Hello
So, a chapter I'm proud of that occurs directly at the end of 5x19, Lives of Others.
An average episode I consider average at best and 5x22 of Still is a far better story, plus way more fitting a 100-episode celebration.
This explores how Richard Castle's mind works a bit more, and his past.
Fair warning not for Rose Tyler or Clara Oswald fans as Doctor Who gets briefly discussed.
Loft bedroom
Richard feels the cast around his knee, but more importantly, feels the very comforting weight of Kate's attractive naked body snuggled into his with one of his arms draped over her smooth stomach. The white, silk sheets cover varying parts of their body, but not much given their earlier activities. Despite his knee is still able to have fun, and helps Beckett's rather flexible, he knows smirking.
However, thoughts drift elsewhere not to sexual ongoings, but rather what she did for his birthday. If it was anybody else Richard knows would have been probably rather upset, well his mother or Alexis notwithstanding, for playing mind games. No Kate cared well enough for not letting his head drive him insane. Suddenly brought out of musing by her voice.
"I can feel you thinking," Kate says softly.
"Thought you were asleep," Richard says.
"Not really, and no you didn't wake me. I couldn't quite sleep either" Kate says.
"Nightmares?" Richard inquiries running a hand along her leg, enjoying the feeling of Beckett's flesh underneath.
"No, pleasant ones actually," Kate says lightly shivering at the writer's actions.
"Good" Richard replies.
"What were you thinking about?" Kate inquiries.
"Just my birthday gift… I'm not sure I can put into words how much that is important. And besides the act itself, you cared enough about my well-being to even do this" Richard says heavily.
Turning slightly to meet his eyes "I know Castle, I know" Kate says.
"Kate… you know the Sherlock Holmes quote of my mind rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work, give me the most abstruse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis, and I am in my own proper atmosphere. I can dispense then with artificial stimulants. But I abhor the dull routine of existence" Richard says.
"Yeah, from the Sign of Four novel," Kate explains.
Grinning "You're so hot," Richard says.
Blushing "You were… saying?" Kate inquiries.
"Just it's one reason why I followed you around, beyond just the books or even you. The aspect of the challenges, puzzles, allowing my mind to do something. It's why I have a hard time sitting still unless it's for a very specific task. I can't ever shut my brain off. Do you know why I make up all the crazy ideas?" Richard inquiries.
"To lighten the mood and annoy me," Kate says.
"Accurate yes but not completely" Richard replies grimly.
Gently cupping his cheek "I'm listening" Kate says.
"I was about nine or ten. One of mother's acting friends took me out for lunch in a restaurant. So, I declared I could figure out anybody's story nearby. I never really knew back then, just what I was about to do" Richard says.
"What happened?" Kate inquiries deciding to shelve teasing about his younger self's cute boldness.
"My mother's friend humoring me suggested I try it on a few people. I tried it on the couple behind us. The man worked on cars, prop department, or something like that. Because of faded grease stains yet rough hands, and she grew up out west, her accent never quit" Richard replies uneasily.
"What happened?" Kate asks gently, a feeling of unease.
"Just the woman playing around had jokingly asked me to tell something about herself that I didn't already know. I spoke before I could stop myself. Explaining how the reason why we were at a lower-end restaurant was because my mother's friend was having an affair involving the young waiter bringing us our food. But not just an affair she was pregnant, I could tell from… her choice of looking sickly at certain foods. I considered just flu, yet making the connection about the waiter I went with the second option. Plus, our waiter let slip how the woman has been coming here for months. Like everybody forgets about growing up around actors, I notice a pair of bad ones. Only…" Richard says swallowing nervously "The man didn't know she was pregnant, who was stopping by at that exact moment. Even putting aside, I just blew her affair or her secret pregnancy wide open… the woman looked at me of pure, uncontrolled disgust like a freak."
Leaning in to gently kiss his lips "Oh Castle" Kate says quietly, heartbroken "You are not one. You were a kid, you didn't know. Your mother's friend was who messed up."
"I know, but it stayed with me. I joke about Alexis being more mature for not knowing where my wonderful kid gets it from. Only yeah, I do. A nine-year-old on a sugar rush is easier than something not natural. Because my brain doesn't quit Kate. I create tales of aliens or zombies 'cause it's easier compared to noticing the truth nonstop" Richard says.
