This time it's not my fault. My beta was doing her actual job instead of editing my work - how dare she right? - but anyways, I return with a new chapter for you and news that I start University tomorrow so I'll have an update A.S.A.P.

Enjoy 3


"Attention, everyone!" The entire hallway of overly- hormonal teenagers turned as the captain of the football team and their self-proclaimed leader called their attention. "I have a very important announcement to make."

Kate and Maddy poked their heads out of the crowd to get a better look at their own personal sex-god. They had both been making plays at him for a little over a year. While he had casually rejected them both, it had not affected their friendship. In fact it had turned into a sort of game. It had taken then a little over a week to learn his daily schedule; from there they had taken to observing and reporting to each other to compare notes and determine the perfect type of girl for Brent Edwards. Once they hit senior year, they had upgraded their stalking to standing outside his bedroom window, sighing dreamily as his shadow passed the bush they had huddled under.

The first time Kate had arrived home just before midnight after her adventures, her mother had been sitting at her desk, her glasses perched on her nose, reading the same document she had been reading for months. Kate had made it to the third step before Johanna had called her out and offered her that look. The one that told you that she knew exactly what you were doing so there was no reason to hide it. That look had led to an hour-long confession on Brent's hair alone, followed by a lengthy description of his eyes, his muscles, and a brief five minutes dedicated to his personality. Johanna had been patient in listening to her daughter's ramblings, only offering an amused smile and a comforting pat on the back. After that, not a single word passed between them on the subject.

Now, just after January of their senior year, Kate and Maddy were equally nervous for themselves and each other as they realized just what Brent Edwards was going to announce. He had finally chosen his date for the prom. Of course, Kate knew that neither of them had a chance, but she couldn't help that glimmer of hope that fluttered in her heart when the sophisticated, hunky jock raised his arms and the entire hallway was lulled to silence.

"I have finally chosen the lucky girl who is to accompany me to this year's senior prom."

Every single girl sucked in a breath and a few of them even crossed their fingers while most of the 'normal' guys scowled and the rest of the football team smirked in amusement. Although Kate was dying of anticipation, she still took a moment to observe the silent hallway. It was like a scene from 'Saved by the Bell' – well, almost – why did high schools always need to have so much drama?

"And the lucky girl is…" Brent Edwards held out his hand and his date took it with a satisfied leer. She wrapped her arm around his waist as he squeezed her shoulder "…my long time girlfriend, Madison Queller."

Kate paled as Maddy leaned into her boyfriend for a gentle but indecently private kiss, feeling her heart drop past her feet and through the earth's crust. How could Maddy have betrayed her like that? Her best friend and the love of her life had been dating each other for months? How dare she?

Kate arrived home right after school, slamming the door on her way up the stairs. Jim and Johanna had been sitting together on the couch, lounging in front of the television, when they heard their daughter stomp up two steps at a time and slam her door mercilessly before the sound of breaking glass was heard. They watched the ceiling beneath Kate's room for an extra moment before they turned simultaneously to each other with matching concerned gazes.

"It's your turn." Johanna reminded her husband teasingly.

"Nuh-uh Jo, that sounds like girl talk which means it is strictly a 'no dad' zone." He bumped her shoulder to gently push her off the couch. "Go fix your daughter." Johanna rolled her eyes as she hoisted herself off the couch.

"You'd better be here when I get back," she warned.

"I'll always wait for you, Jo." His tone was lightly serious, which pricked the woman's heartstrings. He really would wait forever.

"Good, because this may take awhile." No use getting sentimental over nothing. Patting her husband's knee, Johanna Beckett offered a sweet smile before venturing into the unknown abyss that was teenager-dom.

Kate clamped her hands over her face as her arms rested on her knees. She closed her eyes, willing the last of her tears away, unwilling to relive the humiliation she had just endured. Rubbing the heels of her palms over her eyes, she flopped backwards on her bed, bouncing lightly as she settled into the mattress.

What had she been thinking? Why hadn't she seen the signs? She was only mildly startled to hear a calm knock on her door followed by her mother's soothing voice. "Kate?" When she received no answer, Johanna entered and titled her head sympathetically at the sight before her. Kate had thrown her bag across the room, shattering a picture frame holding a beloved photo of Kate and Madison at age fourteen, arms around each other, Kate's braces adding an extra sparkle to her smile. The daughter in question was sprawled out on her double bed, appearing on the verge of tears. "Kate, what's wrong?"

The sound of her mother's concern caused Kate's last nerve to snap and her entire body shook with the sobs that she had been suppressing for so long. Johanna was beside her in an instant, stroking her hair in the only show of comfort she could think of. She knew it was another problem with Madison – she was the only one who could get her daughter so upset.

Kate hated that it had upset her so much but she couldn't help it. Maddy was her best friend and it seemed so impossible that she could have betrayed her that it hit her fast and hard. Their friendship was over.


