Disclaimer: I do not own Castle or the recognizable characters who appear in this story. Any other names, for characters or businesses, are fictional.
A/N: I finally had to break a chapter in half. There's a problem, though: a full chapter (a week in the story) usually includes several plot threads and a mix of lighter and heavier scenes. Not this one! So, if getting the full mix is important to you, hold off on reading this chapter until I post the second half sometime after returning from vacation. More notes below.
Week Twelve (part one)
Sure she's being ridiculous, Beckett cranes her neck as she tries in vain to find some house number to get her bearings. Seriously, what is it about being filthy rich that encourages people to hide their house numbers? Even if reclusive, they still need to accept deliveries, right?
It was actually a delivery that started today's panic. After some fun at the carwash fundraiser that included Tommy giving her the hose so she could happily demonstrate that her sharp-shooting prowess wasn't limited to firearms, Beckett thought that she and Castle might be getting past some of their awkwardness. With the arson suspect finally in custody, Castle's only got one professional responsibility now (aside from writing and practicing piano for his sessions with Mrs. Tremaine), and Beckett decided it was past time to be bold in her plan to prove her interest to Castle. Following up on the precedent set by the weekend, she actually drove out to his firehouse this morning intending to deliver coffee again. It's a small gesture, but it says a lot. Especially with the added element of an NYPD officer braving the inevitable abuse she'd receive from visiting a firehouse.
Except she'd received no abuse. The first person she encountered was a firefighter named Carla, who'd been nothing but kind and gracious to her after Beckett introduced herself as a friend of Rick's. But instead of taking her to him, Carla explained that Rick was hosting many of the guys he works with at a beach wedding for the two days they're off rotation.
So, for the second time in the last few weeks, Beckett had hastily taken vacation time and fled the precinct. Montgomery was initially unwilling to grant her unanticipated leave request due to their monstrous workload, but he finally relented and grudgingly gave her the day when she suggested she was worried about Castle's security. Now that she's in the Hamptons and looking for the address that she and Ryan abused their positions and databases to obtain, she's starting to wonder about the wisdom of her "plan." She'd shied from calling Alexis, fearful that asking her would put Castle's daughter in a terrible position. But if there was anything to worry about, Alexis would've called her, right?
An executive van pulling out of the driveway up ahead captures her attention. That must be Castle's place – that looks exactly like the kind of vehicle his car service would use to transport a large number of people. The security gate looks to be fully retracted and disabled, leaving the driveway clear, so Beckett follows her instincts. Pulling into the drive, the number of cars and vans certainly confirms that something's going on here. Driving past them, she shakes her head in awe at the beauty of the house. Unsurprised to finally see the house number, as if his car in the garage weren't enough of a confirmation, Beckett finds a place to park her cruiser.
She's out of the car even as the engine is still spooling down, knowing that if she stops to reconsider her approach she's unlikely to follow through. So, with only slightly stuttering steps, she approaches the front door and rings the bell before she comes to a halt.
Wondering if the commotion inside obscured the ringing doorbell, Beckett's just reaching out to ring again when the door opens and she finds herself standing before a stunningly beautiful blonde woman in a flowy teal sundress and strappy white sandals.
"Ah," Fred says in recognition, crossing her arms and leaning on the doorframe. "Detective Kate Beckett. Can I help you?"
"I…," Beckett trails off, momentarily thrown. Reminding herself that she's dealt with more terrifying people and circumstances (though none spring readily to mind), she swallows hard and refocuses. "Is Rick here?"
"He is," Fred replies with a smile. "Unsurprising, really, since this is his house. He's pretty busy right now, though, getting ready for the wedding."
"The wedding?" Beckett parrots back, as if this wasn't the reason she drove all the way out here. Hating that she needs to ask the question, she clenches her jaw, then her fists, then makes an effort to relax. "Who's getting married?"
"Who…," Fred trails off, looking at Beckett with new eyes. "Come on," she says as she stands back and motions Beckett to enter the beach house. "We need to talk."
Despite her efforts to convince herself that she was being ridiculous, this greeting phrase sends Beckett's insecurities soaring. This visit was probably a bad idea and entering Castle's house seems like doubling-down. She's still locked in place when Fred sighs.
"You're not thinking about running, are you?" Fred asks, eyebrow cocked as she surveys Beckett. "Tell me you wouldn't really bolt without knowing what's going on."
Annoyed by the presumption of the woman she recognizes as Winnie Keates from her DMV photo and the Ledger's photos from the Aegis party, Beckett huffs and tries to regain some small element of control. "Why don't we talk out here?"
"Because I don't feel like drowning in the testosterone of preening firefighters," Fred answers with a look of someone who's already been subjected to what she's described. Gesturing again, Fred finally succeeds in coaxing Beckett inside. "We can talk upstairs," she says as she steps past Beckett, leading the way.
There's frenetic activity throughout the house, people bustling about in multiple directions. Several are uniformed servers, bedecked in white shirts and smiles, black pants and ties, relaxing before their work begins. Others appear to be moving sound equipment through the house. There's a constant tumult of voices, and Beckett recognizes Castle's distant laugh as they climb the stairs and Fred leads her to a bedroom door, which opens as they approach.
