The Heart Won't Lie

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: This is Totally AU; Beckett has left for D.C and the Feds. This describes the activity of each, during the time away from each other, NO PROPOSAL, before she left, but plenty of ANGST. Can they find their way back to each other, or do they even want to? It blends some Canon dialog, courtesy of Dust Jackets Dot Com, then goes quickly and completely AU. What were each up to during this time, Taking Literary License to fill in the blanks.

A/N: CASKETT ENDING IS NOT GUARANTEED. : CASKETT ENDING IS NOT GUARANTEED.

I don't own Castle; I use the characters for amusement purposes only, except the ones I create.

Also, we take liberties with the timeline from Canon and use events to make this a more believable fiction, thanks.

Thanks to reader pmt0622 for the prompt:

A CASKETT ENDING IS NOT GURANTEED. **************************************************************************/

Chapter 8

Castle's Loft

Broome St, New York

Later Same Day

Rick and Abby took a cab back to the loft, well a block away from the loft, so they could enter through the back service entrance. A few more days but Rick was enjoying the anonymity, Abby was enjoying Rick, so they were both happy. They were silent until they left the cab, then Abby poked him,

"OK, I thought you were going in to try to grope a feel, you had that same look on your face," she said, as she took his hand, raised it to her lips, and kissed the back of it.

"Well, Abby, my good lady you sound disappointed", as he pinched her on the ass with his free hand and she jumped as he laughed.

"Well, maybe a little, I thought Kate got to you, then I saw that smile, and I figured how can I avoid embarrassing you by not groping you back once you start that smooth move up my shirt. And FYI, I do love it, and I was a bit disappointed but also, I know what a gentleman you are, well at least in public" she laughed,

"Well, there's a time and place for everything, and I knew once I felt that soft tissue, or the erect nipple I wouldn't be able to stand up for a good ten minutes. You know damn well what just a touch of your girls do to me, and don't laugh at me, I know they accomplish the exact effect on me that you want." He squeezed her hand just a little harder. She stopped just inside the parking garage and kissed him,

"I'm glad to hear that and guilty as charged. It's exactly the effect on you I love. Now, do you want to tell me what the smile was about after you saw Kate with her old boyfriend, and I think you said his wife? That's gotta be weird, even by her standards" she laughed,

They were on the private elevator, so Rick kissed her, and this time he did cop a feel, or two, or three, she wasn't complaining as she kissed him back. "Remember the Christmas tree is being set up so we won't have privacy for a few hours" he smiled, as she kissed him back deeply running her fingers through his hair.

"Thanks for the reminder, I was about to get naked the moment the door to the loft opened, I completely forgot about the tree being set up." She smiled, kissed him sweetly, and pulled back, regaining his hand.

The smell of Christmas hit them like a heatwave the moment the elevator doors opened, and both just stopped, breathing in the fragrance, smiles broke out covering both of their faces, this was a good idea and brought back memories for each.

Fortunately for Rick's memories, Kate had only spent one Christmas with the family, well almost a Christmas, it had been close to 10:00 PM when she had arrived, just as he was leaving to join her at the precinct. The next day had been Christmas and with everyone over, they really didn't get to celebrate it as a couple before she was due back at work.

Just as they arrived at the door, Abby stopped him, "Rick, I don't know what memory has just made you a little blue, whatever it was, I'm sorry. I just want to hang on to these moments, just us two, not the ghosts of past loves, I mean, I'm jealous that way, Kick Kate out of my memory, please?" she looked at him with tears not falling but pooling in her eyes,

He leaned down and kissed each eye, "She's gone, it was just a flash memory, and you're right, I'm so sorry." He kissed her as they walked in the door. The transformation from a beautiful natural tree in the forest to that of Rick's Christmas tree was well underway.

Abby gasped, "My God Rick, it's gorgeous and so big! It looks even bigger now that it's decorated," she smiled,

"Oh, we have another hour to go, Miss Abby, this is just getting started," Chris smiled, "And yes Rick, it's secure, I promise you" he laughed as Rick just closed the open mouth from the question he was about to ask.

Abby followed Rick into his office, the first time she had been in the room where the magic occurred, as she had referred to it earlier other than on the way to his suite. She sat on the couch, just admiring his works, his citations from various agencies, including from Mayor Bob Weldon for acts of valor, saving countless lives through his bravery.

