A/N #1: Please keep in mind that if you send me a PM as a guest reviewer, that I can't respond. Duke Douglas, the prequel to this story is 'Breathe Again.' It is my story. It was published on May 28, 2020. I hope that this answers your question.

Just Keep Breathing

Chapter 3

This chapter takes place before, during, and after 'Till Death Do Us Part.'

Castle sat at the breakfast counter, continuing to stare at the embossed writing on the invitation in front of him. Watching from her vantage point on the living room sofa, Alexis watched her father. He had been sitting in the same spot, staring at the Ryan's wedding invitation for the better part of the last half hour.

Putting her book aside, Alexis got up and walked over to the counter, taking the seat beside her dad. "Dad? Are you okay?"

"Hmm? What?" Castle finally glanced up when he heard Alexis calling his name.

"I was wondering if you were okay. You've been sitting here for a while now."

"I'm fine," he smiled, picking up the invitation. "I was just wondering how to respond to the plus-one RSVP. If I mark it, Ryan's going to want to know who I'm bringing. And I can't say Kate, because, well, you know why."

"You can always tell him that you're bringing me," Alexis suggested.

"But what happens when you don't come?"

"Just tell him and Jenny that something came up. I'm a high school girl who's about to graduate. Something is always coming up last minute. You're overthinking again."

"What do you mean 'again?'"

"Beckett says that you're always overthinking," she got up and went into the kitchen.

"Not always."

"Yes," she peeked from around the opened refrigerator door. "Always."

"I'm going to get some writing done," he grumbled, sliding off the barstool and walking toward his office, grumbling under his breath, "I don't always overthink everything."

"I heard that!" Alexis called after him. "Beckett would strongly disagree with you!"

Castle sat down at his desk, but instead of booting up his laptop, he pulled out his cellphone and called Kate. She answered on the first ring. "I have a question," he began. "Do I overthink everything?"

"Yes."

"Wow, that was quick."

"Okay, let me amend my answer slightly," Kate said. "You overthink everything when it comes to you and me."

"Okay, so not everything."

"Case in point," she picked up her invitation from Ryan. "I bet that you're freaking out about how to respond to Ryan's RSVP."

"Well, I was," he admitted, "but Alexis gave me an out. How are you going to respond to it?"

"Like I was going to, anyway. I'm going solo."

"But I thought—"

"Castle, we've talked about this. We have to keep what we have between us between us. That includes Kevin and Jenny's wedding. I'll dance with you, but we can't make it look like we're a couple. I think Lanie's already suspicious."

"How so?"

"I was in the morgue with Espo last week and she wanted to know who I was having sex with. I thought Esposito was going to do a spit take."

"How does she know that we're having sex?"

"Not 'we're,' Castle. Me. She said that I have this glow. I have no idea what she's talking about. I think I talked my way out of it, but I'm not completely sure. Luckily, Espo didn't say anything else about it. Just do me a favor and stop overthinking. Your overthinking is going to get me busted."

"Okay. Do you want to come over later?"

"Are Martha and Alexis going to be there?"

"Mother, no. Alexis, I'm not sure."

"I'll see, but no promises. If I don't come by, we can talk later."

"Okay."

Kate ended the call and put her phone aside. She then read the wedding invitation once again. After re-reading the invitation, she took the RSVP, marked the appropriate box and placed it in the stamped envelope. She wished Castle would stop overthinking their relationship. It was taking every bit of willpower that she possessed not to be constantly touching him while they were at the precinct. Lanie was intuitive. She knew that it wasn't going to be long before her best friend put two and two together. And once she did, it wouldn't be long before the boys found out.

***CCC***

"Ryan told Espo that you were bringing a guest to his and Jenny's wedding. I didn't know that you were seeing someone," Kate and Castle were at the morgue, after Lanie had called them regarding their murder victim.

"I'll tell you who I'm seeing when you tell me who you're seeing," Lanie looked across the slab at Kate.

"Lanie, I told you already. I'm not seeing anybody and I'm definitely not having sex. Maybe I'd put my makeup on differently that morning or something," Kate knew that she sounded defensive, and what was worse, she knew that Lanie knew that she sounded defensive. She was so fucking busted.

"You know what they say about people who protest too much," Lanie walked away.

"Can't you change the subject or something?" Castle hissed in her ear. "Talk about overthinking."

"Would you be quiet?" Kate hissed back just as Lanie reappeared, giving the two of them the once over.

"Your victim had sex with two women before he died. Within hours of each other."

