Two
The chirping of the alarm on her iPhone woke Kate from her fitful sleep. She grimaced as she reached out to turn off the alarm. Her neck throbbed from the uncomfortable sleeping position that she took on the sofa and her legs ached as she tried to sit up. She glanced at her phone checking to see if there were any voicemail or text messages from Rick. There were none.
Walking to the kitchen, her nose was assaulted with the aroma of the uneaten dinner from the night before. Kate walked to the coffee maker and prepared a pot before heading to the shower. Grabbing a bottle of water from the refrigerator, she twisted off the cap and took a big gulp as she made her way to the shower. Turning on the water, she adjusted the knobs to what should provide the proper temperature. Drawing the curtain closed, Kate walked to the sink and began to brush her teeth as part of her usual routine. The time it took to brush her teeth allowed the water in the shower to reach the right temperature.
As Kate brushed her teeth, she replayed the events of the previous evening in her mind. She still couldn't understand why Rick had reacted to the news that she had interviewed for a job in DC the way he did. 'I thought that he'd be happy to see that others thought that she was destined for more important things than being a cop.' She mouthed to her reflection in the mirror. She had to admit that things between the two of them have been different since the Erik Vaughn case. Rick had been honest with her from the very beginning, telling her that he was jealous of Vaughn, yet Kate still let herself fall under his spell. Lanie did nothing to help the situation by going on and on about what a catch he was.
Pulling the curtain aside, she stepped into the massive claw-foot tub. Standing under the warm water her thoughts continued to drift back to that night in the hotel room with Vaughn. There was nothing particularly original in his whole pick-up routine. So why did it work on her? Why was she willing to forget everything that she and Rick had built over five years? Didn't she tell Rick that she loved him only a week earlier? She honestly didn't have the answers to any of the questions that she posed to herself and that troubled her.
She quickly finished her shower and returned to the sink where she quickly towel dried her hair as best as she could before using her dryer to finish the job. Running a brush through her hair, she smiled satisfied with the results. Applying her makeup as quickly as possible, Kate walked into her bedroom and dressed in a pair of designer slacks and a blouse that Castle had bought for her because he thought that she'd like it.
Walking back into the kitchen, she made her way to the coffee pot and poured herself a large cup of the dark brew that filled the room with its aromatic smell. Taking a large gulp from the cup, she started to throw out the contents of the previous evenings aborted dinner. Throwing the empty pots and pans in the sink, she walked back into the living room where she grabbed her purse and her iPhone from the coffee table. Glancing at the phone one last time for any missed texts or calls, Kate shoved the phone into her bag and slung it over her shoulder as she left her apartment.
The drive to the precinct was uneventful allowing her time to think about the interview in Washington DC. She had clearly impressed the deputy director with her service record with the NYPD. Kate never questioned the timing of the offer, or the fact that she had worked directly with other Federal agencies before and they had never expressed even a remote interest in having her work for them.
She wanted to be like Jordan Shaw. Jordan led her own team of agents, got all of the high profile cases, yet somehow had time to be a wife and mother. She had all of the coolest gadgets. Shaw seemingly had it all and truth be told, Kate was more than a little jealous of how impressed Castle was with her.
Exiting the elevator, Kate glanced at the bullpen to see if Rick was in his normal spot beside her desk. The chair was empty. Fighting back a frown she walked back to where Ryan and Espo were in the middle of a heated debate about something. Ryan saw her approaching and quickly stopped talking as he punched Javi's arm. Esposito looked up to see her approaching. "Beckett." Was all he said in an even tone. Ryan nodded and smiled at her.
Kate could tell that they were discussing something that they'd rather she not hear. "What's up guys?" She scanned the bullpen looking back to her desk to see if her usual cup of coffee was there. "Where's Castle?"
Ryan and Espo both looked at each other knowing that their suspicions were correct. Castle and Beckett must have had a fight the night before. Why else would he call to let them know that he wouldn't be coming into the 12th for a while. Normally, she would inform them if Castle wouldn't be in. No, something was wrong.
