180. Chapter 180

After Den of Thieves

By

UCSBdad

Disclaimer: Does anyone think I'd steal Castle from Marlowe? Rating: K Time: See above.

"You look kind of down today, kiddo."

Castle smiled at his mother. "Things didn't go that well today."

Martha frowned slightly. "Oh? I saw on the news that Victor Racine was arrested today. Weren't you trying to do that? Or wasn't it dramatic enough for you?"

"The arrest was just fine. It's something else."

Martha waited, but Castle said nothing further. "And the something is?"

"Nothing, really."

"Come on. Richard. I know nothing when I see it and this is something. Spill."

"Okay. We were working with a detective from robbery on this. A Detective Demming. And…Beckett seems to be interested in him."

"And?"

"And she's interested in him. He brought her coffee. I'm the one who brings her coffee. He sat next to her in interrogation. I sit next to her in interrogation. And Demming asked me if we were a couple."

"And what did you say?"

"I said…I told him…Well, it's not that simple…"

"You can Beckett are not a couple." Martha said, stating a simple fact.

"Okay, we're not. Not yet."

"And is Kate Beckett aware that you're not a couple yet?"

"Of course not."

"So what is the problem?"

"It's just that…I don't like it."

"Do you think Kate Beckett particularly enjoyed your little fling with Ellie Monroe? I seem to recall that you made very little effort to keep that a deep, dark secret."

"That's different." Castle snapped.

"No, it is not, Richard. And you know it. Kate Beckett is an attractive, interesting woman. She should have a boyfriend. And, quite frankly, I can't see the two of you together."

"Why not? I think we do damned good together."

Martha sighed. "As detectives. You may not have noticed the women you've been with recently, but they have one thing in common. They want something from you. Ellie Monroe wanted a part in Heat Wave. Meredith wanted you to set her up in an apartment in New York and support her career. Gina…Gina wanted a lot of things out of you, very few of which you could give her. And once they got what they wanted, they were off and you went on to your next fling, none the worse for wear. If you think Kate Beckett is going to be satisfied with a little fling and a pat on the butt as you head for your next conquest, you are sadly mistaken."

"Richard, my advice to you is to let Kate find someone who'll be good for her. Perhaps this Demming isn't what she needs, but let her find out."

"Thanks for that sterling psychological profile of me." Castle said sourly.

"Always happy to help, Richard. Well, I'm off to bed."

Castle poured himself a glass of Scotch and sat in his office. There was Kyra. Even Beckett called her real. She was with me for three years. And then she went to London. She said she needed some space. It was almost twenty years before I saw her again. On her wedding day. That's one hell of a lot of space. She didn't act like she needed something from me. In fact, she didn't act like she needed me at all.

Then there was Meredith. I did love her. She was fun, sexy and glamorous. I actually liked a lot of her actor friends. I was so happy when Alexis was born. I thought we'd be together forever. Just our little family. I couldn't believe that she was shacked up with some producer. I couldn't believe that she wanted a divorce. What the hell was it that I couldn't give Meredith? She didn't even want Alexis. She made sure that she got a big payday out of the divorce and I got Alexis. I still think I got the better end of that deal, but it hurt. But when she came back to New York, she just grabbed me and hauled me into the bedroom. What was it that I told Beckett? Something about sex with crazy people being so great. Yeah, it was so great I had to invest in a movie so I could get rid of Meredith. All Rick Castle is to Meredith is a great big credit card with no limit.

Then came Gina. I wanted different from Meredith and I got it. Gina was all business. Let's face it, I'm all about fun, not business. I couldn't do business without Gina pushing me. That's great for your publisher, but for a wife? No, Gina had no use for the real Richard Castle, just the guy who provided her with best sellers.

Bachelorette number three, Amanda Livingston. She wanted to date bachelor number nine. She knew nothing about me other than that I was Richard Castle. I could have been a total creep, but I don't think it would have mattered to her. What did Racine say? Counting coup? Yeah! She wanted to get close enough to Richard Castle to touch him. And I can't forget, I was happier with Beckett at Remy's than I was in Drago's with Amanda.

Ellie Monroe. She slept with me, she slept with Weisburg that network president. Sure, it was a lot of fun, but it didn't mean anything. It's not like she would have stayed around to find out what a great guy Richard Castle is. She couldn't have cared less. And maybe I'm not so great a guy after all.

So, Grasshopper, what is the moral of our little story? Why Master Po, it is this: Women will sleep with Richard Castle when they want something and then move on. Real women, women like Kyra and Beckett, just move on. Move along, move along. Nothing here to see, folks. Just Richard Castle. Not a pretty picture, is it?

Maybe Martha's right. I should stick to meaningless, fun affairs. Maybe that's all I can do.

Is this something I can change? Is this something I want to change?

Kate sipped her wine and smiled. "He's really cute and funny and really a nice guy."

"So you're going out with him?" Lanie asked.

"Yes."

"What about Castle?"

"I don't think he's Tom's type." She teased.

"That's not what I meant and you know it."

"Lanie, I'm not interested in Castle. At least not in that sense. I can tell you exactly what would happen if I dated Castle. We'd have a lot of fun for a couple of months. He'd take me to really nice places that I'd probably never get to otherwise. He'd buy me some nice things. And then he'd get tired of me. And then I'd be alone again. I'm tired of alone. Maybe Tom isn't what I'm looking for in the long term, but I have to start somewhere. And there's no point in starting with Castle."

"And Castle is okay with this?"

"Whether Castle is okay with anything isn't my problem. Oh, I admit he seemed a little upset with Tom being on the team, but he's just used to being my partner. He didn't like being left out. It's no big deal. We'll be back to normal and he'll be okay with everything."

"Well, sweetie, have fun."

"I will."