Genre: Drama, Crime, Romance, Family, Humor

Rating: M for sexual situations and language

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters featured on the show Castle, they belong to the creator of the show, ABC, and the others who do own them.

A/N #1: Great to get the reviews I did so right to my thank yous! TORONTOSUN (Nice to see you thought it was great writing of course! And I'm so happy to read that you like the back and forth between timelines since this is supposed to be in Castle's head. So I'm glad you mentioned it as I did really enjoy writing that!),

MsNYC (Really pleased that you loved the flashback in the last chapter; I say flashback since that was supposed to be one long flashback, lol. And shoot, I didn't explain things clearly enough, so I'm not surprised you weren't sure of that bit with the characters. And yes, there will be characters from the modern show and my series in the 20's bits. What I did in the 1926 parts is change the last names though I kept the letters of the last name the same. So Espinosa is Esposito and Rowan and Ryan to use them as an example. I really tried to keep first names the same but the last names I did that, just changed the name but kept the beginning letter the same… I really hope that makes sense. I suppose I can compare it to the eppy The Blue Butterfly though they're not other people. Lol, again I hope it makes sense and sorry if I've just made it worse but that's the best I can explain it for now. Nice to see you thought it was great writing as usual! Also, happy to read that the story is easy to follow except for the characters as you asked about. Oh, if you have any confusion about names in the future you can contact me, and I'll be happy to explain too!),

vetgirlmx (So glad to see you thought it was another fun chapter! And not surprised at your comments about Tyrrell with him trying to blame Junior though thinking no one would notice. And I laughed a bit at your comment about Junior having very colorful acquaintances, but you make a point and you also describe how the 1920s could be, so you're right! Glad I could surprise you with Patrick and Junior being an item, but it does explain why Patrick married Skye to be close to her brother. And yeah, the hiding the grief well… part of the history of being gay in the past when it was heavily unaccepted so that's where I'm going with that. I'm not surprised that you're wondering how Rick isn't going crazy having the flashbacks while being very obviously in love with Kate; definitely torture you're right, oh, I mean pure torture, lol. But not surprised that you feel sorry for him. And not surprised either that you mentioned that with the flashback you'll get to see more of baby Eliza, glad to read it's always fun! You make a good point, the bit where Stitch became history kinda came out of nowhere but yeah, she is older so I thought it would eventually happen. And yep, they definitely grow up so fast! So pleased to see that you loved all the jumping back and forth there was in the chapter since I wasn't sure how that would be taken be the readers! And I'm so glad you can't wait to see what I have for you next, and now you don't need to anymore!) and

Mb (Really glad to see that you're enjoying this story and find it unique as I was hoping to have this story come across as that! So pleased that you're enjoying the way I'm throwing in flashbacks, as you put it, to Castle and Beckett in modern times with the 1926 time period; I had fun doing that so knowing that you liked that was great to see! Oh, and the same with you liking them different but the same in the 20's. Nice that you think the flashbacks with baby Eliza and a younger Julia are sweet and you got why I put them in, to fill in more of the time jump that I had way back, lol. Happy to see you're loving this series, and you're very welcome for sharing!).

Thanks so much for the reviews, loved reading them and I appreciate the time taken to write them out and send them to me!

A/N #2: The title of this chapter is a lyric from the song No More Lonely Nights by Paul McCartney, from his soundtrack album for the movie Give My Regards to Broad Street.

Never Go Away

December 9th, 2019

"Hey," Darnley said as he walked into the room. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah… though I don't want to," Beckett said with a sigh.

"I'll stay," Skye promised as she was in the room with her. "He won't be alone."

Though she hesitated Beckett nodded and went out of the room with Darnley, sliding her arm through his before they walked together to the elevators. "I'm alright," she told her friend as she knew he was looking at her.

"I know but it just worries me what you're going through right now," Darnley replied.

