I sat at my desk and rubbed my temples, trying to push away the pounding headache. I tried to get my mind off Mary, but she was just so much in it that I couldn't push her out. Her annoying high pitch echoed in my head, taunting me and making me cringe.

I sighed and tried to focus back on my paper work. I picked up my pen as Gates opened the door to her office. She didn't look happy.

"Beckett," she called out to me. "I would like to talk to you. In my office. Now."

I gulped. This was bad. This was really bad. I knew it was about Castle's case. It had to be. What else could it have been about? She was disappointed in me. Who knew what she would do? Put me on traffic. No, she couldn't just waste an excellent detective on traffic.

I hesitantly got up from my chair and walked to her office, cringing at every step. I walked in and shut the door behind me.

"Yes, Sir," I said, almost intimidated.

"Castle's case; have you found anything?" she asked, not really paying attention to me as she searched for something under the papers on her desk.

"Well, not entirely," I told her, still standing by the door for safety.

"Define 'not entirely'."

"It is exactly how it sounds," I told her, as I shifted my weight from my left foot to my right.

"And why is that?" she asked, looking up at me.

"Well, we haven't found the motive yet."

"And any suspect for that matter. What are Esposito and Ryan doing at the moment?"

"They are talking to the people that publish his books and his agent."

"I thought they did that yesterday."

I bit my lip, feeling frustrated. She was making me look like a fool. But the thing was, I was a fool. "They are talking to them again to see if they missed anything."

"They should have done a thorough job to begin with."

I tapped my foot on the ground, trying to keep my cool. "They are just tying up loose ends."

"How can they be tying up loose ends when there are no ends to be tied up? You haven't found anything and it's almost been a week."

"I know… It's just that-"

"No, Detective. You haven't found anything and I'm pulling the case from you early."

"You promised a week," I said, stepping forward a little.

"And you said you would solve this damn case. Looks like we both lied."

"This is not fair," I said in a stern voice. God, I sounded like a child whining because someone got more candy than they did.

"There is a fine line between fair and reality. I just gave you reality. We are done here." She looked back down at her files in front of her and started writing.

I bit my tongue before I said something I would regret. I walked out, slamming the door after me. She was right that I wasn't getting anywhere, but I still had a few days. We were almost there and then she just took the case right out from under us.

I went and called Espo. I told him that we were off the case and to come back before Gates flipped out about that, too.

I sat at my desk, frustrated that I couldn't focus on my paper work. The headache was gone but it was replaced with anger.

I looked up as I heard someone walking towards me. I smiled when I saw Castle. In one hand he was carrying two coffee cups, one of which had my name written all over it. In his other hand was a brown lunch paper bag.

I gave him a questioning look. "What's in the bag?"

He sat down in his chair with his dorky smile that tickled my stomach. "The best thing ever."

"That's a little small for the person that ran you over, wouldn't you say?"

"Okay, second best thing."

"Which is?" I asked.

He dug his hand in the bag and pulled out an apple and an orange.

"Are you sure that is the only thing in that bag?" I leaned over to see in the bag for myself.

He ignored me. "Do you want the apple or the orange?"

"Why?"

"Have you ever eaten an apple or an orange with a frown?"

"Yeah, plenty of times."

"Doubtful. Now, which one?"

I sighed and bit the inside of my cheek to stop me from smiling. "Fine. The orange," I said.

He smiled triumphantly and handed me the orange.

I started to peel it and a knot formed in my stomach. "Castle..." I hesitated. "Gates took us off the case." I was scared to look up at him to see his reaction.

"Maybe it's for the best."

My head whipped up to look at him to see if I had heard him correctly. "Are you saying that I couldn't solve this case anyway?" I asked baffled.

"No. What I am saying is that maybe we are all just too close to this case to solve it. Maybe we should just let it go," he said softly. "It's fine, Kate. Really it is."

"I want this guy behind bars though."

He nodded agreeing with me. "We all do." His mouth turned into a smile as he bit into his apple. "See you can't eat it with a frown."

I smiled myself as I bit into a piece of an orange, feeling better. Maybe he was right. Maybe we were all just too close to it, blinded by it.


I was surprised that we didn't get a call about a dropped body. And a little disappointed because it meant that I would be going home early tonight and I was dreading that. I wasn't in the mood to see or even hear Mary.

