FIVE

Ok, last chapter on this because I ran out of time and didn't get to get my idea for a Christmas fic out so maybe I still will. It's technically still the Christmas period, right?

Anyway, here goes. To avoid confusion, Castle's texts are in bold because, well, he's a bit bold. And Beckett's are underlined. I have no rapier witticism to offer on that one.

CASTLE CASTLE CASTLE

Beckett lay on her couch, an empty Chinese takeout carton on the table, and flicked through the channels, pausing every so often to take on what was playing before scoffing and continuing on.

Castle was away, in Florida, on a book tour – apparently he'd missed out Orlando on the last tour because of storm season and his publisher thought it would be good for him to fulfil that fixture on the original tour. What that really meant was that the last Nikki Heat book hadn't sold as well in Florida because it hadn't been publicised quite as well. Castle had moaned to Beckett about having to go one night when they were in bed and she had silenced him the best way she knew how.

He had been keeping in regular contact and had even managed to help solve a part of the case they had closed today by ringing her as she was doing a rerun of all their evidence. She smiled at the memory – it was like he was right there beside her. Except he was actually poolside in Orlando and she was hugging a desk in New York. He'd called her an hour later saying now that she had solved the case she could take some days off and join him for the end of his tour – a suggestion which she graciously denied. She did not need that kind of publicity. She knew she would have to deal with it eventually but everything between them was still so new that she wasn't really ready to be going on Oprah with him just yet.

She sighed as she came back to the beginning of the loop of TV channels. She didn't think that was possible there were so many. But apparently Kate Beckett was one to suspend impossibilities. She picked up her phone, checking the time. It was after eleven. Castle was probably tanked up on wine at some sort of publishing party – he'd told her the schedule was pretty hectic but he'd still been texting and calling frequently enough to let her think that he was just taking a few days off at home in the loft. She smiled and sent the text anyway.

CASTLE CASTLE CASTLE

Castle's hand was sore from signing books. There had been a few, well, more than a few, women who had appealed to him to sign their chests. He'd smiled and shook his head saying 'sorry ladies, I've become a paper only man". That had earned him a few pouts and stares and one woman had actually walked away from him. He frowned but signed the other girls' books before making his way over to the bar, passing by Paula on the way.

She followed him over and nodded at the barman after he'd ordered a scotch. She laid a hand on his arm and he turned to her, eyes wide in a questioning look. He nodded his head in acknowledgement when he saw who it was.

"What's biting your ass Ricky?" she asked as the barman delivered their drinks. He shook his head.

"Nothing. My head's just elsewhere."

"I noticed. No boob-signing, what's gotten into you? Or should I ask, who have you gotten in to?"

Rick turned and looked at her, a smirk playing across his face before he looked away again. Paula didn't miss much. She smiled and turned away from him.

"I'm happy for you Ricky. Long as she keeps inspiring books…" Paula trailed off but Rick knew what she was getting at. She didn't mind what he did as long as it didn't affect his work. He was under no doubts that she had misgivings about the fact that he was dating his muse but she was trusting him not to mess it up. She strolled away, leaving him to his scotch.

He smirked when he felt his iPhone vibrating in his pocket. There were two people that this could be and either one of them gave him great joy – just very different kinds. He unlocked the phone and smiled when he saw Kate's name popping up on the screen. He was so engrossed in the screen that he didn't notice the extremely attractive looking blonde who had stepped up to the bar beside him. He concentrated on the text.

Hey. You're probably being fawned over at a book party right now but…just to say I miss you. And thank you for your help on the case today – helped us crack it in the end. Call me tomorrow. X

Castle grinned and had just hit reply when he felt the hand on his elbow. He looked up at the woman and smiled politely.

"Hi," she said. He nodded. "I love your books," she continued.

"Thank you. It's always nice to meet a fan." It was almost a rehearsed phrase at this stage. He stopped when he felt her edge closer to him.

