"So how are things with you and Castle?" Lanie asked Kate as she poured her friend a glass of wine.
"Past 2 weeks have been great." Kate told the truth. But Lanie didn't know what she meant by 'great'. She wanted to tell Lanie but she couldn't. If she told Lanie, Lanie might tell Espo who of course would open his mouth to Ryan about it and well then the whole precinct would find out. Then Gates would kick Castle out if not fire her on the spot. She had to keep it between her, Castle and Martha for the time being. "Why are you asking?"
"Kate it's been 4 years. I can't believe he's still waiting."
"Waiting for what?" Kate didn't like where this was going. Lanie had been the one trying to get her to hook up with Castle from day one.
"What do you think; the guy is crazy about you. And despite your little act you're crazy about him." Oh Lanie you have no idea how crazy I am for him. Kate gave the ME a stare. "Oh what, was that supposed to be some big secret?"
Kate looked at her. Her priority was she needed to keep her relationship with Castle a secret. Kate could try to deflect and deny that she was crazy about Castle. But that was pointless. Lanie knew otherwise. Lanie knew about two years ago; what really happened with Demming. And she had talked with Lanie about Castle several times over the past two years. So she decided to play dumb. "Yes." Kate hoped that Lanie would let it go. Lanie returned with the death stare which she had usually reserved for Javi. There wasn't going to be a way to get out of this conversation. "Ok, No." He certainly knew now but Kate was playing along with the lie. If only you knew what was really going on the past 2 weeks Lanie. Kate would love nothing more than to talk with Lanie about what was really going on (ok she'd love to be with Castle more but that was beside the point). How the past week was nightly sex at her place with Castle. Kate finally added something to try and end the topic. "So what."
Tonight Castle needed to get some writing done. He hadn't gotten so much done since he was using all his 'energy' with Kate. So Kate took the opportunity to have a girls night with Lanie, but Kate was starting to regret this. Lanie was prying a little too hard.
Lanie went on, "you remember how he used to be, girl on either arm. You really don't see that guy too much anymore do you. Why is that?" Lanie then pointed at Kate. "He's waiting for you." He isn't waiting anymore Lanie. He's getting me, all of me. Kate had to try and not give anything away to her close friend. "Look I know you're dealing with stuff, but you can't expect him to wait forever." He only has to wait till tomorrow night Lanie and we'll be at it again. Kate couldn't get the thought of being with him out of her head. "Kate what if he decides he can't wait anymore?"
"What do you mean?"
"Like he leaves one day and doesn't come back." In one sense this conversation with Lanie was a good sign. She had no clue at all what was going on. That didn't mean Kate liked lying to her best friend but there wasn't much she could do about the situation.
"He won't do that." The only reason he would is if Gates kicked him out.
"You sure Kate? He's got needs that can't be kept at bay for much longer." Lanie you have no idea for his needs and I'm sure I'm giving him all his needs. "What if he starts picking up the girls that hit on him at his book signings like he used to?"
"Where did you hear about that?" She didn't know about this. Kate made a mental note to ask Castle about this.
"He's told Javi and Kevin about some of his exploits before he met you. Why do you think he stopped? The guy is changing for you Kate, why can't you notice?" Kate had changed for him as well.
Kate was between a rock and hard place. She couldn't tell Lanie the truth. And she had to find something to get off this subject. "What if it ends up like you and Javi?" That could end the talk and change the subject. Lanie's and Espo's breakup was still recent enough to cause tension. There was plenty of that leading up to Kevin's wedding. Kate was hoping that Lanie wouldn't what to talk about that situation so she'd give up.
But Kate wasn't so lucky. "Well at least we gave it a shot. So it didn't work out, so what. Now we can move on, give or take the occasional booty call." Yeah I notice when Javi had a booty call the previous night.
"I just don't want to mess things up, lose what we have." Lying to Lanie was getting harder.
"Girl please what do you have?"
Kate took a little bit to come up a response. "A connection." That wasn't a lie. Yeah they had a connection alright. Especially in her bed, they connected quite 'well' in her bed.
