CHAPTER 1

"Richard! How's that book of yours coming along?" Gina called from outside.

"I'm working on it!" Castle yelled back, clearly annoyed with his publisher/ex-wife. Why oh why did I ever invite her here?, Richard Castle thought to himself…although he already knew the answer. Detective Beckett, his lovely muse, and as he liked to call her, his partner in crime, had run off with Detective Demming. Maybe he pushed Beckett a little more with Elle Monroe but he couldn't help himself. And he thought the best way to get over the whole Demming debacle was to get away for the summer. Of course, he didn't want to go alone. And while Alexis was off at Princeton and Beckett was probably enjoying some time away from him there was no one left to go with. Until Gina called that night and they talked and talked…just like old times. He quickly invited her to come with him…big mistake. After about two days with the woman he quickly remembered why she was his ex-wife. But what could he do about it? Beckett was happy and that was what mattered. Demming was a good guy and she deserved that. He often witnessed the two giggling and flirting with each other. He usually looked away, but while you can close your eyes to the things you don't want to see…you can't close your heart to the things you don't want to feel. But right now what he felt was annoyed. He went to the Hamptons to relax and have a good time…but good times and relaxing aren't exactly Gina's style. He had spent all his time so far planted in front of the computer trying to finish Naked Heat. But he was drawing a blank, something just wasn't right.

"Well could you possibly try working a little faster?" Gina answered. Making her way to kitchen where Rick sat, staring at his laptop screen.

"You can't rush genius," Rick said. "And it doesn't help that I'm out here away from my inspiration. How am I supposed to write without my muse?"

"Well you could try using your imagination."

"Imagination is overrated. Besides isn't that what Barney always says?"

"I can't take you anymore! All you've been doing since we've gotten here is moped around going on about that little detective of yours and how much you love her. We haven't even had sex once since we've been here!"

"Hey! I do not love Beckett. I care about her but I do NOT love her!" Do I?, he thought to himself. No…Beckett? I can't love Beckett she's with Demming. Although she is so beautiful and we balance each other out. And I love being around her, pulling her pigtails and getting her to smile and laugh and…oh my God. I'm in love with Kate Beckett. What the hell am I supposed to do now?

"Sure, sure if that's what helps you sleep at night. But I am apparently of no use to you so I'm leaving." she said as she went to her room to gather her things.

"Ok, bye." Rick called after her, lost in his own thoughts.

CHAPTER 2

Kate Beckett sat in her new apartment. Staring at the ceiling. How could he do this to me? After all we've been through. Although maybe it wasn't really his fault. Oh shit this time it really is my fault. Damnit I should've said something sooner. If I had just realized I loved Castle a little sooner none of this would've happened and-wait. Love? Since when do I love Rick Castle? He's an annoying little nine year old boy trapped inside a man's body. But then again he's so sweet at times and he helps me loosen up more and I even admitted he makes my job more fun not to mention he's extremely good looking. Oh crap. I'm in love with Richard Castle.

It was a fact. Despite all the bad things he's done she loves Rick Castle. Even after opening her mom's case he walked right up to her and apologized. And she'd forgiven him! He made her job so much more fun. He even started to back off when he realized her and Demming could get serious. And she eventually started to notice that things were changing between them since Demming…and not in a way she liked it. He had walked over being his usual self, she thought anyway. Until she realized that he only had one cup of coffee. He always brought her coffee. So she ended things with Demming. And she was about to tell Castle everything when his blonde ex-wife publisher waltzed up and turned everything to mush.

She didn't know what to do so she called Lanie.

"Hey girl, you doin' ok?" Lanie asked when she answered the phone.

"I-I think I love him." Kate whispered hesitantly.

"I'll be right there." Lanie said immediately and hung up.

About 20 minutes later Lanie arrived at Beckett's new apartment. It had taken her a while to find a new one since the bomb blew up her old one but she found one.

"Hi." Beckett said when Lanie arrived.

"Hi what's going on? You finally realized you're feelings for writer boy and don't know what to do with them?"

Kate just nodded.

"Well go get him!"

"What?" Kate looked up, confused.

"Get off your ass and go tell him."

"Lanie, you know he's in the Hamptons right?"

"Yes I know that! Get up and go find him and tell him that you love him! My God you make everything so complicated."

"It is complicated! I can't just get up and walk up to him and be like 'Hey Castle, I know you think I'm with Demming and you're with Gina but I realized I love you.'"

"Why not?"

Kate shot the M.E. an exasperated look.

"Aw come on I watch you two all the time. He loves you too. And I seriously doubt he's gotten over you by spending his time with Gina.

"Lanie, I don't even know where he's staying."

"So call Martha or Alexis. I'll bet Ryan and Esposito know too."

"Ugh. Fine." Beckett finally said.