Chapter 6: Last Minute Stop

Rick finished his last interview for the day, at least until the countless impromptu interviews he was bound to face at his party, it was hardly closed to the press and even the regular guests would no doubt have questions they would be firing at him from left, right and center. He was glad that while Vanessa had offered him some breakfast, the same as he had for her before he left that morning, he had declined. As it turned out he had been running late and only just managed to get showered and changed before arriving in the nick of time for the first interview. Now he was standing in a tailor's store having some adjustments done on his tux. He had it started before he left the city but due to his active lifestyle and exercising over the summer he had not only lost some weight but had buffed up a little. He needed to have it taken in around the waist and taken out around his biceps, chest, shoulders, thighs and around his calves. Rick and his tailor were both relieved that they had not progressed further than pining the material as there was plenty of room for the changes and they didn't have to start from scratch. It took a few hours but the resulting suit was worth the time it took.

New suit siting on the passenger seat of his 2008 Dodge Viper SRT 10 Rick pulled out into the heavy New York traffic and found himself outside the 12th Precinct. Unsure as to how he found himself there he climbed out, hanging his suit over his arm and locked up his car. He couldn't bring himself to consider facing Beckett and Demming once more, at least not yet, but he would at least check in on Ryan and Esposito while he was there. Rick entered the familiar elevator and took a deep breath before pushing the button for the floor that housed the homicide department.

Rick had no idea what to say when he entered the bull pen, he was even more lost as to what he should do if he encountered Beckett or Demming. The ding of the elevator as the doors slid open brought him back to the present and he walked out with an air of confidence that was purely for show. He hadn't even gone a full ten steps before someone walked into his side, causing him to stumble in an attempt to regain his balance. There was a crash and the man who had collided with him muttered and he picked up the paperwork that was now strewn all over the floor. Rick turned to see that it was in fact Esposito who had literally run into him. "Esposito?" He offered his hand as the Detective looked up.

"Castle?" Taking Rick's outstretched hand he allowed the author to help him up. "When did you get back?"

"The other day." Esposito pulled him into a brotherly hug which Rick reciprocated. They pulled apart as Ryan came around the corner and almost dropped his coffee cup at the sight.

"Castle?" Ryan pulled him into a repeat hug of Esposito's. "It's great to see you, man! We've missed you."

"I missed you guys, too." He laughed at Ryan's enthusiasm which he hadn't dared hope for. "How is everyone?"

"Better now that you're back." Esposito offered.

"Yeah, not a hint of laughter since you left, Beckett's been a might touchy, too." Ryan added but stopped abruptly when Esposito shot him a warning glare.

"Anyway," Esposito once again took the reigns of the conversation. "The point is that we're glad to have you back."

"Actually, guys..." Rick was once again unsure if it had been a good idea to stop by at all. "I'm not back, back." Due to the confused expressions that both Detectives were now sporting he explained a little further. "I'm back in the city, yes, but I'm not back to consult in the Precinct."

"When will you be back?" Ryan and Esposito asked in unison. They seemed eager to have him back, Rick noted, but they had become good friends so it was to be expected.

"That's the thing... I'm not. That really was my last case." he hated being the cause of their discontent but he was glad that he had at least cleared that up so they wouldn't be living with a false hope.

"But, we're partners? You can't just leave forever, not unless you're old enough to retire, get yourself killed or permanently maimed." Ryan sounded almost as dejected as Rick had felt before he left at the start of summer.

"Hey, I'm still around, you guys can come to me for anything, you know where I live and my phone numbers. We can still hang out and I'll help with whatever I can, just not the same way I used to. Things can't be the same as they were, too much has changed." There was a momentary pause as his words and their meaning sank in, then Rick spoke again. "Look, I have to go make sure everything is ready for the party, see if my latest work has met with my publisher's approval and then get myself ready, but I'll see you guys tonight, right?"

"Yeah, we;ll be there, bro, but aren't you gonna say hi to Beckett? I'm sure she'll be happy to see you."

Rick couldn't stop the sardonic laugh that escaped him at those words. "No, I wouldn't want to interrupt her train of thought, especially when she's working."

"Bro, when is she not working? I'm-" What ever he was about to say was abruptly cut off by Rick's phone.

"Just a sec guys." Rick looked at the screen before bringing the phone to his ear. "Paula, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Black Pawn wants to push for another Nikki Heat book. They're offering to double your percentage of the royalties if you agree."

Rick tensed. "No, Paula, this is the last one. Gina signed a release of the original contract, I have it in writing, it will be a trilogy, end of story."

"Listen, Rick, they're doubling your royalties! It doesn't get much better than that. What are you holding out for?"

Rick covered the mouth piece and turned to the guys. "I have to go, I'll catch you later." He didn't wait for a reply before returning to his conversation with his agent and turning to leave. "I don't care what they're offering, or how unhappy they are, they authorized the new contract and I'm giving them the best mystery novel I've ever turned out. As far as I'm concerned they should double the royalties for the final regardless of them wanting a fourth." He hung up his phone without delay and entered the elevator to leave. As the doors began to close he saw two Detectives who looked as though their curiosity had just been peaked by what they heard.

T.B.C...

A/N: Only a few chapters to go. thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far and the same to those of you who review in the future.