Sighing again Beckett told him, "I'll be okay, I don't forget the baby." They were alone in the elevator going down and she placed her hand on her abdomen before she stepped off the car with him when it stopped. Since she hadn't been to it yet she let her friend lead her in the cafeteria before Darnley was speaking to her.

"What do you feel like?" he asked her.

Glancing around Beckett said, "Anything is fine."

"Kate…" Darnley started to say.

"Some chicken," Beckett said quickly as she didn't want to hear him talk about the baby. "I know," she said as they walked over to where she could get it. "But I'm just not hungry."

"You have to be," Darnley pointed out. "All you had was a sandwich and to tell you the truth I almost forgot about the baby."

"If I was further along you wouldn't have," Beckett told him with a brief smile.

"He'll wake up in time for that," Darnley said. "He can't have forgotten what he has here."

"You think he's somewhere else?" Beckett asked.

Darnley couldn't respond as they were getting their food and he held off until they were seated at one of the tables. "A friend of mine on the force was shot and was in a coma for… a month," he began. "Sorry," he said as he recalled her being shot.

Shaking her head Beckett said, "It's alright, I don't shy away from it. What about him?"

"He said he remembers being in the Bahamas while he was out," Darnley replied. "Which was weird as I didn't think people were aware… or maybe they are and they just don't remember every time." He looked at her and said, "Do you think Rick is seeing something? The way his eyes are moving I really think so."

"I do too," Beckett said softly. She continued saying, "I have no idea what though."

"I think I know… or have an idea," Darnley told her. When she looked over at him he told her, "You."

Though she knew he was likely right Beckett said, "Maybe he's seeing… dinosaurs on Mars or something like that. You realize he has an active imagination."

"I do but I'm still going to say he's seeing you," Brad said firmly. "Now what manner of dishabille you're in there I have no clue and I'm not going to guess."

Rolling her eyes Beckett grew serious and she said, "I just hope he knows I'm there."

"He will," Darnley said reassuringly. "Keep writing in that journal and you'll have proof when you tell him."

Beckett smiled and said, "How's your food?"

"Not bad," Darnley said. He looked over at Beckett from his plate and said, "You're not enjoying it, are you?"

"I don't really need to enjoy it," Beckett replied. "I just want to get back upstairs to him."

With a nod of understanding Darnley continued to eat with her before he tried to tempt her with a dessert. But she shook her head, so they went back upstairs together and he watched her almost jogging into the room her husband was in.

"He's much the same," Skye said, standing up as Beckett came inside. "No change. The nurse was in here and she says he is stable."

"We should go," Darnley said as he watched Beckett leaning over and kissing the top of her husband's head.

"He's right," Skye said. "Is there anything we can do for you at home?"

Thinking for a moment Beckett turned to look at her and told Skye, "Check on Julia for me, I'm worried about her."

"What about Eliza?" Darnley asked, slightly surprised she hadn't mentioned her youngest.

"She'll be asleep," Beckett replied. "At least I hope she is. But Julia will probably still be awake, check on her."

"Is that all?" Darnley asked when she didn't continue.

"I'm not sure what else you can do," Beckett said.

"Do you want us to bring anything?" Skye asked.

"We were supposed to walk through the garden," Darnley suddenly said.

"We were but we can do that tomorrow," Beckett replied. She embraced her friend tightly when he came over to her and she told him, "Thank you."

"There's no way I could have stayed home," Darnley told her seriously. He let her go and said, "He'll wake up soon."

Beckett nodded and turned to Skye who had come over to them, embracing her tightly as well. "And thank you for what you've done today, to help me," she told her when they'd let go of each other.

"It wasn't a problem," Skye replied, shrugging her shoulders.

"Get some rest Kate, we'll be back in the morning," Darnley told her, squeezing her arm gently.

Nodding Beckett watched them go and closed the door, turning back to her husband before she went to the bed and sat next to him. As she held his hand she thought of their daughters, hoping they would be okay without them home that night.

