Title: Castle – Star Witness

Summary: While still struggling to come to terms with the assassination attempt on her life, Detective Kate Beckett is challenged to reassess her life and discover some stability.

Pairings: Kate Beckett & OFC; Richard Castle & OFC; Javier Esposito & Lanie Parish.

Rating: MA for Mature readers 15+.

Disclaimer: The following is a work of fiction that has been constructed using characters from a television series and a few original ones to add to the story. No profit is gained and no copyright infringement is intended to creator Andrew W. Marlowe or Production Companies ABC Studies, Beacon Pictures, Experimental Pictures and Milmar Pictures.

WARNING: This tale features consensual sexual interaction between two females. If this is not to your liking, please wait at the next bus stop and ride to another site.

A/N: Please take the time to review and nourish the Muse. I truly appreciate the effort people are taking to review, follow, favourite or message.

Chapter Seven

Tuesday 8th November, 2011.

Taking a seat in the soft leather armchair, Beckett smiled at Carter Burke and began without the usual prompting, "I guess this is where I tell you all about shooting a man."

"It is and please take your time; we have a double session today."

Beckett recounted the last five days then waited for a response.

"So you admit to having feelings for this woman, but didn't stay to visit her in the hospital?"

"I was scared."

"Scared of what precisely?"

"I didn't want her to think I was there for any other reason than gratitude for saving me from being hurt."

"In other words, you didn't want to encourage her?"

"Yes."

"You said earlier Torri told you to pass the attraction between you as bad timing, it doesn't sound like she was under any disillusion regards the two of you."

With a tilt of her head, Beckett said, "Okay, maybe I was more afraid of how I would react to seeing her."

"Great, be honest about your emotions Kate."

"I'm drawn to her and when I was alone with her in the cabin, I forgot I was actually on the job."

"Tell me, what prevents you from pursuing a relationship with her? Is it the same reason as your reluctance to have a romantic interest in Castle?"

"Yes, minus the working together complication aspect."

"When was the last time you had a lead on the person responsible for your mother's death?"

"There's been nothing since Dick Coonan's demise."

"Then tell me, why do you continue to use that as an excuse to forego a relationship?"

"I don't know."

"Is it because it's a convenient way to keep you from losing someone else?"

"I suppose so."

"Kate, you will never find what you are searching for if you stop looking or close yourself off to the people who show you the slightest bit of interest. You need to find closure with your mother's and Roy Montgomery's deaths."

"I understand all that, but it's not that easy to let go."

"You mentioned Torri has you all figured out, does that bother you?"

"No, in fact I found it intriguing and comforting at the time."

"Then we need to work on that barrier you've managed to erect around yourself over the years."

"That will be a challenge," joked Kate in an attempt to hide the fact she was reluctant to divulge more of her deep seeded heartache.

-o-

Wednesday 9th November, 2011.

Glancing up from the paperwork on her desk, Beckett pursed her lips and apologised, "I'm really sorry I had to lie to you Castle."

"Don't sweat it. Gates explained everything to me yesterday and I realise you were under strict orders." He placed a container of coffee on her desk and asked, "How is Torri doing?"

"I have no idea. I tried to visit last night, but only family members are allowed."

"Are you sure about that? Clarice dropped in after our date last night."

"Maybe she's an exception."

Shrugging his shoulders, Castle commented, "What Torri did was so ballsy."

"It was and I believe you guys had a breakthrough on the Fitzgibbon homicide?"

"We did and there are now two bozos sitting in holding cells waiting to be interviewed."

"Good work Castle."

"So what have you got on your agenda today?"

"Paperwork followed by more paperwork."

"Oh, I'm terribly sad knowing I'll be missing out on that fun."

"It's not that bad and I'll be finishing early unless we get a fresh one."

"Well I hope we don't because you look like you could do with a decent sleep."

"My plan is to go home and make acquaintance with a hot bath and a nice glass of red wine. Then I'll snuggle up in bed with a good book."

Grinning, Castle quipped, "One of mine I hope."

"Not a chance, I've read all of yours."

"My next one is out early next year and is titled Frozen Heat."

"I look forward to it."

"If you behave, I'll get you an advance copy and even sign it."

"Thank you Castle."

"Oh there's Ryan and Esposito, I'm on. See you later Beckett."

-o-

Friday 11th November, 2011.

Beckett walked up to the nurse's station and displayed her credentials, "NYPD, Detective Beckett. I need to speak with one of your patients."

"Yes Detective and who would that be?"

"Torri Wingate."

