{Arrival}

[creatdnikkiheat]

When Richard Castle came to consciousness, he immediately knew that something was wrong. The bed underneath him wasn't his own, and it wasn't Kate's either. It was entirely unfamiliar. Without opening his eyes, he stretched a hand across the bed under the sheets. No one was in bed with him, that was a positive sign. He was pretty sure no amount of

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[notflower]

Kate's lips quirked up when she spotted the guy in the lobby. He was good. Totally clueless but not showing that he was. She could respect that. As a former con, she'd have exploited it but she was good and didn't. Instead, she approached and gave him an upnod of greeting. "Hey. You wouldn't happen to know if the elevators to the penthouse suite at the top are still down would you?"

Okay, she wasn't totally good. Kate couldn't help yanking his chain just to see what his answer was. There wasn't a penthouse suite anywhere in the hotel and certainly no private elevator.

[creatdnikkiheat]

Castle screwed his face up in confusion.

"What? There's a penthouse suite and I'm just in a regular room?"

[notflower]

"I know right? It sucks, but what can you do? I'd talk to management if I were you." Her dark eyes sparkled as she held out her hand, "Name's Kate."

[creatdnikkiheat]

"Kate? That's a good name."

He shook her hand then looked around the lobby again.

"So uh, want to kill me in, Kate? You clearly know something I don't know."

[likeitoldschool]

Alexis was shivering just a bit as she hurried into the hotel, clutching a steaming cup of coffee between her hands as she pushed through the doors and stepped into the lobby. It was a little chilly and foggy for her taste which meant the idea of curling up on her couch for the day was looking more and more appealing.

Taking a careful sip of her coffee, she looked upwards then only to stop at the sight of Richard standing there in the lobby looking confused. Of course it could have been Mal too but the clothes looked familiar to her and not like anything the space captain would wear.

"Dad?" She asked, trying not to sound too hopeful but she had been missing him since he left the last time.

[creatdnikkiheat]

Rick turned at the familiar voice, then moved quickly to Alexis.

"Pumpkin? Can you explain to me what's going on? Because I woke up here, but I'm pretty sure I went to bed at home last night."

He cupped her face in his hands.

"And you look different."

[likeitoldschool]

Alexis didn't answer him right away as she threw her arms around his waist, holding on tightly as she resisted the urge to tell him she had missed him. Especially since his question made it seem like he didn't recall being in the village before.

"I do?" She leaned back with a curious smile.

Then she recalled the question. "And well, it's kind of a lot to take in but how do you feel about magical villages?"

[creatdnikkiheat]

"How does anyone feel about magical villages?"

Castle phrased the question as if disliking magical villages were inconceivable.

"What's not to love?"

[youngmerlin]

Merlin was doing errands for one of the professors at the magic school again which meant he was carrying far too many things in his arms than he should be. It wasn't that Merlin didn't like doing multiple trips, but rather that he wanted to help the professor out as quickly as possible which meant getting all the potions and trinkets there in an expedient manner

[creatdnikkiheat]

Castle observed the kid trying to balance everything and forgot his own confusion for a moment as he rushed over, arms extended, ready to help.

"Here buddy, let me help you with that."

[youngmerlin]

"Oh, um, thanks." His accent was British, but not entirely modern and he smiled sheepishly in thanks. "It's heavier than it looks."

Plus Merlin's upper body strength was not up to par as Arthur's was.

[creatdnikkiheat]

Castle took the box from him and grunted a little. The guy wasn't lying, the box was heavy.

"Where are you headed?"

[noheatnikki]

Kate was going out for some coffee, her coat fastened tight around her in anticipation of the cold. She had tried switching to tea, giving up coffee altogether; she just couldn't stand the pang she felt when she drank it and thought of him. She'd almost reconciled herself to the fact that she was never going to see him again, but that didn't make it any easier to get by.

She headed through the lobby when a familiar figure caught her eye. She turned slowly, holding her breath. He looked confused, and she knew immediately that he hadn't been here long. She approached him with a gentle smile.

"Rick?"

[creatdnikkiheat]

Rick grinned at the sight of her.

"Kate, thank god. I have no idea what's going on. Did you sleep with me last night? Like in the bed? Because I remember going to sleep with you and waking up here without you. Did you cut your hair?"

[noheatnikki]

Kate looked him over, her face almost hurting, her smile was so big.

"That is an incredibly long story that I have a feel you're going to love. I was just on my way out for coffee. What room are you in? We can go back so you can change clothes, then you can come with me."

[creatdnikkiheat]

"Why do you not seemed bothered that we're in a weird hotel?"

Then her words sank in.

"Coffee? I need coffee. Coffee is always good. I'm in 398."