FIC: A Muse Stalks Into A Bar - Epilogue 1/2

[paulacas]

Title: A Muse Stalks Into A Bar

Author: YanzaDracan

Fandom: Leverage/Castle

Pairing: Nate/Eliot, Rick/Eliot

Rating: FRT

Summary: Castle just has to know more about someone with THAT much presence.

 


 

Summer in the city was sweltering. Rolling blackouts kept the building’s air conditioner from accomplishing anything close to cool. Pale skin glistened as a sheen of sweat reflected the street lights.

All the hair on her body stood on end as primal instinct warned her she was not alone. A single finger slid down her arm, marking her. A shiver ran through her slim frame as current ran along her nerves from that single touch.

“You came back?” She never turned from her perusal of the street.

“You drew me back.” Warm breath stirred the short hairs on her neck. “My siren.” His tongue chased the drop of sweat tumbling down her spine.

“They’ll come for you.” Her breath caught in her throat though whether from fear for his life or his ministrations to her body--she couldn’t tell.

“They won’t even know I’m gone ‘til they bring breakfast.” Fingers continued to leave trails, painting his arcane sigils on her body. “Relax, sweetheart I’m the best at what I do.” White teeth flashed in the dim light, nibbling the long column of her neck.

Minute shivers followed his fingers as they played down her sides. She finally relaxed against his heat, giving herself over, trusting him to take her to new heights while bringing her back to earth.

“Cade…” She breathed.

A low nasty chuckle in her ear shattered Kate’s immersion into Richard Castle’s world of Nikki Heat. Brown eyes flew to the owner of said chuckle.

“Eliot! Youuu! How’d you get in here?!” Kate practically screeched.

“I’m a bad guy, darlin’. It’s what I do.” This time the chuckle was devilish--inviting her to share the joke.

“How can you read that with a straight face?” Eliot turned and pulled a beer of the refrigerator. “Or ya picturin’ you and Castle in that little scene?”

“Oh please, Castle’s running the ultimate con. You pay money then he sucks you into his world and makes you want to stay.”

“Fangirl much, Katie?” Eliot teased.

Kate cocked her head at the hitter. “You’re certainly in a good mood. Beat somebody bloody on the way here? Is my phone going to be ringing?”

“Kate, I’m truly wounded. I came all this way to take my two favorite women to dinner and all I get is abuse.” He placed a hand over his heart.

Kate rolled her eyes. “Boston’s not that far away.”

“Was in Nebraska.” He said keeping to the shadows.

“Eliot?” Kate moved toward the retrievalist.

“Dress pretty.” Was all Eliot said as he moved to the door. “See you at 7.”

Alexis’ squee could be heard all the way from Castle’s uptown apartment after she disconnected her call from Eliot.

“Did Spencer say where he was taking you this time?” Rick Castle called across the room.

“Just that it’s someplace where we have to dress up and he knows the chef.” Alexis tried to sit still while her grandmother scattered delicate braids through her hair.

Rick huffed in frustration. Spencer knew all the chefs—so that was absolutely no help. The ringing of his phone startled him out of his speculations. The caller ID showed ‘private’.

“Castle.”

“Have some decent sippin’ whiskey, and when I bring Alexis home we’ll talk about the summer you got a little bent.” Eliot purred, his chuckle sounded like warm nights and hot sex.

“Are you dumping Kate for me?” Castle quipped. “Or maybe I could just invite myself along.”

“Kate’ll be anxious to get home and continue her voyeuristic affair with Cade and Nikki Heat. Alexis probably doesn’t want her daddy along while her fantasy takes her out for an elegant dinner.” Eliot pointed out.

“She’s reading the book?” There was that tingly feeling again.

“Like it’s Dr. Zhivago.”

Castle could almost hear Eliot rolling his eyes.

The rest of Eliot’s words finally registered in Rick’s brain. Mouth gaping like a fish out of water, Rick finally formed a word.

“WHAT!” He almost squeaked.

“White knight—damsel in distress. It’s a classic plot.” Eliot answered conversationally.

“Black knight, maybe.” Castle grumbled. “I look forward to our nightcap.”

“Sure ya can handle the pressure?” Eliot teased.

“I’m always looking for new material.” Rick snarked.

Spencer’s low chuckle was his only answer as the line went dead.

A couple hours later, Alexis floated into the apartment carrying a bag from Le Bernardin—Eliot sauntering in behind the excited teen. Martha confiscated the food and practically dragged her granddaughter to the kitchen to hear about her evening.

“Every time you come to town, Alexis goes up a couple notches on the high school social food chain?” Rick’s tone was resigned to the antics of teenagers.

The writer turned into the library assuming Eliot would follow. The retrievalist closed the door and silently moved in behind the older man. Castle’s heart nearly stopped when he turned to ask Eliot a question.

“Holy hell, Spencer. Shouldn’t all that metal make noise when you move?” Rick snapped pointing to Eliot’s bracelets and necklaces.

“Years of practice, son.” Eliot smirked as he accepted the glass of whiskey.

A sly look crossed Castle’s face. He wondered momentarily why Eliot was being so amenable, but didn’t want to look a gift horse in the mouth.

“So how does someone who’s what…35 become the world’s top retrieval specialist?” Rick sprawled on the leather couch.

“Military. They’ll teach you to lie, cheat and steal all in the name of some war on somethin’ or other.” Eliot took a sip of his whiskey.

He rolled the amber liquid over his tongue. Single barrel Gentlemen Jack. Castle definitely didn’t stint on his bar.

“Special Ops?” Rick almost leaned forward in his excitement.

A dark eyebrow arched over the crystal tumbler.

“Black Ops?” The writer’s excitement moved up a notch.

Eliot settled on the coffee table in front of the Rick…practically sitting between his legs.

“That summer we met?”

“Workin’ an op.” Blue eyes met. “You were a fringe benefit.”

Rick blushed deeply. “I was making up for lost time.”

“Hmmm. You certainly were.” The smoldering looking Eliot threw him nearly caused Castle to spit out his mouthful of whiskey.