Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

July 26, 2017

This is the third, and final installment of the story, now complete in its entirety. Enjoy.

Important Note:

Embedded in Part 3 is a complicated backstory. It is also alternative universe-WAY alternate universe-by an author who writes well and enjoys challenging herself.

Enjoy.

Bren Williams

SITTING IN A TREE, BACKWARDS

Part III

Mystery

Prologue

The white, sandy beaches seemed endless.

Rick heard splashing behind him and turned to find Kate approaching, her golden skin glittering with water droplets. Her bikini was alluring. He wanted to wind his fingers through her long hair and pull her against him, but she moved away, dancing into the shallow waves.

She seemed unaware of him, and yet… the sounds of the waves breaking on the shore faded into music growing louder…. marimbas, guitars and tambourines… Kate whirled and danced, her bikini became long, full skirts with layers of ruffles. She faced him again and he gasped. A skull with hollowed eyes stared back, grinning like a specter of death. Her long, flowing hair was interwoven with enormous marigold blossoms. Her breasts were golden and beautiful, and her limbs as strong and smooth as ever, but the face… chilled him.

She came to him, laughing, teasing. She circled him, shaking her hips in time with the music before twining her arms around him and pressing her bony mouth to his. She clutched at him in sudden desperation. "Remember me…."

Rick sat upright in bed, panting. He stared into the darkness around him. Kate lay beside him, sleeping peacefully. All was quiet, just the pale light from the porthole window above their bed and the gentle rise and fall of a cruise ship at sea. He pushed his hands through his hair, taking deep breaths. The disturbing images of his dream still danced through his thoughts.

That dream again. What does it mean? He lay back against the pillow. "Remember me," he murmured, rolling to his side to face his wife. He brushed her hair away from her cheek, feeling the whisper of her breath against his skin as he eased himself nearer. "Like I could ever forget you." His voice was barely audible. He traced the line of her jaw with one finger, the dream still captivating his thoughts.

"Sorry." Her voice was soft.

His finger hovered near the tip of her chin and pulled away.

"Kate?"

No response.

He lay beside her in the darkness, waiting and wondering until sleep claimed him.

The Real Story Begins

CHAPTER ONE

Kate peered out the taxi window, watching for the Statue of Liberty, a beacon in the darkness. Somehow, she never felt like she was home until that moment when they crossed the halfway point into Manhattan. When she was little, she used to salute Lady Liberty, now she settled for a long look. She turned to share a long look with her husband as well, grabbing his hand for a quick squeeze.

"Almost home," she announced. "Did you text Alexis yet?"

Castle met her gaze briefly, and nodded. "Yeah, she's expecting u—me."

If Kate noticed how he stumbled over the last word, she gave no sign. "Are you doing anything special tonight?"

He stared out the window, his brow furrowed. "No, ah, just a family dinner." He swallowed. You're supposed to be there. There was a long silence before he added. "You could come, stay the night." Move in, he wanted to add, like you're supposed to.

"Oh," She turned back to him, her eyes wide. "I hadn't thought—I mean, I could… but don't you need some time with your family? I mean it's been two weeks and….

You are my family now, he wanted to remind her.

"No." He shrugged, "Alexis, well, she'll spend all of 20 minutes with me, then she'll be off with her boyfriend, Ashley. Mother, you know what she's like. So…."

Kate watched him, her face all too somber.

A moment ago she was smiling, he noted, a sick feeling taking root in his belly. "But whatever, you know. Two weeks is a long time to spend together and… it might be good to have some space too." He looked away, his hands clenched into fists.

"Yeah, she agreed slowly, hesitantly. "I need some time to catch up on life. Laundry, bills, see my dad…." Visit Hannah… she added silently.

The lines on his forehead deepened at the last but Kate, fiddling with her phone, missed it.

"When do you start back at work?"

"Monday. Give me a couple of days to catch up on some things and we'll get together later in the week."

"Later in the week." he repeated slowly.

