78. Chapter 78

After The Late Shaft and After Den of Thieves

By

UCSBdad

Disclaimer: I did not steal this from the owners of Caste. Um, I only borrowed it. Rating: K Time: See above.

Payback is a bitch. Richard Castle thought, sitting in the darkness of his office. I couldn't keep my hands off of Ellie Monroe, and why shouldn't I have? I've done that a hundred times before. A beautiful lady is attracted to me, we have some fun, we leave as friends. It's no big deal. I even thought it was cute that Beckett seemed to be upset, maybe even jealous. She was right, of course, Ellie would sleep with anyone who'd help her career. I wasn't even a very big surprise that Ellie was using me. How many women have slept with me in the past just so they could say that they slept with the Richard Castle?

I saw it, though, earlier. I got a date with Amanda Livingston, the number three bachelorette, in the Ledger's top ten. And I was happier ending up with Beckett at Remy's than taking my official date to the best restaurant in New York. I saw it coming but I never believed it would happen.

There's nothing between you and Beckett, is there, the man asked me? What was I supposed to say? There is nothing between Beckett and me. I'd like there to be, of course. If I just knew what exactly it is she wants and exactly what it is I want. Okay, Richard Castle, you're lying to yourself. She wants a lifelong relationship, something that you've never been able to give a woman. Hell, I'm not even sure I ever tried. I'm not sure I can.

They were attracted to each to other at once. Ryan and Esposito saw it. Of course, I saw it. I've been with her for a year, and she's never looked at me like that. Demming belongs there, of course. She's never let me forget that I was imposed on her by the Mayor. I should have remembered that.

It's not just that I'm hurt that she's hanging around Demming, but he's taken my place as a detective. I helped with this case. I decided that we needed to find out who IA's informant was to find out who the real dirty cop was! I helped, dammit! And what do I get? I get to stand in the back of the interrogation room while Demming takes my place. I bring Beckett her morning coffee, but who was there first? Demming!

Payback is a bitch, isn't it? I wonder if Beckett felt as bad seeing me with Ellie, knowing I was sleeping with her as I feel seeing her with Demming? I really didn't expect it to hurt so badly. Hell, I didn't expect it to hurt at all. It never occurred to me that Beckett might want someone else. Richard Castle your ego is just too big, my friend. You really need to start looking at real life and not your fantasies. Beckett has never been impressed with anything about me that other women are: The money, the status, the fame. She tolerated me because I was a help with what drives her: Solving crimes. Now she's found an actual boyfriend. Someone she clicks with. Do I want to compete with Demming? Do I really want Kate Beckett so badly that I'd want something permanent with her? Do I want her that badly?

Castle sat thinking for a long time. Yes I do. I think.

Kate Beckett sat on her bed with a smile on her face. I feel like a teenager! I have a boyfriend. I, Kate Beckett, have a real boyfriend! It's funny, though. I really owe having Tom to Castle. Isn't that a kick? Without Castle I'd still be my old self, Detective Kate Beckett, homicide detective 24/7 and nothing else. Castle was the one that first showed me I needed some fun in my life. Then I decided I could have more than just fun. For just a little bit I thought that Castle might be the one to bring some fun into my life. Well, that's all it would have been, fun. There's no way Castle is ever going to be serious about anything. Or anyone. At least I found that out before I did anything stupid. Sure, seeing him with another woman hurt a bit, but I was just kidding myself. Castle and me? It would never work. I have a chance a something real with Tom. Something lasting. And even if it doesn't work out, it'll still be good for me. I need, really need, to find someone. And I can't do that if I don't look.

I know that Castle was upset with Tom coming in and monopolizing my time on this case. After all, I told him before that he's supposed to be creating theory with me, and I suppose it works both ways. Now that the case is over, we'll get back to our regular routine. But now, Castle will be my partner in solving crimes and Tom will be my partner for fun. And more.

I just can't believe that this is finally happening to me!

Esposito and Ryan sat sipping their beers in a cop bar near the precinct. Ryan had tried to make small talk, Esposito only grunted in response. But finally he spoke. "I like Demming, don't get me wrong, bro."

"So?" Ryan asked.

"But I never saw Demming and Beckett coming. I always thought that it would be Castle and Beckett."

Ryan shrugged. "Yeah, they were kind of cute, finishing each other's sentences and saying, "I know who the killer is." in unison. But Beckett keeps it all inside her. I never have really figured her out."

"Castle's easy."Espo said, taking another sip of beer. "He really liked her. "

"Sure." Was all Ryan said.

"No, I mean he really, really liked her. Why do you think he hung around the precinct so long? To get material for a book? He doesn't need to dodge bullets for that. If I was a millionaire, you'd never get me within a hundred miles of a gunfight, that's for damned sure certain. He was there for Beckett. It's a damned shame. He was a really good partner, and not just for the coffee machine and stuff. He'd have made a good cop. I'll miss him."

Ryan frowned. "Wait? He's going someplace? When did he say that?"

Esposito shook his head. "Sometimes I just cringe when you talk, Ryan. Do you really think Castle is going to stay around and watch Beckett and Demming make out? Be real."

"Damn shame." Ryan said after a while. "He would have made a good cop."

"He would have been good for Beckett, too."

"Now we'll never know."