Chapter 2:

The Lady Doth Protest Too Much

After Castle left for the day, Kate went in search of the one person in her life who always made her feel better in stressful situations: Lanie Parrish, Medical Examiner. Her friend seemed none too surprised to see her burst through the door of the morgue, an anxious expression etched onto her face.

"Let me guess," Lanie began, "It's Castle again."

"How did you..?" Kate countered, puzzled.

"Look, I know you. You think you normally march in here late at night with that look on your face on a regular basis? Nope. You've been fine before he came along. But ever since he walked into your life, you've been this little stress ball. So, let's have it. What did Writer Boy do this time?"

"That's just it, Lanie. I'm not sure he knows what he's doing. He could wind up getting himself in a lot of trouble."

"Okay, slow down and start from the beginning. What the hell are you talking about?"

"Well, this morning was going fine at first. Castle was playing Angry Birds and annoying me as usual while I was doing paperwork. Then, Captain Montgomery said he needed to see us in his office. So, we went. Turns out he needs Castle and me to go undercover at The Gilded Stallion over on 18th. Their team isn't quite as experienced at solving homicides fast enough."

"The Gilded Stallion? Isn't that a…?"

"Strip club, yes."

"And he wants you to go undercover? As what, exactly? I'm not following."

"He wants Castle to go undercover as one of the strippers to try and see what he can dig up about the murders. I'm going along as his manager."

"I guess I'm failing to see why this is a problem," Lanie answered. "What do you want me to say? That I agree that this is a terrible plan? Kate, take this as an opportunity to experience a different side of Castle. Hell, if I were you, I'd be right up front and center at the beginning of every show just to get a glimpse of that.."

"Lanie, focus. I really don't want to picture his package right now."

Lanie sighed, rolling her eyes at her friend. "Look, you really want to know what I think? I would love to know why you're so scared to let Writer Boy do this. He's a big boy Kate. I'm sure he's thought of all the consequences. Obviously, since he's accepted the role, he's completely fine with it. So, unless there's something you're not telling me, I don't know what the real issue is."

"He's not trained for this like I am. This club is run by one of the members of the Italian mob. If he says or does the wrong thing, he could get himself killed. How would I be able to explain that to Martha or Alexis? They depend on him."

"And what about you? He's your friend, but there's got to be something you're not telling me. Friends don't usually get this worked up when stuff like this happens. Friends just join in and don't even think twice. Seems to me there's something more going on here. You don't have feelings for him, do you?"

Kate scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Absolutely not! He's the most arrogant, egotistical man with the mentality of a five year old that I have ever met! How could I ever fall for someone like that? Besides, we work together. A relationship between us would never work. It would probably backfire and explode in our faces…"

"Or, it could be the most passionate thing you have ever experienced. Have you seen the way that man looks at you? Damn, girl! If I ever had a man look at me the way he looks at you, I'd swear I'd have his clothes off in ten seconds. He's constantly checking you out. He purposefully walks behind you just so he can stare at your ass. Hell, he's probably always picturing what you look like naked. The sex scenes he writes in his books don't lie. That can't be just from personal experience. He's literally telling you what would happen if you were to allow yourselves to get together!"

Kate chuckled. "Lanie, you're crazy. If he felt something for me, even the slightest….he wouldn't pull half of the crap he does."

"You want to know why he does those things? To get your attention! Guys do that stuff all the time to impress the girls they like. He just wants you to see him as something more than what you see him as now. Javier does that kind of crap all the time. I notice, of course, but I'm not going to allow him to know that I notice."

Kate smirked. "How's that going, by the way?"

"Not the point! Don't change the subject. This is not about me, this is about you. Now, as your best friend, I'm going to give you the best advice I can for this situation. I want you to go with what your primal instincts tell you on this one. I know you're attracted to him. I'm just getting tired of hearing you deny it all the time. On this assignment, I want you to give in to him. If he makes any advances toward you, don't push him away. Let him have you. You might find yourself having the time of your life."

"Lanie, you're forgetting he's supposed to be a stripper. I seriously doubt he can solely be mine on this little adventure."

"So, we go with a different tactic. Drive him crazy with his want for you. I can even help you with that."

"I'm scared to even ask this, but how exactly do you plan to do that?"

"Well, that part's easy. We have to get you an entirely new wardrobe."

"What's wrong with the clothes I currently have?"

"Girl, please. You know, for a smart girl, you lack common sense. Guys like exposure on a girl. You want the guy to fantasize about you all the time, ripping your clothes off and doing the nasty. The way you look right now works for a professional setting, but for a strip club, you're pretty much the ugly schoolmarm. We need to get you some clothes that reveal those curves you have! I know they're underneath all of that somewhere. Hell, if you do this right, I'm one hundred percent sure he won't be able to take his eyes off of you. Every dance he'll have to perform will be dedicated to you, mind, body and soul. Not that it isn't already, but you'll be more aware of it."

"He starts working with the choreographer tomorrow. His audition is Wednesday." Kate sighed, butterflies flying in her stomach at the thought.

"Wow, that's not a lot of time. Is he going to be ready by then?"

"He has to be. He doesn't have a choice now. If he screws up the audition, then we can't get a handle on the case. If that happens, more murders will surely occur. I can't have that happen. Captain Montgomery is counting on us, and I'll be damned if I let him down."

"Do you believe he can do this?"

"I don't know. I mean, I've danced only once with him before, and he wasn't that bad. But being a stripper is an entirely different ball game."

"No pun intended," Lanie laughed.

"So not funny," Kate interjected, suddenly annoyed.

"You never answered my question, though. Do you believe that he can do this? Because if I know Writer Boy, I think he needs you to tell him he can. He's probably just as nervous about this as you are."

"He's an international icon. He's used to being exposed and in the public eye. I highly doubt he's nervous."

"Oh, really? So, you don't think he gets nervous before every book signing or public appearance? Tell me, Kate, have you actually been there for him before he has to go? And yes, this time is entirely different. This time, he has to get naked in front of a lot of people. I'm pretty sure that he's never had to do something like this before."

"All right, I get your point. So what should I do?"

"Be there for him. I'd say go now, but it's getting late and you said he has to be up early for his meeting with the choreographer. My advice? Go with him in the morning. Be with him through his rehearsals. Be there for him as his friend. Offer support. I promise you, knowing that you're there for him one hundred percent will help."

"Since when did you become my therapist all of the sudden?"

"I know, right? You should have already figured out all of this on your own without me. I'm just simply stating what you already know, albeit in a sassier, I'll-take-no-crap-from-you tone. It's my duty as your best friend to keep you grounded. I know change is hard for you to deal with, and I'm just trying to help make it easier for you. If you need me at all during this case, you know where to find me. And if something happens between you and writer boy, I'd better know about it. You'd better not hide that from me! I do know how to get rid of a body and leave no trace…"

"Okay, you've made your point. Wanna do lunch after Castle's done with his rehearsals? I guess I need help with shopping."

"Girl, I'd be more than happy to help! We'll get you so sexy looking, Castle won't know what to do with himself….other than remove things with his teeth…."

"On that note, I'm leaving," Kate replied sarcastically, signaling the end of their conversation by turning to leave the morgue.

Kate struggled to process the myriad of thoughts that were now running through her brain. The images that Lanie concocted of Kate and Castle finally getting together left her with a pleasant, albeit unwelcome sensation that sizzled her body to the core.

This was going to be a lot harder than she thought.

A/N: I'm so grateful to all who have responded and are loving my story so far! I decided that because you have liked it so much, I was obliged to put out another chapter. Reviews are my candy, and keep me motivated to write longer chapters/more often!