FIXIT No. SEVEN

We all remember that time in season three when Kate happens to overhear Castle on the phone breaking up with Gina for the second time. Well what if back in season two Castle just happened to overhear Kate breaking things off with Tom Demming? Things just might have turned out a bit differently than they did. An AU story that explores just that possibility.

A/N: As this is a completely AU story, I chose not to worry about getting the actual dialog from the show, but instead just kept to the general feel.

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Richard Castle was coming back from a little trip to the men's room. He wanted to get back to the farewell party that was being held in his honor, sort of. He had told them that this was going to be his last case for the time being. He was behind on his deadlines, and he needed to get some writing done.

Since Beckett had turned down his invitation to come out to his place in the Hampton's for the long holiday weekend, he figured he would just stay out there for the whole summer, and get his next book done.

He was conflicted as to whether he'd even bother to come back in the fall. The fact that Kate had decided that Tom Demming was the one she wanted to be with had soured his enthusiasm toward working with the team.

The fact that all the members of the team tended to pick up on Demming's contempt for the writer tag along bothered him. They seemed to forget that he'd been working alongside all of them for the past year and a half. He guessed it must have slipped their minds.

He knows that Esposito used to pal around with Demming back at the 54th when they both were there. So he wasn't taken aback that Javi would jump at the chance to pile on when Demming took his shots. Since Ryan always followed Espo's lead, Rick had to take his digs too.

But both of those guys tended to follow whoever was in charge so it wasn't a surprise when it came to those two.

The one that really hurt was Beckett. She was supposed to be in charge. It was her team, and her case, but she seemed to defer to Demming without questioning any of his motives. Castle really thought that he and Kate had been developing a pretty solid friendship, if nothing else. Apparently he'd been wrong.

No, it was time for him to move along.

At least he'd have Gina with him for a short time while he was out in the Hampton's. They'd talked the other night and seemed to catch a bit of what they had back when he'd asked her to marry him. He knew he was probably fooling himself if he really thought that the two of them could make a go of it again, but he just didn't want to go out there by himself. At least not for the initial holiday weekend.

Castle knew that the best he could probably expect from Gina would be a week, tops, before she'd remember that she was his publisher and that she needed to ride herd on him to make sure he reached his various deadlines. Because hitting those deadline meant a new book published on time and more money for both of them, but mostly she'd be worried about more money for her.

Castle rounded a corner on his way back to the break room when he heard voices, familiar voices. He approached as stealthily as he could. Tucked in the back of a side hallway he could hear the voices of the two people mostly responsible for his melancholy mood.

"I don't understand? Is it something I did?" That was Demming. Castle pushed himself closer to the wall.

"No, you are great, and I really like you." And that was Beckett. "But I just don't think that this will work out."

"Give me a clue here, Kate. Tell me what's wrong?"

"It's not you, Tom. You are a really great guy." There was a pregnant pause. Then Beckett spoke slowly. "It's just not what I'm looking for right now. I'm sorry, but it wouldn't be fair to either of us to continue this."

Castle heard the two of them beginning to shuffle into motion. He quickly pulled back around another corner so as not to run into either of them.

Rick caught a glimpse of Demming, striding out of the area as quickly as his legs would take him without breaking into a run. The look on his face was not one of a happy man.

Castle looked around and pulled back into the shadow of the corner he was standing in and took out his phone. He quickly dialed a too familiar number.

"Hello, Gina?" The conversation was short, and surprisingly civil. It only took a couple of minutes and the groundwork was laid.

When Castle stepped through the door of the breakroom he was greeted with some friendly barbs, and jokes about being a light weight, not being able to hold his beer. Castle joked right back at them. Toasts were made and impromptu short speeches were made.

Of course, these were the same guys who had no trouble putting him down in front of their old buddy Demming. But Castle wasn't going to be the small one here.

Kate stepped up and tapped Rick on the shoulder.

"Ah, Castle, could I speak to you, alone." She used her head to indicate out of the break room and into the precinct proper.