"I particularly liked the descriptive scenes. Especially in Chapter ten and eleven…"

He smiled politely again, trying to get the point across that he was concentrating on the phone. He could feel her hand rising up his arm and he took a step back.

"I'm sorry, I've got to make a call," he said quickly and as she made a move to follow him he added, "my girlfriend." He watched as her face fell before he took his opportunity to leave through a side door. He was staying in a suite on the eighteenth floor of the hotel and he was relieved when the lift he called was empty.

He took out his phone and began to type a reply back to Beckett.

CASTLE CASTLE CASTLE

Beckett smiled when she heard her phone buzz from the bathroom. She spat out the toothpaste she'd been brushing with and rinsed her mouth. Then she washed her hands and headed out to her room, pulling down the bedcovers as she did. She picked up the phone and clicked into his message, chuckling as she read the message.

Just left. Felt like a cake being ogled by fat kids. Miss you too. What are you wearing?

She smirked and started to type a reply.

Poor you. Surrounded by beautiful women, however did you cope?

She deliberately didn't answer his question, knowing it would annoy him. His reply came through almost instantly.

All the poor men's beautiful women pale when compared to you. And you didn't answer my question.

Beckett smirked at his response and felt her heart warm as she read the message. She really loved this man. Spending the last two months either at his loft or with him at hers only served to magnify how much she loved him. Of course they told each other frequently as well but it was in the way he looked at her, the way his eyes twinkled when he saw her that she saw the love he had for her.

She smiled and typed her return message.

CASTLE CASTLE CASTLE

Castle had stripped down to his boxers and was just climbing into the king sized bed in his suite when the text came through. He smirked and picked up the phone, settling himself against the pillows he had packed up behind him. He'd intended on bailing from the party early and reading a bit but now that the hottest girl in the world was texting him he'd found a far more appealing thing to do before bed.

He smiled as he read the message.

No I didn't. And don't think your sweet talk will get you anywhere. But since you asked so nicely….black lace panties and that black shirt you left at my apartment last week.

He groaned and, not for the first time, wished she was there with him so he could show her exactly how much he missed her. He typed a reply.

That's it. I'm getting a flight home tomorrow. It had to be black didn't it? There aren't enough words to say how sexy you are in black.

CASTLE CASTLE CASTLE

Beckett had settled down into the bed when the next response came through and she smiled warmly at the message. The shirt she was wearing did belong to him and she could smell him off the fabric. It was glorious but a poor substitute for actually having him there next to her.

I like you in black but the shirt smells of you so it's helping me sleep while you're away. And because you love the black so much, I'll make sure that I'm wearing it…and nothing else….when you get home.

She curled down into the bed after she'd pressed send. Her eyes were getting heavy and she could feel sleep trying to take over. She turned onto her side and put the phone on the pillow next to her. She had almost drifted off when the text came through from him.

What a beautiful image. Anyway, I'm sure, knowing you, that you were up at 6am this morning and are close to crashing on me so I am going to say sweet dreams. Or, if you prefer, dirty dreams about me. I love you and I'll call you tomorrow.

She smiled sleepily at his message and quickly keyed in a response. It was amazing how in tune with her that he was. He knew her so well that he knew she had neglected her sleep pattern for the last three days. She couldn't wait until he got home.

CASTLE CASTLE CASTLE

Castle's eyes were closed when the message came through and only the vibration through the pillow woke him. He smiled when he clicked into it.

Might already be having dirty thoughts – figure I'd have to start early to keep up with yours. Love you. Goodnight.

With that, he turned over, switching off the bedside lamp and nodded off to sleep, thoughts of his girlfriend rife in his head.

CASTLE CASTLE CASTLE

So there it is guys, the end of the fic. Hope everyone liked it. Reviews tailed off near the end but all in all really happy with the response it got.

Happy Christmas all! I'll hopefully have my Xmas fic up soon.