"No what you and Castle have is a holding pattern. How long are you gonna wait before the fuel runs out?" We aren't waiting anymore Lanie, I wish I could tell you.
So Kate just decided to play the delay card then, "I'm not ready yet Lanie, ok. Can you give me some time on this issue?" What Kate was really saying was 'I'm not ready to tell you about the amazing sex we're having Lanie' but the ME had no clue of the true meaning.
There was a pause before Lanie spoke up. "Kate he's not going to wait much longer." Then both their cells rang. A dead female was found at a SRO motel. Kate was relieved that this was going to end. Lanie was going to be there too and knowing Lanie she'd be harping on their conversation.
...
That case was interesting. The team was joined by an inspector from Scotland Yard, Colin Hunt. Kate and Castle agreed that she should kind of flirt with him to throw the boys off. Kate had a hard time doing that even with Castle on board it. Glancing at her lover's face made it worthwhile though, seeing Castle jealous even though there was NO threat made her happy on some level. After the case was done Colin had asked Kate 'for a drink' but she knew otherwise. She teased Castle with it when they were back at her place.
Overall the next weeks things were going great. Kate had some trial prep. That meant that Castle wasn't in the precinct at all, which the boys asked all the time if she missed him. Castle used that time constructively to get some writing done. However Castle spent almost every evening at her place, before getting home in time to keep Alexis off track of their relationship. Kate was happy that Martha had done well in keeping their secret and helping keep Alexis from getting suspicious. If Alexis got suspicious and, god forbid, talked to Lanie about it then it wouldn't be long before Javi was asking Castle about what he was doing. And that couldn't end well. But somehow after almost a month together only 3 people counting themselves knew about their relationship. Which was good. Kate didn't want things to change at all.
However things were about to change.
It was May and Alexis was graduating in three days. She was having trouble with her Valedictorian speech. There was dead body in an alley which Kate had called in for Castle to join them. In the walk up they were discussing it, "Of course you don't know why she's having trouble, you were the kind of guy that had nothing on but boxers on underneath."
"That is so insulting. If you must know I was naked underneath." That was typical Castle. The man Kate had come to love and share her desires with.
"Oh, I stand corrected." They just smiled at each other. "So how is the father of the graduate taking it?" Kate and Castle had never really made plans more than a few days in advance. She didn't know what he was doing.
"Well Alexis is heading off to an all nighter and Mother is going to Hamptons to celebrate and relax. I was thinking of having some company over." He looked at her. This was a little of a coded message.
"And who is this company?" She was playing along so that no one would overhear them.
"Someone very dear to me." That was code for her.
"Sounds nice, what time are you planning to start?"
"Around 8pm." She had been invited to the loft several times before. His birthday last month was one such example. This was the first time he had invited her to his place, as just the two of them. No Martha, No Alexis, No anybody else, just the two of them.
"That's nice." Which was her code that she planned on being there. They had worked some things out so that the boys wouldn't catch on. Which so far had appeared to work.
At that moment they walked up to the crime scene and that began the change in things to come.
...
There was a knock at the door. Kate opened and there was Castle. "Come in." She was happy to see him. "I just got off the phone with Esposito. The killer was using a key chain. And he matched it to Eastway Car Rental."
"That could be any one of a thousand cars."
"I know it's a needle in a haystack but at least it's a haystack. And they keep most of their licenses on file." She was excited. She was getting close to the person behind all this. To be able to put it all behind her. Be able to move on with Castle. Be more with Castle.
"Kate-" Castle said looking at her in a disappointed kind of way.
"Yeah, he's probably using a fake ID, but we should be able to narrow it down from there." They had his face. Javi and Kevin where going through licenses in the morning. They were about to get him.
Castle wasn't on the same page tough. "KATE!" He raised his voice to interject. And then he moved between her and the murder board she had on her mom's case in her apartment.
"What's wrong?" she was confused at his body language at the time. We're so close Castle. Putting this to rest and then we can move forward together.
"You, um" he collected himself and cleared his throat before moving on, "You have to stop. This investigation. You- you have to stop"
"Castle we talked about this. I'm fine. I'm in control." She reached to grab his shoulder at the time. To comfort his fears.
