Nodding rapidly, Harrington made her way over and once she was settled they began eating while they were watching a movie they'd decided on together.
Though they finished eating before the movie was over, Fox and Harrington remained on the couch until it was finished and only then cleared everything up.
"Want to play a little in the arcade?" Harrington asked her while they were drying their hands at the sink, using the same towel.
"Sure," Fox replied, pulling her girlfriend closer. They were kissing gently and when they were looking at each other again she said, "I'd like one game of pool at least."
"I was hoping," Harrington replied before she was tugging her girlfriend towards her so they could kiss again. While they were doing that she tossed the dish towel aside before they were parting and she said, "Come on."
Fox couldn't help smiling as her girlfriend took her hand and pulled her after her to the pool room. They stepped up to the arcade and parted, going to different games and beginning to play. After a while she realized Harrington had stepped up to where she was playing and said, "I remember, let me finish this up." Once she'd finished with the video game she said, "I was close."
"I saw," Harrington said laughingly before they moved to the table and started getting everything they needed ready.
"But do you have any reason for this?" Fox asked, watching her girlfriend getting the rack ready.
"Just to talk," Harrington replied easily. "So if you changed your mind I'll play by myself."
Smirking at her girlfriend, Fox said, "I would have said already."
"Okay, it's ready," Harrington said, rolling the triangle around a little and setting it at the marker. She removed the rack and then watched Fox hitting the cue ball, walking around to set up her shot though she didn't move.
"You're lucky you're not in my-" Fox was starting to say teasingly when she started to go around her girlfriend. Before she could finish that Harrington was kissing her and she did her best not to drop her cue while she responded. Their tongues gently rubbing against each other, they were involved in that for a little longer until Harrington was pulling away from her. Unable to keep herself from smiling, she pressed her forehead against the director's and feeling the way her girlfriend was holding her with one arm she couldn't help saying, "I love you Mia."
Pulling away in a little shock, Harrington looked into the officer's eyes and realizing she was holding herself tense she said, "I love you too."
"Really?" Fox couldn't help asking. When Harrington nodded she breathed out and said, "I… needed to say it though we're just barely a month into this relationship."
"And we're living together," the director reminded her. "So I wonder if that negates the length of time we've been dating. Or I should say us counting it like we are."
Nodding her head Fox said, "So…" looking at the table.
"There's always tomorrow," Harrington said. "It's Sunday and I'm off remember."
"Right," Fox said before they were hurrying to put everything away. As soon as they were finished they were leaving the pool room and holding each other's hands. Walking up to their bedroom she told her girlfriend, "I feel really happy."
"And what exactly does that mean?" Harrington asked with a smile.
Closing the door behind them, Fox didn't respond immediately since she was intent on leading her girlfriend over to their bed. She reached for Harrington's hair, gently releasing it from the style it was in before she finally answered telling her, "Let me lead."
"As long as I can after," Harrington said firmly.
"I… don't think I could stop you," Fox replied. She was slightly grinning when her girlfriend was laughing and embraced her tightly before they were kissing yet again. They were doing so for longer that time and since they weren't parting she couldn't help herself, tugging Harrington's blouse out of her skirt. She slid her hands around her skin and feeling her girlfriend shivering while she moaned into her mouth she stopped, pulling away. "If you want to do the same…" she told her. She brushed her lips to the director's when she nodded and stepped back to tug her own blouse out of her trousers. She paused for a moment at Harrington reaching for the buttons but soon did the same to her girlfriend's blouse and they weren't stopping until their shirts were off. Their arms wrapping around each other she was going to kiss the director when she was stopped as Harrington was talking first while she smiled up at her.
"I'm a little annoyed by how much you're still wearing," she said. Harrington wasn't surprised when Fox laughed and she leaned into her, brushing her lips to hers. After she had pulled away she then said, "Help me."
Fox nodded and they moved a little faster getting the rest of each other's clothes off. They were distracted slightly by kissing and touching each other, and once they had stopped and were naked she gently moved her hands to cup them over Harrington's breasts. Kissing her at the same time, she took a moment to feel her girlfriend's nipples against her palms before they moved together to the bed and feel their freely uttered love for one another.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Yes, but whether or not I'll answer it is the question."
Rolling her eyes, though she was slightly smiling at the same time, Beckett said, "Are you two coming back to the B ?"