They sat across from each other, staring more intently at each other than at their books. The June weather had been decently calm, offering little to complain about save for the occasional heat wave that never lasted longer than a day. It was the perfect weather for a young couple in love to be doing anything but studying. Well, Rick really had nothing better to do, seeing as he was in the midst of writing his second novel; and Kyra should have been studying but Rick was just so damned cute with his hair and his journal. In fact, she took advantage of the privacy that sitting on the roof of their favourite restaurant allowed, leaning in for an insatiable kiss. Rick had managed to roll them both to hover over her by the time they pulled apart and she smiled up at him.

"Hi." She muttered lifting her head for another peck. "How are you?"

Rick regarded her for a moment before responding. "I am… just so happy."

His smile flipped her heart over twice before it settled for another mind-numbing kiss. This particular one didn't end until they heard the familiar rustle of paper as they realized that a slight breeze had picked up, blowing her papers everywhere. With a giggle of young love, they disengaged far enough to chase after the pages that had been caught by the wind. Kyra held her papers to her chest and watched as Rick grabbed the last page, flipping it over to inspect it curiously. She watched his entire body stiffened and her heart sank. He had found it.

"What is it?" Kyra unconsciously echoed Johanna Beckett.

"When were you going to tell me?" The betrayal in Rick's eyes nearly killed her.

"I just feel so betrayed." Kate voiced Rick's emotions exactly.

"I was going to tell you, I promise." Kyra insisted.

"Just tell me and I promise I won't bug you for a whole week." Johanna followed.

"Yeah right." Kate and Rick both responded.

"Rick, I love you, but this the chance of a lifetime. It won't be forever, I'll be back."

"Kate, whatever happened, it'll pass. You and Maddy will be friends again in no time."

"How can you be so sure?" They responded with equal parts bitter and sadness.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Kyra was getting angry now. This was not how she had wanted to break the news to him. "You think I want to leave you?"

"Well you sure as hell aren't making an effort to stay." Rick snapped, duriously descending upon her .

"Rick, I can't." The sight of his girlfriend so torn up over her decision simmered his anger slightly, but not entirely. How could she not tell him?

"Why the hell not?"

"Because I love you." Johanna assured her daughter as Kyra assured her boyfriend. "And it's for the best."

"How is losing someone I care about for the best?" Kate and Rick both looked so disheartened.

"You're not losing me." Kyra assured stepping into his arms. "I just need some space."

"Just give Maddy some space." Johanna continued to stroke her daughter's hair. "You won't lose her over one little fight. "

But Rick did lose Kyra and Kate did lose Maddy. In June of the same year – just before the fight between Rick and Kyra – Kate sulked in her room as the rest of her class headed to the prom. While she had been asked by several eligible bachelors, she couldn't imagine surviving the night watching Maddy and Brent suck face. Maddy had explained that Brent had not actually rejected her, that they had been secretly dating since October of Senior Year - until it became necessary to display their relationship. Maddy had been hoping to spare Kate's feelings, but it had gone horribly wrong. Not only did they not make up, Kate vowed that she would never speak to her former best friend again. So she spent her Senior Prom locked in her room writing an overdue English Paper on Hamlet – she almost laughed at her situation, but couldn't bring herself to show emotion. She had to move on.

A little over a month after their altercation, in early August of the same year, Kyra Blaine and Rick Castle danced under the clock tower of Grand Central Station to imaginary music as they waited for her train to arrive. He couldn't bear to see her flight to England take off so he took her as far as he could. They hadn't spoken about their fight and it loomed over them even as she boarded the train.

It had been a kick to his gut when Rick read the letter announcing that Kyra had been accepted into some prestigious journalism school in England. He was happy for her, of course, but at the same time hated to see her go. He glanced at the engagement ring in his pocket. He had been planning to propose later in the week but couldn't, not after finding the letter. His decision was reaffirmed when he heard her say those three little words that shattered his heart. I need space. She was headed off to England; that was plenty of space. He wrapped his fingers tighter around the ring box in his pocket and sighed, slumping into a bench as the train took off without him. He sat there in his own misery for several minutes before shaking his head.

No, he would not wallow or sulk. Yes, he was a writer but he would not brood. As God as his witness, he would never brood again.

Returning the ring to his pocket, Rick Castle turned away from Kyra Blaine and headed down several blocks, towards home, until he came upon a familiar sign. Slipping down the stairs of the 'Old Haunt', Rick glanced down at a familiar table and sighed. It had been a mistake to come here. Everything would remind him of Kyra: the soft piano that they had danced to time and again; the slightly cracked mirror where Rick's drunken attempts to dazzle her with his bartending skills had failed miserably; the booth where she had sat beside him while he wrote his first novel. Shaking his head at the stupidity of his life, Rick sat at the end of the bar and ordered a beer. This road to recovery was going to be a little bumpy, but he had to move on.