"Don't pay attention to those Abby, they give them out to most donors" he said, with a half-smile,

"RICK! We've talked about this; the rule is what? Do I need to take away something you love to get you to remember the first rule?" She shot him a look to let him know she was serious,

"I'm sorry Abby, the first rule is never put yourself down, enough people have already beat you to it." He smiled, "You won't take away"

"Not this time, as long as you level with me now, what brought that smile out in Remy's? she smiled

"Well, as I thought when I saw LT there, I figured he was just there to pick up an order, but when I saw Kate with Demming, well for a minute the old hurt flooded back, then I saw Tom's wife. She didn't look very enthused with Beckett or her husband, so it had to be an awkward meeting for everyone. So, I was thinking, and well you know how I like to make jokes about things,"

"Yes, don't tell me you were smiling at a joke you had just made up?" Abby asked,

"Not exactly, but I was running things through my head, my line of a cop walks into a bar and runs into her ex-boyfriend and his wife, and I realized that the line matched the look on Demming's wife. People don't believe in Karma, but I do believe he felt a little of it that night, or nights" Rick busted out laughing. The thought of Demming getting sent to the couch by his wife, after a meeting with Beckett was not only funny, it was truly Karma.

Abby laughed, along with him, do you think she was that jealous Rick, I mean I saw her face, and I saw disgust, so"

"Oh yeah, Kate made it well known they were sleeping together, and if his wife had the slightest interest in him at that time, which apparently she did, it had to cut like a knife. She hates Beckett, one of many cops, that well let's just say wouldn't be the first to volunteer to be a character witness for her. It's too bad, really, she's a good cop, when she listens." He said as he felt Abby's hand take his and place it under her shirt,

"You did say the bedroom was soundproofed, right? Chris said we had an hour?" as she led him to his bedroom.

Remy's

Same Time Frame

Kate was nervous, perhaps more nervous than at any time in her life. What the hell for, all she was doing was meeting the man she unsuccessfully used to make Rick jealous, then dumped right before the Memorial Day Holiday, costing him his deposit on the Hamptons place, and his new wife. That's correct she said wife, the only way he would accept any meeting was to have Heidi included, they were still newlyweds for God's sake, and she had the nerve to ask for a favor? With her history?

Javi had talked him into at least listening to her proposal, but he nor Mrs. Demming would be guaranteeing anything. Kate knew that to get Tom to agree, she would need to win over Heidi, and set ground rules that any wife or significant other could live with. Including the touch, and distance rule she had implemented with Castle.

They walked in holding hands, five minutes before the meeting time, Kate stood to greet them, and introduce herself to the new Mrs. Tom Deming, formerly Heidi Muoi, also a Robbery Detective at the 12th. She had chosen to continue to use her maiden name at work, many women did, and well it was still going to be weird, no matter what names were used.

"Hi Tom, Heidi, may I call you that, I've seen you around for a couple of years at the precinct but never formally introduced myself to you, I'm Kate Beckett, from homicide. First, thank you both for coming to this meeting, I'm sure you both had to think I had flipped my lid for sure this time, but please be seated. I have a proposal, and Hedi, I'm addressing you first, since I know how I would feel if the situations were reversed." Kate said as they sat across from her in the booth,

"Calling me Heidi is fine Detective, and really I have my doubts about this meeting, you see although you didn't know who I was, everyone on the Robbery floor knows you, and well, my husband now. I think you didn't waste any avenue in trying to rub it into Mr. Castle you had someone, but it backfired, and well, you hurt more than one person." Heidi just threw it out there,

"You're right Heidi, I did, I've apologized too many, not all, but I'm in therapy now and working to be better. I still owe Tom and you a very sincere apology, what I did was stupid, childish, and had no regard for anyone other than myself. I can't undo it, or words will never make it right, but I can promise you I am a different woman than I was then.

"Well, it's really not my decision, it's Tom's but I'll support him either way, with stipulations of course." She said as she looked towards Tom, who had been silent up to this point outside his courtesy hello.

"Well, Kate. You did leave a mess, I mean not only for me but Castle, your team, well, enough, you apologized, it's accepted. Javi said this had to do with those string of high-end burglaries and perhaps working together to catch the culprit. What's your idea?" He asked straight to the heart of the matter.

"Well, before you transferred here Tom, there was a similar case except there was a woman who was killed and stuffed into her wall safe, Mrs. Delgado was a patron of the arts the same as our current victim, Mr. Scorsone, in fact, they even donated to one identical organization, MADT," Kate said,

"Yes, we're familiar with that case," Heidi said, "The Lieutenant briefed us on the similarities, but the difference was your victim was shot, Mrs. Delgado was strangled according to the autopsy reports. Both had their safes cleaned completely out, so it was definitely someone who knew their way around sophisticated equipment such as the victims had in their homes." She looked to Tom, who just nodded, perfectly

"You're the expert in the robbery part of the cases, so I take your word for it, also there wasn't a struggle so apparently our victim knew his assailant," Kate said,

Tom finally spoke, "Well there is another option Kate, it could also be that the murderer knew where and when the victim would be coming home and laid in wait for him to arrive. It was common knowledge, well according to the briefing we received that the victim would never have sex on his bed, supposedly not to disparage his widow.

