It's not a new episode but hopefully this helps. I know I'm already in withdrawal.

The Third Man

"Beckett."

"Hey."

Kate smiled to herself, snuggled further into the pillows and relaxed at the sound of his voice, so welcome after five days apart.

"Hey," she replied. "How was your day?"

He shrugged though she couldn't see it, leaned back against the headboard of the bed in his hotel room. "Busy. You know how Meredith can be. She had all these things planned. I don't think she's quite gotten the concept of 'relaxing week in California.' It's like she's trying to make up for the fact that she hasn't seen Alexis in a year by doing everything in the area this week. And there wasn't much going on at Zenith today so I wound up tagging along with them."

"Well at least she's trying."

"Yeah, I guess," he conceded.

He sighed over the phone and Kate heard a rustling noise as he maneuvered so he was lying down, phone balanced on the side of his head. It was only nine o'clock, but ten hours out and about in the hot summer sun had worn him out pretty thoroughly.

"I miss you," he said softly, longingly, and Kate curled her body more tightly around his pillow, breathed in his lingering scent.

"Miss you too."

"Just a few more hours."

"I know."

"I wish you could've come with."

She sighed. This conversation had taken place every day so far. He wanted her there. She wanted to be there too. But she didn't have any vacation days until August and Meredith was available now. So Castle and Alexis had jetted off to California, Castle to make a few public appearances and Alexis to spend the week with her mother. He was headed back to New York tomorrow while Alexis would be staying for an additional couple days.

When Kate didn't respond, Castle switched the subject. "How was work?"

She shrugged against the pillow. "No case, just paperwork. Boring day."

"I wish I could've been there to keep you company."

"It was just paperwork, Castle."

"Trust me, it would've been much preferable to a luncheon with Meredith's most recent set of co-stars. I learned far more about hair extensions and air-brushing than I ever cared to know."

She laughed. "Yeah, I can imagine."

More rustling noises, this time originating from Kate's end of the phone.

"Are you in bed?"

"Yeah, are you?"

"Yeah. I didn't wake you did I?"

"No. I was reading."

"Nikki Heat?"

"Nope." Kate traced the stitching in the leather cover, felt the angular pattern press back against her fingertips. "Our journal."

"You are?"

"I missed you."

He pulled the covers up around his body, sank further into the mattress. Not the same as his bed at home, mainly because he was in it alone.

"Read to me."

Kate faltered. "Really?"

"Of course."

"I... okay," she consented after a moment.

She shifted to prop herself up with one arm, put the phone on speaker, freeing up a hand to hold the book open. It felt weird, reading a letter out loud to the person who'd originally written it. But for him, she'd do just about anything.

Dear Kate,

Thank you for coming out to dinner with me tonight. It was a lovely date. Yes, it was a date; you went to dinner with New York City's Most Eligible Bachelor #9.

You looked really nice tonight. That red dress accentuated your body in all the right places and the way your hair was done was beautiful. I wish you would have kept the dress on though... it would have made our date even better. But I got you to go out with me, so I can't be too picky.

You know, Alexis asked me before the date if someone who was a number on a list was the way for me to find happiness. I laughed it off, but now I think I kind of understand. My daughter is a smart girl. I mean, Amanda was nice enough, but just because she was listed in that article didn't mean she was a good person to go on a date with. She wasn't like you. She didn't think like you, didn't complete my sentences the way you do. She didn't get me in the same way you do. Being with her - it wasn't the same as how I feel with you, especially when the pieces start falling into place and we solve a case. It just wasn't the same.

I'm so glad I ran into you at Drago, even if it was a little awkward and you were really, really annoyed with me. But it worked out perfectly in the end. We solved the case and rescued each other from our not-so-good dates. I have to admit, I've been on some pretty horrible dates in my life, and that one was right up there.

Remy's with you, though – that more than made up for my failed attempt at enjoying an overpriced dinner with Bachelorette #3. We should do it more often. It could be a tradition; going out for dinner or drinks after every close. We can spend some time together outside the precinct, get to know each other a little better, possibly prevent dates with self-centered firemen. I feel a little bit bad that we left them. But who knows - maybe they hit it off really well.

Besides, I can't complain about the way things ended. Not at all. Because I had a fabulous evening with you.

And if you ever decide you'd like to be responsible for me being removed from the eligible bachelors list, I'm 100% okay with that.

Until next time.

-Castle

Kate fell silent as she finished reading, allowing his words to sink in. She remembered that night in fairly good detail; seeing Castle with the blonde, being jealous even though she didn't want to admit it, leaving the restaurant with him, walking out of the precinct arm-in-arm. Yeah, those memories were pretty well cemented in there.

But she also recalled being annoyed at both herself and Castle that night; at him for jumping on any attempt to be seen with a woman on his arm and at herself for even caring about what he did during his spare time.