Espo decided to speak. "Your writer-boy called about an hour ago and told us that Gina had threatened him with bodily harm if he didn't turn in the final chapters for the next Nikki Heat book before Monday." He looked at her face to try to see what type of reaction she had to the news. Beckett had slipped into her interrogator mode and showed no expression at all to the information. "How come you didn't know? I thought that you were practically living together?"
Not wanting to provide any details that would let them know that she was looking for a job elsewhere, Kate decided to change the subject. "Never mind why. What do you have on the case?"
Ryan gives Espo a knowing look, he proceeded to provide the latest information they had gathered. Once again, one of Castle's wild theories bore fruit and led them to solving the case. Kate instructed the two detectives to bring in the brother of the man they originally suspected of the murder as she walked back to her desk. She'd make him talk.
Kate turns to face the murder board and looks at the evidence that they had gathered as she mentally prepares herself for the questions that she would ask of the suspect that Ryan and Esposito were bringing in. She hears the ringing of her cell phone on her desk and turns back to retrieve it. Kate glances at the area code and recognizes it as Washington DC. Swiping her finger across the screen to answer she places the phone to hear ear. "Hello?"
"Hello Ms Beckett. This is deputy director Friedman from the Attorney Generals office. I spoke to you yesterday."
Kate was somewhat surprised that the deputy director would call her personally. "Yes sir. Of course. What can I do for you?"
"Well Ms Beckett, I was very impressed with your interview and after hearing the glowing recommendations provided to me by agent Stack and your captain, I'd like to offer you a job on our task force.. Are you still interested?"
Kate was stunned. This whole thing had started as somewhat of a lark. She never thought that anything would come of it. It was nice to feel desired by others who recognized her talents. Just like the way she felt when Erik Vaughn was trying to seduce her. And once again, she'd let things go too far. She quickly tried to gather her composure before speaking. "Sir, this is a lot to take in. Could I have a little time to think this over?"
"I'd expect nothing less Ms Beckett, but I need an answer before the end of my day. We have a new training class that starts in two weeks and I'd like you to be part of it."
"Thank you sir. I promise to call you with my decision as soon as possible." Kate replies.
"Very well then. I'll expect your call later. Have a good day Ms Beckett."
Kate listens as the call ends. Still stunned by the suddenness of the offer, she glances around the bullpen and out to captain Gates' office. She was sitting at her desk and appeared to be looking through a report. Deciding that she was the one woman that could help her, Kate walked to her office and knocked on the captain's door.
Hearing the noise, Gates peered above the reading glasses she was wearing to see who was knocking. Raising her arm, she gestured for Beckett to come in. "Detective Beckett, how's the case going?"
"Ryan and Esposito are bringing in the senator's brother for questioning. We feel pretty confident that he was the one who murdered our victim."
"Good. Get a confession and get it closed. Gates facial expression indicated that she knew there was something else beside the current case that Kate wanted to talk about. "Is there something else that you want to discuss? Where's Mr Castle? I haven't seen him this morning."
Kate turned to close the door to the captain's office, trying to obtain a little privacy from prying ears. She swallowed hard before speaking. "Castle's trying to keep his publisher from doing him bodily harm by finishing up the book he promised to have ready a month ago."
Gates grinned at Kate's explanation. "I sometimes forget that this is his 'hobby' job. Don't tell him, but he could have been one hell of a detective."
Beckett can only offer her own feigned smile. "I won't sir. His ego's already the size of Mount Rushmore." She pauses for a couple of seconds to return the conversation back to where she wanted it. "Sir, I just got off of the phone with deputy director Friedman of the Attorney General's office.. I believe that you spoke with him yesterday.."
Kate would bet that the captain was one hell of a poker player because she could read nothing her facial expression. "Yes, detective. I spoke with him yesterday. It appears that you went to Washington DC for an interview?"
