I do not own any of these characters.

Kate had gotten a call from Montgomery at 8 o'clock that morning. He said there was some paperwork to be done at work today but she could be gone by 12 if she came in now. He also said he had to tell her something before she left.

It was 11:15 now and she finished the paperwork early since Castle wasn't around to bug her. Yet, she missed the author's presence and wondered why he wasn't there. Even when there wasn't a case he could be found hanging around.

She got up and walked over to Montgomery's office but was sidetracked when she saw Esposito and Ryan talking. Making a quick decision to not listen, she quickly walked away but she still heard a snippet of the conversation.

"I wonder what happened. It couldn't have been worse than him investigating her mother's murder but all I know is that I'm gonna miss the guy. He lightened the place up and made her happy."

Kate continued to the office and knocked on the open door.

"You wanted to see me Captain?"

"Kate, you're done earlier than I thought you would be." He said as he motioned for her to close the door.

"Yeah well, I can get things done a lot faster without Castle around."

"Does he really bother you that much?"

"He's like a nine-year-old on a sugar rush. Does that answer your question?"

Kate watched as a flicker of emotion crossed the captain's face. She saw sadness, worry.

"Is Castle alright Captain?"

"Yes. Of course."

"Well then where is he? He's normally here bothering us or shadowing us even when we don't want him to."

"Detective, you won't need to worry about that anymore."

What? Castle couldn't have left, not after our conversation the other night. She thought while also remembering what Ryan and Esposito were saying.

"Sir, did Castle…?" she left the words unspoken, hoping it wasn't true.

"Castle left. He said that although he was planning on writing more Nikki Heat books, he didn't want any one to feel discomfort. When I asked why he was leaving, he said that he knew he was a hassle to have around, just more precautions to be met. He wanted me to tell you something though."

"What?"

"He said to tell you that every moment he was here, he enjoyed being with you and you were a true inspiration. He wanted me to give you this." Captain Montgomery handed here a letter clearly marked KB in Castle's scrawl while saying, "Also said something about you being better without him here anymore." The captain said as he carefully took in her emotions.

"I thought he would stay," she whispered while looking into the captain's eyes. She saw pity, something she did not like others to feel towards or about her.

"Kate, we all want him here. I know that you don't always see eye to eye on these sorts of things, but he was helpful on many cases. I also wanted to tell you that since he's been here consulting on cases, your solved crimes have doubled, and it hasn't even been a full year yet."

"You always said he was an asset to the team Captain, why did you let him quit?"

She watched as Roy glanced over her, making sure she was ready for his answer but he prolonged it by asking, "The truth Kate?"

"Yes" she managed to say.

"I saw the emotions between the two of you. And before you stop me Kate, I need to say this because you were so oblivious. He cared for you, a great deal as a matter of fact. He chased after you and although you may have though I didn't see, each time you turned him down. A guy can only take so much rejection until he snaps. The main reasons I let him go was because he explained to me that although you built a bridge about him looking into your mothers case, yes, I did know about that, he knew you still held it against him."

"Captain…"

"What's done is done now though Detective. He left because he couldn't take it any more. You should know that to observers, he gave up so much just to be here doing something he sure as hell did not need to. Following around a detective? He has enough money that he doesn't even need to write or have a job for the rest of his life. He took this job personally because he wanted to spend time with you, he even admitted it to me. I know you're a very reserved person Kate, but he tried to do something good with your mother's case. You didn't even give him the time of day to explain himself. Talk to Lanie about his motive, it's more in her area and I know they talked before he left."

"Sir, I have to go… would it be possible for me to take the week off?" she asked with pleading eyes.

Captain Roy Montgomery saw the sadness in her eyes and agreed that it would be best if she took some time off. How can people who are so right for one another just let go? He thought as he watched Kate walk out of the precinct.

(A/N) Remember to add this story to your story alerts or me to your author alerts! Please review and suggestions are always welcome and appreciated (: