Disclaimer: I still don't own Castle but if they wanted me to then that would be cool

Previously: Beckett tells Castle that she remembers & Lanie tries to set things right

IV

'What the hell, Lanie,' shrieked Kate rounding on her friend as soon as the door hit the frame.

'What?' said Lanie, a smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth as she breezed past her friend to take a seat on the couch.

'Don't mess with me, Lanie,' said Kate. 'What are you planning?'

Lanie shot her a look as if to say 'isn't it obvious', taking a sip of her wine, 'I'm fixing things.'

'Fixing things? Nothing needs to be fixed, Lanie.'

'Mm-hmm that explains why you're moping around like nobody's business and why writer boy can't seem to tell his left from his right.'

Kate sat down next to Lanie, 'that – that's complicated.'

'So I've heard,' Lanie muttered dryly.

'Lanie,' sighed Kate, her head falling onto the back of the couch, her eyes sliding shut in tired exasperation.

'I'm doing this for your own good, Kate,' said Lanie laying a reassuring hand on Kate's knee. 'You and writer boy are perfect for each other. Everyone can see that but the two of you.'

'You don't understand, Lanie.'

'Then talk to me, Kate. Am I your best friend or am I your best friend?'

Kate smiled weakly, 'I lied.'

'I'm gonna need a little more than that,' said Lanie as she exited the room, returning with a suitcase in tow.

Kate heaved a long sigh, a melancholy feeling warping its path around her heart, 'When I got shot, the last thing I heard before I lost consciousness was Castle telling me that he loved me. But that day he visited me in the hospital I told him I couldn't remember anything.'

'Kate, that's-'

'Yeah I know, one of the most horrible things a person can do.'

'Well there's that but Kate this is huge.'

A non-committal hum broke through Kate's lips.

'But why lie about it, girl? The man finally got his head out of your ass long enough to tell you how he felt.'

Kate shook her head dismissively.

'I'm just saying it like it is.'

Kate drained the last dregs of wine sloshing at the bottom of her glass, 'I wasn't ready for that. I didn't want to be some kind of broken doll he had to piece back together.'

'Oh sweetie,' said Lanie, her hand brushing over Kate's, the simplicity of the touch, of her friendship soothing Kate's burning edges. 'Writer boy would have waited.'

'No,' said Kate, shaking her head. 'That isn't fair.'

'Maybe not but he did it anyway.'

'And how would you know that?'

'Girl please, writer boy would not have come round here like you stole his sheep if he hadn't been waiting for you.'

'He was probably drunk.'

'Yeah, giving himself the kick up the ass he needed, I bet,' murmured Lanie darkly.

Kate stood up abruptly, grabbing the two empty wine glasses and headed for the kitchen, depositing them in the sink. Her hips collided painfully with the hard counter but she took no notice of the pain, spreading her hands along the counter's edge. Kate's head drifted forward until her chin rested gently on her chest. A curtain of hair fell loosely around her face shielding the tears that were quickly springing to her eyes.

Is that what she was afraid of? That he'd wait? That their partnership had gotten to such an important point that he'd wait for her to finally be able to turn around and tell him that she loved him? She couldn't picture it, Richard Castle, the famous playboy writer, with blonde bimbos hanging off his arm waiting in the wings just so one woman could say she loved him… but there was another side of him. He was also Richard Castle, the dad, and she knew deep down that that man would wait till the end of the earth for something he loved.

When had everything gotten so complicated?

A shuffle of movement to Kate's right alerted her to Lanie's incoming presence. She didn't want to move. She didn't want to feel. She didn't even want to talk. She just wanted to wallow in self-pity like a teenager convinced their life was over after a break-up

Lanie wrapped her arm around Kate's waist guiding her out of the kitchen, 'You just go to sleep Kate and let me worry about tomorrow.'

'But-'

'No objections, Kate. Get your rest.'

Kate shifted restlessly in her sleep, the crisp white sheets entwined around her body. Her mind was sharp with images, each image tumbling past with no evident meaning or purpose. Kate sucked in a breath, her lungs constricting painfully, the crushing pressure of her nightmares descending upon her. Her eyes slowly opened, blinking a number of times as they adjusted to the light, a glisten of sweat shinning slightly in the morning sun as it wove its course down Kate's neck.

