Chapter 27 – Levitation and Amends

Disclaimer – nothing has changed in the past 24 hours. I still only own my mind and my story – not the characters.

How did she get here? Somehow Kate's feet had transported her twenty-four blocks from Dr. Burke's office to Castle's corner. She could recall the two coffees consumed along the way and the incessant checking of her phone for a message. Any sign of life.

How did he get here? Four years ago he was looking for something new, something different. Really it wasn't a thing he was looking for, it was a person - someone, a partner, who wasn't put off by his public persona, someone willing to take the time to understand HIM. Someone who was capable of standing toe to toe with him, he needed someone who challenged him. Castle had found her, the challenge was holding on to her. He knew the love was there, on both their parts – even if she couldn't say it. It was their communication, or lack thereof, that created so many obstacles.

She paced back and forth back and forth, looking up at the corner window of his loft. Damn, she wanted to go up. Figure out a way to make it right. Truth was she wasn't ready. She was willing, but not ready. Instead she chose to huddle in a doorway staring up, wondering how he was doing. Ego, pride they really can be a girl's worst enemy or was it the kryptonite she was afraid of?

Kate told herself that if he had just called or texted, reached out in some way she might have found the courage to go up. It probably wasn't true, but he was always the one to offer the first olive branch.

There was nothing. Not that she could blame him. She couldn't bring herself to count the number of times she had told him to go home, walked away from him, or told him it was over. It hurt her to think about it.

He gazed out the corner window of his loft, carefully tying his tie and wondering how long it would take for his Mother's plan to blow up in his face. Castle knew that it was the only solution; he doubted Kate wanted to hear from him or that he would be a welcome sight on her front doorstep.

Kate saw the lights turn off in the loft, checking her watch it was only eight o'clock. Castle must be going out for the night. She quickly stepped off the curb to head home. Kate wasn't prepared to run into him. She pulled herself back onto the sidewalk as a group of SUVs zoomed past her and pulled up in front of Castle's building. She ducked back into her hiding place of the darkened door way.

As a group of paparazzi hurdled themselves out of the offending SUVS, Kate's only thought was 'crap.' She closed her eyes, hoping they were in the neighborhood for someone else. She peeked out of hooded eyes, no such luck. Her eyes followed as an elegantly dressed Martha and a dressed to kill Castle paused for photos before jumping into a waiting limo and took off.

Castle clung tightly to his mother as they pulled away. "I hope this works. I usually love the camera; tonight all I wanted to do was punch one of those guys in the nose."

"Richard, have a little faith in your Mother." Martha hoped her voice sounded convincing, she wasn't sure at all.

Kate stumble through her front door – didn't even care to sweep the apartment, she knew she should but she was just so very tired. She dropped her jacket in a heap at the front door and kicked off her boots. How funny was it that hours ago all she wanted was her gun and now she didn't give a damn?

A glass of wine was calling her name, until she caught sight of a picture of her and Lanie stuck in the corner of her computer. Maybe if she started by making amends with Lanie then she could work up to Rick.

Kate retrieved her phone from her purse and started to text her friend. Deleting the text she decided it was best to call instead. "Hey, Lanie – you have time for an old friend?"

"Does it involve a gun?"

Kate snickered "No, wanted to know if you had time for a drink. I am not very impressed with how I treated you earlier. You deserve more than a terse 'It's complicated' and me bolting from the diner. "

"On my way over."

Kate hung up the phone, relieved that her friend was so forgiving.

Castle was miserable. The photos, the press line, the small talk at the benefit that Paula had gotten him and his mother into at a moment's notice was good safe PR, but the last place he wanted to be. His cheeks hurt from forced happiness. Thankfully no one had asked about Beckett, only when the next book was coming out.

He owed his Mother a thank you, she and Paula were right it was time to crank up the 'Heat Wave' movie PR machine.

Castle had secretly fantasized that he and Beckett would be doing the PR together. He had even checked out gowns to buy her. Castle reached up and slapped himself in the forehead.

"Are you all right Richard?"

"I may have had a gown shipped Beckett's apartment."

There was that blasted use of 'Beckett' again. "MAY HAVE?" Martha attempted to steady her voice "For heaven's sake what for?"

"The studio is arranging a private East Coast rough cut pre-screening of 'Heat Wave' next month. Apparently, I was getting ahead of myself." Castle groaned loudly "The note, oh my god the note. She is going to kill me. Maybe there is a way to stop it."

"Richard, you will do no such thing. I told you I would handle Detective Beckett and I meant it."

Kate swung open the door and gave Lanie a hug.

"Girl, you okay? Hugging isn't your style."

"I know" a smile ran across Kate's face "but it's easier than apologizing."

Lanie laughed as she hung up her coat. "Where's the wine?"

The two old friends curled up on the couch side by side. The small talk flowed freely. However, the get together wasn't about small talk.

"So, um the real reason I wanted you over here was I realized something today."

Lanie watched as Kate struggled to speak. She raised her glass to her friends and gave it a little clink "Go on."

"I never properly thanked you for saving my life. I know it was you that pounded on my chest, it was you who pressed with all you're strength to try and stop the bleeding." Kate stopped talking to wipe away a misbehaving tear. "I remember hearing you say 'Don't you dare die on me.' It helped; you have no idea, how hearing you say that helped. And until now I never thanked you. I was too caught up in me."

The friends put down their glasses and clung to each other, tears flowed freely.