"Sure." He followed her out where they wound up by her desk.

Kate stood behind her desk, as if seeking the protection the desk could provide.

"Well, are you looking forward to your working vacation? Trying to ignore the calm breezes and warmth of the sand on your bare feet instead of buckling down and writing?"

Castle gave her a smile. "There will be some time for relaxation, but I will have to buckle down at some point and get things that need to be done, done."

Kate smiled back. "I'll bet it will be hard to stay focused." She dropped her head, and played with her hair. "Look, Rick, I know that I can be hard to get to know, but I want to tell you that you make my job a lot easier to deal with. And having you around this past year has been…fun."

Rick raised his brow. "You need more fun in your life Beckett. I'm just trying to provide some of that for you."

She shook her head. "But please don't feel that the only thing that you are good for is to play the jokester. You are a part of this team, and I really want you to come back to us in the fall. After you've written that next best-seller."

"Well, while I appreciate the thought, that wasn't the vibe I was getting on this last case."

She blushed and dropped her head again. She huffed out a single breath.

"As the lead detective on the team, that was my fault. It's my responsibility to see that everyone on my team is working toward the closing of the case. I should never have let that hassling continue. You are a valued member of my team, and I shouldn't have allowed it to continue."

"Or participate in the jabs?"

She bit her lower lip. "Especially that. I know how valuable you are to this team, and honestly, we'll feel the loss coming up this summer without you here helping us. I'm really sorry that I let it get out of control."

"You can always call, Demming." Castle knew that was a cheap shot when he saw the look on her face.

She shook her head. "Tom's good detective, but he's not a homicide detective."

Castle held up his hand. "Look Kate, you just said a few minutes ago that you are someone who's hard to get to know." A slight smirk pulled on his lips. "It's too bad you aren't available to take me up on my offer for you to come out to the Hampton's with me for the holiday weekend. You'd be amazed at how easy it is to get to know someone when it's just the two of you taking walks on the beach at sunset. Or lounging by the heated pool while I grill the best rib eye steaks not still on the hoof."

Kate ducked her head for a moment, then looked up at him with a coy look on her face.

"Well… as it just so happens, I no longer have any plans for this coming holiday weekend."

Castle tried to look shocked. "Really? Wow, well your misfortune could be good fortune for the both of us. That is… if you are still interested in coming out to my comfy beach house."

Kate's smile included her tongue stroking her bottom lip. "Are you re-inviting me to come out to the Hampton's with you?"

Castle held out his hands. "I don't want to be pushy, but if you should choose to…"

"Hold that thought."

Kate darted away and rushed back into the breakroom, where the boys, and Montgomery were still finishing off that last few beers. She leaned over and whispered something in her captain's ear. He looked up at her. She smiled at him. He smiled back and nodded. Kate fled the room.

She was just a little out of breath when she was standing in front of Castle with a smile on her face.

"I just cleared it with Montgomery, and if it is okay with you, I have through Tuesday off."

Rick smiled and took her hand. "Well, I can't see any problem with that. Four days surely beats out only three days."

Kate was grinning. "So, how do you want to do this?" She looked confused. "I was never sure how you wanted to get there and back."

Castle patted the hand that he had a grasp on. "Why don't I take you home and you can do a quick packing. You won't need a whole lot, much of our time will be spent relaxing, but count on at least one night out on the town."

She had her lip in her teeth as she nodded.

"Then, that Tuesday afternoon, we'll take off from the Hampton's, stop to eat somewhere on the way. Then I'll deliver you home in time to get a good night's sleep for work the next day."

Kate frowned. "I feel bad that you have to drive me all the way back. Isn't there a bus or something I can take to get home?"

Castle shook his head. "No, don't worry. Actually it will give me a couple days at home to touch base with the family and get a handle on what their plans are going to be for the summer." He rolled his eyes. "Once the weather really warms up they both will be coming out several times over the summer."

She took his hand in hers. "Well, partner let's get going. Daylight's wasting."