"How was she?" Jim asked Darnley and Skye as soon as they'd stepped up to him on the porch.

"Still stressed but she'll sleep," Darnley said first. When Beckett's father just looked at him he sighed and said, "She's not going to be completely okay until he wakes up."

"And since she wants to be with him she's okay in that sense," Skye finished for him.

"The bed is next to Rick's?" Jim asked as they stepped into the foyer and closed the door.

"It is," Darnley replied. "We made sure before we left." He saw that Skye was looking up the stairs and following her gaze he could see Julia was there. "Is Eliza asleep?"

"She is," Martha said, walking over to them as Skye walked up the stairs. "She was exhausted."

"I don't blame her, but Julia?" Darnley asked.

"She didn't want to go to bed until you guys got back," Alexis said as Darnley walked into the family room with Jim and her grandmother.

"Did you guys say goodnight to her?" Darnley asked as he sat down on an armchair.

"We did," Martha said with a nod. "Which she only let us do once we told her she could stay up to wait for…"

"Skye?" Darnley asked. When the others nodded he smiled slightly and said, "I'm not surprised, she's closer to her. And she was with Kate when… earlier."

"I think I'm going to head up to my room too," Alexis said. She stood and paused before she asked Darnley, "She was okay, right?"

"Health wise yes," he said reassuringly. "But emotionally not so much. Though you know she's not forgetting the baby. She ate dinner and I know she'll get some rest."

"Now that she can be close to Richard," Martha said, standing up herself. "You're a good friend Patrick."

"She's a good friend to me, it's only right I'm here for her," Darnley said. "Goodnight I'm going to get some sleep myself." He paused after he'd turned to leave and said to them, "What time are you going?"

"At nine when they let visitors in," Jim said.

"I'll be with you and of course Skye too," Darnley told them before they headed to the stairs, saying goodnight to one another as they went.

As soon as Skye had reached her Julia said tearfully, "Did you hug my mommy before you came here?"

Skye nodded and was a little started when the girl embraced her tightly though she soon knew why she'd done that. "Your mother told me to make sure you were okay."

"I'm glad she's there with Daddy," Julia whispered when they parted.

"Come on," Skye said, leading her over to the room she was staying in since it was close to the foyer stairs. "You need to get some sleep too."

"Mommy's going to sleep, right?" Julia asked as Skye closed the door.

"Yes… do you mind-" the investigator started to say.

"That way we can talk alone," Julia said hurriedly.

"Then sit tight I'll change," Skye told her gently before she hurried to duck into the bathroom with her pajamas.

Julia sat on the edge of the bed and sniffed a little before she got up and pressed her face to the window, looking out on the view of the beach that the room had. She didn't hear Skye come out and nearly jumped in the air when the woman placed her hand on her shoulder.

"Sit with me," Skye told her.

"How come we're not going to my room?" Julia asked as they got on top of the bed.

"Do you want to?" Skye asked. When the girl shook her head she smiled and said, "Okay. Now I know this is a stupid question but are you okay?"

"I'm safe," Julia said. "But it doesn't feel right."

"I can understand that," Skye said with a nod.

"I don't want Daddy to be alone either," Julia said, wrapping her arms around her legs as she bent her knees.

"It can be difficult," Skye said, nodding in agreement.

"He'll wake up, right?" Julia whispered.

"Since your mum is there with him I believe he will," Skye replied. "But I can't say how long it will take."

"What happened to the person in the other car?" Julia asked. When the investigator didn't say anything she said, "Was it a drunk driver? I learned about it at school."

"It was," Skye finally said. "And he was hurt too but as I understand it Brad took him to jail."

"Is he gonna be… charged?" Julia asked, thinking of the word before she recalled it.

"Yes," Skye told her firmly. "But you don't need to worry about that."

"I'm not," Julia said. "I just don't want them not to be in trouble for what they did to Daddy."

