Hello everyone! This is a side effect of my boring holiday... The story shows what could happen after Beckett solved her mother's murder. I don't really know why something like that pop into my head... I dreamt it!

Just a short chapter for now. If you want more, let me know in reviews. I won't continue this if no one wanna read this...

Big hugs and thanks for my Beta Reader, mampher. One more time- THANK YOU!

Disclaimer: Oh man... Girls can dream, right? But no, I do not own Castle.


CHAPTER 1

"BRAVE NEW WORLD"

"Take a few days off, Detective." Victoria Gates said, standing beside her desk with a bossy look on her face. After a few hours, Kate finally filled her in on every detail of her mother's murder. Even the parts with Montgomery weren't left out. Gates hadn't been happy, but she'd understood.

"No, Sir. I've just got back… I'm fine, really." Kate Beckett answered quickly. The lie would work if she'd be a better actress, but she wasn't. The dark circles under her eyes and pale face spoke louder.

"It wasn't a request, Beckett. Go home, get some rest, be with your family." Captain hinted with light, almost ruthful smile. It seemed like Beckett's insubordination was long forgotten. "I don't wanna see you here till next Monday. Then, you'll be put on desk duty for a month. It's not dependent on me, it's protocol."

"Oh... I understand, Sir. And I just want to apologize for…" Kate muttered. She was ashamed of her earlier behavior. This woman here really didn't deserve that kind of treatment.

"No need to. I know that you all out there still think that I'm some kind of monster sent to you as a punishment or something, but we are all cops. And I am able to understand your behavior. I'm not saying that you can do whatever you like…but sometimes we just can't act responsibly."

"Thank you, Sir. But after all, I'm still sorry." Kate replied and back out the door. As she was almost out of the room, Gates called after her.

"Kate?" Beckett turned surprised hearing her first name fell from Gates mouth. "Congratulations."

"Thank you, Sir."

..::~::..

After she got back to her desk, Kate sat on the chair, sighing heavily. She truly felt exhausted, even though deep inside she'd never felt so free and light. Her mother finally could rest in peace. She could live fully. With Castle. She still could feel his touch from that night all over her body. Smile appeared on her face unknowingly. She had made love with Castle! He still loved her and they could be with each other now. Nothing stood on their way.

"Yo, Beckett, are you with us?" Espo waved in front of her face. She jumped surprised. "You dozed off."

"Oh, sorry. What's up?" She asked and took a sip of her long gone cold coffee.

"Really? What's up? Beckett, you've just solved your mother's murder..." Ryan broke in.

"I know guys. I am really thankful for your help, but it's not like I'm going to keel over… I'm fine. Run-down but fine. But if you must know, Gates gave me a few days off, so I am heading out now, OK?" Kate replied deeply touched by the boy's brotherly concern.

"And you agreed to that? WOW! Who are you, chica?"

"Well, I tried, but it's not like I have a choice…" Beckett chuckled. "Anyway, have you seen Rick… Eh, Castle?"

"Now it's Rick, huh?" Ryan teased. She glared at him. Oh, if looks could kill… "Uh, when you were at Captain's, Castle said he's heading home. We assumed you knew…"

"Oh…" Beckett sighed. He had gone out without saying goodbye to her? It was weird. He'd acted a little bit off, but she'd thought it's normal. After all of this, he had right to be disoriented and shocked…

"Yeah. I don't even wanna know how he must feel right now… It's like some creepy movie." Esposito flinched. "Well, after normal circumstances he would be on and on about this… But…"

"Javi, just stop. It'd be better for all of us to just forget about all of this, ok? I check on him on my way home, so you don't have to worry 'bout your boyfriend, guys." She teased, trying to sound convincingly.

"I could argue about whose boyfriend we're talking about…" Espo started.

"Very funny…"

"Oh, c'mon! You were at Castle's at 4 in the morning! You can't deny it! We saw you two!" Ryan smiled at her cockily.

"Zip it! I'm going. See you on Monday, boys!" Beckett waved goodbye, unable to suppress a big grin as she headed to the elevator.

Her grin didn't fade away all the way to the Castle's loft. Why? She was happy! Kate finally could say that she was fully happy. Her mother's murderers won't get away with what they had done for sure. She had amazing friends. Castle took her back and gave them a chance. She had a family. Besides, she had her beloved job back. What else could she want?

One last time Kate smiled to herself and happily knocked at Castle's door.


So... Love it? Hate it? Someone wanna read more?

61 days till 'After the Storm'! Yay!