A/N: And on to chapter 4. Hope everyone survived last nights premier. I have a one-shot post ep in the works. As always thank you for reading, following, and reviewing. I appreciate each and every one of you. Happy reading. Only 2 more left after this one. :)

Disclaimer: The words in italics are directly from the episode. They are not mine and I intend no copyright. I do not own Castle or anything associated with the show. I just love to write about it.

Listen to Me

She turns down Colin's invitation for a drink. He's a good looking man and he's enticingly charming, but he's not Castle. She's been waiting all day for this moment, for the chance to see what's really going on with her partner and then to follow Lanie's advice and finally tell Castle how she feels. He finishes up his phone call and walks over to where she is standing.

"Where's Scotland Yard off to?"

"He's going back to London. Um Castle? Do you have a second? Can we talk?"

He's quick with his answer, doesn't even take a second to consider her request. "Actually I don't, Jacinda has the Ferrari double parked in a loading zone." And then he turns and starts walking away from her, only turning back when he hears her wounded exclamation.

"Wow. Four dates in three days. You like her?"

"Yeah, why?"

She contemplates her answer for a brief moment. "She just - she doesn't seem like your type."

He breaks their eye contact momentarily. "Well, she's fun and uncomplicated, and that's what my life needs right now." And then he's walking away from her again, letting the blow of his words sink in.

She lets him get all of three steps towards the elevator before she calls him out. She's tired of doing this, whatever this is; it needs to end, now. "Castle, this can't wait any longer, I need to talk to you. Call Jacinda and tell her that something's come up, I promise you can run right back to her when we're finished, but this conversation needs to happen."

He looks surprised, like he never expected this from her, but he nods and holds up his phone. "Fine, let me call her, then we can talk."

She migrates back towards her desk to collect her things and give him time to make the call. She doesn't even try to listen to the excuse he gives Jacinda; frankly, she doesn't care.

He ends the call and starts back towards her desk, but she motions towards the elevator and he follows her. "It's been a long day and I could really use a drink, so do you mind if we talk at The Old Haunt?"

After the events of the last few weeks, he's more than happy to have whatever this conversation is going to be over drinks. Even better if it's at his bar. He nods his answer and follows her out to her car. As much as he'd like to drive, he let Jacinda take his car, so he really doesn't have any other option but to ride with her - unless he wants to take a cab, which he's pretty sure Kate's not going to allow.

The ride to The Old Haunt is quiet and uncomfortable and he doesn't remember it ever being this awkward to be in her presence. They arrive and find a table in the very back of the bar, close to Castle's office. It's busy in the pub, but not so loud that they can't have a serious conversation, so they settle in to the booth.

She clears her throat and looks down at her hands, trying to form the words she wants to say to him. Finally, she lifts her head to look at him and sees uncertainty swimming in his blue orbs.

"Castle, look, I don't know what happened to us but…"

His words bite as they cut her off. "Us? Beckett, I'm not sure what world you've been living in, but there is no us and you've made that very clear."

She has to physically stop her mouth from dropping open. "Okay then, let me re-word it. I don't know why things have become so distant between us; I thought we were getting closer."

He makes some kind of snorting sound and it's just so unlike him to be this rude. It's hard for her to witness. "Yeah, I thought so too," he says, before motioning for the bartender to bring them a round of drinks.

She waits for the drinks to come and then tries again, hoping that the alcohol will help this mess of a conversation along. He's ordered scotch for both of them, and given the circumstances, she's more than happy with his choice. "Castle, can you just listen to me for a second, please?"

He nods as he swirls his drink, focusing on the ice as it melts.

"I don't like the way things are now," she says. "I need to tell you something and I need you to let me get it all out before you say anything, okay?"

He doesn't look up at her, but he does stand up and she thinks for a minute he's going to leave.

"Fine, I'll let you say what you need to say, but let me get another round of drinks first. I have a feeling we're going to - need them."

He crosses the room and catches the bartender's attention, keeping his back to her as he waits.

She's so focused on watching Castle, and hoping that he'll turn around - that she misses the person who walks up to their booth. In fact, she doesn't even see him sit down across from her. It's his voice that finally grabs her attention.

"Kate. I didn't expect to see you here tonight."

She startles as she whips her head towards the stranger who's now occupying Castle's seat.

"You have got to be kidding me. What the hell are you doing here, Josh?"

He smirks at her reaction and then looks across the room to where her focus was only seconds ago. "So, you and Writer-Boy, huh? Finally gave in to him?"

She scoffs, hating the tone that he's using. "For your information, Castle owns this bar, and we came for a drink after work."

"Oh, I see. So he hasn't worked his ridiculous charm on you yet. Means I might still have a chance."

She can't stop the little laugh that slips out of her mouth. "No. Sorry, Josh. That ship has sailed."

"Come on Kate, things are different now. You never know what could happen if we try again."

She's about to tell him that there is only one man she's interested in when she hears Caste's very loud approach to the table. He's clearly angry, and if the way he slams their drinks down is any indication, this isn't going to go well.

"Castle -" Kate starts, but he ignores her and turns to glare at Josh before looking back at her. "Wow, Beckett. When you said you had something to tell me, I honestly thought it was going to be something good for once."

She frowns and crosses her arms. "What do you mean?"

"You asked me to come get a drink with you so that you could tell me you're back with your ex?" He throws another heated glance at Josh and then looks back at her. "And then you invite him here so that you can flaunt it in my face? That's pretty low don't you think?"

She stutters over her words, trying to figure out how this escalated out of control so quickly. He doesn't give her a chance to fix it though.

"You can save whatever explanations you're trying to come up with, I think this is pretty self-explanatory."

He turns to walk away from the table, intent on getting as far away from this moment as he can, but Josh just can't leave it alone.

"Hey Castle, sorry it didn't work out for ya. I guess the saying is true, the better man always wins."

She doesn't even get a chance to tell Josh to shut up, or to tell Castle that he's wrong about everything he thinks is going on. Castle is back at the table in an instant and then his fist is connecting with Josh's jaw and the entire world around them seems to stop.

Josh makes no move to retaliate as he cradles his injured jaw in his hand.

Castle recovers more quickly than either of them. He seems to be focused on completely ignoring Kate as he leans in towards Josh. "This is my bar and I would throw you the hell out of here, but I'll just save myself the trouble and leave."

He turns back to Kate and practically spits his words at her. "If your goal was to end our partnership for good, you've achieved it. I'm done."

He leaves without another glance and her heart can't take much more. She glares at Josh before standing to leave as well. "I don't know what kind of stunt you're trying to pull, Josh, but that was completely uncalled for." She doesn't give him a chance to answer.

She's not sure why Josh always seems to be around when she's trying to tell Castle how she feels, but she's tired of it.

She gives Castle a few days to cool down before showing up at his door one evening after work. She lucks out and catches him there alone. Although he seems reluctant, he lets her in. It takes some persuading, but he finally listens to her explanation and believes her when she says that she isn't back with Josh. She doesn't press the conversation further than that, happy to at least have him back as her partner. When the time is right, hopefully he will be more than that.

Thank you to Bri for her loveliness and her friendship. She makes my words sound good.

Thank you to my cheerleaders.

Hugs, xo.