"He had booked a suite at the Fairmount that night, why he didn't spend the entire evening would be a good question to ask his young lady who accompanied him. She was I think 24, and a struggling actor, so even though her alibi checks for the time of death, perhaps you need to expand that time window." He said, in a professional tone,

"That's a really good catch, Tom, thanks," she wrote it down. She was interrupted by him adding,

"I don't think you wanted a one on one with Hedi and me just to compare case notes, that could have been done at the precinct, so what is it that you really want Kate?"

"Well, you probably know that Castle and I attended the fundraising ball held by the charity, and we were able to bust an accomplice who led us to the killer. We don't expect the same results this time, but Mr. Mayor has secured two tickets for the ball, and well, it's hard to ask, but"

"Detective Beckett, are you asking my husband to be your date for the evening? Is that what this is all about?" Heidi spit out, her eyes full of hatred.

"Well, yes. There would be conditions placed on it, of course. One of the reasons I wanted to meet with you Heidi, is to ensure you that this is nothing more than any other sting operation. Also, I wanted to ask if you would join the group of detectives we'll have mingling with the crowd, Tom will never be out of your line of vision, I promise that. Of course, that is if you agree, to assist in the case, it might help close your burglary cases as well." Kate backpedaled to a fuming Mrs. Tom Demming.

Tom looked amused at Kate being on the defensive, but hid his half-smile well, as Heidi turned to him and asked, "Tom, what do you think?"

"Well, let's walk through the actual night and see what you think. Beckett will come to our house; we'll take a cab with you in an unmarked car following close behind. When we get to the hotel where the event is being held, we WILL NOT enter until you are directly behind us.

"There will be no touching, no hand-holding, no signs of even fake affection, you did that so well Beckett, I'm sure you haven't forgotten how." Tom threw the dig into Kate and he was right, she had faked smiles, signs of affection, hell even all of the orgasms he thought he had brought her to.

"How long do you think you need to be at the event Beckett? Since you won't be drinking or dancing, what will you be doing? For how long, and when will I know to leave quietly to follow your cab back home?" Heidi asked,

"Well, I really can't put a time limit on it, as you know Heidi, having worked undercover yourself, you never know what you will come up against." Kate tried to calm the nervous wife,

"Well, one thing you won't come across is touching my husband in any manner. I don't give a damn what you have to say, tell them you were just diagnosed with leprosy for all I care, but the NO TOUCH rule is non-negotiable, is that clear? Heidi hissed more than said,

"Perfectly clear, and I like your idea of how we should get there Tom, it will allow Heidi full vision of you and me at all times," Kate said,

"It's not that I don't trust my husband detective, I do. I don't trust you Beckett, the tales of your escapade, or near escapade with Vaughn didn't just stay on the homicide floor, it's all through the precinct. Personally, I really don't understand how Rick, Tom, or any man would put up with your shit for that long. You can't compare to the models' Rick dated, so what hold on him you have, only God and you know." She added to pour the salt on the wound just opened. Beckett kept her mouth shut, knowing she deserved that and more from the man she used.

"Well, I understand why you hate me, Heidi, I was just hoping to put the personal feelings aside to try to get justice for my victim's family, and possibly solve some of your recent cases as well. If the proposal isn't acceptable, well, I understand, and for what it's worth, I am truly sorry for the past. Thanks for meeting with me anyway."

"I didn't say we wouldn't do it, but I wanted to let you know Beckett, just exactly how I and many other women feel about you. I have to separate my disgust for you as a person, to that as a cop and yes we need to stop the home invasions before we lose more lives." She looked at Tom,

"Well, Kate, it looks like Heidi has told you the dos and don'ts of the arrangement. Don't think for one minute she won't blow the entire operation wide open if you violate one of them, just so we're clear?" Tom added, the most forceful he had been the entire meeting,

"We're clear, I'll make the arrangements and email you both using the departmental email system, that way everything is completely transparent, and for the record, I truly am sorry. Thanks for working with me on this, we're at a standstill, and really need to catch a break." Kate said,

She quietly slipped from the booth, leaving Tom and his wife talking about other things. Damn everyone was finding love but her, what was the problem? Then she heard Dr. Burke's voice in her head, to be loved, you first have to love as she walked out the door to be greeted by lightly falling snow.

XxX

Castle's Loft

Broome St, New York

Two Days Later

Rick was meeting with his investigators again, giving Abby a perfect opportunity to shop for accessories for her dress for the gala. She was shocked when the dress designer, Michael Kors, and his staff had shown up last week, to completely customize a gown for her. She had never been treated to such luxury in her life. She was very comfortable financially, but having a famous fashion designer make a house call? Unbelievable.

