A/N: Thank you to all of you who enjoyed my first foray into Castle Fan Fiction. As promised here is the second part.

Also in case you didn't know – there are not mine!

Chapter 2

"Close the door Detective."

Becket did as Captain Gates told her, a sense of Dejavu creeping over her. She walked to the Captains desk, where Victoria Gates was sitting, reclined comfortably in her chair. Kate had no idea what this was about, but she didn't want to do this – whatever this was – right now. She was so tired; running off caffeine and food from the vending machines since Castle had been arrested.

And now, now that Castle had been cleared, and the real culprit brought to justice Kate just wanted to curl up in bed – his or hers, she didn't care as long as he was there too – wrap herself up in him, pull the sheets over her head and stay that way for as long as possible. She certainly didn't want to be standing in front of Iron Gates. Iron Gates who was frowning.

"So," Gates started, "you were right. Mr Castle didn't do it."

"No, Sir." Beckett replied, eyes looking ahead, a small smile of relief curling her mouth.

She knew he didn't do it. Proving it had been hard, but they had got there in the end. Gates considered Kate for a moment.

"You must be happy," Gates stated.

"Yes, Sir." Beckett replied, "Always happy when we catch the bad guy."

"Are you and Mr Castle involved, Detective?"

Kate froze, eyes widening . The blood in her veins which had been slowly circulating due to exhaustion all but stopped, turned to ice as she digested what the Captain had just said. Surely, after all Castle and her had been through in the last few days, they were not about to be found out.

"Ah, sir?" she tried not to stammer as she spoke, "Castle and I are partners."

Kate moved her hands behind her back, unconsciously crossing her fingers, as if that could ward off any badness about to occur.

"Yes, Detective. I know you consider Mr Castle your partner, but that is not what I asked. Are you and Mr Castle involved; romantically, emotionally? Are you a couple?"

The Captain was looking at Beckett with steel in her eyes. She wanted her answer and Kate knew there was no way she would be able to leave if she couldn't come up with a credible one.

Shit! Kate's brain went blank then into overdrive. Any idea of tiredness swept away by Gates words 'Are you an Mr Castle involved'. She closed her eyes momentarily to regain control and process what was happening.

'Does it matter' she thought 'I am so tired of hiding from everyone. So tired of pretending that Castle is just my partner at work. What's the worst that can happen? Castle gets kicked out? I lose my job?' And like that instant on the roof, she had moment of clarity - after the week they have had, it only really mattered that Castle and her were together.

"Yes, Sir." Kate replied, her voice strong and steady, "Castle and I are 'emotionally involved'."

Gates just sat and looked at Kate for a few moments before removing a large binder and manila folder from her draw. Kate could see the binder was the NYPD Regulations. She swallowed, hard.

"The regulations Detective Beckett are very clear on co-workers fraternising."

Kate found she had to look away from Gates' stare. The floor was suddenly very interesting.

"Do you know what this is Detective?" Gates was holding up the manila folder "This is Mr Castles' legal file, not his police record, that is much thicker, but the file legal has on him. In here is an indemnity document the size of War and Peace, signed by Mr Castle absolving the NYPD of all duty of care to him. It also contains a number of insurance policies covering everything from him damaging police property to him being shot. But do you know what is missing?"

Kate looked up from the spot of the floor she had been staring at.

"Missing?" she asked, not quite sure what she was being asked.

"There are no internal revenue forms, no induction forms, no issuing of equipment forms."

Kate's blank looked encouraged Gates to continue.

"This file is not a personnel file, Detective. It makes it quite clear that your Mr Castle does not work for the NYPD. Therefore, technically, you and Mr Castle have done nothing wrong."

Kate wasn't sure she could believe her ears. Was Gates actually saying...

"However, co-worker or not, if I see any evidence that your private life with Mr Castle is occurring in my precinct..."

"It won't," Kate cut her off quickly "I promise Sir."

Gate narrowed her eyes at a clearly relieved Kate. She gestured towards her door with a nod of her head.

"Dismissed."

Kate didn't need telling twice. She strode across the office and nearly wrenched the door off its hinges in her haste to get out of there. However, two steps forward, she turned and the words fell out her mouth before she even knew she was saying them.

"How did you know?"

Gates smiled, smiled.

"I am not stupid Detective."

She waved Kate's stuttered response away with her hand.

"I have seen the way he looks at you. I can see you gravitate toward him when he is around. But more importantly you told me you knew he didn't do it. Despite the overwhelming evidence, you knew he was innocent. Only a very, very strong emotional bond allows someone to have faith like that. Go home Detective, Celebrate. Relax. Enjoy, in private."

END.

A/N: I know we all want to hate Gates because she dislikes Castle, but her little speech in episode one this season makes me think she respects and trusts Beckett. I think Castle will be allowed to stay because of this.