Kate was alone. She felt more alone now then when her Mother first died. Her life changed then dramatically, and now it feels similar. He is gone. It was what she wanted, wasn't it? He crossed the line, her imaginary line that years built. Unforgivable, yet why was she so sad? She lost him. Before she met him, he was just the author who helped her. Faceless, yet in her dreams, he saved her and helped her keep a promise she made to her mother on her grave. She would never stop. She would find out who did this, who destroyed her family, changed her view of the world, took the color out and made everything appear in hues of grayscale. She would find them. Then why was she so mad at Castle? All he did was try to help her. He wanted to work with her to fulfill the promise. Yet, he didn't even know about the promise she made. Maybe it is because deep down they are both alike in some ways. They both fiercely protect those they love. Her protection built a wall that let no one inside. Even her father over these years had to struggle to be allowed inside Kate's wall. When would she allow Castle back? Could she?
She needs to go away for awhile. Lainey called and asked if she wanted to drive to the shore. She hesitated but then said yes. With Lainey she could just be herself and not explain or feel threatened. Lainey knew what subjects to avoid and how far to push Kate. They were friends forever. Both met in the Academy but Lainey chose another route.
Yes, the shore with Lainey may heal her sadness and allow her to consider where Castle is right now in her life, if anywhere.
Lainey arrives at Kate's apartment, "Let's go girlfriend, time is awaiting", says Lainey. "Yeah yeah yeah, Lainey, hold on I was at the station until just about an hour ago, a girl can't pack in an hour you know?" "What's to pack, Kate? grab a swimsuit, your jeans, flip flops, a few T shirts, unders and we're off!" "OK, Kate says, I am ready now little Miss Impatient!" Kate smiles at Lainey and they walk out of her apartment ready to breathe in the ocean air and help to clear Kate's mind.
The car ride was like relaxing, they were like two college co-eds on a field trip. They chatted, laughed and sang songs on the radio like the old days! They were loud and off key, but Lainey had made Kate laugh. That was no small chore these days.
Once they arrived at the shore, they made their way to the house Lainey rented for the weekend. They dropped off their bags and Kate spoke first, "Lainey I think I am going to walk along the beach, care to join me?" Lainey jumps up and takes her shoes off. They walk out the patio doors to the beautiful sandy beach.
Lainey walks ahead and Kate lags behind, throwing seashells into the ocean and seeming a mile away. Lainey plops onto the beach "When are you going to break down and talk to the man?" "I can't yet." Beckett answers quietly.
"Do you know that Esposito gave him the file 3 months ago?" "Beckett appears startled."3 months ago, how do you know?" Lainey answers, "Esposito and I were working the last case in the morgue. He has been feeling so guilty over this because he asked Castle not to tell anyone who gave the file to him. Castle never told you that, even when you were angry. When you told him you never wanted to see him again for going against your wishes, he could have told you right then and there, but he promised Esposito."
Beckett speaks, "He looked at the file 3 months ago. The night I told him, I bet." Lainey replies, "You know that means, He didn't disobey your wishes. He was trying to help you." Kate realizes Lainey is right and looks a bit sheepish.
"Here's my two cents Katy, you need to talk this over with him. You need to apologize!" "APOLOGIZE, for what" Kate says a little too loud. "For assigning him motives that were never his. Did Will ever help you look into your Mom's murder?" Kate shakes her head, "no" "Just as I thought. Castle cares about you Kate, it is killing him that he hurt you." "And just how would you know all this smarty pants?" Kate teases her friend, "Because I talked to him the other day and he told me, right before he told me that he was going to his house on Long Island. The house that is right at the end of that pier."
A shocked look crosses Kate's face. She looks at Lainey and tears form, "You planned this all along. Thank you, Lainey. Now tell me what to say to him."
Lainey looks Kate squarely in the eyes, smiles softly as she answers, "Speak from your heart Kate, work the words I'm sorry in, and for goodness sake kiss the man or I will, girl!" They both laugh and it is the first sign Lainey has that Kate's resolve has cracked.
Kate begins walking toward the house at the end of the pier. Her friend, as she looks back, is dancing in the waves barefoot smiling, and Kate thinks, "It is good to have friends like Lainey and Castle. I just hope it isn't too lateā¦."
