A Different Road Taken: Chapter 2

AN: Thank you to all of you who dropped your thoughts on the story so far. I don't want to give much away, but I will agree that some of this is out of character and out of canon – but I suppose that is my point here. I've always thought there was more than one way to point these two incredible characters in the right direction, so I hope you enjoy this different journey.

DISCLAIMER: None of these characters are mine, but they are memorable. Thank you Mr. Marlowe.

Day 91: Mid-August 2011

It has been roughly three months since her shooting. Three months since she last saw Castle. Now, on this hot, mid-August afternoon, Kate Beckett finds herself standing in the foyer area at Precinct 12, staring at her empty desk in the distance. She smiles briefly to herself. This is home. This is where she belongs, where her friendships have been forged. She stares at her empty desk, and of course, her gaze wanders to the empty chair next to her desk. Castle's chair.

Before she can process things further, her thoughts are interrupted by a break-out of cheers in the precinct, as fellow detectives and officers notice her presence. Three months away from the office is a long time, and even longer under her circumstances. The cheers hearten her further. Even more than the return to her apartment, returning here feels like home. The feeling surprises her. She smiles to her co-workers as she makes her way sheepishly to her desk.

Detectives Kevin Ryan and Javier Esposito are next to her desk, waiting for her. They are smiling, happy to see their good friend, but they are also a bit surprised. She's come back early.

"Hey Beckett, what are you doing here?" asks Ryan. "You can't come back until next week."

"Yeah, well sitting there listening to crickets in my dad's cabin was driving me nuts," she replies with a half-hearted smile.

Esposito offers her a half-mocking smirk. "Ok, you don't have to make excuses", he says. "We know you missed us."

The three detectives meet with their eyes. They've worked together for a long time, and further words aren't necessary. They know each other, they feel each other and immediately – and comfortably – fall into business mode.

"So . . . anything?" she asks them.

Ryan shakes his head. "Still no word."

They discuss the groundskeeper from the cemetery, but they tell her he's a ghost - can't be found. They didn't get any face hits on surveillance, or from license plates. The only good news was finding some DNA samples on the weapon, but unfortunately the good news stopped there. No matches were found in the system. Essentially, they've got nothing. Nada. Zip.

The news is disheartening, to say the least. She had come back hoping for – at a minimum – some clues and solid leads that her friends would have been following up on. Best case? Ok, it would have been a stretch to hope to see the case solved and closed, but she could dream, right?

As it stands, her feelings go from frustrated to somewhat frightened in a quick moment. There is someone who has tried to kill me . . . and he or she is still out there. Three months have passed by and they are no closer to finding the shooter, much less who may have hired the shooter. Those helpless and hopeless feelings that she worked so hard at her dad's cabin to obliterate are resurfacing with a vengeance right now.

She walks away from Esposito and Ryan to the break area to get herself a coffee. The guys follow her, making small talk along the way. There's a new captain; Victoria Gates. She learns that they call her Iron Gates, and she cut her teeth in Internal Affairs.

Oh, that's just great she thinks. There's already the sad-to-admit trust issues she is facing after learning the involvement of Captain Montgomery in her mother's case. Roy Montgomery – boss, mentor, friend. He was all of those things to Detective Beckett, and he was much more that she didn't know about until just recently.

So no, having a new boss from Internal Affairs is far from comforting. This day just keeps getting better she thinks to herself. I came back early for this. Maybe I should have stayed home till next week . . . taken all of my time off.

Her thoughts – as they return to the desk area - are interrupted as she hears Ryan comment, "She's all by the book, that one."

Kate Beckett takes another glance at the empty chair next to her desk. Castle's empty chair. That explains – and confirms for her - why he isn't here. A no-nonsense, totally-by-the-book captain most likely wouldn't allow for some famous author playing cop. She mentions aloud, to neither of her friends in particular:

"I suppose by the book means no need for our world-famous author tagging along at crime scenes." Both Esposito and Ryan notice her second glance at Castle's empty chair. Becket continues, this time looking at Esposito as she questions him.

"So, how is Castle? I don't' assume he has been around much."

Now it is her friends turn to glance at each other. Neither wants to speak up, and it is as if they don't know where to start. No leads, a new captain, and now she can tell by their hesitation that the bad news isn't over. She repeats her question.

"How is Castle?"

"You don't know?" asks Esposito, still exchanging glances with Ryan as though he might offer some assistance.

"Know what?" Beckett asks.

"Castle didn't call you?" Ryan interjects.

Now she's worried. That butterfly fluttering around the pit of her stomach has just found some friends. She is hoping that her concern isn't showing on her face.