Castle left an hour ago after Alexis called him. He said that she missed him and he wanted to be with her as much as possible before she went to college. He was going to be a nut when she was gone, which would mean that he was going to be here more often. I didn't know if I was worried or excited about that. He was a great help; hell, he was an amazing help, but he did get on my nerves once in a while.

My hand froze and my stomach contracted when I saw her walk off of the elevator. "Oh, god no," I whispered to myself.

"Katie," she called to me, waving.

"What are you doing here?" I hissed. I looked over at Esposito and Ryan. They were both looking at me in interest. Espo's eyes nearly bugged out of his head when he saw Mary. I would have to smack him over the head for that one later.

"Well, you must have locked your apartment. I was trying to get in and your landlord was no help whatsoever."

She was right. I did lock my apartment hoping she wouldn't get in and maybe leave, but that was a stupid plan because all of her things were still inside. I should have put them all in the hallway.

Okay, Kate, let's mature a little I thought to myself.

I sighed. "I'm almost done. Can you go find something to do for about an hour?"

I didn't realize Esposito and Ryan had come over there until they were standing a foot away. "Sup," Esposito said.

"Mary, this is Esposito and Ryan. Guys, this is Mary Beth, my cousin," I said with clenched teeth.

"I didn't realize how attractive cops were," Mary giggled.

I was not amused whatsoever, but Esposito and Ryan were. And what the hell, Ryan was married. He shouldn't even be looking at her.

"I didn't realize Beckett had a hot cousin," Esposito remarked.

"This is not happening," I mumbled to myself.

"Ryan and I were just going to get drinks-" Espo started.

"We were?" Ryan asked, totally not getting the hint.

Esposito elbowed him in the ribs. "Do you want to come with us?"

"Can I talk with you guys? In private? Now," I ordered getting up from my desk and walking to the break room, as I grabbed onto their arms and dragged them behind me. I shut the door after I pushed them. "You are not inviting her to go to go to the Haunt."

"Why not?" Espo asked. "Because I think we were, actually."

"Well, you're not, because she is a blood-sucking parasite that is trying to take over my life."

"She seems nice," Espo said with a goofy look as he looked out the window.

"You are not taking her," I ordered in a stern voice.

They made eye contact and nodded. "Okay. We won't, but you have to finish the rest of our paper work."

"Are you serious? The both of yours?"

"Yeah, or we are going to get wasted with Beckett the Barbie and who knows what else."

I gave them a threatening look but they both stood there smugly. "I hate you guys."

"Deal or no deal?"

"Fine. Now go tell her that you are busy."


When I had finally finished all the paper work, my hand was aching and the headache that I had had earlier was back. I ended up just giving Mary the key to my apartment when I realized I was going to be there longer, so she would leave me alone, I guess it was the right thing to do. But she had better not be doing crap on my table or anywhere else in my apartment for that matter.

I didn't want to go to my apartment. I didn't want to see her again. That might seem childish of me but I didn't trust her anymore. She used to be my best friend but she just turned around and betrayed me, and plus, she was kind of ditzy and annoying.

I stood on the sidewalk in front of the 12th Precinct, debating where to go. I finally decided to just go home.

Since it was warm I decided not to grab a taxi and just walk home. Half way there, I had a strong need for a sweet, steaming hot cup of coffee. I walked into a café that was still open and ordered the usual. I ordered a multigrain muffin and decided to stay and eat it at the coffee shop.

I sat at a small table in the corner and read a magazine. I didn't realize someone else had sat down at a table nearby, until I heard the ruffling of a paper. I couldn't see his face because the newspaper was blocking it, but I could tell that he was older and had money because of his gold Rolex watch. There was just something about him that wouldn't let me take my eyes off of him. I wondered what his story was. Why he was at a café at nine at night. Why he was in this café in particular.

I started to feel fatigued. Something that coffee just wasn't going to fix. Fed up, I threw my coffee and half of the eaten muffin away and left. But, before I did, I couldn't help but look back at the man that was sitting at the table.


X

He couldn't believe that she had actually looked at him, no, stared at him. He got butterflies in his stomach. He wanted her so badly. And now maybe she wanted him. It didn't matter to him if she wanted him or not, because he was going to get her either way. He would steal her in the middle of the night with not a sound made. He would slip into her bedroom, gently pick her up, not stirring her and take her away into the night. Take her from the corruption of the world; take her from the evil that was boiling up trying to eat away the beauty of good.

