The Eyes Have It
by Castlefan6
Authors Note: This is AU; Builds on Episodes 3-14, 16, and 17. Castle sees what he thinks is the event to seal his departure from Beckett, but do his eyes deceive him? Sometimes things aren't the way we see them.
I don't own Castle; I only use the characters for amusement purposes, except the ones I create.
Also, we take liberties with the timeline from Canon and use events to make this more believable fiction, thanks. Remember This IS AU. Timelines, Events, and Outcomes may vary from the Original Script.
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Chp 4
Castle's Loft
That Afternoon,
"Hi Dad, Home early Is everything OK?" Alexis asked,
"Everything is fine pumpkin, I have some final details to attend to for Saturday night's Fund Raiser for Johanna Beckett College Fund, I couldn't very well get them done at the precinct. I had a meeting with Paula this afternoon anyway.
"Really, what about Darling?" Martha asked, she always asked. He quickly changed the subject pretending that he hadn't heard his mother.
"So, Alexis, I suppose Ashley will still be your date at the fundraiser Saturday night? You know I'll be pretty busy, so do I need to give him the talk" Rick winked at his daughter,
"Of course, Ashley is my date, Yesterday we went shopping for a tie that would match my dress. And don't even think about giving him that talk" Alexis answered enthusiastically "What about you? Do you have to match your tie with anyone special?"
"Nope, no wild shopping for me, sorry."
Alexis punched him in the shoulder, not satisfied with his answer. "Oh, Come on Dad, you can tell us, whose dress will your tie be matching, Dad" she poked him playfully in the ribs.
"I don't know, probably your Grams," Castle replied not at all thrilled.
"Thanks for the enthusiasm, my darling son, but I do have a date for the night." Martha quipped
Both father and daughter look at each other with their mouth hanging open in surprise, and then turned to the older woman, narrowing their eyes silently asking for more details.
"Oh, don't look so surprised you two. He's just an old colleague from the Days of our Lives cast."
"You were in the cast for just three weeks," Rick observed.
"Yeah, Grams didn't they kill your character, OFF STAGE, how do you still know anyone from there, that was like forever ago," Alexis asked
"You both are correct, but I always made a habit of keeping in touch with my former cast members, for occasions such as this," Martha conceded,
Alexis cast a half-accusing, half-amused stare back at Martha, then turned her attention to her father. "I thought you'd be going with Beckett, Dad, I mean you usually do when her boyfriend is out of town, and your"
"Beckett has a boyfriend, Alexis," Castle said sharply
"I know, but you said he's often abroad for work, so I guessed she would have gone with you." She replied, still not picking up on the fact this was the one topic he didn't want to discuss.
"He's been in town for a while now." he simply replied, clearly not wanting to articulate more.
Martha sensed the topic was getting on Rick's nerves and changed the subject. "How come you're home this early anyway darling?"
Little she knew she delved right into the heart of the matter. "I had a meeting with Paula, so I left the precinct early," he answered, getting up from the couch to retrieve a glass. He needed a drink.
"Is everything going well with the film and books? What on earth did Paula want to talk about, darling?"
"She's arranging the Nikki Heat movie promotional tour," Rick replied,
At first, there was silence then Alexis asked. "What promo tour?"
"It's OK, I mean I was going to tell you both over dinner, but it appears you both have plans tonight, so I'm leaving the NYPD in two months to promote the Nikki Heat films, help consult, and act as the Executive Producer for the second film they just signed on to make." He said, smiling,
"The books are doing so well, and the actors are loving the script, they decided to offer me the Executive Producer and Managing Consultant Role for the remainder of the films they shoot," he said and waited,
Martha giggled quietly. "Paula must have been pretty angry when you declined the offer."
"Actually, I told her yes, Mother." He said and the shock waves began.
Alexis's brow furrowed in confusion. "I don't understand, Dad, Won't that take you away for weeks at a time? When are you going to help the team at the precinct" She asked, "Dad, I know I was always after you about staying safe, but are you sure you want to do this? I mean they depend on you for so much at the precinct" Alexis tried to cover, her shock
"That's why I spoke to Captain Montgomery this morning. I realized that I've done all the research I needed for my books." He lowered his head for a moment as if he didn't want to face the Redheads face to face.
"But you can't leave the precinct Dad! You love working with Beckett and the guys." Alexis cried,
"I sure do, honey," he sighed "but let's face it, I'm not a cop. We all knew this day would eventually come sooner or later."
