Disclaimer in Chapter 1.

AN: So, I think I need to say here, that I know there is no way in the real world that Castle would've been allowed to have to baby in the manner I've depicted so far in this fic. NOr would he be allowed to 'fast-track' anything adoption related. But rather than getting bogged down in a plot line that would've been extraneous to the fic I am trying to tell, I took a shortcut. But I would like to mention here the amazing work that CPS and all Emergency Foster Carers do for children – and for Foster carers in general. You guys deserve the world on a plate for the amazing thing you do every single day

I hope you will all allow this particular element in the fic to be filed in the 'artistic license' folder. Thanks!

Now, on with the show.

Kate knew that it would be a forgone conclusion and as she left the break room, coffee in hand, the gossip proved her right.

Richard Castle was on a fast-track adoption process (if there was such a thing) for Sophie - which was hardly surprising when you had a precinct Captain, a judge and even the Mayor himself vouching for you.

Which meant that logically she knew what was going to have to happen very shortly.

There was no way he would risk being out in the field with a weeks old baby to look after, neither would he have the time – and more likely – the energy to follow her around the precinct. Their time together was coming to a swift conclusion, and without exploring the pang she felt deep in her gut, she knew that she wouldn't have it any other way. In fact, she'd kick his ass if he even tried to balance a new baby and a job that wasn't even his job to begin with.

"Yo, it's Papa Castle!"

The station erupted into spontaneous applause as the man of the moment stepped off the elevator. Esposito's greeting bounced around the room as every cop gave Castle a hero's welcome. Kate smiled. It wasn't every day such a very bad case got a happily ever after and New York's Finest were showing their appreciation. It was only when he stood a few feet away from her and quirked that oh-so-dangerous eyebrow in her direction that she realised she'd been applauding too.

"Why, Detective Beckett, I didn't know you cared…"

"Yeah, don't get used to it, Castle. You caught me at a weak moment."

"Really? Well then I guess I need to catch you there more often…"

She rolled her eyes, partially to re-establish the boundaries between them, but mostly to get his mouth to form that ridiculously endearing little half-grin. She wasn't disappointed and she couldn't look away. There was something new lurking in his eyes, something he normally hid better and it was something that intrigued her. Something she wanted to see again.

"So, dude, what's the latest scoop on the littlest Castle-to-be?"

Kate glanced down, quickly recovering her poise and sending a silent thank you to Ryan for his – for once – timely interruption as Castle babbled on as only a new father can.

"Oh my God, she actually stayed awake this morning when we visited. She's getting her strength back at last! And her eyes are so blue… I'm hoping they don't change, but I can't say I would care too much if they did. She's totally fascinated with Alexis's hair; you should see her follow the red around when Alexis moves out of Sophie's sight…."

Kate watched as the infectious nature of Castle's unadulterated glee spread around the room. She didn't think she'd ever seen the entire department smile in unison before.

"…and I swear, she's going to be so unbelievably beautiful. I mean she already is, but Sophie Castle is going to knock some socks off. Alexis is already planning a whole heap of girlie things. Hair clips and scrunchies and the like… once her hair grows in of course…."

Kate moved away from the gathering, deliberately putting herself at a safer distance, but she still listened.

"…we went baby shopping yesterday. You guys, some of the stuff they have now is so adorable, Alexis and I may have gone a little bit over the top on the outfits… some of the cutest little shoes….. Alexis couldn't resist a little pink sleep-suit with 'don't blame me, my daddy did it' on it. She said she needed to educate Soph as soon as possible… and my mother? I think she's decided to buy out FAO Schwarz! But the little pink unicorn you guys sent is in her basinet, just waiting for when she comes home…"

The joy in his voice was almost painful for her to hear because as thrilled as she was that that little girl was going to have the most wonderful life, she was hurting deep in that part of herself that no-one – save him and his ridiculously accurate perception – ever got to see. And she hated that she sullied this moment with an almost selfish reaction.

It was a few minutes later when she felt, rather than saw, him sit down in his usual chair. She also felt the change in tension in him. This was it then.

"Beckett… Kate…"

"Castle… don't…" She smiled at him, bittersweet though it was, because as much as she'd steeled herself; the mask just wasn't quite up to the job for once. "You have a little girl that needs you a lot more than Nikki Heat ever did. You can't slay dragons for a while… and I'd kill you if you tried."

She saw his lips lift into a semblance of his trademark smile and she knew he remembered her allusion to that conversation with Agent Shaw.

How do you manage?

You miss a few birthdays and you make a lot of phone calls... my husband tucks her in every night, tells her that mommy's off slaying dragons.

"It's not like I do a lot of slaying, myself… but you're right. I can't…" He glanced sadly at her before she saw him visibly draw himself together. "But, this isn't a goodbye… you'll come visit, I'll come visit - like a lot - 'cause I have to show her off, don't I?"

"Sure, Castle…" Kate trailed off knowing she'd not given him the reassurance he was so obviously looking for. But she couldn't in good faith make that promise yet. He clearly understood her reluctance and where it stemmed from. He had always had the infuriating knack of seeing clean through her and getting behind her walls with seemingly very little effort and right now was no different. She startled slightly as he took her hand in his and as she felt gooseflesh form on her arms from the gentle glide of his thumb across her knuckles. His eyes were soft and as open as she'd ever seen them when he spoke.

"Kate… I need to say… this is… we…" She watched, holding her breath as he closed his eyes in frustration. "Kate, I don't want to leave without telling you that I want us, you and me, to try and be something…"

"Dude, come over here, you need to Bluetooth your brag-book to us godfathers!"

Kate pulled her hand free and heard him curse softly at Ryan's unwitting intrusion.

"Go, show off your new daughter to her admiring fans."

"Kate…"

"Please, Castle… just… not right now, okay?"

His eyes softened further as he heard the almost indiscernible crack in her voice.

"All right, Kate. But soon… promise me?"

She could only nod at him, her voice long since gone. But he returned her gesture before she watched as he walked over to the group of officers at the far side of the squad room and took a long, deep breath. He was leaving and she was happy about it because he was leaving her for the best reason possible.

She understood that.

But it still hurt.

TBC…

AN: Next part should be up over the weekend!