So, I just realized that I'm going to have to post two of these a day to get them published by the time I leave for my two-week vacation, minus my computer.

Song of the Chapter: "Here Comes Goodbye" by Rascal Flatts

Disclaimer: I do not own Castle, or anything affiliated with it.

August 27th, 2012:

Kate was standing by their latest victim with Lanie kneeling on the ground next to her and Ryan and Esposito just behind her when her cell warbled. She glanced She glanced at the caller ID and smiled as she flipped it open. "Castle, hey! I called you 30 minutes ago, where are you?"

"At home." He said sounding uncomfortable.

"Okayyy…" she said. "Any reason why?"

"I…I don't think I'll be coming in today."

Kate blinked a few times in disbelief. Castle had never decided not to come in. "Why? Are you sick?"

"No…actually, I don't think I'll be coming in…ever." He took a deep breath.

Kate stayed quiet for a long time, processing. Then she took in a deep, shaking breath of her own. "Castle, come on, don't do this to me."

Ryan, Esposito, and Lanie all exchanged worried looks and listened closely.

"Kate, I'm sorry but…I just can't do it anymore. Gina's breathing down my neck about not getting enough published, and with Alexis starting college she needs me…and it's just…it's for the best if I stop shadowing you." He spoke carefully and hesitantly.

Kate glanced around and took a few steps away from her team's listening ears and lowered her voice. "What happened to 'always'?"

Back in his loft, Castle shut his eyes tightly. He could tell that she was upset, and he had known it was coming, but it was harder than he thought to keep it together when what he really wanted was to apologize profusely, hang up the phone, and take the next taxi to wherever she was. "I still mean it." He said seriously. "And I can't even begin to imagine a time when I don't. Just because we're not working together anymore doesn't mean that that's not still true."

Kate took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. Castle and her were a team. She had gotten to the point where she couldn't imagine life without him. He couldn't be backing out now. Not after everything they'd been through. "Rick. Please. Please, don't do this to me." She closed her eyes as well.

"It's for the best, Kate." He repeated.

"No, it's not!" Kate raised her voice a bit. "Why do you keep saying that?"

"Because it's true." He insisted. "Listen, I have to go. I'll call you later, okay?" Desperation laced his voice.

"Don't bother." She snapped, and then slid her phone shut with a snap, and marched back over to the scene.

Esposito analyzed her. "You okay?"

"Fine."

"Tell that to your face." Ryan said. "What was all that about?"

"Castle quit." She said shortly. "Lanie, what was the TOD?"

"Around Midnight. Writer Boy quit?" Lanie looked devastated.

As did Ryan and Esposito.

"He didn't even say goodbye…" Ryan shook his head.

Kate sniffed heavily and blinked back the moisture threatening to brim over her eyelids. "You guys don't need me here, do you?"

Esposito shook his head. "No, I guess not."

"Good." Kate said, then hopped in her squad car and drove back to her and Josh's apartment, and promptly fell apart.

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