A/N: Just a little scene (or two... or three...) set after 4x12 - dial M for Mayor.

Run in with an ex

"You don't reach me, Mr Castle. I reach you."

The line went dead and Castle was filled with a sense of uncertainty. He wasn't sure if he should be relieved that Robert Weldon had been cleared, thanks to Smith, or if he should be concerned that the same people who were behind Johanna Beckett's death had tried to take Weldon down.

There was one thing he was sure of right now - his brief encounter with Smith had left him with an overwhelming need to see Beckett... now.

He knocked on her door, mentally going over his reason for showing up so late... uninvited... with no active case.

"Hold on... I'll call you back." He heard faintly from the other side of the door, before it opened. "What are you doing here, Castle?" She asked, her eyes darting down the length of the corridor out of habit. To a cop, scoping your surroundings was second nature, no matter where you were.

"I didn't mean to interrupt." He explained, pointing to the cell in her hand.

"It was just Lanie... I'll talk to her later." She tucked the phone into the pocket of her jeans.

"Complaining about your pain in the ass partner?"

She smiled, a truce. "Nah... not this time." She stepped aside, allowing room for him to step inside her apartment. "You didn't answer me."

He heard the door click shut as he walked toward her lounge. He turned back to face her... she was already intently focussed on him as she walked closer.

"Why are you here?" She asked firmly.

He opened his mouth to talk, but nothing came out. He pondered the question, replaying the several vague excuses he had come up with on his way here, but ultimately decided that now was a good time for one of their rare, cut-to-the-chase conversations.

"I wanted to make sure that we're good." He offered as explanation.

She took a deep breath, nodding her understanding. This case had been tense, to say the least. Castle had wanted to protect Weldon... and she had wanted so desperately for Weldon to be innocent - for Castle's sake - but she couldn't ignore the evidence.

"You did everything you could." He pushed.

"He had plans... big plans. He could have made a difference." She had gone over the what if scenarios in her head a million times but she couldn't see any other way for this to have played out.

"That's not your fault."

"I know that. I don't blame myself for what happened, Castle. In the end, we cleared him. I just wish we could have done that before it all went public. I was a pawn in ruining his name..." she trailed off, knowing that if she continued that train of thought she wouldn't be able to hide her frustration... her anger about playing right into the conspiracy.

Instead, she embraced the silence - thankful that Castle wasn't trying to fill it with unnecessary rambling. She walked past him, to the kitchen, grabbing two beers from the refrigerator.

"We're good, Castle." She reassured him as she passed him one of the bottles.

"I just... I don't think I thanked you. You..." he paused, trying to think of the right words for what he wanted to say. "You believed in me. And you did what you could to have my back without compromising yourself... your ethic. I know how big of a deal that is and I need you to know that I appreciate it. What I asked you to do... it wasn't right and I am..."

"We already talked about this, Castle. I told you... we're good."

"I know we talked. But I didn't apologise. I shouldn't have made you feel like you had to make allowances that you usually wouldn't. I shouldn't have doubted you. I'm sorry."

She placed her beer on the kitchen bench and walked the few steps it took to be in front of him. "I know."

She wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her cheek to his chest. He needed this more than she knew. As much as he was a 'talk it out' kind of person, she wasn't. Her words were often messy and couldn't convey what she needed them to - but her actions... her actions spoke louder than any words ever could. After a moments hesitation, he wrapped his arms around her body, savouring the way she felt against him. He knew that after just a few seconds, she would pull away, but he was still disappointed when she did.

"Have you eaten? I was about to order in."

"I could cook something... if you'd like." He offered enthusiastically, keen to give her a break from ordered in Chinese take away.

"You've seen my fridge before, Castle. What makes you think I have any useable groceries?"

"Then let's go get some. There's a grocer just down the road that's open 24 hours..."

"Or we could just order in." She playfully argued, having already resigned herself to staying in for the night.

"It'll be worth it. I promise."

She bit her lower lip as she contemplated his offer. He was an excellent cook and she had enjoyed the few meals he had made for her in the past. "Fine." She rolled her eyes, feigning annoyance as she grabbed her jacket from where it had been draped across the back of the dining chair. She made sure she had her keys, card and phone before allowing Castle to excitedly usher her out of the apartment.

"I didn't expect this place to be so busy." Castle admitted as they made their way down each aisle.

"Yeah it's usually pretty packed. Other than a little bodega three blocks away, this is the only 24 hour store in the area. Shift workers need to get their groceries somewhere, Castle." She studied the produce in front of her, trying to decide which of the assortment of vegetables appealed to her most. She picked up a vibrant red bell pepper and two carrots.

Castle reached from behind her, grabbing what he needed for their dinner. His chest brushed against her arm, the unexpected touch startling her slightly. A timely reminder that, no matter how comfortable she found herself in Castle's company, she was still far too damaged to be ready for... this. This domesticity - no matter how welcoming - wasn't for her.

Her tension didn't go unnoticed by him, though. And it took everything in him not to step back, apologise profusely and - as she would see it - make a 'big deal' out of nothing. So instead he simply smiled, put the produce in their basket and continued on with his shopping.