He shrugged it off though. "No you're not. They are and if you don't stop, they will kill you, Kate." Kate had didn't have an inkling what he was talking about. So she asked him.
"What are you talking about?"
Castle's response shocked Kate. "Before Montgomery went into that hanger, he sent a package to someone. Someone he trusted." What the hell are you talking about Castle? He continued "It contained information damaging to the person behind all this. Montgomery was trying to protect you." Kate was so confused by this. "But the package didn't arrive until after you had been shot. Montgomery's friend struck a deal with them. If they left you alone, that package and the information inside would never see the light of day. But they made one condition. You had to back off. And that's the reason you're alive, Kate. Because you stopped."
"How do you know this?" She had to know. Where did Castle come across this information? Had he just been contacted?
Castle looked down. He didn't look directly at her to deliver her the next piece of information. What he said next put serious strain on their relationship, "In order for the deal to work, someone had to make sure you weren't pursuing it."
Kate could only muster a whisper, like the air had been taken out of her lungs. "Are you a part of this?" Could he? Could the man she had been making love to be keeping valuable information from her?
Then Castle's next words hit her like a truck. "I was just trying to keep you safe."
She had to step away after that. She went into the adjoining room. She was angry. "You were lying to me about the most important thing in my life." Putting the people behind her mother's death away was the driving force in her life. Getting justice for her mother was why she became a cop, Castle knew this.
"That lie was the only that was protecting you." The Hell it was Castle
Kate is royally pissed off by this. "Castle, I didn't need protection. I needed a lead. And you sat on it for a year. Now, who is this person? How do I find him?" Getting to this so called friend of her former captain was now of great concern to her.
Castle gave his vague description of this John Doe. "He's … a voice on the phone. He's a shadow in a parking garage."
"You met with him?" his reaction is a giveaway that he has. "How do you know he's not behind my mom's murder? How do you know that he's not involved and how the hell could you do this?"
Using the mind is not going to persuade Kate. Castle can see this so he tries to use the one thing left. Use the Heart. "Because I love you." That is all he can muster. "And I couldn't bare the thought of losing you again. What if he's telling the truth Kate?"
"Are you kidding me? You actually believe this man who you don't know?"
"Look Kate listen to me."
Kate doesn't want to hear anymore of this. "Listen to you. Why should I listen to you?" She was done listening to him. "How am I supposed to believe anything you said after you've betrayed my trust again. For all I know you were holding this to try sleep with me. Why should I believe anything you've ever said?" She's basically yelling out loud at his point. Her frustration of her partner and lover withholding vital info on her mother's murder had boiled over.
"How can you believe me?" Now Castle is mad at her, "Because of everything we've been through together!" He goes on. "Four years I've been right here. Four years I've been through the good and the bad for you. I've been there for you, Kate. And don't you dare think I was holding onto this to sleep with you. I waited for YOU. I held onto this to protect you from yourself." He's yelling back at her. Now he collects himself a little bit to say the next line in a more even tone. "Every morning I bring you a cup of coffee just so I can see a smile on your face. Because I think you are the most remarkable, maddening, challenging, frustrating person I've ever met. And I love you Kate. And if you feel the same way, truly feel the same way about me, if you meant those words when you told me, just don't do this." He bore his soul for her, but his pleading would go on deaf ears.
"If I feel the same way Castle? How can I feel the same way when you lie to me and cut a deal for my life like I was a child. It's my life. Mine. You don't get to decide."
Castle responded with his stance "You keep going with this? They're going to decide. They're going to come for you, Kate."
"Let them come!" Kate was in the rabbit hole now. "They sent Coonan and he is dead. They sent Lockwood and he is dead and I am still here, Castle! And I am ready."
"Ready for what?" Castle is dumbfounded as Kate walks past him back to the murder board. She's going to start to work on the case again. "To die for your cause? This isn't a murder investigation anymore, Kate. They've turned it into a war."
Kate was ready for that, she looked forward to it. "If they want a war then I will bring them a war. Straight to their doorsteps."