She shot him a quick glance. Her phone pinged the arrival of another text and Castle watched her break into a smile reading it. His frowned deepened as his eyes wandered from her face to the phone.

"Lanie?" he guessed.

"Uh, no. That was my dad." She smoothed the smile from her face and switched the phone into standby mode, tucking it away.

Castle raised one brow. "I didn't know a text from your father could make you smile like that." He watched her intently.

"Oh, umm… Actually—" She glanced out the window. "Damn, here already," she muttered, then turned back to Castle. "I'll have to fill you in later." She tucked her phone into her bag and checked her carry on for loose items. When all was secure, she looked up to find Castle staring at her.

"Hey, cheer up. We're home." Leaning forward, she brushed a kiss on his lips. He gathered her closer, deepening the kiss as the cabby pulled up to her building.

"All right, yo fuhst stop." He flicked on the dome light and glanced back in his mirror. "Oh fer the love of Pete! Wouldya get a room already?" The cabby swore under his breath and stamped out of the car to unload the bags from the trunk.

Kate pulled back, searching Rick's eyes. "Hey, Castle, are you okay with this?"

He attempted a smile. "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

She looked unconvinced. "It's just for a couple of days while we get caught up on life."

"Right," he agreed, climbing out of the car. On the curb, he grabbed the larger two suitcases. "I'll take these up for you."

"Oh, fer…" the cabby spit in the street. "You're not gonna stiff me with mah metah runnin'. I wasn' born yestahday."

"I'll be back down in a minute," Castle told him with exaggerated calmness.

"Oh sure yah will. Like I nevah heard that befoh. How do I know you ain't gonna disappah into one o' them buildins, laughin' at the suckah with his metah runnin'?"

Castle tried not to let his irritation show. "One, because you have my suitcases. Two, I generally tip well for extra services, and—" he snapped a photo of the license plate. "Three, because I'll come after you if you disappear with my belongings."

The cabby blinked and stepped closer, throwing his shoulders back. "You threat'nin' me?"

Kate did not conceal her irritation. "NYPD. Trust me, that wasn't a threat. Be waiting for him when he gets back or he'll prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law."

They stalked away, their cabby blustering behind them. "This is why I use a car service," Castle muttered.

"And then some." Kate fumbled for her keys. When Castle didn't answer, she looked up at him. "Castle?"

"Kate," he paused, his voice quiet, and he stared straight ahead, not meeting her eyes. "I want you to come home with me."

"What?" Startled, she dropped her keys and he scooped them up for her. He took her hand, turning her to face him.

"Look," his voice was low. "I know it's weird, with everything changing so fast. You live here, I live there, but, this feels wrong."

She stared at him, eyes wide, mouth slightly open. "I.…" She gripped her lower lip between her teeth. "Rick," she took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. I… thought we were taking things slow, dating for a while before—"

"Take things slow?" his eyes widened incredulously. "What about this marriage was slow?"

"Castle—"

"We barely quit dating other people before you proposed to me, out of nowhere, I might add. We spent the last two weeks sharing everything on a honeymoon—a very hot honeymoon and—"

"That's exactly my point, Castle. We've had no time apart to decompress or unwind or to figure out—"

"We're married now. We decompress together." The door to her apartment building opened from the other side, and they moved to let a group of young adults dressed for clubbing pass. He waited for them to descend the steps and walk away before he took her hand, squeezing tightly. "We belong together, Kate."

She took a step closer, ducking her head as she brushed a hand over the lapel of his jacket, smoothing away invisible wrinkles. "Rick, don't get me wrong, it was a fantastic two weeks with you." She shot a peek at his stony face. "I want that and more. I want it all. I just… I'm not ready to give up my apartment, or… spend every waking moment together. It's a lot of change and it's happening… so fast." Her eyes never left his, and her voice dropped to a whisper. "I'm a private person, Castle, and I need some time."

