Previously:
"Don't be such a smart ass. I'll miss you while you're away. Make sure you call Alexis and me often."
"I will." As Martha leaves Castle finishes his packing. He plans on getting an early start.
Castle wakes up early the next morning. He decides to make breakfast for Alexis before she heads off to school. Though he has been away before on book signing and tours, it's never easy. It won't be too long before she graduates and heads off to college (hopefully locally).
Alexis comes downstairs smiling, seeing her father working away in the kitchen presumably making breakfast for the both of them.
Taking a seat on one of the stools he quickly places a stack of smiley face pancakes in front of her while replying "Morning pumpkin."
"Morning dad" looking him over she adds "Are you sure you're it's a good idea heading up to the Hamptons by yourself?"
"Alexis, I'll be fine. I just need to get away for a little while and why I'm there I can finish up Naked Heat before Gina starts getting on my case."
"I know dad, I just don't like it. Can't you wait a couple of weeks until schools over and I can come with you?"
Seeing the look he is giving her knowing that she isn't going to change his mind she adds "Okay, just make sure you call me every night."
"You know I will… I do every time I'm away on a tour."
Finishing her pancakes she stands up giving her dad a hug and kiss replying "Love you dad", before she grabs her things and heads out the door.
"I love you too pumpkin." He then cleans up his mess before gathering his things and heading down to his car.
Placing his suitcase in the trunk he closes it just as he hears someone calling his name. Turning his comes face to face with the person he is trying to forget.
Beckett's Apartment
After a late night at the precinct Beckett was up early. Her case was currently at a standstill. They had a likely suspect… but nothing could be done until later today.
One thing she did decide on was that she needed to see Castle. He still wasn't returning her phone calls and she didn't want to put off waiting any longer to repair their relationship.
She showered, dressed and was out the door in no time. Her stomach a bundle of nerves they whole drive to his loft.
Knowing it was impossible to find a spot near the loft Beckett used the pass code Castle gave to her to park in the underground garage.
Heading towards the elevator Kate is caught off guard when she finds the person she is looking for loading a suitcase into his trunk.
Taking a deep breath trying to calm her nerves she calls out "Castle."
He turns attempting to mask his emotions he answers her coldly "Beckett, what are you doing here?"
Taking a moment to gather herself after her unexpectedly cold reception she replies "I came to apologize to you. I… I know it doesn't make up for the way I have been treating you the last couple of weeks."
Before she can continue, he cuts in angrily "You're damn right it doesn't… after everything we have been through, you pushed me aside… acting like my mere presence was an annoyance. I have never felt so unwanted in all my life."
"Castle, please let me explain"
"There's nothing to explain Beckett… I get it. You never really wanted me shadowing you. I had to scratch and claw for everything since day 1. I hope you are happy with your new partner."
"New partner? Castle you got it all wrong…"
"Save it Kate, I don't want to hear it… I'm done" with that he walks past her getting into his car and driving away leaving a devastated Kate Beckett in his wake.
12th Precinct
Beckett arrives at the precinct a short time later. She is reeling, her confrontation with Castle leaving her decimated. She had high hopes that by her taking the initiative and seeking him out to apologize and explain everything... she would have been able to repair the damage she caused.
She didn't realize just how much hurt she has caused him. And now she is worried her actions may have caused her to lose the most important person in her life since her mother. There has never been anybody she could count on like him. He has been her rock whenever needed, never questioning or asking for anything in return.
She just wants to call in sick, go home and cry herself to sleep. In fact if she wasn't in the middle of an investigation she would.
Making her way into the bull pen, Esposito approaches her first "Yo Beckett everything okay?"
"Yeah Espo everything is fine." Trying to change the subject "So what did we find out about the boyfriend?"
Still concerned but knowing Beckett keeps everything close to the vest he gives her a slight smile before continuing "we found a hole in his alibi."
Before she is able to say anything Ryan approaches them "Just got off the phone with his boss, he is currently at work."
"Well then you two can go bring him in."
"Got it boss" they reply in unison.
Once in the box it doesn't take Beckett long to get a confession from Kevin Walters, Hannah Franks boyfriend. It was sad to find out the whole reason for the murder was that Walters thought Hannah was cheating on him and in a fit of rage slit her throat. Solving the case should have made her day however her mind kept going back to Castle.
While Ryan and Esposito started on the paperwork, Kate made her way down to see Lanie. Opening the door she called out "hey Lanie."
Looking over at her friend she can tell that something is wrong "Hey girl, why do you look so down in the dumps? "
"Is it that obvious?" She replied while Lanie just gave her a look that said duh. "Okay, I… I went to see Castle this morning to apologize and try to fix things."
"I take it by the way you're sulking it didn't go over well?"
"I'm not sulking… okay, maybe I am. Lanie it didn't go well at all. I didn't even get a chance to explain before he got in his car and left."
"Lanie what am I going to do? How do I fix this? He was so angry when he left. I'm afraid I might have lost him for good."
"Girl, first you need to calm down. I know you're upset but we will figure this out."
AN: Sorry for the short chapter. I know where I want to go and what I want to happen, but am still figuring how to get there. Hopefully I'll have the next chapter up before the season finale.