AU: A Deadly Game
Castle tried one last time to get Beckett to accept his invitation to the Hamptons. She of course has turned him down stating that she has to work that weekend and had used up all of her leave finding a new apartment. Just then Castle notices Detective Tom Demming approaching.
Hey, Demming.
Hey, Hey Castle.
Castle then turns away trying to give Kate some privacy.
Demming approaches Kate: So you know that little place in Ashbury I was telling you about, around the corner from our beach house?
Mm-hmm.
Well, they just had a reservation open up on Friday. If we leave early enough, we could probably make it.
Yeah, um…. Will you let me check into it?
Great, I'll see you later.
Beckett turns back and looks at Castle.
Beach House? Thought you were working this weekend.
Yeah, I'm sorry, Castle. I should've just told you. I just didn't want things to be… awkward between us. Now that Tom and I are… Together.
After a pause where they both looking disheartened, Castle speaks first:
No, I get it, yeah. No, you want your private life to be private.
Yeah, I-I just don't—I don't want anyone to feel uncomfortable.
Beckett then starts walking away heading towards her desk.
No, of course not. No I mean… actually, that makes what I was going to say a little easier… Um… well, with my book due, I was thinking (walking towards Beckett and now standing in front of her) it'd be a good time for us to take a break.
A Break?
Yeah, well, God knows, you got to be tired of me following you around all the time, and I really do need to get some work done. With everyone gone, I figure, why not just stay up in the Hamptons, you know? Get away from the city for a while.
Well, for how long?
The summer at least. I thought that this would be our last case.
She looks devastated. Just then Ryan and Esposito approach…
(Ryan) So, uh, we… (Castle sits back in his chair, while Beckett regroups and turns to face them)
(Esposito) Everything OK?
(Castle) Great.
(Beckett) Yeah, fine. Uh, what'd you guys find?
(Ryan) Surveillance stills from the bus locker. Your Long Island housewife was right. Roger picked up the briefcase from locker 27B shortly before 10 pm.
(Beckett) Great.
(Esposito) You don't want to know who put it in there?
(Beckett) Oh, yeah. I'm sorry. Yeah (Esposito hands Kate the surveillance photo)
(Castle) That's Roger's handler from Spy-Ventures. He said the briefcase wasn't part of the game, so why is he putting it in Roger's locker.
(Beckett) And why did he lie?
(Castle) Exactly.
Beckett turns back to the boys, pick him up and bring him in for questioning. She turns back around to ask Castle something and notices him just staring at the ground… deep in thought. Is everything O.K. Castle?
Actually, if you don't mind I think I am going to head home.
What? Why? (Something is definitely wrong, he would never leave in the middle of a murder investigation… he would never leave her)
I'm sorry; I just have a lot of things I need to get in order before this weekend… besides I think you and the boys can handle this interview without me. See you tomorrow.
Yeah, see you tomorrow.
Castle then gets up and proceeds to the elevator without looking back, Beckett staring at him the whole way wondering what just happened.
An hour later Ryan and Esposito return with Roger's handler placing him in the box before fetching Beckett and Castle. As they approach they see Beckett sitting alone at her desk with a puzzled expression on her face. Ryan speaks first: Handler's in the box. She just silently nods. Then Esposito: Where's Castle?
He left.
Ryan is the first to respond: What do you mean he Left? Followed by Esposito's: What's going on Beckett?
Look guys, I will let tell you everything, but first let's interview Roger's handler and find out what he has to say.
As soon as Castle exits the precinct, he lets out a breath he did not even realize he was holding. He hates the fact that he is leaving right in the middle of an investigation, but did not think he would really be of any assistance after finding out Beckett's going away for the weekend with Demming. He admits to being jealous after Deeming showed up a couple of weeks back to help with an investigation. He was good friends with Esposito from his days at the 54th and Beckett took an immediate interest in him. He was fooling himself when he thought once the case was over the robbery detective would be history. Instead Demming kept showing up… drinking coffee and talking with Beckett at her desk, going out to lunch with Beckett, building theory with Beckett and last but not least kissing Beckett.
Before Mr. Wonderful showed up, Castle really thought his relationship with Beckett was heading somewhere. The more time they spent together the more he knew he was falling for her. He really thought that she felt it too. Telling him she enjoyed having her pig tails pulled - how he makes her job fun, getting upset when he was going to take the 007 offer, Jealousy over re-uniting with Kyra, and of course the whole building theory with Shaw.
Being a writer you would figure it would be easy for him to let her know what she meant to him… but that was not the case. He figured actions speak louder than words… after all he gave up one hundred thousand dollars of his money for a chance for her to catch her Mom's killer, he gave up a once in a million life time opportunity to write about a certain British agent (his boyhood dream), and then there was the Dunn case – spent all night on her couch making sure she was safe, rushing to her apartment and breaking down her door after the explosion, letting her stay with him until she found a new apartment, shooting the gun out of Dunn's hand just as he was about to kill her, having her father watch repaired, and inviting her into his family (other than Meredith and Gina no other woman has been not only brought into his home but also been accepted mother and daughter).
