98. Chapter 98

After Law and Murder, Again

By

UCSBdad

Disclaimer: I own neither Castle, nor Forbidden Planet. Rating: K Time: See above.

Author's note: Yes, I did another one of these, too. Chapter Seven.

In spite of Kate's initial comment, Rick and Kate ended up at Remy's for burgers, fries and shakes after the movie. Castle was just starting on his double chili cheese burger when Kate asked him the question.

"So how many times have you seen Forbidden Planet, Castle?" She said with a wide smile.

Castle almost choked on the burger, but managed to recover. "Just the once, with you, tonight. Why do you ask?"

Kate rolled her eyes and then shook her head. "Because you're lying to me, Castle. You've seen Forbidden Planet before. Don't lie to me. I don't like it when you lie to me."

Castle tried to stall by taking another bite of his burger. A big bite.

"Castle?" Beckett said, giving him a glare. Not a serious glare, but one that Castle knew would only grow worse if he didn't tell her.

He swallowed and smiled at her. "I don't know." He hoped that answer would satisfy her.

She shook her head and the glare grew more pronounced. "What did I say about lying to me?"

"I'm not lying to you, Beckett. I have the old VHS tape at home, I have the 1996 laser disc, and the 50th anniversary collector's edition high def DVD. Plus I've seen it on TV any number of times. I'd just be channel surfing and there it would be. I'd watch from wherever the movie was until the end or until I had to stop. I also have the novelization of the film somewhere at home. I found it on E-Bay."

Castle was happy that Beckett was now smiling at him. "I'm not sure if I should be angry at you or pleased. So why did you lie to me?"

"I asked Alexis if she wanted to go with me, and she said no. I mean, I can't even get a movie date with my own daughter? I would have gone by myself, but it's always more fun to go to a movie with someone else, and I was afraid if I told you that I'd seen the movie until I practically have it memorized, you wouldn't want me along. So I lied. And here we are." Castle didn't add, Here I am sitting with the woman I love, waiting for her to explode on me. And I deserve it.

Kate stared at him for nearly a minute. "You're right. It is more fun to go to a movie with someone. In the future, though, tell me the truth. I really don't like being lied to." Kate didn't add, Especially being lied to by someone that I'm trying desperately not to fall in love with. And failing.

"How did you know? That I lied. Do I have a tell?"

Kate just smiled at Castle. "Oh, wouldn't you like to know. I'm a detective, Castle. I have ways of ferreting out liars. And I'm a woman, I have a right to my secrets."

"Please." Castle said, pleadingly. "I buy you coffee every day. Isn't that worth something? I think up great theories about how murders were committed and by whom? Surely, you can tell me."

Kate could not resist. "I can't tell you and don't call me Shirley." She broke up laughing at the look on Castle's face.

"You're a hard woman, Detective Beckett. To catch a man in a lie and not tell him how he was caught? That's…"

"Smart." She finished for him. "If you figure out my secrets, then you'll be able to lie to me successfully in the future. As I told you, I don't like being lied to."

Castle knew he was defeated. "Okay, but I sincerely apologize for lying to you. We've known each other too long and are too close for me to lie to you about anything." Castle realized that he was treading on dangerous ground here. Next I'll be telling her that I love her. That really would bring on an explosion and be the end of Detective Beckett and me.

Kate nodded. "Apology accepted. Just don't ever do that again. Okay?"

Castle nodded and said. "No lies. I won't lie to you. Is not mentioning the truth the same as lying? He wondered. And what happens if she ever asks me how I feel about her? One of these days I'll have to tell her, though. This will have to end one day. I can't just keep going around with Beckett when she's in love with someone else. Or can I? Castle decided he'd better keep eating his burgerbefore Beckett figured out what he was thinking about and called him on it. She was good, no doubt about it.

Kate went back to eating her fries. And I'm a fine one to lecture Castle on the importance of honesty. The relationship with Josh is going nowhere and I don't have the courage to tell him that. And Castle. What can I do about Castle? I should tell him how I feel. Who knows, maybe it would work between us. I've seen that he can maintain a long term relationship. He loves Alexis and he always will. And even though he doesn't love Meredith, he keeps supporting her so-called acting career. He's a far better man than I thought when I first met him. So, I will tell him I love him. Just not tonight. Or tomorrow night. Or…Well, I will have to tell him sooner or later. It's unfair to him. If he has no feelings for me, we should both move on. Damn! I hate this.

Kate looked up at Castle, sitting across the table from her. "All right, Castle. I'll tell you how I knew you were lying. Will you just shut up about it?"

Castle looked up, and swallowed quickly. "I didn't say a word."

"You weren't saying a word very loudly, Castle."

"Sorry. In the future I'll say nothing inaudibly."

"First, Forbidden Planet is one of the most influential science fiction movies of all time. It influenced everyone. It influenced Star Trek, Lost in Space, Dr. Who, Babylon Five, Star Wars, The Twilight Zone and who knows how many other people, films and TV shows. I just couldn't imagine that a sci fi geek like you would have never seen Forbidden Planet. Never happen."

"I'm pretty transparent, I guess."

And I'm not at all transparent. She thought. I hide everything. "Oh, you have a good poker face, Castle. The second thing that tipped me off was that you didn't ask any questions or make any remarks. Castle being quiet? That meant something was wrong. You didn't ask any questions because you understood the plot of the movie, better than I do, I think. And you didn't make any comments because you were afraid you'd give yourself away by knowing too much about Forbidden Planet." Kate waited a beat before adding, "And you do have a tell."

"What is it?"

She shook her head. "That's one of my secrets, Castle. It'll be easier on you if you just never lie to me again. Okay?"

"Deal." He said.

"Now, tell me what you think of Forbidden Planet. Do you really think it's based on Shakespeare's The Tempest?

Castle smiled. "I can see it. Morbius and Altaira are Prospero and Miranda. Ariel could be Robbie the Robot and the monster from the id is Caliban. But who exactly is Captain Adams?"

As they discussed Forbidden Planet, they both thought the same thing. I could get used to doing this.