"I'm not asking you to give up your apartment or move in full time… yet. Just, come home with me tonight. We'll figure out how to make this work tomorrow."

Kate stared up into his face startled by a sudden realization. Warmth spread through her. He's really in this for the right reasons. A smile teased at the corners of her mouth, growing until she was smiling up at him.

His face softened as he slid his hands around her waist, pulling her to him, murmuring, "Think of it as a one-night stand."

"I don't know, Castle," she slid an arm around his neck, her fingers gliding into his hair, pulling him down for a kiss. "One night stands are so easy to pass up," she teased, tucking her hand around his arm and they descended the steps together.

"A booty call then. They say a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." He paused to pull her roughly against him and when he next spoke, his voice was velvety and low. "In our case, it may be a journey of a thousand booty calls." He kissed her, hard. Her mouth opened beneath his and he deepened the kiss until they were interrupted by a raucous and insistent shout.

"Oh fer cryin' out loud! Ah ya comin' oh not?"

Kate pushed Castle's bedroom door open, and rolled her suitcases in behind her, parking them by the door. She glanced around, taking in the king size bed, the warm browns and reds, … the masculinity. She'd only visited his room once, on their wedding day two weeks ago. Now, she noted the black leather headboard and the reading nook in the corner. Photos were scattered through the room. Most notably, a blow-up of a charging bull-elephant commanded her attention. She could almost feel the thunder of its passage. Very macho, Castle. She shivered and bypassed the lion stalking her from the frame beside it.

She wandered past a chest of drawers, pausing to admire a small snapshot in a plain silver frame. Castle and Alexis ice skating at Rockefeller Center? Looked like it with the enormous Christmas tree in the background. She ran her fingertips over the dresser without opening them. They'd shared space on their honeymoon, but hotels and vacations were different. This is Castle's home, she mused, his retreat. It felt wrong to snoop through his drawers.

Instead, she wandered over to inspect more picture frames on the bedside table. A much younger Alexis smiled back at her, and there was a fairly recent family portrait. Martha stood behind Rick, her arms casually looped around his neck while his similarly cradled Alexis. The loving smiles were imbued with the warm glow of family.

If only…. The frame was intricately detailed, and felt heavy in her hands as she picked it up, wishing for something that might have been. The corner of her mouth pulled down as she set it back down and reached for her phone. A moment later, it rang in her ear.

"Hello?" a childish voice answered.

A broad smile broke over Kate's face. "Hey!"

"Mom! Are you home?"

"I am—well, I'm back in New York." Kate confirmed, keeping her voice low.

"That's so awesome! When are you coming to see me? Are you bringing Rick 'n' 'L-'Lexis?"

Kate settled onto the narrow sofa, "Not yet."

"Why not? I want them to co—ome!"

Kate chuckled. "I'm not bringing them yet because I want you all to myself! I haven't seen you in weeks!" Kate wandered over to the chest of drawers, noticing a chocolate police badge tucked against the mirror. Her smile widened, seeing it. "Besides, you're still invisible."

"Oh." There was a brief silence while Hannah absorbed this. "Can I come play spy at Rick's again?"

"What?" Kate stifled a horrified laugh. "No."

"Aw. Maybe you could tell them and bring them tomorrow."

Kate hesitated. "I don't know. The timing has to be right. Have you seen Sammy's puppy, yet?"

"Ohmygosh! Mom, she's so cu—ute! She licked me all over and Sammy and I made her a house out of cushions and a box, but she wouldn't use it. Kendra said maybe she'll sleep in it tonight."

"What kind of dog is she?"

"She licked me all over and she peed all over the kitchen!"

"Puppies do that."

"Yup. Mom, I want one so ba—ad!"

"You know what Papa says about pets."

"Yup." Hannah lowered her voice to sound like Papa, "The bigger the pet, the bigger the noise, the bigger the mess… and I make enough noise and mess for ten puppies."

Kate chuckled, "You sound just like him."

