So, this is more of a prologue than a chapter one, really, but at the same time it operates more as a chapter one. It's very short, but the following chapters are significantly longer.

Disclaimer: Never was mine, isn't mine, not likely to ever be mine.

Chapter One

Shadows settle on the place, that you left

Our minds are troubled by the emptiness

Destroy the middle, it's a waste of time

From the perfect start to the finish line.

Sour milk. Mouldy bread. Three missed calls from Alexis. Sweat and dirt that cling to him after three days without a shower.

And twenty-five fresh chapters of the latest Heat novel ready for emailing to Black Pawn an entire day before the deadline.

Richard Castle sank back in his chair, firmly shutting the lid of his laptop. He grinned at the prospect of getting Gina off his back and – well, showering seemed like a good place to start.

When he was buffed and dressed, the next priority was to get some half-fresh food. Grocery shopping hadn't taken precedence when he was consumed by writing. The smell of Chinese take out and pizza leftovers emanating from his rubbish bin could vouch for that.

He ventured further upstate than he'd usually go for groceries, needing a change of scenery and a break from his apartment-turned-prison. The supermarket had an odd smell, conflicted between cleaning agent and baking bread, but it was easy to navigate and he made his way around quickly.

"Richard Castle?"

He heard his name called from behind him, and tensed. It wasn't an unusual occurrence for someone to recognise him – just last week he'd been almost mobbed by a woman's book club when he made a venture to the NY Public Library – but the voice that called him now was wrong. It wasn't an excited noise to draw his attention. It was questioning, a little cold – and familiar.

Castle turned, his hand already extending.

"Jim." He gave the older man a smile and shook his hand. Jim Beckett smiled back at him – or at least, the corners of his mouth twitched.

"How are you?" Castle asked.

"Oh, good. And you?" Jim asked. He was visibly uncomfortable, making small talk for the sake of being polite.

"Well, can't complain," Castle said. "How's your daughter?"

Jim shifted, the stance he took on being something of a defensive pose. "I'm doing grocery shopping for her, actually. With her being so busy at the moment, I told her I'd help her out."

And damn it if that didn't stir memories for Castle. Kate, pretending to be asleep on a Saturday morning so Rick would go get the groceries without her. Kate, stocking up her fridge with enough cartons of Chinese food she could have opened her own take out.

Kate breaking his heart. Kate walking out.

Castle wasn't sure if it was a smile or a grimace that threatened to spread across his face at the thought of his ex, but he straightened his expression when he saw the sombre look on the man opposite "Busy with work?" Castle asked, trying to keep his voice placid.

Jim's tone was defensive. Castle realised that he was holding a grudge. But after what went down between Castle and his daughter, well... Castle couldn't blame him. He wondered if Kate's father knew the details of the death of their relationship. Death was being somewhat generous. Massacre might have been closer to reality.

"Well, with work too, I suppose, but she's stressing out," Jim said. "She wants everything to be perfect, and it's only a few weeks away –"
"What is?" Castle asked.

Jim stared at him, his eyes opened a little wide. "I thought- Did she not tell you?"
"Tell me what?" Castle asked.

"She told me she sent you an invite," Jim muttered. He sounded more like he was speaking to himself than to Castle.

"An invite to what?" Castle asked.

Jim looked straight at Castle. Jim's eyes were older, wizened by years of grief for his wife and fear for his daughter. His voice, too, was always solemn, and it made his next sentence sound like he was delivering a death sentence.

"Katie's getting married next month."

Hate it or love it, I'm dying to know what your thoughts are. Lyrics are from Youth by Daughter. Next chapter will be up within a few days. :)