With their hands still clasped, they moved toward the elevator.

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The trip to Kate's apartment was relatively short. She'd been lucky when she found this place in the same neighborhood her old apartment was in. She'd been really pissed when her crazy stalker had blown up her old apartment, but she'd been lucky that she was able to find this one within her price range. She wasn't sure she'd be able to.

What she never knew was there had been some behind the scenes negotiations which paved the way for Beckett to not only be able to find this place, but to afford it. Of course the landlord had been bribed to secrecy.

"So this is you new place." Rick glanced around the apartment as Kate let him in.

She nodded. "Yeah, it was a real stroke of luck that this came on the market when it did. And the previous owner was looking for a quick sale. I was just in the right place at the right time."

Castle nodded. "Never underestimate the power of luck." He chuckled. Kate's brow raised.

"So, I haven't even seen this place yet." He gave her a mock glare. "Someone neglected to invite me over to see her new digs."

She coughed out a laugh. "Don't feel hurt, Castle. I haven't even had my dad over here yet. The only other person who has seen it is Lanie. She helped me move the stuff that survived the explosion since the storage place was close to her place."

Castle made a cursory sweep of the place. Kate's stuff really added to the character to the place. It had been pretty bland when he saw it at first. She had good, if a bit eclectic, taste.

"So, should I make us some coffee while you're packing a suitcase?"

"Yeah, the coffee's in the cupboard next to the fridge."

Castle hunted down a cup and set it aside as he rinsed out the coffee pot which was sitting on the counter next to the stove.

"Hey," she poked her head out of her bedroom. "What should I pack for?"

Castle smiled at her. "Mostly casual stuff. Be prepared for at least one dinner out. It will not be cold, but any walks on the beach in the evening will be chilly, and there's no swimming in the bay until later in the summer. It's still too cold yet." He smiled at her frown. "But I have a heated swimming pool that has a privacy fence surrounding it. It's also where I do my grilling."

She nodded. "I assume you have lounge seating around the pool?"

He nodded and finished preparing the coffee. Once the coffee was ready he added the favoring that she kept on hand and walked into her bedroom and gave her the cup.

"Castle! What are you doing in my bedroom?"

He gave her a classic Castle smirk. "I'm delivering your coffee… and snooping."

She rolled her eyes and took the cup. "Omigod, why can't I make coffee like this?" She took a second sip.

Rick just shrugged. "I just must be a wizard when it comes to coffee making."

It was her who smirked this time. "Well if the writing doesn't work out, you can always get a job as a barista."

"I'll keep that in mind."

Kate finished up her packing and dragged her luggage out into the living room. She had packed one good sized suitcase, and had another small case also. Having two women at home, Rick assumed the smaller case was for the make and other more personal items.

After quick rinse of the coffee mug, they each took a case and headed for the front door. Kate had tried to be the one to grab her big suitcase, but Castle had been too quick for her.

Once they made it outside, they put her luggage in the trunk of his Mercedes and got into the front seat.

"Dibbs on the radio." Kate quickly called. Rick just rolled his eyes at her grin.

He turned to her. "It's not a terribly long trip but it's not just down to the corner store either. If you get hungry, we can stop somewhere on the way. If not, there should be plenty already at the house. I called Irene, the house keeper, and she was going to stock the groceries and such we'll need for the start of another summer season."

Rick started the car and pulled out into traffic. "And away we go."

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Castle kept Kate amused on the trip out to the Hampton's by telling her stories of Alexis growing up. Mostly stories where he turned out to be the fall guy. He had Beckett laughing most of the way there.

They opted to pick up a bucket of chicken just outside of where the actual town started. The beach houses like Castle's were a bit farther down the line.

It was still a good hour before the sun was to set when they pulled into the private driveway to Rick's beach abode. Kate's jaw dropped when she saw the size of his 'beach' house.

Kate gawked for several moments. "So, this is your idea of a beach house? Castle, it's a fricking mansion."