"When you come, maybe you can see the puppy!"

"Maybe." Kate agreed. "I brought you something from the islands."

"You did? What is it?"

"A surprise. Wait and see."

"Tell me what it is!" Hannah pleaded.

"But then it wouldn't be a surprise."

There was a pause while Hannah thought this over. "Are you going to bring it when you come see me?"

"Of course."

"Mom! Mom, Mom! Are you bringing the Harley?"

"I always do."

"Can we go riding together?"

"Did you find your helmet?"

"Yes!"

"Then we can go riding."

"That's awesome! Can Sammy go, too? It's okay with Kendra."

Kate smirked. "Sure it is."

"Oh, Papa's calling me, I gotta take my bath now."

There was a long pause where neither spoke, finally Hannah Joy asked with a plaintive note in her voice, "When will you be here?"

Kate's brow furrowed. "As soon as I can, baby. If I can't come tomorrow, then…" Kate hesitated, her voice low. "I'll come tomorrow."

"Okay." There was another pause. "I miss you, Mom," Hannah replied.

The furrows in Kate's brow deepened. "I miss you too, sweetie. I can't wait to see you."

"I love you!"

"I love you too. I'll call tomorrow."

"Okay. Bye."

"I've really made a mess of things." Kate leaned her head back against the wall, eyes shut tight, phone still in her hand. She shook her head and looked around Castle's bedroom as if seeking anchorage in a storm. Things would be so different now if….

"Water under the bridge," she said aloud, rising. She dragged her smaller suitcase to the sofa. I just have to find the right time—make the right time to tell Castle that… to tell Castle. Just… one day at a time."

Sighing, she heaved a rollerboard suitcase onto the sofa, and opened it to peruse its contents. Most of the clean clothes were beachwear, inappropriate for New York in February. She extracted several garments with tags still on, shaking them out. She'd intended to wear them on the cruise ship home, but quantity time alone with Castle dictated more room service and fewer clothes than anticipated. The corner of her mouth quirked in memory and she headed for his closet, flipping the light on and looking for hangers.

"Good God," she muttered, eyeing the extensive wardrobe, shirts ironed and hanging above the row of neatly pressed dress pants, each on a black velveteen hanger. A long row of coats hung on the other side, rain jackets, blazers, suits, several tuxedos, windbreakers, heavy winter coats, and a suspiciously familiar, long, mahogany leather coat. She'd worn one just like it on their wedding night.

"How many coats does one writer need?" She shook her head. Like I have room to talk. But, she hadn't come to snoop or gawk so spun in a slow circle, "Where are the hangers?" she wondered aloud.

Not one empty hanger was in evidence. Frowning, she stepped toward the back. There had to be… she peered into the corner and spotted a stack of magazines in the corner. Oh God, don't tell me…" She left the closet, two tiny lines appearing between her eyebrows.

She wadded the dress and tossed it on top of her suitcase, thrusting both hands into her hair. This is Castle's space, his retreat. I don't belong here. She shivered, trying to shake it off.

Did she?

Everywhere she looked was Castle and reminders of his life outside their relationship. She closed her eyes and drew in several deep breaths, wishing she were at home. Her dirty laundry would be sorted by now, junk mail disposed of, and she would be running a hot bath. There would be no awkward greetings at the door, with Alexis brushing past her to hug her dad. She'd have some much needed quiet time to recharge before visiting Hannah tomorrow or joining Castle and his family at home.

She gave herself a little shake before she straightened and turned resolutely back to her baggage. She snatched up several large Ziploc baggies full of toiletries and headed into the bathroom, eyes widening as she surveyed her the room. A wide shower beckoned with room for two and a plethora of shower heads. Even better, the Jacuzzi bathtub was enormous with plenty of space for the acrobatics that sometimes occurred in a bathtub large enough for two.

She dumped her bags on the counter and began filling the tub. In moments, she'd pulled off her travel-weary clothing and pinned her hair on top of her head.