"Rick…" Kate says "Every person is a suspect; you're always looking for the hidden truth. But I only started that after becoming a cop, a learned skill. You've lived with this your whole life, haven't you?"
"Like I said after first dealing with Tyson all those years ago, I know you do. And yes, my whole life" Richard says.
"Just sometimes I forget what your life was like. A single mother back in a time where it was not exactly looked favorably on, no father in the picture, bouncing around schools, the isolation, the bullying, and oh gosh even my comments on your theories haven't always" Kate says yet is quietly interrupted.
Gently pushing some hair away from her eyes "It's okay Kate, it's okay. Remember I'm the one who plays up the class clown, so people don't get close. Besides you are always and completely forgiven" Richard says.
"Thank you. Wait, quoting Smith's Doctor towards River Song?" Kate asks in mock seriousness.
"Yeah… I figured it was appropriate don't you think?" Richard inquiries.
"Certainly, better than Rose Tyler" Kate says.
"Don't remind me, the little pet Russel T Davis created and slapped Doctor Who onto to get people's attention. That was obvious from the beginning when Rose saved the day on the first-ever return episode since 1989. Just goodness took far too long until Matt Smith arrived for The Doctor to feel like himself again, since the classic series. The hate River Song gets is childish," Richard says "Although I do not like how Moffat just shoved The Doctor's losing the Ponds or how handled River in Angels episode, all while Clara Oswald is now around. Feels like could be the start of something bad, like another Rose situation."
Kate meanwhile has an amused, warm smile on her lips while causally running her fingers along Castle's scalp or hair, enjoying the feeling. Alongside listening to Rick talk as well, even when ranting over a topic his storyteller's voice slips out naturally. Used to find it annoying in years past, well Lanie thinks was pretending to be annoyed, something has yet to ever truly confirm or deny but has grown to love listening.
How it brightens her day, only Kate feels her heart going out to Castle. Some guilt as well for wishing was a bit nicer upon seeing between the public mask, and privately who Castle is. Instead of hiding behind her walls so much. Not that they still don't enjoy the banter, well really flirting only still Kate reflects. Castle had a not-so-great childhood unlike hers, of loving parents, a stable home life and ironically the discord was caused by being a wild child.
Though for all his troubling sleep musing, the detective inside is curious about a certain woods up in New Hampshire has caused because he's always in pain, and pleading for somebody to stop. However, Kate can never bring herself to inquire since a part of her dreads the answer to if or when that past returns.
A bit cynical? Maybe, but learned over the years the past never seems to be quite ready to let go. Even if you are. Really despite the reasons Castle is stronger than her for being able to push past the walls to help with her mother's death. Just wishes when the day comes to help Castle can return the favor.
Pushing her forbidding musing aside, Kate comes out of it when hearing her lover's voice.
"Hey, you, okay?" Richard inquiries.
"I'm fine, really. Just got lost in my thoughts for a moment" Kate says.
"Dangerous place to be," Richard says.
"I can think of a safer place," Kate says.
"Anywhere I know?" Richard inquiries teasingly.
"Yeah, you might have an idea or two" Kate says seductively.
"Hmm, why don't you show me?" Richard replies smirking.
"Gladly," Kate says, "You're not that old for another round yet."
"Hey," Richard replies in mock protest.
Leaning up, Kate kisses Richard passionately, caringly, and lovingly while gently moving down on top of Castle, straddling his lower body as they groan. Running a hand through her long brown hair, Richard and Kate start kissing.
Hope you all enjoyed it and let me know what you think.
Frankly, I always enjoy seeing Castle's past pulled back revealing more, especially regarding his childhood as not just something to get a joke from. Rather exploring the adversities Richard or Martha did have.
During 1x01 when Castle figures out Kate's story, minus a few details and then quietly backtracks when realizing on getting a good bit right, is like I bet that's happened prior.
Like all the crazy mob hits, spy organizations, aliens, spy groups, and such, is beyond just messing with Beckett, I kind of put as Castle plays that up for other reasons.
As I've said before, the nine-year-old sugar rush is a mask.
Yes, Kate, learning roughly about Hollander's Woods from Castle's nightmares is something mentioned in Chapter 05. If these two are linked, it's the reader's pick.
Until next time.