Maybe it didn't really matter what he did…. She could only see him as the playboy featured on page 6. There was only one thing left to do … bow out. He would go to the Hamptons, finish Naked Heat and then move on never setting foot in the 12th again. But first he needed to clear his head and finish this last case. Instead of calling his car service he decided to walk to the loft.
After the interview, Beckett motions the boys over to the break room closing the door behind them. She doesn't know how to sugar coat it so she just tells them – Castle informed me this will be his last case. Before they can respond she holds up her hand and continues…. He is going to the Hamptons for the summer to get caught up on his writing and complete his latest book.
To say they were shocked was an understatement. Although he was just a writer, Ryan and Esposito had become close with Castle. They saw him as a friend and partner, and after watching him and Beckett together – knew there was another reason and it did not have to do with writing.
After their conversation, Beckett let them know she was going down to see Lanie. Esposito turned to Ryan… look I like Demming from our days at the 54th, but can't she see what is right in front of her? Remember how she was before Castle came around – always serious, the job was her life, no fun… we both know he is bowing out so that she will be happy. So, what can we do Ryan asks? Esposito thinks for a minute: Beckett and I have been friends for a long time – later when it dies down and it is just the two of us I am going to try a get through to her.
As Beckett enters the morgue, Lanie turns and looks over at her. You know I don't have anything new regarding your case. I know I just needed to talk to you she says looking around to make sure no one else was in the area. O.K. Lanie says what has Castle done now? Beckett's response is just a sigh. This is our last case Lanie.
What do you mean your last case?
He's leaving.
For good?
He said it was for the summer so he can get caught up on his writing.
Don't tell me you believe that for one minute.
I don't know, everything seemed like it was going just great and then today he tells me he thinks this would be a good time for a break.
Mm-hmm.
What's that supposed to mean?
Kate, if you want to tell yourself that writer-boy is leaving because he is behind on his book… go ahead, but you and I both know that is not the real reason.
I'm going to go….
Lanie just shakes her head…. I don't know why she just won't open her eyes and see that he is crazy about her.
Castle arrives at the loft. Just as he enters the door Martha is on the other side about to leave for the night. Richard your home early… is everything OK?
Fine mother, I just had some stuff I needed to take care of before this weekend.
She doesn't believe him, but decides against forcing the issue. By the way Patterson called and wanted me to inform you he is going to clean your clock tonight.
Damn, he forgot all about the poker match tonight. Part of him wants to call it off… he is in no mood to listen to Patterson rag on him once again about spending too much time with his detective and not enough writing books. Instead he tanks his mother and tries to get himself focused.
During their poker match, Castle informs Connelly, Connell and Patterson of the case he is working on. Patterson tells him he is looking in the wrong place. The murder has nothing to do with the spy game other than it gave the killer the opportunity to act. Connell tells him there are only three reasons to commit a murder: Love, Money, and to cover up a crime. Once he is done thinking about this theory… all three writers tease him about writing one book a year and tell him he needs to spend less time hanging around his cop friend. She is more of a distraction than a muse. The only thing he can tell them is they are right… he has got everything out of that relationship he is going to get.
After finishing up and seeing his writing friend off, Castle sits in his study nursing his glass of scotch. Just then his phone goes off… without looking at who is calling he answers: Castle.
Richard why have you been ignoring my phone calls?
Look Gina, I really don't feel like getting into this now.
No Richard, you listen to me… we both know it is because you are way behind on your manuscript while playing cops with your pretty detective.
He takes a deep breath and lets it out… You no longer have a say in what I do… you gave up that right after the divorce. I will finish Naked Heat before the end of the summer and I better not here another word from you… is that clear.
Do whatever the hell you want Richard, just make sure I get my manuscript.
Back at the station Beckett is standing in front of the murder board when Esposito approaches.
So, Castle's last case huh?
Mm-hmm.
Ryan and I thought we would do a little going away party.
Yeah, well it's not like he is leaving forever.
You sure about that? Why do you think he has been following you around all this time? What? Research? The guy has done enough research to write 50 books. Look, whatever the reason is – I'm pretty sure it doesn't include watching you be with another guy.
Esposito then walks away leaving Beckett to think about what he said.
Later Beckett is sitting at her desk staring at Castle's empty chair, waiting for Tom so they can go out to dinner. She picks up her phone and calls him. Hey it's Kate, I know you are supposed to head up here in a little while for us to go out, but I not really feeling in the mood.
Well, how about we just pick something up and head to your place?
I really don't think I would be much company she tells him. I got a lot going on (and she is not just talking about the case).
I could help get your mind off things.
Tom, what part of I what I just said do you not understand?
Sorry, I'll just talk to you tomorrow.
With that over with she heads to her apartment, the only thing on her mind a hot bath, glass of wine and Castle.