So this episode just keeps giving me ideas, and we've come full circle since the first chapter. Hope you like it.
What if Rick had never invited Gina to pick him up at the precinct.
"Castle do you have a second?"
"Of course, yeah."
The two walked out of the room and stood in the corridor to talk.
"What's up?"
"Look... I know that I'm not the easiest person to get to know, and I don't always let on what's on my mind. But this past year, working with you, I've had a really good time."
"Yeah. Me, too."
Kate shuffled her feet slightly, took a breath and then started to talk. She really hoped they weren't interrupted or there was a fairly good chance she'd lose her nerve. "So I'm just going to come out and say this." She was aware of the others in the breakroom crowding around the door and she sighed. "Do you mind if we take this somewhere else?" she asked.
"Um sure," Rick said. His phone buzzed and he looked at it quickly before shoving it back into his pocket.
"Anything important?" Kate asked as she lead the way away from where the others were watching.
"Nothing that can't wait," Rick replied with a smile. They walked into the observation room, Rick holding to door open for Kate. "So what's up Beckett?" he invited.
Kate took a minute to rearrange her thoughts before she spoke. "I was just wondering if the invite to join you in the Hamptons was still good?"
"Um," Rick said, his brain suddenly unable to process what Kate had just said.
"Ah never mind," Kate said, losing her nerve and moving to walk past him.
"Beckett," Rick said, reaching out and grabbing her arm, "Kate." Kate spun to look at him. "Of course you can still come with me," he said, "Sorry, you just took me by surprise was all."
Kate smiled at him.
"What about Demming?" Rick asked.
He regretted asking when Kate's smile vanished. He was about to take it back when Kate spoke. "We broke up."
"Oh," Rick said, "Sorry to hear that." He hoped his voice was nice and even and wasn't telling Kate exactly how happy he was to hear that.
Kate shrugged. "He was great," Kate said, pretending she didn't see Rick's wince at her words, "But he just wasn't what I was looking for right now."
"Oh, ok," Rick said, trying to sound nonchalant, and mostly succeeding.
Kate smiled softly at him. "So," she said, "What's the plan for the Hamptons?"
"I will let you know," Rick said, "I just need to make a quick phone call."
"Oh?" Kate asked, "To who?"
"Gina," Rick said. His back was now to Kate so he didn't see that she winced at his ex-wife's name. "She finally got a hold of me last night and was threatening to come up to the Hamptons to make sure I was writing. I just need to call her off, I'd hate for her to interrupt us."
"Castle," Kate said, "There won't be anything happening for her to interrupt." She paused for a second. "But if you need to write I don't have to come. I know you're really behind with your draft."
"It's fine," Rick said, waving her off, "I want you to come with me, and don't worry, I'll get my writing done. I have a feeling that my writer's block is going to be a thing of the past."
He looked at her and smiled brightly and Kate couldn't help but smile back just a brightly.
"Until then, how about we get back to your party?" Kate suggested.
"Sure thing," Rick said, "I'll meet you in there."
Kate nodded and left as Rick put his phone to his ear, listening as it connected.
Kate walked back into the room and the others all looked at her questioningly. "Where's Castle?" Lanie asked.
"He's making a phone call," Kate explained, picking up her beer again, "He'll be back in a minute."
She sat down, ignoring the looks that Lanie, the guys, and the Captain were all giving her. She was happy just sat drinking her beer, glad that she'd managed to build up the courage to speak to Rick.
When Rick rejoined them ten minutes later Kate gave him a questioning look and he just nodded once before grabbing his beer and taking a seat between Ryan and Esposito. Kate smiled and took another drink. Lanie gave her a knowing look but Kate ignored her, she was just happy that they'd be going away together.
Then her phone buzzed and she pulled it out of her pocket and saw that Rick had texted her. She looked at him but he was busy talking with the guys and didn't look at her.
She looked down at her phone and read the text. So do you want to leave tonight or tomorrow? If you want to go tonight we'd need to go soon or we'll be stuck in traffic for hours.
Kate thought about it for a second before she got to her feet. She'd already been brave once tonight, but now it was time for a second lot of bravery. "I'm going to head out," she told the room.
"But Beckett," Ryan whined, "The party's only just started."
"Oh didn't Castle tell you?" Kate asked, "This wasn't his last case after all. He's just going to take a break for a few weeks to get his book done then he'll be back. We don't need to have a party."
Ryan looked at her then looked at Rick. Rick was watching Kate with wide eyes but then he smiled. "Yeah, I just got off the phone with Gina," he said, "I've got a pretty tight deadline but I'll get it done, then I'm coming back."
"Ah well in that case," Montgomery said, getting to his feet, "I think it's time for us all to head out. Let's all go and have a good memorial weekend."
He looked around the room and his eyes landed on Kate. "Do you still want to take your leave Detective?" he asked, "Or will you be in tomorrow?"
"I'm planning on going away for the weekend Captain," Kate replied.
Lanie gave her a confused look. She knew that Kate had broken up with Demming and had been planning on coming in to work this weekend rather than spend it alone.
Kate again ignored her and headed for the door. "You coming Castle?" she asked.
She saw Lanie's eyes widen in surprise as Rick got to his feet and headed to join Kate at the door. "See you in a few weeks," Rick said to the room as he and Kate left.
Ryan, Esposito, Lanie, and Montgomery all shared a look then moved to the door to watch as Rick and Kate walked away. They were all surprised to see Rick offer Kate his arm, and then even more surprised to see, after a moments thought, Kate link her arm through his, her other hand going up and twirling her hair. The two turned when they got into the lift and they were both smiling broadly as the doors slid shut.
