Chapter 1 Come Home
"I don't have a home," Kate said bluntly.
"Yes you do. It's a secured building with an extra bedroom and people who care about you."
"Thank you Castle, but I couldn't."
"You can and you will," Castle declared with firm resolution.
Castle and Beckett stood in the captain's office at a standstill in their debate over housing arrangements after Kate's apartment had been blown up by a serial killer obsessed with the fictional Nikki Heat and her real life counterpart. Kate was fretting over the logistics of the situation, while Castle was insisting she stay with him at his loft—partly out of guilt for his personal culpability in this case, but mostly out of a desire to protect his partner.
As she observed his demeanor, Kate could see genuine concern etched in Rick's face and sincerity swimming behind his eyes. There wasn't any humor laced in his words or mischief underlying his features, which told her he was being serious about this request.
She didn't like the idea of them living together in such close quarters, but what other options did she have? Her apartment was in ashes, along with all of her belongings due to the explosion which nearly cost her life. Out of practicality, she had no other choice than to give in to his direction which, by the serious tone of his voice, sounded more like a demand.
Ugh, we'll be seeing each other literally 24/7. I already see enough of him at work while he's following me around for his "research."
Kate mentally groaned to herself as they exited the precinct together to head to his place.
Rick quickly flagged down a cab and ushered her in without much discussion, not wanting to give Kate the opportunity to protest further. He was feeling extra protective over her, given the harrowing events that had occurred that night.
As she watched the streetlights roll by during the cab ride to his loft, Kate took a moment to consider things from a different angle, trying to find a positive side.
Maybe it won't be so bad. He's doing me a big favor by letting me stay with him. And his place is pretty big, she rationalized.
At least it won't be lonely in his apartment. With him, Alexis, and Martha dropping by frequently, it may actually feel like a little home, she thought with a small smile. And it's only temporary…
The rest of the cab ride passed by quickly and unusually quietly, due to the very real consequences of the case infusing the air around them with tension.
After paying the cabbie and greeting his doorman, Rick took the familiar path across the lobby and up the elevator to the top floor of his building with Kate in tow.
Kate didn't realize how tired she actually was until she stepped into Rick's cozy and inviting apartment. Crossing the threshold to his home allowed her to let down her guard for the first time in hours and she could feel the stress of the day weighing down on her. Cases like these tended to do this to her—send her on an adrenaline-fueled frenzy to catch the killer, even kicking her into overdrive for days on end if need be. This particular case had her on edge more so than usual, since she was the subject of the psycho's obsession.
As a culminating result of several days with little to no sleep, Kate was both physically and mentally exhausted. Right now she wanted nothing more than a hot shower and a good night's sleep.
"Umm, Kate…" Rick started, trying to explain something when he noticed a set of designer suitcases near the door. Judging by the patterns printed across the fabric, he knew they belonged to Martha who was supposed to be moving into her new boyfriend's place. If his mother's things were still at his loft, that probably meant that she was still here too.
Kate sighed heavily. "Not now Castle," she interrupted.
He opened his mouth to continue. Kate held up a hand to silence him.
"Don't. Please?" she pleaded quietly. "I just really need a hot shower and some sleep."
Her eyes and voice were both weary, worn out by overuse and lack of rest.
Rick read the signs of haggardness in her face, sensing that she was thoroughly exhausted. He understood Kate's condition and wanted to give her space.
"Sure," he nodded. "You know where my bathroom is. Towels are in the closet. Call me if you need anything else," Castle said gently, aware of her fatigued state.
"Thank you," she spoke in a whisper-like tone, and headed in the direction of his bathroom, which was connected to the master bedroom.
Swiftly stripping off her worn clothes, Kate stepped into the shower and turned the faucet handle, allowing hot water to cascade over her body. She closed her eyes and just stood there in the stall, letting herself unwind from the struggles of the day. The high water pressure and heat of the steam soothed her weary body and helped evaporate much of her stored up tension.
Despite her need to constantly be working on cases, she knew that some time off would do her good, both mentally and physically. The water droplets raining down from the showerhead relaxed her overly taut muscles and for the first time in days, she felt safe. She felt the stress slowly trickle from her, streaming into the drain along with the water.
After washing her hair and scrubbing her body, Kate turned the shower knob to stop the water and grabbed a towel she had set aside. As Kate was drying herself, she ran into a dilemma. She had no clean clothes to change into.
Crap, she thought. What am I going to wear?
Kate wrapped herself in the towel and sought to find something suitable or at least halfway decent. Just as she opened the bathroom door, she found Rick standing there holding a bundle of garments, caught as if he were about to knock.