"They will be," Skye replied. She was a little startled when the girl bowed her head to her knees and began to sob. "Oh Julia," she said gently, moving over to her and wrapping her arms around her. As the girl put her arms around her too she gently rubbed her back before there was a knock at the door. "Come in," she called.

Looking up Julia could just barely make out Darnley and she moved away from Skye, rushing to hug him.

"Shh, it's alright Julia," Darnley told her before he picked her up.

"H-how did you do that? Just my daddy can-" Julia started to say before she burst into tears again.

"What were you talking about?" Darnley asked as he sat on the bed with Julia on his lap.

"Just discussing what's going on with Rick," Skye answered, rubbing Julia's back. "She's worried of course and misses her mother."

"And I don't want Daddy alone," Julia whispered, calming down a little.

"And he won't be of course," Skye reminded her. "Your mom is very firm on that."

"And when your mom is like that you know what she says goes," Darnley said, relieved when she laughed for a moment before leaning against him. "You know you need to get some sleep," he told her gently.

"I don't want to," Julia replied.

"Why don't you tell us a story?" Skye said, looking pointedly at Darnley.

"What would you like?" he asked, knowing what the investigator meant in her stare.

"Something from yours and Kate's time at the Academy of course," Skye said.

Thinking Darnley said, "Okay, I think I have a good one. It was when your mom and I were going through the obstacle course they had for our fitness part of training," relieved to see that Julia wasn't crying and was watching him interestedly.

"Alley… Alley… Alley… damn it!" Darnley yelled.

"I told you to get more of a running start," Beckett said laughingly as she watched him trying to scale the wall on the course without using the rope.

"Yeah, yeah, watch me," Darnley shot back before he ran around the wall. "Ta-da!"

"You're a nerd," Beckett shot to him, trying not to laugh too hard.

"Thanks," Darnley replied. They had finished the obstacle course at their Academy, so they stood there getting their breath back and he said, "Showers?"

"I hope not together," Beckett commented.

"Nope, because then I'd have to take a Silkwood scrub," Darnley replied.

"Have you been watching Will and Grace lately?" Beckett asked him with a slight laugh.

"Yep," Darnley said. He smiled before Beckett playfully pushed him and they walked to the showers, separating there. He went to clean up hurriedly before he walked back out and waited for his friend.

"Hey," Beckett said once she'd walked out to him. "What're you thinking?"

"Want to grab a pizza and take it home? I don't have anything today… unless you were going to take Neil up on his offer," Darnley said.

"Who was Neil?" Julia asked.

"Someone in the building where your mom's apartment was at the time," Darnley replied. "I think he really, really liked lady cops as he wouldn't leave her alone the second he found out your mother was one."

"Oh," Julia said, quiet then as she wanted to know what her mother had said to that.

"Forget him, he's a little too creepy," Beckett replied. "Let's get the pizza and crash at your place."

"Crash? Awesome," Darnley said, jumping up from the bench he was sitting on. "Damn it," he said under his breath when he saw some fellow trainees from their class.

"Come on," Beckett said, wrapping her arm around his and holding his hand.

Though he wanted to joke about never having held a woman's hand before Darnley smiled at her and squeezed her hand before they left together. They made their way out to catch a cab and stopped at a pizza place near his home. Going upstairs to his apartment later he said, "Starving."

"Which is why it was a good thing we took those showers first," Beckett commented. Inside his apartment she stopped him from getting any beer and said, "It's too early."

Shrugging Darnley said, "I was going to have some pop myself, what?" he asked laughingly at the end when he saw that she was doing so.

"Sorry, you made me think we were in the fifties," Beckett told him.

"Glad to know," Darnley replied, pouring out their drinks together before they went over to the couch. He plopped down on it once the drinks were on the table and he commented, "So you declined a possible offer."

"Again, he's creepy," Beckett reminded him. She ate her slice of pizza before she glanced at him and saw he was watching her. "Not my type."

