CH16
Kate strode back into the living room unsure what to expect. Sitting next to Castle who held out a wine glass for her. Kate takes it and drinks a lot of it.
Castle has noticed a change. "Kate you don't have to stay 5 whole days I can explain it to Alexis. You can go home if you like." Castle searches for the change in her that he detects.
"No I'll stay Castle, a deal is a deal." Kate looks down to see anything but his eyes.
Rick is lost as to what to do. Kate is confusing the hell out of him. She is here but not really here. Rick knows thru his talk with Roy that Kate's mom is involved in this somehow. Roy mentioned that he caught her searching the old case file and he could have fired her for it.
Ok time to try something. "Will you go out on a date with me. Just you and me. Let me take you someplace. Show you a part of this city you may not have seen before." Rick tries the direct route.
Kate looks shocked. "A date, like a dinner and a movie kind of date? Castle I'm a cop and you're, …. well you're a famous writer. You don't want to date me."
Rick is shocked, how could she think so little of herself? "Kate you are a beautiful woman who as a cop has amazing strength. I however am just a writer I don't do anything nearly as important as you do." Rick lies because what he does when not writing is very important. "I dream up stuff and put it down on paper, I'm only famous because people who read it like it.
Come on it'll be fun. It'll be nothing fancy, no special gowns required. What you are wearing now will be fine."
"No fancy balls, no expensive restaurants where they don't even show the prices, no place with hundreds of cameras taking my picture as your next conquest?" Kate drills him.
Rick chuckles a little. "No nothing like that. I don't know what you are thinking but I much prefer to take my daughter to a park or the zoo than waste my time at some highbrow boring fancy ball. And there will be no cameras taking your picture.
And you are definitely not my next bedroom conquest. That's not who I am. Stick around long enough and I'll prove it to you." Rick puts his wine down and takes one of Kate's hands in his. Then lifts it up to his lips where he brushes them over the back of her hand.
"As much as it will pain me, and boy will it pain me, you can ask my mother any question you like. I'm sure she will be only too happy to embarrass me with what she knows. Not to mention all those photo books she has.
Just give me a chance to rebuttal anything she tells you or shows you before you set it in stone."
Kate is now amazed and conflicted. "What have you got in mind Castle?"
"It's a surprise, you'll love it." Rick sounds excited.
"Oh no Castle, no surprises, I hate surprises. Just tell me what you want to do." Kate confides since she really does hate surprises.
Rick was afraid of this. Kate liked being in control so much that dating her was going to be a challenge for him. Maybe he could add a surprise during the date, just not the date itself.
"Wait here and I'll show you." And Rick gets up and comes back with his laptop, finally turning it around to show her.
HBO Movie Night In Bryant Park
41 W 40th Street
Every Monday at sunset, Bryant Park comes alive with a free outdoor movie. Grab a blanket, some snacks and your date (OK, maybe some wine hidden in a water bottle too), and cozy up on the grass to classics like Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and E.T.
"Then on the next date we can do something with a little more flare if you like."
Get unbeatable views of dazzling Manhattan from the sky and the water at night on this exclusive VIP tour in New York City! Admire the dramatic city skyline on a New York Harbor cruise complete with a Champagne toast in front of the majestic Statue of Liberty. Then, board a luxury helicopter and soar over the Brooklyn Bridge, the Empire State Building, Ellis Island and Central Park on the only nighttime helicopter tour available in NYC.
HighlightsNew York City harbor cruise and nighttime helicopter tour, perfect for any special occasion
Relax on a 45-minute New York Harbor cruise and soak in views of the NYC skyline
Celebrate with a Champagne toast in front of the Statue of Liberty
Soar over the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building and Central Park
Enjoy VIP treatment and engaging narration from your guide and crew
This Viator Exclusive offers the only nighttime helicopter tour available in NYC, so don't miss out!
Your adventure begins in the evening at South Street Seaport at Pier 17, where you'll hop in a water taxi for a 45-minute cruise along New York harbor. Then, by water, you will make your way to the helipad in Jersey City where you will take to the sky aboard a luxury helicopter for a 15-minute helicopter tour in the skies above dazzling Manhattan!
On your 45-minute New York harbor cruise, enjoy engaging narration from your guide and be awed by up-close views of the dazzling New York City skyline. Pass under the Brooklyn Bridge, whose views from beneath are astounding. When you arrive in front of the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island, toast with a glass of Champagne - a magical way to savor this enchanted evening.
Cruise along the water to Jersey City where this exclusive nighttime helicopter flight, perfect for any special occasion, will award you with incredible bird's-eye views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty perched majestically on Liberty Island. Soar over the Hudson River and spot the impressive Empire State Building and sprawling Central Park.
While listening to interesting and informative narration from your friendly pilot, you'll also see the Chrysler Building, World Financial Center, Chelsea Piers, Time Warner Center and Ground Zero. Along the New Jersey coast, spot Goldman Sachs Tower, Colgate Clock and Liberty State Park.
Back on the ground, you'll be transferred back to New York City.
