A/N: Just a short second chapter. More to come. Thank you to everyone who read this and showed your appreciation. This story is definitely AU...so please, just give it a chance. Don't claim ownership of any characters that appear on the Castle Television show! Not making any money doing this$ All errors are mine because I'm Beta-free. Hey Jim, thanks for the nudge.

A/N:Update - For those who asked, yes ...I'm just moving this story over from the name I originally posted it under...hewhosnbn...so the eerie sense of Deja-voodoo(the feeling that you've been cursed like this before) is completely understandable. Rgoodfellow...I do have a couple of partial chapters and I hope to mash them together before the weekend ends and add them(it) soon. JT

Castle : Detective Lessons - Chapter 2

Kate Beckett stood less than five feet from the door, trying to will her body to move closer and silently cursing herself for being such a coward. This was the fourth time she'd made it to the door and she still hadn't managed to find the courage to walk through the door. Finneran's Bar & Grille proclaimed the lettering on the glass but even if it said 'Hell', Kate didn't think she would have been anymore afraid. She knew it wasn't the bar itself because she'd been going into bars since she got her first fake ID when she'd turned seventeen. What Kate feared was that she might find the man she was actually looking for, Richard Castle.

It had been two weeks since she'd behaved so badly…barging into his office and calling him an asshole. She'd been corrected by the man's daughter who had then told her that Finneran's was Richard Castle's regular hang out, hinting that she might 'accidentally' run into him there. This attempt brought the number to three…three times that she hadn't been able to walk through the door and apologize to the man who had been occupying her thoughts…a little too much lately.

The first time that she'd failed to walk through the door had been two weeks ago, the same day that she'd stomped into his office and called him an asshole. She had gone to the office for an appointment and she'd been spoiling for a fight, her temper on a hair trigger and , if asked, she couldn't say why. If she had taken the time and looked at all the work he'd done for her, she was sure she wouldn't have lost it but it wasn't until later that she discovered just how much he'd done for her. She had parked her car and even got out but just couldn't bring herself to enter the bar. After staring at the door for close to fifteen minutes, she'd admitted defeat and gone home.

Once she'd gotten back to her apartment, she poured herself a drink and walked out onto her balcony. Curling up on the lounge chair while she sipped at her cocktail, she let herself wonder what Rick Castle was really like. He'd been right, she had jumped to conclusions…and next time, she would apologize and then thank him for all of his help. Now, all she had to do was get the him to listen to her. He had read her manuscript, twice, and made copious corrections and notes…all of which she found very helpful. When she finally was honest with herself, and it took a few days to sink in, the corrections and suggestions would have made the book much better, if she used them exclusively but Castle had also given her pages of notes on the detective character and the 'detective' business. She'd made use of many of the suggestions and tips, the resulting changes in her story added depth and realism…changing the book from a romance/detective story into the much darker tale. She'd put the finishing touches on the 'new' story the previous day and it was now firmly tucked into her shoulder bag…and if she could just bring herself to talk to the man, maybe she could convince him to read the 'new' book…if he didn't refuse to talk to her.

The second time she had tried to walk in Finneran's, she'd spent almost thirty minutes, pacing back and forth in front of the bar, trying to convince herself that she had nothing to fear. Twice she'd stopped and thanked young men, explaining to them that she didn't need company. Less than ten minutes after the young men had walked away, looking disappointed, another young man had walked out of the bar and stood in front of her and after getting her attention, introduced himself as Detective Ryan and had informed her that working girls really shouldn't try to drum up business right in front of a 'cop' bar. She'd felt herself blushing as she explained that she, in fact, wasn't a working girl. After giving her a disbelieving look, the detective had wandered back inside after offering a mumbled "whatever".

Turning back towards her car, she'd been stopped by a patrol car that pulled up before she could open her door. The officer riding shotgun had leaned out the window and offered the same warning the detective had already passed along, leaving her blushing once again. Offering a quick denial, she slid into her car and left, promising herself that next time, she'd actually see the inside of the bar.
This was the third Friday and Kate Beckett found herself, once again, pacing in front of Finneran's, getting a little closer to the door with each pass. Finally, she found the door's handle in her hand and she pulled it towards her, feeling a breath of cool air hit her in the face as she stepped into the bar. After letting her eyes adjust to the dim lighting, she looked around and caught sight of Richard Castle, seated at a table towards the back of the bar. Gathering her courage, she walked to the table and stopped a couple of feet away, waiting for Richard Castle to acknowledge her presence.

