A/N: So just to clarify the timeline and other questions here. Castle left at the end of season 2. We are now in what would be the beginning of season 4 so he's been gone a little over a year. Also, season 3 never happened, or rather not in canon. So Montgomery is still alive and Beckett wasn't shot at the end. As for whom Beckett is with. Castle assumes it must be Demming but you'll have to read on to find out if she's with anyone at all
/
Castle got changed and arrived at the twelfth a short time later. He found Kate deep in thought looking at the murder board.
"Hey." He said as he approached her, "So, what do we know so far?"
Kate sighed heavily, "Well, we know he was at a club in Brooklyn Heights from his credit card purchases but his ex-wife and daughter don't know why he was all the way out there. Any ideas?"
"Not anywhere hear his office, I know that." Castle said, "Or his house I take it?"
"Nope." She said, "Ryan and Espo just headed to the club to see if they can find out anything."
"Did his financials show anything else suspicious?" Castle asked taking a seat by Kate's desk
She took her seat and leaned back in her chair, "No, nothing that sent up a red flag."
"I'm sorry. I wish I knew him better. I might be of more help." Castle said
"Well, is there anything else you can tell us about him?" She asked
"He seemed like a good guy. I trusted him with my money. I never had a reason not to." Castle replied, "I guess I don't have to ask how his family is taking it."
"His ex-wife seemed pretty stoic. But his daughter was understandably upset." Kate said as she massaged her temples
"You okay?" he asked
"Yeah, it's just." She paused, "It's like my mom's case."
Castle looked at her sympathetically
"His daughter wants answers, too."
Treading lightly though she's the one who brought it up, "Still no answers on who hired Dick Coonan?"
She looked at him, sadness clouding her hazel eyes, "No, nothing."
"I'm sorry, Kate." He offered softly
"I know." She said with a sigh, "So, let's get back to a murder I might be able to solve." Deflecting in typical Beckett fashion
Before Castle can say anymore Ryan and Espo come off the elevator from their trip to the club in Brooklyn Heights.
"Hey Castle, got any ideas for us on this case?" Ryan asked
"Sorry Ryan, not yet." He replied
"Please tell me you found something." Kate said
"Well, no." Espo replied, "Solomon was there but nobody seemed to remember him talking to anyone. So something isn't adding up. Why go all the way out there to sit alone and drink?"
"Well, let's start digging into his files when they get here." Kate said, "Maybe that can tell us something. His secretary is having them sent over. Meanwhile, why don't we check out his apartment?"
"Are you looking at his clients?" Castle asked nervously
"Yeah, of course." Beckett said noticing his discomfort, "But you already alibied out, Castle. Besides, the only thing you succeed at is killing my patience."
"Same old Beckett." He quipped, "I just thought it could be a conflict since I know some of them."
"Since when did that ever stop you?" She asked
"Just trying to be a good boy." He quipped
"Uh huh." She muttered and smiled to herself
/
The case was still going nowhere at the end of the day and Kate was tired but hungry. Castle came back from the break room and took his seat.
"I think I'm gonna call it a night, Castle. Nothing more we can do right now." She said as she stood and grabbed her coat from the back of her chair
"Yeah, you're right." He stood as well
"You, uh, wanna get a burger at Remy's?" She asked
He was surprised by the invitation but pleased none the less, "Sure, I'd love to."
She smiled, "Great. Let's get outta here."
Remy's was crowded but they managed to find a table in a relatively quiet spot. Kate ordered the bacon double cheese burger with a Chocolate shake and Castle got the house burger with Remy's special sauce.
"I'm sorry I'm not more help with Jerry's case." Castle said taking a drink of soda
"It's okay, Castle." She replied, "Maybe you're a bit rusty."
"Kate, I-" He began
"I was just teasing you." She said
He couldn't figure her out, he'd been gone for so long and she's asked him nothing about it, "So, you didn't have a hot date tonight with what was his name? Demming?"
Her expression darkened, "We, uh, broke up."
"Oh, I'm sorry." He said awkwardly
"So what about you and your second ex-wife and publisher? No plans tonight either?" She asked
"We aren't together anymore." He said
"Oh, I'm sorry, too." She said as the waiter brought their food
They ate in companionable silence and then walked out to the street.
"So, I guess I'll see you in the morning." Castle said
"You wanna go for a walk, Castle?" She asked
"Kate, what are we doing?" He finally asked
"Talking?" She replied
"No, I mean this." He explained, "I haven't been around in over a year. You ask for my help on a case but we don't talk about the elephant in the room."
"What do you want me to say?" She asked as they started walking ending up at the park sitting on the swings
"I don't know." He replied with a sigh, "What do you want to say?"
She looked away from him for a moment, "I broke up with Demming the day you were leaving for the Hamptons."
"You did?" He recalled her wanting to tell him something, "Is that what you wanted to tell me when Gina interrupted?"
"That and I wanted to go with you." She finally admitted
"What?" He asked in surprise, "Why didn't you?"
"Castle, you were standing there with her and you'd obviously gotten back together with her." She explained
"Kate, I only did that because you made it clear you wanted to be with him. Why do you think I didn't come back? You think I wanted to hang around watching the two of you?"
"Castle, I didn't mean to hurt you." She said
"You know I saw the two of you all cozy by the break room right before I told you I decided to spend my time writing up there and basically disinvite you. I wanted so badly for you to come with me, even if nothing happened." He finally was able to let out all the hurt and frustration he had felt but thought he had no right to express
"I wanted to tell you so badly that I wanted to come." She said, "That I…"
"That what?" He asked
"That I was tired of the running. Tired of the excused for pushing people…you away." She said wiping a tear away that had made its way down her cheek
"How did we screw this up so badly?" He asked
"We can still make it right." She said, "If you're willing."
He looked at her, "You mean, give us a chance, as in?"
She nodded, "I'm not promising that I'll be the easiest person to be with but I know I don't want to lose you again."
He smiled from ear to ear, "I think I'll take the chance." He leaned in and kissed her gently and then pulled back, "Wait a minute."
"What?" She asked
"What about working together? I mean, can we still do that?"
"We'll figure it out." She said
"I don't want to…" he began
She put a finger to his lips, "Castle, too much talky. Take me home."
TBC