Rick smiled at her. "I find it cozy."

Kate raised her brow. "So, you rich or something?"

Castle shrugged. "I'm not Patterson rich. Hell no one writer is since he doesn't write half the books that have his name on them. But I do alright." Rick winked at her. "Mostly because I have a brilliant man handling my investments."

She laughed, as they walked up the walk toward the front door.

After a quick tour through of the main rooms on the first floor and then the upstairs bedrooms where Rick showed Kate the bedroom she could use. It was next door to his bedroom, and it also had a door that opened to the veranda that spanned that side of the house and faced the beach, and the ocean waters.

The two of them took their bucket of chicken, a couple of beers and walked down to the beach to watch the sunset over the ocean bay.

There was an old wooden bench at the edge of the beach sand where they could sit to watch the spectacle of the sun turning orange as it slowly sank into the waves that lapped against the shoreline.

Neither felt the need to say much as both were mesmerized by the beautiful panorama in front of them. The only noise they made as they watched the sun set was the crunch of the crispy coating on their meal.

The finality of the sunset and the completion of their dinner arrived at the same time. They stuffed the striped bones, and the provided paper napkins once used into the convenient bucket. Rick turned to Kate.

"I'd suggest we stay and watch the constellations begin to be visible as it gets darker, but it will soon get a bit chilly. Do you want to go in? I can make you some coffee?"

Kate studied her partner's face. "Why don't we go in and make a couple mugs of coffee, grab our windbreakers, and come back out watch the stars come out. I don't get much of a chance to see the stars too often back home. It's never dark in the city.

Rick grinned. "Well, it seems we have a plan for the next hour or so." He stood up, gathered the bucket of their trash in one arm, and extended his hand to her as he helped her up.

"Thank you kind sir." She actually giggled.

It didn't take long before they were back on the bench, with their jackets on and sipping on their warm coffee. They had shifted so they were touching at the leg and Rick had his arm around Kate's back. He was hoping that while they watched the stars coming out that Kate would eventually lay her head against his shoulder.

They were mostly silent as they did their star gazing. The occasional questions or comments were answered with comparably short responses. They seemed to be enjoying just sitting there together on that bench. There was the a welcome feeling of peace that she hadn't been able to relax into since that last case fell in their laps.

After several minutes of silence Rick gave Kate a slight squeeze with the arm around her back.

"Kate," he sounded just a bit tentative. "Would you mind if I asked you a question?"

She turned her head so she could look at his face. "Since when have you ever asked permission?"

"I'm asking now?"

Kate felt a twinge of uncertainty from the tenor of his voice. A tiny voice in the back of her head was telling her that she might not like the question.

She pursed her lips and shrugged. "Shoot."

Rick pulled his arm out from around her back and twisted on the bench so he was looking at her directly. The inconsistent light provided by the stars and the just now rising of a three quarter moon had their faces painted by soft shadows. She looked uncomfortable.

"Why Demming?"

Kate was taken aback by the question. He could tell by the look on her face.

Castle was never one to question her about any of her past boyfriends, not that there'd been any since Will that he knew of. He had never asked about any dates she might have had while he'd been shadowing her, nor had she ever asked about any of the models who'd been thrust upon him by his publicist and Gina. He hope by this time she knew that those dates were all for publicity.

That's not to say that there hadn't been dates. Like that date with eligible bachelorette number six he'd dated the same night Kate had let Lanie fix her up with that boring fireman from the calendar.

And of course he cringed when he thought back on how that desperate starlet had used him to try and get the part on the proposed Heat Wave movie.

Still, Tom Demming hadn't been a casual date, or a one night stand to satisfy needs, like those so-called dates had been. The two of them had the look of a real attempt at building a relationship, and he couldn't help wondering why Tom instead of him.

And he was curious as to why she had apparently broken up with Demming and suddenly was available to come out to the Hampton's with him this holiday weekend. Was it because she really wanted to go with him? Or had it been just about her and Tom, and Castle just happened to be handy, after the fact.

