a/n: Hey everyone…sorry I've disappeared off the face of the Earth! Things have been crazy with the cross-country move and starting my new job. Unfortunately my writing time has suffered, but I'm working on getting into a schedule. I'll get there, one of these days! This was going to be a one-shot to get me going again, but I've decided to make it a three or four shot. It was inspired by watching Last Call last night...It has not been reviewed by the lovely burningxredxcaskett as I was hoping to surprise her. Hope you all enjoy!
I do not own Castle or the song Piano Man.
Chapter 1.
He says son can you play me a memory, I'm not really sure how it goes. But it's sad and it's sweet, and I knew it complete when I wore a younger man's clothes. Sing us a song you're the piano man, sing us a song tonight. Well we're all in the mood for a melody and you've got me feeling alright.
When he closes his eyes, his writer's brain quickly paints a picture of their little ensemble leaving the precinct, right down to the tiniest of details. Like the way her voice sounded as she finally gave in and joined the song. Or the way her eyes shone and her smile grew as she threw her arm over Esposito's shoulders. He remembers the important things. Vividly.
Sure, he was currently savoring twenty-six thousand dollar scotch, but it paled in comparison to the woman they had finally coerced into joining them.
"Castle?" the woman in question nudges him under the table with her knee. "Still with me?"
He has to squeeze his eyes shut for a moment before he's able to focus on her. Her cheeks are flushed by the alcohol and she has spent the evening laughing freely with her team and her captain. This is a lighter side to Kate Beckett than he's usually privy to. And he likes it. One could even say he l-
"Castle?" she repeats, and from the look on her face, she may have tried again to get his attention.
Ryan and Esposito have wandered towards the bar, and Captain Montgomery has headed home at the request of his wife. Right now, it's the two of them. As it should be, Castle finds himself thinking.
She looks concerned now, and he realizes he still hasn't spoken. "Uh yeah, sorry. I'm fine." He shakes his head and swirls around the amber contents of his tumbler. "Must have just spaced out."
"Mhmm," she mutters, disbelief etched in the lines of her face. "You just keep telling yourself that."
He looks at her indignantly. "I sense sarcasm, my dear detective."
Beckett rolls her eyes. "Seriously, Castle. Care to share with the class?"
He takes a deep breath and opens his mouth to speak, but snaps it shut when her phone rings.
She shoots an apologetic look his way before she slides out of the booth and towards a quieter section of the bar.
Castle's heart stops when he hears her mutter the name, Josh. How could he have forgotten about her boyfriend? Doctor Motorcycle Boy. He huffs out a breath and takes a long swig of his scotch, carefully savoring the taste as it trickles down his throat.
She's back mere moments later, pausing to lean against their table. Beckett tugs her lip between her teeth in that way that drives him completely mad and a new flush of red creeps up her cheeks.
"Thanks for the scotch, Castle. And for making me come out. It's been great, but I've got to get home." She smiles for his benefit, but he can see something there. Something lingering behind her eyes. He's a writer after all. It's his job to notice the miniscule details, especially when it comes to her.
He nods solemnly. "It was my pleasure, Detective. Pop round for a drink anytime at all."
"Pop round?" She quirks an eyebrow at him and has to stifle a laugh.
Castle narrows his eyebrows at her, but joins in on the laughter before he shrugs. "Just thought I'd try it out."
She rolls her eyes before giving him a comforting pat on his shoulder with the slightest squeeze of her fingers. His skin warms instantly, despite the two layers of clothing he's wearing.
He catches her fingers as she moves to turn away and waits until her sparkling hazel eyes meet his. "Until tomorrow, Detective."
She's still trying to hide whatever it is that happened during her phone call, but she puts on a smile for him, and manages to keep from rolling her eyes again. "Until tomorrow, Castle."
He watches her walk over to the bar to say her goodbyes, then as she makes her way to the door. He doesn't even hear the guys come back and is startled when Esposito swings an arm around his shoulders.
"You've got it bad, Man," the Latino detective tells him with a wide grin.
Castle frowns at him feigning innocence. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Ryan snorts into his drink. "Of course you don't. But, since you're sharing your scotch, I think I'll let it slide for now."
The writer smirks. "That's what I thought."
The guys carry on the majority of the conversation with Castle muttering along in agreement whenever he feels expectant eyes wandering his general direction. Luckily for him though, his friends decide to leave not long after Beckett.
"You leavin' too?" Ryan asks as the detectives stand and shrug on their coats.
Castle shakes his head and tips it towards the man playing the piano. "I think I'm just going to sit and listen for awhile."
He's oblivious to the look his friends share and is already leaning his head back against the booth to listen as they clap him on the back and say goodbye.
He doesn't even notice them leave.
As the soothing sounds of the piano continue, Castle closes his eyes and allows his mind to once again wander. He thinks about the lyrics to Piano Man. He's going to try to do as the song says and use the music as an escape. He wants to forget about life for awhile. He wants to forget that Kate Beckett just went home to Doctor Motorcycle Boy. And he wants to forget that he has feelings that grow stronger every day for a woman that will never feel the same way about him.
He wants to forget.
But he can't.
No matter how hard he tries, he can't forget.
There aren't even lyrics to the song this man is playing, and yet, it epitomizes Kate Beckett. The notes have her fluidity, if that's even possible. It reminds him of her movements - purposeful, full of authority, and yet, graceful. Everything reminds him of her.
Castle sighs heavily and opens his eyes. He drains the contents of his glass and gets up, nodding to the bartender and the piano man.
If he's going to wallow, he might as well do it in the privacy of his own home.
He tucks his beloved bottle of scotch in the crook of his arm and steps outside to hail a cab. The wind blows, sweeping around him and there's the unmistakable smell of cherries. He looks around automatically, expecting to see her, but the street is empty.
She's not there. He's alone.
He's alone and he just wants to forget.