"I'm sure Alexis would like to go to the movie too but I promised you a date with just you and me. I can put together a bag of snacks and food and maybe some wine or something in water bottles during the day while you are at work. Then we can go when you get back and mother can watch Alexis.
What do you think?" Rick hopes she will go for it. It's nothing fancy.
"I like it Castle, I haven't been to an outdoor movie or even one of those old drive-in movies since I was a child." Kate puts her wine glass down and hugs Castle. "Thank you. This is tomorrow isn't it since it mentions Monday only?"
"Is that a problem?" Rick asks.
"No I just have to hope we don't get a late in the day case that will force me to stay at work too late to go." Kate explains.
"Then we'll just have to hope the people of New York are on their best behavior tomorrow.
I'm glad you like it."
"I should go to bed I have to get up early tomorrow." Kate tells him.
"I'll have breakfast ready for you when you do." Rick tells her smiling.
"You don't have to do that." Kate tells him since she rarely eats breakfast anyway.
"On no, you need to eat breakfast. It's the most important meal of the day. Besides if memory serves I promised I would if you stayed over." Rick isn't going to let her off the hook.
"Ok, just remember you put anything funny in my breakfast and the deal is off Castle." Kate warns him.
"As you wish little miss boring." Rick taunts her.
Kate gives him an evil glare and gets up and heads for Alexis's room.
Once there Kate takes off her make-up, brushes her teeth and changes into bed clothes. Now comes the hard part, getting into bed without waking Alexis.
Kate however fails as Alexis wakes at least a little. "Kate?" Alexis sounds sleepy.
"I'm sorry sweetie, go back to sleep." Kate whispers.
Alexis answers by snuggling in close and wrapping her arms around her. Kate responds by wrapping her arms around Alexis and squeezing tight. "Thank you sweetie." And Kate kisses her.
"Love you." Alexis mumbles back. Making Kate's heart flip while she settles in to go to sleep.
Kate is woken in the morning by her phone ringing. Which isn't easy to answer since it is way over there and Alexis and she are intertwined like a pretzel. Unfortunately Kate ends up waking Alexis while she gets up.
"Beckett. …. Text me the address and I'll be there in an hour." And Kate hangs up.
Alexis rubs her eyes and looks at Kate. "You have to go to work?"
"Yea I'm sorry sweetie, it's what I do. How about we take a shower together before I get dressed and have to leave?" Kate offers brightening.
Getting an enthusiastic nod from Alexis.
After Kate is dressed and sitting at the counter putting on her make-up. "Do I need make-up?" Alexis asks.
"On your first day of school absolutely. Hop up here and let me fix you." Kate tells her smiling.
Alexis grins wide and gets lifted up into Kate's lap and lets Kate do what she did last time.
"I need to get going I've only got half an hour to get there." Kate tells her and they get up and head for the living room.
Once there they both find Castle in the kitchen. "Castle?" Kate is amazed.
Rick decides to tell the truth. "Jack monitored that you got a phone call from work. Here's your eggs and bacon, a slice of toast and if you give me a minute you can have a coffee in a to-go cup. So eat up."
Kate stands there with her mouth hanging open while Rick puts a plate into her hands. "You're amazing Castle."
"I promised you a breakfast and you're going to get one." Rick reminds her.
Kate eats as fast as she can since she has no time. As she makes it to the front door Rick is there with a coffee to-go mug, opens the front door. "I'll see you for our date tonight." And then he kisses her.
Kate leaves amazed smiling all the way to her car.
Kate sips her coffee while she drives. "WOW where did he get this coffee?"
Kate reaches the site and finds Lanie, Espo and Ryan already there. "Hey Lanie what have we got?"
"Hey girlfriend. …. What have you been up to?" Lanie questions her. Noticing how she looks, the soft lines in her face and the stainless steel coffee mug in her hand, which is new.
Kate looks at her like 'what are you talking about?'
"You are smiling and are glowing. Did you get laid?" Lanie is searching for a reason.
"LANIE? No I didn't get laid." Kate is shocked.
"Well you are doing something and it appears to be good for you. Whatever it is keep it up.
Female late 20's early 30's maybe. She has a number of bruises. I also found this." As Lanie lifts up her arm to show Kate a couple of injection marks.
"Overdose maybe?" Kate questions.
"I don't think so; these were the only two I could find. There was no ID on her. No jewelry, no purse." Lanie tells her.
"Body dump? … What have you got guys?" Kate turns to Espo and Ryan.
"There is no appearance of a scuffle, we've got some tire tracks over here that CSU is making casts of to see if we can narrow down the car used. Out here there are no security cameras. And she's missing her shoes." Espo points out.
With gloves on Kate goes over to look at one of her feet and lifts one to examine the sole of her foot.
The young woman opened her light blue eyes slowly. Unsure of her surroundings, she tried to turn her head. A sharp, slicing pain centered between her eyes quickly stopped that idea. A frown appeared on her pretty face. Where was she? The young woman let her mind turn back as she tried to remember the events that had led her to where ever this place was that she found herself. Angela, that was her name. She had been on vacation. Her parents had died a few months ago and she had just wanted to escape. It was all coming back now. She had lost the only family she had when her parents had gone down in a light plane crash and Angela was having a hard time coping. Despite the support of friends, she had decided to just leave and spend some time alone to deal with the devastation.
