Reborn in Castle (TV show)

[Next Morning]

The road outside Ubud curved between rice fields, small villages, and rows of palm trees moving gently in the warm breeze. Travis and Kate followed their guide along a narrow paved path, each riding a simple mountain bike rented near the edge of town.

The morning sun had climbed above the trees, though the air still felt cool enough for the ride.

Kate rode a few feet ahead of Travis, wearing shorts, a white sleeveless top, and sunglasses. Her hair was tied back in a loose ponytail that moved behind her whenever she picked up speed.

Travis pushed harder on the pedals and caught up beside her.

"You look very pleased with yourself," Kate said.

"I'm enjoying the view."

"The rice fields?"

"Those too."

Kate smiled and rode faster.

Their guide, Wayan, looked back and pointed toward a smaller path leading away from the main road. "This way. The road gets narrow, so please stay behind me."

They followed him between two wide rice fields. Water moved through shallow channels beside the path, reflecting the blue sky. Small stone shrines stood near the edges with flowers and woven offerings resting at their bases.

The city felt very far away.

There were no sirens, ringing phones, or people asking about murder scenes. Nobody here knew them as detectives. They were only another couple enjoying the morning.

Kate slowed near a raised section overlooking the fields. "Can we stop here?"

Wayan nodded and pulled his bike beside a small wooden shelter.

Kate stepped off her bike and walked toward the edge. The green terraces followed the shape of the hills in long curved levels, with palms rising between them and small houses scattered in the distance.

Travis came up behind her and placed both hands around her waist.

"This is beautiful," Kate said.

"Yeah," he replied, though his eyes stayed on her.

She turned within his arms and caught him staring. "You're supposed to look at the scenery."

"I am looking at the scenery."

Kate laughed and leaned up to kiss him.

When they pulled apart, Wayan held up a camera with a polite smile. "Would you like a picture together?"

"Yes, please."

They stood near the edge with Travis's arm around her waist. Wayan took several photographs, then told them to move closer because they looked too serious.

Kate rested her head against Travis's shoulder while he kissed her forehead. The camera clicked again.

Afterward, Kate checked the pictures and smiled at one in which Travis was looking at her rather than the camera.

"I like this one."

"I wasn't ready."

"That's why it looks real."

She handed the camera to him and walked farther along the path. Travis took a few pictures of her beside the rice field, then another when she turned and smiled at him without warning.

They returned to the bikes and continued through the countryside. The route carried them past family homes, workshops, fruit trees, and children walking along the roadside. Some waved, and Kate waved back.

Their next stop was a small village compound where an older woman was weaving palm-leaf baskets beneath a shaded porch. Wayan introduced her as his aunt, and she showed Kate how the narrow strips were folded together.

Kate tried making one herself.

Her first attempt opened immediately and fell apart.

Travis smirked. "Ha! Amateur."

Kate gave him a look. "Really? Why don't you show me how it's done, pro?"

"With pleasure," He said as he sat beside her and accepted several palm strips. His fingers followed each step the woman demonstrated. The result held together, but it was still far from perfect.

Kate smiled as she looked at it. "This is really impressive. I thought you were just bragging."

"Me? Bragging? You wound me, Miss Beckett," Travis replied, placing his hand on his chest.

The older woman laughed even though she understood only part of the conversation. She fixed both baskets and handed them back as small keepsakes.

They continued riding until the path climbed through thicker trees. Soon, they stopped beside a roadside stand selling fruit, coconut water, and coffee.

Travis bought two coconuts, and they sat beneath a shaded roof while Wayan spoke with the owner.

Kate took a long drink from the coconut and looked toward Travis. "I could get used to mornings like this."

Travis leaned back in his chair. "Fresh air, cold coconut water, and no alarms. Hard to argue with that."

She smiled and glanced toward the trees. "Maybe we should disappear somewhere quiet more often."

"I'm completely in favor of that plan."

Kate looked back at him. "You say that now, but you'd probably get restless after three days."

Travis shook his head. "Not with you around." He reached across the table and took her hand. She linked her fingers with his and leaned forward for a quick kiss.

After finishing their drinks, they returned the bikes at a nearby village where a driver waited. Wayan explained that their next stop would be a water temple near Tampaksiring, where they could take part in Melukat.

The drive took them along quiet roads surrounded by trees and old stone walls. The temple stood among green hills, with clear water moving through channels beneath the trees.