"Kate?" Alexis asks in delighted surprise as she exits the room. "What are you doing here? Did Dad…"
"We were just going to talk about that," Fred cuts her off, nodding toward the room. "Will you run interference for a bit? Just fifteen minutes or so?"
"Sure," Alexis answers, giving Fred a curious look. Looking toward the stairs, Alexis turns back and steps over to Beckett to offer a welcoming hug. "I'm glad you're here," she assures Beckett. Then she exchanges a quick hug and whispers with Fred before offering a wide smile to both ladies and heading for the stairs.
"In the immortal words of your father," Fred calls out to Alexis as she starts to descend, "watch your bottom!"
"No kidding," Alexis answers with a beleaguered laugh and an eye roll before pulling out her cell phone and disappearing out of sight.
Fred offers no clarification on the comment, instead entering the room from which Alexis had exited. Following, Beckett finds herself in Alexis' beach house bedroom, which it looks like Fred is sharing. But Fred steps through the room, opening the sliding glass door to a private balcony decorated with two chairs and a large sun umbrella. Turning the chairs to face each other rather than the water, Fred flops into one and gestures to the other.
"So," Fred says even before Beckett's fully lowered herself into the chair, "you drove all the way out here without knowing who's getting married?"
"Look, Ms. Keates…," Beckett begins, before getting cut off.
"You can call me Winnie," Fred offers with a smile. "At least for now."
"Winnie," Beckett starts again. "I don't know you. I should just talk to Castle."
"You're not ready to talk to him," Fred offers, her smile growing pointed, "and I don't think he's ready to talk to you. So, let's try this again: you drove all the way here without knowing who's getting married. Why?"
"I suspect you know why," Beckett huffs, stuck somewhere between deep offense and mortal embarrassment.
In reply, Fred simply stares at Beckett. She probably knows exactly how uncomfortable Beckett feels right now and is holding out for discomfort to dislodge more information. Nice interrogation technique, Beckett thinks, but this is my game, not yours.
"You didn't really think Rick was getting married, did you?" Fred asks after a few moments.
Any satisfaction Beckett feels from getting Fred to speak first evaporates immediately as she hears her fear spoken aloud. And this time it looks like Fred's willing to sit until the sun sets to hear Beckett speak.
"I didn't think so," Beckett confesses, "but I wouldn't have been able to live with myself if I didn't check, if he got married and I didn't try to talk to him before then. He's not, right? Getting married?"
"Of course he's not," Fred says, shaking her head and rolling her eyes. "You just saw him days ago! You really think he could be marrying someone today?!"
"I should go," Beckett says, ignoring the question and any further personal discussion. Castle's not doing anything rash, so it's time to retreat with whatever pathetic shreds of dignity she can manage, then figure out how to reconnect with him in a more controlled situation.
"Tell me this," Fred replies, making no move to rise while making it clear she expects Beckett to remain in place, too. "If Rick had reacted differently to your approach in LA, you'd be here anyway, right? Or would you still be so anxious to leave?"
"You know about that?" Beckett whispers, frozen in place. "He told you…"
"Everything," Fred interrupts with a nod. "He told me everything."
Beckett's flight response finally kicks in and she's out of her chair and on the move until Fred's hand on her arm stops her. After talking about her LA conversation with Castle, Beckett's efforts to leave now are an odd parallel to his efforts to leave then.
"Why are you always so desperate to run?" Fred asks quietly, her hand still on Beckett's arm. "Why do you always assume the worst?" When Beckett offers no answer, Fred tries again. "He heard you out that night in LA. Will you do the same here?"
Beckett drops her head, then ever-so-slowly makes her way back to the chair in silence. Her head is still bowed when she's sitting again.
"Do you really think so little of Rick, of yourself, that you'd think he could be marrying someone else today?" Fred asks, returning to the topic that she just won't let go.
Anxious to move on, Beckett relents. "I didn't think so, but he's been noble before. If…," she hates herself for even saying it, "… Alexis has a sibling on the way, he'd do the right thing."
"He probably would," Fred says in an easy tone, almost musing. "But he's been exceptionally careful to avoid any romantic entanglements," she confides.
This statement, freely offered and seemingly providing relief on an issue that's bothered Beckett deeply, causes her to raise her head to look carefully at Fred. "Do you mean he…," Beckett trails off, feeling like it's too petty to finish her question.
"Has he been with anyone else since his friend asked him to leave the police department?" Fred guesses. "No, he hasn't. Despite some determined suitors," she says with a laugh, blushing over her role in accidentally putting Castle in a tight spot.
"How do you know all this?" Beckett asks, waving her arm in discomfort.
"I'll tell you my secret," Fred offers conspiratorially, leaning in. Where she waits for Beckett to do the same thing.
Huffing, Beckett finally leans forward, assenting to the conversation and the ridiculous posture of confidence.
"My secret," Fred whispers, pausing to look over each shoulder to accentuate the air of mystery, "is that I ask him what I want to know. Then he tells me. Then we talk about it. Quite devious of me, no?" she asks with a smile.
"Masterful," Beckett grunts in reply, though Fred's point is made. How many real conversations has she had with Castle? Maybe two in recent history – the first when she visited the loft after learning of his departure from the precinct, and the second in LA. Neither went particularly well.
"They get easier, you know," Fred confides, giving Beckett the queer impression that Fred knows what she was thinking about. "You two lived for too long without actually talking to each other, so you've got some catching up to do. Sounds like you've already started."