"Yes, though we would like to go home and see the girls," Skye replied, running her fingers through her hair. "They're insisting."
"I'm not surprised," Beckett said, sitting next to her at the Hawaiian restaurant where they were with everyone. "But what about Santa Barbara?"
"I don't know," Skye said honestly. "Mary said she tried to get a hotel but they were all booked. I called BS but she insisted."
Beckett couldn't help smiling and said, "Has she been in touch with my husband?"
"She asked me about going to San Diego at the same time," Skye responded with a frown. "But I said it'd be too awkward."
"It won't," Mary said, walking over with their food.
" Grá-" Skye started to say with a frown.
"Skye," Mary interrupted, raising her eyebrow at her.
"You realize if we just head out with each other to the tourist places that's fine," Castle said, having reached them with his and Beckett's food.
"I suppose," Skye said. She then straightened up and said, "Especially since the plans seem to have been made already."
"You're welcome," Mary said with a smile, stepping out of the way of Beckett who was standing up.
Rolling her eyes, Skye said, "What plans did you two have?"
"The usual," Castle said, not surprised when his wife was gesturing to him. "Old Town, Point Loma… Sea World."
"Really?" Skye asked, immediately smiling. She paused for a moment and then turned to her wife saying, "Is that why we're going?"
"Because of that look on your face," Mary said, smiling back at her wife while she was sitting next to her.
"You don't want to go yourself?" Skye asked.
"Oh no, I do," Mary replied. "But we're agreed about Valentine's Day right?"
"I hope so, I don't want to see the two of you that day," Skye commented.
"You won't," Beckett said in amusement. "Do you know what kind of room he got for us?" she then directed to Mary, motioning to herself and Castle.
"To be honest… no," the doctor said, smiling when the writer was rolling his eyes. "We got them separately so your guess is as good as mine," she added, startled when Beckett was turning to look at her wife.
"Suites," Skye and Beckett said at the same time. They were laughing together before the former said, "Though which is the question, I believe there are several." She smiled when Beckett was nodding and she then said, "So just sightseeing and that's fine."
"I don't care," the writer said since the investigator was looking at her. Beckett couldn't help smiling and said, "And it'll be nice to have guides in Sea World."
Nodding Skye replied, "We'll be happy to help. Zoo?"
"We're not sure," Castle said slowly while he glanced at his wife. "We discussed it but that's it."
"I think the focus was scouting out Sea World," Beckett replied.
"Did you tell the girls your plan?" Mary asked before eating some of her meal.
"I did, since Kate allowed me to plan," Castle said. When he saw the McDouglas women were watching him he quickly ate the forkful he'd put in his mouth and said, "They forced me to tell them but it wasn't supposed to be a secret or anything."
"When we're at a better place I'd like to hear more detail about the plans," Skye commented. "I don't want to be surprised."
"You want to discuss it now?" Castle asked, looking over at the other table. "Wait, Patrick-" he started to say.
"I told him he didn't have to sit with the others while we discussed this vacation but I think Zak wanted to order something," Mary explained. "Or attempt to."
"Alright," Skye said. "What do you have?"
Castle couldn't help laughing and said, "These are just tentative plans so if you don't like anything then please let us know."
"Let him know," Beckett said. She smiled when her husband was glancing at her and squeezed at his hand briefly before he was continuing.
"We get there on the tenth," Castle began. "And since we're at the Hyatt and it's basically going to be time for dinner by the time we get there I figured we should just go around Seaport Village." He paused to let the women protest but when they didn't say anything he then continued with, "The eleventh… to be honest does the order matter?"
"Not really," Skye said first. "And since we're tagging along you decide."
"I think I am already," Castle said. When the investigator merely nodded to him, he rolled his eyes before he told them, "Then that day, if it's possible, take bikes to Point Loma and have a picnic again."
"Why don't we make that Point Loma Seafood instead of the picnic?" Mary suggested.
"Fine with me," Castle said. "You know you can have a say in this… you should you are going to be there," he then told his wife.
Beckett couldn't help smiling and she said, "It means I agree. Keep going love."
"Right," Castle said swiftly. "The twelfth I thought there we could go to the zoo since I didn't really have anything that day." He was about to continue when Skye was holding out her hand slightly to stop him and speaking rapidly.
"Was it your idea to go to Sea World the day after?" the investigator asked. At the writer's nod she said, "Then might I suggest we go to the zoo first and the day after Point Loma. Weather pending of course."