Castle smiled down at the body on the table. "You dog, you."

"Uh-huh," Lanie said under her breath. "I'll call you when I have the rest of his lab results."

"Thank you, Lanie," Kate and Castle exited the morgue.

"I don't know who in the hell she thinks she's fooling, but she isn't fooling me," Lanie told the dead body on her table.

Later that afternoon, Kate was at home waiting on Castle and an order of Chinese takeout when there was a knock on her door. "Castle, I told you—" she stopped short when she opened the door and found her best friend standing there. "Lanie, hi."

"Hi," Lanie's voice was chipper. "Were you expecting someone else?"

"No, no," Kate was quick to shake her head. "I was waiting on Chinese food."

"And a certain mystery writer?"

"Castle? No," Kate spun around, searching for her cellphone. She had to get a text to Castle.

"How long have the two of you been having sex?" Lanie came straight to the point. "And don't even lie and say that you aren't. In the morgue today, the two of you were so obvious that you could've had a flashing sign on your chests. Sit and spill, girlfriend. I want details. No, I demand details."

"Let me send him a message. Okay?"

"Fine. Do you have wine?"

"In the refrigerator," Kate found her cellphone and typed a quick text to Castle. 'Do not come over yet. Lanie is here. She has outed us.'

His response came within seconds. 'WTF?'

'Relax. I'll call you later.'

'Okay.'

"When did it start?" Lanie came over with two glasses of wine, handing one to her friend.

"The night that the boys saved us from the tiger."

"Girl, that was weeks ago!"

"I know. No one was supposed to find out," Kate went over and sat on the sofa, tucking one leg under her.

"How long did you think that was going to last? Girl, you work in a room with a bunch of detectives. Kevin and Javi don't suspect?"

"Kevin doesn't. I'm not sure about Espo. He was with me the other day when you accused me of having sex."

"He doesn't suspect," Lanie was quick to assure her friend. "If he did, he would've said something to me. So?"

"So, what?" Kate was confused.

"Girl, I told you. I want details. Explicit details."

Kate felt her face go blazing hot. She looked down at her wine glass and smiled shyly before looking up at her best friend. "He's good. Really good."

"Keep talking," Lanie rolled her hands, encouraging Kate to keep talking.

At the loft, Castle was pacing back and forth in his living room, wondering what Kate was telling Lanie about their relationship. He wondered how much of a hazing he was going to face from Ryan and Esposito in the morning. "Darling, you knew that it was only a matter of time before someone found out. It's impossible to keep a workplace relationship secret. Be thankful that it was Lanie who found out and not Capt. Gates," Martha told him.

"Yeah, but now that Lanie knows, it won't be long before everyone else finds out. I don't want Kate to lose her job over this," he walked over and sat down.

"I doubt it'll be as bad as all that. She might only get reprimanded."

"I don't think so. The way Kate explained it to me, colleagues dating is considered a serious infraction. Married officers can't even work at the same precinct."

"Well, I think it's a rather silly infraction. The NYPD should have far more serious things to worry about than who is sleeping with whom."

"I don't disagree."

"But at least now you can maybe legitimately take Katherine as your date to Kevin and Jenny's wedding."

"No, I can't. Just because one person knows, Kate and I can't just relax and say, 'Oh, it's okay. Our secret is out.'"

"I'm sure that Katherine will make sure that Lanie doesn't tell anyone else. Remember, Richard, a secret is no longer a secret when more than one person knows about it."

"That makes no sense," Castle stared at his mother.

"I know. It's just something that my mother used to say to me. I always wanted the opportunity to repeat it to someone. Are you still seeing Kate later?"

"Yeah, she said she'd text me when Lanie leaves."

"Then I will see you sometime tomorrow," Martha got up and went up the stairs to her bedroom.

***CCC***

"She's sure that the boys don't know?" Castle asked Kate a couple of hours later.

"She said if Esposito knew, he would've said something to her about it during one of their booty calls," Kate rolled her eyes. "I thought that we were being careful, Castle."

"We were . . . we are. Gates doesn't know and that's the most important thing, right?"

"I guess," Kate rolled onto her back. "Why does life have to be so complicated?"

"Because it's life," he propped himself on one elbow next to her. "Lanie won't say anything, will she?"

"No," she smiled up at him. "She's been rooting for the two of us to get together for four years. And she's good at keeping things quiet."

"So," he drawled, tracing a finger down Kate's neck," what did you tell her about me?"

