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Recap: They kissed. Castle ran. But his actions were intentional to draw Kate out.

Chapter 44 – Splinter

The whole way home Kate had contemplated going to Lanie and trying to talk this out. Castle was doing just as he promised—being his normal self. Maybe less joking, but it was hard to say. He seemed tired, and she really hadn't spent that much time with him. Certainly no time alone with him—not that she hadn't tried.

They'd left the campground just after breakfast and driven straight home, stopping only once for gas and bathroom breaks. Kate dropped the girls off, took Alexis home, gave Castle back his car keys, sorted out her stuff and her dads, and went home. She'd showered twice to get the smell of camp smoke out of her hair, washed all her camping clothes and bedding and tried to take a nap. The whole time she'd been weighing what to do about Castle.

She couldn't figure him out. She decided she needed Lanie—even though Lanie was still lording something over her and she didn't know what it was. Kate texted her to let her know she was coming over, but didn't get a reply back.

"Come in!" Lanie called after she knocked. Kate shook her head. Someday she was going to come in wearing a ski mask, carrying a baseball bat, just to teach Lanie a lesson.

"Kitchen," Lanie called.

Kate stepped through the swinging doors. "I take it Javier's not here?"

"Nope. Just stepped out. Jenny and Kevin are on their way over though. You're staying for dinner. Just let me finish frying this up."

Kate pulled a mug from the cupboard and poured a cup of coffee. Must be Esposito's doing, she thought, knowing Lanie liked her teas and hot chocolate.

"How long before they get here?"

"Oh, so now you wanna talk to me?"

"Lanie, don't be like that. I know you've got something going with Alexis."

"Well I wouldn't have to have something going with Alexis if you'd just fess up. I asked you point blank if there was anything going on with Castle and you told me 'no'—"

"I told you the truth and—"

"And? And then I find out from Alexis—Alexis, you're shacking up with Castle."

"I'm not 'shacking up' with Castle."

"Oh, so you didn't fall asleep in each other's arms when Castle was sick?"

"Lanie, that was—"

"And you didn't share a tent this weekend?"

Kate blushed. "Just what kind of deal have you got going with Alexis anyway?"

"The kind that'll help me recoup some cash."

"Lanie, I've told you before to stop betting on us."

"Why should I?"

"I didn't bet on you."

"'Cuz I'm un-predictable."

"Because you've done so well prognosticating about us thus far."

"Different this time."

"Why's that?"

"I've got Alexis."

"Isn't that cheating?"

"I wouldn't have to if you'd tell me these things."

"What's her cut?"

"I think you underestimate how much she likes you, Kate. It's just a knowledge share. What she does with hers is up to her."

Kate locked away the first part of that statement to come back to later. There was something just under the surface that she wanted to link it to, but she hadn't quite grasped it yet.

"And this is why I don't tell you things. How'm I supposed to know where it's gonna end up?"

"Like I'd ever say anything to anyone about anything you've ever told me in confidence. Stuff I see, stuff I think, sharing ideas…that's another story."

"You can't just let me do this on my own time?"

"You take too long! You've been fighting this thing—how many years? Bet you're still gonna tell me there's nothing going on between you two, right?"

"Wrong."

"Huh?"

"No."

"What?"

"No, I'm not going to tell you that there's nothing going on between Castle and me."

There was a long pause. Lanie didn't seem to know what to say as she shifted from one bare foot to the other. "Oh" was all she managed. Finally, a smile grew on her face. "Well, I didn't put money on this weekend 'cuz I was sure you meant it when you said you were waiting for Josh to get back, but I'm happy for you girl. It's about damn time!"

"Whoa, Lanie. Not 'something'like that," Kate stressed. "Just…something." She offered a little shrug to go along with her perplexed expression. "Kind of. Or—I don't know. Definitely something…but I don't know."

"O-kay," Lanie said slowly. Her girl was definitely stressed. "So, you wanna talk about it?"

"That's why I'm here—and…I need a favor."

"So? What are we talking here if not getting it on?"

Kate didn't answer right away while she tried to figure out what to say. She wasn't sure how to explain it and she wasn't the type to just come out and say it.

"Holding hands?" Lanie asked.

Kate's initial reaction was to shake her head 'no,' but then she remembered grabbing Castle's hand at her dad's, leading him to her grandmother's house. She had a chance to let go, but she didn't. She wasn't sure it counted though, so she shrugged.

"Flirting?"

