Disclaimer: This piece of fan fiction is for entertainment purposes only. I am not seeking a profit and assert that the characters and universe do not belong to me. Any similarity between my own ideas and ones that end up on Castle will be celebrated. Even if I could afford to sue, I never would. That would be stupid.

Ok, so, the first attempt at Gates... wasn't great. I know some people will be mad at me for repeating myself AGAIN with #62 but... oh, well; you're getting this story for free.

Upload Date: 16.03.13

Chapter Rating: T

Summary:

Different scenarios of Gates telling Castle about Beckett''s feelings and Castle confronting Beckett.

#61
Police Picnic

#62
An Honourable Man

#61

It started out as a great Police Picnic. Gates was even showing more of her lighter side thanks to a healthy dose of peppermint Schnapps.

It all deteriorated when they got to the three-legged race. Castle toppled backwards, taking Beckett with him.

They moved him to a picnic blanket. She gently rolled him over onto his stomach. He had painful prickles all over, particularly the posterior region, and Beckett was pulling them out one by one, Castle trying to suppress yelps of pain.

"Now, that's what I call true love," Gates hiccupped as she passed them.

Beckett froze.

"Uh... maybe we should talk about this later," Castle suggested. "When I'm not... in this position."

"Good idea."

"So," said Beckett when they got back to her place, "Uh... do you think Gates knows?"

"Probably," said Castle, "but I don't think she had proof - she even seems to be ok with it. She thinks we have true love."

"Well, she's not wrong."

"You agree with her?'

"Castle, I spent the better part of the afternoon pulling prickles out of your ass in front of a hundred of my colleagues and their families. If that doesn't prove how much I love you, I don't know what does."

Castle smirked.
"You... do realise that's the first time you've actually told me you loved me in so many words."

She smiled back and inched closer to him.

"I realise it."

"Well, as long as you know . For the record, I was not hating that position you had me in."

"Well, maybe we could try it without the clothes this time."

His smile broadened and he kissed the bejesus out of her.

"I would not be opposed to that, either," he whispered against her skin.

With one last kiss, she broke free of his embrace.

"I'll get the lotion.

Castle's eyes rolled to the back of his head.

#62

The buck was up. Gates had discovered Beckett's deal with Bracken; how she had withheld serious evidence from her - again - because of her mother's murder case - again. Beckett was still on probation. If Gates reported her, that was the end of her career. So, Castle made a decision.

"Mr. Castle, this is none of your concern. Now, kindly get out of my office and let me do my job."

"I think you'll find, sir, that what I'm about to say to you is very much my concern. I understand that Beckett needs to be disciplined. She went behind your back. You must be feeling pretty betrayed."

"How I feel is irrelevant, Mr. Castle. Detective Beckett, no matter how good she is at her job, needs to be held accountable for her actions."

"And you should do that. But if you really want to punish her; if you really want to teach her a lesson, take away one of her privileges."

"I'm afraid not letting her use the Coffee machine you kindly donated to the precinct isn't going to cut it, Mr. Castle."

"No, I mean taking away something that means even more to her. Something she'll sorely miss."

As she watched his darkened expression, it finally dawned on Gates what he might be on about.

"Take away something she loves," she said softly.

Castle nodded gravely. He was glad she had caught on so quickly.

"It's your decision."

"You're prepared to do that - even if it means never returning again?"

"At the risk of sounding melodramatic, the city needs Detective Beckett more than I need to keep playing cop for another four years. I've already spoken to the mayor. He won't stand in your way."

Gates surveyed him for a second before taking a deep breath.

"Mr. Castle, your position as shadow here at the department is hereby revoked."

He took a deep breath. Good, he tried to tell himself. That's what you wanted.
"Thank you, sir. It's been... real."

"Mr. Castle, I know you and I haven't always seen eye to eye; but don't think it's escaped my notice before now that you mean well. Overall I think you've been good for morale and occasionally even helpful."

Castle smiled.
"Thank you, sir. That means a lot." Coming from you, he added inwardly.

"But tonight you've proven to me beyond a doubt that you are an honourable man."

"Wow. Thank you, Sir."

"Victoria."

"Victoria," his voice cracked. Hey! Stay cool, Rick.

"Have you discussed this with Detective Beckett?"

'No. This was my decision."

"Would you like me to speak to her?"

"No, I think it's best that she hears it from me."

"I agree," said Gates. "Good luck with that."

"Well, it may not be easy to accept at first but hopefully she'll understand that I did the right thing."

"Castle, what were you doing in the Captain's office?"

"We were just talking."

"Talking?! Castle, that's sweet but you probably made it worse."

"Relax, it's taken care of."

"'Taken care of'? What on earth does that mean?"

"Detective."

Beckett looked up to see Gates.

"There will be no disciplinary action taken. The matter has been settled."

"Sir?"

"Consider this your second strike, Detective. One more and you're out. Have a good night - both of you." With that, she left.

"What did you say to her - Did you pay her off?"

Castle snorted in spite of himself. "Are you kidding me? Bribe Iron Gates? You think I 'd still have testicles if I tried that?"

"Then how did you convince her?"

"Kate, maybe you should sit down."'

Beckett's face was frozen in place.

"What's going on, Castle?"

He took a deep breath. He didn't need to say it. It was written all over his face.

"No." She shook her head. "You didn't."

"Kate, I had to. You're still on probation. You would have lost your job. You love your job. If someone told me I couldn't write any more - "

"There has to be some other way."

"Do you know one? I have been racking my brains all day trying to think of some other solution. I don't want to do this but it's the right thing to do."

She couldn't look at him. Finally she turned back to face those earnest blue eyes and -

Shit. As much as she hated him right now for the decision he had made without discussing it with her first, she had never loved him more than she did in this moment for the sacrifice he had made for her .

"I'm sorry," she said, putting her hands on his face. "I - you're right. It was the right thing to do. It's just... going to hurt; it already hurts, God."

"I know; I'm sorry, sweetheart."

"So... this is it?"

"This is it.'

"Oh, God, I wish we had more time."

"I think four years is plenty of time. You mind... telling the boys for me? Might be easier."

"Yeah, of course. So, we're still...?"

"Of course. I mean, I'm still if you're still."

"I'm still. Definitely still."

"Not that any of this is easy but I think Gates was right. Taking away something you love is punishment enough."

"She actually said that?"

"I think she's more perceptive than we give her credit for.

"For the record, she's right."

He smiled sadly.
"I know. I love you, too, so much.

"You'd better. 'Cause I ..." She took a deep breath.

"Kate, it's ok."

"I love you so much it's breakin' my heart right now," she finally managed to choke out.

The small smile he gave her as he tucked a stray hair behind her ear told her everything she needed to know.

"Kate - "

"You should go because I don't want to cry at my place of work."

"I don't wanna cry at your place of work, either. Are you gonna be ok?"

"Hey, I was catchin' bad guys before you got here. I'm sure I'll manage. It's not gonna be as fun with out you."

"Well, if you get bored with paperwork, you are free to sext me under the desk whenever you like."

That brought on a smile.

God, he was so... Castle.

'"I'll keep that in mind."

He stepped into the elevator and nodded.

"Thank you, Castle. For everything."

"Always."

Then the doors closed and he was gone.

Reader: Cofkett, stop writing these sad scenarios!

Author: I have to be true to my artistic vision.

Reader: *snort* You write fanfiction, loser. Not exactly shakespeare.

Author: I resent that. Most of them have been fluffy but sometimes you need to explore other emotions, too.