DISCLAIMER: Not mine at all.
Chapter 04:
Bianca St. Claire is from one of the older and more prominent families in Connecticut. She spent her time growing up between a mansion in New Canaan, a penthouse in Manhattan, and a vacation home at the Hampton's.
In spite of all the affluences and privileges, Bianca remained to keep a good head on her shoulders. A trait, that according to her, was made sure to be instilled in her by her maternal grandparents who came from a modest life before reaching success.
Rick first met her one summer in the Hampton's when Alexis was five. She was merely fresh out of college then, spending the summer helping out in a bakery her family owned in the Hampton's. She was taken with the young Alexis and started chatting with her, and that was where Rick found his daughter, sitting inside the counter beside the young woman as he was paying for their items.
He became fast friends with Bianca, who was in a relationship then, which, he now thinks, was the reason why nothing really ever happened with them.
He's quite thankful for that as it allowed them to remain friends, even if they go years without seeing each other.
It was quite a big surprise to see her roaming around on the beach during his second day of vacation with Alexis. But the three of them had ended up spending almost everyday together since there weren't much people around at this time.
She's witty, confident, with a simple, carefree air about her. She's also quite easy to get along and get comfortable with.
Before the week was done, they both had spilled out their reasons for hiding out here at such a time. She had just gotten out of a long serious relationship, and him… well… he spared her all the gory details, but shared the gist of it. So they were both on the same page.
Alexis was due back in New York in two days, Bianca said she planned to spend a week more before going back.
She had decided to permanently reside in their New York penthouse when she made partner at one of the city's leading Ad agencies.
Rick took the silent invitation, which was how Alexis wound up going back by herself. He knew she didn't take it to mean anything more than he intended.
He just wasn't ready to go back and have to face calling Beckett with a decision he had yet to make. He was also quite frankly enjoying his time here, to regroup, regardless of Bianca or not.
But today was their last day. No more backing out.
He was feeling better, but on the edge about going back as well. He was out by the beach, organizing his thoughts when Bianca found him and decidedly sat beside him after asking if he was okay.
He looked at her then, noting her very laid back appearance. He was almost one hundred percent sure that this was not how she looked in Manhattan. Her dark her sat in a loose bun, wearing a navy and white striped shirt, white shorts and slippers.
It would be very hard to deny that she was beautiful.
But, his heart, unfortunately, was still deeply taken by another brunette.
Shaking his head at the digression of his thoughts, he told her he was excited to go back.
He wasn't lying. Even he can only stand so much time doing nothing.
But then, he also can't deny his nerves.
Bianca smiled a little.
"I'm sure you'll be fine, Rick. You're making the right decision. I just know it."
"I know, I know I am. I just wish the right decision wasn't so hard."
She laughs at him now.
"Aaah. I wonder how many people have already said that."
He keeps quiet.
"Hey, you could just stop trying to reel your feelings in, you know. Make it easier for the both of you."
He smirks.
"What sage advice you have. Makes me wonder why I stayed an extra week here if I was just going to go back and profess my everlasting love before I start following her around again like a lost puppy who never gets a treat."
"You're not a puppy, Rick. Just a good guy, albeit a very emotionally battered one right now, but still good nonetheless. You'll figure things out, even if it ends up with or without her."
"Hmm. Should I repeat that that line for your benefit as well?"
"Oh, shut up. I for one know that fact already. We just weren't right for each other anymore."
He glances at her. "Doesn't mean you can't get sad about it."
"I know that too." She bows her head a little, but lifts it up to give him a small reassuring smile and a squeeze in his forearm. "We'll be okay."
"Just don't leave me hanging high and dry once we get back to the city." He volleys, trying to make their conversation light again. They've both had enough drama for the past few days.
"I won't. I'll make sure to be there for every bar fight or any other stupidity you might get into while you get over this heartache. Lord knows Alexis has already handled too much for her lifetime."
"Hey, I resent that! Just wait until I get to carry your drunk ass back to your penthouse too."
She laughs. "Counting on it."
Oh, he's back.
Without coffee.
It was late in the afternoon though, and he was fresh from the Hampton's.
Her throat constricted when she first saw him step out of the elevator. Good thing she was by the filing area so she had a few minutes to recuperate and tame her nervousness as he went straight to Ryan and Esposito.