Kate nodded, but that was kind of a given. She could see even Lanie agreed. She was only asking to see if Kate was going to lie to her.

"Canoodling?"

Again, Kate gave it a moment's thought. Was canoodling different than cuddling? Either way, she'd woken up spooning him once, in his arms another time and with her hand across his chest. Plus, there was the loveseat chair, so she nodded again.

"Kissing?"

Kate's gave a short, curt nod. That's what she'd been waiting for Lanie to get to.

"Something not quite sex but close to it?"

Kate shook her head.

"So these kisses? Better than last time?"

"Not plural. Just one long kiss."

"Initiated by?"

"Rick. Saturday night. I woke up in the middle of the night and he was, uh…touching me." Kate flushed recalling his fingertips lightly pinching her. "And then he was kissing me."

"Better than before?"

Kate thought briefly. Was it better? It wasn't really a question of better or not. There was less adrenaline, less riding on it, and it wasn't as…as classy? But it was private, definitely more penetrating…and not a pretense. And it was just as magnetic and provocative. She thought of his whiskers pressed into her chin and raking across her upper lip and her flush deepened and rose to her neck. She knew she had a lot of sleepless nights ahead of her.

Lanie raised her eyebrows at her—Kate hadn't said a word, but she was a doctor, an M.E., and she might not be as good at reading people as Kate, but she was better at collecting evidence. Her attention to detail was top notch. Kate's patchy-looking chest and neck, along with the way her pupils had widened and the slight flare of her nostrils, were easy tells that her girl was quite literally hot for Castle.

"Um, I kinda like kissing Castle—or when he kisses me."

"Clearly."

"But, uh, he ran away."

"'Scuse me?"

"Just all of a sudden stopped. Started throwing out apologies. Talking about how I have a boyfriend and how neither of us are cheaters and 'let's just forget this ever happened.'" She didn't tell Lanie he emphasized she'd been the one who buried it before. It wasn't like he'd ever brought it up either.

"No way."

"Swear to God, Lanie. You'd think I pulled my gun on him."

"The way Writer Boy's been waiting on you?"

Kate shrugged.

"That's so adorable."

"What? Adorable? What's so adorable about him making me feel like a flippin' fool?"

"Well, I guess he meant it when he said he wants you all to himself, right? I mean, here he has this opportunity to have you all to himself—yet, so far as he knows, you're still with Josh. Proves you were right, too."

"How so?"

"Well, you said he wouldn't settle for less than your everything."

Kate nodded her accord.

"So, you got into a fight?"

"No, not exactly. He didn't stick around long enough. I'm not kidding when I say he was out of there like a flash. Didn't even give me a chance to—"

"Nuh-uh, Kate. Don't even try to tell me that you didn't get a word in edgewise. Not going to believe it."

"A few, Lanie."

"And 'Josh and I are through' somehow escaped your vocabulary?"

"I tried to tell him, Lanie, but one mention of Josh and he about flew off the handle accusing me of…of treating the last time like it was meaningless—and that I should just forget this one, too. So, yeah, I may have gotten a little testy. God, Lanie, you'd think he knows me better than that! He's so good at…at knowing exactly what I need or want most of the time. But this stuff?"

"'Cuz he can't think straight around you, Baby. And let's be straight. Writer Boy's getting all kinds of mixed signals from you—especially lately! Hugging in the stairwell, going on vacation with him when you wouldn't go with Josh—"

"He wanted me to go to Africa!"

"To a resort in Africa, and you want camping—with bugs and dirt and shared showers—with Castle. If Josh had wanted to take you camping, you'd have said no way in hell."

"Can't imagine he'd have ever asked. He's rarely seen me lounge around my apartment. Has no idea—"

Lanie wasn't really listening to her. Who cared what Josh knew, so long as he knew they were through? "You know, if you don't get off your ass and tell that boy about you and Josh, I'm going to."

"Okay," Kate nodded.

"Has a right to know."

"Yeah."

Lanie looked up at Kate in confusion. Was she actually agreeing with her?

"That's the favor. I need you to tell Rick."

"You're telling me you're too yellow-bellied to do this yourself? Where's your backbone, Kate?"

"It's there, Lanie. You don't…you don't understand. I'm not saying I won't tell him. I'm just saying if it comes up naturally, tell him. I'm not asking you to keep it from him anymore. But with us, it's that big elephant in the room with Rick and me. The defenses come up."

She looked up to find Lanie shaking her head.