"What's going on?" she asks. "Where is Castle?!"

She's almost demanding now, as she locks eyes first with Ryan and then with Esposito, and then back to Ryan, as both men shrink from her gaze.

"He's gone, Kate", Esposito finally states. "I told you. I thought you understood."

"I don't think he's coming back", Ryan adds.

. . . . . . .

First Flashback: 75 Days Ago in Late May 2011

It's been just over two weeks since the shooting. Two weeks since he left her - and his heart - in the hospital. The two weeks have been busy.

What could have been – what he would have sworn just thirty days ago would have been his biggest heartbreak has actually become liberating for him. In an instant, with few words and even less emotion, Kate Beckett has set Richard Castle free. That moment of self-awareness when he realized that his feelings for her were – in fact – not reciprocated, was huge. This was a one-way love affair, and as an author he knows how badly those can end. There is rarely a happy ending with these particular stories and when there is, it is far from believable.

The first conversation with his mother that day after leaving the hospital was absolutely cathartic. The second conversation, later that evening, with his high school daughter, was a wee bit more difficult. He's the one who needs the massive life-change, not her. After explaining to her what had happened – and he does this because she is far wiser and mature beyond her years – she surprises him yet again with her maturity and willingness to do anything – anything at all – for the good of her dad.

"I just know I have to get away, Alexis. I have to do something new, something different. I know I can make a difference."

He says this with extreme confidence because he has three things he sees as necessary to impact other people's lives.

First, he wants to. He has that desire. It somewhat surprises him until he thinks back on the past three years.

And that is the second thing necessary - He has life experiences that have shaken him, hit him at his core, and stayed with him.

A young model killed by a boyfriend – who she trusted.

A young nanny killed by a fellow nanny – a friend who she trusted.

A child abduction masterminded by her mother – who she trusted.

The past three years have shown him time and time again the tragic horrors inflicted on women by people they trust – and we aren't even talking about abusive husbands.

It has put something inside him – a desire to do something to help these women before fatal tragedy strikes them – to give them better options.

And then there is that all important third element: Money. This he has in spades. To say that he has millions is an understatement. Money has never been a problem for him, as an adult. Now he thinks he can find something worthwhile to do with his desires, and his experiences, and his money. As he shares these thoughts with his daughter, he can see the proud sparkle in her eyes, as she is watching her dad grow up before her eyes.

"What will you do, Dad?" she asks.

"I'm not sure yet, pumpkin," he responds. "But I have some ideas."

The problem is, what he wants to do will affect Alexis, also. It will affect her big-time. He tells her he needs a change of scenery; more than that, he needs a life-change. And he thinks a change might be good for her also. She has many options for college. Here in the city, across the country on the west coast, and across the big pond. Getting away from New York City and seeing something new might do her good as well. Surprisingly, he doesn't have to fight to make his case. His chin rests on her bright red head as he holds her.

"Thank you, pumpkin," he whispers above her head. "I really appreciate this."

From there, it became a joint on-line research project for the two of them. Since she has wanted to go to Stanford forever, they start looking at private college preparatory high schools in the San Francisco area. They settle on three to go and visit; San Francisco University High School in San Francisco; Crystal Springs Uplands School in San Mateo just south of San Francisco; and Branson School north of San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge in Ross.

So this is how they find themselves on this late May afternoon in Palo Alto, outside the Stanford campus at MacArthur Park for lunch. They've just finished touring all three schools and they are discussing her options. It seems that she likes Branson the best. They have an 8-to-1 student/teacher ratio and an average classroom size of 13-14 students. She likes the small nature of the school that has less than 400 high school students. The downside is that it is further away from San Francisco, away from the city. City life is what she knows, what she is comfortable with. But this is a chance for new beginnings for her also, and they both feel the need to separate themselves from the daily hustle and bustle of downtown city-life.

So, as they wait for the check, she opts for Branson. Castle smiles broadly because that was his first choice also. Now instead of living in the city, he can search for a place in Sausalito just north of San Francisco across the bridge. If he's lucky he will find a place with a view of both the bridge and the city. Best of both worlds – and somewhat of a headquarters for what he wants to do for young women in the area.

. . . . . . .

Second Flashback: 45 Days Ago in Late June 2011

It is just over four weeks later, after their visit to San Francisco. Alexis is now enrolled at Branson for the fall, and Castle has closed on a beautiful cliff home, overlooking the water with a view of both San Francisco city and the Golden Gate Bridge, as he had hoped. Now, back in New York City to wrap things up, he just needs to get rid of the loft, get rid of the Hamptons beach house, even the Ferrari. Clean break, from people, from familiar places, from everything.