*break*

Lowering herself into the hot, sudsy bath water, she gave a long sigh. After two weeks with Castle, doing all manner of activities, a quiet bath was heaven. Not that she hadn't enjoyed their time together, nothing could be truer, but she was used to time alone—a lot of time alone. A quiet evening at home could rejuvenate her like nothing else, recharge her battery as it were.

She opened her eyes and stared around Castle's bathroom. Warm with brown and burgundy accents, so like him. She fumbled with the control for the jets. There was a rumble as they started up, pummeling her sides. She adjusted them to a gentle stream and settled back in with a deeply satisfied smile.

Her eyes drifted closed as she relived the awkward conversation on her stoop. Kate, he'd said, taking her hand, 'We're married now,' he'd said at last. 'We belong together,' and a shiver ran through her again. He wanted their marriage to be real or he wouldn't have pushed for her to come home with him. Flooded by warmth at his commitment, she'd agreed immediately.

If she could retreat to this bathtub at regular intervals she could get used to sharing living space with three sociable Castles. Yes, solitude was what she craved after sharing nearly every waking moment with Castle for over two weeks. She slid deeper, letting the water rise to her chin as she closed her eyes. Solitude, and time with Hannah, but that was tomorrow's agenda.

She sighed as she sank into the sudsy depths. She drifted deeper, let her limbs go slack, and allowed the hot water to lap at her lower lip.

This….

…bliss.

The quiet in this corner of Castle's loft was absolute. For New York anyway. Her eyes fluttered closed and she let her mind drift, letting go of the tense discussion on her doorstep, Martha's effusive welcome… her thoughts lingered on last night's candle-lit love making before… Hannah….

She let go of all of it. Let it rest in her subconscious with her worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow she'd figure out the lay of the land and carve out time with her daughter. Tomorrow, she and Castle would figure out how to make the logistics of their marriage work.

Her thoughts gradually unwound into a series of images and memories of the people she loved… Hannah Joy, Dad, Castle… her chest tightened as her thoughts lingered on him. She bit her lip, frightened by the growing intensity of her feelings. If it went badly with Rick… she squeezed her eyes tightly shut.

The thought terrified her.

A quiet memory of stolen moments on their wedding day slid forward in her thoughts. Whatever it is, it won't change anything. I'd still want to marry you. The look of utter commitment in his eyes had calmed her fears. Castle had never let her down before. Surely—

"Kate?"

Her eyes popped open as Castle's voice reached her from the bedroom. She pushed herself upright as he appeared in the doorway. The sound of her name faded on his lips as he paused to take in the sight of her in his bath. A slow smile crept over his face and Kate felt a flush creeping over her that had nothing to do with the water's heat.

"Hey," he said at last, his eyes wandering over her, admiring the dark hair piled on top of her head and her shoulders, bare and glistening, hinting at delights below the frothy water.

"Hey," she answered, her voice soft. "I thought you and Alexis were having some father/daughter time."

"Her boyfriend, Ashley, called," He shrugged and took a few steps toward her, one hand working its way down his shirt front, leaving the edges gaping.

There was something about the way Castle looked at her, desire in his eyes that made her breath hitch in her throat and banished her initial disappointment at the interruption.

His shirt dangled from the waist band of his jeans, jeans that bulged in the front. She watched, fascinated, as he peeled those off too. Her heart pounded in her chest as his silk boxers fell beside them. Her gaze wandered over him from toes to shoulders, pausing at the more delectable parts. Then he reached into the medicine cabinet for a clear plastic bottle.

"What are you doing?"

"This," Castle poured a small amount into his palm, "is baby oil." She could not pull her eyes away as he applied it generously. "It has its uses as waterproof… lubricant." He caught her staring and smirked.

"Baby oil? Really, Castle?" But that was the last thing she said for a good, long while.