"Hey! It's not like I didn't try to tell him, Lanie. I ran after him. Looked all over for him, but I couldn't find him anywhere and he never came back to bed. I think he came back eventually and slept in one of the vehicles, but—."

"You really looked for him?"

"I wanted to set things straight. I still need to deal with Josh, but—"

"Chica?" They heard Javi call. It sounded like he was just walking in. "You naked?" he asked as he pushed open the kitchen door.

"Javier Esposito. I wasn't naked when you left. What makes you think I'd be naked now?"

"Wishful thinking," he said, wrapping his arms around Lanie from behind and kissing her neck. He'd noticed Kate sitting on the counter as soon as he turned into the kitchen. "Hey, Beckett."

Kate was glad he wasn't at all embarrassed to show her girl affection in front of her now. Besides, it was cute to see Lanie blush.

"Go. Find out where Jenny and Kev are. I'm hungry!"

"They're on their way up. Saw 'em looking for a parking spot on my way in."

Lanie handed Kate a stack of plates. "Living room."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Lanie and Esposito fed their guests tacos—with diced tomato and lettuce provided by Ryenny. Kate was pretty sure Esposito still had his apartment, but even the TV Castle had given him was at Lanie's now. They ate and talked, while Kate filled them in on some of the lighter aspects of their camping trip—mostly the rock climbing, which had been a highlight for her—and their ambush on Alexis. They'd just started a game of Cuarenta when they were interrupted by Lanie's phone.

She took one look at the number and groaned. She answered.

"And three. Two. One." Ryan counted, his fingers puncturing the air.

Esposito's phone rang.

"Vacay's over, Beckett."

Ryan kissed Jenny and gave her the keys to head home. The other four piled into Esposito and Ryan's cruiser. That had been awkward, though they shared a laugh over it. No one knew where to sit. Beckett was used to driving. Ryan was used to riding shotgun in the cruiser. Lanie was used to riding with Esposito—he even drove when they took her car. The ended up boys in front, girls in back.

Kate decided to take the opportunity to call Castle. She wasn't entirely sure he wanted to see her.

"Castle." He answered.

"Hey, Castle. We've got a body. Three actually."

"Oh, um. That's great."

"People were murdered, Castle. Not great."

"I meant. Oh…I'm, uh, kinda in the middle of something."

"Oh." She so did not want to know. But then she heard Alexis in the background. Kate leaned forward and into the side of the door. She lowered her voice. "You not avoiding me again, are you, Rick?"

"No, Beckett, I'd be there, it's just…Mother's kind of hysterical right now. We're, uh, trying to calm her down. And I'm in the middle of making her favorite cookies."

"Calm her down? Why? What happened?" she asked, concerned and no longer whispering.

"She…" Kate heard him turn rustling about.

"If now's a bad time…"

"No. Well, yeah, but…" he lowered his voice and she knew he'd probably turned away from everyone else. "Some guy offered her a Senior's discount."

Kate laughed. Three heads in the car turned toward her.

"It's not funny, Kate. Well, it is, but I'm not kidding about the hysterics. Full-on paper bag panic attack earlier. Tears. Streaking mascara. Wailing. It's not pretty."

"Well, uh, is there anything I can do?" she asked, trying not to laugh.

"Any chance you can find the bastard responsible for this mayhem and arrest him?"

"Not unless he kills someone."

"He's killing me! We've been through her old movies and musicals and…ugg, watching my mother kiss people and in bed in old Temptation Lane stuff…The stuff nightmares are made of, let me tell you!"

Esposito parked the car. "You'll live. See you tomorrow?"

"Yeah. Or you can call me later."

"See you tomorrow."

The all four stepped out, slamming car doors in unison.

"Are you guys always together?" Perlmutter asked when they entered the pharmacy. "What, no pet?"

"What have we got?" Beckett asked, skipping over the pleasantries.

Outside of the one-sided bellows coming from the captain's office and despite the number of people, there was a deafening silence in the bullpen. Beckett and Castle looked at each other and then to Ryan and Esposito who'd come in ahead of them with their suspect.

"Where's de la Rosa?" Beckett asked, shrugging out of her leather jacket. They'd caught their suspect in a lie—he'd either killed their pharmacists or he knew who did. Beckett was sure of it. After the last four days and non-stop nights, knocking on far too many doors, and the two foot chases they'd endured to narrow their pool to this guy, Beckett's team was looking forward to wrapping this case up.

"What's going on?" Castle asked, nodding toward the office while Ryan was busy answering Beckett's question.

