment.

…

They had eaten comfortably, sharing memories of their times in Silver Creek. He had brought the gummy bears, the chocolate cake he had seen on the fridge, some bread, cheese, coke and water. She'd asked him how he had gotten all of that in the backpack and he had responded that since he traveled a lot he had learned to pack a lot in very little space. He had promised to teach her someday the secrets.

They had finished and were looking at the lake, her head was resting on the crook between his chest and shoulder and he had an arm wrapped around her. He felt so…, he didn't have words to describe how he felt. Contempt was one feeling, complete happiness was another. He thought right now was the perfect moment for him to tell her what he had been trying for the last month. The setting was perfect, they had been having a great time and he felt they were a little bit closer now. Yes, tonight was the night. He took a big breath and prepared himself.

"Ka-"

"Oh my gosh, Castle, look at the time!"

"What?"

"It's almost 10; it's not a good idea to be in the forest this late at night."

"Nah, it's ok – he dismissed her comment with a nonchalant wave of his hand – I've slept on this deck many times."

"It will get cold soon, did you bring another blanket?"

"Uh, no."

"Then we're leaving, come on, let's pack everything."

"Damn it, - he mentally kicked himself while shouting in his thoughts – why the hell didn't you bring an extra blanket?"

"Yeah, ok."

After gathering everything they were ready to leave when Kate realized a very important something.

"Castle…"

"Yeah?"

"Please tell me there is a flashlight in there somewhere – she said while pointing at the backpack on his hand."

He looked like a deer about to get hit by a car.

"Castle…" – her tone was a warning.

Oh, yeah, he was in trouble. Better start looking.

"I'm sure I got one in here, give me a minute."

"Or the ability to produce a flashlight out of thin air." - He mutters to himself.

After getting everything out and looking in all zippers and compartments he was starting to be afraid for his life. He was only one zip short of a certain and painful death…he opened it with extreme care, like if it held a bomb. He gulped as he inserted his hand and started probing the space. He felt something cold, like metal, shaped like a tube with one of the endings slightly wider than the other. He got the object out and held it up on the air as if it were a price.

"Ha! I knew I had one"

"That little thing?" - She said looking quizzically at the little silver flashlight.

It couldn't measure more than 5 inches long.

"Size isn't everything, Detective."

"Uhum, Did I hit too close to home, Ricky?" – She said with a sly grin.

"Quite the contrary, Beckett"

"Whatever you say…"

"I could prove it, if you think you can handle it" – he said in a husky tone, getting a little closer to her.

"In your dreams, Castle."

"Oh, you have…ow!"

While he wasn't looking she had grabbed the flashlight and before he could finish she had flash it right on his face.

"You're right, it's quite powerful."

"Told ya."- He said, still rubbing his damaged eyes.

"It has neon bulbs instead of the usual ones"

"I can see that, now come on, it's a long walk back to the cabin"

….

An hour and a half later they were almost home. They were holding hands, since there was only one flashlight and it was pitch dark, it was only natural. That was a good excuse, Kate thought, she was the one that had suggested it. She was taking point, holding the flashlight, listening one of the many, many, ghost stories Castle had. This one was actually not that bad.

"So, the boy kept his journey further into the house. He knew he shouldn't, every fiber in his body was screaming to get out of there, but his curiosity was far greater than his gut. His senses were on high alert. He would jerk his face at every little sound, starting to think that maybe this dare was not worth it. Another noise made him jump and his heart pound even faster, if that was possible, and he decided that it was it, he was about to turn back and run to the door and to his friends but he heard a voice, an almost guttural one, at best. He felt his insides flip and his throat suddenly extremely dry. And he saw it…"

"What?"

"Nobody knows, his body was found the next morning with this awful face; his jaw was out of place and his eyes were almost out of his sockets and his hair and clothes were damped like if he had been on a river."

"Castle! You just copied that from The Ring!"

"I did no such thing"

She was about to flash him when he help up both hands, bringing hers with them in surrender.

"Ok, ok, you got me, just don't flash me again. My eyes can't take any more damage"

She rolled her eyes, letting a smile bloom from her face.

"Such a drama queen, Castle"

"Hey!" – He replied in a whining tone

"Look, we're here"

She let go of his hand and went to the door, missing the warmth and the feeling of safety it produced. He was disappointed that she had let go, but there was nothing he could do, not yet.

After entering he went to the kitchen to put away the remaining of the food and she left to her bedroom to change. About ten minutes later she was in a sweat pants and a navy blue t-shirt with the yellow logo 'NYPD' plastered on the chest, she heard a soft knock and after letting him know it was ok to come in he entered with a little caution. He was wearing sweat pants and a grey shirt.

"I already put everything in its place, I came to which you a good night…so, good night, Kate."

"Night, Castle."

He gave her a little smile and began exit her room when she blurted out:

"Thank you."

He gave a 180 turn.

"For what?"

"For showing me the lake and sharing those stories, I, I had fun today."

"Not a problem, I had fun too." – He said with a gentle smile.

He was about to leave again when a sudden feel of déjà vu hit him when he heard her voice.

"Stay."

She didn't need to explain or to make up excuses; he just turned around and went to the bed. Shyly, she lifted the covers to make room for him and he got in, taking the same side as the night before.

Lying in bed he kissed the top of her head good night and turned off the lamp of the night stand, he was surprised that he wasn't already dead after that.

He fell asleep extremely fast and she looked at him. Somehow she felt the roles being reversed (she being the one watching him, not the other way around); he looked like 10 years younger with all of his features relaxed. It was almost adorable. Without much thought she placed her head on his chest and snuggled, putting an arm around his stomach. As if on instinct, his arms wrapped her body tight. It was the first time in almost two months that she'd had a peaceful night of sleep. And the first time in a very long time that she slept with a smile on her face.

Please review :D?

~ AC