"You don't have a type," Darnley said before he smiled at her when she playfully pushed at him. "But I agree, he seems to be hung up on your cop-ness."

"Yes…" Beckett said slowly before they looked at each other and then began to laugh together, leaning against one another.

"It's likely a fetish," Darnley told her when they'd calmed down.

"What's a fetish?" Julia interrupted before he could continue.

"It means someone really likes one thing," Skye said, not surprised when Darnley looked at her with wide eyes. "But sometimes it's not a good thing."

"Oh, okay," Julia replied with a nod.

"I'll agree," Beckett replied. "But let's change the subject as I'm not going to be able to eat if we keep talking about him."

"Agreed," Darnley said with a smile at her before he talked about their upcoming exams.

"You had more?" Skye asked him as the man stopped speaking while looking at Julia who'd fallen asleep.

"Not really, just conversation which I thought would bore her," Darnley commented. "Think I can carry her over there?"

"Leave her here," Skye said.

"And you?" Darnley asked. "I'll take her," he said when she hesitated. He said goodnight to the investigator and took Julia over to her bed. He was careful setting her down and was relieved when she didn't wake up. As he tucked her in he was thankful she wasn't awake as he knew it wouldn't be the same for her as if it was her mother doing that. He smoothed back her hair and murmured, "Sweet dreams Julia," before he left the room and walked out to go to his room. He thought of Beckett then, hoping she was alright with Castle, both of them on their own.

Sitting down with Castle's journal in front of her Beckett held her robe closer around her as she looked at her husband first. After she had sat next to him for a while she'd changed into her pajamas and had prepared for bed before returning to him. She hesitated for a moment as she still stared at him and then gave up, setting down her pen and walking over to him, lying as best she could against his side. She pressed her cheek to his shoulder, listening to his breathing and his pulse before laying her hand on his chest. "When we go home I want to spend a lot of time doing just this with you," she told him. "Am I being sappy? Of course but I don't really care, I need you here Rick…"

Doing her best to fight the tears that had welled up in her eyes Beckett eventually shook herself before she moved away from him so she could sit up. She gently caressed his face with her fingertips a few times before she leaned down and tenderly kissed him on the lips. "I love you Rick," she whispered. She felt one of her tears fall and rapidly brushing it aside whispered in his ear, "I'll keep telling you so you know."

With that Beckett got off the bed and went back to the chair, looking at her watch she still had on to check the time. She began writing once she knew and was soon involved with what she wanted to tell her husband but could only do so in the journal.

9:14pm

It's the same day my love but almost night and I'm almost going to bed, luckily it's next to you and I'll be able to keep an eye on you during the night. Since I last wrote I… I'm still trying to come to grips with this but it's painful to see the injuries you've sustained. I want to help you, but I can't and it's killing me. I want… I want you so badly still, but mainly because I want you to be well enough to share our bed again.

I remember now when I was taken by Dunn, how you told me you'd ended up dreaming of different moments in our lives together and I've started to recall too. I guess because I don't have to distract myself because our friends and family are here suffering too.

Do you remember our very first night together? Well, I guess that question's more rhetorical but what I'm talking about is when we had finished sharing our ecstasy with each other. You kissed me so tenderly that I was almost ready to pass out as it had been the perfect finishing touch to that first time. I think that; and you fully pleasuring me; helped me to realize that I wasn't going to be able to just let you go.

I'm smiling at that idea because I sound more than a little like you and how you wouldn't do that to me. And thinking of that I'm so relieved you did that, stayed around me and wouldn't let go. Now… now I won't let you go. The second you wake up I'll hold you and won't let go until our baby wants to join us

Beckett couldn't help sobbing softly as her pen made a stray mark at her sudden rush of emotion mentioning the baby. She glanced up at her husband before she made up her mind and finished her entry before she got up again.

I'm not sure why I didn't do this before I started writing here but I'm going to go let you feel the baby, and do that more often so hopefully that will draw you back with us.

