They lay there in each other's arms as the morning light filters in through Kate's bedroom window. Castle rubs his hand over his face and looks down at the woman lying in his arms, still sleeping soundly, peacefully. Part of him cannot believe this isn't a dream. He's really here with her. He glances at his watch. The world would be waking up soon and they had work to do.
He kisses the top of her head, "Kate? You awake?"
"Hmm." She mumbles, "What time is it?"
"A little after seven." He replies
She sighs against him, "I guess it's time to face the world." She breaks from the embrace but he grabs her arm
"Wait a minute." He says
"What?" She says with a yawn
"We need to talk about this." He says gently, "I mean, first of all, are we going to tell people that we're together? You said we'd figure it out but…"
"Can I have some coffee before we start talking about this?" She asks garnering a knowing look from him, "Okay, let's not say anything right now. I don't know how the NYPD will feel about this. They have a policy about coworkers dating. Now, whether we technically fall into that category or not, I don't know."
"Okay." He says then becomes silent, pensive
"What is it?" She asks
"Kate, we just made love for the first time and it was amazing but…" He falters off
"But what, Castle?" She was getting a little annoyed that he wouldn't just spit it out
"Are you sure this is what you want?" He asks, "This isn't some 'Oh I was a on a chocolate shake high and oh my god what have I done'? Kind of thing?"
She knew what he was getting at behind his lame attempt to be funny, she curls back into him resting her head on his chest and he puts his arm around her again, "No, it's not. Look, neither of us knows where this is going, right? So why don't we just take it one step at a time?" She pulls back and looks up at him, "Unless you don't…"
"Oh no, I'm…all in…if you are." He says with a smirk
"I think we've covered that, Castle." She says with a smirk of her own
"You were so right." He says, "I had no idea."
She laughs against him, "You liked it huh? Especially that time when I…"
"I loved that." He replies, "I had no idea you could do that."
She laughs again, "Oh Castle, so many layers to the Beckett."
"And I think I'm going to enjoy peeling back every one." He says kissing her deeply but her cell phone rings
She sighs as she ends this kiss, "Beckett." She answers in her usual clipped tone, "Okay, I'll be there soon." She disconnects the call
"What? he asks
"Ryan's got something for us on Jerry." She says with another heavy sigh and purses her lips, "Okay, we can't show up together. So why don't you go get us some coffee and meet me at the precinct."
"Okay." He says, "I'll have to go home and change."
"Oh god." She grouses, "Martha and Alexis."
"I'll make something up." He says, "Oh wait I guess I should check my phone to see if they've tried to reach me."
He fumbles around the floor and in his pants pocket finally finding it.
"There's a text. I should call." He says and quickly makes the call, "Hi Pumpkin, I'm so sorry. I just got caught up with the case. No, I'm fine; I promise…okay, I love you." He ends the call
"Is she okay?" Kate asks as she gets up to get ready
"Yeah, I just can't believe I didn't let them know…that I wouldn't be home."
"Was she suspicious?" Kate asks
"I don't think so." He says, "Well, I better get going." He begins to collect his clothes and get dressed, "I'll see you in a little while." He kisses her quickly and she heads for the shower while he takes his leave
/
Beckett shows up a short time later at the precinct striding quickly over to Ryan and Espo after depositing her coat and purse at her desk.
"What did you guys find?" She asks trying too hard to act like nothing is going on
"Well, not long after you left the files came in so we went ahead and started digging in." Espo explains, "And we came across a client, Damien Welch. His finances didn't fare so well under the management of Mr. Solomon."
"You think he killed him because he lost money?" Kate asks
"Well, we're bringing him at least." Ryan says, "Could be nothing but it's the first thing that's popped up." He says looking around, "Where's Castle?"
"Oh uh, I called him and he'll be here soon." She says nervously
"You alright, Beckett?" Espo asks
"Yeah, fine. Why?" Did she have that I just got laid look?