Beckett's tempted to fire off a caustic reply, but then reconsiders. Castle's friend hasn't been overly antagonistic or vindictive; in fact, she might even be trying to help, though Beckett's not sure why that might be. So, while she tries to figure out the motives behind this conversation, she comes up with an innocuous question. "The voice of experience?"
"You wanna know how I met Rick?" Fred asks with a sly grin that grows wide at Beckett's wary look. "Too bad, I'm gonna tell you anyway. I was out for an evening of cutting loose. Rick was there with some guys from his firehouse who were hitting on anything that moved. But not Rick. He noticed me," Fred says quickly, when it looks like Beckett is tuning out, "but he didn't approach. Didn't send me a drink. Didn't do anything. I had to know why this gorgeous man with the soulful eyes wasn't checking me out," she explains with a smile and a shrug. "So, I walked over and asked him."
"But you're…," Beckett starts to say in an uncharacteristic stumble that reveals exactly how much this conversation has put her on edge.
"Gay?" Fred supplies with a grin and an eye roll. "It's not like we wear signs or have a dress code," she says with a laugh and a disappointed look. "But he knew. From a handful of words and whatever he'd seen when he looked at me, he knew far more about me than I would've guessed. And he told me," she returns to her point, "because I asked."
"We don't talk much," Beckett finally confesses, giving in to the strange charm of Castle's new friend. "Maybe we wouldn't be in such a mess right now if we did."
"It's a mess alright," Fred says with a laugh. "But I don't think it's a lost cause. Unless you want it to be, in which case I'd have to ask why you drove all the way out here."
"No," Beckett answers quietly and quickly, "I don't want a lost cause. I want… well, if you talked with Castle, you know what I want."
"You don't seem very comfortable with the notion of Rick talking to me," Fred replies, noticing Beckett flinch and pressing the point. "You can't really be surprised, though, right? You must have a friend you talk to about this stuff."
"Yeah," Beckett allows with a shrug. "But that's… it's just girl talk."
"Oh," Fred says, pretending to understand. "So, Rick's supposed to be talking to a guy about this? Maybe in a locker room where they judge each other by the size of their… exaggerations?" she asks with a perched brow.
"No," Beckett allows, feeling a bit ridiculous. "But there's something wrong with him talking to a beautiful woman about his love life."
"That was our deal, you know," Fred offers conversationally. "I've been his shield for the past few months. People see us together and assume he's not available."
"Most people," Beckett grumbles under her breath.
"Yes, most people," Fred answers with a sly smile. "Some are undeterred. Gina took her shot, and your friend Maddie had me worried. But Rick managed to deal with them both adroitly."
Something in Fred's tone or look catches Beckett's attention, finally sparks some of her usual investigative instincts. She nearly sighs in relief as she feels more like herself. "You're not telling me something," she asserts while cocking an eyebrow at Fred.
"There's plenty I'm not telling you," she replies with a wicked smile and a raised brow of her own. "This isn't an interrogation room," she says with an expansive wave that takes in the picturesque setting, "and I'm not a suspect."
"No," Beckett answers with a nod and a smile of her own. "You're not a suspect. You're a gatekeeper, aren't you?"
"No, I'm a big sister," Fred answers with a proprietary smile, "so gatekeeping's just one of my roles. I was supposed to be unpacking from my LA trip, but Rick invited me out to help my little brother host a wedding. Plus," she adds conspiratorially, "I've been giving him trouble about not seeing his beach house."
"You were in LA?" Beckett asks in surprise.
Fred nods, giving Beckett a knowing look. "I'm looking to move back. So, I was there when you were in town. That's where Rick told me about what happened – he visited my parents' place after he dropped you at LAX."
"I thought he…," Beckett replies, trailing off as she edits her thoughts.
Shaking her head in disappointment or consternation, Fred emits a loud sigh. "He did go to San Bernardino the next morning, just as he said. As far as I know, Rick's never lied to you. I'm not sure he could," she says while leveling a piercing look at Beckett. "But that doesn't mean he hasn't made mistakes in your conversations."
"Why are you doing this?" Beckett asks, genuinely interested in both her answer and in shifting the focus of the conversation. "Why are you talking to me about him?"
"Like I said," Fred answers seriously, though she's still smiling, "I'm his sister. I'm looking out for him. He's a good man and I'd like him to be happy. But he's made some mistakes and I'm trying to make sure he doesn't make another."
"And you think I'd be a mistake?" Beckett asks, more than a little offended at the presumption of this stranger.
"There's the temper I've heard about," Fred replies with a grin, undaunted. "I don't know you. I don't know if you'd be a mistake. I'd like to think not," she says kindly, still smiling in reply to Beckett's fierce look. "That's why I wanted to meet you, to take the time to talk to you."
"I thought this was about me," Beckett replies, cringing internally at how that sounds before trying to clarify. "About me not being ready to talk to him."
Nodding, Fred agrees. "You weren't ready to talk to him."
"Past tense," Beckett notes of Fred's comments. "Does that mean I'm ready now?"
"Getting there," Fred answers with a laugh. "I needed to get a sense for you, too. I've heard a lot about you, obviously, but I wanted some experience of my own. Just tell me this: are you really interested in him?"
