A/N: So I'm glad that you guys liked my weirdness, and while I think it would be fun to write a closet scene, that doesn't really go with what I'm going for with this story.
Their plan worked just the way they wanted. They both felt at least a little bad about manipulating Kate and Rick, but they also knew that those two needed a reality check. Plus, the truth was, as much as Ellie and Jared hated to admit it, they were in over their heads. The pair set Castle and Beckett out on various tasks together. Once in a while, they would separate them, or one of them would pair up with a partner individually to complete their task. Most of the time, it was far more fun just to make them do things on their own. In the next two weeks, Beckett and Castle were assumed as a couple six times, offered wedding dress and tux fittings twice, and accosted by a very aggressive and majorly creepy real estate agent for an apartment fit for newlyweds with a baby on the way. Beckett was mildly offended by this part, vowing to never wear the outfit she was wearing that day. Ellie was highly amused, wishing she'd been there, proudly showing off the small bump her stomach was now forming into.
Ellie and Jared timed the wedding so it would be a year and a half from then, when their child was at least a year old. Ellie and Jared were both more well-off than Castle realized, Ellie having inherited money from her father and Jared's parents owned a chain of successful businesses all over the east coast and had trust funds for each of their children, four of them including Jared. Plus there was the fact that both Jared and Ellie had jobs that paid rather well.
The plans got made far quicker than Ellie anticipated, so often she had to dramatize a situation in order to keep the charade going. Jared and Ellie felt a little elated, less pressure on their shoulders. The more Beckett and Castle helped, the more they delved into preparations for their home and newborn child. The deeper they got into preparations, the less Ellie focused on getting Castle and Beckett together.
Tragedy struck once more. Royce was murdered, and Katie disappeared with Castle for a few days, against the express wishes of her superiors. She was worried, but did not know how to help her cousin. She was swamped with work, and hers and Jared's big engagement celebration was the week after.
Royce had been such a role model to Katie. After Aunt Jo died, Katie was unbelievably lost, determined, and not letting anybody in. Royce gave her a hand and pulled her out of the rabbit hole. Katie talked about him non-stop. She'd been young at the time, and it had taken her a while to realize that her cousin was in love with Royce. His betrayal had been a big blow to Katie's already sheltered heart, and she hated him for it. His death would most likely prove to uproot more of her cousin's dwindling supply of optimism.
The night Katie returned, Jared was out with some clients, and Ellie was sitting on the couch reading yet another baby book. She set it down instantly as Katie walked in. Her cousin looked ragged. She was wearing jeans and a gray t-shirt. Her hair hung down limply over her shoulders. Her eyes were tired, puffy and swollen. Her nose was slightly red. The sight of her pain just broke her heart.
Ellie took one step forward and wrapped her arms around Katie tightly. She felt her cousin lean on her, and her shoulder shaking as she let out some silent sobs. Ellie led her to the couch, speaking in her most reassuring tones that everything was going to be okay, and that it's okay to be sad that she lost him. Katie didn't fully break down. She never did in front of Ellie, always determined to be so strong. Even so, her resolve had been weakened. She cried quietly while Ellie stroked her hair. It took her thirty minutes to calm down completely.
"Sorry," she muttered sheepishly, sitting up and wiping away the remaining tears.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Beckett responded, sniffling in an unconvincing way.
"You know what you need?"
"What?"
"Pepperoni pizza, chocolate chip cookies, and Temptation Lane," Ellie replied. Beckett smiled for the first time since she got home.
They watched two episodes while they ate, re-watching the Martha Rodgers episodes which made them laugh endlessly. Kate started talking about L.A., about the movie doubles of Esposito and Ryan. She talked about a lot of weird moments, and all she had learned about Royce. She pulled out his letter, and handed it over. Ellie read it over and smiled.
"Gotta say…for all of his stupidity, the guy knows how to write a last letter…and he's right, you know…"
"It's not that simple, Ellie."
"Three words, Katie. Three words," Ellie exclaimed. Beckett rolled her eyes.
"Pot calling the kettle black," Kate retorted.
"Yes, but I got over it."
"I don't know how I feel about him…In L.A., there was this moment…where I wanted to take the plunge. I opened the door and…I missed him by seconds. It's what we do. Our timing is just…off."
"Royce was right. Life is short," Ellie said, "and you may not have as much time with him as you want…"
"There's too much at stake, Ells…"
"Coward," Ellie mumbled.
"Nag," Beckett retorted. Ellie smiled.
"I only want you to be happy."
"I know."
"You can't just not be with someone because it might be difficult," she whined, "Just like you can't be with someone just because it's convenient."
"Josh has nothing to do with this."
"Makes no sense."
That conversation left Ellie more determined than ever. It was time to get rid of the boyfriend. Originally, she'd intended to let Katie let Josh down easily, but it was time to plant the seed of doubt in his mind, since Castle was most definitely already occupying Kate's thoughts more than ever. She was afraid that no matter what happened, someone was going to be heartbroken. She was going to figure out how to get Katie and Rick together and happy if it was going to kill her.
A/N: I think I may make Ellie have a weird conversation with Josh next...who knows... ;)