Kate realized at this moment, that she had burned a bridge in her career with the NYPD. The simple fact that she was interviewing for other jobs, especially with the Feds, was a clear sign that she wasn't satisfied with her present career path. "Yes sir. I was approached by agent Stack after the drone case." Kate decided that it was better to not elaborate.
"To be honest detective, I was surprised that there would be interest from any agency given your personnel issues in the last year.. Don't worry. I gave you a glowing evaluation."
Kate grimaced at the mention of her one month suspension less than a year ago for going rogue with Espo in an attempt to catch the sniper who nearly took her life. She had to admit that she was surprised that they would still offer her a job after seeing her personnel records. Kate had given them access to these records as part of the application process for the AG job. "Thank you sir.. About that.. I just received a call from director Friedman.."
"And he offered you the job." Gates finished Kate's thought.
"Yes sir."
"Well I guess congratulations are in order detective."
"I haven't made my decision sir."
Gates expression hardens a little as she takes off her glasses to look Beckett in the eye. "Yes you have. You made the decision that your career with the NYPD wasn't enough when you flew to Washington DC to interview for the job. There's nothing wrong with that detective, or should I say special agent?" The captain paused for a few seconds trying to gauge Beckett's reaction to her statement. "How did Mr Castle react to the news?" Gates knew that she would be losing not one, but two detectives with Beckett's departure.
Kate tries, but fails to hide the twinge of shame she felt at the captain's question. "I haven't told him sir.."
Now it was Gates turn to be surprised. She had known for a while that the detective and the writer were more than partners. Hell, she'd given him permission to kiss her after the bomb ordeal. The look on Kate's face said it all, she didn't tell Castle about the job, Knowing that it really was none of her business, she simply replied. "Oh. When do you have to give them a decision?"
"Before the end of the day sir."
"Well, let me know as soon as you can." The captain put her glasses back on and returned her attention to the report.
"Yes sir. Thank you." Kate replied as she turns to walk out of the office.
Kate's trip back to her desk was interrupted by the chirping of her cell phone. Pulling the phone from her pocket, she glances at the caller ID, secretly hoping that it was Castle. She frowned when she saw it was Ryan's number. Swiping her finger across the screen, she pulls the phone to her ear. "What's up Ryan? Did you get our suspect?"
There was a pause before Ryan spoke. "Yeah. About that.. We went back to the hotel where he'd been staying.. It looks like he checked himself out yesterday. We've put a bolo out for him and are following up on a tip from one of the other hotel 'guests'."
"Let me know just as soon as you have him." Kate replies.
"Will do boss." Ryan ends the call before Kate can respond.
The impending decision that's all but but made weighs heavily on her. Kate is suddenly feeling the need to be anywhere but in the bullpen. Grabbing her purse and slinging it over her shoulder, she makes her way to the elevator and down to the morgue. She really needed a friendly face right now.
She walks into the morgue and spots Lanie sitting at her desk dictating her report to her voice recorder. Kate stands outside her office and gently taps on the frame to get her attention. The medical examiner looks up and smiles at her friend. She gestures for Beckett to come into her office as she finishes her statement to the recorder. Switching the recorder off, she smiles and points to the chair for Kate to sit. "What's up girlfriend?"
Kate forces a small smile and replies. "I needed to see a friendly face right now."
Lanie tenses her posture in her chair at the comment. She knew Kate too well. Something was going on with her friend. She arched her eyebrow giving her a look that would not tolerate anything less than the truth. "Spill it girl. Why are you really down here?"
Realizing that there was no point in lying to her best friend, Kate starts to speak. "Remember that interview for the job in DC? Well, they offered me a job.."
"That's great, I guess. How do you feel about it?"
"It's a great opportunity Lanie. A chance to do more on a national stage." Kate replies.
Sensing that her friend wasn't being totally honest with her, Lanie presses the issue. "Is that what you want Kate?"
"I thought I did." Kate replies, her voice barely above a whisper.
"What does Castle think about it?" Lanie inquires. Seeing the look of shame on her face, she knows the answer. "You haven't told him, have you?"
