Chapter 4

Author's Note: If I lived in NYC this is what I would do to feel grounded. I figured maybe Beckett would too. :-) I think I'm gonna change it up a little. Instead of writing a huge long ongoing thing I'm going to end it with this chapter and write a sequel. Does that meet with audience approval? ~B2

She lets out another long steadying breath, watching as the buildings pass by. Listening to the sound of the water lapping against the sides of the ferry. This is just what I needed. A breath of fresh air and calming silence. I just need to put one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward. There's still a job that needs to be done, with or without Castle to bother me and make me laugh. Castle. How could I be so stupid as to think it could work. At all. We're so different, too different. He goes right, I go left. He jumps, I duck. He runs toward something, I walk cautiously. Although he was definitely taking his sweet time coming toward me. But then I didn't really invite him closer, did I? Ah. Well, we'll just have to see where this takes us. I wonder what he'd have Nikki do in this situation? Ha, mind you, it doesn't matter since this is really my life. She'd probably go after him and give Gina what for. Now that'd be an interesting scene... Looking up at the statue lights she pulls the collar up on her button down in an attempt to block the harbor breeze. Should've grabbed my jacket. What was I thinking, this wind cuts right through. A sudden chill passes through her body that has nothing to do with the cool night air, alerting her to another presence on the windblown deck.

A familiar voice speaks from behind her. "She's a lot like you, you know." A sharp intake of breath tells him that she heard, even though she stands unmoving at the rail. He steps closer, speaking over her shoulder, his words whispering against her ear until the wind sweeps them away. "Keep ancient lands your storied pomp. Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door." His arms envelop her as his hands grasp the railing on either side. "You don't want the spotlight, you don't even like the award you got for the highest closing ratio. You want to serve the simple people and show the victims that someone will fight for them." She hasn't moved away, but she hasn't acknowledged me yet. At least she's accepting of me being here.

"How did you find me Castle? I didn't even tell Lanie where I was going." I'm so glad you did. Maybe you have been paying attention longer than I thought.

"I know. You just ran. You took a risk, a big risk. And it blew up in both our faces. I could say many things in this moment Beckett, but not one of them would be the right thing. I could tell you that I had no idea, but the truth would be that I wanted it so bad I was to blind to see it. I let your smoke screen with Demming distract me from the real you that I've known all along. I was so jealous that I didn't just make the leap when the fire was too hot. Instead I let it consume me, and I told myself it was because you would be happier with him. I stopped listening to who you were and listened to what you were saying. I should have known better." Sighing he rests his cheek on her shoulder and slides his hands closer together so they are resting on hers and she's completely in his embrace. Unconciously she leans into him, craving his warmth and strength. "I knew you'd be here. The water, the statue they make you realize how small you are, they piece you back together with their immovable strength. And the river knows where it's going." Hearing him quote her words back, she turns in his arms to face him with glistening eyes.

"What else?" Seeing that she's listening and wants to hear more, he smiles, pulling her completely against him. C'mon writer, show me what you've got. Your words have never failed to soothe me, whether written in a book or sincerely spoken.

Eyeing the statue with reverance he continues on, "Ah Lady Beckett, Lady Liberty has much to tell us. She's trampling the chains of oppression, much like you trample on the oppressors. Her torch is raised so that others can see her and feel protected, similar to your badge. And her face is firm, she has known the hardship of life, and she wants to keep others from feeling that same pain, I don't need to elaborate that one." Deciding to lighten the mood he adds, "She's also actually like both of us in that she's got a hard head, and we're both stubborn."

She slaps at him playfully before snuggling deeper into his chest. "I'm glad you found me Castle." Pulling back suddenly she glances behind him. "What happened to Gina?"

"I sent her on her way, she's probably halfway to Hilton Head by now. You're right, there's no way I could have been around her for the weekend, let alone the whole summer. She would have driven me bananas!" He ghosts a light kiss against her forehead and lifts her face with his finger. "Besides, why would I take a weak substitute when I can have the real thing? That whole speech wasn't for nothing right? You will come to the Hamptons? Just for the weekend, to start, and we'll take it from there..."

His eyes are warm and sincere as they search her face like a kid hoping for permission from a parent.

"Yes Castle, I think time alone with you is just what I need." Smiling wickedly, "As long as you promise to keep me warm during the long cool summer nights."

"I can honestly say that won't be a problem." Leaning down he kisses her gently, his hands spanning her lower back as she wraps her arms around his neck. Slowly breaking away he nuzzles against her neck. "I've missed you." And she knows that he means longer than the 2 hours it's been since he left in the elevator. Pulling him to her again she she nips at his lower lip and slides her tongue against his when he opens to her. The kiss is slow and lazy, testing the waters and relishing the new sensations. God I was made to kiss her. No one else, just her.

Stepping back Castle removes his sportcoat and places it around her shoulders.

"I can't believe you didn't bring a coat! It's cold out here!" Well I'm warmed up now...

Glowering at him she replies, "I had other things on my mind. Like how someone just walked out the door with my heart."

"Your heart huh?" Tugging her closer once again he ghosts a kiss into her hair. "You've got mine too, Becks, you have for a long time." Wrapping an arm snugly around her waist he pulls his cell phone from his pocket. This was a life saver today! "Hey Michael, can you come pick me up at the ferry dock please? Yes I know it's later than we were going for, I had a change in plans. We have one more stop to make before we get on the road. Yep, see you in a few."

"What was that?" Becketts asks leaning into him.

Steering her toward the exit as the ferry pulls in to dock he explains. "That my Dear, was me asking my driver to come get us on this side of the river. Preferably before you change your mind about letting me whisk you off to the Hamptons for the weekend."

"Oh, I'm not going to change my mind. But Castle, we still have a lot to talk about."

"Right you are, like where you'd like to stop along the way for dinner. There's this great seafood place on the sound, it's open 24 hours. It's a little out of the way, but I think you'd really like—"

She silences him with a light kiss. "Well, that was much more effective than telling you to shut up. I like this new tool. And Castle?"

"Yes my Sweet?" he breathes.

"I know that you know that I meant more than just talking about dinner. But dinner is a good start, and yeh seafood on the bay sounds great."

He throws a glance skyward and thanks his lucky stars that her heart wanted him.