He would take her to his cabin that was deep in the woods and he would make love to her over and over. He would tie her down if he had to. And, maybe, one morning she would wake up and realize that she loved him as much as he loved her and they would have a happily ever after like in the fairy tales and the Disney movies.

He smiled to himself. Maybe he wouldn't have to kill Richard after all. But he dismissed that thought as soon as he thought it, because he wanted to kill Richard. Not that he had to, but simply because he wanted to.


I walked into my apartment and straight to my bedroom. I kicked off my high heels and slid out of my clothes to change into pajamas. It was the best feeling in the world, after a long day at work, to change into something warm and comfy. I walked back out of my room to get water and almost ran into Mary, who was standing outside my door.

"Whoa!" I exclaimed.

"Sorry," she said sheepishly. "I just wanted to ask you something."

"Okay." I walked to the kitchen with her following behind me. I grabbed a water bottle from the fridge. "Do you want one?"

"No, thanks," she declined.

"Okay, so what's your question?" I opened the water bottle and took a swig.

"Why do you hate me?" she asked and then started rambling. "I know what happened a few years ago made you mad but I said I was sorry and-"

I almost choked on my water. "Mary, you slept with my boyfriend! Do you honestly think sorry was going to cut it?" I started to walk back to my room, hoping she would leave it at that.

"But everyone does stupid stuff. Can't we just move on? Forget it even happened?" She followed me back, hardly leaving a gap between us.

I ran my hand through my hair, irritated. "Mary, I was in love with him. I actually wanted a future with him but you came waltzing in and took him from me. I don't think I can ever forgive you for that."

"But look what it got you. You are dating a famous novelist. You can have a future with him. It was kismet." It seemed like she was trying to justify what she did.

"I'm not dating Castle and I don't even believe in fate," I told her. "The only thing I believe in right now is that I'm tired and I want to go to bed. So, goodnight." I went to my bedroom and slammed my door shut.

Maybe she was right. Maybe if I had never caught them things wouldn't be how they were now and I kind of liked 'now'. What if I had married Jared, because now that I think of it, I was sure Mary wasn't the first girl he had cheated on me with. You know how that phrase goes: "once a cheater, always a cheater." Maybe she had unintentionally saved me.

All those things still didn't make up for the fact that she knew I was dating him and slept with him anyway. She did wrong and she had to have consequences.

My good conscience spoke softly in my head. Don't you think ignoring her for years is equal to those consequences?

I told myself to shut up as I slipped into a deep sleep.


I was woken up by an annoying ringing in my ear. I grumbled to myself as I reached for my cell phone on my nightstand.

"Beckett," I answered, as I flipped my lamp on.

"Duty calls," Espo replied.

"You have got to be kidding me. It's like two in the morning," I complained, as I checked the clock. "Please tell me it's, at the least, interesting."

"Interesting doesn't even begin to explain it."

"I'm listening."

"So this seventy-year-old man was shot in his apartment. Wasn't found until a week after his death because he never paid his rent. The owner personally goes in to his apartment and finds him half eaten."

"Not-ah."

"I'm not lying. His dog actually ate him and chewed on his bones like they were a treat."

I got out of my bed and started changing. "That's disgusting."

"So much for Man's best friend."

"Text me the address and I will be on my way," I told him and hung up.

When I was finished getting ready, I snuck out of my apartment, trying not to wake up Mary. I had already called Castle, but spared him the details, because I loved to see the excitement on his face in person. I wondered if this case was going to have any effect on him getting a dog.

I took a taxi to the address and met Castle at the door.

"Do you think murderers could hold off murdering until the sun rises?" Castle said, as we walked into the building.

"I don't think murderers consider the detectives that investigate the murder, and, anyway, the victim has been dead a while."

"He has been dead and no one noticed?" Castle pushed the button of the elevator. It dinged and the doors opened.

"It happens all the time". We walked in and I hit the button for level 13.

"Well, that explains it. He lives on the thirteenth level," Castle said, as he hit the button again.

"Your point?"

"The number 13 in unlucky."

"So, you're saying he was murdered because he was living on the thirteenth floor of this building?"

"I'm saying that living on the thirteenth floor gave him bad luck which caused his murder," Castle explained. "It's weird because a lot of buildings usually don't have the thirteenth floor. Usually they just skip it or have it as '12A' or 'M'."

"But wouldn't it still be the thirteenth floor?"

He ignored me. "Did you know that triskaidekaphobia is fear of the number 13?"

"Why does it not surprise me that you would know that?" The elevator dinged and the doors opened. I stepped out and looked back at Castle who hesitated. "Seriously? You're afraid?"