"I'm sorry, but Miss Wingate was discharged an hour ago."

"Okay, thank you for your time."

Going to the lift, a perplexed Beckett rode to the ground floor then went to the car park. Getting into her sedan, she pulled out her phone and called Torri.

After three rings, Torri answered, "Hello Detective, can I help you?"

"Hi, I'm at the hospital and found out you are home."

"Yes, I'm at the cabin celebrating Veteran's Day with the family."

"I'm glad to hear that. How are you feeling?"

"Pretty good and you?"

"I'm fine and I won't hold you up any longer."

"Have you finished work for the day?"

"Yes and was on my way home."

"I received your flowers Tuesday, they were lovely."

"It's the least I could do. I was hoping we could talk."

"We are already doing that Detective."

"I meant face to face."

"Then how about you pack a bag and drive up here for the weekend?"

"I'd like that, see you soon."

"Bye Detective."

-o-

Once greetings were dispensed with, Elaine took Beckett by the hand and led her to Torri's bedroom. "We're a little short on bed space, so you'll have to share."

"That's not a problem. How has Torri been?"

"Sad."

"Sad?" repeated Becket while retrieving two bottles of red wine from her bag.

"She was upset and disappointed that you didn't stick around Monday."

"I intend on apologising for that."

"You have feelings for her, don't you?"

"Yes I do."

The older woman's brow arched and she sternly stated, "Torri tells me everything, but is very tight lipped where you are concerned. I see how she acts around you and I've detected your interest in her, but if you are not sincere about her, then leave now and don't cause her further heartache."

"I'm not here to hurt her, but we do need to talk."

"That's a good start and I think you deserve a drink."

"Thank you."

Beckett followed Elaine into the kitchen and grinned at the sight of Torri playing on the living room floor with her two year old nephew Parker. He was giggling loudly as she tickled his socked feet. Beckett sighed and Elaine handed her a glass.

"Torri added another song to the album."

"Speaking of which, when is it going to be pressed?"

"Next Monday and will still be released on time. She promised to play the new song after dinner."

"I look forward to it."

"Torri is a bit of a night owl, so you will have plenty of time to chat once everyone else goes to bed."

"Thanks for the heads up and she is really good with Parker."

"Yes she is and would you like to help me prepare dinner?"

"Yes I would."

-o-

With Parker on her left hip, Beckett took up position beside Benjamin in the control booth and Torri pressed the play button on the panel. There was a piano introduction then Torri's voice soulfully lamented the conflict on unrequited love and closing off your heart to new possibilities.

Halfway through the melody, Beckett realised Torri had composed the song after they had had words. When the track finished, Torri was congratulated by her family before they retired to the house.

"That was a beautiful ballad Torri," commented Beckett.

"Thanks, I'm glad you liked it."

"I gather our argument the other day inspired you."

With a cheeky grin, Torri admitted, "It did, so I have actually given you a writer's credit on the album."

"You didn't?"

"I really did and I'm so glad you are here."

"I am too and how is your side?"

"It pulls if I move too fast; otherwise I don't feel a thing."

Moving in closer, Beckett gazed into blue eyes, "I want to thank you for what you did for me."

"It was my fault you were put in that position in the first place and I regretted my action the second I realised what Hillary had planned."

"I understand why you wanted to confront him, but if you'd stayed here, we wouldn't have known about the change of meeting in time and he would have probably just left when you failed to show up."

Several teardrops dripped down Torri's cheeks, "I'm sorry Kate."

Stepping in, Beckett wrapped her arms around the weeping woman's shoulders, "There's no need to apologise. You're safe now and Hillary has paid for his crimes."

"I'm sorry you had to take his life."

"I can live with that and he can't hurt anyone again."

Burying her face into Beckett's neck, Torri's body shuddered with heavy sobs and Kate soothed her hands over wide shoulders.

"Let it all out," she urged in a whisper.

"I wanted to find out why he killed Sasha," confessed Torri a few minutes later.

"I know you did."

"While he had Joe and me in the office he told me he loved me and Sasha was evil. He said I deserved his love and not hers. I didn't tell him the truth in case he turned on me."

"You did the right thing," replied Beckett as Torri leaned back and wiped her eyes. "And you were so controlled."

"I was scared shitless," reasoned Torri with the smallest of smiles.

"Well it didn't show and it made it easier for me to deal with Hillary."

"How did you know to spike the can of cola?"

"I remembered a photo taken of his property collected from Sasha's crawl space, and it was littered with cans of cola."