"No idea, Bro."

"But," Ryan chirped in, "Karpowski said it sounded like he was on the phone with IA."

"IA?" Kate asked.

Karpowski came up beside Kate. "Honestly, I don't know what's going on, but he's been yelling into that phone on and off for the last half hour. Threw something at the blinds earlier. But heads up for you, Officer Michaels said 'So Beckett and Castle, huh?' and 'Finally' to me."

Karpowski didn't pry. She didn't joke about collecting. She didn't ask any questions at all. She just felt bad for the woman beside her as her brow furled. She had a lot of respect for Beckett, and regardless of what was or wasn't going on between Castle and Beckett, she thought they deserved privacy. It didn't mean she wasn't in the "Will they? Won't they? and When?" pool, but when it came to prying into her colleague's life, that didn't amuse her in the least. Still, something was going down. She was sure it had to do with Beckett and Castle, and she had a feeling it wasn't going to be good.

Kate didn't have time to worry about what that meant. She was in the middle of an investigation, low on sleep and not prepared to deal with another round of rumors. And her desk phone was ringing. She looked at the blinking lights and wondered how many of the messages were related to her current case. She could tell the call was from the front desk so she answered rather than letting it go to voicemail.

"Beckett."

"Detective Beckett? I've got a bunch of people down here wanting to see you. There's Castle's daughter, Alexis Castle, a Martha Rodgers, a Paige—"

Beckett cut him off. "Are they all together?"

She heard him double check with the group. "Yes, Ma'am."

"Okay, send them up."

Beckett motioned to Castle to help her turn the murder board around. She did a quick survey to see what the other detectives had out and around. She was the only one who relied on the white board to keep track of their timelines. The other detectives used paper notes or software, so there wasn't anything to hide.

The elevators opened and three women and two burgeoning women rushed out toward Kate, ignoring everyone else. In a moment, Kate had Martha wrapped on one side of her with Alexis crushed between them and Paige on the other side telling her she was "so, so sorry."

With one arm wrapped around Kate and the other trapped between her and Alexis, Kate looked up at the two women in front of her. Between the Mother's Day Brunch, shopping and camping, she'd met Paige's mom, Kim, enough times that the woman had insisted on a first-name basis the last time they spoke. The other woman was familiar, but Kate was having a hard time placing her—until her mind caught up with the words coming out of the woman's mouth.

"I'm so sorry, Detective Beckett. I knew she blamed you, but, the trip, I didn't know you were you—"

"Or Rick's friend," Kim added. "We never put two and two together. Of course, that's no excuse."

"No excuse?" Kate asked. Then it finally clicked.

"Mrs. Stahl?" she questioned, addressing the woman who's life she'd ruined last summer when she and Ryan showed up to verify another woman's alibi. Unfortunately, the woman's alibi had been Mr. Stahl. She glanced at Ryan for confirmation and he nodded.

"It's just Lewis now. I went back to my maiden name after—after—I am so sorry. I tried to make Devyn come down here to apologize, but she wouldn't. She just ran off. I'm so sorry. I never dreamed she'd do something like this."

"Like this?" Kate hated feeling stupid and left in the dark.

"Devyn—" Kim started.

"Mother, what's going on?" Castle asked from the other side of Paige and Kate. It was the first time he'd spoken since the women entered the bullpen.

"Richard, Dear. You haven't seen?"

"Seen what?"

"New York magazine," she answered, digging into the over-sized bag she had chosen for the day, but Kim was quicker and offered him her copy, folded open.

"I'm so sorry, Rick," she said. "We had no idea Devyn would do something like this."

"I followed all the rules, I swear, Mr. Castle," Paige said, finally releasing Kate as she turned to her best friend's dad. "I didn't post any pictures where they can identify you and the pictures of Alexis are only tagged like she said was okay. And I didn't post any of Detective Beckett."

Kate turned to Alexis, who had only squeezed her tighter after Paige let go. She worked her arm free and put it around the girl.

"It's about you, Kate. The whole thing." She was praying Kate wouldn't hate them. "We think Devyn stole her camera…or at least the flash card for a little while."

Kate turned to look at Castle. His jaw was locked and he looked both raging and fearful. She wanted to look; she wanted to know what he was reading. But she didn't. She wanted to run and hide and burrow under the covers in the darkest corner she could find. But she didn't.

Instead, she shrugged Alexis off her, and gave the girl's hand a weak squeeze. She turned toward the women before her.

