A/N- Thanks to Jo for not hunting me down and strangling me. You're an awesome help. All mistakes left are mine and I'm sorry! Thanks to everyone to everyone who has followed, favorited and reviewed. Your support is so appreciated! Joanna, Megan and Jan thanks for the constant cheerleading.

Disclaimer- I do not own Castle or any of it's characters. I wish!

The More Things Change…

…the more they stay the same. Kate Beckett is bored with life, but when a serial killer starts dedicating murders to her- someone enters the scene to aid with the investigation and her life may never be the same. Season 2- AU Caskett meeting.

Chapter 5

"Beckett."

"Kate?" Castle's voice boomed through the speaker on her cell phone, interrupting her quiet evening at home. Since the case with Scott Dunn, Castle called her regularly. They formed an odd kinship of sorts and she rather enjoyed it.

"Oh hey, Castle. What did I do to earn this unexpected call?" She smiled into the phone. While their odd relationship that formed over murder had yet to be defined, there was no mistaking the attraction she felt for him. Not that she would ever act on it, no she was pretty sure it was a one-sided thing. He just enjoyed the flirtation—enjoyed getting under her skin.

"Just seeing how my favorite Detective is doing—"

"Sounds like someone is avoiding writing," she answered. "Doesn't Shaw have a case for you to shadow?"

"No—but you know she's not the person I want to consult with anymore." She sucked in a quick breath and held it before she could focus on why that was wrong.

"Castle, we've talked about this. I don't think it's a good idea." Having him around every day, interfering with things, disrupting her carefully constructed line in the sand… the line that would protect her from him. Speaking regularly was one thing, but she couldn't allow him to get too close.

"But Beckett," he said, almost whining. "Think of how fun it would be. You have to admit that I was useful."

"You were—but I don't need your constant distraction," she admitted.

"I could be helpful," he objected with a soft chuckle.

"You could—or maybe your assistance with finding Dunn was just a fluke," she joked. "Plus, I'm sure Shaw would miss you." Sure she was stretching it, but at this point any excuse was a good excuse.

"She'd survive. I don't think she was that excited about having a book series based on her," Castle said, his tone indicating doubt. "I can imagine. It's kind of intrusive."

"You're trying to tell me that someone like you—you wouldn't love to have a book series based off of you?" She knew he was teasing her, she knew it, but she was falling for it anyway. Playing right into his hypothetical poker hand as he acted shocked by the idea that not everyone would want their privacy invaded that way.

"Someone like me?" she asked.

"Yeah, aren't you a bit of a mega fan?" She gasped at his question, but tried to play it off. There was no way he could know that she subscribed to his website. Nor did he have any way of remembering that she had stood in line for over an hour to get one of her books signed. There was no way he could know, and there was no way she would ever supply him with that ammunition.

"Oh, please! Don't flatter yourself, " Kate denied, trying her best to hide the truth.

"I'm just saying, you seem to know a lot about my work..." She could tell he was enjoying this immensely, to the point where she could hear his grin through the phone.

"I enjoy the genre in general. So on occasion I may have read one of your books, Mr. Castle." She smiled as she gave him as little information as she could.

"Admit you're a fan…"

"Castle, no—"

"Kate, admit it," he provoked.

"Castle—" She rubbed her eyes from the frustration of this call. He was breaking, slowly.

"Kate—"

"Fine. I'm a fan!" she exclaimed. That was pathetic. It had taken her longer to break suspects in interrogation. He had played her like a well skilled professional.

"Mega fan." Rick pressed.

"Don't push your luck, Castle." Kate tried to sound mad, but she couldn't force the emotion into her voice.

"Fine. Regular fan. So why won't you let me shadow you for research."

"Just because I'm a fan doesn't mean I want you snooping around my cases."

She didn't want him on snooping around her cases… or her life.

"As a friend." He tried to persuade her, but she wasn't going to fall into another trap.

"Friend? You're more like a pet," she smirked.

"I'm going to pretend like you didn't say that. Lunch?"

"Lunch? Castle, it's 10 o'clock at night." Kate blinked. The quick change in direction that this conversation had taken was giving her whiplash. Was he asking her out?

