He knows he shouldn't let it bother him but he can't help it. He though they were getting closer, he thought there was something between them. She stayed with him for over a week while searching for a new apartment. There were dinners and movie marathons together… subtle looks and glances, hell he even got her to join in on his and Alexis' laser tag matches. He even turned down the advances of a Hollywood actress when Ellie Monroe all but offered herself up on a silver platter.

But here he has been for most of today grinning and bearing it as Kate Beckett acts like a love struck teenager flirting this Robbery Detective – Tom Demming right in front of him. Does she think that little of him? Has all their flirting and banter meant nothing. And then her response to him after Demming invited her to join him on his interview with Fred Cana.

"What can I do?"

"You could watch."

Like he hasn't been by her side the last 2 years. He hasn't helped her find justice for others, hasn't saved her life on numerous occasions. Like he is nothing more than an observer… the anger flares inside of him and he can't help it as he comments a lot louder then he intended
"Two weeks ago, I saved your life twice."

That has her stopping mid stride on her way to the interrogation room, turning to face him "What did you say?"

Usually here he would try to cover his misstep with some joke but not this time. He stands taller as her squares up to her and replies "You heard me Beckett."

She is shocked and somewhat irritated that he has the nerve to question her when she is in the middle of an investigation. She glares back at him and responds "What the hell does that me?"

Not backing down "It means for the last 2 years I have been your partner" pointing towards the interrogations room he continues "but Captain America shows up and you're acting like some love sick school girl."

Her defensive nature comes to the front and before she can stop herself she practically yells "partner, you were never my partner Castle. I never wanted you as a partner… you used your connections to weasel your way into my life. And who the hell are you to question me about my professionalism. I'm not the one with my face plastered all over page 6 every other day with some bimbo." She should stop there but she pissed off, no one questions her about her professionalism "It amazes me Alexis turned out the way she is with a father like you."

And then she sees it the hurt that flashes across his face. She knows no matter his public persona, Castle is a good father. She witnessed it first hand when she was allowed access into his private life while staying with them. At the very least she needs to apologize for her last remark. But just as she is about to speak she watches his face change from the flash of hurt to a stone cold expression. She looks around and finds that they have attracted the attention of everyone on the floor. Even Demming has come out of interrogation and caught most of the show.

She readies herself for Castle's backlash but it never comes. Instead he calmly replies "My apologies for forcing myself into your life. Thank you for everything".

Beckett tries to comment but he continues with "we're through, I'm done." Then turns walking towards her desk to retrieve his coat. Stopping only once to shake Ryan and Esposito's hands before leaving via the elevator.

She watches the whole scene unfold, frozen in place unable to move, talk, anything to stop him from leaving. She may not have shown it but Castle does mean something to her. There has been no one else who has done the things he has done for her expecting nothing in return. She was just afraid to put herself out there and risk getting hurt again. She knew things were changing between them and it scared her. That was one of the reasons she hurried up to find a new apartment and move out of the loft. The reason she began flirting back with the robbery detective. Richard Castle is this rich, handsome, famous author and she is just a cop.

As Castle exits the elevator and makes his way out of the precinct he lets out the breath he was holding and releases the rage her felt. He is used to people taking shots at him, come on as a somewhat celebrity he is immune to it. But what gave her the right to bring Alexis into it and question his parenting after allowing her a free pass into his private life. Where he could let down his guard and just be himself, not the public persona he puts on to sell books. That was the final straw. How could she after everything they have been through together. Everything he has done was to show her that there is more to him and that he was trying to show that she meant more to him than a conquest.

Maybe it's better this way. Better to find out now than when he bares all of himself and once again gets hurt just like he did with Kyra, Meredith, and Gina. He loved all three in a different way but it still damaged him when they ended.

He decides that instead of a cab or calling his car service, he'll just walk. It might help him clear his mind and decide what to do next. He was just glad that Roy was at 1PP and did not have to witness their yelling match. When he gets home he will write a gracious letter to his friend the mayor, Captain Montgomery, the 12th and the M.E. Office thanking them for all the assistance they have given him. He will take his family up to the Hamptons for the summer and he will continue to write the Nikki Heat books. He learned his lesson writing Storm and no matter how much it might hurt, he did gather enough information to write 50 books on her if he wanted too.

AN: Had this story pop into my head a while ago and finally decided to start writing it. Should I continue?