She stumbled out of bed, her shoulder scraping against the door frame as she tried to navigate her way through the apartment. The clanging of china against a hard surface reminding Kate of her late night visitor and the arrangements the M.E. had made.

The last few days had felt like a walking nightmare and Kate was pretty damn sure things were only going to get worse, if that were even possible.

The medical examiner turned as she heard the detective approach, a look of composure and pure business plastered to her face. Lanie said nothing and her face gave away even less as she handed Kate a mug of coffee, the hot liquid slopping over the edges, meeting flesh.

'You,' said Lanie pointing her finger at Kate's chest, 'are going to have a shower, drink this and get dressed because we have to go pick up Writer boy in half an hour.'

'Lanie, this really isn't necessary.'

'What did we talk about last night? I want no arguments, go.'

Kate felt like she was 15 years old again, getting the third degree from her parents about something or other she'd done - or hadn't done but this was Lanie and Kate knew she meant well but she just didn't want to do this. She didn't want to have to face Castle after her little breakdown over the past few days and especially after her little outburst the night before. Kate just couldn't face it. Cowardly, that's what she was and Kate couldn't find the will to care.

Now Lanie had formed some kind of twisted plan that included a beach house and one ruggedly handsome writer and what she'll assume will be good quality time alone together. Just the perfect situation for two people to run head first at a bunch of problems by locking them in a box together and waiting for it to explode.

Kate stepped into the shower, the spray of the water cascading over her limps, the pressure soothing the knots in her muscles. The nervous need to run stuck with her, clinging to her, waiting for a chance - any little chance - to take charge and bolt at the first opportunity but she couldn't let that need win. Kate turned off the water, hands reaching around the shower curtain, groping for the towel, plastering the soft cotton around her body.

The detective strode into her bedroom finding an outfit spread out on top of her bed covers, a floral top, underwear and her jeans. Lanie had thought of everything. Kate tugged her clothing on; doing her hair and make-up at top speed with Lanie running in and out of her room counting down the minutes till they left.

A light knock sounded from the door, 'You ready? We gotta go.'

Kate finished the last brush stroke of mascara casting a glance towards Lanie standing in the doorway, 'I'm ready.'

'Good girl. My car's out front and your bags are all packed.'

Kate hesitated a moment before striding towards the front door and her best friend, 'thanks Lanie.'

Kate hovered nervously behind Lanie as she watched her best friend's knuckle rap methodically against Castle's front door. Each second seemed to tick by slowly until Castle's face loomed before them, the usual twinkle in his eyes absent.

Castle bowed his head slightly in polite acknowledgment, 'Dr. Parish,' he said, the usual playfulness of his tone barely evident and then completely evaporating as the word 'Beckett' rolled off his tongue.

It was wildly evident to all of them that he was giving her the cold shoulder and Kate couldn't fault him but she wasn't going to let it grate her. She didn't even want to be here and apparently she wasn't the only one. It seemed as though last night's little drunken appearance was just that, a drunken appearance.

Kate trailed after Lanie into the loft, hanging close to the door unsure of how welcome she was here. Castle and Alexis were nowhere to be seen but Lanie stood in the kitchen muttering quietly with Martha. The red haired woman dashed off somewhere only to return just as Castle strode out of his study with a suitcase in tow.

Martha strode straight for Kate, a small grey gift bag clutched in her right hand that Kate would recognise anywhere.

'Kate, darling,' said Martha, planting a kiss on both of her cheeks. 'You forgot to take this with you the other night.'

A slight blush rose to Kate's cheeks, 'I- er- Martha it's fine really. I don't want-'

'Nonsense kiddo, this will come in handy, believe me.'

'Martha, I really don't think-'

Kate's words were cut off as Martha brought her into an abrupt hug, whispering gently in her ear, 'Richard can be a foolish man sometimes but believe me kiddo when I tell you that that man cares for you more than you may want to admit and I know that you love my son whether you want to admit that to yourself or not. For both of your sakes please try and make an effort.'

'Mother please let go of the detective before she files a restraining order. I wouldn't put it past her.'

Martha dropped her arms from Kate's shoulders, rounding on her son before Kate could get any words out of her mouth, 'stop being so petty, Richard.'

'I wasn't-'

'Yes you were. This is Kate Beckett you're talking about… not Gina… or Meredith. Just you remember that.'

Shock stole over Castle's features, 'I wasn't even-'

'I think this should be our queue to leave,' Lanie jumped in, making a move for the door.

