Hello my fellow writers! This is my first fan fiction ever and I'm really excited. I only ask three things of you. One: to give it a chance, two: to treat me as you would any other writer and three: to give honest feedback. Tell me what you like, what you don't like and even what you would have done. Now enough will all the seriousness and enjoy!

This is set at the beginning of season four but there are a few changes. Montgomery didn't die and Kate wasn't shot.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Prologue

It had all makings of a perfect day. An early Monday morning, the weather still bearable before the sweltering summer temperatures, the residents of New York all well rested from the days before.

Usually Detective Kate Beckett would walk in at some ungodly hour, relaxed and rejuvenated if she actually had a weekend to enjoy. If a murder hadn't occurred yet as was the case today, Mr. Castle would stroll out of the elevators at whatever time suited him armed with two cups of coffee. He would plop down in his chair, presenting his gift of creamy goodness and Beckett would take it. She would hold the cup with both hands inhaling the liquid's aroma, take a sip, delighting in the slow burn of the liquid running down her throat and then offer her thanks. Today of all day shouldn't be any different except that today Kate found herself staring at the empty chair which had come to be known as that of the writer himself. She sat there replaying their conversation in her head for the hundredth time. Quite frankly the whole situation was depressing.

In the early weeks of May, the precinct's resident author, Richard Castle, seemed like his usual 6yr old on a sugar rush self to most people, even Ryan, Esposito and Lanie- but Kate knew better. Castle had begun to become distant. He would still get up at the crack of dawn just to see a dead body and the crazy theories he'd spin in his web of CIA conspiracies, aliens and humanity's impending doom by other worldly threats remained a regular but his relationship with Beckett had changed and she noticed. There was a growing chasm between the two and it had a name, Josh.

It began with the flirting. The shameless flirting often initiated by one of the two parties amidst the well-known Caskett friendly banter came to a halt on Castle's side. Kate had noticed when during their usual bickering, his reactions lacked all Castle-ness. Being Katherine Beckett she wrote it off as him having an off day and didn't pursue the matter. After all, asking would give him the impression that she looked forward to it which was true but absolutely not the point.

Soon it had graduated to respecting her personal space and worst of all he no longer asked her to grab a bite or watch a movie nor would he conjure up any other excuse just to spend more time with her. Fully concerned, she had asked if he was okay and he'd said yes so again she let it go. It was only when he had asked her to talk that she wished she hadn't.

Beckett was in the break room fixing herself a cup of coffee when her partner appeared at the door. He watched her for a second, slowly building up the courage to have the conversation that would end not just their partnership but quite possibly tear them apart.

Taking a deep breath he approached her, his sweaty palms tucked in the back pockets of his blue-black denim jeans. "Hey."

"Hey," she greeted in return, glancing up at him before turning back to the task at hand.

He came to a stop next to her. "Can I..." he swallowed, mentally trying to piece together the current mess of words, formerly an eloquent speech, "can I talk to you for a second?"

The shakiness in his voice was enough to make her stop what she was doing to face him. "Sure, what's up?"

"Well," he began, nervously running a hand through his midnight brown hair, "I have been thinking."

'Uh-oh' Kate sighed inaudibly. She was tempted to voice her concern that Castle was actually thinking something over but he sounded so serious, she decided not to interrupt. It was not the time for jokes though they may have done well to lighten the mood.

"I've made a decision in regards to-well not just our partnership but my shadowing you .I-" he cleared his throat, willing the words to come out and save him the trouble of trying to cough them up, "I have decided that this is as good a time as any to end my service here...with the NYPD."

The shocked look on Beckett's face stunned him but he took a breath and continued. "I have done more than enough research to write as many Nikki Heats as is possible but hey," she could sense the change in his tone, of course he had to point out a bright side in all of this, "just because our partnership is over doesn't mean we're no longer friends. Feel free to come by the loft anytime you want, whether you it's to talk or for some insight on a case..."

He stopped, waiting for a reaction from Beckett who hadn't said anything as of yet. She just stood there staring at him, poker face in place. For a minute Castle thought he could see sadness with a hint of betrayal in her eyes but in a blink they were gone. She was biting her bottom lip, a habit he generally found adorable but at present it only made him edgier.

She opened her mouth to say something but nothing came so she merely gave a nod of understanding.

"It was nice working with you detective," he smiled earnestly.

"You too Castle," she replied, her poker-face faltering.

He eased her into a gentle hug, the scent of cherries making his senses tingle. Surprised when she returned the favour but accepting all the same, he held her tighter, attempting to place all everything he felt, all he wanted to say but couldn't into that one action.

They broke apart and took in each other for a moment, navy blue sadly regarding glistening hazel. The reality of what he just did started to hit Castle and inwardly he began to crumble so as fast as he could he left, throwing one last reassuring smile her way.

So that's the end of the prologue. Hope you liked it so far and hopefully I will have the first chapter up soon.

Your reviews will be much appreciated :D