Sex, Voyeurism and Murder: Caskett Fan Fiction - DISCONTINUED

Chapter Five

After the clearly awkward breakfast, Castle and Beckett spent the day awkwardly interacting, more or less avoiding each other and further conversation. Both of them were uncomfortable but they both were enjoying the company too much to make a move to leave or ask the other to leave.

'Maybe I should talk to Lanie about this?' Kate thought to herself. 'At the very least she will be eager to hear about the gossip.' She smiled lightly to herself. So lost in her thoughts, Kate didn't register the fact that Castle had edged closer to her and had managed to get his fingers intertwined with hers. Sneaking a glance, she smiled lightly and returned her attention back to the movie that was playing on the screen. Wanting to reassure him, she gently rubbed her thumb up and down over the sensitive skin on the top of his hand, gently squeezing it.

When the movie was over, Kate politely excused herself and wandered off into the guest bedroom to make the call to Lanie. She needed her best friend's opinion right now more than ever. If anyone could give it to her straight, it was Lanie. Kate anxiously dialed her number and, putting it to her ear, listened as it rang.

"Hello?" Lanie answered.

"Hey, Lanie. It's me." Kate replied in a hushed voice.

"Well hello, 'It's me'. Haven't heard from you in a while. How you holdin' up girl?" She asked, getting right to the point.

"I've been alright. I don't know how much Javi told you..."

"He told me enough, sweetie." Lanie replied gently.

"I'm just so confused, Lanie. I mean, if it was anyone else, I would know how to feel, but it's Castle!"

"I know. I know. You're in a tough spot. I can't tell you how you should be feelin', 'cause I have nothing to compare it to." She told her, making Kate sigh in frustration. "But I do know that you have serious feelings for that man. And that this whole situation just made it more awkward for you to be able to trust those feelings. You two need time to get past this, and you will in time, and then if those feelings are still there, be brave and see where they go." Lanie told her.

"Things are so awkward between us, Lanie. But even after everything that happened, the past few days without him have been torture. How can I want to be near someone who has done something like that to me?"

"Oh, Kate." Lanie said sadly. "Things are so complicated for you. I can't even begin to imagine how confused you are. But even though something awful happened between you, you still need each other. You can't go through this alone or it will destroy you both."

"I can't stay away from him. I couldn't even sleep properly until I was next to him. How can I let someone that did that to me be near me, let alone touch me?" Kate said as she ran her hand through her hair, frustrated and confused.

"Like I said, you need each other at the moment. Don't fight it."

"I'm just worried that this will change our friendship." Kate explained.

"Honey, it already has. You two were forced to have sex while people watched." She said bluntly, shocking Kate a little. "And not just some random man, but Castle. Your best friend; apart from me of course. The man who has been following you around like a love-sick puppy for the past few years, just waiting for the chance to show his feelings to you. You both are scared to ruin your friendship and that is what's keeping you from moving forward. But something has to change so you can move forward. Trust yourself and be brave." She told her. "I have to go. Murder doesn't stop just because you aren't in the office. Talk soon, honey." Lanie said before hanging up, leaving Kate standing in the quiet room, head reeling with nothing but her thoughts.

'Lanie's right. I am scared to move forward with Castle because of what happened. I need to be patient and brave.' She told herself as she quietly made her way back downstairs to where she left the sleeping Castle. Remembering Lanie's advice, Kate nervously lay down beside Castle on the couch, curling into his chest, feeling stupid and vulnerable, until his strong arm came around her and pulled her in closer to him, his head lolling over to the side to rest against hers, placing a sleepy kiss in her hair. Taken aback, Kate froze before realizing that he was still fast asleep and had done it out of a subconscious reflex. Her heart warming, she slowly relaxed into his arms and drifted off into some much needed sleep.

When they awoke later that day, their stomachs growled angrily, stirring them from their peaceful slumber. When they looked at each other, blushes instantly filled their cheeks when they realised just how close their faces were. Jerking back, Kate started to fall off the couch, only for Castle to wrap his arms around her tighter to steady her, unintentionally bringing their faces so close together their noses touched, their lips ghosting each other, hearts pounding frantically in their chests.

"You okay?" He asked awkwardly, sending a shiver down her spine as she felt his lips brush over hers with each word.

"Yeah." She replied breathlessly, her lips brushing against his driving her mad, the need to close the distance and touch her lips to his confusing and overwhelming.

"We should probably..."

"Yeah." She replied awkwardly, feeling a confusing warmth in her nether regions, and a firm pressure against her she wasn't expecting to feel again. Taking a deep breath, she took a leap of faith and finally closed the distance between them, melding her lips to his in a chaste kiss. Her eyes fluttered closed as a warm feeling overwhelmed her, forgetting everything that had happened and just enjoying the feeling of finally having his lips on hers again since their last kiss to save Ryan and Esposito when they were kidnapped. Castle stayed frozen for a moment, tenderly cradling her head as confused alarm bells rang off in his head. In the end, it was Castle who pulled back from the kiss, a guilty and sad expression on his face.

"I... I can't" He explained, unable to meet her eyes. "I need some time." He stated, carefully getting up off the couch without letting her fall, before heading off to the kitchen to start on lunch.

A.N. I know this chapter is a bit short, but at least I'm writing it a little again. Hope you enjoy and please have a look at my other stories on my page too.