An Accidental Kiss

A Castle FanFic

Vol. 1; Ch. 4

(Rating: K+)

Castle scrambled from under Kate, rehooking his belt and straightening his hair. Kate was so embarrassed she couldn't muster more than staring straight forward, clutching her wine glass between sweaty palms. "Gina, what are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing."

"I live here. You couldn't knock?"

"Why would I, I have a key."

As bad as this already was, Kate certainly wasn't going to stick around to watch Castle fight with his ex-wife.

"You know, I'm just going to go. I've got case files to go over and we have an early start in the morning at the station, so …"

"Kate, please don't go."

"I'm sorry, Castle. I can't do this." Before tears found their way to her cheeks, she grabbed her coat and headed for the curb to call a taxi.

Back in the apartment, Castle stacked the plates and balanced them to the kitchen.

"Nice, Gina."

"How was I supposed to know you had a date?"

"I gave you that key to use as my publisher, not to show up unannounced on a Saturday night."

"Well, considering the situation, I didn't expect," she waved her hand at the couch, "this."

"Get whatever you came for and lock up when you leave."

Castle grabbed his coat, what was left of the meal and walked out.

Back at her apartment, Kate pulled her pajama pants from the drawer and turned the knobs on the shower. If nothing else, the heat might relax her, otherwise there was no hope of sleep. The night couldn't have gone worse other than getting run over or shot or having a finger removed, albeit better-sounding options at the moment.

She stepped into the shower and let the stinging water wash down her back as she contemplated what'd happened. How could I have been so stupid? Of course, he's dating Gina. I didn't even ask. And now I've got to explain to Esposito and Ryan why Castle isn't … She didn't want to finish the thought. This is exactly why she didn't cross that line. She loved working with him, seeing him walk in every morning from the elevator with a fresh cup of coffee … just for her. Solving crimes with him was exciting and more intimate than she'd ever been with another man. Castle understood her, the real her, the part of her she never let anyone else see. And, now it was all lost because she couldn't keep her lust in check. The feeling of loss overwhelmed her.

She buried her head in the water and cried.

Standing in front of the open refrigerator, Kate pulled the towel from her wet hair and searched for scraps of food from her Styrofoam temple, but there wasn't much. Castle was right, her refrigerator harvested furry food more than anything edible. She grabbed an apple and headed for the couch, picking up her cell phone on the way; another missed call from Castle.

She'd wanted to answer, but all thoughts striking her brain would have only angered him or made the night worse for her, so she let it ring. She missed him already. His touch was exquisite and her need to explore their attraction was intense. She was so immersed in her daydream, the doorbell startled her.

"Please don't let that be Castle. Please don't let that be Castle."

She peeked through the door and opened it.

"Hi."

"Hi."

"Can I come in?"

"I don't know if that's such a good idea, Castle."

"Please? I brought the wine."

She stepped back and let him in.

He pulled plates from her cupboards and scooted the leftovers into place. "Have you eaten?"

She shook her head.

"Good, here you go."

"Castle, I don't …"

"Shhh, no talking, just eat. We both need dinner and it might as well be something fuzz-free."

Kate smiled.

They sat in silence, eating the meal meant for a date, glancing at each other in turns. Castle set his plate on the table and picked up his wine.

"A toast."

Unsure of his motives, Kate kept her glass on the floor next to her feet. Castle continued as if toasting alone was the accepted norm.

"To us." He sipped a taste and looked at Kate. She wasn't smiling.

"I'm sorry; very, very sorry."

"Why are you here, Castle?"

"I figured you didn't have anything decent to eat, and apparently I was right … and I needed to see you."

"I'm a big girl, Castle."

"I … know … I just didn't want a good meal to go to waste and you deserve an explanation."

"Thanks, but, no explanation is needed. I'm going to bed. You're welcome to stay." She turned toward the hallway, but didn't make it two steps with Castle's hand pulling her arm.

"Kate." He turned her, sliding his fingers over her hand. "I broke up with Gina weeks ago. I didn't tell you because I was jealous of cardiac boy and I didn't want you to know I wasn't seeing anyone. She only has a key as my publisher."

"Kate?" He propped his fingers under her chin and lifted her face to his. "There's only you."

Kate stared at him before whispering, "There is no cardiac boy."

"You broke up?"

A gentle nod gave him the answer.

"So, we're OK?"

Kate smiled and grasped his shoulder, pulling him into a kiss and running her fingers through his hair. He cupped her head and pulled her against him, delving deeper with every touch.

In between kisses, Castle worked in his questions. "I thought you had an interview with Brett Sebastian's business partner?"

He dropped his lips to her neck.

"Ryan and Esposito handled it."

Another kiss.

"So you've got to be at the precinct early tomorrow?"

"No."

Kiss.

"Why not?"

"The partner confessed, said Sebastian owed him his share from the talent jobs and when he confronted him, it got physical. He said our vic lost his balance and hit his head. Once he saw the blood, he shot him trying to make it look like a robbery. Sad thing is the fall probably wouldn't have killed him and Mr. Reynolds might not be facing a murder charge."

"Another fine job, detective."

His tongue fluttered across her earlobe.

"I … uh … didn't do much on this one really. I was a little distracted."

"You're welcome."

Castle nuzzled along her jaw line, brushing his lips across hers as he switched sides.

"What about the rest of our dinner?"

"It can wait. I plan to devour something else right now."

In a sure sign to Castle that she'd let go, Kate giggled. He picked her up in his arms and headed for the bedroom, kissing her as they went.

"One last request, Castle."

"What's that?"

"Take my gun from under my pillow. Wouldn't want a weapon discharging prematurely."

"Certainly not." Castle laughed and shook his head as he hooked his heel behind the bedroom door and swung it shut.

The End