"I mean tomorrow, Detective." Lunch tomorrow? That sounded like a bad idea. The distance afforded by phone calls was one thing, but spending time alone with one another was just playing with fire. And she would be the one who would end up burned.

"Castle—"

"As friends?" he added, as she was trying to turn him down. But maybe he was right, maybe they could be friends and it could be normal.

"No ulterior motives?"

"Maybe a little. I can be VERY persuasive," he husked through the speaker. His voice caused a tingling sensation across her skin. This was such a bad idea. Friends? She was in trouble. He paused for a moment and she wondered if in her flustered state if she had missed a question she was supposed to answer. However, his voice continued without need for her response. "But, you know what I really, really want, Kate?"

"Wha—what?" The stutter fell from her lips. Was it hot in here?

"A cheeseburger." Really! Ice water ran in her veins.

"Castle!" Maybe she could be friends with this man; he acted like a child and made her laugh. She didn't need Lanie to tell her that was something she was lacking in her daily life. If he could bring her joy, she could remind herself of the reasons he wasn't a good match as anything other than a friend. Item one—couldn't take things seriously.

"See you at Remy's at noon," he chuckled, as he hung up the phone before she had a chance to argue.

Moments later her phone rang, and a small pang of disappointment in her stomach. Was he calling her to cancel? Maybe better plans came along? Glancing at the caller ID, the Twelfth Precinct's number flashed onto the screen, followed by a wave of guilt that she felt relief that murder was calling instead of Castle.

The bell rang on the diner door as she rushed through it and the noise caught his attention, looking up from the booth toward the back of the room. She gave him a quick smile and wave, heading in his direction.

"Hey, Castle. Sorry I'm late. Hope you haven't been waiting too long."

"No-no. I pretty much just got here myself," he assured. "Catch a case?"

"Yeah, actually right after I hung up with you last night," she said, hanging her coat on the hook next to them and sliding into the booth.

"Solve it yet?" Castle asked, raising a quick eyebrow in her direction.

"Not quite," she sighed. Truth be told, the case was frustrating her a bit. Who would crush someone with a gargoyle? Then throw in the curse that the museum curator mentioned and you had a case that was fit for one of Castle's books.

"What happened? Maybe I can help by allowing you to have access to my crime solving mind." He smiled. She could tell he was being sincere, but his ego made her roll her eyes.

"You certainly think a lot of yourself, Castle," Kate laughed.

"Well someone needs to."

"Oh yes, you are in desperate need for a self esteem boost."

"From you, I am," he replied with a frown. Maybe she was taking it too far, but even though they'd only known each other a week their connection had been undeniable. As much as the man drove her crazy, he brought playfulness to her life that had been missing for awhile. Of course she would never admit that to him. She almost fell for his pity party, but then she saw his lip twitch upwards.

"Well, keep holding your breath, Writer Boy," she teased.

"If you're going to mock me with a nickname, you could at least call me Writer Man. But honestly, this is a limited time offer to pick at my brain—going once—going twice—" She interrupted him before he could continue his fake auction.

"Pretty sure you'd be available any time I'd call," she shot back. He gave her a quick smile and a wink to concede that she was indeed correct. "Did you order yet?"

"Nope, I was waiting for you. So seriously, what was the case?" he asked, changing the topic back. At this rate, she was never going to eat on her lunch break.

"Why do you want to know so badly?" she wondered, searching his face for some indication.

"You know why," he said, leaning forward with his elbows on the table.

"Because you're bored with Shaw?" she guessed.

"Not bored. I just found inspiration in other areas of law enforcement," he replied with a wink and a smile. Always putting on the charm… "You'd be helping me—giving me case ideas for my books."

"Helping you, by letting you help me? You're ridiculous," she laughed.

"Worth a shot. Or I would love to be able to follow you with a case. Inspiration smacking me right in the face on a daily basis," he said while pretending to hit himself. He was absolutely incorrigible.

"Inspiration smacking you in the face? I'm sure that can be arranged," Beckett joked, bringing her tongue between her teeth and he broke out into a smile.

