AN: Many thanks for the positive reviews. The next chapters deal with the aftermath of the decisions and setup the final part of the story.
Once again, Castle belongs to Marlowe and ABC.
Five:
Beckett sat on her sofa poking at her Chinese take-out with a chopstick, not really wanting to eat. The last 48 hours had been an adventure like nothing she has ever experienced. Her mind was a jumbled mess of thoughts about all of the things that needed to be done before she could leave for her new job. She needed to stay totally focused on what was ahead of her so that she had no time to reflect on the past. The reality of her and Castle ending their relationship didn't have to be addressed that way. Kate was sure that Castle and her friends would never understand the reasons behind her actions and accepted that as the price she would have to pay in her quest for justice.
She picked up a yellow legal pad that she had 'borrowed' from the precinct and began to make a list of all the things that needed done. Once satisfied that the list was complete, she sorted the tasks into the things that had to be done right away and the things that could be done as time became available. It looked daunting and that made her smile. She liked the challenge. It would also serve to keep her so busy that there would be no time to reflect or second guess her decisions.
Pulling up her laptop, she checked on flights to and from Washington DC. As it was Memorial Day weekend, Seats for the fight down on Saturday were plentiful, while seats for the return flight on Monday afternoon were nonexistent. She frowned and decided to check for return flights on Tuesday. Once again there were no seats available on any of the early flights, but a few were available on the early evening ones. She hated to lose a day when she had so few before the new job, her new life began, but booked the flights anyway. She'd call the number that Friedman's personal assistant had provided him and see if se could do the HR stuff that needed to be taken care of Tuesday before she flew back to New York saving her another trip there. She smiled to herself for thinking of this. A few seconds later she could hear the sound of her printer finishing the tickets. Walking to her desk, she picks them up and examines them.
Suddenly feeling very tired, Kate glances at her fathers wristwatch. While it was only a little after 10:00pm, Kate was exhausted. Knowing just how hectic the next couple of days will be, she decides to go to bed now. Dropping her uneaten dinner in the trash can, she makes a mental note to herself to throw it out before she flies out. The last thing she needs to face is the smell of rotten food in her apartment when she returns. In fact, maybe now would be a good time to clear out all of the half-eaten meals that have found a home in her refrigerator. She opens the door and stares inside, actually surprised that the number of styrofoam takeout containers is far less than what she seemed to have for years. She knew the reason why – Castle. Since they began 'dating', her nights alone with a takeout meal have been few and far between.
Beckett quickly emptied out the refrigerator into the can and then pulled the bag out of the can. She tied it shut and walked to the door with her keys in hand. Depositing the bag in the garbage chute, she returned to her apartment and checked off the first item on her list with her pencil. 'The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.' She smiled as she thought to herself. As she walked into her bedroom, she couldn't shake the cliché 'the road to hell is paved with good intentions' from her mind.
X-X-X
The five of them were enjoying their late dinner at one of the better restaurants in the city. Of course Rick 'knew a guy' that could get them in without a reservation. Castle wasn't above using his celebrity status when it was beneficial to his friends or family. He smiled as he looked at the others at the table. Ryan had become a little bother to him and Jenny in turn, a surrogate sister. Lanie was more like a big sister. Bossy and brutally honest, she really did care about him. Esposito was more of a puzzle. Some times he seemed like a friend while others Javi acted as if he couldn't stand him. After his apology earlier, Rick felt that he knew why. He was looking out for Kate and assumed that Castle was the reason behind her change of behavior. Rick understood that Javi looked out for her as if she was his own sister. He had put his career on the line going after her shooter without permission and nearly lost his job.
He regaled the group with stories from his wilder 'page 6' days. They laughed and had a good time. Castle was interested in hearing Jenny tell them about her pregnancy. Rick wanted her to feel as a part of the group. Castle watched the two exchange glances at each other when they thought no one was looking. He was happy for Kevin. He deserved it. Rick wondered if he would ever feel that way again.