"You're grilling me about my intentions?" Beckett asks, torn between incredulity and offense, leavened with a bit of unanticipated humor, too.
"Of course I am!" Fred replies. "That's why I pushed to see if you were going to run! That's why I wanted to make sure you didn't leave with any misimpressions about what's happening here today." When that last comment causes Beckett to look away, Fred pursues it. "Look, I know you promised Rick you were going to commit to this. And I know how daunting it must've been to drive out here without an invitation or an idea of what you'd find. So, color me cautiously impressed."
Every time Beckett thinks she has Fred's measure, the woman says something else that knocks things out of focus again. But, for all her confusion, Beckett can't help but reply to Fred's recognition of her discomfort. "It was a terrible drive," she admits in a low tone. "And…," she trails off, wondering if she should say anything more. When Fred looks gives her a nod and an expectant look, Beckett decides to just let go. "And after everything that's happened between us, I wasn't ready to run into another beautiful blonde woman at his beach house."
"I'm sorry," Fred says quietly, "and thank you. I'll confess that I wanted to rattle your cage a bit, see how you reacted. But I can see how today's been pretty tough already. You were so on edge, though, that I didn't want you to see Rick like that. You looked ready to bolt, and if you did that after talking with him… well, I'm not sure there'd be a recovery from that."
"Thank you," Beckett answers quietly. "I'm not great at this," she says with a vague wave, "and he's got a knack for knocking me off balance. You're probably right – it probably wouldn't have gone well if I was on edge before I even saw him.
"Right," Fred says briskly. "If you're really in this," Fred says, giving her another direct, hopeful look, "then you need confidence. So, first thing's first – you know Tommy, right? The firefighter Rick pulled out of the building when he was acting the idiot hero and almost died?" Fred asks, showing some of her terror at hearing about what happened while she was on the other side of the country.
"I've met him," Beckett answers with a secret smile, remembering the boyish-looking man who'd let her steal his hose at the carwash.
"He was supposed to get married a few days after their close call," Fred says, and the pieces fall into place. "Shannon's a school teacher, so between them they don't have a lot of money and they lost a fair bit on the deposits. Luckily, they weren't planning to go on their honeymoon until after the school year ended, so that's okay."
"Castle offered his beach house for the wedding, didn't he?" Beckett replies, nodding along. "That's so like him."
"It serves a few purposes," Fred answers. "Mostly, he's watching out for Tommy and Shannon. But the reaction to his identity at the firehouse caused some problems, so this is also a bit of a peace offering. He's still trying to wrap his head around how much it's backfired," Fred says with a devious smile.
"What a minute – they didn't know who he was?" Beckett asks in surprise.
"Not until somebody shouted his name at one of their scenes," she answers with a pointed smirk.
"Oh, crap," Beckett mutters succinctly.
"Oops," Fred laughs. "It was always going to go public eventually. He just wanted to start as a regular guy to get a feel for the firehouse. Sal wouldn't have let it remain a secret. And now that it's out there, Rick's really in trouble."
"The carwash?" Beckett guesses.
"That's only the beginning. Sal's got a whole array of promotional efforts he's trying to squeeze out of Rick before he leaves, just in case he can't convince him to extend his stay," Fred chuckles.
"Does this have to do with your comment about backfiring?" Beckett asks. She'd prefer to sound Fred out on Castle's thoughts about extending his stay with the FDNY, but she's not quite that willing to confide in Castle's friend yet. Besides, that's probably a conversation she should have with him.
"Yep," Fred laughs again. "You can ask Mr. April all about it."
"Mister… No way," Beckett says in surprise. "He's going to be in the calendar?"
"He tried to weasel out of it so many ways," Fred says with a chuckle. "He built this whole defense about how it wouldn't be fair to his coworkers, to the people who do this as a career rather than a writing lark. That's when Costa 'saved' him – said he'd put it up for a vote. Guess who won without entering the race?"
"I'm a little surprised," Beckett replies through her own chuckles. "Seems like the kind of thing he'd normally be excited about."
"I've heard all about how brilliant you are," Fred says, still wearing her smile but matching it with an assessing stare, "so I'm sure you can figure out where he's coming from. Or, here's a thought: maybe you could just ask him?"
"Back to the direct communication thing, huh?" Beckett asks with a sigh.
"It's been fun getting to know you a bit," Fred answers seriously in reply, "and I'm glad we had this chance to talk. But I need to make sure you understand something. I'm Rick's friend, not yours," Fred says succinctly. "When he jumped into your world, he surrounded himself with people who answer to you first. Not me – I'm here for Rick. If you two are going to work out, you both need to figure out a way to be better. So, get used to me pushing for the direct communication and anything else I think you two need to be good together. Because as much as I've enjoyed this conversation, I won't let you hurt him. He's the one who made me his big sister, and I'm going to take that role seriously."
Beckett sits in place, frozen by Fred's words. She's surprised to find herself back in a place of being evaluated, tested. After her conversation with Martha and her outings with Alexis, she'd kind of assumed that the way forward was clear with Castle's family. But she hadn't planned on impressing a sibling, even a recently-adopted one. The whole conversation would be ridiculous, and infuriating, if it wasn't so painfully obvious that Fred was being completely genuine.
"I understand," Beckett's almost surprised to hear herself say. "Thank you. For talking to me, but also for looking out for him."