Rick was a bit stunned by her sudden appearance at the door, bare-faced and clothed only by a towel. She looked much more vulnerable than he was used to, and a lot softer in a way, without that fierce edge she usually displayed at work.
"Oh, I was just checking if you were done…" he explained.
"Um, yeah I am. But, uhh, I don't have anything to wear," Kate admitted ashamedly, feeling bashful for standing in front of him in a less-than-dressed state.
"Yeah I figured as much, so I brought some clothes for you." Rick lifted the garments that were cradled in his hands.
"They're actually some of mine. I tried to find something small that could fit you better… and you're either going to have to borrow my boxers or go commando…" he elaborated awkwardly.
"Uh, thanks." Kate said gratefully yet self-consciously, too embarrassed to meet his eyes.
Taking the small pile of clothes, she retreated into the bathroom and closed the door to get dressed in private.
Kate slipped into his boxers, folding it at the waistband a few times to make it fit, along with a soft cotton t-shirt he had given her. While donning the burgundy-colored top, she caught a whiff of his scent from the shirt and couldn't help the small smile creeping unintentionally on her lips. It was a smell she had become familiar with over the past year and even grown to like a little bit. Not that she would ever admit it to him.
The top of the shirt hung below a modest level, so Kate had to let it hang off one shoulder. Although it was a loose fit, Kate was comfortable. She hugged herself and took another deep breath to inhale his scent, sighing contentedly.
Feeling somewhat refreshed but still quite weary, Kate exited the bathroom and searched for Rick to inquire about her sleeping arrangements.
She found him in his bedroom tidying up and peeked past the frame of the door.
"So you have an extra bedroom for me to stay in?" Kate alluded to his earlier statement.
"Umm… about that."
Rick stopped arranging the pillows on his bed and went to the doorway to meet Kate.
"Apparently things got delayed with Chet and my mother isn't moving out yet," Rick explained meekly.
"Oh, that's unfortunate," Kate frowned. She deduced that meant there wasn't an extra room for her to stay in.
"So where can I sleep then?" she asked.
Rick knew how exhausted Kate was, so he wanted her to feel as comfortable as she could tonight. He was more than willing to give up his room to her until he could figure out alternative sleeping arrangements.
"I know you're really tired," Rick began gently. "And there are no other empty rooms, so you can have mine for tonight."
Kate frowned. "But then where are you going to sleep?"
He shrugged casually. "I can sleep on the couch in my office. I've fallen asleep there a few times."
She wasn't about to kick him out of his own bed, not when he was so willing to let her stay with him at a moment's notice.
"I'd feel bad for being the guest in your house and making you sleep on the couch."
Rick had a potential solution, but suspected that Kate wouldn't exactly be pleased with it.
"Well my bed is quite large, if you don't mind sharing… it's definitely big enough for two," he offered, gesturing to the plush king-sized bed.
"No funny business, I promise." He gave her his best boy scout smile.
Kate considered his proposition. It wasn't ideal, but she had no more energy to argue at the moment. She really just wanted to get some sleep.
"Fine," Kate shrugged. "As long as you stay on your side of the bed," she qualified pointedly.
"Deal." He grinned.
"Thank you, Castle. For everything," she sighed.
With that, Kate mustered up her last ounce of strength to brush her teeth and then retire to his bedroom for the night. She collapsed onto his bed, falling asleep almost immediately, not even bothering to situate herself on the bed properly.
Rick went into the bathroom after she was done to wash up and get ready for bed as well. He folded Kate's worn clothes and put them aside, mentally reminding himself to launder them later. After brushing his teeth and changing into pajamas, Rick retreated back to his room to find Kate fast asleep on his bed.
He approached the bed and went to tuck her in. Rick dragged the comforter over her body so that she was snugly wrapped underneath. He paused for a moment watching her sleeping form, a first sight for him, looking so innocent and peaceful. She really was adorable when she slept.
Smiling at her occasional snores, Rick noticed her position on the bed. Smack dab in the middle. So much for staying on our own sides of the bed… he thought to himself.
Rick slowly slid into the right side of the bed, the side he always slept on. Rick attempted to get comfortable without being too close to her, to no avail. He tried to distance himself from her body, but couldn't because of the small amount of space that she left him on the right side of the bed.
"Kate," he whispered. No response.
"Kate!" He whispered louder. She snored back at him. She was out cold.
Rick tried pushing her over a little, but Kate just groaned and moved back to the middle of the bed. He resolved to just snuggle up to her and enjoy her presence next to him. Within minutes, Rick was fast asleep with Kate pressed against his warm body.
Come home, come home
'Cause I've been waiting for you
For so long, so long