"No reason, you just seem nervous or something." He observes
"No, everything's fine." She says again in typical clipped Beckett fashion
/
Castle arrives just in time to go into interrogation with Beckett as Welch has been placed in the box as they say. Beckett and Castle are on the other side in the listening room
"You think this is the guy?" Castle asks, "What happened?"
"Well, he lost a lot of money in investment that Solomon recommended. We'll see if he has an alibi and go from there. You ready?"
Castle smiles, "To watch you in action? Oh, yeah." He makes a mock tiger sound
"Dial it back, lover. Remember where we are." She admonishes
"Yeah, right." He says in defeat and bites his knuckles as she walks past him out the door
They enter the room and take the seats across from Damien Welch.
"Mr. Welch, I'm detective Beckett." She says taking a seat as Castle stands off to the site content just to watch her do her thing, no one does the box better than the Beckett
"Look, I don't know anything about Solomon's murder." Damien insists, he's a well dressed man but she senses he has a problem with his temper
"Well, you seemed to have lost a lot of money based on his handling of your investments." She pulls out a paper from her folder and hands it to him, "I'd sure be pretty mad."
"Yeah so I was upset." He agrees, "Doesn't mean I killed him."
"We also have a voice mail you left him." She pulls out a small recorder and plays the voice mail
You lousy son of a bitch. I'm ruined because of you. Don't think you'll get away with this
Beckett stops the recording, "Sounds like motive to me, Mr. Welch."
"I did not do it!" He insists again
"Where were you night before last between ten and midnight?" She asks unfazed by his outburst
He thinks for a minute, "I was at home."
"Alone?" She asks
"My wife is out of town visiting her sister." He says, "My kids were in bed."
"So you really have no alibi."
He slumps back in the chair as Beckett reads him his rights
Castle joins her a short while later in the break room.
"You really think he's our guy." He asks pouring a cup of coffee
"Well, we have to get something to tie him to the crime and shake his alibi. The boys are out talking to his neighbors now."
"Money does strange things to people, doesn't it?" He asks
"Sadly, yes."
He looks around and then closes the door, "So, your place tonight?"
"Castle, shush."
"The door's closed." He says
"Listen, I know we said we weren't gonna say anything but I think you need to talk to Martha and Alexis. But they need to keep it to themselves. You owe them an explanation for last night."
"Yeah, you're right." He says, "Why don't we do it together."
"No, I think you should handle this yourself. You can call me after, okay?"
"Okay."
/
Castle returns home later that afternoon to find Alexis sitting on the couch looking quite confrontational.
"Dad, what is going on with you?" She asks
"Pumpkin, there is something I need to tell you and Gram. But first, I'm sorry I didn't call. There is no excuse for that."
"You really got caught up ALL NIGHT in a case?" She asks
"Richard, finally." Martha says coming down the stairs, "What is going on?"
"Will you both sit down, please?" he asks
"Richard, you're scaring me." Martha says
"There is nothing to be scared of, Mother." He says, "But a situation has come about that you should, no, need to be aware of."
"What's going on, Dad?"
"After work last night I went out to dinner with Beckett." He explains, "and we talked about some things."
"What things?" Alexis asks
"Things we should have discussed a long time ago. But we were too stupid to do it."
"Richard, are you saying you and Katherine are…"
He sighs heavily, "Yes, we have decided to give a relationship a chance."
"After the way she treated you, Dad?"
"Honey, we talked about all that and she apologized and really wants to make this work." He explains, "She knows she messed up and I messed up, too."
"I don't want her to hurt you again, Dad."
"I know but I don't think she will." He says
Alexis eyes him somberly, "She really makes you happy?"
"Yes, she does." He says with a smile
"Okay then." She says, "But that doesn't mean I'll stop worry about you."
"I know that, too." He says
"Well, I guess I'll go start my homework." She gets up off the couch and kisses him on the cheek
Martha gives him a knowing look, "You wanna tell me what really happened."
"Just what I said, Mother." He says
"You spent the night with her." Martha says out loud what has been inferred
"We didn't exactly plan it." He says, "But yes."
"Richard, you know I like her. I just hope you know what you're doing. That it's worth the risk."
"She is, mother." He says, "She is."