The Captive

"Castle?" Kate Beckett calls out against lavish walls and thick mahogany flooring.

"In here."

She hears it faint; muffled through a closed door. She edges down the hallway, drawing nearer to the sound and pushes on the door hesitantly.

"Castle?" she says again, hearing her voice fading in the darkness of the room.

"Over here."

She allows her eyes to adjust to the dim glow of candlelight, allows the scene to play before her.

"Oh my," she says, covering her mouth to hide a wide grin.

Castle sits against his backboard, hands bound by handcuffs to the posters of his bed. She chuckles to herself as she draws near. She notices the red welts rising on his chest and looks down to the strategically placed pillow on his lap.

"Please," he says shyly. "Please don't judge me."

"Oh, Castle," she says crossing her arms. "I think we're a little late for that one."

Castle lowers his eyes, carefully planning his next course of action. "I see," he mutters. "If I told you it was flying monkeys would you believe me?"

She opens her mouth, and points a single finger to her chin. "I'm going to go with, no."

"I was the victim of an elaborate government experiment?"

"No."

"Aliens?"

"Still no."

Beckett edges nearer, sidling up to his bedside.

"You're my only hope," Castle says looking up with large blues.

Beckett nods shortly. "You know I have every right to leave you this way."

"But you wouldn't, would you," Castle pleads. He is searching her face, looking for a sign. "Think about Alexis."

Beckett scoffs and turns on her heel. "That is just plain tacky, Mr. Castle." She shakes her head. "Using Alexis against me..."

Beckett is a few feet from the door before he shouts after her. "Beckett please!" He breathes in heavily. "I need you."

Beckett stops and turns her head slowly toward him. "You need me?"

"Yes, of course. I'll do anything."

"Anything?"

"Anything."

Beckett sidles up to the bed again, sits beside him and reaches out, grabbing a candle. Its faint glow illuminates her face. She brings it to hover over his skin.

"Mr. Castle," she begins, twirling the wax in the hollow of the candle. "You'll need to promise me something."

Castle looks up, eyes wide. "OK," he says hesitantly. "What exactly?"

She looks down at the wax, tips the candle forward ever so slightly. "No more whining about wanting to drive."

Castle remains silent, instead stares at the candle; the hint of wax that draws nearer to the edge.

"Castle?" she says raising a brow.

He sucks in a breath. "I'm thinking."

She sighs and puts down the candle. "Well think a little harder." She stands, takes a few steps before he calls out to her.

"Wait!" he begs. "Come back. I promise."

She crosses her arms, returns to his side. "You promise?"

He nods in agreement.

"No more begging. No more pleading."

He shakes his head.

"Fine," she reaches into her pocket, pulls out a black leather satchel, and pulls out a small key.

"One question though," he says as one hand is released from his bonds. "Can we at least put in for one of those slick FBI super mobiles-" He sees her looking down at him questionably. "-with... all the gadgets... in the back?"