Everything Changes

(Adopted from Muse of Apollo by permission of author.)

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: Chapters 1-4 are loosely based on works of Courtesy of Muse of Apollo rewritten with permission. End of Season 2 AU, Everything Changes when Beckett leaves with Demming, Castle has had enough, Original concept based on abandoned story by Matt, Muse of Apollo. Rated M

I don't own Castle, I use the characters for amusement purposes only

Chapter 10

Previously

Why in the hell didn't she see it, Karpowski even warned her, as she flashed back to her words, "Beckett, you're a damn fool, if you don't want him, I will GLADLY take care of his needs," She had seen and heard enough, hailing a cab, she went home to her lonely apartment, kicking herself for another colossal fuck up, no one to blame but herself. She threw herself across the bed, fully clothed and cried herself to sleep.

Beckett's Apartment

5:00 AM Next Day

Kate had tossed and turned, half crying, half sleeping from frustration, depression, and the final realization just how badly she had fucked up. Three months ago she had it all, Lead Detective with the highest closure rate in the city, a great team and a dear friend in Lanie, Rick Castle adored her and would do anything for her, but she threw it all away, and she even had trouble rationalizing why. Tom was cute, but his professionalism was that of a High School senior. After they had made love, no make that had sex, he wasn't the greatest there either she thought, the first time, she became more of a trophy to him than a partner.

Just as she was lost in her thoughts, she heard the thud against her apartment door, announcing the arrival of the morning paper. She waited 5 minutes to allow the perv who delivered it time to pass to the next floor, she had made the mistake of opening her door too soon one morning and faced the ugly leering of the delivery man trying to see down her top, then retrieved the paper.

The coffee she had started during her wait signaled it had completed brewing, so she sat at her small table with a cup, bracing for what today would bring. She turned to the Entertainment section of the paper and there he was, well they were.

Pictures of Rick and Roz together, and also shots from last night at The Old Haunt with captions. New Sheriff in Town read one, with the explanation below, It seems Author Richard Castle has traded muses, but kept it close to home. As readers know the original Nikki Heat series was based on real life NYPD Detective Katherine Beckett, but it seems that was a short series for the author.

From the picture above, it's safe to assume that Lead Detective Roz Karpowski is much more than the muse Kate Becket was, and although they share the same precinct and department, it appears Miss Karpowski is much more involved in story development than the former muse.

What the hell? Former Muse? Plot development? Who the hell did this reporter think he or she was. She had more of Richard Castle than Roz ever would, wait had was the correct term, she didn't lose his love, she trashed it. Just as she started reading the caption for the pictures of Rick with Darlene hanging all over him, her phone rang.

"Beckett"

"Kate, I'm so sorry, Hun, I really am, I never thought it would go this far between you two that he would get tired of waiting," Lanie is half sobbing, half talking.

"Hi Lanes, thanks for calling, I'm just looking at the pictures now, it's all right, I mean we were never an item, he has the right, oh FUCK Lanie what am I going to do, and why the hell did it have to be Roz of all people" by now her tears are falling and she is sobbing.

"Are you working today Kate?"

"No, off for the next two days," she gets out between sobs,

"I'm on my way, listen for my knock, see you in twenty" Lanie hangs up and Kate see's a picture that totally destroys her, it's Roz holding his hand with a cup of coffee matching his cup. That Bastard, that was their thing, coffee meant I love you, didn't he know that?

Castle's Loft

6:00 AM Same Day

Erin is the first up, as usual, and puts on a pot of coffee as she gathers the paper. Rick had warned her last night, even pre-paid for it in bed for one or two of the shots to keep her anxieties down, but even with that the pictures hurt.

She lowers her head and quietly weeps, not hearing Nicky and Alexis make their way down the stairs. She startles slightly and composes herself as much as she can closing the paper when she hears,

"Erin, you know those pictures are fake, Dad doesn't do stuff like that. He would never hurt you, so whatever you saw was faked, or was for a publicity stunt, I know it, he loves you Erin and he never hurts those he loves"

"Yeah Mom, Rick wouldn't behave like that in front of his "Girls" as he calls us, he has too much pride to be what the papers say, so don't cry."

"The girls are right Erin," Rick's arms slip around her from behind, she had never seen or heard him coming, but he was there when she needed him. He slides his hand up and gently cups her face turning it into him, a long sweet kiss, normally reserved for when the girls were out of sight, as she moans into the kiss, she hears, "Mom, Dad, get a room."

She laughs through watery eyes as they break the kiss, and hears, "See we told you" from the girls.

"I'll explain every photo if you want Erin, you know that those days the paper had me described as the wandering playboy, half the time I was with this one", as he pulls Alexis over and tickles her gently.

"It's true Erin, Dad and I had a game back then which paper was going to come up with the best lie, you would think the tabloids, but the Times hung in there with them. Speaking of, don't even look at them today, we have too much to do, remember we leave Tuesday for Europe."