Castle can't take it anymore, he's broken by Kate's words. "Well then I guess there's just nothing I can say, is there?" NO there is not Castle. It's my life, my choice. NOT yours. My mother deserves justice. "Okay, um… Yeah, you're right, Kate. It's your life. You can throw it away if you want but I'm not going to stick around and watch you so this is um… over. I'm done." He walks to do door. He leaves. At that moment Kate thought that was end of their relationship.
...
Rick was mingling with the rest of Marlowe Prep parents and families after his daughter's graduation. He was very proud of his daughter's speech and many of the fellow people had told him so. Though there was some one here Rick wasn't his daughter to talk so much with. Alexis' mother was here. And Meredith was basically standing right next to Alexis the whole time saying how proud she was of her daughter to each person who came up to congratulate the valedictorian.
Meredith had asked Rick consistently over the past 2 months to 'celebrate' their daughter's Graduation together. Rick knew what she really meant by celebrate; another attempt to get into their 'top 10'. Rick didn't want anything to do with his first ex-wife today. Not after the confrontation with Kate last night.
This gave Rick time to talk with Alexis' friends that he had come to know quite well. He first went to Paige's 'table'. "Mr. Castle, nice to see you again."
"Nice to see you as well Paige." He took out his hand to shake hers. "Congratulations."
Instead of shaking it she hugged him. "Thank you Mr. Castle."
"So where are you going to college Paige?" He hadn't checked the program that had where everyone was going to school. Alexis taking only one class last semester had meant she wasn't at school all that often. And she hadn't really had friends over that much since she got the internship with Lanie. So normally Rick would have known this months ago but he didn't.
"Penn, going to Wharton business school, best in the country."
"That is what they all say, honey." Paige's mother Leslie interjected to the conversation. "Hello Mr Castle."
"Please call me Rick." he shook hands with Leslie.
"Call me Leslie then, can I talk with you for a second?"
"Sure"
They moved away from Paige's table to talk. "Rick I want to say you've been a great model for everyone in this class. All the kids love you and you've been a great parent to Alexis. I'd like to thank all the time you gave to Paige, Taylor, and Kelsey. You were really great for the girls. I know I've thanked you before but I'd like to thank you again Rick for all you've done."
"My pleasure, Leslie." It really was his pleasure. Alexis was the most important thing in his life. Now that Kate was out.
Kate. He couldn't get her out of his mind. The past month had been the best of his life. But now after last night. It was over. And he was hurt by that.
"Richard what are you sulking over." Rick turned to see his ex-wife standing right next to him. "We should be celebrating our daughter's graduation." Another attempt to get us back into bed. Well you are direct aren't you Meredith, unlike Kate. Kate; need to get her out of my mind. "Richard what is it, you look sad."
"Oh Meredith why aren't you with Alexis?" Rick was trying to deflect away from his mess inside his head to what was happening around them.
"Oh, Alexis wanted saw you looking down and was concerned. Since she couldn't leave her table I said I would take care of it." She grabbed his shoulder. "You sure you want to be alone tonight. I'd love to share in our daughter's joy tonight." She was direct alright.
"No Meredith I'm looking forward to a night of peace and quiet."
"Well if you change your mind, you know how to find me, Kitten." With that the ex-wife went back to their daughter's booth.
It was going to be a long night. At least he had a double feature of John Woo to drawn his sorrows. He had to get Kate out of his mind but he was having a hard time doing that. He was dreading the morning paper coming in the next few days with the Headline that 'Det. Kate Beckett killed in the line of duty' no doubt there would be several press contacting him asking about his time shadowing her for the Nikki Heat books.
He couldn't escape her. Kate had consumed his life and he wasn't going to be getting it back anytime soon. She tore his heart out several times. First when she chose Demming over him. Then with Josh. And when she didn't remember her shooting, saying that there are things better left not remembered. That hurt so much. Then being shut out for 3 months. Now things had finally appeared like they were going to work out.
Then her mother's case had come back to haunt him. He thought that it would never come up again. But it did. And now they were done. Something that had happened on a yearly basis, but they always came back stronger.