He's sitting at the bar three blocks down from the precinct, waiting for Ryan and Esposito to show. He had called them asking them to meet him here once they got off work. He sees them walk in together. It's been roughly six weeks since he last saw them. At the hospital. Visiting her. They are all genuinely happy to see one another.

They sit for a few minutes, after ordering drinks, just shooting the breeze, catching up. Ryan finds it strange that he doesn't ask about Beckett. He nudges Esposito under the table with his knee, and knows that he has noticed also. Esposito, of course, has no qualms about breaking the ice.

"So, have you talked with Beckett?"

"No." Castle leaves it at that.

"Why not?" asks Ryan. Both men are noticeably surprised that he hasn't reached out to talk to her. Not knowing what has transpired between Castle and Beckett, all they can think is that it is unfathomable that Castle hasn't visited her, or hasn't been keeping in touch just to see how she is doing.

"She told me not to call her. She said she would call when she was ready."

"What does 'when she is ready' mean?" asks Esposito.

"How should I know," responds Castle.

Both Ryan and Esposito almost comically lean back in their seats simultaneously. This isn't just unexpected – this is darn near surreal.

"What happened?" asks Ryan.

Castles just shrugs, taking a gulp of his drink. He flags a waitress over to ask for seconds.

Esposito isn't having any of this, of course. He pushes the discussion further, wondering again what happened – this time with a friendly yet firm hand on Castle's shoulder.

Castle glances down at the hand, then at Esposito. Neither man budges. Then Castle says, simply "It's time for me to grow up."

No one speaks for a moment. Each man glances in a different direction, lost in his thoughts. These three have been through much together. Ryan is the first to break the silence.

"This isn't a casual let's-get-a-drink, is it?"

Castle shakes his head.

"So, what are you gonna do?" Esposito asks.

Castle runs his hands through his hair, and smiles softly. He leans in, elbows on the table, and makes eye contact with both of his friends. He's going to miss them. They've been good to him.

"Well, that's why I wanted to see the two of you. You accepted me when you didn't have to. You protected me, you had my back. I know you are loyal to Kate, but you treated me right. You made me feel as though I fit, like I belonged."

Almost as twins, both Ryan and Esposito smile and offer their fists to Castle. He smiles and fist bumps both men. Yeah, he's going to miss them. Still, he then continues:

"You will never know how much that has meant to me. Most of my friends are my friends because of who I am – a celebrated author – or because of what I do. But not you two. You both have been true friends."

Castle then takes an envelope out of his inside jacket pocket, and hands it to Ryan. Ryan opens it, and falls backward. Yeah, he knows this is serious now.

"I can't accept this, Castle. Rick, I can't –"

"You can, and you will. Consider it an early wedding present for you and Jenny. You deserve it. It will be a place to get away, to build family memories."

Esposito is looking over the shoulder at the deed to the Hamptons beach house owned by – no – previously owned by Castle, and now owned by his best friend. Before he can process it, he hears the jingle of keys hit the table in front of him. He looks down at the keys to Castle's red Ferrari that he has always loved.

"No, bro – I can't take this," he refutes, with eyes big and slightly wet. "What the . . . what the hell are you doing, Castle?"

"Clean break," Rick states to both men. He then takes a second envelope out of the other side of his jacket, and places the envelope between both men.

"Floor tickets to the upcoming Knicks season. They're yours. Split them up and enjoy", Castle says with a smile and flourish.

"Where are you going, Castle?" Ryan asks. The magnificent gifts aside, both Ryan and Esposito know this is goodbye. Montgomery is dead, Beckett is on disability healing, and now Castle is going to be gone also. Both men feel the flood of memories overtaking them.

"Away," answers Castle. "Alexis and I need a new start, a fresh start. We're leaving."

Neither Ryan or Esposito can manage a single word right now, so Castle continues.

"I've transferred the loft into mother's name. She's a New Yorker, this is her home, her livelihood is here. But I need to go."

"Where are you going?" Ryan asks again, hoping for an answer. At the same time, Esposito asks the other question on both men's minds.

"What about Beckett?"

"Castle looks at both men, and without missing a beat, responds:

"What about her."

With that, Castle gets up and shakes their hands. Then he pulls both into an embrace that last more than a few seconds.

"I love you guys", he says, and with that, he leaves. He seems bigger than life to both men as he walks out of the door of the bar, and they both feel the pages turning on a big chapter in their lives. They know Beckett is away at her dad's cabin, and they know cell coverage is spotty there, at best. Still, they have to try. Esposito sends her a simple text.