Rick takes his thumb, and gently wipes away the tears from Erin's eyes. He whispers, "stay strong love, it's part of the plan your Dad came up with"

She leans in and kisses him gently, whispering back, "I know, but I still don't have to like it, I want you all to myself" and kisses him again.

Alexis and Nicky take the hint, and both make excuses about having to get ready and up the stairs they go. They reappear 45 minutes later all dressed and headed out,

"You girls have a good day in school" Rick calls out,

"Dad, It's Saturday we don't have school, but you should do something nice with Erin, she is already missing you."

"Good idea pumpkin, don't worry about us if we're not home tonight, I want to make sure Erin is OK,"

"Got it Dad, have a good day, text me if you need me", She and Nicky shout out Goodbye as they head out the door.

Erin reappears from the bedroom, and she looks ravishing, nipples from her taunt breasts both poking through a beautiful silk nightgown, and Rick's favorite perfume permeating off her as she approached him.

"Got any plans for today Rick?"

"Not anymore" as he picks her up and carries her to the bedroom shutting the door with his foot behind him.

Two hours later, needing a break, Erin brings up Roz and her role in the plan. "I'm sorry it blindsided you Rick, I didn't think my Dad would act so fast, even before I had the chance to talk to you."

"That's OK, your Dad explained that nothing was going to change your mind, other than you staying, which we can't let happen, you were going to make sure someone you knew was there looking out for me. Just one question, Why Roz?"

"Truthfully?"

"Yes, Always"

"I called Kate and wanted to meet with her, I asked her could she put aside our differences to meet to discuss something to help you, no specifics, when I asked her could she put away our differences, she just stayed silent. That told me all I needed to know, hell I would walk over molten rock to get to you and you would for those you love, but that pissed me off.

I called Roz since she had made it known around the station, she would do anything to keep you safe, even if Beckett was too blind to see it. So, she and I had a very frank and open discussion, just be careful, she really is in love with you."

"What do you mean Erin, I'm sure you heard wrong, Roz is got too much going for her to sit bye while the party passes her by."

"Rick, when a woman tells me she loves the man she knows is attracted to you, she's in love with you, she made no bones about it, and told me whatever would make you happy, she'd do, and didn't care if she was just a fill in"

"Erin, I mean I like Roz, she is attractive, but I never thought of her in that way"

"Well you better not start now, acting is one thing, but remember when the scene is over, you're coming home to me. She enlisted Fran and Darlene so Mike and his buddy wouldn't look so out of place at the Hampton's, Rick PLEASE promise me you'll be careful, Please"

"I will Erin, no way Roz can take me away from you,"

"It's not only that, but sweetie, you forget my Dad's the Big Guy in the cops, Intel is out that Scott Dunn is casing your house in the Hampton's to plan his move there, please be careful, I really hate that I'm so far away from you."

"I'll be careful, and don't worry, Roz, and the two girls are fantastic cops, they know their job and it's not getting laid by the Mystery Author, they may be vocal but they are also respectful of people and relationships."

"Well, the one loose cannon that could fuck things up is Beckett, I'm sure she is going ballistic when she see's this mornings Times, you have to make sure Roy keeps her on a leash for everyone's good."

"I know, I have a call in to Roy about that, Roz texted me last night, they spotted Beckett outside The Old Haunt, and she wanted to be sure Roy was keeping her busy and out of our hair."

"When did this happen? You were home with me shortly after the photos were taken?"

"Like I said the ladies are great cops, Fran spotted her first then Darlene laid it on with the hugs and kisses to get her to reveal herself to confirm, they worked in the same precinct for years and heard the sigh, and watched her patented What the F Eye Roll, Darlene's words, not mine" he laughs

"Rick, I just hate to leave you, I mean they are all so gorgeous and I am just*"

"The woman I love and trying very hard to fall back in love with, I'm sorry Erin, I really am but the Trust issue is huge with me, I haven't had the most stellar record with partners as you recall."

Erin lowers her head, "I would do anything to go back in time to fix that moment, I swear it was the only time Rick, but I also understand when you say you Love me, but Trust Issues have to be resolved before you can be in love with me. I just want you to know, I am here, nothing is going to change that until you tell me to go, OK?"

"We all screw up Erin, Forgiving is easier than forgetting, and I know I am being tough, especially all you are going through with me, but I think if you give me enough time, trust me as I am trusting you again, we can make it. One slip on either of our parts will kill all of the work that has been done, so even if Roz does mean it when she kisses me, it's you I think of"

Erin's eyes get moist and a single tear falls down her cheek, "That was probably the sweetest thing I have ever heard, remember I love you, I will continue to prove it to you as long as I live."

The rest of the evening is spent in affirming Love, and well yeah some sessions are just down right passion, why not, this babe is HOT, and she is his. After multiple sessions Rick is lying on his back Erin leans her head over his heart and the steady beat puts her into a comfortable sleep, dreaming of her man and reliving some of the best sex in her life.