Well, dear readers, dear friends, our story continues. This is how I imagine Castle and Beckett's love story progressing. I believe that its the journey, not the destination, our couple will be faced with so much more, because that is life! Stay tuned for more, love the comments, thanks
Lastly, to my own band of Beta Babes, Bree, Marjo, and Stella, this would not come together without you. XXOO, Melody
Kate was standing, lost in thought, as the events of the last 24 hours swept through her. Her life as she knew it had changed forever, no, both of their lives had. Where was this going, where... His arms encircled her naked body, and at his touch chills chased down her spine., hmm, this was heaven.
He murmured in her ear, "You're coming with me" and with that he pulled them both into the warm water of the shower. They quickly became engrossed in washing each other's bodies. Rick couldn't believe she was actually here, with him. Her body was delicious every inch of her sublime, and as he began lathering her hair, he awakened her senses with his subtle yet smooth technique. She was enraptured with this activity, the thought of this becoming part of a daily routine, brought a smile of contentment. The water turned off, too soon for Kate. As she opened her mouth to protest, he kissed her forehead and slapped her butt, "Let's finish. Remember, I'm starving."
"Nice Castle, way to break the spell. Romance versus food, yep, I should have known which you would choose. Okay, we'll do it your way, but next time, I lead, got it!" she stated, her fingers, cupping his chin.
"My dear Detective, feed me and you can drag me back in here, cuffed or not. Either way, I will be ready for more. The question is, do you have the stamina to keep up with me?" The smirk on his face was maddening, and oh so cocky, just daring her to respond.
"Listen, you sit on your ass all day, I work out. I kick box, run, and do yoga. Believe me, my stamina is not in question."
"Yeah, but I'm a stealth lover, built for surprise and secrecy. I save my stamina for the important activities, didn't I demonstrate my prowess this morning?"
Kate barked out a laugh, he was too much. Their banter was such a part of them. During the last few months, they had grown closer, and so much more comfortable with each other, that their time together was special, for both of them.
As they left the bedroom, Kate stopped, "My God, what about Alexis and Martha? What will they think?" She pulled back and ran her hands through her hair. Somehow she found the thought of facing his mother and daughter daunting.
"Relax, they've already gone for the day. Though," cocking his head to one side, "they do know you spent the night but I didn't go into the details. I'll save that for show and tell tonight. His face turned serious. "They were sorry to hear about Nick, and asked us to give Deb their best."
Good grief, with everything that had transpired this morning, Nick's death and Deb's loss had been completely forgotten. She bit her lip and looked at her feet as the guilt filled her and her shoulders slumped. Castle tipped her downcast face up, "Kate, come on, give yourself a break. It's ok, let's fix something to eat."
After they finished eating and cleaning up, Castle asked "What's today's game plan?"
Stretching, Kate responded "I need some exercise, I'm stiff this morning and my side hurts."
"Do you need a massage?"
"No way, Castle, at this point, we'd end up never leaving here"
"Works for me", reaching in he kissed the tip of her nose.
Rubbing his jaw, she gave him a little slap, "Get your shoes on we're going to the park". Kate sensed Castle's disappointment so she leaned in, "If you're a good boy, there will be more later, maybe something with cuffs if you're interested?"
His face brightened considerably, "Sounds promising, let's go."
Her phone chimed, and Kate paused to read the message. "Castle, Gates wants to see all of us at the precinct. Oh, hell, do you think she heard what happened yesterday?"
"Hum, what could she have heard? Let me think, oh yes, I remember. You attacked me, spoke to me forcefully and then ordered me to go with you. An obvious case of police brutality, I'm thinking? I may actually have bruises." His smirk and attitude were getting on Kate's nerves.
"Castle, Captain Gates could order you out of the precinct. What was I thinking?" Her hands went to her face and a concerned frown appeared. This could be bad, really bad. Castle was part of their team, and an important element of her life she didn't want to lose. God, why didn't she wait to kiss Castle 'til they were out of the station, she was a fool letting her heart get the better of her!
Kate was quiet the entire way downtown. She parked the car, and as they walked to the elevator, Kate turned and stopped Castle with a hand to his chest. "Keep it in line. No smirking, no eyebrow raising and no winking. None of your usual antics – got it! You need to take this seriously as I've gotten used to you in the precinct. You help us, help me solve crimes, you help me relax and have fun, even when we're stressed out. I want you in my life, every part of it!"
Castle started to lean in and kiss her, and started as she slapped him, "Get a grip, Romeo, what did you just hear me say?"
"That you love me, and you can't live without me. How much fun I am, how much I help solve crimes, how..."