Fred's about to reply when a knock on the balcony door draws their attention. Once it's clear she won't be interrupting, Alexis slides the door open wide and gestures for both women to return to the bedroom. "Muriel's here."
"Muriel?" Beckett asks, shifting her look from Alexis to Fred and back.
"She owns a dress shop in town," Alexis answers while looking at Beckett's clothes, which, while fashionable for the precinct, don't quite work for a beach wedding. "So, she brought out some options for you."
"Alexis…," Beckett blushes, caught short by the young woman's attentiveness and generosity. Then, even while flustered, she remembers the whispered words Alexis shared with Fred shortly after Beckett arrived. Turning to Castle's friend, she raises a brow. "But it wasn't just Alexis, was it?"
"You'll need a dress for the ceremony. You are staying, aren't you?" Fred asks pointedly, and Beckett can't help but notice Alexis' hopeful look in her peripheral vision.
"I hope so," Beckett answers slowly. "But that's up to Castle. Direct communication, right?" she asks with a nervous shrug, encouraged by Alexis' beaming smile and the cautiously optimistic look from Castle's 'sister.'
"You can't just say 'I've got a surprise for you' at a wedding," Castle complains as he follows his daughter into the house. "There're just too many things that can go wrong – tsunamis, food poisoning, unknown prior marriages, abductions, drunken pastors – way too many options," Castle laments as he waves his hands.
"What are you complaining about?" Alexis asks with a laugh. "So Shannon's family's flight was delayed – they'll be here within a half-hour. Everything's going fine!"
Shaking his head, Castle immediately employs an ancient gesture for warding off evil. "You just had to say it, didn't you? Well, anything that happens now is your fault."
"I would've thought," Alexis replies while nudging him at the turn for the stairs, "that based on your experience, you'd prefer your surprises before the wedding rather than after."
"You… what… I can't believe you just went there!" Castle mumbles incredulously to his smirking daughter. Then, with a quirk of his head, he considers her jibe. "But you're probably right," he chuckles as he climbs the stairs. "Fine, my expectations are suitably adjusted. What's this big sur…," he trails off as they mount the top of the stairs and see the two women standing outside the door to Alexis' bedroom. "Beckett?"
"We'll keep things running downstairs while you two talk," Fred says as she steps over. Gracing Castle with a quick hug, she whispers quietly in his ear. "If you need anything, just let me know. We've chatted a bit and I haven't seen a reason to throw her out. But I can take her."
Chuckling at the image of a Fred-Beckett throw-down that he knows wouldn't go Fred's way, Castle gives his friend a squeeze before releasing her. "Thanks, sis," he says with a smile. "Don't let my daughter burn the place down."
"There might be a few guys here who could help with that," Alexis says with an eye roll as she breezes by her father on her way to the stairs, pausing only long enough for a quick kiss on the cheek.
Then, suddenly, Castle finds himself alone with Beckett. Not sure how to proceed but certain that whatever happens should be private, he gestures to the hallway and leads Beckett to the double doors at the end. Holding the doors for her, he again motions her through his bedroom, which also enjoys a private balcony. On her way to the door, she notices the Fleming book on Castle's nightstand. Such a small thing to provide such hope. Maybe he sees it the same way?
Castle's balcony overlooks the pool as well as the shoreline. As they lower themselves into the lounge chairs, Beckett notes that the preparations look complete for a wedding at water's edge. It should be a beautiful service, a grand way for a young couple to launch their life together.
"You've got a hell of a lot of nerve showing up here," Castle says quietly, instantly collecting her attention. When she looks at him warily, he scrunches up his face and blows out a frustrated breath. "Sorry," he says with a blush, "I'm already getting flustered, just like our last talk. You should be able to rely on an author to choose his words with greater care," he says, scolding himself. "What I should've said is that it took a lot of courage for you to show up here today," he explains with a wary look of his own.
"Maybe," Beckett replies in surprise, her discomfort at Castle's inelegant stumbling at the start of their conversation putting her off-balance again.
"You've always been the brave one," he praises with another embarrassed look, offering compliments as he tries to find his own footing.
Thankful that he's provided her with a starting point, Beckett jumps in quickly to correct him. "No, Rick, I haven't. Not about things between us. You've been the brave one. We wouldn't be having so much trouble if I hadn't been such a coward."
"Stop," Castle commands quietly, a gentle hand on her knee reinforcing his request. "As confused as I've been, I don't want to hear anyone talking you down, and that includes you," he says with a small smile.
"But it's true," Beckett objects, even though his words already having her feeling lighter, happier.
"We need to talk – to really talk," he says, giving her knee a little squeeze. "The whole messy, uncomfortable, embarrassing thing," he says, looking just as nervous as the woman who's nodding back at him. "We don't have time for that now," he says while using his free hand to gesture to the wedding preparations below, "so let's wait, okay?"
"When're you coming back to the city?" she asks, glad for once that he still has commitments at the firehouse since it means she's not facing the prospect of losing him for the summer again.
"Tomorrow," Castle answers, giving her knee another squeeze before reclaiming his hand. "We'll have the reception here, right after the wedding, which'll start as soon as Shannon's family arrives and gets settled. Then back to the 'house tomorrow, since most of us pulled the night shift. So, if you're willing to try again, meet me at Remy's for our poor, often-shuffled lunch date the day after tomorrow?"