Kate rolled her eyes and got out of bed, grabbing her robe from the end of the bed. "You know how I attacked you when you walked in a little while ago?"

"Uh-huh," he grinned. "I wasn't sure we were going to make it back in here before you started ripping my clothes off."

"I started telling Lanie about how good you are. At first it was kind of embarrassing, but then I got really turned on by what I was telling her. I thought that you were never going to get here once she left."

"What is it with you women and sex talk?"

"Seriously? You're going to lay there and tell me that you and the boys don't compare notes on your various 'conquests.'"

"Sure, but not in graphic detail," Castle made a face. "And for a while now, since Kevin met Jenny, it's just been me and 'Sito comparing notes. Which is actually boring, when you think about it."

"I try very hard not to," Kate left the room.

***CCC***

The church where Kevin and Jenny were exchanging vows was gorgeous. Kate looked around in awe. She was admiring the vaulted ceilings when she spotted Castle, who was looking somewhat out of place. "Castle? You look like a lost puppy. Where's your date?" She asked, in case someone from the precinct was within earshot.

"At a concert with a teenage boy."

"You're laying it on pretty thick, aren't you?" She lowered her voice.

"Seriously, she's at a Lady Gaga concert with some boy she met when she was out shopping with her grandmother. I can't make this stuff up."

"That's a rather nice first date."

"I know." Castle's face broke into a wide grin, which made Kate turn to see what he was looking at.

"Oh, he looks so happy," Kate smiled when they saw Kevin walking toward them. She embraced him and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Then Castle saw Jenny at the top of the stairs leading into the church, with her bridesmaids gathered around her. "Oh Jenny, you look beautiful."

"Thank you, Rick."

Kevin began to turn around, but Kate stopped him. "No, you can't see her, yet."

Espo walked up to the three of them. "Are you ready to do this, bro?"

"Yeah," Kevin took a deep breath.

"We'll see you in there," Kate told him as the two men walked off.

"You know, I kind of envy him," Castle said.

"Who knows, Castle? Maybe the third time's the charm."

"Maybe," he agreed. "Are you ready to go in?"

"Yeah," Kate nodded, tucking her hand into Castle's elbow as they walked to their places inside the church.

The ceremony was beautiful. Castle glanced over at Kate when Kevin and Jenny were reciting their vows, smiling when he saw tears on her cheeks. He reached into his pocket for his handkerchief, pressing it into one of her hands. She looked at him, giving him a sweet smile before taking the handkerchief, dabbing at her eyes and mouthing 'thank you' to him.

***CCC***

An hour later, Castle and Beckett were sitting at a table with several other people, including Lanie and her date for the evening, Dr. Toby Lang. They were all watching, entranced, as Kevin and Jenny shared their first dance as husband and wife. "They both look so happy," Kate whispered to Castle.

"I love how he looks at her like there's no other woman in the room," Lanie added. "Did you feel that way with either of your ex-wives, Castle?"

"Sadly, no," Castle answered. "But someone told me that maybe the third time's the charm. I guess only time will tell."

A short time later, Castle pulled Kate out on the dance floor. "Do you remember the last time we did this?" He asked.

"I remember you dipping me so low that I thought my spine was going to snap in two. Please don't dip me this time."

"Well, we were undercover that night, and we're kind of undercover tonight."

"How so?" Kate was confused.

"Well, you're my date, but the only ones who know that are you and me. Promise me that you won't be jealous when I dance with Lanie and Jenny."

"Seeing as how Jenny is a newly married woman, I don't see a problem. However, I might have to put a wire on you when you bring Lanie out here. I promise not to get jealous if you promise to tell me every word she says to you while you're out here."

"Deal," he smiled at her.

A short while later, Kate was sitting with Toby while Castle led Lanie out onto the dance floor. "How long have you and Mr. Castle been a couple?" Toby asked, causing Kate to almost do a spit take of her mouthful of water.

"Uh, we're not a couple. We're work colleagues."

"Woman, please," the doctor scoffed, sounding very much like Kate's best friend. "I've been watching the two of you out there. Believe me, you're a couple."

"Did Lanie tell you?"

"No. Like I said, I've been watching you. Even from a distance, the chemistry is obvious. Don't worry. My hobby is watching people. I don't know if anybody else knows. Your secret is safe with me."

"Thanks, I think."

"Seriously, Kate, take it from someone who's been where you are. Do not let that man get away."