Not this time. He wanted no part in Kate's life anymore. If she couldn't see that hole she dug herself into nothing was going to help. He turned down calls from the precinct, it was probably Ryan or Esposito trying to figure out what happened between him and Kate. He wanted no part of it. He couldn't take it anymore.
He was strolling around some more. Then he saw that Meredith wasn't with Alexis so decided to talk with his daughter some. "How is it going Alexis."
"Well I love mom, I'm just glad we don't have to see her all that much."
"Yeah you've said that before."
"Dad, she keeps asking me what is up with you. Are you ok?"
"Why are you asking me that?"
"Well Mom said she wanted to celebrate with you and you don't want to."
"Yeah I'm not in the mood."
"Ok is that all? The only other time it seems like you and mom haven't been together when she's been in town was when you were with Gina."
"Yeah I'm fine Alexis. Don't worry about me, it's your graduation. Enjoy yourself." He gave her a smile with that.
Then Rick got a tap on the back. "Hey there Kitten you change your mind yet?" Meredith is very persistent. A deep fried twinkie might be good right now. Wait, Rick get that out of your mind.
"No thank you, I've got my own plans." If Rick was thinking of getting together with Meredith as a rebound from Kate that wasn't a good idea and he knew it. He needed be alone tonight.
"Well ok, in the meantime can we get a family photo with the three of us."
And Meredith asked someone to take a photo of her, Alexis and Rick together. Then Rick took one of Alexis and Meredith with Meredith's phone. Then Meredith took one of Rick and Alexis. And after that Martha showed up and there was a photo with Rick, Grams and Alexis on Rick's phone. Martha and Meredith didn't get along but behaved in front of Alexis.
After a couple of hours the people the celebration ended Meredith made one last attempt to get into Rick's bed with him and he turned her down again. After they got back to the apartment Alexis got changed and Martha got her stuff and headed off to the Hamptons. Alexis left soon after for the party. At around 8:15 Alexis called and asked if things were going fine and if she should come back. It was clear she was worrying about him. He put that to rest.
"You enjoy yourself." Rick said to her over the phone. Alexis signed off with her typical 'I love you dad'. Rick ended the call with "I love you too." and he hung up. Over the next few minutes he got a phone call from Kate. He was unhappy and ignored the call. That reminded him about something, the last thing about Kate he had. He went to his 'smart' white board. And he pulled up Johanna Beckett's murder file. And he deleted it. Cutting the last ties he had to Kate.
Then the there was a knock on the door. He had no clue who it could be. He figured it might be someone from the building coming to congratulate Alexis. He also thought it could be Meredith making another pass at him. She is very persistent and doesn't take NO for an answer. He opened the door with a smile on his face.
When he opened the door the smile was gone and he was very upset by who was at his door. It was Kate drenched from the storm outside. She was wearing a leather jacket and jeans. She had a small pouch hanging over her shoulder. He couldn't believe she'd have the nerve to show up here looking like that. "Beckett what do you want?"
She had a one word response. "You." Immediately after she said this she moved towards him. She kissed ambushed him.
After the initial shock he pushed her back. "Castle I'm so sorry."
"Kate what are you doing?" He was holding her at arms length.
"I'm so sorry Castle. I sorry what I've put you through again." And she tried to kiss him again but he pushed her advance back this time.
"What is going on Kate? What happened?"
She looked down then she looked straight into his eyes. "He got away and I didn't care." he realized that she was talking about the man who shot her. "I almost died. And all I could think about was you." She collected herself again by taking a breath. "I was too scared to admit this to myself and too you before. But I feel the same way you do. I love you Rick." She had said that phrase before. But those times it was right before, during, or after sex. This was the first time she had said that when they were both fully clothed. She pulled the pouch that was over her shoulder and gave it to him. "I know you may not believe me but here is everything on my mother's case."
Rick was dumbfounded. He looked quickly inside the pouch and saw the files on her mom's case. She had taken down her murder board on her window and given it to him. To show him that she meant what she was saying. With Kate Beckett actions did speak a lot louder than words. He looked up at her and opened his mouth, "Kate..."