"You'll be exhausted," Beckett objects, though she's thrilled that he reinitiated the Remy's date. "How about this – I'll meet you there at 9:30, right after your shift. We can call it a late breakfast or early lunch."
"Brunch?" Castle teases in reply, suggesting the word for Beckett's fumbling.
"Of course not," Beckett reacts with an eye roll. "It's a diner, Castle – there's no brunch when they serve breakfast all day."
"Silly me," he replies, wearing a small smile that Beckett hopes is the result of the same happiness she's feeling at the return of some of their teasing. "Montgomery won't mind you cutting out?"
"I'm not gonna ask," Beckett replies with a sassy look, prompting a grin from Castle. Concentrating on that smile, Beckett takes a fortifying breath, then pursues her more immediate hope. "Do we have to wait that long to spend some time together?" she asks, embarrassed by how shy her voice sounds. But her Detective Beckett persona is proving difficult to recall right now, leaving only Kate. "Can I stay for the wedding?"
"You drove all the way here to see the wedding of a guy who lent you a garden hose so you could soak me down in a school parking lot," Castle laughs. "What kind of host would I be to turn you away after all that effort? Bring your bag in here," he says while using a thumb to point over his shoulder to his bedroom, talking before she can correct his misimpression. "Quarters are tight since we're hosting Shannon and Tommy's families," he explains with a laugh and Beckett blushes at the implication before he keeps talking. "I put a Murphy bed in my office, so I can bunk there."
"Rick, I can't…," Beckett starts to say before Castle cuts her off.
"Sorry, Beckett, no guests allowed in the Murphy bed. It's a liability thing," he says ridiculously, "so just enjoy the hospitality. And the enormous tub."
"I can't stay that long," Beckett replies sadly. "I need to go back to the city tonight – Montgomery was clear about only giving me today, and I'm not in a great place to push him after LA."
Castle nods, and Beckett's gladdened to see that he's doesn't look happy about her early departure. In fact, she might be able to convince herself that he looks a little disappointed. His reaction helps build her courage.
"I promised I'd show you what I want, Rick," she begins quietly. Watching him, she can almost see himself retracting, the defensive walls going up. Time to provide some reassurance, she thinks quickly. Reaching out to lay a gentle hand on his knee just as he had done just minutes ago. "I know we'll talk later – I'm not trying to jump the gun here," she says with a smile and a squeeze. "But I need to make a confession before we head down to the wedding."
"Beckett," he replies in a low tone after a moment's pause, "it's too early for us to play the confession game."
Beckett's joyous guffaw is enough to draw the attention of several guests milling around the pool, but she doesn't care. For the first time in months Castle teased her like he used to – sexy innuendo that held the hint of a future development between them. She feels so blissfully optimistic, all because of a stupid joke, that she just can't help but release the eruption of joy lest it consume her right here on his balcony.
"Then I'll save my sinful confessions for later," she finally says with a saucy look that's ruined by her continuing chuckles. "But for now, an embarrassing one. I learned about the wedding when I tried to bring you coffee this morning," she starts to explain, watching Castle's eyebrows slowly rise. "And when Carla told me you were out here for a wedding, she didn't mention anything about Tommy or Shannon."
Despite his confusion at the beginning of this conversation, Castle's on his game now and he realizes the implication of her simple comment immediately. "So you thought…," he trails off, wary of guessing wrong.
"I didn't think you were getting married," Beckett offers. "But I didn't know. And if you were, I could never live with myself if I didn't try to talk to you first."
Castle nods, though he's starting to look pensive. "And what would you've said?"
"God, Castle," Beckett answers, lifting the hand from his knee and running it through her hair. "I tried so hard not to think about it. Like it'd be more real if I thought about it," she says with an embarrassed shrug. "But I couldn't help myself. And you know the really sad part?" she asks rhetorically. "It would've been easier if you were just on a bender or a rebound or… you know, if you were in love," she says with an embarrassed wave. "But it you were trying to provide stability for a child… how could I've said anything?"
Castle remains quiet, clearly thinking deeply about Beckett's confession and what it must've cost her to explain why she's here. Oddly, he finds himself at a loss for words, though he knows some are desperately necessary.
Instead of speaking, though, he reaches out toward Beckett. Rather than pat her knee again, he rotates his wrist so that his palm faces up, hovering there as a silent effort to bridge the emotional gap between them. Beckett's hand finds his almost immediately. For a few calm, beautiful minutes, they simply sit in quiet communion, gathering strength and reconnecting.
Commotion below brings their quiet interlude to an end. "Shannon's family must be here," he says with a sigh. Standing, he uses their grasp to help her stand. "I need to change quickly and get down to greet them properly. You look as lovely as ever, but it's too bad we don't have a little more time to call Muriel – the wedding would be a great excuse to see you in a sundress," he says with a coy smile and a hint of his old playfulness.
"Okay, second confession," Beckett replies with a smile of her own. "Alexis called and she's already here. I just needed to make sure it was okay to stay."
"Of course Alexis called her," Castle says while shaking his head in proud exasperation, leading Beckett back into his bedroom. "Meet you downstairs?" he asks, pausing at the threshold of his room as he opens the door to the hallway.