Much later, more bubbles appeared on the floor than in the tub but Kate was blissfully unconcerned. She lay against him, sated and relaxed and very much enjoying the sound of his heart against her ear and the slide of his hand over the smooth skin.

"Mmm." She tipped her head up for one more kiss, pushing her pruney fingers into his hair. Hers had half come down and he wrapped a wet strand around a finger.

"Kate, that was—God, this is amazing, being together here."

"Yeah?" She drew back to meet his gaze. There was something soft and vulnerable in his eyes. She brushed his cheek, not realizing that she was holding her breath, waiting to hear what else he would say.

He cupped her cheek, his thumb tracing the line of her lower lip. "Are you unpacked?" he finally asked.

"Oh!" Kate grimaced, sitting up, "Not really. I was going to hang up some clothes but I couldn't find any hangers, and…." she shrugged.

"They're probably all in the laundry room."

"Laundry room?"

"You know, the place where we do laundry?"

She rolled her eyes. "I know what a laundry room is, Castle."

"Well, the housekeeper collects and moves them when she comes. Since I've been gone—"

"There aren't any empty hangers in your closet." she finished.

"Right." He pulled her closer for another kiss. "Were you able to unpack some stuff anyway?"

She sighed. "Where would I put it, Castle?"

"In the—Oh. I need to make some space for you don't I?"

She settled against him again. "That would be great."

"My bad. I'll do that right now, well, as soon as… we get dressed." His meandering hand cupped her breast, and he planted a kiss on the top of her head, "Tomorrow, I'll—"

"Dad?"

Kate's head snapped up as Alexis's voice came from the bedroom.

"Oh, I… uh… Alexis?" he called back. "I—we're in the bath. I'll be… I'll be right-I'll just get dressed and…"

"Uh, no rush. I'll be… I'll wait in the living room," Alexis called and they heard the bedroom door close firmly.

Kate scooted out of his way as he splashed and clambered out of the tub, grabbing a towel.

Kate watched the water sheet off his finer assets and settled back into the cooling water, watching him towel dry. "Duty calls," she said nonchalantly.

"Yes, but, I am going to clear out some drawers for you tonight, so you'll have a place to put some of your things."

"Don't worry about it."

Kate rose and Castle snapped a towel off its rack and wrapped it around her, taking a moment to enjoy the feel of her in his arms, towel and all. She tilted her head to one side as he brushed kisses onto the side of her neck on his way to her mouth. The kiss was tender and slow, and she was completely distracted when it ended.

"You were saying, Kate?"

"Hmm? Oh," her brow furrowed as she retraced her thoughts. "Umm… I'm going to bed early. Maybe tomorrow we could… talk about some things." The corners of her mouth twitched, trying to smile, but failed. Her eyes followed him as he pushed his feet back through the jeans he'd abandoned earlier.

"All right, but I warn you, I've been looking forward to sharing my bed with you so… look out."

The smile materialized, warm and sweet. She helped him button his shirt. "In that case, maybe I won't bother unpacking a nightie."

He paused to kiss her again. "That might be wise," he murmured against her lips. The kiss deepened and he nibbled her lower lip before she sighed and pulled away.

"Alexis is waiting," she reminded him, dropping her towel. She watched his eyes wander over her and began removing hair pins, fluffing her hair as it came down.

"I…" he did not move for a long moment. "Alexis, right." he glanced in the mirror and smoothed his hair. He spared one last glance for his still naked wife, and headed into his office, looking for Alexis.

The Story Continues...

This story is a bit of a rollercoaster, but I wanted to deal with the rushed marriage as plausibly as possible. Fact is, it's NOT going to be a bed of roses after a rushed wedding with never having dated. There's going to be miscommunications and Kate is trying to balance her secrets so she can tell Castle at the right time, the right way... There's more to Kate's secret. Beckett's dug a mighty deep hole for herself. Digging out of it is the interesting part.

But right now? It's a mess. :)

Chapter Two is coming soon. Any favorite parts? A review would be lovely.