"Okay, I got it, just keep it together", she looked around, and seeing no one, decided it was her turn to show him a little affection, their lips touching lightly as she nipped his bottom lip. Kate whispered, "Let's get this over with."
Neither spoke in the elevator, and as they got out Castle started to put his hand on her back. She scooted away and under her breath snapped, "Stop it!"
Ryan and Esposito were sitting on the edge of their desks making small talk. As soon as they spied Castle and Beckett, they jumped up and headed towards the couple. Both had grins that stretched from ear to ear.
"Yo, Beckett. Castle my man!" Espo did the low five with Castle while Ryan bounced on his toes like an excited puppy. God, Kate thought, these two and Castle would be the death of her. Shaking her head, Kate wasn't sure which one she would kill first, but it would be painful!
She tilted in and between her teeth, she spit out "We'll talk about this later, not here, not now. Straighten up, all of you!"
Gates stuck her head out of her office, summoning the foursome into her office.
"Finally, all of you in here now!"
"Uh oh, she sounds really pissed." Castle whispered.
Kate's anxiety was rising, "Uh huh, she does."
When they entered, Gates didn't turn around. She was staring out her window, arms crossed on her chest and not saying anything for a minute. Slowly she turned, and proceeded to stare each of them down, no expression clear on her face.
Kate started to speak, "Captain…", she was stopped as Gates raised her hand, "This is my party, I'll do the talking!" She slowly started walking around the group.
"So, I understand there was a little physical contact in the middle of the precinct yesterday, is that correct?"
"Captain, I can explain..." Kate began.
"Detective Beckett. My party, my rules," Gates was in Kate's face, staring into her eyes, "now, did you kiss Mr Castle?"
Kate moistened her lips, oh boy, here it comes, "Sir..."
"Yes or no Detective. It's a simple question."
Kate gulped replying, "Yes, sir."
"Why? What possessed you?" Gates demanded.
Oh damn, this is it, I am going to have to tell the truth in front of my friends and my boss? She looked down then up at Castle. He smiled at her and winked, indicating his support for her dilemma. She closed her eyes and taking a deep breath, slowly opened her eyes as she turned to face her Captain. In a clear, strong voice, she responded, "Because I realized I was in love with him. I want to be with him."
She heard Ryan and Espo gasp, followed by a giggle and a hand slap. Though she wanted to bury Esposito and Ryan, Kate's eyes never left Gate's gaze. After what seemed like an eternity, Gates looked over to Castle, then the boys and finally back to Kate. She leaned back on her desk and shook her head. "I was afraid this would happen. I have to admit Mr. Castle has proven to be an asset so for now, I'll ignore this, this ..." waving her hand in resignation.
Everyone in the room was silent as they stared at their boss, their mouths agape. Seriously, could this be happening? Had Gates suspected all the time? As it dawned on them Gates was letting Castle stay, they all let out a sigh of relief.
"Now get out of here, keep the kissing and fighting to a respectable level, and don't make me regret letting Castle stay."
They exited Gates office in stunned silence. Kate couldn't believe what had just happened, and the three boys were squealing like little girls. Espo texted Lanie to come to the precinct as Gates stuck her head out again ending their celebrations.
"Remember, you have four days off and you're wasting time, get out!"
With that, everyone grabbed their jackets and headed towards the elevator. "Remy's", Castle announced, "I'm buying."
The 12th precinct team enjoyed their lunch and beers. The boys and Lanie wanted to know all of the details, and several times as Castle opened his mouth to talk, he was silenced by a swift kick from Beckett. Kate was giving no details away, except maybe to Lanie later on.
After lunch, Castle and Kate headed towards Central Park, entering at 80th. Kate began taking deep breaths, smiling, and looking around from tree to tree. Suddenly, she sprinted forward, squealing and reaching out as she hugged the massive tree before her. "My mom and I spent hours walking around identifying the trees. Did you know that there are over 25,000 trees in the park? 31 different families: elms, oaks, dogwoods, pines. Aren't they beautiful?" she asked, her eyes shining with excitement, "This one is a Red Oak, so strong, look how his trunk is furrowed, and rough, his acorns feed the animals, and his branches are big and protective. He seemed so strong when I was young and scared and lonely. I named him Teddy for Theodore Roosevelt. I believed he could keep me safe. Over the years as I grew, they grew, changing their shape and their foliage with the seasons. Mom used to say you could learn so much from trees. How they adapted to weather, various conditions and how they stood proud as their limbs grew. I had problems growing up. I didn't trust people, kept them at bay, kind of like I do now. I was afraid to talk to people. Mom said it was OK to be different, trees were never the same, always changing, each with their own unique personality. She said I would become my own person, I would grow up and become strong like the trees, able to adapt and change with the seasons."
