Log ongoing; Closed

[cuffmeonce.livejournal.com]

When; Thursday Night
Rating; Hmmm probably PG-13
Characters; Rick Castle, Mara Lesser
Summary; Rick promised Mara dinner once she was well
Log;

Rick knocked on Mara's door at just a little after 7:30. He was running late because he'd had dinner with Alexis and ran food by the police station for Beckett. He was convinced if he didn't take her food she wouldn't eat at all. A dead muse was productive for no one.

He patted his hands over his suit jacket then over his hair. He'd worn a button down shirt, jacket and foregone a tie. Alexis had okay'ed his appearance anyway so he figured that was good enough. He wanted Mara to have a good time tonight. She'd had such a hard time lately.

Comments

[cry-reaper.livejournal.com]

To be honest, Mara hadn't noticed the time, she'd been in her room trying on dress after dress in an attempt to find something she'd be comfortable in public with. Normally, the order of the evening would be skimpy and just short of scandalous, but now... she wanted something that was more concealing. Less likely to get anyone's attention. The best she could find was a simple gown (http://cdn2.overstock.com/img/mxc/091023_empire-waist-dress.jpg) that was easily covered with a sweater and she was pulling on the last as the knock came.

Heading to the hall to answer the door, she realized she was frightened to be going out at all. Meeting people to test her powers had been one thing, this was another. And while Mara had no doubts that she would be safe with Rick, it was hard to shake the knowledge that the last time she'd enjoyed an evening out she'd ended up dead afterward.

So she took a deep breath and put on a friendly smile as she opened the door, this was a public engagement, after all, and she could play her part.

"Rick, please come in, I'll just be a minute more."

[cuffmeonce.livejournal.com]

Castle smiled at her and stepped over the threshold. "You look beautiful," he told her. Living with two women had taught him that compliments were always well received. Especially when they were true. It was fairly easy to tell she was nervous and he didn't blame her. That was one of the reasons he wanted to make sure she had a good time tonight.

"No hurry."

[cry-reaper.livejournal.com]

"Thank you." Mara closes the door behind him, and as habit these days, she locks all the locks.

She spoke as she headed to the bathroom, "I just want to run a brush through my hair, I won't keep you waiting long. Help yourself to a drink in the kitchen if you like, cabinet by the fridge."

[ooc: There are a few empty bottles of wine by the trash, and the liquor bottles in the cabinet at varying levels of half-empty to low. Self-medication's a vice she has.]

[cuffmeonce.livejournal.com]

Castle nods and heads toward the kitchen to pour himself a scotch on the rocks. He notices all the wine bottles and level of liquors. It makes him furrow his brow with concern. He goes ahead and makes himself a scotch and wanders back into the living room. He's definitely going to have to keep an eye on Mara.

[cry-reaper.livejournal.com]

She finished brushing out her hair and touched up her make-up before heading back out to the living room. She sat down and motioned for Rick to do the same, picking up her cat and pulling her into her lap.

"Please, enjoy your drink, I'm in no hurry."

[cuffmeonce.livejournal.com]

Castle nodded and sat down next to Mara. "You keep good scotch here." And to prove he was being sincere he took a sip of his drink.

He was still worried about her.

[cry-reaper.livejournal.com]

"If I don't, I have a friend who makes sure I do soon enough."

She stroked the cat and as it began to purr she paused, looking at her fingers before continuing.

"He's been good to me, but I think I take advantage of him. I do that, I'm told."

[cuffmeonce.livejournal.com]

Castle quirked an eyebrow up at her. "That's what friends are for."

[cry-reaper.livejournal.com]

"I'm not a good friend."

Mara gave the cat a kiss on the top of her head before setting her aside so she could go get a drink of her own.

[cuffmeonce.livejournal.com]

"I would disagree," Castle said, watching her go into the kitchen. He wasn't opposed to her having a drink. He was just worried about how much she was drinking.

[cry-reaper.livejournal.com]

"Others wouldn't."

She poured herself a finger of scotch and returned to the living room.

"So, tell me, what did you have in mind for tonight?"

[cuffmeonce.livejournal.com]

Castle watched her a moment before speaking. "Dinner at The Den. From there we can gamble or watch the fights. Whatever you want to do."

He paused because his hero complex won't let this go.

"Whom has been telling you that you're a bad friend?"

[cry-reaper.livejournal.com]

Mara nodded as he mentioned the plans. "I'm not keen on fighting, but the rest sounds nice." And public. With lots of people around.

As for his next question... "It doesn't matter. No one I'll be speaking with again." She was done trying to figure out Thomas and what her relationship had been with him, both before and after her apparent exit from the City. Whatever notes she'd written about his so-called protectiveness and support had obviously been mistaken.