"Lucky for me you are so clever or I would have ended up drugged."

"We had several backup plans," replied Beckett. "While we are alone, I'd like to discuss my feelings for you."

"Is it okay if I sit down first?"

"Are you all right?"

"I just need to rest my side a little."

"The surgeon did a neat job with closing your head wound."

"She did and the other closure is nice and straight," remarked Torri while taking a seat.

Beckett pulled another chair closer and sat down in front of Torri, "First of all I am sorry for not staying after the operation. I was frightened of seeing you in a hospital bed knowing you were there because of a mad man."

"Apology accepted."

"Secondly, I tried to visit on Wednesday but was told only family members on the list were allowed in."

"That was to keep the media away and if you had shown your badge, you would have been granted access."

"I was too tired to think about doing that."

With a furrowed brow, Torri inquired, "Why were you tired?"

"I stayed up late worrying about you."

A brilliant smile appeared on Torri's face, "You could have called."

"I wasn't thinking too clearly and when I spoke with my Physiatrist regards the use of lethal force, I talked about you and Castle and was made to re-evaluate my reasons for suppressing my feelings. There were so many issues to work through and I ended up going back the next day for another two hour session."

"I'm assuming you sorted stuff out."

"I have and I'd like to spend more time with you."

"I'm very pleased to hear that Kate."

"I realised I had become consumed with the need to discover the full truth about my mother's murder and had forgotten to live my own life."

"Wow, you really have been productive."

"I don't want to be closed off anymore."

"Does that mean you'd accept an invite of a date with me?"

"It does."

Beaming brightly, Torri further disclosed, "After the fifth of December, the world will know I'm a lesbian, are you prepared to be photographed with me if we are out together?"

Without hesitation, Beckett replied, "Yes I am."

"Have you dated a woman before?"

"Yes I have, several in fact."

"Kate, would you like to join me for the album launch next Saturday night?"

"I certainly would."

"It will be at the office and an invite only affair. My family will be there as well as radio, music channel producers and owners."

"It sounds wonderful and will give me an excuse to dress up."

"That is definitely something to look forward to." Looking at her watch, Torri added, "We better go into the house so I can read Parker a bedtime story."

Standing, Beckett reached out for Torri's hand, "Can I join you?"

"Of course you can," answered Torri as she got up slowly with a grimace or two.

-o-

Beckett exited the ensuite wearing stripped winter pyjama pants and a Nikki Heat tee shirt. Torri grinned at her and lifted the cover on the queen sized bed.

"Before you ask, it was a Christmas present from Castle two years ago."

"I wasn't going to and you look incredibly cute. How do you think Castle will react to news of us?"

"Oh he'll be mortified, shocked then jealous and envious followed by curious," replied a giggling Beckett as she eased onto the right side of the mattress then pulled up the blankets. Settling on her right flank, she waited for Torri to turn off the lamp and get comfortable, "I'll ease him into it."

"Do you think I should send him an invite to the launch?"

"He's already got plans for a weekend in Vegas with his poker buddies."

"What about Javier and Kevin?"

"Oh they'd be thrilled. The pair of them and Lanie are still going on about your concert."

"I'll have Clarice organise invitations on Monday and I better include your Captain seems she is a fan."

"Please do, that will give me more brownie points."

Chortling briefly, Torri said, "You have a terrific smile Kate."

"Thank you."

"Will you mind if I put my hand on your hip?"

"Go right ahead and I like how polite you are."

"I'd like to be able to do more, but I'm still limited with my movements."

"Well I don't want you hurting yourself Torri."

"Can I kiss you?"

"Oh god, yes please."

Inching closer, Torri placed her right hand on Kate's hip and slowly lowered her lips. The contact was soft and electrifying all at the same time. Goosebumps popped up along Kate's skin and she opened her mouth to a probing tongue. The kiss lasted for several minutes before Kate rested her left hand behind Torri's head and deepened the pressure. She groaned as fingers tenderly massaged her hip and her arousal ignited with a thousand firecrackers just as Torri pulled back.

"I have wanted to do that for a very long time," admitted a grinning detective.

"Me too and I thoroughly enjoyed our first kiss."

Moving in, Kate pecked Torri's lips a few times, "I did too and would like more." She captured smiling lips and began an exchange of kisses that went on for over thirty minutes before Torri grew tired.

Ending the contact, Kate nestled into the other woman's chest and closed her eyes, "Goodnight."

"Sweet dreams and thank you for bringing down your wall."

"You made it easier for me."

"Mmm, goodnight."

-o-