"If you'll excuse me, I have a suspect to interrogate. Kate grabbed the file from her desk and she looked up at Ryan and Esposito, who stood close by throughout that whole exchange, then Castle, who was still reading.

Castle finished reading just as Beckett paused slightly beside him. He didn't have to look up. He knew he was supposed to follow. Castle gripped the magazine in his hands. He'd never read anything so quickly in his life. They'd devoted a two-page spread in New York—a weekly magazine well known for being on top of life, culture, fashion and entertainment in the Big Apple—to Detective Katherine Beckett.

Kate closed the door to Observation 2 behind them and reached for the magazine that Castle was already holding out for her. He didn't want to give it to her. He wanted to prevent her from ever seeing—from ever being—on these pages to being with.

Kate read the headline: "More than a Muse? Richard Castle's New Lady Love." Her eyes flicked to the photos. The main one on the facing page was of just her. Paige had taken it when they were on the cliff. She had her arms folded over her drawn up knees and she'd been resting her head there while she watched Rick and Alexis in a mock fencing match with plastic forks they'd used at lunch. Well, she'd been a little more focused on Rick, analyzing that whole melty-heart feeling she had, when Paige called her name.

She had to give the girl credit. Between the soft focus and the way Kate, with her cheek resting on her forearms, nearly filled the frame—with only a little bit of blue-grey sky peeking in around her, it looked like a professional photo she'd posed for. The other photos on the two pages in front of her were more candid.

There was a cluster of three that were of her and Rick. One she'd seen before—it was of them dancing at the Village Pourhouse. Then there was one of them just sitting at the picnic table, legs stretched out in front of them. Finally, there was one where Paige—who had given up on Capture the Flag—had apparently captured the moment when Kate jumped on Rick's back. It was odd to see. She just remembered being ticked that they were losing, but Rick was grinning in the photo and she looked like she was having fun as well.

There was another photo of just her, coming out of the precinct. Based on the brown leather jacket, blue shirt and hairdo, it was safe to say someone snapped that photo early on Monday. The last photo angered her the most. It was of the three of them when they were lying in the grass reading and watching the hot air balloons. All three of them were reading at the time this one was taken. Kate wasn't really reading captions as she glanced over the article, but "Alexis" in this one caught her eye.

It didn't take Kate long to glance through the photos. She folded the magazine shut and then tossed it on the shelf with the recording equipment. She shook her head. She knew Castle was watching her closely, but she couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes. She was angry. Embarrassed. Hurt. She couldn't hide that from him, but she knew it wasn't his fault and she was doing everything she could to keep from blaming him or allowing him to blame himself. He was already regretting kissing her. She didn't want him regretting the whole dang weekend!

Castle was afraid to do so much as take a deep breath. She was hiding from him, but she hadn't run. Maybe only because there was still work to be done—starting with their suspect who had been waiting for them for over an hour now.

"What's it say?" Kate finally forced herself to ask.

He knew it was coming, but if there was ever a time he didn't want to speak, didn't want to answer her, didn't want to be truthful with her, it was now. She finally wasn't running from him. Instead, she'd moved toward him. Called out to him. Run after him. She'd made him promise they'd talk after this case was over. Every effort he'd made—the bold step he'd taken… He'd raised to call her bluff, and she'd folded. Quietly, and without showing her cards—but, still, she'd folded. Sure, it had involved an element of subterfuge, of pretending to be sorry for something he'd done intentionally, but it had worked! And now it was all going to be for naught. Not that this was his biggest concern. No he was much more concerned with how this article would impact Kate.

"Well, they like you. Paint you as strong, independent, hard-working—an asset to the NYPD. Intelligent. Driven. Beautiful, obviously. Nikki-like, less the stripper aspects—something they actually comment on. They do a little 'fact-fiction' comparison section in the sidebar. Despite the title, there's hardly any mention of me—or Alexis. More to say that we we're close, work together, went camping together…It's more implied that you and I are a given—and more than friends. If you wanted attention, it would be a quite flattering piece. But…"

This was going to be the hard part. "Kate." She wouldn't raise her head. "Look at me, Kate." Still, she didn't move. Castle raised his hands in front of her, hoping she didn't have her eyes squeezed shut and knew what he was doing.

Kate felt his hand tremble under her chin; it was still shaking when he drew it away after lifting her eyes to him. She didn't want to know. She didn't.