He needed to know why she was so quick to hook up with Tom after basically just meeting him, when Castle had been around for well over a year. Yet, she never would admit to anything more than a friendship. What was he lacking?

She was chewing on her bottom lip. Kate hadn't expected that question, but she shouldn't have been surprised. She didn't even think it had anything to do with any macho male egos. She was sure that Rick just wondered why Tom… instead of him. She wasn't stupid, she knew that Castle was interested in her. She just wasn't sure what that meant.

"That's a bit of a loaded question don't you think? I'm not sure what I should say. What draws you to want to take a woman out?"

Rick gave her a flat stare. "Well, she has to be brilliant, beautiful, and dedicated to what she believes in." Kate rolled her eyes. "Oh, and she has to be tall." He smirked. "But I was the one who asked the question."

She glared at him. "Okay, let's see. He's a nice guy. He's good looking. We have a lot in common, and he was affectionate, but not pushy." There was a pause. "And he asked."

It was Castle's turn to glare. "I remember several times when I've asked you out for one thing or another."

Kate shook her head. "Castle, those first few months you were always just trying to get in my pants. I had no desire to wind up a notch on your bedpost even if you are kind of cute." She smirked.

"Oh, I admit that I was interested in the conquest in the beginning, but we've know each other for a significant amount of time now and that isn't how it is between us anymore. I actually find your brain more enticing now than your looks. Not that you aren't still beautiful." He held up his hands for protection.

She frowned in annoyance. "Are you ever serious?"

Castle expression changed. "Okay, you want serious? Here it is." He took in a breath. "I find you fascinating. Yes, you are extremely attractive. Yes, you are intelligent and dedicated. But for some reason, you can't seem to let yourself just be you when we're together. Whether it be on a case, or just having lunch together at Remy's. You're always hiding parts of yourself. And I'm not talking about your mother's case here. I respect that her loss is something very personal to you and I'm not going to push you on it. I'm content to wait until you wish to include me into that private space you hold onto so tenaciously."

Rick allowed himself a sigh. "I really like you, Kate. And I believe we could be great together, but I don't know what I'm doing wrong? Why am I not good enough for you?"

Kate started laughing, but at the same time there were tears coming out of her eyes. She shook her head back and forth, her mid-length hair swinging with the movement.

"You are an idiot if you think you're not good enough for me." She wiped her face with the palm of her hands.

Rick shrugged. "So enlighten me. What am I missing here?"

She just kept shaking her head. "Oh Castle, haven't you figured it out yet? You scare the shit out of me!"

Castle jerked back as if he were struck. "That doesn't make any sense."

Kate just kept shaking her head. "Doesn't it? You are freakin' Richard Castle, best-selling author. You are a big deal celebrity. You date starlets, the cream of high society, and the number six most eligible bachelorette."

Castle frowned. "You dated a calendar centerfold."

She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, the centerfold of a novelty charity calendar of New York Firemen."

He shrugged. "It's no less relevant than being named on a list of eligible singles in a newspaper starving for content."

Kate waved her hands around. "Maybe so, but it still doesn't address the vast differences between us. I'm just a cop. I'm closed off, and I don't share while I try to maintain complete control over anything that touches my life. And I still manage to mess up most of it."

A weak chuckle comes out of his mouth. "I think I have pinpointed your problem." She gave him a look of exasperation. "Kate, you suffer from being human. It happens to all of us sometimes."

She swatted his hand. "Is this all just a joke for you?"

Castle frowned. "Far from it. I'm just having a problem following your rationale. You seem to think that since I have some small measure of celebrity and recognition, that I have some sort of advantage in my life. Yes, my particular occupation does allow me to make more money than the average working guy, but that's an artificial value that's placed on what I do. I'm a good writer and am successful at it, but that just puts a skewed value on what I do." He took her hand in his. "Do you actually think, for one moment, that what I do is more important that what you do just because I get paid well for it?"