"We'll need pasta, if you want to head to that aisle. I'll meet you there in just a sec."

On occasion - such as right now - she appreciated that he could read her so easily. And that he just seemed to know what she needed, and so willingly gave her that.

"Any preference?" She asked. She avoided meeting his eyes, but could feel his gaze on her.

"You pick."

She placed the vegetables she was holding into the basket and headed for the aisle. She stared at the wall of different pasta types. Castle hadn't caved when she asked what he was planning on making, so she had no idea what kind they would need.

"It's not that hard of a decision, Beckett." He said as he rounded the shelves to join her.

She smiled at the playful tone of his voice. "I've always thought there were too many options. I'm partial to fusilli... but perhaps your recipe calls for tagliatelle. I'd hate to ruin the entire meal by making the wrong call."

"You know... the Rodger family recipe is so good... you can eat it with cardboard and it's still divine." He reached out and grabbed a random packet of pasta, gently tossing it into the basket without even looking. "Decision made."

"You're awfully confident, Castle. I am not responsible for any fallout from such reckless decisions."

"The blame will fall entirely on me, I promise." He placed his palm over his heart to solidify his words, even if they were just joking. "Anyway, I've got everything I need for dinner. You ready?"

"Yeah, I'm ready." She side stepped around Castle, ready to make a bee line for the checkout and get home.

As she reached the end of the aisle, she almost collided with someone as they rounded the shelves. "Sorry..." her voice faded as she recognised the person in front of her.

Castle, not having noticed her sudden stop, walked right into her, pushing her forward. "My bad."

Her eyes didn't move from the man in front of her - his eyes stayed sharp on Castle. "Josh." His eyes drifted, finally meeting hers.

"Kate..." he smiled, allowing himself to look her up and down just once, taking her in fully. He hadn't seen her since the day she ended things, less than two weeks after taking a bullet. "You look good."

She shifted slightly, turning toward Castle. She didn't need to say anything, he could read her expression loud and clear... and it was asking - no, ordering - him to give them a moments privacy.

"Oh, uh... I'll just... I'll, um... this way - over... here." Castle pointed back over his shoulder, walking back down the aisle and staring intently at the items that stocked the shelves, giving them plenty of space to talk while remaining close enough to remind them both that he was still here. Petty? Maybe. But he couldn't help but feel defensive in the doctor's presence. Their last encounter wasn't exactly pleasant.

"How have you been?" She asked once she was satisfied with the distance Castle had created.

"On top of the world, Katie." Came his sarcastic reply. She looked to the floor in attempt to mask her reaction. Josh had never been one to hide his true feelings, even for the benefit of others. He was radically upfront... an open book... that was something she loved about him. No guessing games, no wondering where you stood with him. It was easy. He got his frustrations out in that one, simple remark. Now he was ready to actually talk to her. An encounter neither one of them particularly wanted, but here they were. They may as well get some sort of closure. "I've been busy with work. I'm leaving for the Amazon in a few days, actually. Going to be spending some time setting up clinics."

"Still out there saving the world." She smiled.

"One mission at a time... but yeah, hopefully." They stood in comfortable silence for a moment while she allowed this moment to sink in. He was okay, after her. She hadn't broken him... or even damaged him. "So... are you and Castle..." Yep - he was still unapologetically him.

"Uh... no." She looked over her shoulder to Castle, who was still busying himself perusing the many jars of pasta sauce - reading the ingredients as if it were the most interesting thing he had ever read. She couldn't help but smile at his efforts. She was sure to wipe that smile off her face as she turned back to face Josh. "No." She reaffirmed.

"Sure." He snickered.

She tilted her head, brows furrowed defensively. "Why bother asking me if you aren't going to trust my answer anyway?"

"With all due respect, why would I believe that?" When she didn't answer, he continued. "I'm not an idiot. You dumped me because of him... because you were into him."

"That's -"

"Please don't." He placed his hand up, a physical cue to stop her excuses. "Don't try to humour me with a lie."

She took a breath, considering her next words carefully. "I ended things because you deserved more... you deserved better than I could be."

"And why is it that you couldn't be everything I deserved?" He asked with a smirk, knowing he was about to prove his point.

"What are you my therapist now?" She deflected quickly, trying to laugh this whole conversation off.

"No just someone who cares about you, Kate"

His brown eyes seared into her and she felt the love and respect he still held for her. "I loved you, Josh. I really did. I just... I didn't think it was possible to love two people at once..."

"So you love him." It wasn't a question, more just confirming what she had accidentally blurted out. She didn't answer... but that told him everything he needed to know. He nodded. He understood that she didn't intend on hurting him. She was obviously still processing her feelings, if she hadn't acted on them after all these months.

"I'm sorry but I'm not doing this now. Not here... not with you..."

"Don't mess it up." He blurted, confusing her. "Don't wait too long... don't worry about what's safe... if you love him, tell him. What's the worst that can happen?"

"Look, I appreciate what you're doing. I do. But this is all just..." She searched her brain for the words, but couldn't find anything to accurately summarise how odd this whole conversation felt.

