A/N: I have set an ambitious goal of trying to update every other day. I don't know how long I can keep it up but I am going to try. Consequently I will apologize in advance for my grammatical and any spelling errors. Also to those who have noted that I do not use contractions as much as I could in conversation there are two reasons. First, all of my English teachers I ever had were constantly telling me that I shouldn't use contractions in my papers. Secondly when I am writing dialog there is a certain rhythm or speech pattern in my head that I am writing to and sometimes the rhythm dictates the words that I write. 'Nuff said ENJOY!

III
The Apartment
Castle & Beckett

"Rene, you know that you are the only one I want, right? You know I love, don't you?" Richard schmoozed.

Kate stood still listening to Richard Castle flirting outrageously with Rene. Conflicting emotions raced through her mind. How could he express feelings for her but then flirt with some bimbo on the phone? Beckett was surprised and the vehemence of her jealousy. She never considered herself a possessive person, but when it came to Richard apparently she did not want to share.

"Come on Rene, I had nothing to do with that, it was all Black Pawn's idea. If it had been my choice it would only be you. Look, come around tomorrow morning, I'll take you to breakfast and sufficiently grovel for forgiveness. Okay?"

Rick finished the call and moved into the kitchen area. The emotional temperature had cooled to near freezing. He frowned, mentally retracing the conversation he had been having with Kate to see where he could possibly cause the venomous looks that the detective was shooting his way.

"Okay, Kate, let me start by apologizing for whatever it is I have done to upset you. I 'm sure it's my fault. If I weren't doped to the gills with pain killer I would fall on my face and grovel for you to forgive me."

"Richard" her voice ice cold. "Who is Rene?"

Castle was truly amazed. This extraordinary woman before him was acting jealous, had this been any other time or if he had been feeling better, he would have rubbed her nose in her feelings of jealousy, but not tonight.

"Rene as in Rene Fabouis the A-list party planner; He planned the Mayor's Re-election Gala last year. He is a royal pain in the ass but he is the best at what he does."

"He? Rene is a he?"

"Yes Rene is a he… You thought Rene was a she? You were jealous? Oh, Kate, I may be all kinds of wise-ass but one thing I have never been is a cheater. If I am in a relationship I don't date other women. I was on the receiving end of an affair with Meredith so I know what that feels like."

"What about your Castle groupies or bimbettes?" Kate countered

"Always one night stands all of them, and no implied relationships. And I never pull one nighters while in a relationship, not even with Gina."

Richard moved up to Kate and looked into her eyes. Those deep lipid pools were clouded by confusion. It was always easy for Castle to get lost in her eyes. Her eyes were a contradiction, you could see both the hard edge that her job required and you could also see her vulnerability shining through. He wished that he could somehow ease her fears. He leaned forward and whispered.

"I know we are not in an official relationship, but I will never cheat on you, not even with Gina." He grinned broadly at his rejoinder.

Unexpectedly Becket closed the gap between their bodies and pulled him into a fierce kiss. Their lips met and an electric trill ran up Rick's spine. Her eager lips seemed intent on devouring him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and began to rain kisses down her skin to the nape of her neck. As he greedily kissed the graceful swoop of skin between her neck and shoulder, Kate gave a sharp intake of breath and moaned his name.

Just as he was about to suggest that they should adjourn to his room for some privacy the door bell rang. Castle sagged and placed his head on her shoulder. "Who ever they are, they have lousy timing"

Rick wrapped an arm around Kate's shoulder and moved toward the front door. He was still very dizzy from the painkillers, so he needed her to help steady himself. When he staggered to the side she instinctively wrapped her arm around his waist.

"When you finish with whoever is at the door you are going straight to bed." Kate stated trying not to grunt from his weight.

"Promises, Promises" he mumbled

Rick looked through the peephole and cursed softly.

"Kate I want you to know that officially my Karma sucks"

"What?" Kate asked confused.

"Look, promise me that you won't freak and run, please."

"Okay." She promised as the doorbell rang again.

Rick opened the door to reveal Meredith in all of her narcissistic splendor. She was dressed in a figure hugging teal dress that if it had been just a few inches longer would have been considered a gown. She looked every inch a model straight off the pages of Cosmo or GQ. Kate felt intimidated. She could face down killers and thugs, but Meredith was way out of Kate's league. Beckett felt the urge to run but Richard had grabbed her hand in a death grip.

"Meredith, why are you here?" Rick asked

"Why I'm here to take care of you, Honey Bunny."

"No Meredith, you're not."

"Of course I am. When I heard that you were shot I rushed over here to take care of you."

"Meredith, that was almost a month ago." Richard interjected.

"Well Richard, I had to finish the film I was shooting didn't I? I just couldn't run off willy nilly now could I?" Meredith sounded petulant.

Castle looked into the hall and shuddered when he saw her bags waiting for entrance. Rick knew that he had to stop those bags from coming into the apartment.

"So Mere, I see you've not had time to check into a hotel. I tell you what, why don't I call George the doorman to come get your bags in a cab and then you can go to your hotel check in and rest from your weary journey"

"Nonsense Richard I'm going to stay here with you. I'll put my thing in the guest bedroom."