The place felt peaceful from the moment they entered.

Wayan helped them rent clean sarongs and sashes, then explained the basic rules. They needed to follow the correct path, stay quiet near the shrines, and listen to the local priest during the purification.

Kate tied her sarong carefully and turned toward Travis. "How do I look?"

"Beautiful," Travis replied without hesitation. "Although you somehow make everything look better."

Kate smiled and stepped closer to fix the fold of his sarong. "And you look like you're still trying to figure out how this thing works."

"I am," he admitted. "I'm pretty sure I tied it wrong."

"You did."

"I knew something felt off."

Kate adjusted the cloth properly, then gave his waist a light pat. "There. Now you look presentable."

Travis looked down at himself before meeting her eyes again. "Good. I'd hate to embarrass myself before we even reach the water."

They left their phones and camera inside a locker before entering the temple grounds. Kate did not complain. This part of the day did not need pictures.

A local priest welcomed them near a small shrine. With Wayan translating when needed, he explained that Melukat was a cleansing ritual. The holy water was meant to wash away heavy thoughts, negative feelings, and the weight people carried inside themselves.

Kate's expression became quieter as she listened.

They prepared a small offering together, placing flowers inside a woven tray. Then they sat before the shrine while incense rose through the air.

Kate closed her eyes during the prayer. Her mind returned to the tunnel, the school stairwell, and the hospital. She saw flashes of dust and blood, then breathed through them instead of pushing them away.

Beside her, Travis remained still.

Kate slowly reached for his hand.

He took it without opening his eyes.

When the prayer ended, they followed the priest toward the spring pool. The water was cold enough to steal Kate's breath when she stepped down, though she quickly adjusted. Travis entered beside her, and together they moved toward the first waterspout chosen for them.

Kate pressed her palms together and bowed her head.

Then she moved beneath the falling water.

The cold stream struck her hair, face, and shoulders. For a moment, the water covered every sound and left her alone with her breathing. She thought about her mother, her father, the people she had failed to save, and the people she had saved. She thought about the tunnel and the fear she still carried from it.

Then she thought about Travis standing beside her now.

Kate let the water flow over her until the priest signaled that it was time to move.

They continued through the selected spouts one by one. At each stop, they bowed, washed their faces, and let the water fall over their heads. Travis followed every instruction without jokes.

At the final spout, Kate closed her eyes and released a long breath.

She did not feel suddenly cured. The memories still existed, and she knew one ritual could not erase months of fear.

Still, something inside her felt lighter.

When they stepped out, Travis wrapped a towel around her shoulders. Kate looked up at him, water running from her hair and face.

"How do you feel?" he asked.

"Calm," she replied after a moment. "I haven't felt this calm in a long time."

"And you?"

Travis glanced back toward the spring. "Grateful."

Kate understood without asking him to explain.

She leaned forward and kissed him gently, more for comfort than passion.

After changing into dry clothes, they thanked the priest and Wayan before leaving. By then, it was close to noon, and both of them were hungry again.

Wayan took them to a family-owned restaurant overlooking another stretch of rice terraces. Their table sat beneath a wide wooden roof with open sides, allowing the breeze to move through the dining area.

Kate ordered grilled chicken with rice, vegetables, and peanut sauce. Travis chose grilled fish with yellow rice and vegetables. They also shared fried corn cakes, fresh fruit, and two cold lime drinks.

Kate took the first bite and closed her eyes briefly. "This is really good."

Travis smiled as he reached for a corn cake. "You say that every time we eat something here."

"Because everything has been good."

Their guide sat at another table nearby, giving them privacy.

Kate rested her hand on the table, and Travis covered it with his.

"This morning was perfect," she said.

"The cycling or the temple?"

"All of it. The fields, the village, the pictures, and the ritual." She looked toward the green terraces beyond the railing. "I feel like I can breathe again."

Travis squeezed her hand. "Then we'll keep finding things that help."

Kate looked back at him and smiled. "Together?"

"Always."

She leaned across the table and kissed him before returning to her lunch.

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AN: I thought of adding more interaction with Castle, but I think that would've been bad. Kate and Travis spending some time while healing looked better. Well, 6 chs focused on the vacation is alright, I think. So, the next one will be back to duty.

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Find me in the link below for advance chapters: https://unknownmaster.carrd.co/

[20 advance chs] + [Modern Family: 37 chs Early access]