"They dug up Nikki's back story, Kate. All of it. It's all there—even a quote about your dad and some dipshit here talked about how you had to shoot Coonan, how you're still looking for the man who hired him. It's not focused on, but it's…they've made you their tragic heroine."

Kate's couldn't prevent the shock and pain from leaping to the forefront. Part of her mind was screaming, No you did this to me! They never had any interest in her at all before he'd shown up. Blaming him wasn't fair, she knew, but he was there. That's right, he is here. He's here. Now. Still. And she wouldn't change that even if she could. Physically, though, he was too near. Too far away to lean into, but still too near. He was too close to her for the lashing out she was struggling to tamp down. She wasn't sure if she wanted him there or if she wanted him to leave. The only thing she was sure of was that she had a suspect to interrogate.

"I'm so sorry, Kate. If I had never—"

After everything that had crashed down on her in the last ten minutes, she couldn't listen to him regret meeting her, following her around, so she cut him off.

"Just call my dad, Castle. You can do that right? You have his number now?" It was harsher than she'd intended, but she didn't slam the door on the way out. She didn't even shut the door so that she wouldn't.

Kate was surprised to see all the same people gathered around her desk, plus Captain Montgomery. Geesh, where's Lanie? she wondered. Sure, she hadn't been in the observation room long, but…couldn't they just leave her alone? The captain started to speak, but she charged in.

"Detective Esposito," she said, "You're with me." De la Rosa was speaking to himself in Spanish the whole time they were opposite him.

Castle called Jim Beckett, who without asking any questions, assured him he was on his way. He also called Paula, hoping that she'd have some advice or recommendations for Beckett. He'd have her issue a statement, if that's what Kate wanted. The interrogation room didn't have all his attention, but it was enough that he was aware when the Captain and Ryan joined him in Observation.

"Poor bastard," the Captain said. "Picked the wrong day to mess with Beckett."

Ryan tried his best to channel Mr. T with "I pity the fool," but all he got was a confused look from the Captain and a "Dude. No." head shake from Castle.

"Beckett, Castle. My office. Bring a chair."

Beckett and Castle entered the Captain's office. "You know Dr. Murray from your psych evals. Vanessa Malik, counsel from the Commissioner's office—Castle, you two know each other?"

"Yes, Sir. We've met."

"Janet Polland, NYPD Public Communications—I believe you've all met. Beckett, you remember Victoria Gates, from IAB."

Beckett gave a brisk nod. Internal affairs? she wondered.

They all turned to the knock at the door. "Ah, Ms. Haas. So glad you could join us."

"Paula?" Castle questioned.

"My pleasure, Mr. Montgomery."

"Everyone, Ms. Haas, Castle's agent. The mayor recommended we have Ms. Haas join us as she has more experience with this type of media exposure. Also, I think we need to remember that, while we have a vested interest in the NYPD, these are my people we're talking about. She's here to safeguard Mr. Castle's interests."

"Actually, I'll be representing Detective Beckett's interests as well—private interests, if she's to be the face of the NYPD—planned or not."

"Great. Now that everyone is here…"

"We're all busy people. Let's cut straight to the point," Gates said. "Given recent events and publicity surrounding Detective Beckett and this—this relationship, I think it's time we re-evaluate Mr. Castle's presence within the NYPD's confines."

"That's not really the reason we're here," Polland said.

"Why are we here?" Castle asked, and was ignored.

"With all due respect, Victoria," Dr. Murray answered, "We have had this discussion before, and we've evaluated not only Mr. Castle and Detective Beckett's mental statuses, but also her team's solve rates and congruity."

"The fact remains, there's just cause to question Mr. Castle's continued involvement in our investigations."

"I might remind you," Montgomery said, "Detective Beckett leads the most successful homicide team in New York. Castle is an integral part of that team."

It went on with counsel from the Commissioner's office playing devil's advocate, Gates continuing to argue that Castle's presence put the department at risk. He isn't trained, she argued. What happens when the next writer comes along looking for a free show? What happens when he's injured—or killed while following around Detective Beckett?

Castle tried to interrupt a few times, but it was the lawyer, Malik, that pointed out this had all been addressed—and was solid from a legal standpoint.

"And what of Detective Beckett's divided attention? How is she supposed to function in the field when she has to babysit this—this author? It may have been different before, but given the nature of their current relationship, there's a clear conflict of interest if we continue to allow him to be in the field with her."

"That's rather presumptuous, Ms. Gates," Castle said.

"Inspector Gates, Mr. Castle."