"Kate. Castle is gone."

. . . . . . .

An hour later . . . same day

At the cabin, Kate has just returned from a hike through the woods, trying to clear her head and re-build her endurance. Physical therapy has been draining on her. A bullet to the heart, and then a chest ripped upon have not been kind to her. As she grabs a bottle of water from the fridge, she hears her phone beep once, indicating a message. Walking over, she notices the message waiting indication on her cell phone.

She idly wonders to herself whether or not he has finally called or texted her. She's disappointed when she sees the text message is from Javi. She reads the message and simply nods her head.

"Castle is gone"

Yeah, that would make sense. There's bound to be a new captain there, and this after the previous captain has been murdered and a lead detective almost killed by a sniper at his funeral. And she's not there to take up for him.

They probably showed him the door, she thinks to herself. There's no reason to keep him there.

She misses the deeper, intended meaning of the message entirely, and so she simply types a short text message back to Esposito.

"Not surprised. You and Ryan be careful."

Sitting in the bar, Esposito shows the text message to Ryan, who only whistles.

"What in the hell is going on here?!" he asks.

. . . . . . .

Back to Present: Day 91, mid-August 2011

"What do you mean he's not coming back?" Kate is beside herself. She wasn't expecting him to be there, but she knew he was always close by, always there for her. Seeing his empty seat simply reinforced for her how much he has meant to her.

"When did this happen?" she blurts out. Never in her wildest dreams did she expect Castle to listen to her, and to not call, not text. The fact that she hasn't heard from him is the main reason that she has come back to work a week early. It gives her – in her mind – a reason, a justification to reach out to him. She told him she'd call, and apparently he has been waiting for that call. She meant it when she said she needed time. But by week 2 in the cabin, she already missed him, missed his crazy ideas and theories and eye wiggles. She missed his smirks, his looks of surprise. She figured she would have heard something.

"You have no idea where he's gone?" she asks, panic now finding its way into her voice – but she doesn't' care.

The two detectives shake their heads in unison, and share a quick glance. This isn't going to go well.

"You really never called him?" Ryan asks incredulously. This earns him a sharp glare from Esposito, ever the big brother protecting Beckett.

He's gone. She certainly did not expect him to leave the city. She's been trying to put her broken pieces back together again, but she can feel herself falling apart all over again now. The one person she knew – she knew - would be there to help her isn't here. Not only is he not here, but evidently he is gone.

She excuses herself from her two friends, and goes to the ladies room to compose herself. She has seen the new captain through her window. The new captain is a lady, and she has seen her glance her way, probably surprised that Beckett is back early. Beckett needs to make a good first impression. She knows that her stellar reputation likely has preceded her to this new captain, but she wants that perception reinforced with this first meeting. So she finds herself here in the ladies room, holding on to the sink, taking a deep breath.

She gazes at herself in the mirror, gathering strength, and then returns to her desk but the captain's door is now closed and she's on the phone. Kate watches her talking on the phone, and it causes her to think of Castle. She pulls her own phone out and stares at it, then puts it away.

That's when she notices it. Until now, she hasn't noticed the small mailing box on the corner of her desk. It's partially covered by a few papers. That's why she missed it earlier. The size is about right. She knows what this is, and a smile escapes her lips. She knew he would not forget her, and the timing is about right. His new book should be coming out in a few weeks, and he always gave her an advance copy.

She notices the mail stamp, and notices it is from the city, so she smiles with relief. They may not know where he is, but he's still somewhere in the city. She opens the box, and sure enough, there is the book.

Her heart feels as though it is being assaulted again, and she grips her chest as she reads the title of the book: Last Heat – The Final Chapter. The tears are in her eyes as she opens the cover and sees the dedication on the first page.

For Roy, the extraordinary KB, and my friends at the 12th. Thanks for the memories – I will keep them always.

Kate closes the book and puts her head in her hands. First impression or not, she cannot help the tears that begin to flow, or the soft sob that escapes her lips. She quickly gathers her stuff and bolts for the elevator, but then opts for the stairs at the last moment. It would be just her luck to have a lengthy wait at the elevator, and she cannot afford that right now. She's down the stairs and outside the building within a minute, now walking – walking to get away. She walks two blocks down and turns the corner before stopping. Standing next to a hot dog vending stand, she pulls her phone out and finds his contact information, then hits SEND. There is one ring, and then her world comes crashing down.

We're sorry. The number you have reached has been disconnected, or is no longer in service.

AN: I hope you can stay the course. As I said, I believe there are more than one obvious road to lead us home to where we are supposed to be.