A/N: Here's the follow up of sorts to "The Way I Loved You," this one is based on "Just Pretend" by Elvis. Um, it turned out a little differently to what I was expecting, but hopefully it's still ok. Hope you enjoy! :)
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Just Pretend
~*~
But now I know it was wrong to go
I belong here by your side
And I'll come flying to you, oh yes
All the crying is through
Oh, I will hold you and love you again
But until then, well just pretend
~*~
It didn't take Castle very long to realise that he'd made a mistake.
Kate Beckett may have been a distraction when he was in the city, but when he was in the Hamptons? It was even worse.
All he could think about was her: how she was going, what she was doing...who she was with.
Demming, he thought bitterly. That would be who she was with.
He sighed and continued his attempts to build a fort out of his stationary set; he had just set up his ruler as a trebuchet when Gina walked into the room.
She put her hands on her hips in a sad imitation of the annoyed look Beckett used to give him.
"What are you doing?" she demanded.
Castle winced a little, her voice held none of the underlying amusement that Beckett's did when she caught him in these sorts of situations. "Research," he replied smoothly, pretending to be intent on his task, "building things helps me to think."
Gina didn't look convinced but let it slide as she came over to peer at what he'd written on his computer screen. She pursed her lips.
"Rook is spending too much time just sitting around and watching Nikki," she stated flatly, still skimming the page. "A lengthy description of Nikki Heat is completely unnecessary," she looked down at him, "people aren't going to care about the way her eyes catch the light or that secretive smile she gets when she's cracked a case."
"I care," Castle muttered.
Gina looked down at him and frowned, "This is not Richard Castle and Kate Beckett, Rick! I did not bring you here to brood; I brought you here to write. Now stop feeling sorry for yourself," she commanded as she left the room, "if you're pining that much for her just pick up the phone," she muttered.
Castle winced again as she slammed the door behind her.
He eyed the phone on his desk thoughtfully.
Perhaps he should call her, just to chat. They were friends; he was allowed to call her up for a chat.
Quit stalling, he admonished himself. His hand inched towards the phone, before he abruptly pulled it back.
He needed to think of an excuse to call her, something to do with the novel. He glanced at the screen, which would mean he'd actually have to write something worth calling her about.
Moving his makeshift fort out of the way, he pulled the computer towards him and began to write. Every so often he glanced across at the phone.
No, Kate Beckett wasn't a distraction; she was his muse. She may not be directly inspiring his story now, but she was the motivation behind it.
The sooner he finished the book, the sooner he'd get back home to her.
He paused in his typing as he considered that thought, before he shrugged, home was where the heart is right? Well, his heart was with Beckett.
He just wished he'd told her that before he left.