"Well, Inspector, instead of worrying about the nature of our non-existent relationship, what you should be focused on is that you have someone from this precinct commenting to the press about an on-going investigation. That's what you should be concerned about."

"An issue we'll deal with appropriately, Mr. Castle."

"When? Huh? Why are we sitting here talking about a damn article—a fluff piece—and a friendship that's nobody's damn business—when you have someone walking around here with loose lips? What happens when whoever hired Coonan realizes we've reopened the investigation? That's what you should be concerned about. You're gonna get her killed."

Beckett put her hand on his arm to calm him down and shook her head slightly warning him "no." Other than that she didn't move and she didn't speak. She didn't even try to keep up with them as the volleyed back and forth. She just stared at the floor in front of the Captain's desk. She was pissed as hell that they were talking about her and them—and their relationship—as if they weren't even in the room. Hell, they were even defining it themselves, assuming they knew things they did not.

"As I recall, Mr. Castle, there wouldn't even be an article if it weren't for you. So, who's putting whom at risk, here?"

That shut Castle up.

"What happens when this relationship goes sour—or you decide to move on to your next great…adventure?"

"I have no intention of leaving her—her team."

"Now hold on just a minute," Paula said at the same time. She was protective of Rick, both as his agent and as his friend. "Mr. Castle has been here—by choice—for over 3 years, without asking anything in return. If anything, this arrangement—this relationship, if one were to exist—would be damaging to Rick's reputation…and sales."

"Paula." Rick warned.

"So, why's he still here? Surely, it's time to move on?"

"Castle stays." Beckett and Montgomery answered at the same time, leaving no room for argument. It was the first and only time Beckett spoke. As for Captain Montgomery, he didn't care about close rates as much as he cared about his people, and Castle was good for Beckett. Good for all of them.

"Be that as it may, I will be, again, making a recommendation that this arrangement be terminated. Then you won't have to worry," she said addressing the latter part of her statement to Paula.

"And, you will, again, not have support from the police psychiatry unit. You know as well as I do that we've established a heightened awareness between these two subjects—sorry, Mr. Castle and Detective Beckett—that enhances their creative story building technique. Based on evaluations from all team members, Mr. Castle provides levity while paradoxically boosting Detective Beckett's leadership role. One would expect two primarily type-A personalities to have greater conflict. Even the FBI is screening their dynamic for their training and recruitment programs."

"Really? That is so cool!"

"Since when?" Gates asked.

"Since a few months after Agent Shaw submitted her report."

"As our public relations liaison," Polland said, "I have to say, fluff piece or not, the article showcased one our best detectives—"

"The best," Castle interjected. What? he thought. I'm proud of her.

"New York magazine has already received so much positive feedback to their online article segment that they've already contacted us about doing a series on our best and brightest leading up to a 9-11 tribute."

"That would be good," Paula said. "It will help mitigate some of the unwanted attention Detective Beckett has received."

"The Mayor and the Commissioner are also in agreement," the Commissioner's counsel added, "that this relationship—both Mr. Castle's involvement with the NYPD and Detective Beckett's—I'm not sure how to put it delicately…However, there's a certain appeal to a strong, beautiful, female lead detective who has triumphed over a…difficult past being broadcast as the unofficial 'face of the NYPD', as you put it. Then there's other…more personal…elements to your story. Quite frankly, despite this being more focused on Detective Beckett—and the romantic underpinnings—we expect this to increase positive perception of the NYPD across all demographics, much like the last article to which you each contributed."

"That's good news for us," Polland said. "I don't have to remind anyone how lacking we've been in positive PR in recent years. The NYPD fully supports this relationship and Mr. Castle's continued involvement."

"Thank you."

Castle went on to explain his misgivings about the article, his concerns about making Detective Beckett an "accidental and unwilling figurehead" and how that could be addressed. He demanded that every effort be made to identify who from the precinct talked to the press, in return, he promised to do a speaking engagement and another article. Deferring to Paula's expertise, and her intimate knowledge that Rick would in no way want to disparage his relationship with the detective, they—meaning everyone but Detective Beckett—decided to let the New York article stand without issuing a retraction or dispelling any inferences.

Castle and Paula looked for Beckett to weigh in, but she had nothing to say. She shrugged and would shake her head in response to their questions, but she was still so livid and really at a loss as to what to do. She could only rely on Rick looking out for her best interests, his experience and their promises to address her concerns in the best way they knew how. Hell, Rick would do whatever she wanted, she knew—even if it was against Paula's advice. Kate was just trying to hold it together long enough to get out of there. Nearly two hours and all she'd said in her defense was "Castle stays." Gates would force him out over her dead body. And who did she think she was, anyway, talking to Castle like that?