"We had a fight yesterday. He found out about me going to DC for the job interview and stormed out of my apartment.."
Lanie had known Kate for a decade. She knew when she was only telling part of the story. She'd heard Kate's lame excuses for hooking up with Tom and Josh, why she couldn't be with Castle until she realized that she was about to lose him forever. "You didn't tell him, did you? He found out on his own, didn't he?"
"He found the boarding pass in my coat pocket and asked me why I flew to Washington DC without telling him."
"So what did you say?" The tone of Lanie's voice showed that she was growing weary of waiting for Kate to craft her story in a favorable light for her.
"I told him the truth.. That it was just an interview and that nothing would come from it anyway."
"Well I guess you were wrong about that." Lanie replies "So how did he react? Not well would be my guess."
Kate lets out a nervous laugh. "Yeah. That's putting it mildly. He told me that if I took the job that there would be no time for 'us'. That it would be the end of our relationship."
"Is he wrong Kate?" Lanie waited for a few seconds to let her question register with her friend. "What did you say?"
"I told him that it was my life. That I decide what is right for me." Kate replies without emotion. "He stormed out of my apartment saying that he couldn't stay there."
Lanie wanted to comfort her friend, but all she felt was anger at Kate for her callous and cavalier treatment of Castle. The M E would have made a play for him when they first met, but even then she could see how he only had eyes for the detective. She liked Rick and considered him a friend. Reigning in her anger, she asked as calmly as possible. "So what did you do?"
"Nothing. I figured that I'd give him a couple of days to cool off and he would see that I was correct." Beckett replies matter-of-factly.
Lanie could not believe what she heard. How could her best friend be so intentionally cruel to the man that she claimed she loved? Unable to remain silent, she decided to let Kate have a heaping helping of tough love, Lanie Parish style. "What if he doesn't see things your way? Is this job worth throwing away the one man who has stood beside you the last five years? Never mind. You're right. There will always be something that you will find lacking in him. Always some excuse to keep one foot out the door. Do you think that Vaughn would have stood with you on a bomb risking his life?" Lanie sighed in defeat before continuing. "So do the decent thing for once in your life. If this job is more important than him, then end it. Castle really loved you. He deserves someone that will make him her top priority, not an afterthought."
To say that Kate was shocked by the angry words would be a masterpiece of understatement. Not knowing anything that she could say that would justify her behavior, she opted for silence. Lanie just sat there giving her a resigned look like a parent trying to explain something to a small child. As she sat there, Kate's shock turned into righteous indignation at what she felt was a betrayal by her best friend. "I thought you were my friend, but I guess I was wrong. And if I remember correctly, it was you that went on and on about what a catch Vaughn was. Whatever happens between Castle and me will be my decision, not yours. It's my life."
Lanie sat there and stared at the woman that she thought was her best friend. She blinked repeatedly trying to fight back the tears before speaking. "Is that how it is? I'm only your friend when I say what you want to hear? You don't get it do you? A real friend will tell you when you're wrong. You're so full of yourself that the possibility that you're about to make the biggest mistake in your life will not even register." Lanie sniffled a bit and wiped a single tear from her cheek. "What if Castle finally sees that he's wasted the last five years of his life chasing something that can never be his?" Lanie paused again considering her last question. A look of shock appears as she realizes the truth. "That's what you want isn't it? You want Castle to end the relationship so you can run off to your new job guilt free? Good god! Who are you?"
Kate rose to her feet unwilling to continue this conversation. "I'm sorry I wasted your time. Goodbye Dr Parrish." She turned and walked out the door leaving the woman that had been her friend, her confidant shaking her head in disbelief. The only sound that Kate heard as she walked back to the elevator was the click of her heels as she pulled her phone from her purse. She pressed the call button for the elevator and then dialed the number she was provided. She rode the elevator to the lobby of the 12th precinct as she waited for the secretary to connect her.
"Hello Ms Beckett. I gather that you have made your decision?" Friedman inquires.
"Yes, sir I have. I'll take the job."