Standing up Beckett lay on the bed once more after taking off her robe and moved her husband's hand so it was pressed to her abdomen. She didn't say anything, instead just relaxed there until she heard a knock on the door and had to move herself to react to it.

"Sorry Ms. Beckett," the nurse said once he walked inside at her call to him.

"It's alright," she replied, getting up carefully before she put her robe back on. "Liam you said your name was?"

"It is ma'am," the nurse replied.

Beckett smiled slightly at his nervous tone and said, "You're aware of who we are."

"Yes," Liam replied, drawing some blood from Castle's arm. "I think everyone in the hospital is."

"Can I ask you something?" Beckett said, standing at the end of the bed.

"Okay," Liam replied, looking up at her in surprise.

"Is he going to be bathed at all?" Beckett said.

"Um… yes but I volunteered to do that," Liam said, looking a little embarrassed.

Studying him Beckett said, "Would I be allowed to do that instead?"

Glancing to the door Liam said, "If the door's closed, yes." He looked at Beckett and when she smiled slightly he said, "I'm…"

"I know," Beckett told him gently. "And I don't really care; my friends that are her with my family are gay as well."

"I didn't volunteer because-" Liam said slowly.

Holding up her hand Beckett told him, "I'm aware and I appreciate why you did but I'll be taking care of him."

"Yes ma'am," Liam replied, finishing what he needed to do. He was about to leave before he said, "I was sorry to hear about what happened to him."

"Thank you," Beckett murmured softly before watching him leave and close the door behind him. She turned back to her husband and got back on the bed, removing her robe before she did so, and she pressed against him tightly, wrapping his arm around her as she listened to him breathing again.

She wasn't sure how long she was there but finally Beckett moved and sat up, watching Castle closely. She noticed that his eyes were moving around again, and she gently caressed his cheek with her hand. She was tempted to lie down once more and sleep where she was but knew it wasn't going to be good for the baby or her back. So reluctantly she left him and climbed up on the other hospital bed, laying on her side so she would look at her husband in the dark.

"Do you remember," Beckett began though she knew she wouldn't be getting a response. "When we were here for Fourth of July after we conceived Eliza? How we went to the park with Julia on our own?" In the silence of the room her mind made up Castle's answer to her question. "We sat on the swings together watching her; since Julia wanted us to use them; and I remembered how we were doing that before when I was trying to have you come back to work with me after I was shot." She took a deep breath and then said, "That time though we were getting ready to get married." A smile spread across her face and she said slightly tearfully, "And adding to our family though we didn't know it yet."

Running her hand over her abdomen Beckett then said, "The baby still hasn't moved yet but… it might be waiting for you." She was about to speak again when she sat up and turned to the table Skye had placed next to her bed, reaching for her phone a second before it began to ring. "Julia?" she said, answering it without bothering to look at the screen.

"Mommy," the girl said with a sob. "I had a nightmare about you and Daddy."

"It's okay," Beckett said reassuringly. "It was just a nightmare."

"It was scary," Julia whispered. "I was in the car with you but then I was outside and the car was… messed up."

"We're fine sweetie," Beckett told her. "It was just a nightmare."

"You're with Daddy now right?" Julia asked.

"I'm on the other bed but I've been watching him," Beckett replied.

"Good," Julia said. She sighed and said, "I wish I could go over there with you."

"You should stay in your bed tonight sweetie," Beckett said gently. Something came to her and she asked, "Did someone tuck you in?"

"Yeah," Julia said after hesitating a moment. When her mother asked what was wrong she quickly told her about talking with Skye and Darnley before saying, "I think he tucked me in."

"I remember what he told you," Beckett said with a slight smile. "And what he didn't say is that I stayed with him that whole day."

"You were just talking?" Julia asked with a sleepy smile.

"Mostly but then I dragged him out to the nearest bookstore," Beckett replied.