"No Meredith, You're not staying in the apartment. We're divorced remember? So that makes cohabitation out of the question. I appreciate that you came all the way from L.A. but you need to stay in a hotel."

"Richard, I don't understand, how am I going to nurse you back to health if I am not here?"

"Well, I am doing pretty well as it is. I don't need a nurse."

"Kitten you need some to care for you." Meredith pouted.

"That's alright Meredith, I've got that job" Kate interjected.

Kate had felt like she had been watching a bad telenovella. Besides Richard's death grip on his arm, the two 'combatants' had ignored her. Not that she minded, Meredith was a part of Castle's life long before Kate and she was having a hard time integrating that fact into her Castle world view. She felt a pang of sorrow that there was a part of Richard's adult life that she could not be apart of. However Alexis was a part of that past and she could not regret Alexis being alive.

It amazed her that Rick, who had to be one of the most easygoing people she knew, was standing up to the She Witch outside his door. As she watched to two spar she noticed that Rick was getting paler and remembered that Castle had not yet eaten. She was sure that it was only a matter of time before he collapsed. So when the opportunity presented itself she jumped in.

Meredith was taken somewhat aback when the Detective spoke up. She had paid scant attention to the policeman when she arrived, thinking that perhaps that she was just there consulting on a case. She now saw that Ricky was holding the Detective's hand. What was her name, Becker.. No. Decker.. No.. Beckett? That was right it was Detective Beckett. She looked at what was turning out to be her chief rival for the Author's affections. Meredith tried to find fault with the woman but it was difficult. The Detective was pretty in an everyday kind of way. She dressed well on a civil servant salary; she was even poised and confident. There was very little to find fault with. Meredith had always believed that she and Richard would eventually reconcile, her past indigression not withstanding, but Detective Beckett was now in the way of that happening. She considered her options and realized that retreat at this moment might be the best option.

"Alright Kitten, I'll go to a hotel but I will be back tomorrow to help you mend."

"I'll call George to get you a Taxi." Richards added helpfully.

As sonn as the door closed Castle placed his back to the door and slid down to the floor. Keeping Meredith of the apartment had taken all his energy. He looked gratefully up at Kate.

"You know that I owe you big time, right?"

Kate smirked "I'll remind you, often."

"Anything you want, Vacation in the Caymans, fashion week in Paris, you name it. There is even a nice bungalow down in the Keys that Alexis is very fond of, I would love to take you and Alexis down there sometime… soon, very, very soon"

Reaching down she grabbed Castle's hands and help him to his feet.. The author was still pale and his arms trembled with strain but with the help of the detective he was able to stand. He looked between the bedroom and the couch, deciding that since he had yet to eat he would opt for the couch. Half staggering half leaning on Beckett he at last made it to the couch. Collapsing onto his soft overstuffed couch, he surveyed the cold dinner plates; he sighed and pulled out his phone.

"Pizza" he said to Kate

Kate sat down beside Castle still pondering the events of the previous half hour. Rick had actually resisted the temptation of the 'Deep Fried Twinkie'. Last spring he had described sex with his ex-wife Meredith as a guilty pleasure, but here he was denying himself that pleasure. Then Rick had talked of taking Kate away on vacation, should she read anything into that statement or was he simply being Castle? The unexplored territory of their relationship was causing her confusion. Soon they would need to lay down the ground rules, but looking at how exhausted Richards looked, she decided that tonight was not the time.

Richard looked on as Kate was lost in thought. Unthinkingly he reached around her shoulders and pulled Beckett close. She was warm and soft and felt so good molded next to him. He wondered how he had gotten so lucky. Somehow Kate Beckett had eluded all of his defenses and wormed her way right into his soul. He knew that they were on dangerous ground, neither one of them were very good at long term relationships and the situation was ripe for misunderstandings. They would have to talk about the situation and soon.

"Kate we need to talk." He started.

"Yes, but not tonight, okay?"

"Sure, but soon, you are too important to me, I don't want to screw this up."

"Me too….. Kitten"

"I asked you not to call m……" Rick was interrupted by his cell phone ringing.

Looking at the caller ID he swore, "Bloody Hell!"

"What?"

"It's Gina my Editor slash Ex-wife. I haven't heard from her in weeks" he declared.

"You were right Richard." Kate smiled

"What?"

"Your Karma sucks!"

An hour later after they had both had their fill of pizza. They sat on the couch before a gas fire warming themselves. The time had passed in a comfortable silence for the most part talking only there was a need, each gaining comfort from the acceptance of the other.

"Kate, I want to ask you something. Now, I don't want you to freak out and it's okay if you say no, alright?"

"That sounds ominous, are you going to ask me to go to you bedroom to see your etchings?" she smirked

"Not quite, Kate would you…. Would you stay the night….. Not in my room… in the guest room… Not that I don't want you in my bedroom, but … I just think that I will sleep better if you are here. I mean, I would love for you to sleep with me but I'm not up to…"

Mercifully she stopped his rambling.

"Yes, Richard I'll stay." She said easing his worry.

A?N: A little marshmallow fluff to go with the angst. See you soon