Kate opened her mouth, ready to respond when he put his finger over her lips.

"Don't answer that, it will crush my ego."

She rolled her eyes and mumbled under her breath. "That'd be the day."

Rick reached over and pulled her close to him again. "Look, I'm a person and you're a person. And this person really likes you."

She drops her head. "I like you too, Castle. I really do, but I'm not strong enough to risk my heart with you. Unlike Will, or Tom, I could see me falling really hard for you and if you and I got together you would inevitably get tired of me and walk away, and that would destroy me. I don't know if I could survive the hurt."

Castle raised his brow. "So you are some sort of psychic. You already know how things would work out between us?"

Kate turned her head away. "I'm not the kind of woman who can just hang on your arm and look pretty at galas and fancy parties."

Castle dropped his head for a moment. "Yeah, like I've done so well with those so far. Actually, only Meredith was that kind of woman and she wouldn't have been any long term choice if she hadn't gotten pregnant. And she was the one who divorced me."

Kate frowned. "But you told me that she cheated on you."

He nodded. "Yes she did, but I was willing to work on us for the sake of our child, but she didn't see that as an advantage to her career."

Rick sighed. "Kyra was the closet to whom I thought I really wanted in my life. But she decided that her mother's money was more important than what we had."

Kate's voice was soft and hesitant. "And what about Gina. Why'd you marry her?"

Castle snorted. "I still wonder about that. I think I felt that Alexis needed a mother figure, and I was lonely. I thought that our closeness in the business side of things would give us the foundation for a relationship side of things."

Kate could see this one coming. "But…?"

"Gina didn't see herself as the mother type, and she didn't know how to be anything but a business woman. It was only and always about the money."

Kate reached out and took Rick's hand. "Kind of sucks to be you." She held her expression for a few moments, but finally broke out in a smile.

He rolled his eyes. "Tell me about it." He leaned over and kissed her hair. "So no reason to see me as something special. I've made more mistakes than I'd like to admit to, but you are different. You are real. Sure you have your issues, who doesn't. But I can help you with those. I will be there next to you as you work through your demons. And I'll catch you if you fall, and I'll stand you back up. I will have your back, always."

She pulls away and turned toward him. "It seems we both haven't got a great history when it comes to relationships. With our pasts, we would probably implode within a few months."

He smiles. "Or we could buck the odds and be great. I can honestly say that what I feel when I'm around you is nothing like I've ever felt when with anyone outside my family."

Kate runs her hands through her hair. "So what are you saying? Are you saying that you love me? That you have these intense feelings after running around with the team for about a year?"

He took both her hands in his. "I can't say that I'm in love with you, yet. But I'm damn close and I'd like to explore the situation and see if that's what happens. Are you willing to take a chance to see what might happen if we make the effort?"

Kate was chewing on her lower lip. "And what if we find out that we don't love each other. Our feelings never flamed into any intense passion between us?"

Castle shrugged. "I don't believe that is what would happen, but if a real love doesn't bloom we would still be best friends and partners." He leaned in and kissed her forehead. "We won't ever really know if we don't give it a try."

She frowned at him. "You're asking a lot from me you know."

He chuckled. "Thee who risks not their heart risks nothing."

Kate scrunched up her nose. "Did you just make that up?" He just smiled.

He took her hand and helped her to her feet. "Come on, it's getting late. Why don't I escort you to your room where you can spend your night in pleasant contemplation while enjoying some of the best sleep you've had in years." She gave him a raised brow. "Fifteen hundred thread count Egyptian cotton sheets." He grinned.

She grinned back. "Sounds like a plan."

FIN.

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A/N: There might be some out there who will wonder "What about the rest of the weekend?". I chose not to include that because it really wasn't the focus of the story. The Castle Beckett hook up at the end of season two has been done, many times (I even have written it with ("Better is Enough"). This story was about a 'what if' situation. Just change one thing about that time and see what happens. That's what I wanted to write.

All Readers are Appreciated, Review if you wish.