WHO: Kate Beckett and Rick Castle WHEN: 224603.26; shortly after this WHERE: Observation Deck SUMMARY: Caskett reunion, FTW. WARNINGS: Nah.
It wasn't exactly a short trip from her quarters to the Enterprise's observation deck, but Kate took it at a dead run. She had nearly knocked over at least one member of Starfleet on her way, taking a corner much too fast and clipping the poor guy's shoulder, but other than a shouted apology over her shoulder she hadn't stopped.
Thighs burning and her lungs growing tight with the need for air, Kate sprinted through the doors of the observation deck and skidded to a stop. Sucking in as much air as her taxed lungs would allow she began searching for her husband, tugging at the ends of one of her uniforms given to distinguish her as a security crewman on the ship. Of course, today of all days, she'd put on the dress. It was the one she liked the least, and the most impractical for her job, and tended to be the one she wore when actual work wasn't required.
Not the most fashionable wardrobe, but she had never thought to complain and had no opportunity to get anything other than what she had worn onto the ship at her arrival. Not that any of that mattered now.
Turning to the left, Kate spotted him, standing close to the window and gazing out at the expanse of space and for just a moment, she couldn't speak, too overcome by a spike of emotion that left her fighting back tears. She hadn't seen him for nearly three months. The longest they had been apart since they had gotten together.
Pushing back the tears, Kate stepped forward, waiting until she was close enough to touch him to speak his name. "Hey, Rick."