Rick had shrugged it off, as if, didn't everyone do that? Money truly meant nothing to Rick, other than it allowed him to pamper and spoil those he cared about. She decided to visit the jewelry store, Rick's jeweler had suggested she come in and choose some complementary pieces since he knew the gown, and would be able to help her accessorize in a fashion that said look at me, but don't target me for your next victim.

Rick had told Ramone, the jeweler NOT to add anything that would endanger or put her on the list of potential victims, they still had no idea of who they were dealing with. She had chosen a necklace, and a bracelet, not overly flashy, but complimentary to her gown. As she was walking out of the store on Fifth Avenue she was lost in her thoughts when she ran into the back of a person, jolting her back into reality.

"Oh my God, I'm sorry, are you OK, I was daydreaming and lost in my thoughts" she apologized to the back of the man, as he turned,

"Abby?" he turned as pale as a ghost, as he stumbled to regain his balance.

"Keith? Keith Polson? Is that really you? How long has it been?" She asked, knowing full well how long it had been. It was the year that Rick had married Meredith, and she had let go of her dream of ever being anything more to him than just a friend. She had taken a chance on love, with him, and found heartbreak instead.

She had known him from college, just casually, and then after she graduated from Grad School, gave dating a chance. That was her confession to Rick, she had realized that he would never be hers, so she tried to be happy.

Things were going well, very well, until about five months into the relationship, Keith called and said they needed to talk. When they met at their little coffee shop the news she was expecting came, he was leaving not only her, but New York, and well, he knew how well long-distance romances worked so he broke up with her. She hadn't seen or heard a word from him since.

"Are ya, I mean, do you have a few minutes to grab a cup of coffee, I mean I think I owe you a lot of answers not that it will change anything but at least it might answer some why questions you might have had, I mean if you even care now." He stammered,

"Sure, let's get a cup of coffee, as a therapist, I always need to know the answer to the question WHY"

They stepped into the small coffee shop and took a booth, opposite sides, Abby waiting for him to initiate the conversation.

"Abby, I remember the day, the time, and the place we last spoke, and well, I can tell you now. I didn't leave on my own accord, I was reassigned by the Department of Homeland Security, (DHS). It was a secret mission that required clearance for me to tell anyone. I'm sorry, I know I could have handled the situation better, hell, I shouldn't have even started with you until I was free from my service obligation." He said with a sad tone,

"Well, that's a shock! Forgive me, but in college, and even when we were seeing each other, I think you would be the last person I would pick to be a spy." Abby said, in her normal blunt manner,

"I wasn't a spy Abby, I ran the computer operations for what is now known as Cyber Security," he handed her a card across the table, with his name and title, Keith Polson, Director Cyber Security, New York Operations, DHS, US Government.

"Things were different back then, and well, I wish I could have told you more. I knew in college you loved Rick Rogers, so I thought I couldn't penetrate that, I know it was a coward's way to leave, and well I should have contacted you when I got back from the 18 months in hell over there.

"I'm sorry, I saw where you were a doctor and were about to be engaged, so I didn't. What happened Abby, I mean if you care to share? One moment you announce your engagement, then I heard you had relocated to Los Angeles, and I just thought it was for him" He said, shredding a napkin to bits, as he spoke, to try to relax,

"Well, you were wrong, on both counts. It's true I loved Rick in college, it's ironic but I'm actually with him now, but I know he's still in love with someone else. It's OK, we have an agreement, that we tell each other about our hearts.

"You said you couldn't penetrate Rick's hold on me, you were wrong, you were the only one who ever did. That's why I got engaged so quickly after, well after you left. Yes, I announced my engagement, but Rick's private investigators saved me from any more embarrassment, the guy was married with kids, leading a totally separate life.

"Rick moved to Los Angeles after a really bad breakup, not even knowing if I was still there, or what my situation was. He dialed my old cell phone I kept for my NY patients, and surprisingly we hit it off. I'm happy now, but I know deep in my heart, I'm a substitute, Rick's too much of a gentleman to ever make me feel that way. What about you, married? Kids?"

"No, never found anyone, well, I'm single, you can run a background check on me if you wish, I know once burned," he smiled,

She reached over and took his phone, entered her number, and handed it back to him,

"Don't call me until I call you, I owe Rick a conversation, and well, we have some high-profile events coming up that I won't spoil for him. It'll be at least two, perhaps three weeks, and I'm serious if you call before I call you, I'll block you, are we clear?"

"We're clear, I'll wait for you to call, and Abby, it was great seeing you again."

"Yeah, it was great seeing you too, now I have to talk to one of the sweetest men in the world and level with him, I won't betray him for anything," she said, "Remember two to three weeks" as she walked out the door, thinking why God, why now?

Suddenly the snow didn't look so romantic, she saw the dirty piles on the street corner reminding her of life. It was never going to be wine and roses all the time, but did the timing have to be now?

TBC