AN: Thanks to everyone for the positive reviews and feedback. Sorry for the few grammatical errors I noticed afterwards. And for those worried about a fast makeup, don't be. I loved Castle (up until the last season) and always felt Rick either forgave or gave into Kate a little too quickly. So without further ado….

Castle attempted to put on a good front entering the loft. Although Alexis was still at school he knew his mother would be home and would question him as to being home so early in the afternoon. He did not have to wait long as for as soon as he entered through the door he heard Martha calling out "Richard is that you?"

"Yes mother it's me." he replied. Making his way through the foyer area and proceeding into the kitchen to find her sitting near the breakfast bar area already sipping on a glass of wine.

Turning towards him she could register that something was wrong even though he tried to keep it hidden. So she asked "Is everything okay?"

Not ready or willing to talk about it he replied "Why wouldn't it be mother?"

"Seriously Richard, we both know you were never really good at hiding things from me. You might be great at making up stories but I can always see through them."

"Everything's fine, I just decided to come home a little early that's all."

"Son, we both know it's been quite a while since you have come home at this hour. Most of the time we can barely keep you away from your detective."

If she was looking for a way to get him to open up, that did it as he quickly and somewhat angrily answered "She Is Not My Detective!"

Ah-ha Martha thought to herself, so that's what it is. Something happened between Katherine and Richard. "What happened between you and Beckett?"

"I never said anything happened between us." Trying and failing one last time to convince his mother. Looking at her as seeing her staring back at him what an expression on her face that told him she didn't believe him.

Giving in he continued "Fine, if you really must know I ended my" and he was about to say partnership when he once again heard Beckett's words "You were never my partner" in the back of his head. So he continued with "I decided I had enough information and ended my agreement with the 12th Precinct to shadow Detective Beckett."

Martha for her part is able to hide her shock. This is not what she was expecting. A fight and a few days to cool off - yes. She knows there is more to this. She has observed her son and Kate together and could tell that he had feelings for the young woman and would swear that they were reciprocated.

Not allowing him to run off to his office, which she was sure he was about to do. She points to the stool next to her and says "sit."

Castle watches as his mother stands and reconsiders her command and to continue on to his way but thinks better of it. He obeys as she walks over to grab another wine grass out of the cabinet before returning to fill a second glass with wine, passing it over to him. Once she has reclaimed her seat she commands "take a drink of your wine and then try again, but this time tell me everything."

Huffing, he does what his mother tells him and then goes on to rehash all that went down ending with his and Beckett's Fight and him walking away.

Martha listens not interrupting once or even asking questions. He is surprised but also feels better getting it all off his chest. He then asks "So what do you think?"

"I think you should just kiss that girl and get it over with."

"What? What are you talking about?"

"Richard, you obviously have feeling for her or you wouldn't have let her flirting with that robbery detective bother you so much." He goes to interrupt or disagree with her when she holds up her hand to stop him. "But, it doesn't matter what I think. As long as you feel it was the correct move."

"It was" he replied, happy that she is not trying to push the issue any further.

"Okay then, what do you plan to do now that you are finished with shadowing Katherine?"

"Well, I have enough information to continue writing Nikki Heat. And I was hoping once Alexis finishes the school year we could all get away from the city and spend the summer up at the Hamptons."

Seeing his mother looking towards the floor at his response he questions "what?"

"Nothing dear, it's just I'm not going to be able to go."

Puzzled at her response "Why not mother? You usually come with us."

"Well, I was going to tell both you and Alexis this evening that I received a part in a travelling show. I will be gone for the whole summer starting 2 weeks from today."

AN2: We all know that Martha is Castle's sounding board whenever he has something bothering him. I wanted to try and show that here. Next chapter will focus on Beckett.