"Detective, would you judge me if I said I found that hot?" Her face flushed immediately; she should know better than to tease him. He got under her skin; rarely the other way around.

"Castle!"

"Sorry," he chuckled. "I'm just asking for you to think about it. It would be fun, working together again."

"It would—maybe, but Montgomery would never go for it. And I'm pretty sure I'd end up shooting you and think of all the paperwork!"

"So you kind of agree to it? I'm sure paperwork could be drafted that if you shoot me it's my fault."

"Like I said, my Captain would never allow it."

"You let me worry about him. You just keep wearing those heels—" he smiled, nudging her foot. "And catching those bad guys." He looked down at the menu, but then turned back to look with a twinkle in her eye. "Watching you work will definitely get the creative juices going."

"I don't even want to know about your creative juices…" she responded in fake disgust.

"Sure you don't, Detective," he gave her a smirk, before realization changed his expression. "Oh! I almost forgot. I wanted to invite you to my reading tonight. You know, since you're a regular, not a mega," he used air quotes as he rolled his eyes. "Fan. I figured you regular fan types would enjoy hearing an excerpt from my new book. It's limited seating, but since you know a guy—I'd love for you to be there."

"That sounds great, Castle." Wow. He was actually being sweet.

"Really?" He seemed surprised that she was interested in going. Maybe the whole egotistical personality was all an act.

"Yeah. I wouldn't miss it. Now though, I want some French fries and a milk shake and you can help me figure out what I'm missing with this case." She giggled as she smacked him in the arm with the menu.

The case was wrapped up in a pretty bow just in time for Kate to get ready for tonight. Castle was right at lunch today. Even without shadowing her he had helped her solve the case. His insight to the criminal mind, the way he could spin theory... It was kind of hot. No, not hot. It couldn't be hot; he might really start following her and if she was going to work with him on a daily basis she couldn't be thinking of him that way. Friends? Sure. Anything more, she had to push it out of her mind. Besides, it wasn't like he was interested in her for anything real; they just had fun flirting with one another. They had fun getting under each other's skin. Their connection was intense; but just as friends. Definitely just as friends.

Looking through her closet, she couldn't decide what one wore to a book reading. Her fashion choices had expanded over the last year, so she had a couple ideas of things that could be suitable. But she didn't want suitable; no—she wanted to have some fun. Seeing the fabric on the silk hanger at the back of her closet, a smile tugged on her lips. They were just friends, but that didn't mean she couldn't have some fun.

The small local book store was tucked on a side street in the Village, attached to quaint little coffee shop. Now she understood why there was limited seating. The store was old, a rare gem in the huge metropolis. How did she not know this place existed?

Pulling the heavy wood door open, she was greeted with the distinct smell of paper and ink. For an avid reader such as herself, the smell was heavenly. Kate looked around like a kid on Christmas morning; her eyes gazing at the shelves upon shelves of books—old and new alike.

"Miss? Can I help you with something?" She jumped at the elderly man who approached her; she'd been so engrossed in the atmosphere that she hadn't even heard him approach her.

"Hi. Yes. I'm here for the Richard Castle reading," she replied with a polite smile.

"Ah yes. Right this way. I think they may have just begun. I apologize for not directing you earlier, but you seemed to be enjoying yourself looking around," he explained. His voice had a rasp to it; a warmth. He was genuinely concerned that she had been left to wander.

"No, no. You're fine. And you're right, I was enjoying myself. I'm sure the author won't mind if I make a fashionably late entrance into the back of the reading." She grinned, fully knowing that this was her plan all along.

She was led to the room near the back of the store. Kate could hear Castle speaking even before the door opened. He was definitely laying it on thick with the playboy charm. Surely all the fan-girls were swooning. Actual fan-girls, not her; she would never swoon.

"And that's when Agent Rachael Winters raised her firearm. Her hair blowing in the wind did not distract her from her target. She would catch the man who harmed so many, but she didn't know if her aim would be good enough—" Castle read at the podium, overdramatically emphasizing every word. She wore a soft smile on her face as she walked into the room, trying to not interrupt his reading. But the door creaked shut behind her loudly, causing her cheeks to flush with warmth. The noise drew the attention of several audience members as well as Castle's. His eyes widened when he saw her standing there. "The shot fired and—Tony fell to the ground. Gasping his last breath. Wi—Winters would live another day," he stuttered over his words while blatantly looking up and down her body. Perhaps the short, tight, black sleeveless dress with the low v cut in the front was a bit too much for a book reading, but the look on his face was priceless.