"Sounds good to me," Mary said.
Beckett nodded in agreement and then said, "Now we know the thirteenth and fourteenth already." She paused and then said, "Again if the weather cooperates."
"Yeah, but it doesn't always rain does it?" Castle asked both McDouglas women.
"No, but remember it's still our rainy season," Skye commented. "The fifteenth?"
"The last day," Castle said, not surprised when the women were nodding. "Old Town and… anything else you two can think of."
"No, that would be good," Mary commented. "Though we might not go until it's lunch time."
"Smart," Skye said, smiling at her wife. When she rolled her eyes, the investigator couldn't help kissing her cheek briefly before she said, "When is your flight the sixteenth?"
"Nine," Castle said. "So we might be heading back to our room early after dinner."
"Sounds good to me," Skye said. "And ours?"
"Nine," Mary said with a smile. "We'll be able to spend time with the girls."
"Some, they have school," Skye replied. "You two…" she started to say before she was pretending to count on her fingers. "Well, you'll see them at home by the time you get there."
"Which is fine," Beckett said. "But I want to point something out you forgot."
"I… oh, the B ," Skye said. She then made a face at her wife and said, "Why did you do that."
"Seeing if you're paying attention," Mary said, laughing when her wife nudged her side. "No, I honestly forgot myself. We are heading back to JFK with them."
"And we don't mind," Beckett said swiftly.
"Good to know, but the second we're finished at the B we're going home," Skye said jokingly. "The same for after these cases," she added. She then frowned and said, "Though if we solve what happened to Anais sooner I would need to stay. And vice versa."
"We were hopeful you would," Castle said.
"He's right, it is helpful and we'd like to get everything finished for that trip," Beckett added.
After Skye had nodded in agreement to that they returned to their food and spoke idly until they were done.
"You know where I'd like to go right now?" Skye asked after checking the time on her watch. "Briar Grove."
"Brad might not let you," Castle said, seeing the GA men and Darnley turning to them. "He's focused on Cobb's case."
"That I'm not surprised about," Zak said. "Why though?" he asked Skye.
"Something about the house," the investigator said simply. She wasn't surprised when everyone else was looking at her a little doubtfully before her wife was speaking.
"Who is it?" Mary asked.
"Anais, she said she's walked through the house and there are some things she wants me to see," Skye replied. "And she just let me know it might have something to do with Cobb."
Seeing the frown on the investigator's face Castle asked, "Cobb?"
"He's not here," Skye explained, still frowning. She shook her head and said, "We need to go to the house, he's there and waiting for us."
"You couldn't escort us there?" Aaron asked, watching the writers sharing a look.
"With Patrick I think we might manage it," Castle suggested to his wife.
"We'd need to ask Brad before we can say anything for sure," Beckett told him firmly. She wasn't surprised when he nodded before they were moving to throw away their trash and leave for the station.
"I'm really shocked," Zak was saying once they'd all exited their cars.
"It's clear," Castle said. "But if we find anything Brad made us promise to call."
"And I'm here," Fox said firmly, closing the door to her squad car before Aaron was speaking.
"Does that mean we can't really film?" the investigator asked.
"Chief told me to let you guys know you can," Fox began. "But if you do he's going to need to see the footage since it's an ongoing investigation. If Cobb had been found outside the house you wouldn't have to worry but since he was in the basement…"
" Déjà vu," Castle murmured under his breath, not surprised when his wife briefly squeezed at his arm.
"Are you going to film?" Mary asked the four men.
"With our phones," Zak said, looking at the others. "But we'll see if we get anything."
"I'm leading?" Skye asked wryly when the others were turning to her.
"I think that's a yes grá," Mary told her wife.
With a nod Skye followed Fox to the door, watching her unlock it with the key she'd gotten from Brad. She ducked under the tape the officer held up for her and stepped into the kitchen, getting her bearings.
"What do you think?" Jay couldn't help asking her once they were all inside.
"I'm not sure," Skye said with a frown. "I feel like there's something wrong here."
"Two unsolved murders might do that," Castle said. "Seriously," he told the investigator when she turned to him. "I sense it too."
Nodding Skye said, "There's something here… somethings? I'm not sure but Anais was hinting to me I should come back."
"Rose-" Mary began in concern before her wife was interrupting.
"No," Skye said swiftly, holding her hand out to her. "How else am I going to help her?"