She put her right pointer and index finger over his mouth to stop him from saying anything else. "Rick you are more important to me than my mother's case." These were powerful words. The words she needed to say to him. More powerful than any 'I love you'. The words he knew symbolized something greater. Her wall was down and she was letting him in. It's what he has been fighting for four years.
There are few moments that pass then Castle loses control and stops fighting the urge to hold in what he feels. He drops the pouch on the floor. Then he uses Kate's body to slam the front door shut. And the start making out against the door. Soon his hands are on her blouse buttons. He's undoing them as fast as possible while sucking on her neck. He's about half way down when he pauses and see's Kate's bullet wound over her chest. Kate takes the time to grab his right hand with her left. She presses the back of his hand against her wound. There is a brief exhale from Kate. She opens her eyes and gives a wide loving smile to Castle. And they give a soft tender kiss. After that she takes his hand, bites her lip and leads him into his bedroom.
...
Castle wakes up abruptly the next morning. Kate isn't anywhere to be seen. Then he hears soft footsteps and she walks into his bedroom wearing one of his white dress shirts, similar to how the first morning they spent together went. She holds up a coffee mug in each hand. "Made you some coffee."
Castle has a smile on his face. The 'I just had an amazing night' smile. "So last night wasn't a dream."
"No Castle you weren't dreaming, this time either." She references the first morning they had together.
She hands him his coffee and they both drink some. He puts his down on his stand. "Kate you're on board with this right. This is 'oh I quit my job, I almost died, I'm in crisis' thing?"
"No, not for me." She's a little confused by his question.
Castle responds quickly, "Good me neither." and his smile beams at her.
"Good"
"Good" They are shaking their heads in agreement.
"But I did just quit my job and I do have the day off." She starts to unbutton his shirt on her body.
"As do I." and he continues "So what would you like to do today?"
"We watch read."
"We could watch TV."
"We could eat"
They are just playfully going back and forth while Castle helps Kate slide off his shirt. They go in for a good morning kiss to start things off but then the door opens.
"Richard I'm home." Martha Rogers calls out as she enters the loft.
"Oh god." And he rolls over and take's Kate with him. They soon get up.
"Darling we need to talk, Oh what is this?" Martha, unknown to Rick and Kate, has picked up Kate's pouch from last night with her mother's case.
"I thought you said she was in the Hamptons?"
"She was. She's not suppose to be here."
"Richard what is this?" as Martha walks into his bedroom and is startled to see Kate covered by a pillow and her son covering himself with blankets.
Kate smiles and sort of waves her hand at Martha. "Oh, Kate." and Martha gets a big smile on her face. The same smile she had when she walked in to find Kate making breakfast after Kate's place had been bombed. "Well this being Alexis' first hang over we should go to the hospital to get it checked out. After that I'll take her to the Hamptons for the weekend. I'll leave you two alone." And with that Martha drops the pouch, grabs Alexis and walks out of the Apartment.
Castle is completely embarrassed by what happens. Kate chimes in, "You know lets get dressed and have some breakfast first Castle."
"Sounds like a plan." He doesn't even turn to look at her, he's just staring off into the distance. He hasn't been this embarrassed since Alexis walked in on him and Gina.
...
Detective Ryan knocks on Beckett's door. She resigned yesterday but the person who shot her is still out there. He needs to show her something to try and protect her. He knocks on her door. And doesn't get a response. He knocks again. He's starting to get concerned so he calls her cell. After a few rings she picks up, to Ryan's relief.
"Kevin, what's up?"
"Beckett, where are you at?"
There is a pause. "Um, I'm in my apartment." That was strange to Ryan.
"Well why haven't you answered your door. I've been knocking on it."
"Oh," and Ryan thinks he hears Beckett swear but can't make it out. "Ok I'm not there."
"Beckett where are you, I need to show you something." There is brief pause and Kevin can hear Kate talking to someone in the background. "Beckett are you talking to someone? Whose there? Where are you? You ok?" Ryan didn't know if Kate was alright. Could Maddox have gotten to her already?
"Ryan, I'm fine." There was something off about Beckett's voice.
"You don't sound fine. Beckett where are you?"
