CH43
Kate didn't take the lead; he gave it to her gladly, letting her steer him toward the bed as things became rapidly more heated. Clothing was tugged off, skin was revealed to hands and lips. When her teeth found his neck, Rick swore he almost blacked out. If she kept doing things like that, this wouldn't last very long at all.
She pushed him flat on the bed, his back against the cool sheets as she positioned herself over him. It offered him a perfect view, one he couldn't help admiring. He watched as her hands moved up his chest, tracing along his sternum to his collar bone. His hands settled on her thighs, starting right above her knees before moving slowly higher. He could feel her muscles shifting beneath her soft skin, basked in the faint catch in her breath as his palms curved around her bare hips. She was watching him with parted lips and eyes dark with desire.
And then her hips rocked into his and it was all he could do to remember his own name.
No words were needed after that, just movement and friction and heat. There were sighs which turned to moans which then faded into nothing more than ragged gasps and pants as the desire spiraled higher. She controlled the rhythm, dictated when they would move faster or when they slowed it down. He liked it when she took her time. He liked watching her hips roll into his, how she would brace her hands on his stomach and arch her back, giving him a perfect line of her sweat-sheened skin from pelvis to chin. Her thighs were trembling as they squeezed his hips and she was biting her lower lip to hold back anything louder than a groan.
But the controlled pace couldn't be maintained. It was too much for either of them to take. Rick reached for her, threading his fingers through her hair to haul her down to him. Their mouths met, more a collision of breaths and tongues and lips than a kiss. She was still trying to hold on, still fighting to keep control – just like she always did. That wouldn't do at all, so he took it from her, gripping her hips hard as he forced her to move faster.
Kate gasped against his mouth, one hand curling tightly into his sheets and the other pressing nails into his upper arm. She hadn't expected that, hadn't anticipated he would strip her of that iron-fisted control. It was what she clung to when she didn't want to feel anything and without it she had no choice but to experience the sensations full force. He could feel the tremors racking through her entire body, running down her spine to her legs, her fingers, even her lips where they were pressed to his. She was on the edge; all she needed was that final push.
It happened when he rolled them across the bed, reversing their positions so that she was beneath him. All it took was him lifting her leg higher around his waist, adjusting the angle that fraction needed to set her off. She didn't scream his name or call for God or anything like that. As with everything involving Kate Beckett, it was the subtleties that mattered. Her eyes widened slightly before squeezing shut, her lips parted in a silent gasp of shock as her nails pressed harder into his shoulders. Her back arched off the bed and it was the way she whispered his name against his neck that sent him falling after her.
For a long time, neither of them could move. They lay together, still joined and breathing heavily. Rick pressed his face into the crook of her neck while she stroked languid fingers up and down his spine. When she nudged his hip with her knee to move, the most he could manage was a graceless flop to one side. He closed his eyes, raked a hand through his damp hair, and took a few more seconds to bask in the afterglow before turning toward her.
She was staring at him, one of hand curled on the pillow while the other rested on her bare stomach. That haunted look, the one she'd had from the moment he'd invited her in, was gone. The sadness was still there, but it wasn't the heavy weight it had been. He smiled, unable to help himself, and she rolled her eyes in return.
"Smugness in bed isn't attractive, Rick," she teased.
He shrugged unrepentantly. "Can you blame me? That was amazing."
Kate arched a brow in response.
"Why are you here now, Kate?"
"It's more like I finally removed the last obstacle between myself and the future I just realized I want."
"Huh?"
Kate struggled to explain. "I think I've known for awhile that I'm in love with you. I just wasn't ready to admit that I needed anyone, much less you. I've never pictured myself as the type to need a man to make me happy. I've never dreamed of being swept off my feet by a knight in shining armor. Never wanted the white picket fence, two-point-five kids and the dog in the yard."
"And now?" Rick asked but the question fell on deaf ears. Kate was so lost in her own thoughts, so Rick just let her continue.
"You know I always felt that I would let my mom down if I didn't bring her killer to justice. Everything I've done in my adult life has been in direct response to that fear. I became a cop, a homicide detective. I devoted my free time to it. I've only entered into relationships that could never amount to anything because I pick men that never mean enough to distract me from solving her case. I put up walls to keep anyone and anything out because I never wanted anything to mean as much to me as she does." Kate kept her eyes down so Rick couldn't see the shame she felt.
Rick just repeated the same question he asked previously, "And now?"
Kate's chin quivered and her eyes filled with tears. "I realized that I've already let her down. I let her down every day I spend denying my own heart, every day I spend focusing on the past instead of building a future. Every day that I ignore the one thing she wanted most for me; happiness." Kate breathed in a few ragged breaths trying to maintain her composure. "All she ever wanted for me was to be happy. Why couldn't I just give her that one thing?" She was now crying uncontrollably on Rick's shoulder.
"Listen to me Kate, I never met your mother but I have a feeling she would be the proudest mother on earth if she were here today. She raised a beautiful, intelligent, caring, compassionate and successful daughter. Her need to see you happy wasn't about pride. It was about love, plain and simple. She wanted for you what she had because of you. Her family was her happiness."
Their lips found each other's again, but this time there was no rush and their movements were not feverish. Kate sucked on Castle's upper lip while he returned the favor to her lower. Each drank the other in, the taste, the scent and the quiet needful sounds. And while their mouths were completely R rated they were careful to keep their hands PG. Making sure to only caress one another's face shoulders or back. The physical attraction was strong, but for now it was the emotional bond they sought to strengthen. He was determined to be the one-and-done she deserved. In return she was determined to be the destination he had been sailing toward his entire life, thought at times he may have hit rough seas.
"Goodnight Kate"
"Until tomorrow Castle, or is it later today?"
Kate wakes to find the other side of the bed empty and cold, telling her that he has been gone for a little while already. Getting up she puts on some yoga pants and barrows one of Castel's t-shirts. Taking a good long smell of it before she puts it on, loving the smell of him all over it. And slowly heads out looking for him. Stepping out the door gets her headed upstairs since she can smell food cooking.
Reaching the kitchen she already finds Ryan, Jenny and her Dad already there, with Castle in the kitchen cooking. "Hey, guys."
"Hi Katie. Sleep well? Jim asks with a little glint in his eye (I know where you slept last night). And that t-shirt you are wearing is my first clue.
"Yes dad, I SLEPT fine. Thank you for asking."
"What would you like Kate? I've got some bacon, eggs, a little fruit, cereal (Cinnamon Life and Raisin Bran), toast, milk, juice, coffee, water."
"I'll take the toast, coffee and fruit please. Though not in that order. Thanks Castle."
"Aren't you guys eating?" Kate asks looking at Ryan and Jenny.
"We ate already. Our little one here got us up early. Surprised that Castle was already up and starting breakfast." Jenny tells her.
"Here you go, Kate."
"Thanks, Castle."
"What have you got planned, Castle?" Kate is curious about the stuff he came home with last night.
"We are going to pay Bracken's apartment in DC a little visit. Give him something to come home to." Rick tells her while raising his eyebrows a couple of times.
"We'll go after Javi and Lanie get up and we all get a shower and check in with Lucile to see if it is all clear."
After breakfast and a shower, everyone meets up at the dining room table. Rick is there with his bag of goodies.
"Lucile, can you scan Bracken's DC apartment for us, please?"
"Yes, Richard."
"And deactivate any security system, cameras or mics he has in it."
"Scan complete. Security system is disarmed. No camera's or mics detected. There is a street camera that has a view of one of his windows. It has also been deactivated. No life forms detected."
"Excellent! Kate, Javi and Ryan lets go. Jim I'll give you a choice. You want to join in the fun. It'll be perfectly safe. I swear." Rick states crossing his heart.
"Sure, I want to see what you're up to anyway."
"Ladies, we'll be back in a little while. Lucile will make sure you are safe here."
Rick raises his left arm and soon there is a Transmat wall open. "Let's go."
And everyone steps thru into Bracken's living room.
"Let's make this quick. No need to take any chances we don't have to."
Searching in his bag, he pulls out the 2 cans of spray paint.
"Here Javi. See if you can find any jackets, coats, sweaters, suit coats or the like and spray a nice yellow streak down the back of what you find."
Snickering, Javi takes the cans, "You are a cruel man Castle. I LOVE IT." and heads off for the bedroom.
Next are the 2 cans of spray adhesive. "Jim you want to take these? Try gluing his fitted sheet to the mattress. The top sheet to the bottom sheet. The pillows to that sheet and so on."
"He's right, you are a cruel man!" as Jim heads for the bedroom also, laughing.
Next is the 3 bottles of hot sauce and a couple of syringes. "Ryan, take these. Fill the syringes with the hot sauce and find any food that you can inject the stuff into. Cookies, cakes, anything with some stuffing you can insert the stuff into."
Laughing, Ryan takes the things and heads for the kitchen.
Next out is the bags of sugar. "Kate, you take these and empty one under the bed, and the other under the sofa, chair and any other furniture that strikes your fancy."
"What is this for Castle?" Kate is confused.
"It'll attract ants in his bed, sofa, and chair; anyplace his sits or lies down."
Giggling, Kate takes the bags and asks, "What are you going to do Castle?"
"I'm going to put Nair in his shampoo, conditioner and any body wash he uses, and put some of the laxative into his tooth paste. And the rest will go in his liquor supply" Rick says with a smile.
Laughing now. Kate takes the sugar and starts with the sofa in the living room.
Javi and her dad help her move the bed so she can spread the sugar out under it.
Ryan has found some Oreo cookies, a jar of peanut butter and a bottle of ketchup in the refrigerator.
Javi has found 2 winter coats, 4 suits, and one robe to spray with a yellow line down the middle of the back.
Laughing they meet back in the living room and Rick opens another Transmat wall and they all step out just in front of Rick's front door. Still laughing and having a good time.