"Remember last time I was cursed?"

"Suit yourself. And here I thought you would be excited over a victim that was eaten," I said, as I started to walk again. It took a second for Castle to catch up with me.

"Did you say eaten? Like cannibalism?"

"Maybe," I lied.

"Awesome!" Castle exclaimed morbidly.

I flashed the cop my shield and walked into the apartment. I walked to Lanie as she stood next to the body that was already in the body bag.

"Do you have specific time of death?" I asked, skipping the formalities.

"Looks like George Michaels was killed around Monday. But, once I get him back to the lab, I will have a more accurate TOD." She bent down and started to unzip the bag.

"Was he really eaten by someone?" Castle asked.

"Yes, but by his dog, not by a human, you sicko."

"How was he murdered then?" Castle asked.

"Bullet to the head. It looks like a .45 caliber." She uncovered him.

"It's not a dog eat dog world, but a dog eat owner world." Castle smiled at me, finding his joke amusing.

"Really?"

Espo and Ryan walked up to us. They didn't look in the least happy. "Neighbors hardly even knew him. They said he was like a ghost. They didn't see him leave or come in, didn't even hear him move around."

"Well, let's find his next of kin and solve this damned case."


It was eight o'clock. I was still exhausted and the five cups of espresso hadn't seemed to help much. Castle seemed bored with this case. All he did was sit in his chair and play around with his cell phone, probably playing Angry Birds. Every ten minutes he would let out a bored sigh.

"Castle, if you are really that bored, you can go home," I told him after his fifth sigh.

"Nah, I have been home too long in the past week and, plus, I have a checkup in an hour."

"Don't you want to spend time with Alexis?" I asked.

"You honestly think she is up at this time on a Saturday? Am I getting the impression you are trying to get rid of me, Detective?"

"That sighing thing you do every few minutes is driving me crazy."

"I think you need more coffee." Castle said, getting up and heading to the break room.

My phone started to ring. I was sure it was Lanie with a few more details.

"Beckett," I answered.

"Hey, girl."

"What have you got for me?" I asked, as I grabbed a pen and a piece of paper in case I had to jot something down.

"It looks as if Mr. Michael was murdered somewhere between six and eight Tuesday."

"You're sure? And no one heard a gunshot that early in the morning."

"That's not my job to figure out, but that's not it. It looks as if the murderer was standing within a foot of him."

"So, pretty close. Okay, thank you, Lanie."

When Castle came back to his spot with two freshly made coffees, I shared the information I had just got with him.

"Seems as if he knew the murderer well enough for the killer to get that close, and he must have had a silencer," Castle mused.

"Maybe we can get something from his daughter," I said, motioning my head towards a woman in her late twenties being ushered into an interview room.

Castle checked his watch. "I should probably leave. I don't want to make the doctor wait."

"Yeah, he might screw up your prescription on purpose." I stood and grabbed a file.

"I will be back later." Castle started to leave.

"Castle, wait," I called. He turned around to face me. "I think Ryan should go with you."

"Beckett, there is no need; I haven't had security on my place in a few days and I'm still alive."

"Wait, you haven't had security for a few days now? Are you sure?"

Castle shrugged like it was no big deal. No big deal. It definitely was a big deal! Someone was out there that wanted him dead and he didn't have security on his apartment. What if someone got into his apartment building and... and...?

I was enraged. I strutted to Gates' office and pushed my way in, not even bothering to knock. She looked up at me, confused and alarmed. "Can I help you with something?"

"There is no security at Castle's place anymore."

"And your point is..?" she asked me.

"Someone tried to kill him. Someone out there wants him dead and he was thrown to the wolves." I walked a little closer to her desk.

"Not entirely, Beckett. A patrol car drives by every hour or so. I don't think he is in harm's way, and we don't have enough officers for someone to stay at his place the entire night."

"I think there should be."

"Are you volunteering?"

"I... No, that's not..." I sighed defeated.

"If that's all, I'm a little busy."

I pursed my lips and I left.


After a boring day of only one person of interest, who ended up having an alibi, I went home to find Mary sitting on the couch. It seemed like she was waiting for me.

"Katie," she said getting up.

"You're still here."

"Yeah, that's why I was waiting for you." I looked over and noticed that all her stuff was packed and her makeshift bed that consisted of two blankets and a pillow was neatly folded and piled on top of each other.