The conversation wound down as the meal ended. After a sideways look from Jenny, Kevin comments on the time and how he needed to get his wife home. Rick calls the car service and insists that they ride home in it rather than a cab. Lanie and Javi decide to head to a club for a little dancing and invite Rick to come. Castle feigns a smile and tells them to go have a good time. He'd take care of the bill and then head home. Rick sincerely thanked them all for being there and promised to stay in touch. Part of him wanted to believe that they would, but Rick knew that Kate was the common thread that put them together. Without her, they would drift apart over time.
Rick now dreaded going back to his empty apartment, knowing that he had nothing to do but think about another failed relationship. This one hurt the worst. He had invested five years, longer than his two marriages combined. He wondered if he was destined to be alone his entire life. That there was some serious flaw in his character that made him unloveable.
Castle opens the door and enters the dark and empty place that has been his home for the last fifteen years. 'Home' he chuckled at the irony of the word to himself. With Alexis off to South America and Martha gone for the summer, it felt anything but a home to him right now. Suddenly feeling exhausted, he wanders to his bedroom and sheds his clothes. He plugs his phone into the charger and sets the alarm for 7:00 am, not knowing why he would need to be up so early on a Saturday. He can't help but think about the previous Saturday's spent here with Kate. How many times they would hit the snooze on the alarm while they held each other in their arms. Castle wiped a tear from his cheek that he didn't know was there as he crawled into the bed and hoped that he could get a little sleep. He had the rest of his life to mourn.
X-X-X
Beckett woke to the sound of her alarm blaring at 6:00 am. She slept well for the first couple of hours due to exhaustion, but tossed and turned the remainder of the night. Her unconscious dreams asked the questions that her waking ego wouldn't. 'Was she making the biggest mistake of her life? Is any job worth giving up everything that you have?' 'No, my record speaks for itself. Everyone says so. Cas- thinks that I'm extraordinary.' She stopped herself from finishing his name. Now was not the time to dwell on the past when there was so much to do for the future.
Kate unplugged her phone and checked for any messages. There was one from the airline confirming her flight later today, but none from anyone else. She walked into the kitchen and started a pot of coffee then returned to her bathroom and turned on the shower. Beckett showered and then put on some casual clothes that she could also wear on her flight. She walked back to the kitchen and poured herself a large cup of coffee. Kate blew on the steaming cup and took a cautious sip. It was strong and bitter, but would do the job of waking her up.
Before Castle came along, coffee was nothing more than a caffeine delivery system that she needed to put in the type of hours a cop does. He was observant and found out exactly how she liked the drink, bringing her in a large cup of the brew every morning. She smiled at the thought of how those coffees turned a bad day into a good one. Another thing sacrificed for her new career.
She carries the coffee to the living room and sits down on the sofa as she begins to review her list. She makes a mental note to pack a bag for her trip to Washington DC and hotel reservations. Grabbing he laptop, she checks Expedia to find a hotel for the nights that she'll be there. Once again with the holiday weekend the availability of rooms is minimal and the prices are higher. Kate groans and books a room that is close to mass transit, yet not in the city.
She glances at her watch and notices that it is just a few minutes after seven. She needed to call movers and make arrangements as soon as possible. Beckett needed to contact her realtor and see how to end the lease on this apartment and if there will be any penalties. The realtor may also be able to provide her with a contact in Washington DC to find a new place to live.
Kate calls the number for the realtor and it goes to voicemail as expected. She leaves a detailed message and leaves her cell number. Deciding to take advantage of the time until she could contact the movers, Beckett goes in to pack a bag for her trip. Satisfied with her effort, she closes the bag and carries it to the living room and sits it beside the sofa. She calls the mover only to find that they were closed for the holiday weekend also. Once again, she leaves a detailed message telling them to call her as soon as possible. Kate sighs in frustration feeling as if the entire world is ganging up against her pursuing her 'dream'.
