Chapter 35- The Pickup
Disclaimer – characters are not mine.
Shout out to my proof reader - next challenge is executing the edits.
Again a nod to the brillance of Eminem.
"Dad – how many times can you pack and unpack? You are going away for like two nights somewhere close by. You need it come home and get it or charge it."
He mumbled in response "It's something to do. The packing and unpacking, it keeps me busy."
"Nervous?"
With a quirky smile he replied "Like a school girl."
"Well this should be a good ice breaker." Alexis shoved her iPad in his hands "Take it Dad. It's a little sappy, a little corny and a testament to well...you and your heart."
Castle shot his daughter a confused look. "Hmm?"
"The video/homage to Detective Beckett that you asked for; of course I limited my picture selection to the non-stalker ones."
Castle was torn between sweeping Alexis up into his arms and twirl her about and using her iPad as a Frisbee. "Really? You think I'm a stalker?"
"Okay not a stalker but you do have some creepy photos of Detective Beckett."
"You and Kate should hang out together."
"Why?"
Castle executed his best Grouch Marx eyebrow waggle. "You both think I'm kind of creepy."
"I don't think you're creepy…" Alexis rolled her eyes, "…I just think there are pictures of Detective Beckett that are oddly, umm, well how do I say it? Intimate. But not."
Castle smothered a smile. They were intimate pictures. Images that captured Kate's true essence, the rawness and vulnerability that makes up the interior of Kate Beckett, so often hidden below the surface of the strong sexy salty exterior.
Beckett clipped her badge to her belt and holstered her gun. She regretted having to bring them with her, but Ryan's was delayed and Gates said, no ordred her to be on call until noon. It was non-negotiable.
A quick look at her watch showed that she had one hour and fifteen minutes until she was officially off, but only fifteen minutes until Rick was due to arrive.
Beckett headed for the elevator, pleased with herself that she had messengered what she dubbed the 'Castle Collection' over to Maddie to send up to the room prior to their arrival. Sure it was expensive; but the last thing Beckett needed to do was to arrive at a crime scene carrying a dress bag, a box and an overnight bag. Kate wanted everything as perfect as she could orchestrate - overnight bag, CFMs and the mysterious Herve Leger box waiting for them at the hotel.
Murder or not.
The town car pulled up outside her apartment, Castle began nervously rubbing his hands up and down his thighs. Get out of the car? Stay in the car? Send the car away? Was the car too much? He knew Kate hated taking taxis.
Kate Beckett would walk a mile in the freezing rain before she hailed a cab. Kate likened riding in a cab to using a gas station bathroom. Refusing a cab when off-duty was another contradiction that laid within the layers of the 'Beckett Onion.' She would crawl through sewers, entertain a rat dancing on her neck when she was on the job, but the minute she was off the clock 'Uptown Beckett' came out to play.
What if they were only going a block or two? What if she changed her mind and wanted home field advantage? What if she only wanted coffee? What if she came said 'go home Castle, go home.'
Castle stepped out of the car and shook his head in an attempt to clear away the negative thoughts and self-doubt. The coldness crispness of the February air only cleared the cobwebs for a moment. Should he go up and get her? Or wait outside? Would she show up? Damn.
He needed to grow a set.
Kate exited the elevator a floor earlier, giving her the perfect vantage point for spying on him. She peered out the window and spotted him. Castle was pacing back and forth in front the entrance way. Beckett smile a little to herself, he was gesturing frantically and talking to himself. A total 'tell' that he was just as nervous as she was.
Kate hadn't had this many butterflies in her stomach since she waited in her bedroom in her parent's house for her first real date to finish being grilled by her Dad. Even though Kate had the entire weekend planned out in her head – every step and every word, she still had sweaty palms. The hitch was that she hadn't sent Castle a script and Kate had no idea how he would react. Would he play along with the lines she had written for him in her head or would he write his own?
In her heart of hearts the one thing that Kate was certain of it was time for Rick and Kate...Beckett and Castle needed to be checked at the door.
Kate took the breath of a life time and headed back to the elevator and hit "L."
There she was.
He knew it was her.
The boot. Oh the boot.
Just the tip of a boot was edging its way out of her building.
The tip was followed by laces that wrapped her legs from ankle to knee.
No one placed a leg like her. Surely they don't teach that walk in cop school, it was 100% natural Kate. A woman was born with that walk or she wasn't.
He drank her in – white skinny boy jeans, knee-high black patent leather boots, cropped white Altzuzarra white top, and a long flowing red suede duster. Kate's coat accented and suggested all the shapes and curves hidden beneath. Rick couldn't help but have his eye drawn to the hint of skin showing between her top and her jeans. Detective Kate Beckett never wore an outfit like this to work.
How Rick loved Kate – not the detective, just Kate. His breath caught in his throat, breathing was becoming a challenge.
His palms grew sweaty, knees grew weak, arms are heavy...on the surface he looks calm and ready.
She walked towards him with a purpose.
She had walked out.
She knew she needed to walk in.
She reached him and squared her hips to his.
Leaned in, lightly kissed his lips.
Leaned further in, pressing her chest to his and whispered in his ear, "Hello Rick."
She hoped it was enough, it was all that she had.
The next move was his.