"Too weird, right?" They shared an awkward laugh. "I'm glad I ran into you tonight. I've been worried... but I see you're in good hands. Just... don't tell him I said that."

"Oh, I would never!" She laughed.

"Take care of yourself." He stepped forward, cupped her face with his palm and placed a kiss on her cheek. "And don't wait too long." His eyes flickered to Castle - who wasn't even trying to look busy anymore - and back to her.

She smiled and moved her hand to cover his on her cheek. His touch was comforting, but felt so different to how she remembered it. She removed his palm from her cheek, squeezing his fingers as she did. Their hands lingered for a moment before parting.

"Be safe."

Josh took his leave, walking down the aisle and past Castle without so much as glancing his way.

"You okay?" Castle asked as he approached Beckett, who was still watching Josh as he disappeared around the row of shelves.

"Yeah... I'm hungry." She turned to him and plastered the most convincing smile she could muster on her face. "Let's go."

"I don't want to pry..."

"Then don't." The words came out sharper than she had intended. She knew he would be curious about her conversation... she had expected him to question her about it the second they were out of the store... but he had held it in so long.

"Got it. No prying." He shut off the stovetop, reaching for the two plates Beckett had retrieved from the cabinets earlier. "I just wanted to make sure you were... okay, I guess."

"I'm fine. It was... uneventful small talk."

Castle recognised the flicker in her eyes, the way she darted them to the bench as she spoke. She was lying... or, at the very least, hiding something from him. He fought the urge to push her for more information, worried that Josh had said something to upset her. But he knew that pushing would only make her shut him out more. If, or when, she was ready, she would come to him. He trusted that.

"Dinner is ready." He dished up the first plate and passed it across the bench to her.

"It smells delicious."

"Hold on!" He pinched the grated Parmesan and sprinkled it on the top of her pasta. "Voilà..."

She shook her head and rolled her eyes, but neither action could erase the smile from her face. She loved his theatrics. The words formed in her mind and she toyed with the idea of confessing it to herself... she loved him. The thought set off a flutter within her and it felt as though her heart skipped a beat. No. Not yet.

Castle finished dishing up his plate, then followed Beckett's lead, joining her on the couch to eat. She placed her plate on the coffee table, grabbing a bottle of wine and two glasses from the kitchen. "I figured wine would pair better than beer." She explained as she took her place beside him once more.

"Excellent pick, may I add." He took the bottle from her, noting the label, one of his favourites. He opened the bottle and poured the contents into the two glasses she held out.

"Martha suggested that one, I'm pretty sure." She passed him one of the glasses and they clinked them together before sipping.

"Mmm... if there's one thing my mother knows, it's good wine."

They got comfortable and began eating in silence, both starving after the long day. After several minutes - and almost half a plate of food practically inhaled - Beckett broke the silence.

"He thought we were together." She offered no further explanation as she shovelled another mouthful of pasta.

Castle looked confused, before he filled in the context for himself. "Oh. Like..." he motioned his finger back and forth in between the pair. "Like together together?"

She laughed at his ineloquent clarification. "Yes, Castle. Together together. Like... romantically. A couple." She reached for her glass, needed something... anything to hide in.

Castle nodded, but didn't say anything. He busied himself, twisting at the ribbons of sauce-soaked pasta in front of him. When he saw her lower her wine glass in his peripheral vision, he braved a glance at her face so that he could try and gauge her expression. If she thought Josh's mistake - the notion of them being together - was ludicrous, she hid it well. But other than a lack of amusement, he couldn't read her.

"Was he upset?" He finally asked. She looked at him and he could tell she was trying to gauge his responses, too. "Not prying or anything. You brought it up first... I figured it was safe."

She smiled at his flawless logic, then shifted her eyes to her dinner. "He wasn't upset. I mean... no more than you'd expect, I guess. I didn't exactly end things well. But he seems to be doing well... working a lot."

"You're upset." He concluded. She looked at him and for the first time he wasn't masking his emotions. He looked... hurt.

"No. It's just... weird." She let out a puff of air that resembled a laugh, repeating Josh's words. "I didn't know how I would feel seeing him again. It was... nice... but in such a strange way. It was like I saw him just yesterday... and yet, it also feels like a lifetime ago."

"You've been through a lot since then. A lot of healing... a lot of progress." He bit his tongue, hoping his words weren't drenched in the desperation he felt to urge her not to look back.

"I've still got a long way to go before..."

Before what?

He wasn't asking... very loudly.

She placed her plate down on the coffee table and shuffled forward on the couch, slightly. Castle followed suit, until their knees touched. She placed a hand on his knee and took a steadying breath.

"I made the right choice, I've never doubted that. And tonight just reaffirmed that. We are both better off on our own journeys. He's headed to South America for... god knows how long. That's his life and it's just not compatible. Neither one of us could be happy with the compromises we would have to make in order for our relationship to work."

"It sounds like you got your closure." He placed his hand over hers.

"Rick?"

"Yeah?"

She turned her hand under his, so that their palms touched and she could intertwine her fingers with his. She gave his hand a gentle, comforting squeeze. "Thank you for being a part of my journey."

He smiled, shifting ever so slightly toward her. "Always, Kate."