"I'm looking forward to it," Beckett replies, giving his hand a squeeze.
"Hey, Lanie," Beckett says as her friend accepts the call. "I need a little pep talk."
"What?" Lanie asks, trying to catch up. "Kate, what's going on? Javi said that you bailed out again. You're not back in LA, are you?" she asks in a tone that's mostly joking.
"No," Beckett laughs, glad to have a little humor to loosen herself up. "I'm out at Castle's beach house, getting ready for a wedding."
"You're *what*?!" Lanie shrieks into the phone. "Damn, girl, when you promise to show commitment, you don't mess around!"
"No, no, no," Beckett says, though not quickly enough to hide the fact that Lanie's comment conjured some images that Beckett was trying to ignore. "You remember Shannon and Tommy? They're getting married."
"Oh," Lanie replies, trying to settle herself down. "Sweet kids. I hope they make it. It's a good thing it's them and not you. Just for the record – if you ever get married without telling me I'll kick your skinny ass."
"Cart before the horse, Lanes," Beckett replies in a tone of exasperation.
"So, Castle invited you to the wedding?" Lanie presses, apparently ignoring the impromptu nature of Beckett's day off. "That's got to be a good sign, right?"
"He didn't invite me," Beckett starts to confess before her friend jumps in.
"You go, girl!" Lanie hoots on the other end of the phone. "Crash that wedding and catch your boy when he's all starry-eyed and mushy. He won't know what hit him!"
"I think it's more likely that a wedding would trigger PTSD for him," Beckett laughs, taking a moment to just enjoy herself and relax a bit. "Actually, I'll tell you the same thing I told Castle a few minutes ago – all I knew was that he was hosting a wedding at his beach house."
"And you charged out there to stake your claim?" Lanie asks while sounding impressed. "His jaw musta hit the floor when he opened the door and saw you standing there."
"He wasn't the one who opened the door," Beckett grimaces. "Winnie did. His blonde friend," Beckett explains. "His 'big sister.'"
"His what now?" Lanie asks in surprise. "I thought he was an only child."
"You were right about how they act together. I don't have the full story, yet, but she sure acts like a sister," Beckett grouses a bit. "She worked me over pretty well before she'd let me see Rick."
"Hold on," Lanie commands. "I'm just trying to get this image in my head – that cute little blonde woman put herself between you and Castle? And it worked?!"
"She's tougher than she looks," Beckett grumbles, before her discomfort prompts her to recall an earlier issue she'd not followed up in the shock of the case that led to learning about Castle's new job. "Just ask Espo – I think he's had a run-in with her."
"Oh, really?" Lanie replies in an ice-cold voice. Beckett wonders, briefly, if she should warn Esposito that trouble's heading his way, but quickly dismisses the thought. He'd looked guilty back when they pulled the DMV records, so he can explain to Lanie how he knew Winnie's name. "That boy's got some 'splaining to do."
"Don't hurt him too badly, Lanie," Beckett teases. "He's covering for me today."
"So, what's the plan, then?" Lanie asks, knocked back on track. "You said you needed a pep talk – what's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong," Beckett admits, her voice lacking its usual assertive tone. "I'm just feeling a little exposed. I showed up here without warning, I don't know anyone, and there are firefighters all over the place."
"Hmmmm," Lanie hums in reply, and Beckett realizes her mistake immediately.
"I guess I shouldn't have mentioned that last bit about the firefighters?" she asks, laughing when her friend just keeps humming. "Or should I have mentioned the reception festivities will include pool and beach activities?"
"How long does it take to get there?" Lanie asks eagerly, pulling another laugh out of her friend.
"Thanks, Lanie. It's good to hear a friendly voice."
"Castle hasn't been friendly?" Lanie asks in surprise, wondering if this is what's really going on.
"He's been great," Beckett interjects quickly. "Well, not great, but receptive. He's still treading lightly, but he's made a few jokes and he invited me to stay. Even offered me his room."
"With him in it, right?" Lanie hoots again.
"That wasn't part of the hospitality package," Beckett replies in exasperation, rolling her eyes. "But I can't stay anyway – Montgomery'd have my head if I bailed out again."
"I hear there's a nasty flu going around the Hamptons," Lanie says with mock solemnity. "I'm a doctor, I know these things. I could even write you a note."
"Thanks, Lanie," Beckett answers with a smile. "But Castle's got to get back tomorrow anyway for another shift at the firehouse. But he asked me to meet him at Remy's the day after."
"Kate, that's wonderful," Lanie says quietly, the earnestness in her voice replacing her usual brazen tone and making her reaction all the more meaningful as a result. "He suggested it?"
"That and a long talk," Beckett confesses, nervous about the talk but hopeful about signs of moving forward.
"Sounds like driving out there was a very smart move," Lanie say approvingly. "Did you bring a dress to knock his socks off?"
"I wish," Beckett laments before blushing slightly. "I didn't even let myself stop to think – just jumped in the cruiser and didn't stop until I got here. But Alexis set me up. She called a boutique owner while Winnie was grilling me. I owe that girl big-time. Again!"
"I want pictures," Lanie declares. "I want to see this dress. And Castle. And this 'sister.' Just make sure there's lots of firefighters in the background. Especially around the pool. Wait, Castle must have a hot tub, right?"