While she waited for the detective to look up from the laptop in front of him, a beautiful, young latina woman walked around her and slid onto one of the empty chairs at the table. Channeling her inner 'I Love Lucy', the young woman whined "Ricky" and he looked up with a smile. "Lucy…you got some splaining to do" he replied in an obviously well rehearsed accent. Kate Beckett couldn't explain the sudden flash of jealousy, caused by the easy familiarity between the two people seated in front of her. See was about to speak when the young woman beat her to it.

"Hey, Rick. Who's your friend?" she asked as she glanced at Kate.

Looking up, Rick Castle didn't look surprised at all to find Kate Beckett standing in front of him. "Finally made it inside, Miss Beckett? Here to yell at me again?"

"No!" Kate said and paused when she realized that her 'no' had almost been a yell. "No, I'm not here to yell. I'm so sorry for interrupting your date but I just need a few minutes of your time…if you don't mind."

Rick Castle smiled and glanced to his female companion. "Juan?…May I introduce Miss Kate Beckett, author extraordinaire and America's great hope when the Olympics finally recognize jumping to conclusions as a legitimate sport…I'm telling you, she'll take the gold…and maybe the silver and bronze as well…I honestly don't know anyone better at it than her."

Kate could feel the blush start and she considered leaving but before she could turn to go, the woman Richard had called 'Juan' spoke up.

"Rick…you're absolutely right, she does blush beautifully. Just goes to show that she's not as jaded as most of those skirts you make the mistake of chasing" the woman said before standing and offering her hand to Kate.

"Hi, I'm Juanita…Juanita Esposito…NYPD Detective and old friend to this 'dick'." she added with a smirk, taking any sting from the term and leaving only friendly teasing." You can call me Juaninta…or Juan…or anything you want, just call me" she finished with a wink.

"Down, Juan…before I call Lanie and tell her you're cheating…and you know how she gets." Rick Castle said in a playful tone, smiling to take any believability from the threat. "Now Miss Beckett, why don't you have a seat. You can talk at me while we wait for Juan's partners."

"Partners?" Kate asked as she slid onto one of the stools that surrounded the table.

"Yes…her partner from the NYPD and her life-partner…both of them very dear friends. You've happened upon our Friday night gathering. There's always good food and even better company…and, of course, training for the 'alcohol' Olympics. Hope you're in shape…these 'games can lead to serious hangovers."

Kate watched his eyes as spoke, looking for any sign that this was anything more than what he'd claimed. The smile in his eyes looked very genuine and she found herself smiling back in response. "Yeah…that sounds nice…if you're sure that it won't be a problem?"

"Miss Beckett…"

"Kate, please"

"Ok…Kate, there won't be any problems as long as your not 'working' tonight. I'd hate for the local law enforcement bothering you…again"

"You did that?" she asked as Juanita started giggling.

"Oh Rick…you didn't? That's just mean."

"I know, Juan…but you should have seen her, pacing a hole in the sidewalk out front" Rick said with a large smile. "I guess that the third time's the Charm, Miss Beckett?"

"Yeah, I guess so…and, please, call me Kate. Now, can I just say what I came to say and then you can decide if you want to rescind your invitation."

Looking suddenly serious, Castle motioned with his hands that he was ready to listen to whatever she had to say.

"Well…first I'm sorry for my behavior two weeks ago. I was very rude and I've felt bad ever since. I went over all of the work you did for me and I feel terrible for the way I acted. Your notes and…well, everything you did helped me improve the story…"

"You certainly had a lot of spelling and punctuation…"

"Mr. Castle…that's not what I meant. Of course I appreciate that but I'm really grateful for the notes on the detective character…they enabled me to revise the book and the new material has, in my opinion, made the story much better. I really wish you'd let me pay you for your time." Kate paused and waited for some response .