"I'm going to just stay in a hotel for the rest of my stay. I get it, I'm unwelcome here and I don't want to invade you. I really am sorry for what I did before, and I hope maybe someday you will find it in your heart to forgive me."

I felt like a monster, a horrible, evil, monstrous monster. She honestly was sorry for what she did and I just wouldn't let it go. I wouldn't just forget about it.

"Mary, you don't have to leave," I told her. "I thought about it and, well,-" I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, "-I forgive you. I get it that it was a mistake and it happened a long time ago. It doesn't matter anymore."

"Really?" she asked. Her eyes brightened up and a smile formed on her lips. "Katie!" She came over and hugged me tightly.

"But it doesn't mean that we can be the best of friends again," I said, as I awkwardly patted her back and tried to take a step back.

"Oh, right!" She took a step back. "Remember when we would paint our nails and talk boys."

I laughed. "Oh, yes. Our favorite topic." I walked to my bed room and threw my purse on my bed and kicked off my high heels.

"And with Maddy. Those were some good times."

My cell phone beeped. It was Castle. Do you want to come over? Alexis went out with some friends and Mother is gone. I'm lonely.

I replied that I would love to.

"Well, I guess I'm going out again," I told her, as I opened my closet to look for something to change into.

"Well, that works out perfectly, because I was going to meet up with some old friends in an hour."

"Have fun," I said as she began to shut my door.

"You, too."


I promised myself that this would not be the night. I didn't care how much I wanted it, it wasn't going to happen. It had to be the perfect moment. I had to know for sure that I was in love with him. And thanks to the tip from the movie "Return to me", I didn't shave my legs to make sure I kept my jeans on. God, that sounded horrible. It made me sound like a slut. I couldn't help but giggle to myself.

I left after ten minutes because I didn't want to give the impression that I would go running at his every word, even though I kind of wanted to.

I knocked on his door and it wasn't a second before it swung open to reveal an incandescent Castle.

"Why are you so happy?" I asked, as I stepped in behind him. I pulled off my coat and hung it on the back of a chair.

"Do you want to play Scrabble?" He picked up the box of Scrabble. "I don't know if you will be able to beat me since I'm skilled and it is pretty much my profession to know words."

"I don't know; my mom and I would play almost every Sunday, and I would pretty much win every time."

"You're on." He had this mischievous smile. "We could make it interesting and play Strip Scrabble."

"No. And that wouldn't even work." I grabbed the box from him and put in on the kitchen table. "Don't go crying to Mommy when I win Castle."

"Psh. This is going to be like taking candy from a baby. Simple."

When Castle said he was good, he meant it. He used words I would have never thought of. He used the words indolent, enervate, and occlude. Who the hell uses these words? But at least I put up a pretty good fight.

"I won fair and square," Castle pronounced. "So, now you have to do whatever I tell you."

"Really? Is that in the directions?" I asked.

"If you give me a minute, I could easily add it in with a Sharpie."

"You know, it's getting kind of late and I should get home," I said, as Castle started to lean in slowly, very slowly. His breath engulfed my face and pulled me in. I gave him a sweet, passionate kiss but then pulled away.

"You don't have to leave," Castle almost begged.

I cocked my head to the side. "Oh, but I am."

He pouted out his lip bottom lip. "Please."

"Those puppy eyes have no effect on me," I told him. I pinched his cheek as I got up.

"Ah, come on, Beckett, we can watch a movie or something."

I sighed and pursed my lips debating. "Fine, but only one movie and then I'm leaving."

Castle smiled broadly taking my hand to lead me into the living room. "My puppy eyes work for everyone; got me out of a speeding ticket once."

"I thought you said the 'Jason Bateman' thing got you out of a speeding ticket once."

"Yeah, that too, even though I don't even look like him."

"I can kind of see it, but you have better eyes," I said staring into them.

"Beckett, are you giving me a compliment?" Castle asked, shaking his eyebrows.

I elbowed him as I walked in ahead to pick out the movie. "You are kind of narcissistic."

"Only on my better days-"

"-which, let me guess, is every day."

"You said it."

I gave him an annoyed smile as I pulled out the movie "Life as we know it". I loved this movie and it kind of reminded me of us. Well, I guess not entirely.


HEY! So, it's Sunday and guess what tomorrow is. New Castle and an Episode that I'm Super excited about!

And today is the super bowl! To bad the packers aren't in it. Maybe next year.

Well, have a great day and week. :)