Hello again! first of all... Happy castle day!

2nd, this is my first multi-chapter. I've written almost all of chapter 2 and i will try to update ASAP but since I start classes again tomorrow... we'll see :3 also.. reviews make me write faster ;D *hint hint*

3th, This is set after the season finale, i've not seen tonight ep but let's assume nothing of great caskett importance happens there... and by that i mean kisses and whatnot, bonding is obvious.

Also... i'm not a native English speaker and i don't have a beta so... forgive all the mistakes :D

Disclaimer: no, i don't own castle... ok? ok...

Happy reading! :3 ...

Roy was gone. He died trying to save her and now he was gone. He had a family; wife, kids, a life, and now because of her…It had been too much. Yes, they had solved her mom's murder; the DPD had been involved, the commissionaire, even some FBI agents. But at the cost of Roy's life it seemed not worth it. Now someone they've never met was going to be the new captain. She had been offered the job but she couldn't take it, didn't feel right.

After meeting the new captain she was going to take all those sick days and vacations and drive up north where her father had a cabin. She needed space and time to think.

It had been a week since his death and the new guy was due to arrive any second now. She was nervous, biting her lower lip and playing with her fingers. "Hey, are you ok?" – Her partner asked in a soft voice, worry all over his face – "Yeah, just, you know" – she offered a little smile, a nervous one – "The new boss is going to be here any second, right?" she nodded and continued to bit her lip. He placed his hand over hers and squeezed it reassuringly, she tensed for a split second before squeezing back – "I'm here if you need to talk, ok?" – He said with a sweet smile on his face – "I know".

Exactly five minutes later, on which he was still holding her hand, someone walked out of the elevator. It was a woman, early 60's, red hair, blue eyes, good figure for her age, kind face. Beckett let go of Castle's hand and got up to receive the new boss.

"Captain …"

"Detective Becket, if I'm not mistaken" – she said, smiling politely while shaking Kate's hand.

"Yes, madam, it's nice to meet you. This is my partner, Rick Castle" – she said, sensing Castle behind her.

"Mr. Castle, I'm Mary Lisbon. I've heard many things about you"

"Good things, I hope"

"Mostly" – she answered with a genuine smile.

They shook hands while Esposito and Ryan came to greet the new boss. After all the introductions were made she went to her office. Roy's old office. This was going to be hard.

The day went by with no new cases, at lunch Kate decided that it would be the perfect time to tell Castle about her plans for the summer. She knew he would try to stop her, but she needed this. Three months would be hell without him, especially after everything that happened last week, but the space would be good for them. It would give them perspective and time to heal.

They were at Remy's, their usual table, she was mostly quiet, thinking, and it was freaking Castle up.

"So, What do you think of Lisbon? She seemed nice enough"

"Uh? Sure" – she said, absent minded.

"Kate. Are you ok?" – His voice was full of concern, his eyes almost sad; she noticed when she looked up to him.

Taking a deep breath she put her thoughts in order.

"Castle, look, I know we've been through a lot, especially after this past two weeks. Losing Roy…" – she felt a lump in her throat but kept going – "What I'm trying to say is that I'm going away for the summer"

After a brief pause he asked the thing that could possibly shattered his heart to pieces.

"Oh, have you told Josh? Are you going with him?" – His voice was almost a whisper, trying not to think of last summer, but failing miserably. She saw the hurt on his features and decided it was time to tell him.

"No, we…I broke up with him after our trip to LA" – she said, softly.

"I'm sorry. You ok?" – He asked, tempting fate by placing his hand on hers and squeezing lightly before retrieving it.

"Yeah, you know that I told you that, when he stayed we had another chance?" – He just nodded – "Well, he might as well have gone to Haiti at the time. I've seen your mother more that I saw him after the whole bomb fiasco thing" – at that his jaw clenched and his knuckles turned white at the force of his fists. That idiot, he had hurt her, his Kate. Ok, not his, yet, but still. His face was red from anger and, of course, she noticed.

"Castle? What?"

Her voice calmed him down enough for him to talk.

"I'm sorry, it's just… I hate that guy! Hurting you like that…"

Could he be any sweeter? She thought

She chuckled a little, making him open his eyes a little in shock – "it is ok, Castle, but thank you for caring, it's sweet of you"

"Always, Kate, you know that" – he said, smiling a bit she smiled back.

After a moment of silence Rick spoke again.

"So, this trip…Are you going anywhere in particular?" – He asked, being his cheering normal self again.

"Up north, my dad has a cabin somewhere in Silver Creek, Minnesota"

"Are you going with Mr. Beckett?"

She laughed again, a bit louder than usual, which made him smile.

"Mr. Beckett? What are we? 12?"

"Just being polite, Becket"

"Of course, what was I thinking?" – She said, smiling.

"No, I'm going alone"

At this, his face grew serious again. He didn't want her being alone, not after everything.

"Are you sure? Don't get me wrong, I know you want your space but…"

"But, what? Castle"

"I don't think it's a good idea for you to be alone right now"

"I know, I figured as much, but I need to think things, and for that I can't have you or anybody around"

He sighed. She was right, as usual, but there was a part of him that wanted to offer going with her.

"When are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow, I'm going to talk to Lisbon today. I think I have up to 3 months on sick days and vacations stored up."

He felt like he was just kicked on the stomach. Tomorrow? Less than 24 hours and he wouldn't see her for 3 months? No way.

"Tomorrow? So… sudden"

"Yes, well, I've been thinking about it for a couple of days. You're the first one I tell, besides my dad"

He felt a little honored by that piece of information.