Kate stood rooted to the spot, seething with anger. If this was setting the tone for what to expect in the Hamptons then she wasn't sure how long she would be able to keep a lid on her anger before she was forced to say things she didn't particularly want to.

She slowed as she got to the hallway, turning towards Martha who stood close behind her and grabbed the older woman's hand making a quick decision, 'I'll try, Martha.'

Martha smiled warmly, squeezing Kate's hand in return and handed her the gift bag, 'that's all I ask, Kiddo.'

Lanie, Kate and Castle headed round the block towards Lanie's car without much disruption. Kate took a seat at the back of the car as Castle carefully packed his suitcase away in the boot. He stood on the pavement for a short while clearly debating where exactly he should sit before opening the front door to the passenger seat.

'Oh no, writer boy, you're not sitting up front with me and annoying the hell out of me which I know you will,' Lanie said, pursing her lips. 'You can sit at the back with Kate.'

Castle cast Lanie a dark look, slamming the passenger door before retreating to the back seat. Both Kate and Castle seemed to sit as close to the car doors as they possibly could, pointedly glaring out their respective windows. Kate cast a quick look in Castle's direction, visible tension clinging to his hunched shoulders, his leg shaking frantically reminding Kate of a small dog. The space between them felt as though it could stretch endlessly with no hope of connection.

'That's a good boy. Martha gave me directions to the Hamptons so you don't have to worry one little bit about me not knowing where I'm going.'

No one replied to her and despite Lanie's best efforts to create conversation, stony silence swallowed them whole. Kate tried to focus her mind on the changing scenery but Martha's parting words swirled continuously through her mind. She wanted to make an effort, she honestly did but she didn't know how or even if she could.

Just as Kate was about to complain about the cramp beginning to form in her lower limbs, the car slowed to a halt. The air caught in Kate's lungs, the true beauty of the place catching her off guard. She'd known that the Hamptons had been known for its fancy, over the top houses but nothing prepared her for this.

She opened her door and slowly rose out of the car, her eyes focusing on the house, her mouth opened slightly in awe. Kate caught Castle staring at her, slowly scrutinising her reactions as if it would uncover some kind of unknown secret. It unnerved her. If circumstances were different she would have wholeheartedly expected him to watch and stare but this was something different.

Castle got the luggage out the car and surprising her in the process as he carefully carried her case up to the front door.

Lanie stopped him at the door before he could fish out his keys handing him a rather large bracelet and then another to Kate as she joined them, instructing them to put them on.

The cool metal of the bracelet clasped tightly around her wrist, squeezing her skin ever so slightly. There was something strangely familiar about the bracelet but Kate couldn't quite figure out what it was. That was until she noticed the flicker of green light from the corner of her along the edge of metal and it all became clearer. She should have known.

'I got Javi to ring in a few favours to get these if I promised to take him up on a, er, certain offer,' said Lanie, smirking like a Cheshire cat, fire dancing in her eyes.

Kate glared at her friend, 'are these really necessary?'

'Hell yes!'

Castle stared at the two women completely at a loss to what was going on. Lanie gave him a clear look of pity before filling him in, 'They're similar to the ankle bracelets we give to prisoners on probation letting them go a certain distance away from their homes depending on the circumstance and the police are able to keep tabs on their location.'

Kate glanced at Castle who was nodding with intrigue written all over his face.

'We got these made so you can only go a certain distance away from each other but I won't tell you how far because I know you'll want to find out for yourselves.'

Castle fidgeted with the bracelet, twisting it in circles, leaving a red rash in its wake, 'how will we know?'

'Oh trust me, you'll know,' said Lanie, unable to keep the smile off her face. 'And I'll know too so please don't make me phone to tell you off.'

Lanie moved forward, wrapping her arms around the detective, 'You go get your man, Kate.' It was barely a whisper but Kate caught every word, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. Castle didn't miss the transaction, his body language clearly itching with curiosity to know what had been said. Lanie quickly said goodbye to Castle before getting back in her car and heading back to city, leaving her passengers staring dumbly after her departing figure.

A/N: I'm sooooooooo sorry that it's taken me about 3 months to update this fic. I was busy with uni and this chapter has been sitting on my laptop for the last month or two :/ I've got some one-shot ideas that I'll try to write and upload simultaneously alongside with this one.

Reviews are like chocolate, addictive for the soul (;

- Jess xox