163. Chapter 163

AU When the Bough Breaks, Again

By

UCSBdad

Disclaimer: I'd be going way out on a limb if I said I owned Castle. Rating: T, for language. Time: See above, but in another alternate universe, different from all those other alternate universes. Have you noticed the universes sort of crowding together lately?

Author's note: You may notice that this doesn't take place after When the Bough Breaks, but during. But, I didn't want to start another series.

"Do what you want to do, Castle." Kate snapped at him. "You always do."

Castle's mouth formed a grim line. Then he smiled a cold smile. "Beckett, you're right. I'm going to do what I want to do, whether you, or anyone else, likes it or not."

"Fine." She said, turned on her heel and stalked off. Kate found herself a corner of the party and tried to disappear into the background. What do I care what that arrogant, self-centered prick does? Unfortunately, she knew the answer to that. I care because Castle does something for me, to me, with me. I've changed in just the short time we've known each other. He really is an excellent detective. He's made me a better detective, and he's made my team better. And then he just walks away from me like solving murders is just some game to him. Damn him!

Kate looked down at her new dress. I bought a new dress for this party. I had my hair done and got a manicure and a pedicure. I spent literally hours on my makeup because I wanted to look nice for him. For his party rather. I mean, the party is about Nikki Heat and the book, not about me. So, he writes a little dedication to me and then pats me on the head and says, "Run along, Beckett. I have more important things to do than to write about you," Fuck him.

Kate had about decided to leave the party when the lights went out, and a single spotlight shone on the stage. The party goers started crowding around her, keeping her in place.

There he is. And he's signing some bimbo's boobs. He'll probably take her, or some other easily impressed slut, back to his place and screw her brains out. I'm probably lucky he'd never try that with me. I'd show him what I thought of him! But a part of her couldn't help but wonder. What would it be like with Richard Castle? It's not that he's rich. I don't care about this money. But he is sexy. And smart. And, after a rough start, he's been a gentleman towards me. He'd be fun. I could use fun.

She shook her head. What am I thinking? Me and Castle? Okay, if the truth be told, I'd like him as a partner. In spite of everything, he's the best I've ever had. And we could be friends, maybe…

Kate suddenly noticed that Paula, his agent, was introducing him to the audience. Listen to her! Kate thought. If that doesn't stroke his already over- sized ego to mammoth proportions, nothing will. The Second Coming of Christ wouldn't get this kind of a build-up.

The spotlight shone on Richard Castle. He smiled at his festive audience. "Thank you all for coming and thank you for all the copies of Heat Wave that I know you're going to buy." That got a laugh from most of the audience, Kate Beckett being a notable exception.

Castle went on. "As you know, I pride myself on the research I do for all of my novels. And the research I've done at the 12th Precinct of the New York Police Department has been especially rewarding. I'd like to especially thank Captain Roy Montgomery for his generous assistance to me and to Detectives Javier Esposito and Kevin Ryan, all three of whom you may just recognize in the book." That got another laugh from the audience.

What an asshole. Kate thought. He's probably convinced himself that he invented Nikki with no help from me. I hope he breaks his arm patting himself on the back. Or maybe knocks his head off.

Castle smiled again at his audience. "I, of course, have to mention the woman to whom Heat Wave is dedicated, the truly remarkable Detective Kate Beckett."

Kate felt a spotlight shine onto her and the audience began to clap. She blushed and wished she could just disappear.

Castle went on. "In fact, I have been so impressed by the courage, dedication, intelligence and passion for justice that Detective Beckett brings to her job that I have decided to continue writing the Nikki Heat series."

The audience applauded loudly, almost drowning out two high pitched screams: One from Kate and one from Paula.

"Kate, "Rick said, looking out into the audience, "will you come up here, please?"

Kate found that a pathway had opened between her and Rick. She slowly walked to the stage and stepped up to stand by Castle. Castle put his arm around her waist as the cameras flashed and the media screamed questions to the two. Luckily, Castle answered most of them.

Eventually, the press was satisfied and Kate and Rick found themselves facing a clearly angry Paula. "You two come with me! Now!" She barked. She led them to a small office and closed the door behind her. She turned to Castle. "You just publicly turned down the writing deal of a life time! Are you completely out of your fucking mind?"

Castle shrugged. "Yes. Was there ever any doubt of that?"

Paula's lips moved, but no words came out. She whirled around to face Kate. "And just what's your role in this giant sized cluster fuck that used to be my career? What? Tell me!"

Castle moved between Paula and Kate. "She had nothing to do with this. Beckett didn't want me around in the first place and she is thrilled to see the last of me. I'll do the next Nikki Heat book with the research I've already done. You can't blame her for my decision. It was mine and mine alone."

Paula looked back and forth between Beckett and Castle. "You're telling me that she shows up here, dressed like that, looking like that, and she has absolutely nothing to do with this idiotic decision you just handed me? Do you really expect me to believe that?"

Castle nodded sincerely. "Absolutely. It's the truth."

Paula leaned back against an office desk and shook her head slowly and sadly. "I really ought to dump you, Castle. Do you have any idea how much work I put into getting the Bond deal, and then you just screw it up on a whim? I should write to Black Pawn and complain that their writer is screwing up my business deals. I should….I should…."Paula stopped and glared at Castle. "I should do a lot of things that a lady shouldn't do, you stupid bastard."

Kate stepped past Paula and put her arm through his. "Rick, I appreciate you lying for me, but I don't want you to get in trouble over me. Paula's right. This is my fault."

Castle stared at Kate in disbelief. "What? Why are you saying that?"

She put a finger to his lips. "Shh! Castle, I'm going to tell her the truth. I asked Castle to write more Nikki Heat. He's too useful to me as a detective to let him go. I convinced him." She leaned her head on Castle's shoulder and winked at Paula.

Paula shook her head. "I still think you're an idiot, Rick. But I'm going to go out and see if anything can be salvaged from this. You're just lucky you have the best damn agent in the business."

"I know it!" Castle said quickly. "That's what I tell everyone. Don't I, Beckett?" Kate nodded enthusiastically.

Paula smiled at the two of them and walked out, her head held high and with a spring in her step.

Castle looked at Kate. Kate looked at Castle. They spoke at the same time.

"You're going to write more Nikki Heat?"

"You want me to shadow you?"

Both nodded.

Kate spoke first. "You're a good detective, and at the risk of over inflating your ego, you're the best partner I've ever had. Play your cards right and we could even end up…friends."

Castle smiled. "Beckett, this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship." He held out his arm. "Are you hungry?"

"Starved." She said, taking his arm.

"Remy's?"

"Perfect."

As they walked out, Castle began humming La Marseillaise.

"Stop it, Castle."