Out on the dance floor, Lanie decided that it was time to have a serious heart to heart talk with Castle. "Can I ask you something?"

"Depends."

"How serious are you about Kate?"

"I'm very serious. I've never been more serious about anything in my life. Lanie, I have been wanting to be with Kate for four years. I told her that I loved her when she was bleeding to death on the grass. I would never hurt her."

"You'd better not. Keep in mind who your friends are. Homicide detectives and medical examiners. Perlmutter would pay good money to hurt you if you hurt her."

"If I ever do hurt her, he has my permission to use sharp instruments and rib spreaders."

"Don't tempt him. He'll do it. When she broke up with Josh . . . never mind, I'm sure she told you all of this. I mean it, Writer-Boy. If you hurt her, I will maim you in ways you'd never dream of."

"You talked to her after she broke up with Josh? She said that she called him up to Lake Placid and told him they were over. Did something else happen?"

"Ask Kate."

"Lanie, did he say something to hurt her? Was it about us?"

"Castle, ask her. I've probably said too much already."

When he returned to the table after their dance, he took out his phone and hid it down below the tablecloth, sending Kate a quick text message. 'May I see you home later?'

Seeing her phone vibrate across the top of the table, Kate picked it up and unlocked it. She read the message and quickly typed a response. 'I brought my car. I think I'll be okay going home.'

'Please?'

Instead of responding, Kate stood up and took Castle by the hand, leading him out onto the dance floor. "People will see us holding hands," he warned her.

"Gates isn't here. I doubt the boys will bust us if they see. What's going on?"

"What're you talking about?"

"You're asking to see me home."

"Yeah. So?"

"What did Lanie say to you?"

"Promise not to get mad."

"What did she say?" Kate repeated.

"What happened between you and Josh when you broke up?"

"I told you."

"Kate, this is me you're talking to. What happened?"

"Not here. Okay?"

"This is why I asked to see you home."

***CCC***

It was after midnight when they walked into Kate's apartment. Kate walked over to the refrigerator and took out a bottle of water, offering one to Castle, who accepted it. "What did Lanie say?" She asked, walking over to the sofa.

"Not much. You saw her before you returned to the city?"

"No. I called her about a week before I came back. That was when we broke up."

"You were together almost the whole summer?"

"Yeah, but I didn't see him. We talked on the phone two or three nights a week. He'd talked to my dad and my dad was the one who told him when I was coming back. Castle, I knew that I was going to break up with him. Whether it was while I was in Lake Placid or after I came back to my apartment. I think that he knew it, too. But I didn't end things with him to jump into things with you."

"I know."

"When he came up to the cabin, at first, everything was okay. I mean, it wasn't great, but it wasn't awful. But then he started 'consulting' again, and it just set me over the edge. I told him that I thought we needed to stop seeing each other. I wasn't lying when I said that he didn't get angry. He asked if something had happened between me and you when we went to L.A. I told him no, but I could see it in his eyes that he didn't believe me. He then said that he never understood why we were such good friends. Why I had told you everything about my mom's murder, but I wouldn't open up to him. Castle, I just never felt that kind of a connection to him. Does that make sense?"

"Yeah, it makes sense. I've told you things about my marriages to both Meredith and Gina that I've never shared with anyone. Even before we became a couple, I shared those things with you."

"I'm sorry that he said those awful things to you after I got shot. Roy is dead because of decisions that he made, not because of you. And I made the choice to look into my mother's murder. Yes, you were the catalyst, but who's to say I wouldn't have looked into it at some point, anyway."

"But he didn't hurt you?"

"No," she smiled. "I was upset when I called Lanie in the middle of the night, but Josh didn't physically hurt me."

"I wish that you had called me. I wish that we had talked that summer."

"Me, too. But I wasn't ready, Rick. But," she reached for his hand, "I'm glad that you're here now. I liked dancing with you tonight."

"I liked that, too," his smile was huge. "Can I ask you something?" He waited for her to nod before he continued. "Do you ever think about it? Getting married?"

"I think about that. I think about having my own precinct. I think about having kids one day. What woman doesn't?"

"Well, I doubt most women think about having their own precinct."

"True," she smiled. "What about you? Do you regret those two failed trips down the aisle?"

"Yes, but I got Alexis out of one of those marriages, so it wasn't a total failure."

"I don't know about you, but I'm tired. Stay tonight?"

"You don't have to ask me twice."

A/N #2: I struggled with this chapter, especially the last third of it. The next chapter is going to be lighter. Much lighter.

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