Rick finally got out of bed the third time he had hit the snooze button. It wasn't like he'd gotten any sleep. In fact, it was the opposite. He'd laid there staring at the ceiling since 4:00 am, his mind a tangled mess of random thoughts about life and missed opportunities. Rick knew that it would not be easy getting over Kate Beckett. Hell, he'd been her 'partner' longer than both of his marriages combined. Castle knew that he would always love her, just as Kyra still had a place in his heart after all these years. And like Kyra, all Rick could hope for was to love her a little less with each passing day so he could move on as she has.
Castle staggered into his bathroom past Boba Fett and stood in front of the mirror. He stared at his refection, not happy with what he saw. He quickly brushed his teeth and decided against shaving, wondering if he could still pull off the old page 6 Castle look. A quick shower and he was ready for his morning caffeine fix. Rick prepares a cup of extra strong espresso on his machine and smiles as the room fills with the aromatic smell of coffee.
He was enjoying his coffee when Castle heard the pounding on his apartment door. For the briefest moment, he thought that maybe Kate decided that he was enough for her and was here to tell his that. He quickly walked to his door and opened it, unable to hide his disappointment when he saw it was his agent. Barging through the door before he could say a word, Paula turns to face him giving him a glare that would melt steel. "Are you trying to kill me?"
"Well good morning to you too." Castle replies sarcastically. "And what pray tell did I do this time?"
If anything her glare intensifies at Rick's glib response. "You know damn well what I'm talking about. Don't you check your voicemails?"
Rick can only give her a sheepish look as a response. "Shit. Sorry about that, but I kinda turned my phone off last night and forgot to turn it back on."
"I guessed as much and that's why I'm here. Your ex-wife publisher wants to kill you. She read the final chapters of the book and your requested title change. To say she was livid would be an understatement. I spent two hours on the phone with her last night assuring her that you weren't ending the Nikki Heat series."
"But I am." Castle interrupts.
"Don't say that! You don't mean that Ricky. What happened, did you and the 'detective' have a lover's quarrel? Don't kill the golden goose, please."
"We decided that we wanted different things." Castle replied, his voice barely above a whisper. Wanting to change the subject, he asks Paula if she would like a cup of coffee.
The agent could tell that her client was hurting and softened her tone. "I'm sorry to hear that Rickey. I really am, but Gina is threatening to not publish the book and hold you in breach of contract. It's my job as your agent to look out for your best interests.."
Rick feigned a small smile. "I know Paula, but I can't think about Nikki Heat right now. You negotiated my last contract with Black Pawn. It seems to me that I have creative control of my characters, don't I?"
"You do." Paula replies flatly. "But Rickey, you got lucky with Nikki Heat after killing off Derrick Storm like you did. Gina's threatening to not publish anything else you ever write."
"I don't feel like writing anyway. And if I do, it's your job to find me a publisher. After all, you are my agent.."
"You don't mean that. In spite of the fact that Gina is your ex, she is an excellent editor and publisher. You've been with Black Pawn for nearly twenty years. You owe them something.."
Rick arches his eyebrow in disbelief. "The last time I checked, Black Pawn has done pretty well publishing my books. What do they owe me? When I killed off Derrick Storm, everyone, including you, thought that it was the end of my professional career. Then I came up with Nikki Heat and all was forgiven. The last time I checked, you work for me, or have I been giving ten percent of my income to the wrong person?"
Paula was stunned. Richard Castle was her favorite client. Easy going and willing to listen to her, he made her job enjoyable, unlike some of egotists that she dealt with. She could tell from the tone of his voice that he had drawn a line in the sand. Softening her approach, she replied. "You're right Rickey. I do work for you and I have been for nearly twenty years. I try to look out for your best interests and sometimes you make it difficult, not that I'm complaining." She paused to see what type of reaction Rick had to her comments. Satisfied that he was at least listening, she continued. "At least you didn't kill off Heat the way you did Storm.. How about a compromise, I'll give you six months to come up with a new character to pitch to Black Pawn. If you don't have anything by then, or you change your mind, you can write another Nikki Heat novel.."