Because, she liked to think, she wasn't on her desk.
She actually did not know how to behave around him right now.
He said he'd call her but he didn't. Then he calls Javi instead.
It's all a mess inside her head.
But… he's back… he's back.
That should count for something.
She gets her bearings back and decides that nonchalance is still the way to go as she walks to her desk.
He turns the moment she gets to her chair. He waves to guys as he walks towards her.
She pretends she doesn't feel the bullpen trying to discreetly stare at the two of them.
"Hey, Castle." She breathes.
"Hey." He says.
He looks better. Not as tired, a lot less dark circles under his eyes, more tanned and still chiseled.
Okay. Stopping now.
"So…" he starts. "I'm back."
She smirks. "You have met the new captain, right?"
As if right on cue, the captain's door opens. "Beckett, Mr. Castle, my office. Now." The door slams shut.
Ryan and Espo's eyes dart between them and the door.
Castle glances at her.
"Did you do something already?" She puts one of her hands on her hip.
"I may have… called in a favor to the Mayor."
Kate sighs. Of course.
"Well, let's get this over with." She says before stalking towards Gates' office.
They find her standing behind her desk with her arms crossed.
"I suppose you think you're very clever, Mr. Castle."
"Um." He starts but gets cut off.
"I just want to let you know I don't tolerate any sort of misconduct in my precinct. Make one wrong step and I do not give a damn how well the Mayor thinks of you. I just need a single legitimate reason and you'll be out of here faster than your fingers can dial his number."
Beckett cuts in. "I think we've managed fine before, Sir. You don't need to worry about it."
"Oh but I don't think you have, Detective Beckett. I'm not sure about everything that went down here before, but I am sure it won't make me very happy. I'm just reminding you that you're both a single step away from losing what you call a partnership if you directly breach any of my orders. Understood?"
Realizing that Gates didn't call them to talk to them but talk at them, Kate merely nods and pulls Castle's sleeve before he gets the chance to say anything else.
"That went well." He mutters when they get out.
Kate arches an eyebrow at him. "Think you can handle the ego-bruising?"
"Oh, I can more than handle it, Detective Beckett."
She doesn't reply but keeps looking at him, making a mental assessment of his appearance.
Like she first noticed, he definitely looks better than when they last spoke to each other. But there's still something missing from him.
The spark. The natural childlike giddiness.
Maybe this is what Lanie was talking about.
She was broken herself. She acknowledges that now. There are days when she could barely get herself to stand upright from the burden of everything.
Every day is a fight, one she is determined not to lose. She has made sure of that by talking to Dr. Burke. She has come this far after all, and she wants to be a better person. Better than someone who lives under the banner of tragedy.
She knows she isn't in any position to point out anyone else's problems.
But, for all the things that confuse her right now, for everything that was lain on her plate, regardless of whether she was ready to face it or not, she hopes with everything inside her that they would both personally be good again.
That maybe, they would be restored.
Kate wants to be ready for what they could jump into.
A them without all the pressure of the water over their heads, threatening to drown them, but all of it put to rest way below a bridge under their feet.
He seems to be assessing her too.
Their eyes lock.
They both look away immediately.
He clears his throat.
"Uhm. I should get going."
Both of her eyebrows rise involuntarily. An unspoken, unbidden question.
"I want to make dinner for Alexis and my mother. I actually came here straight from my drive. To make sure we're good."
She nods. She didn't know if he meant them or him coming back to work. She doesn't ask. It counts that he's here now.
He looks at her for a beat before turning to wave goodbye to the boys.
"What, you're leaving already?" Ryan asks. "We haven't seen you for weeks!"
"Aww. That's sweet Kev." Castle retorts.
Ryan rolls his eyes.
"Seriously, bro. We gotta have some pizza or something." Espo interjects.
"Tomorrow, definitely. Gotta go home and make sure my kid and my mother haven't forgotten about me yet."
"Fine." Both guys nod understandably.
"See you guys." He glances back at Kate, already moving towards the elevator. "See you, Detective."
"Tomorrow?" She can't help but ask.
He turns his head then, and gives a little nod. "Tomorrow."
Not all is lost.
What did you guys think of Bianca? :)