As they all stood to leave the Captain's office, the Captain called out to her, asking for a moment of her time. She would have been the first one out the door, but instead she was watching everyone else escape. Castle closed the door behind them.

"You okay?"

"Sir?"

"Can't be easy."

"I'm fine, Sir."

"It's going to be hard to find out who talked, but when I do—"

"Sir."

"Okay, Beckett. But as your friend…Don't let this hold you back." From Castle was implied with the way he nodded toward the blinds and where Castle would be.

"Sir, we're not—"

"I know. But just know, it's not a problem. If you were."

Beckett nodded. She wasn't sure Gates would agree.

"He's not an employee."

"Sir. We got a confession out of de la Rosa. I'd like to wrap up the paperwork, send Ryan and Esposito home and give them a half-day tomorrow. They've already clocked more than 60 hours this week."

"That's fine."

"Thank you, Sir." She waited for him to nod, so she could be dismissed.

She headed for coffee, but saw there was a large group of people in the break room. Two red heads, her dad, Lanie, Castle and the boys.

What the hell were they all still doing here? Didn't they have work? Things to do? Places to be? Ah, what did it really matter? she wondered. She was sending the boys home early anyway. She really wanted coffee, but she didn't want to go in there. She was paused between the Captain's office and the break room. Until her dad saw her.

She took a deep breath and walked in. Castle started making her an espresso.

"Katie," he said smiling and hugging her. "I just talked these fine young men into helping me on Saturday." She knew he'd made new cabinets and shelves for at Sheryl's bakery and was hoping to get them installed. She assumed that's what he was talking about.

How could he be smiling? The fact that he'd struggles with alcoholism was just revealed in a very public way.

She didn't really know what to say.

"I told him I'm not really handy," Ryan said, obviously not wanting quiet.

"You'll do better than dad," Alexis assured him.

Nothing from Castle. He handed Kate her coffee.

"Ah, he'll do fine," Jim said. He winked at Kate. "I'll have him whipped into shape in no time."

"Do you need help?" she asked.

"Whipping Rick into shape?" her dad teased. Not even a smile.

"Installing the cabinets?"

"Ah, no, Katie. And I believe you have plans?" He gave her a meaningful look and she realized he and Alexis had worked out a way to get Rick away from the apartment. They hadn't been able to meet the day before to record her song. Plus, they had puppy hunting to do.

Kate looked between her dad and Alexis and nodded.

"Ryan, Esposito. You guys can head out. Ten to two tomorrow, then the weekend's yours."

"Good. I'm gonna sleep all of that." Esposito said.

"I don't think so, Baby."

"Are you leaving now, too?" Alexis asked, sounding hopeful.

"No, I've got some paperwork to finish. Get this thing closed up."

"Katie—"

"Really, you all need to get out of here. I'll put you two to work if you stay…and the rest of you, really, you've been here too long. Hanging out at the precinct is not a good way to spend a nice summer's day."

She could feel Rick standing close to her. If she leaned just a little, she'd feel him. She could lean on him. But then she wouldn't stop. And she needed that backbone. She couldn't give it up. Lanie had questioned if it was there. And it was. Keeping her stiff and upright.

They were all hesitant to leave her. She knew they needed to know she had a plan. And she knew one of them was going to hound her, maybe all of them. Definitely Lanie and her dad. She wasn't sure about Castle. He was close, but distant.

"I'll be home around 7, Dad."

"I'll have dinner ready."

It was enough that the others acquiesced and started moving toward the door. Castle shuffled away from her a little, but he didn't move to leave yet.

Kate walked over to put her cup in the sink, when she walked back by, Castle stopped her by putting his hand on her forearm.

She glared at his hand. People could see into the break room. He knew that! "I don't need to add more fuel to the fire, Castle."

Castle hung his head and Kate felt like she was coming up empty. She'd used up every tool at her disposal to keep the anger at bay, but the rupture was coming. She needed to get out. Get away. Get to the gym. Be anywhere other than right here. She needed him to not be there.

Castle removed his hand as if he'd been burned.

"Castle, please. Go home."

So…hope I set that up well enough and that it didn't hit anyone out of left field. I know there's not a lot of Kate-Castle interaction in this chapter, but that's intentional. Don't worry, they'll be back on good footing next chapter!