"I don't know Paula. I don't feel like writing at all right now. I just want to get away." Rick replies.
"You never do after you finish a book. Six months is a long time. Will you at least consider it. I need something to offer Gina. You know how she is.."
Castle can't help but smile at Paula's comment. "Yes, unfortunately I know all to well. Let me take the summer off and I'll do all of the promotional work that Gina will want with the new book this fall when it's released. I can't guarantee that I'll feel like writing by then, but that's the best I can offer right now."
The agent knew that there was significantly more to this story than what he was letting her know. She also knew that now was not the time to press the issue. Deciding to change the subject, Paula inquires. "So do you have any plans for the summer? I spoke to the producer of the new Heat movie and he'd love to have you come out and act as a consultant. They start shooting late next week.. Think about it. I don't need an answer right away, but time is short. I can send a copy of the screenplay over by courier if you'd like."
"I don't know Paula, but I promise to think about it. I just need to get away from New York for a while.."
"Let me go and talk to your publisher and relay what you told me. I'll let you know what I find out as soon as possible, probably later today knowing Gina."
"Ok. Thanks. Sorry for the trouble." Castle replies weakly.
"Hey, that's what I do, right?" She leans in and brushes her cheek against his while making a kissing sound. "You take care and I'll talk to you later. Think about the screenplay.." The agent turns and walks out of the apartment without looking back.
Rick turns to go back to the kitchen to make another cup of coffee as the one he had turned cold during his conversation with Paula. He wanted to feel bad for the way he spoke to her, but didn't feel like being chastised for doing something that had to be done. Rick certainly didn't want to face Gina right now. After finally being able to get some caffeine into his system, Castle started to ponder what to do for the day. Up until a few days ago, he had planned on going to the Hamptons with Kate for a long weekend. 'So much for those plans' he mocked to himself. The last thing he wanted to do was be alone in a place that held so many memories of her and him together.
The realist in him wanted to start gathering up Kate's belongings so that someone could pick them up as soon as possible. Martha was leaving next week to do summer theater in the midwest and Alexis was going to South America a few days later. Based upon his conversation with Lanie last night, he didn't think that she would be willing to do Kate any favors right now. This meant that he had to get everything together and have someone meet her at the loft while he stayed away. The longer he delayed it, the harder it would be to accept that is was really over.
The loft seemed suffocating and he needed to get out of there now. Grabbing his keys and checking to make sure that he had his wallet, he slipped on his shoes and was out the door. Rick pulled out his iPhone and checked for any messages, other than the ones from Gina and Paula that he already knew about. There was one from Kevin that came late last night thanking him for the dinner and telling him to call anytime. He considered Ryan a true friend. Esposito on the other hand he wasn't as sure about. Despite what he said last night, Rick knew that Javi would always be loyal to Kate first.
Before he realized it, he was in the parking garage and climbing into his Mercedes. In spite of the nice weather, the last thing he wanted to do was be spotted by anyone in his Ferrari. Pulling out of the garage and into the busy New York city traffic. With no place to go, he just followed the flow of the traffic and was entering New Jersey. 'A day in Atlantic City might take my mind off of things.' He told himself.
Pulling in front of the Trump Casino, he handed his keys to the valet and walked to the front desk. A few minutes later, Rick was standing in one of the nicer rooms. Knowing that he would be alone, Castle opted for a single room rather than the suite he normally took back in his page 6 days. He decided to call Alexis and Martha to let them know that he was staying the night in AC and that he was fine. Both agreed that getting out was a good idea.
Rick turned on the TV in his room which came on to the hotel information channel. He scanned the information looking for whom would be the headliner in the main room. Glad to see that it wasn't Carrot Top, he calls the front desk and reserves a seat near the stage. For at least one night he'd forget the mess that was his love life and try to have some fun..