Castle was enthralled, never had he seen Kate so happy about something so simple and pure. Did she realize how much she had just revealed about herself? How alone she had felt growing up? How she had learned to read people? How she longed to be safe and how her mother used trees to help her as she grew up. He longed to know more about her childhood. What else from her time with her mother was buried within her? Johanna Beckett had been the major influence in his detective's life and Castle wanted to learn more about their relationship, but how? Who could enlighten him? He certainly couldn't ask Kate. He doubted she was even aware of her mother's influence, or if she was, it was her private sanctuary. This could be the key to unlocking the mystery of Kate Beckett.
Kate released her hold on her tree friend and leaned her forehead on the bark. She remained quiet for a moment, deep in thought. She turned, and returning to his side, raised up on her tiptoes and kissed his jaw. Her fingers intertwined with his and they continued their walk. She was so free and open, none of the usual suspicious looks or movements. He loved every part of her, but this was a side she rarely showed to anyone. Castle felt honored that she had entrusted herself with him.
They stopped at Belvedere's Castle where Nikki Heat had escaped death in Heat Rises. Kate was so relaxed that she hadn't remembered the significance of this place. She rested her back on the low wall, looking out onto the grounds. "I love this spot, I always felt I was queen here, above it all, invincible." She pulled Castle in, wrapping her arms around him and resting her head on his chest. Castle closed his eyes and burned this memory into his mind. He pulled her face up and softly kissed her his heart soaring.
He stood there with her, just enjoying them together. He realized that it may be time to talk, though he was afraid that would break the spell they had woven. He weighed his choices carefully and began.
"Kate, when you opened up this morning, you told me so much about how you felt following your shooting. You described how you endured the pain, hid your fears while you faced the terror alone. How you pushed people away, afraid that you weren't good enough, that no one would accept you as you were. You're wrong, Kate, totally and completely wrong. You were so courageous to share those feelings and people are fragile. We all want someone, need someone to lean on, especially during tough times. We all have inner demons that we believe mark us as flawed, or untouchable. You need to understand that there is nothing that would make me leave you. Do you understand what I'm saying?" he implored.
Kate pushed him away and then shut her eyes so she could think. She had seen the anguish in his eyes as he spoke to her. Could she believe what he said? She was still trying to find herself, let alone figure out where they stood. She wanted to believe him, needed to believe him, yet could she trust enough to give herself to him unconditionally. The thought of doing so frightened her, and her body trembled. She had told him she wouldn't leave and understood that this is what that would mean. Always.
"Rick, I-I don't know what to say. I do trust you, I..." her voice caught in her throat, the words wouldn't come.
Castle watched his partner fighting for control and struggling to believe him. It was time to tell her how much he knew about those first few hours after her surgery.
"Kate, you talked about the person who saved you, who came to your rescue when you woke up after surgery. I know exactly what you went through, because that person was me. I was the one who helped you fight your terrors and your pain. I was there. I had to be there. I was not going to let you go through that alone. I would not allow them to keep your arms restrained. They were certain you would pull out everything and possibly hurt yourself, and of course, you would have, had you been given the opportunity. So the nurses removed the restraints and I held onto your hands. I let you move your hands some, just not enough to rip out anything and cause further damage. That went on for hours. Between the anesthesia, the other drugs, and the fact your heart had stopped twice, it took longer than usual for you to stabilize. It was hours before the breathing tube could be removed safely. You weren't awake enough to protect your airway and breathe on your own. Once the tubes were removed, you relaxed, and the terror left your face. That's when I knew you would live."
Kate gasped in shock, she was stunned. Her entire body shook and tears filled her eyes. "Why didn't someone tell me? All this time I believed it was Lanie? Why?"
"Kate, I know you. You would have been mortified to know anyone watched you go through that. Lanie and I decided to let you think it was her. I didn't want to be the cause of any more of your pain. I had already caused you enough distress. I held you at bay while Captain Montgomery was killed protecting you. Your pride was all you had left, everyone else was gone."
The enormity of his confession overtook Kate and her legs failed her. Castle's grip kept her from a complete collapse. He had saved her when it mattered most. Her mind was in chaos. What had happened to Kate Beckett? Had that badass cop who feared nothing, who could beat anyone or anything, and never backed away from a battle, been destroyed by the shooting? Was she irreparably broken or had his confession given her hope? Kate stared into his face and knew it was time to move forward.
She reached forward, taking his hand, "Rick, let's go home."