"Ryan..." she pauses and then lets Ryan in on the truth, "look I'm at Castle's Loft, ok."
Castle's loft? What is she doing there? "Why are you with Castle, I thought you two broke it off." Ryan is referring to Beckett's comment of 'Castle's off the team' from yesterday.
"You already knew?" Kate is anxious by his statement thinking Kevin means something else.
"Knew what?" Ryan asks.
There is a brief commotion in the background it sounds like she's arguing with Castle. Ryan doesn't know its Castle. He's just making a guess based on what his old Partner said. "Oh well me and Castle were talking about what happened, I came over to apologize for what happened."
Ryan is a little curious, "Beckett it sounds like you're hiding something."
"No, Ryan, I'm..." it trails off. Ryan starts to think about what she has said. She denied being at her apartment but was at Castle's. She said I already knew. Knew what? Then it hits him with what she's trying to hide.
"Beckett, if you want to keep it to yourself that you spent the night at Castle's that is fine. I don't care and won't tell anyone, not even Javi or Jenny." He takes a quick breath, "look I need to show you something about Maddox, he took a picture of that person from Montgomery's wedding album. I'd like to show it to you."
"Look Ryan, I've resigned."
"I know what this case has done to you. I'm just going to come over to Castle's and show you the photo, that's it. I'm not asking you to get back involved."
"Ok see you in 20 mins or so." With that Ryan hangs up the phone.
The drive over the Castle's place is short but it takes about as long to find a place to park as it would to walk. He arrives soon thereafter and knocks on Castle's door.
Castle opens the door, "Hey Kevin, come in."
He walks in and finds Beckett sitting at the bar, having ate some brunch it looks like. He goes to stand beside her. "Hey Beckett, I know last night must have been a big deal for you." He looks over at Castle, "for the both of you. Now it's none of my business what happened and if anyone asks I'll say that you aren't together."
"Look Kevin." Castle starts up but Ryan interrupts him.
"I just want to show this photo." Ryan takes out the photo. "You know more of who Roy ran with back in the day. Do you know who this is?"
"I've never seen him before." Beckett blurts out.
"You haven't but I have." Castle says as he takes the photo. "This is the man I told you about, the one that has been keeping you safe."
...
Epilogue
From there I see the show going basically the same but with minor changes to Cloudy with a Chance of Murder, Secret's Safe with Me, Murder he Wrote, Probable Cause; that I feel be too tedious to write about, imagine Ryan knows and is toying with Espo all during Murder He Wrote. Hope you enjoyed this piece of AU.
Son of Zebedee
...
Author Notes: This idea instantly came to me when I saw '47 seconds' the first time around. However I felt that there have been dozen of these types of Castle doesn't hear / Kate and him talk about it. Then it hit me after season 5 what if Castle was nervous that he played super cautious and backed off that night? Kate be like 'what just happened?' and possible would talk to Dr Burke about this (ala 'Headhunters'). When I came up with the 'Dr. Phil' line is when I wanted to do this. Originally I had a Huge birthday party scene, but I felt it detracted from the story and wasn't adding much, I just added my favorite lines from Weldon. I also toyed with whether Castle would have gotten with DFT ala ex-wife #1 after the Graduation (this is always has been an interesting what if). However in the Castle universe he doesn't and I feel given what happens there would apply to these circumstances as well and he wouldn't. I also since the 'Always' fight scene played out a little different I felt Kate would show her love with Castle, in 'After the storm' she says she's walked away; now actually give him the files to show that she is serious. I always wanted Martha to walk in on them in 'After the Storm' so I figured I could have them. And thus if she walks out why would they go to Kate's Apartment. This leads into Ryan being brought into the Loop. After that well Everything plays out basically the same as in the show with minor changes. Thank you
I would like to thank alwaysx4 and wolfergirl for beta reading this. I sent out a LOT of beta requests and only those two responded. Its really hard for new people to find beta requests it seems.
Disclaimer the Show Castle was created by Andrew Marlowe and owned by ABC / Disney if they would like me to delete this I will. I would like to thank them for the Show and all the fun I've had watching it.