"Tell me!" Julia whispered her exclamation.

Though she knew her daughter needed to sleep Beckett decided she could fall asleep to her speaking; it had happened before; so she said, "Alright but it's nothing very exciting though…"

"Mommy?" Julia asked worriedly.

"No, your daddy was mentioned a little bit," Beckett said, fighting back some tears that had welled up at her memory. "I'll tell you," she said before she began as she and Darnley were getting ready to leave his place.

"Are you looking for any books specifically?" Darnley asked his friend.

"No, I haven't been for a while," Beckett told him. "You don't want to go just to look."

"Alright you convinced me," Darnley told her. "I'll go."

Beckett laughed and they left together to go out to the street in front of his building before he hailed a cab. Six blocks later they were stepping out and she said, "After this we probably should pick up dinner."

"You figure for us just talking most of the day we wouldn't be hungry yet," Darnley commented as they went inside the store. "But I agree, why don't we walk around after this? Better yet, let me treat you to Serendipity." When she opened her mouth to speak he told her, "No protests, my treat and we're getting dessert."

Giving a mock sigh Beckett said, "Alright I guess we can do that."

"Of course we can," Darnley replied. "We have the course tomorrow so you're going to work it off."

"Thank you," Beckett replied, shaking her head.

"Oh, there's that author you like; Castle," Darnley commented, nodding to a display they were coming up to. "Too bad you already have his book."

"I don't think of it like that," Beckett said with a smile, turning from his picture. "I'll see you upstairs," she said as she knew he was going to go to the non-fiction books that were on the first floor. She went upstairs herself and walked around, looking at the different sections there before she stopped at a shelf where she'd first seen a book.

"Hey," Darnley said as he walked up to her. "Got something?"

"You?" Beckett said with a smile.

"Some stuff on WWI," Darnley replied. "You tend to hear more about the second than the first. What about you?"

"It's one of his earlier books," Beckett said simply as he'd taken the tome out of her hands. "I lost my copy back at Stanford."

"How?" Darnley asked in surprise.

"I left it at the library and someone took it," Beckett said. "I tried to go back to it, but it was long gone."

"Too bad," Darnley replied. "So anything else?"

"I think I'm good," Beckett said before they went downstairs together so they could pay. When they left they split their cab ride and went into the restaurant, seated at their table after a short wait.

"I'm thinking of the usual," Darnley commented as they were looking at their menus.

"That's great but what did you want to talk about?" Beckett said, looking over at him across the table.

"How do you know?" Darnley said.

"I'm good like that," Beckett said jokingly with a shrug.

Waiting until after they'd ordered Darnley said, "I'm wondering about after graduation."

"We always think about that," Beckett said. She then realized why he said that and she told him, "Do you think you'll go back to DC?"

"I'm tempted," Darnley said honestly. "But for the moment I'll stay." They were both quiet for a little and he could tell she wasn't really satisfied with his answer since he'd said the same to her before. He was silent as they ordered; grateful for their waiter for that distraction; and he said, "I've been thinking of telling them."

"That's up to you," Beckett reminded him.

"I know but I've told you already what they might do when I tell them," Darnley said.

"It sounds like you're too unsure," Beckett told him gently. "Maybe you should wait until you're less so."

Darnley leaned back against the chair and said quietly, "Do you think that they would accept me?"

Though she didn't want to say it Beckett knew that her friend needed an honest answer, so she said, "I don't think so. Not now at least. But you never know; they could change their minds along with society."

With a nod Darnley said, "Thanks."

Briefly shrugging her shoulders Beckett told him, "Friends will do that; talk to each other."

"True but this is getting a little dark," Darnley told her. "Why don't we change the subject?" When she didn't say anything he asked her, "No?"

"I'm waiting for you to," Beckett replied, trying not to laugh.

"Okay," Darnley replied with a nod before he decided to ask her about the book she'd bought earlier that day.