Mission accomplished. He wanted to be able to follow her and mess with her work? Well then she should be allowed to mess with him at his. Giving him a quick wink and a nod, she took a seat at the back of the audience so he could finish the rest of his presentation without her interference. She had fun getting the reaction she wanted, but she didn't want to make him look like a fool.

He read the rest of the chapter from Winter's End and then he gave the attendees a little insight into the character for Agent Rachael Winters. Castle was very charming and charismatic; not that she'd had any doubt. She was getting enthralled with what he was saying, so much so, that she almost missed his little announcement.

"Be on the lookout for Agent Winters to make an appearance in my new series. It's still in its planning phase, but I feel like it will be the best one yet," he confessed.

"Will that series be based on Federal agents as well?" someone called from their seat.

"No—no. Even though she'll make an appearance, the new series will follow a hot female homicide detective." His new character? New series? He was so busted! "But that's all I'd like to share at this time. So if there are no other questions, I'll be available to sign your copies during the meet and greet. Thank you!"

She jumped up from her seat and made a beeline to the front of the room, dodging bimbos and soccer moms alike. When he noticed her heading in his direction, he excused himself from the person he was talking to and met her halfway.

"Cas—" She started but he interrupted her.

"Kate, you look unbelievable," he said with a smile. For a split second her mind went blank as his eyes roamed over her body, obviously checking her out. She almost liked it, but- no! She shook the haze free and the anger resumed.

"Don't 'you look unbelievable' me! New character? New series?"

"Yeah, well I wanted to tell you at lunch, explain that this was the real reason I wanted to follow you around on your cases. But that didn't happen," he stammered.

"A homicide detective," Kate spoke carefully, trying to control her irritation.

"Based on you." Castle nodded, eyeing her reaction.

"Based on me. Don't you think this would've been something you run by me? As a friend? Hey, Beckett. plan to turn your life upside down and base a character on you and open you up to scrutiny and this isn't just about research for cases," she spat out, unable to keep her frustration at bay.

"Friends? That's what we are?" he asked

"Really? Now is not the time to worry about definitions and semantics!"she hissed at him.

"You're right—you're right. I just figured with the fact you were a fan, that you'd be honored," he stated.

"Even though I previously mentioned that I found it invasive. You're the author—shouldn't you understand subtext?" He was unbelievable!

"Okay, I'm sorry. I can tell you're irritated."

"You think?" she jeered.

"And as hot as you are when you're yelling at me —it's creating a bit of a scene." She looked around and embarrassment hit her for a whole other reason. Multiple pairs of eyes were staring at them; most likely whispering speculation about what the argument was about.

"Sorry—" she whispered.

"I planned on telling you. I did. And I'm sorry for making the announcement about this before I told you. I was excited and I couldn't keep it to myself. Like I said, I should have given you a warning earlier at the diner but I wanted to confirm with the mayor that shadowing you was a possibility."

"The mayor?"

"Yes. He was able to pull some strings and I start shadowing you on your next case. After I sign my life away with release forms," Castle confirmed, proving just how reckless he was by crossing another unspoken boundary and playfully pushing her on the shoulder.

"So you're really going to follow me?" That was... crazy! Although... her life was about to get a lot more interesting. A famous writer was going to be consulting; helping her out. Unbelievable.

"Yes and I want you to know that Nikki will be one of the most realistic characters that I will ever write. I want to do you justice."

"Nikki?"

"Yes, Nikki Heat. That's the name of the character I'm basing off of you." He grinned, pride in his words.

"Nikki Heat?!" she spat. "That's a stripper name!"

"No—no. A cop name." Her eyes narrowed, and she started storming away. "Kate?"

"Make sure to sign that paperwork first thing in the morning, Castle," she called over her shoulder. "Sooner you do—sooner I can shoot you for this!"

TBC

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