Kate quickly re-read the letter to herself, couldn't stop her tired mind from zeroing in on certain parts; Bachelorette #3, Drago, the article.

It was late and she missed him and somehow the combination of that and his words was wrapping around her, jealousy seeping into her veins, spreading through her like wildfire. Sure, there'd been a lot of women. Kate was under no delusions.

But now... he was across the country in the same city as his ex-wife, who he'd slept with at least once in the time Kate had known him. Hell, he'd slept with both ex-wives in that time.

She'd never really been jealous of Meredith. In fact, she actually rather liked the woman, though she could see how endless hours spent in her company would drive her up the wall.

So why the jealousy? And why now?

Kate loved Castle, and he loved her. She knew that. Rationally, there was no reason for her to be feeling like this. But irrationally, she was jealous. And insecure. And she hated it.

"Kate?"

"Huh?"

"You're quiet. What's wrong?"

She shoved the journal aside with more force than necessary, rolled over so she was facing away from it. "Nothing."

"Kate."

She sighed. "You're not... staying with Meredith, are you?"

"You know I'm not."

"Does she know we're together?"

"I think so. I mean, she knew we were last year."

"But you went out to lunch with her."

"No, I went to a luncheon with my daughter and her mother."

"Yes, but Meredith was there."

"So?"

"So I've seen the way you guys are around each other. And she might think we aren't together anymore and..."

Yes, it was incredibly petty, but now that the seed of insecurity had been planted, it was growing and she couldn't seem to stop it.

"What's that supposed to mean?" he interrupted with a growl.

"I just..."

"Where is this coming from?" Castle demanded. "Is this because of the letter? Because of a date I went on a few years ago?"

"No it's just... I don't know... maybe."

"Are you really questioning my fidelity right now? Do you really trust me so little?"

"It's not you I don't trust," Kate backtracked quickly. "It's her, because she always has her eye on you."

"So do you," he joked. "Which I don't mind, by the w..."

"Castle!"

Okay, not the time for jokes.

"I just... I don't know what you want from me here."

She'd spent all day wanting him to be at the precinct with her. She wanted him in bed with her now. She wanted to be naked and wrapped up in his arms. She wanted to not be fighting with him over the phone about something that really shouldn't have turned into a fight.

Kate punched the pillow in frustration. "I don't either."

"Look," he said, running a hand through his hair, over his face. "It's late for you. Really late. Why don't we talk tomorrow when I get home?"

She sighed heavily, obviously irritated. "Fine."

"Kate..."

"Good night."

She tossed her phone to the other side of the bed, buried her face in the pillow, cursed herself and her insecurities. She was frustrated with herself for even considering that he was anything less than faithful, annoyed for being so insecure, upset for the conversation they'd just had, for the way it ended. And she just really, really missed him. It was the longest they'd been apart since DC, and she hadn't been sleeping well without him there.

When had she turned into the type of woman who couldn't fall asleep alone? She guessed it corresponded fairly closely with the first night she'd spent with him, the first time she'd experienced the warmth and comfort and love of his strong arms and solid body.

God, she missed him.

Tomorrow. He'd be back tomorrow.

Airports were possibly one of Kate's least favorite places, topped only by cemeteries and alleyways. There were so many people, so much traffic, so much chaos.

Castle had arranged for his car service to pick him up but Kate had called them an hour ago to cancel. So now she stood by Baggage Claim at JFK waiting for his familiar face to appear amongst the crowd.

After a couple minutes, she spotted him weaving through the throngs of passengers and waiting families, suitcase rolling along behind him. Kate strode purposefully towards him and she could see the moment he recognized her amidst the confusion. His tired eyes widened slightly and his slumped posture straightened as he made his way to her.

"What are you doing here?"

She rested a hand on his arm as he came to a stop in front of her, smiled tentatively. "I feel awful about the things I said last night and I missed you and..."

Her words were swallowed by him as he caught her around the waist with his free hand, pulled her in for a kiss that was bordering on inappropriate for a public place. But it had been seven days and they'd fought and he just... God, he'd missed her so much.

"I'm sorry," she panted as they separated, foreheads leaned together. "I'm so sorry. I don't know... I have no idea, I just... I know you wouldn't do that. I trust you."

He kissed her forehead. "It's okay."

"It's not."

He shook his head. "You're right, it wasn't. What happened last night definitely wasn't one of our finest moments. But you're here now. And we're okay, right?"

She nodded. "Right."

"Good," he affirmed, eyes adopting a twinkle now that the disagreement was mostly resolved. "Now, are you on a case today?"

She shook her head. "Nope, just on call."

Castle smiled and Kate's heart lifted at the way his eyes crinkled with happiness.

He leaned in close, breath washing over her face as he spoke in a low voice. "Then take me home, because I believe there's a giant bed there with our names on it."

Thoughts?