Rick started to doze off when he felt Kate shiver. He looked at his watch and realized it was already four in the afternoon. She was still sleeping. Her head had somehow landed on his chest and one of her arms was resting on his stomach. He really hated to have to wake her but it was getting really chilly now.
"Kate" he said gently, getting her hair out of her face. He couldn't help but caress her cheek in the process. He could really get used it. "Kate" he repeated.
"Mmm" she mumbled, getting closer to him.
"Kate, you need to wake up. You're freezing"
Slowly, she opened her eyes, trying to remember where she was. It smelled like Castle. Why would it smell like Castle? When she realized where she was, she sat up quickly, knocking Castle's head on the way.
"Awww"
"Oh I'm so sorry Rick. What happened?"
"You broke my nose, that's what happened" he answered, laughing.
"Let me see" she said, sitting next to him and pulling him to her. She took his head in her hands and examined his nose. She had trouble focusing on her task. All she was able to think about was the feeling of his cheeks under her hands. She knew that he was looking at her. She could feel it. And apparently, he had stopped breathing too. "Well" she said letting go of his head and finally looking at him "it doesn't seem broken. You're definitely gonna have a bruise but you should be fine."
"You should kiss it better, just to be sure" Rick said
"Maybe I should" she said, looking at his eyes widen by surprise "but I won't"
"Uh … too good to be true"
"Can we … uh … can we walk for a while, before going back?" Kate asked
"Sure. I'll even help you get up" he said, getting up himself and giving her his hand "even if you broke my nose".
"I did not break your nose" she said, taking his hand and getting up.
After a walk shortened by the rain, Kate drove Castle back to his place and went home. When she arrived at her door she found a note taped on it. Something had been delivered and her neighbor had taken it. Five minutes later, she got in her apartment, a large package under her arm. She unwrapped it. It was a framed drawing of her and her mother laughing. She didn't even try to stop her tears this time. After a few minutes spent admiring it, she saw the note that was tapes on the corner: I'm sorry I stole one of your pictures, I promise you'll have it back by tomorrow. She went to put it in her bedroom, got her coat and keys and left.
Twenty minutes later, she was at his door, hesitating to knock. She had finally gathered the courage and lifted her hand to knock when the door open and Martha appeared.
"Oh Kate, what a nice surprise! I'm sorry but I'm late for a date but go in, Richard is in the kitchen I think" and with that she left, leaving a slightly stunned Kate in the door frame. Tentatively, she walked in and towards the kitchen. At least until she heard Castle yell.
"Aaahhh!"
"Castle, what's going on? Are you ok?" she asked, now running in the kitchen. When she arrived, she stopped suddenly. He was there, taking off his shirt. She couldn't help but stare at his well-developed chest. How on earth could he look like THAT? He was a writer, not a … model for sports ads!
"Enjoying the view Detective?" Castle asked, looking at her more than appreciative face, eyes fixed on his chest
"Uh? Oh uumm. What happened? Why were you yelling?" she asked, praying not to be blushing as hard as she thought she was.
"Oh I just spilled some coffee … well, my whole cup on myself. and it's hot!" Kate could feel herself blush even more at his words "What are you doing here?" when she didn't answer, he looked at her, still staring at his chest. "Kate!"
"Uh? Oh yeah, sorry. I came to …uh … do you mind putting a shirt on?"
"Why? Am I too distracting for you Miss Beckett?" Rick asked, smirking
"Yes"
Surprised by her answer, he simply went to his room to put something on. "So, what brings you here?" he repeated his question when he came back with a clean shirt.
"I came to thank you, for the frame."
"Oh, you like it?"
"I love it! Did you draw it?"
"Yeah"
"I didn't know you could draw like that!" Kate said
"Oh there are a lot of things you don't know about me Kate" he said in a seductive voice
Not knowing what to say, Kate preferred changing the topic "Oh and I brought your manuscript back"
"Oh you can keep it, I have another one"
"You have two identical manuscripts?"
"No, I have one manuscript and you have a manuscript. It's a gift, you can't return it"
"Oh … well… I know that I'm repeating myself but thanks, really"
"You're more than welcome" Rick answered, smiling tenderly
"Well, I should get going, I just wanted to …"
"Uh … what could it be? Oh I know ! Thank me" he laughed
"How is your nose Castle? Because I'd be happy to really break it if you continue like that"
"Will you kiss it better if you do?"
"Not a chance"
"Well, not worth the pain then" he said
"Goodnight Rick" she said, leaving him alone in his kitchen.
When she got back to her car, she finally let herself breathe normally. She would never have imagine that he would look like … that. Turning the heat down in her car, she got on the road to her place. After a light dinner, she went straight to bed, having some sleep to catch up on, even if, she was sure, her dreams would be filled with some shirtless author.
When Castle arrived to the precinct the following day, coffee in hand, none of the three detectives could be found. Waiting for them, Castle sat in Kate's chair. Her purse was open, in her bottom drawer. He could not help a small cry of joy when he saw some pieces of cardboard in it. She HAD cut off some cereal-box games for him.
"Hey Castle! What are you doing?" Esposito asked
"Uh … pre-heating the chair for Miss Beckett of course" he answered, noticing the look on his partner's face. He was wondering how she would act today. Not just because he was seating in her chair, but she had been so open and … herself with him the day before! He didn't know if it was just because it was a really emotional day for her or …
"Thank you Castle" was all she answered, taking her seat in HER chair
"What happened to your nose?" Ryan asked, not noticing the look the two partners were exchanging.
"Oh, Beckett broke it yesterday" he answered, taking his seat in HIS chair. "So, what's new here today?"
"The Captain gave us all the day off today … apparently the killer took the day off yesterday so we don't have anything to do. He will call us if something happen during the day. Can I have my coffee now?" she asked, tending her hand.
"So, what do we do?" Rick asked
"We go home before the Captain changes his mind" Esposito said, picking his jacket form the back of his chair. "and I have some shopping to do" he added before leaving.
"Lanie's birthday is next week" Kate answered Rick and Ryan's questioning faces.
"Well, I'm heading out too… see you tomorrow!"
Once again, they were left alone at Beckett's desk, sipping their coffees.
"So, what are your plans for today?"Rick asked
"I was thinking of going to the museum. Do you want to come?" Kate asked with hopeful eyes. Maybe nothing will change after all Rick thought.
"Sure, why not! Which museum?" he asked, getting up, ready to leave
"Natural history" she answered, following his example and gathering her things.
"Lead the way!" Rick said enthusiastically.
They didn't have to wait long for the elevator. Once they were inside, it started to get down but it blocked.
"Uh Oh. I think we're stuck"
"Wow, you should really be a detective Castle!" Kate laughed
Ten minutes later, nothing had changed. Kate took her phone and called Montgomery.
"So?" Rick asked when she hung up
"He's gonna send someone but it might take a while. The maintenance people are on strike …
"So we're stuck in here?"
"Yes!" she snapped "I'm sorry" she said to him, passing her hand in her hair "I'm … kind of claustrophobic since the freezer" she explained, blushing.
"Hey, it's going to be ok. They know we are in here and someone is gonna come ok?" he asked, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Ok"
"Hey ! I know what we could do to pass time … not THAT" he added when he saw the look she was throwing at him even (if I wouldn't mind at all he thought) "I saw you have games in you bag. Do you have a pen?"
"Yes"
"Great!" he said excitedly, sitting on the floor and patting the spot next to him for her to sit down.
Kate laughed at his excitement but obliged him and got the games and pens out of her purse.