Angela had decided to just drive her car without any real destination in mind. She would know where and when to stop. The night before she had driven her little car down an overgrown two lane road. Hardly a road really, it almost turned into a path in some places. As she drove she drummed to the beat of a rock and roll song, hands dancing on the steering wheel. She hadn't really been concentrating enough on the road, when she had suddenly clenched the wheel and turned to avoid something standing in the road. The small car had flipped and Angela had found herself upside down hanging by her seat belt. Finally able to release the button she had slammed down onto the car's roof, now under her. Angela inched her way out of the car. She was having trouble seeing. When she wiped at her eye, her hand had come away bloody. Angela had finally crawled about six feet from the car and was only a few feet from the road. She was having a hard time staying awake and her head was pounding so loud, if there had been any sounds out in this god forsaken place she wouldn't have heard it. Angela was mentally kicking herself for choosing the rarely used road, when a light caught her eye. Not headlights, this was more of a flashlight. Angela squinted and watched as the light swung as whoever carried it took long strides toward her.
Angela shook her head as the bearer of the light stepped close enough for her to look. Something was wrong with her eyesight; it must be the cut that was pouring blood down toward her eye. She tried to wipe it again, but felt she had lost the use of her muscles. Her arms wouldn't lift. Who or what ever carried the light stood over her now. She realized the light was coming from an old style lantern. She looked up, trying to make out a face.
Angela felt her blood go cold and closed her eyes again. She had to be seeing things. The thing that stood over her looked to be at least seven feet tall. The slender face had sunken eyes that had dark circles around them. As she opened her eyes, Angela saw a new creature behind the first; a much smaller head peeked at her. This one had curly blonde hair and was so short it looked at Angela from just behind the taller things knees. Angela felt that the taller being was a male, but she was unsure about the little one. When a large hand reached for her, Angela thankfully passed out, gladly accepting the darkness.
Now she found herself in what felt like a small room, although it was hard to tell. Right now all she could see was the ceiling above her. She didn't want to risk turning her head and inviting that pain again. A gray light came through a window off to her left. She could just catch the light's reflection without having to turn her head.
Angela sighed and closed her eyes. Where was she and what had she seen last night? How much damage had her head taken? She felt like crying with frustration, she was afraid even that would start her head aching again.
Angela heard the creak of the door. She held her breath as she felt the rapid beat of her heart as it raced in anticipation. She slowly opened her eyes and risked the pain by turning her head toward the creaking sound.
She wanted to scream, but her voice wouldn't come. It was that thing from last night. He or it, was walking toward her bed. The rambling awkward gait suggested the man had one leg shorter than the other. Angela wanted to lift her arms to cover her face, to use her hands to hide from the sight, but found her muscles still frozen like they had been after the wreck.
The man/thing carried a needle in one hand as it stepped up to the bed that Angela lay on. As he lifted it Angela found her voice and screamed over and over again. The thing ignored her as he stepped closer. Angela felt a prick as the needle slid into her arm. She heard a deep voice just before whatever was in the needle took effect. "You are one of us now, you belong." Angela tried to say 'no, no, I'm not', but the darkness took her again before she could utter the words.
Later Angela opened her eyes again. This time the room was black. It must be night time and she needed to do something. She didn't know what kind of hell she fell in to, but she had to find a way out. Ignoring the pain, Angela turned her head. The dim light revealed a closed door. Angela slid a leg slowly off the bed, clenching her teeth against the pain. The other leg followed and Angela slowly sat up. Her hands went to her head as the splitting pain she remembered from before hit her like a tidal wave. Gingerly she stood up, then had to lean against the bed as the blackness threatened to return. A few moments later Angela felt steady enough to stand straight again. She walked slowly and quietly to the door and turned the knob. Her heart sank as she realized it was locked.
Angela turned around to get a look at the room she was apparently held captive in. Off to one side she saw a dirty, dusty curtain hanging. She walked over to it and slowly pulled back the shredded cloth. A scream rose to her throat as she looked down onto a dried up grass lawn. Below her a bonfire flared. Around it the dancers were unlike any Angela had seen before. Inhuman creatures swirled and danced the fire light reflected off their dark eyes. Angela saw what looked like a man as big as Frankenstein's monster. Small, yellow haired imps with long teeth hanging out of their snarling mouths. Pale men and women staying back from the light of the fire but with saliva dripping from ravenous jaws. The worst of all was when another large monster type male carried a young woman to the bon fire. A pole was standing there and she was tied to it, then the small imps lit the poor young woman on fire.
Angela screamed, oh my God, that's what she was here for, a sacrifice. She needed to get out. As she turned from the window the young woman's horrified screams filled her ears. Angela covered her ears and tossed her head from side to side. She started to run for the door again, even though she knew her actions were futile. Her foot caught on a loose piece of flooring and Angela flew across the room hitting her head on the door. She smiled as she gladly let the darkness take her again.