"Wow. If this is what will make you happy Dad, then Congratulations, what did your friends at the precinct say?" Alexis asked,
"Does Beckett know about this?" Martha interjected; all the previous cheeriness was now gone from her voice.
He nodded, downing another sip of his drink. "I told her a couple of hours ago."
To answer your question pumpkin, "I told Roy and Beckett, I'll leave it to them to tell the rest of the crew as they see fit. They aren't friends of mine sweetheart, look up the definition and you'll see the word colleague would be more fitting." He said as he rose to retreat to his office.
The stillness that surrounded the room was broken when Alexis' phone rang, signaling an incoming text message.
"It's Ashley," she explained "he's waiting for me. Hope you'll just do what makes you happy Dad, just be sure that you don't run from something, but run to something better like you always tell me." She rose from the couch and after collecting her things headed for her bedroom to change her clothes leaving the two adults alone in the living room.
"I thought you'd be glad if I quit, Mother. Why all of the sudden interest in whether I go or I stay at the 12th?"
"I won't lie to you, Richard, I feel relieved knowing you won't chase murderers with nothing more than a pen in your hand, and that vest you had made anymore." He nodded in understanding.
"But I'm only happy if you're happy, kiddo. And you're not at the moment." She continued,
"You're correct Mother. I'm not happy, not in the least." The answer was simple and honest and that only was enough to make Martha even more worried.
"I don't know what happened with you two, but Alexis nailed you, don't run away from something, run to something better, and as of now you are running from Kate Beckett, not to your happiness." She said as she touched his hand gently,
You know that sounds so easy, but with Beckett, it's impossible. He scowled and then slammed the whole content of his glass down with one gulp. "She's the one who constantly runs, and is still running away, Mother."
"You have two choices, Richard, the first is the one you've talked about, running away from her, the only other solution is for you to stop running after her and just wait for her to come back to you," Martha said, quietly and evenly,
Rick pinched his eye sockets and replied bitterly "She's with someone and she's happy."
"Is she? Are you 100% sure of that son? The decision you make to run is one you can't turn back from, think about it, please.
Deep inside of him, he knew she wasn't, but for reasons unknown, certainly, none he could grasp, she was hell-bent on making the thing she had with Josh work. Maybe she really was in love with the guy. This thought was enough to make his heart bleed. When he spoke again his voice was barely above a whisper. "What if I stop, wait for her and she never comes back, what then Mother?"
Martha smiled and squeezed his hand tighter. "She will. Besides she's worth the wait, kiddo."
Alexis came skipping down the stairs, "I'll be home soon Daddy, please give this decision some more thought. As I said, I'm happy as long as you're doing what makes you happy, bye, love ya, Dad." And she bounded out the door,
"What are your plans, Richard? I can cancel mine, if"
"Don't be silly Mother, go have a good time. Gina sent over some edits for me to work on. If I am leaving for a new role, I want to be sure this part of the business is either in production or ready for it before I go."
"OK, Richard, Please think about what I said," Martha said as she grabbed her purse and headed for the door.
"I will Mother, I promise," he said.
It was true he did have a few edits Gina asked for, but that would take less than a half hour, he was contacting one of his experts about the girl they had found partially buried in the park. It seemed as though the team had hit a dead end, and the case was about to go cold. Anyone who suffered, and died in that fashion, certainly deserved closure and the person responsible was brought to justice.
He waited until he was positive both Alexis and his mother had left, then he pulled out the file he had accumulated from copies of the official record. Beckett had only said he couldn't bring evidence home, she didn't mention authentic copies of the original documents. He pulled up his research and contacts, and there it was, the information for one of the world's most renowned forensic reconstructive coroners.
He dialed the number, then said "Dr. Clark Murray, Rick Castle here. I sent you an email the other day with the encrypted photos. Yes, yeah, it was a gruesome crime scene indeed. I was wondering if you had time to look into anyone known to have a similar MO, in any aspect of the crime. I'm afraid the brass is about to mark this a cold case, and I can't let that happen." He said sadly,
"Hello Rick, yes, I have done some research into the pictures and autopsy report, that was very helpful by the way. I have a few potential leads, but I'm not ready to label anyone with that degree of inhumanity just yet. I should have something for you by this time next week. I'll call if I find anything positive out before that" he said,
"That's great, thank you so much, I appreciate you looking into the case. I'll wait to hear from you next week or before, Goodbye" as he hung up the phone, and made his entry into the case notes. He knew Beckett was going to pitch a fit, but she couldn't say much if he handed her the solution and suspect in one package, complete with documentation.
