Chapter 7
A/N-Dear Readers, I have no idea how you can continue to read this story after my obvious long break from writing but I wanted to give justice to this story in whatever little time I have to spare. Please forgive me. You guys are amazing. I shall feel greatly honored if I manage to bring a smile to just one face.
Previously: Kate is having dreams about DC and she's not sure what they mean so she wants to see Dr Burke. Castle has no idea but he wants her to tell him about it. Meanwhile, a 22 year old NYU student Linda ends up dead in an alleyway and all they know is that she changed her major and her dorm room recently. And now, we continue.
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When Castle woke up, Kate was already in the kitchen drinking her morning coffee. He wasn't surprised. She did wake up before him most days unless he pulled an all-nighter writing. He had spent countless happy mornings waking up to her home made coffee.
Rubbing his eyes, he strolled into the kitchen. "Well looks like Detective Kate Beckett is back on her feet again. And boy, am i glad!"
She couldn't help but smile. "Mornin' Castle. Made you coffee but you should probably brush your teeth first."
"Do I have to?," he asked with his puppy-dog eyes.
"Most definitely. "
"Just like you to ruin the moment, Beckett. "
"Well thats what happens when your aunt is a dentist."
"Aah fine. Wouldn't want to ruin these prize winners anyways. They're much too valuable. Did you know that US weekly says that 75% of women are impressed by men with good teeth. "
"As sure as I am that those stats are bogus, who were you planning on impressing really?"
"I was hoping my roguish charm and sparkling teeth would convince a certain detective to finally open up. A guy can only take so much, you know?"
With that, he left leaving Kate in a brooding mood. She knew how hard it must have been for him to watch her struggle with something he didn't even know about. She was going to tell him eventually of course. Just not now. She had already scheduled an appointment with Dr Burke for that evening. Her nerves had sufficiently calmed down and she was looking forward to seeing the shrink that had helped her overcome her inner demons.
When Castle came back, they had a peaceful breakfast, both of them cautiously avoiding the elephant in the room. They were just finishing up as Kate said, "Castle. I'm gonna take a quick shower and head to work. Are you coming with me today?"
"As much as I'd like to I'd hate the thought of my ex wife and my fiancee having another tĂȘte a tĂȘte. So I'm going to stick around the loft and work on the book. "
"Ok then. I think my shift will be done by 5, but I may have to wait until later. "
"Of course. Job always comes first. "
She flashed him a grateful smile and sped away towards the bathroom.
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It was nearing lunch time in the precinct and Kate had no new leads. The new roommate hadn't revealed much and Ryan and Esposito were still trying to get in touch with Linda's old roommate who was currently in Florida. Kate had also asked them to ask around on the campus to see what kind of a person she was. So far nothing had turned up. Kate was going through some of the stuff that the unis had sent her from their canvas of Linda's room. Her personal belongings like her diaries, magazines, concert tickets, old receipts, random collectibles, almost seeming like a tiny box of legacy that she had left behind for the world. Nikki read through Linda's emails to her brother in New Jersey praying for discrepancies to guide her on. She found none. She had just about given up when her phone rang. Castle's dopey smile showed up on her phone screen and she was relieved to get a break.
"Hey Castle, what's up? You want to figure out whether Nikki would be a fan of Wham! again?"
"No not this time. I was just checking up on you. "
"You are really bored aren't you? Done writing already?"
"Nope. Just an hour or more to go and I'll be done for today. Listen I was thinking...what if we go out tonight after your shift is done? We can have a nice candle light dinner to celebrate your victory over the flu. You in?"
"Sorry Castle. At the rate at which this case is going, it looks like I'm going to have to put in some overtime. "
"One day without me and already you're fading fast. Hmmm"
"Shut up Castle. Now go write. I'll see you tonight."
She regretted lying to Castle almost at the same instant as she spoke those words. But she had to figure this one out on her own. She didn't want to confuse Castle before she knew what was really going on. She went over the murder board over and over again to distract herself.
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When it was finally time to leave for her appointment with Dr Burke, Kate said goodbye to the boys, who appeared deep in some conversation and headed towards the elevator unsure of what was in store for her. She turned up the music loud as she drove to her destination across town. She parked her car a few blocks south and decided to walk up. Just as she reached the door to the building, a voice called out. She didn't have to turn around to know who it was.
"Surprise. "
Castle was leaning against the building, that wicked smile on his face. He raised his eyebrow at her, clearly enjoying her plight. She yanked his arm and dragged him into the lobby, much to the astonishment of the doorman.
"Castle! What are you even doing here?"
"I could ask you the same question, you know?"
"But you're not?"
"I don't need to. I already know."
"Castle I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you, I just didn't know how to. "
"Aren't you going to ask me how I found out?...Wait. I'll save you the trouble. I was going through your phone while you were in the shower and..."
"Hold on. You went through my phone? Castle! Don't you understand what personal means?"
"Save it. I know you went through my mail and sent that very uncool message to the super hot model who just moved in downstairs. She was just e-mailing me details of her housewarming party and you got us both removed from the guest list. "
"You know about that?"
"Ya. I thought it was very...feisty. Besides, she doesn't own a state-of-the-art home-theater system so her loft isn't worth visiting anyways."
Ignoring her eye-roll he went on, "Getting back to the point...I saw the recent calls so I knew where you were going. I just didn't know when. But when you lied to me about the dinner date, you blew that one wide open. And here I am! Kate why didn't you tell me that you were having issues with the PTSD? Is this because of the case? You did seem a bit haz-"
"What? No Castle. The PTSD hasn't bothered me in ages. It's just... I've been having disturbing dreams."
"Whoa, like Nightmare On Elm Street? I swear I did think someone crawled into our bedroom a few nights ago. "
"Castle this isn't funny. Can't you pretend to be grown up for even one second?"
"Oh. I never saw that coming. Look Kate, jokes apart. I really want to be there for you. And as much as I respect your privacy, you have to know that it's killing me to see you deal with this all alone and you know that I will never be the guy to just stand by and watch you go through this by yourself. So stop hiding from me. Whatever it is, let us do this together. "
"Wow Castle that's actually really sweet and I assure you that the only reason I kept this from you was to not worry you, especially since you have to get writing done. I'm not used to people holding my hand every step of the way. Running away is how I cope just like you hide behind your humor. "
"Those our our patterns aren't they? They always have been. "
"We still have a great time. We can't deny it."
"Yes. I think the last five years are enough testimony to that. "
"Hmm. So I guess since you're here already, you could join me. As long as you stay silent."
"Detective, I assure you that you will have my utmost co-operation. "
He made a little zipping motion with his fingers.
"Great. Thanks. Now lets go. We're already late. "
"Showtime!" He exclaimed as she led the way to Dr Burke's office. His flair for theatricality far overrode his pledge of seriousness and Kate tried unsuccessfully to hide her smile.
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I've already begun writing the next chapter but I make no promises.