"Goodbye, Lanie," Beckett answers with a smile. "Any last words of advice?"
"Don't screw it up!" Lanie cheers happily.
"Look at Mr. Beachy," Fred says as Castle returns from showing Shannon's parents and grandmother to their rooms upstairs.
Looking down at his white linen shirt and khakis, Castle laughs in reply. "I don't get to wear sandals to formal events very often, so I've got to live it up."
"Well, it's a great look on you," Fred says appraisingly. "Almost looks like you took a little extra time to look good for some reason," she teases.
"Maybe," he answers with a faint blush. "What was your phrase? 'We've chatted a bit and I haven't seen a reason to throw her out'? I know better than to think I can take her, though."
"Funny, I think that's exactly what she wants," Fred replies sassily with a perched brow, deepening his blush.
"Fred…"
"Just teasing," she replies. "Mostly. Now, for real, before she comes down: are you okay?" she asks seriously, capturing his eyes. "Do you want me to run interference or stay close or throw her out?"
"It's okay," Castle answers quickly. "I'm actually kind of impressed that she drove out here. You don't really know her, but it's not the kind of uncertainty she usually addresses head-on."
"Just be careful," Fred says seriously, leaning in to give him a peck on the cheek. "Like you've been telling me since we met, there's no timeline, right? Make sure you're ready."
Castle's answer is interrupted by a groan from Sully, one of his colleagues from the firehouse who's been wandering around trying to find his way back outside after visiting the restroom.
"Nice place you got here, Rick," he says with a smile, unable to pull his gaze from Fred even though he's talking to Castle. "You should hand out maps, though. How do I get back to the pool?"
"How worried should I be," Fred says as she turns to face Sully while leaning into Castle, "that the fireman can't seem to find the water?"
Sully, too dazed by a close-range blast of Fred's smiling, teasing look is spared from the need to respond as Beckett makes her appearance. Wearing an off-the-shoulder gauzy yellow sundress, she's a vision as she floats down the stairs, her slight case of nerves making her look all the more striking. Following Castle's stunned look, Sully turns away from Fred only to find himself confronted by another beautiful woman.
"You look gorgeous, Kate," Castle says shyly. "I feel like we should be heading to the MADT fundraiser."
"Castle…," Beckett trails off, barely managing to rein in her impulse to avoid his compliment. Part of showing him what they could be means accepting his compliments as well as his affection. So, instead of asking him to stop, she moves to his side and gives him a sweet kiss on the cheek. "Thank you, Rick."
A strangled gurgle from a gawping Sully recalls Castle's attention. "Sorry, Sully. This is Kate Beckett," he says as he looks to his side. Then, turning to his other side, "And this is Winnie Keates. Ladies, this is Bill Sullivan, one of the guys who's kept me from getting burnt to a crisp."
"Ladies," Sully offers with a general nod, still a little off balance. Then, after taking another look around the room and at Fred and Beckett, Sully finds his footing and addresses Castle. "You know, Rick, if you weren't such a good guy, it'd be really easy to hate you."
Castle smirks and Fred looks offended, but it's Beckett who's about to reply when a new voice interjects. "Dad, it's time to take our seats for the ceremony. Oh, hello," Alexis says as she approaches the group, offering her hand to Sully. "I'm Alexis Castle. You must be Sully – Dad's told me all about you."
"This is your daughter?" Sully asks in surprise, coming near enough to gawking at Alexis, who looks lovely in the green dress that accents her coloring so well, that Castle's protective instincts have him tensing. "I give up," Sully grumbles as he throws his arms up and walks in the direction from which Alexis arrived.
"Did I do something wrong?" Alexis asks in surprise at Sully's abrupt departure.
"You were just too beautiful for poor Sully to handle," Castle assures his daughter with a careful kiss to her cheek. "You'll have to get used to reactions like that," he beams, before his look sours. "And I guess I will, too," he pouts, thinking about the men that are likely to chase after his daughter.
"Winnie and Kate can give me some tips," Alexis answers cheekily, drawing a smile from both women.
"And maybe Beckett can give me some guns," Castle grumbles just as quickly.
"A topic for later," Alexis replies in exasperation, though she's still blushing. "We need to get moving," she says as she offers an elbow to Fred, who looks at her with a cocked brow.
"Subtle," Fred and Beckett say at the same time, prompting Alexis to laugh as the ladies look at each other in surprise. Castle, meanwhile, offers an elbow to Beckett, who slides her arm through his.
"C'mon Beckett," he says quietly to her as they follow Alexis and Fred. "I've never been to one of these 'weddings' before. You can explain what's happening."
A/N: A few quick notes. As I've mentioned before, I didn't like the idea of splitting chapters. But this chapter hasn't even covered a full day of Week Twelve. Fred and Beckett had a lot to discuss when they finally met!
If you read the bit above, you might wonder if anything else is happening this week in the story, including Montgomery's promised explanation to Beckett and the continually-rescheduled Remy's outing. I'm hoping to have time to write the second half of this chapter while traveling.
I posted this chapter in an effort to maintain the once-per-week schedule. We're leaving for vacation as soon as it's up. So, my apologies: I don't expect that I'll be able to reply to any reviews or PMs while we're out (or post any reviews myself, for that matter). But I'll catch up as soon as I can. For my friends in the US, Happy Fourth of July!