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Beckett's Apartment
Later Same Evening
Kate was curled up on her couch flipping almost absently through the TV channels, hoping to find something that would take her mind off Castle for a while. Nothing was working, God she hated this.
She had left the precinct earlier that night, after their discussion and her sisterly talk with Lanie in the Lady's room she found herself staring at the murder board with no real clue as to what she was looking for. When she noticed Ryan and Esposito looking suspiciously at her from their desk, she decided it was time to head home, it was pointless to stay at the precinct.
She went home and did what she always did when she was this frustrated, she went for a long run. She changed into her running clothes and jogged the next hour through Central Park trying to focus on anything except her partner and his impending departure from her.
It was working, she finally began to relax and not think about him with every inhale and exhale of breath. She had exhausted herself by the time she arrived home, and the only thing she could focus on was a hot shower and relaxation.
She showered quickly then padded barefoot through the house covered only in a white towel looking for her body lotion, she knew she had a new bottle somewhere. She found it, and immediately regretted it, as soon as she opened the bottle, the smell of cherries assaulted her nostrils. How could she smell cherries and NOT think of him, Damn Him anyway?
She was so exhausted she decided to just wrap herself in the blanket, watch a Late Show rerun and then fall into bed. She wouldn't admit it but through all of this, she was still stealing glances at her cellphone on the coffee table hoping that the display would suddenly light up with the picture of her favorite author smiling back at her.
Fat chance. As much as Castle promised to act normally, she knew he was trying to distance himself from her. He wouldn't be calling, at least not tonight. That realization led to a mental battle with herself on her next action.
Maybe I should just call him, she mused. Who says I can't be the one to call? We're friends, well more than just friends, hell she was going to call him.
Kate separated herself from the blanket to reach for her phone. She flipped through the numbers until she found the one, the only important one tonight, she was looking for. Her thumb hovered hesitantly over the call button for a few moments, almost pressing it before she groaned in frustration and turned the phone off abruptly, tossing it to the opposite end of the couch. Damn Him. She hated feeling this way and with the phone out of reach at least she wouldn't have to spend the rest of the evening checking it like a schoolgirl waiting for the cute boy she had a crush on to call her.
She started to readjust herself into her blanket cocoon when she heard a soft but insistent knock on the door that resounded loudly in the quiet apartment.
It was Him! No! Could it possibly be him? Her heart skipped a bit as she sprung on her feet fidgeting nervously with her hair and clothes, hoping she didn't look as crappy as she felt.
Kate opened the door trying to put her best poker face on, but as soon as she stared at the man in front of her, she could only hope that her disappointment wasn't written all over her face.
"Josh?" she asked puzzled. Her tall, gorgeous boyfriend smiled at her, obviously unaware of her internal turmoil.
"Is this a bad time?" He asked, noticing the change in her demeanor.
"No, it's just... I wasn't expecting you to stop by." Kate stammered, then narrowed her eyes. "Weren't you supposed to have a double shift tonight?"
"Yeah, but the buddy who asked me to cover, had a fight with his girl, and decided to work after all, so I left early." the doctor explained before leaning over her and placing a quick peck on her lips. He didn't expect to need an invitation, not to his girlfriend's apartment, as he walked by her and set the pizza box in his hands on the coffee table. He then turned toward her, still silent by the door.
"I bet you haven't eaten yet, have you?" he asked, tossing his leather jacket on the couch behind him.
"I'm not really hungry," Kate replied, finally closing the door and approaching him by the sofa. He was standing there, his arms opened in a clear invitation for her to move between them. Kate leaned against his hard body, wrapping her arms along his waist, and sighed when he gently kissed her forehead. It was more of an obligatory hug than one of desire, but he didn't pick up on any of the signs.
"Bad day at work?" he asked softly as he leaned against her still-damp hair.
"Something like that." she offered without committing or lying.
Josh leaned back and, pulling away from her embrace, rested his hands firmly on her hips. He searched her eyes with his unsuccessfully. "Wanna talk about it?"
"No, it's just a new case and no suspect." she lied, looking at his chest.
Josh's eyes narrowed and Kate knew even without looking at him that he was pondering if she was telling the truth.
"Ok." Josh simply said after a few moments of perusal. He kissed her tenderly on the cheek, then squeezed slightly her hips before letting her go. Then he turned and sat on the couch, opening the pizza box and bringing a slice to his mouth.
TBC