"I just don't want her to jump you," Mary explained.
"She won't," Skye said. "Unless something happens and she needs to." When she saw the startled expressions on everyone's face she shrugged and said, "Her words, not mine."
"Is she here right now?" Billy asked.
"Yeah, but she's sticking close," Skye replied before she looked at Fox.
"I've seen the episodes of their show you were on," the officer said swiftly since she was standing near her. "You'll be okay."
"Oh of course," Skye replied. "And I just realized," she said suddenly in slight annoyance, looking around. "We're doing it again."
"Doing what?" Beckett asked.
"Staying in one place," Billy answered since it came to him. "We did that in the library for a while before you got there."
"I wonder if Cobb's killer was in there," Skye murmured.
"If they were it was a citizen," Beckett reminded her since by that time Brad and the other officers had made quick work of clearing the employees.
"Even the ex-employees?" Zak asked.
"There aren't that many that are able bodied to do a fireman's carry," Beckett said. "Usually at this library the employees leave because they've moved or are retiring for good."
"You're close to this library," Skye said suddenly.
"Does that make Anais mad?" Beckett asked her.
"No, but Cobb is glad you are," Skye replied before she sighed. "He doesn't know why so if you feel a cold spot it's him in his frustration," she added before her wife was touching her arm while she began to speak.
"What do they want you to do?" Mary asked her.
Glancing at her wife for a moment, Skye nodded since she could tell Mary wanted her to finish and leave the building. "I think Kate and I need to go…" she began to say before she stopped and scowled.
"What is it?" Castle asked in concern at the expression on the investigator's face.
"Sorry, it's something I told myself to ask you and I completely forgot," Skye said, directing that to Beckett. "Did you have a nightmare last night?"
"Yeah," she said with a brief frown. "You did too."
"Yeah," Skye echoed. She then shook herself and said, "Alright, we need to go upstairs." When the others were starting to move she held her hand out to them and said, "Just me and Kate." She looked at Fox and said, "Hopefully that's alright."
"Is it necessary?" the officer asked.
"It is," Skye replied. "But you can stand at the bottom of the stairs if you need to." When Fox nodded she looked at Beckett and they headed out of the room, the others following. She paused and then said, "If you want to film something, head to the hall where Kate found the other entrance to the basement."
"Sure," Zak said slowly though they were following the three women.
"We'll be fine," Skye said to her wife while they started up the stairs.
"You better be," Mary said sternly before she watched the two going up.
"What are we doing here?" Beckett asked Skye once they were at the top of the stairs.
"Tell me what your dream was about," the investigator said, turning to her.
Though she was well aware that the others could hear, Beckett related what she had seen, watching Skye turning to the wall that had been in her nightmare since they were standing next to it. "You?" she asked.
"This was covered with a black shadow," Skye replied grimly.
"So what does that mean?" Zak called.
"It means Anais is trying to tell us something happened here," Skye said. "The night she was murdered." She turned to the wall again and said, "I wish…"
"Skye?" Beckett asked, startled when her friend was pressing against the wall with the fingertips of both her hands.
Hearing footsteps, Fox said to the others, "Could she solve the case?"
"Maybe," Mary said, not surprised the others had turned to her. "She can't prove anything conclusively, but if a victim gives enough information, usually the police can use that to find the evidence they need."
Nodding, Fox glanced up and said, "How bad were those nightmares?"
"Bad," Castle and Mary said at the same time.
"Should we head up there?" Fox asked. "I'm not hearing them."
"It's a big house," Mary replied.
"She's right," Zak said. "It's hard to hear them from here." He shifted and then looked back saying, "Did anyone knock into the Victrola?"
"None of us are near it," Mary said. "Why?"
"It's turning," Aaron said, getting his phone and hurrying over to the machine before the officer was speaking.
"Turning? How-" Fox started to say before she grunted and clutched at her stomach before she fell to the ground. "Something just hit me," she wheezed as Mary and Castle were rushing up to her.
"Did you get the wind knocked out of you?" the latter asked.
"Yeah," Fox said, breathing a little easier at that point though she was still rubbing her stomach.
"Do you have a vest on?" Mary asked.
"You said this place wasn't dark," Castle said to the GA men after the officer nodded.
Before anyone could speak after that, there was a sudden blood curdling scream from the second floor followed by two thuds and they all rushed to the stairs to make their way up to Beckett and Skye.