Short but important. Just leaving the loyal 36 something to read, is all. Enjoy the weekend.
OM
TheStalking by Oldest Man
Chapter 3
Rick's Version
I am so angry right now, angrier than I'm sure I've ever been before in my life. I feel discarded.
I threw away my metaphorical bedpost notching knife, took a long look at my public lifestyle and my objectives and made a concerted effort to change. For what?
I tried to be the man I wrote Rook to be and I wished that Beckett would at least acknowledge some of the changes in me over the past year.
Instead, perhaps unconsciously punishing me, she's taken up with Tom-Terrific Demming, the lead Robbery Detective at the 12th.
'No, she's not punishing me for her mother's case being brought back to life and pushed into her life. That's beneath her. No, Beckett's making a clear choice between me, who has had her back 24/7, and a man with whom she shares a lifestyle, another cop. I'll back off, take the high road, be her partner, become the better man and – '
I open my laptop and pull up the latest Nikki Heat novel. I was trying something different this time around. I wasn't writing from an outline. I was writing from the heart.
And it was all bullshit!
She dismissed my theories, belittled my efforts and, worst of all, made light of my very existence in her life – and she's done it all while standing there with Demming beside her building theory, a statement in and of itself.
'Go fetch some coffee for us, Castle. Make yourself useful while Tom and I go over the case again…" she'd said as if I'm a servant, an assistant who makes her coffee while she makes goo-goo eyes at Demming and twists her hair around a finger.
I know that particular tell. I saw it with Sanderson and now I see it with Demming.
"Make myself 'useful'?" I muttered it out loud and Alexis, sitting in my office winged-back chair, studying, snickers.
"Yeah, Dad. It's about time you realized that you're not really very useful. Grams and I – "
It must be the look on my face because instantly Alexis is beside me, her arms around me, apologizing. She had meant one thing but her snarky one-liner… had struck home and hurt.
I'm done with her.
I take out my cell and ask Alexis for a few moments alone before I tackle dinner and I call Beckett as soon as Alexis is on the other side of the loft.
"Beckett. I'm kinda busy right now, Castle. What is it?"
"Hang up and I'll call back and leave a voice mail. Listen to it when you have a moment." I hang up and wait 30 seconds, 30 long seconds that I use to prepare my message.
I leave a terse but pointed voice mail identifying the killer and providing a well thought-out explanation, even offering evidence that had been staring the dynamic duo in the face since we first posted it on the board. And then I hang up. Let them figure it out if they can drag themselves away from – forget it. She's not worth another second of my time.
I feel – relief. No, that's not it at all. I feel empty.
Kate's Version
Castle has been acting really weird, even for him, since Tom got involved in our case. He keeps trying to get between me and Tom, not physically, but certainly verbally. His comments, his observations, his way-out-past-left-field theories, are getting us off track and we, Tom or I, have to patiently explain why it doesn't fit.
He goes off into one of his elaborate plot bunnies trying to twist the facts to meet his theory and I can tell that Tom's about had it.
I asked him to make himself useful and bring us some coffee. I really don't want Tom thinking he's a total ass because he's my friend and if Tom and I get together, I don't want needless friction between the two most important men in my life.
Castle needs to dial it down a notch. Tom and I will discuss this over dinner and I'll try and explain Castle's role in my life and why I want the two of them to get along.
I look up at Tom and I have to grin. He's handsome, intelligent, caring, and he seems to be honestly interested in me as a person, not a conquest.
Sure, Castle's backed off the rampant innuendoes, been more serious about the work I do, but it's not enough. He's still the spoiled little rich kid who buys his own toys and somehow he thinks he's bought me.
Tom looks at his watch and asks if I'm ready to grab a bite to eat and I nod, surprised that Castle's gone but glad since I really want to spend some time with Tom without having to hurt Castle by calling it what it really is – a date.
I'm walking towards the elevator when my cell rings and I see that the caller is Castle.
I answer as Detective Kate Beckett would, hoping he'll understand the distinction. "Beckett. I'm kinda busy right now, Castle. What is it?" I look over at Tom and I smile. I hope I get very busy tonight. It's been a long time and I'm –
"Hang up and I'll call back and leave a voice mail. Listen to it when you have a moment."
He hung up without another word and I shrug it off. If it's case-related I trust him to demand my immediate attention but when he offers to leave a voice mail I know it's not important to the case.
I'm going out to dinner with Tom. That's important.