"Well, I can't say that I'm thrilled that you're going alone for three months to a cabin, but I understand the reasons. Still, I'm one call away if you need me. A few hours by plane at most"

"I can take care of myself, Castle, I'm a big girl"

"Oh, detective, I know that – he said, grinning like the Cheshire cat, causing an eye roll from Kate – I'm just saying…"

"I know"

…..

After finishing their lunch they went back to the precinct. Beckett went directly towards Lisbon's office, leaving Castle to play with the boys, and knocked gently. After entering she waited while Lisbon finished with a phone call.

"Detective, what can I do for you?"

"Well, I was going to ask you for vacations. I know I shouldn't, given that you've just arrived and all but…"

"It's been difficult for you, I know, and I understand. You know, I've read your file. Very impressive, I must say. And I know you have at least 5 months worth of vacation time and sick days, but I can't let you take that much time"

"I understand. Actually, I was thinking more on the lines of 2 or 3 months"

"Go ahead. Is your partner going with you?"

"Castle? Oh, no. I think he is going to shadow the boys while I'm gone"

"I'm sorry, Detective, but I can't allow that"

"What? Why?" – She asked, surprised

"The mayor gave me strict orders, Richard Castle does all the research he wants but by shadowing you. If you're not here than he isn't either"

"But, he has proven to be a great help on our cases. He shouldn't suffer because I need time off" – at this moment she was feeling a bit angry at Lisbon for being such a pain in the ass.

"You should've thought of that. I think I'm being incredibly patient with the whole writer as a partner thing. I don't like it, but I have orders and I intent to keep them. None of which says that he can follow everyone he likes out of such called research" – Her voice was cold and angry

"Now, when are you leaving?" – She said, calming down.

"Tomorrow morning" – Kate answered quietly, still too shocked to do anything else

"Ok, I guess I'll see you in 3 months. Have a good trip, Detective"- she said, smiling.

And with that the meeting was over and Kate left feeling even worse. Could she lose Castle as a partner? No, he meant too much to her. He is the best partner she could ask for, even better than Royce. She had to make Castle understand that he couldn't be with the boys for the summer.

The three of them were goofing around on Esposito's desk watching Ryan playing something on Castle's Iphone, Angry birds most likely; they had the obsession with that thing.

"Boys, could you lend me Castle for a while?" – the only response was from Esposito waving a hand dismissively and Castle slightly looking at her for a split second before going back to the game. She sighed. "Oh Castle, do you want to know more about my tattoo?" – She whispered in his ear, in a seductive voice that got Castle's attention in record time.

"Wh-What?" – His jaw was practically on the floor, all coherent thoughts gone from his brain.

"You're so easy! Come on. I need to talk to you"

"Such a tease, Beckett"

"You love it"

"That, I do" – he said, big grin plastered on his face

Giving him one of the famous Beckett eye rolls she walked to the break room, Castle not too far behind her. Once there, they sat on the couch and Rick patiently waited for her to start talking.

"You can't shadow the boys while I'm gone" – she said almost too fast for him to understand. She wasn't meeting his eyes.

"Why?" – His voice sounded hurt, she still couldn't look him in the eyes.

She explained what Lisbon told her earlier and he just listened. After finishing she finally looked and her heart sank. The look of his eyes seemed like those of a lost puppy's searching for his owner. Silence filled the room.

"And to think that I was inviting her to poker night with the boys" – he said, trying to lighten to mood.

"I can't say I blame her, she doesn't know you, Castle. She is just following orders and a writer following a cop is not exactly safe"

"But, I help!" – He responded, whining, looking like a 4 year old.

"She doesn't know that"

"Wait, Are you willingly accepting that I help?" – He asked with a big smile.

"No. That is beside the point" – she said, trying to contain a smile.

"Look, you need to stay clear from the precinct until I get back, do you hear me? She will have you stop shadowing me if we don't follow her orders to the letter"

He couldn't believe it! She was actually concerned! She wanted him to be his partner. Sure, she had said before that she was used to him pulling her pigtails but this was different. And as a bonus she wasn't with that so called human being, Josh. Maybe there was hope for a 'them' in the future, maybe even after this summer. If he were the Grinch, his heart would have just grown like 20 times its size.

"Ok, I promise I won't stop by until you are back. But I will invite the boys for Halo night, and when you get back Lisbon will learn to like me"

"That is right, she doesn't like you. Maybe your charm is wearing off; shouldn't you be worry, Castle?" - She said, grinning.

"Oh, ha ha, Detective. Just so you know, my charm is just fine, I could prove it to you if you think you could handle it" – he responded while wiggling his eyebrows.

"Down, boy, save it for Lisbon. Now I'm going packing. So, if you excuse me" – she said, getting up, but he stopped her by grabbing her wrist.

"I don't think so, Detective"

"Excuse me?" – she asked, her tone a little more hard that intended to.

"If I'm not going to see you for the next three months then I'm going to cook you dinner tonight, my place, or yours if you think it's more comfortable"

"Castle…"

"Come on, Kate, I'm not going to see you for 3 months, at least you could let me cook you dinner. Please? – His puppy dog eyes were at full power.

"Ok, fine. Come by at 6 so I have time to pack. And nothing too elaborate, ok?"

"Your wish is my command, my lady"

"Suuuure. Bye, Castle"

"Until tonight, Becket"

And with that she left for the day, keeping true to his word he left a few minutes later after saying good bye to the boys and the new boss. He had dinner plans to make.

Reviews are love! please tell me if i should continue this or forget about it!

and again Happy Castle day to all :D