"Well…you could always take me out for dinner…oops, sorry about that. Don't want you getting the wrong idea, Kate."

"Richard Castle…would you like to go out to dinner? I have a story I would really like your opinion on…and since you won't take my money…"

"I'm sorry Kate, that whole 'not taking your money' thing, well Lexi took me task and forbade me from doing that again so…dinner for the old work would be fine but we'll have to renegotiate for any future 'work'…or else my daughter will ground me."

"So, where's this story? Mind if I take a quick peek while you two talk?" Juanita asked with a smile.

Kate thought about it for a moment and then pulled the manuscript from her shoulder bag. Handing it across the table, she smiled and then turned back to regard Richard Castle. "Will you read it after your friend's done with it. I could really use your opinion on some of the changes I've made, many of which were based on your notes."

"Alright, Kate. I will…after Juan's done with it…and then we'll discuss payment" he finished with a smirk and a quick wiggle of his eyebrows. "Ops, sorry about that…"

"Richard Castle, that's perfectly alright. I think I'm beginning to know when you're kidding."

"Alright Kate…but since you insist on first names, you'll have to call me Rick…ok?"

"That sounds fine…Rick. I' just hope you've forgiven me for being such a jerk to you…I really am sorry."

"Alright, Kate. I think we both over reacted and, for my part, I'm sorry. Now, how about a drink?"

"Sounds great" she answered, reaching into her bag and pulling out her wallet.

"No Kate, your money's no good tonight. I just closed a case and the check cleared so tonight's on me…ok?"
Before she could answer, Rick's eyes flicked over her shoulder and a new smile appeared on his face. Kate turned around to see what had prompted the smile, afraid it might be some woman who had caught his eye. She noticed the woman first and felt the sharp, quick jab of jealousy again. Tamping it down, she looked at the man accompanying her and thought she recognized him from somewhere. While she tried to jog her memory, the two people slid onto bar stools, filling in two of the three empty spaces at the table.

"You!" Kate blurted out, suddenly remembering where she'd seen the man now seated across the table from her. "You're the detective who gave me the 'working girl' move-along speech."

"Detective Kevin Ryan, at your service" he answered with a smile. "Juan's partner…sorry about the 'move-along', Castle sorta suggested it."

"That was you?" the new woman at the table asked before offering her hand. "Hi. Lanie Parish…medical examiner and Juanita's partner. I can't believe Castle put Ryan up to that…on second thought, yeah I can" she said before glaring across the table at Castle.

"What?" Castle asked, trying to look innocent…and failing miserably. Before he could react, Lanie Parish's hand snaked across the table and latched onto Castle's ear. "Ow, ow…hey, apples, apples" he said with a pleading look.

"You better apologize…right now, Castle" Lanie stated with a grin.

"Ok…ok, I'm sorry that Detective Ryan inferred that you were a pro" Castle offered before reaching up to rub his ear after it was released.

"Apples?" Kate asked, confused.

"Castle's safe word" Juanita offered, looking up from the manuscript that had captured her attention. "Hey honey…when did you get here?" she asked before leaning over and giving the woman a quick peck on the cheek before turning her attention back to the book in her hands.

"Alright…now that everyone's here, it's time to get the drinking started…oh, wait…I'm sorry…Lanie, Ryan…this is Kate Beckett, author extraordinaire and self- professed 'queen of shots', I guess we'll have to 'school' her.

"But I never…" Kate tried to protest before being shouted down by a chorus of 'yeahs' and Castle calling for the waitress, ready to start the alcohol Olympics with a round of Tequila.

'What have I gotten myself into?' Kate asked herself as she looked around the table at all of the smiling faces. "So, any rules?" she asked.

Everyone exchanged looks before Castle answered. "No…no rules…well, maybe one or two…first: no drinking and driving…if you're competing, you're in a cab. Second: no public vomiting…what you do in the privacy of your own home is not important but if you puke where any of us can see…you're paying for the next 'alcolympics'. Got it?"

"Yes…let's do this" she said as she watched the waitress approach their table with a tray of shots.

A/N: Thoughts?