Of course Jenny, Lanie and Alexis want to know what is so funny. So they each tell what they did. And soon the girls are also laughing and having a good time.
"This isn't going to solve the overall problem Castle." Kate tells him.
"No, but then, payback is a bitch. And I'm dying to see what he looks like bald." Which gets everyone laughing again.
Barely able to talk, "Lucile, you can reactivate Bracken's security and the camera outside now."
"Yes, Richard." Lucile responds, giggling.
"Senator Bracken has arrived in NY safely, and is currently in his room at the Four Seasons Hotel. He has not made or received any phone calls. General Reed has arrived in DC and is presently in his room at the Rouge Hotel. His 3 men are sharing a separate room in the same hotel. He also has not made or received any phone calls." Lucile informs everyone.
"Lucile, is Reed asleep or is he awake?" Rick asks.
"Unknown, however he is presently stationary in a horizontal position."
"How do you know that?" Kate questions.
"His infrared signature indicates that he is horizontal, in the bedroom suite. I'm unable to ascertain if he is asleep or just lying horizontal." Lucile explains.
"This may be an opportunity for us." Rick states, with a mischievous grin.
"What are you thinking now, bro." Javi asks, sounding game for whatever it is.
"We Transmat into his hotel room, stun him and take him with us. This will take one of Bracken's key men out of the equation." Rick is thinking.
"Risky." states Ryan.
"There will be four of us. All armed with stunners. It'll be quick. In and out. Awake or asleep we stun him, pick him up and Transmat back out."
"Where are we going to put him, Castle?" Kate is hoping it is not here.
"Not to worry Kate. I know this nice little out of the way place that has some extended stay rooms. Perfect for our use."
"Ladies, we are going to need some MRE's, bottles of water, and a pot to use. Lucile will tell you were to find it all."
"Alexis, we are going to need one of your Kryptonite bike locks, please."
"Kate, Javi, when we enter his living room, I want you two to cover the front door and window. Ryan you are with me. The second we enter the bedroom we stun him. Period. No waiting."
"Castle, I really would like to talk to him before you knock him out."
"Not to worry Kate. You can talk to him all you want once he is in his new long term extended stay hotel."
"Ready?" He asks everyone. Getting a nod of yes from everyone. Rick then opens a Transmat wall into Reeds living room, and everyone enters.
Once inside Kate immediately takes the front door and Javi takes the Patio. While Rick and Ryan head to the door leading to the bedroom. Using his right hand Rick shows 3 fingers and makes it clear that they go on 1 and he starts removing his fingers. Ryan opens the door and they both step and and both don't waste a second at firing at the man laying on the bed.
"Go get the others, we are leaving." Rick tells Ryan softly.
Nodding Ryan leaves and returns with Javi and Kate.
Rick points at a bedroom wall and opens a Transmat wall. "Grab him and let's go."
Ryan, Javi and Kate quickly pick up the now unconscious Reed and walk thru the wall followed by Rick. Who closes it on the other side.
"This way. Put him in here. Then strip any clothes he has on and leave him naked. I'll be right back."
Rick steps up to a wall and opens sill another Transmat wall.
Arriving back at the loft. "You ladies ready?" Rick asks in a hurry.
"It's all in these 2 bags, Castle." Lanie tells him pointing to the bags on the dining room table.
"And here is the lock you asked for Dad." Alexis is holding up one of her bike locks.
"How did it go. Is everyone all right?" Jenny asks showing concern for her husband.
"We have him. He never woke up. Everyone is fine Jenny. No problems of any kind." He assures her.
"I gotta go. I want it all set up for his extended stay before he wakes up in about 30 minutes."
At that Rick opens another Transmat wall and steps thru to join the others.
Arriving on the other side. "Not much time. We need to get this in his new quarters and get him locked up."
"Kate I want you to keep your eyes on him. If he so much as coughs or bats an eye I want you to stun him." Rick tells her trying to sound serious.
The guys lay out the MRE's, bottle of water and his 'Chamber pot' and exit the room. At which point Rick applies the bike lock to secure the iron door.
"Castle, where are we?" Kate asks and would really like to know. Hoping that this place is secure for the long term.
"This is an abandoned town on the coast. It is called Bokor Hill Station. It was built by French settlers in 1921. We are in Cambodia.
"It was abandoned when the mine closed several years ago. It is very remote. There might be some farmers near here. But otherwise, no one comes here."
"Bro, CAMBODIA?" Javi is in disbelief.
"Yea, even if someone does run across our new friend here. It's not likely they will speak English. And I doubt he speaks Khmer." Rick tells them. Kind of proud of himself.
"And with no clothes he is likely to draw attention to himself wherever he goes. Even if he somehow makes it out."
"No phone, no electricity, no boat, no car, no plane. Not a single luxury. He is pretty much this town's only permanent resident." Rick says lifting his eyebrows a couple of times.
"Now we wait?" states Ryan.
"Now we wait." Kate confirms.
