6. Chapter 6

After The Final Nail

By

UCSBdad

Disclaimer: Why, yes. I don't own a bit of this. Rating: K. Time: After the episode, The Final Nail.

"Liar." Kate Beckett said, lightly hitting Castle with her elbow.

Castle shrugged and followed her to a nearby bar. Once inside, he ordered a Scotch, and she, a white wine. They sat in silence for several minutes.

"The suspense is killing me, Beckett."

Kate looked up, puzzled. "What suspense?"

"When are you going to tell me, "I told you so?"."

Beckett shook her head. "I'm not."

Castle raised an eyebrow. "You're not? Who are you and what have you done with Kate Beckett?"

She smiled. "It's me, Castle. And I'm not going to tell you, "I told you so." for two reasons. First, you're the one who proved that Damian Westlake was involved in his father's murder. He'd have gotten away with it if it wasn't for you. I had nothing to do with it. It would hardly be fair to criticize you for solving a crime."

"Okay, I'll accept that. What's the second reason?"

Kate leaned back in her chair and looked at Castle. "I'm not as interested in criticizing Richard Castle as I once was."

"Please elaborate, Detective Beckett." Castle bowed slightly in his chair. "I'm fascinated."

"I was not impressed when I first met you."

"I'm shocked. You're telling me you didn't fall for me at once?"

Kate shook her head. "You know I'm a big fan of your books. I had a very, very idealized picture of what Richard Castle would be like. No one could have lived up to what my imaginary Richard Castle was like. I expected you to soar into the bullpen to the strains of "Thus Spake Zarathustra", to speak in a voice like brazen trumpets, solve my meaningless little case, and then leave, scattering benedictions to one and all."

"That's pretty much how I remember it."

Kate rolled her eyes. "Instead, I got an over-age frat boy who couldn't be serious and spent all of his time trying to get me in bed."

"That's not true. I was very serious about the case. You may remember, I told you that you had the wrong guy?"

"I know, Castle. And I distinctly remember you not saying, I told you so."

Castle smiled at her. "I'm glad we didn't go to bed."

Kate did her best to look shocked. "What? I'm not up to your high standards?"

"It's not that. But if we had slept together, I might have decided you were just another woman and not the remarkable Kate Beckett. Think of what I would have missed."

Kate smiled, but inside she was churning. Finally. She thought. He's actually admitted that his interest in me is for more than to get me in bed. So, he wants to be my partner, or…something else? And if it's something else, how long would it last? Damn! I may never figure him out. And I so want to.

The waitress came and Castle ordered another Scotch. Beckett still had most of her wine.

"And think of what I would have missed. I would never have discovered the remarkable Richard Castle. You are far more than the image that you project to the world, Castle. Far more. You're a devoted family man, very intelligent, very caring, a risk taker, and all in all, a good man. I'm glad I met you. The earlier you needed to be taken down a peg every once in a while. The you I now know doesn't need to be told, I told you so."

"Why thank you." He said with a smile.

"How are you feeling?"

"Still lousy about being so wrong about Damian Westlake. I set out to be Damian Westlake those many years ago. I'd hate to think I'd succeeded on some level."

"Think about this, then. Would Damian Westlake, on his very best day, ever be the partner of the remarkable Kate Beckett, or would that have only happened with Richard Castle?"

"Well played, Detective Beckett." Castle raised his glass to her.

They sat quietly together.

What will the future bring?