241. Chapter 241

After Significant Others, Yet Again

By

UCSBdad

Disclaimer: If I claimed I owned Castle, I'd deserve an icepick….Wait! I don't own Castle, but an icepick! Really? Rating: K Time: See above.

Meredith closed the door to her place in Santa Monica and let her suitcases fall to the floor. She'd take care of them later. She grimaced at the actions of the taxi driver. Really! Expecting a tip to help a lady take her bags to her place? Meredith shook her head. Just as well. I did not like the way that man looked at me. He was undressing me with his eyes. She laughed to herself. Actually, I do enjoy men undressing me with their eyes and I enjoy having them undress me even more. But an overweight, sweaty cab driver? That I most certainly do not enjoy.

She thought about her trip to New York as she opened the refrigerator and took out a bottle of wine. She looked at the bottle that she'd bought at the super market. Not the vintage I'd prefer, but once I get my big break, things will be different.

Rick has good taste in wine. I really wish that had worked out. I don't really see enough of Alexis as it is. Why, she's a woman now. A very attractive and intelligent young woman. I really wish I had the time to take her under my wing and mold her into the woman she could be. Oh, Rick did a good enough job with her, I suppose. But she obviously hasn't had the benefit of a woman's touch in her life. Except for Martha, of course. I cannot understand why that woman, a fellow actor, does not like me. Meredith sighed. I suppose no mother ever thinks another woman is good enough for her son. I imagine that Kate gets the same kind of treatment from Martha. Doubtlessly Martha was just being polite while I was there. She didn't want to embarrass Kate by openly comparing her to Rick's other two wives.

Meredith's mind turned to Rick's other ex-wife. Of course, Kate has got to be better than that Gina. Why he would ever turn to that stiff, money oriented workaholic is beyond me. At least Kate looks like she can show him a good time in bed. And out of it, I suppose. I really miss having sex with Rick. He really is a great lover. I really don't understand why he got so angry with me about that little fling. This is Hollywood, for heaven's sake. People bed hop all of the time. It's not like I would have objected, in fact that girl from Twentieth Century was interested in him and she could have helped my career a lot. Oh, well. Water under the bridge, I suppose.

Meredith checked her bedroom. The bed was unmade, but Tony wasn't there. Just as well, I suppose. Who'd have thought that being a producer would have been so boring? Nothing but meetings and endless talks about money. Really, what's money compared to art? Meredith smiled to herself. I should write that down and repeat it at the next party I go to. Unless it's with that awful Martin's party next Friday. He is such a vulgar and unappealing man. I really do hate him, even if he is good in bed and can help my career.

Meredith poured another glass of wine. I'll have just one more and get a bit of sun out on the balcony. Being pale I do have to be careful with my skin, but they make so much about tans here. The film industry can be so superficial.

Kate Beckett snuggled against Rick. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Anything."

"Why did you marry Meredith? Did you have to?"

"You mean was she pregnant and I did the gentlemanly thing? No. I married her because I thought I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. In my defense, I was pretty young."

"Knowing you as I do now, I can't see you and her married. But the you I met on the Tisdale case, I just might see with Meredith."

"You mean the asshole?" He teased.

"You said it, not me." Kate smiled.

Castle shrugged. "I read someplace that men marry women like their mothers. Now, I'm not saying I buy that, but with Meredith, that makes some sense. In some ways, Meredith is a lot like Martha. She's wild, vibrant, unconventional, free spirited, fun and uncomplicated."

"Like Jacinda?" Kate said, and as soon as she did, wished that she hadn't. "Rick, I'm sorry. I shouldn't bring that…"

"Shh!" He put a finger over her lips. "I deserve that. Of all the things that I should never, ever do, hurting Kate Beckett is at the top of the list. I should have talked to you. Told you what I heard in the interrogation with that pickpocket. Asked you to explain instead of…"

This time it was Kate who put her finger to Rick's lips. "I lied to you. I lied to the man I love and I lied for months and months. I knew you loved me, not just because you told me you loved me, but because of all that you did for me and are still doing for me. And I knew I loved you, but the longer the lie went on the harder it was to tell the truth."

"Let's agree to disagree, Kate. Okay?"

She nodded. "Can I ask you why you got divorced?"

"Meredith served me with divorce papers after I found her screwing some guy. That's the proximate cause, as the lawyers say. But the relationship had been going down hill for some time. I had developed this extreme paternal feeling. I was Super Dad, complete with super powers, and Meredith…She had about as much interest in Alexis as she does now. She'd go shop for baby clothes and spend hours dressing baby Alexis us, just so. And then she'd leave her in a dirty diaper all day long while she read a script or gossiped with her actress friends. She'd go to party with Alexis and be perfectly happy they were the center of attention, and wander off when something else caught the attention of the party goers. I'll point out that Meredith didn't put up a fight about losing custody of Alexis. That cost me a lot of money, but it was worth it."

"Now can I ask you a question?"

"Sure. You answered mine."

"What did you and Meredith talk about when she sent me upstairs for the purse she conveniently forgot?"

"She's done that before?"

"It's one of her signature moves. Tell."

"She told me that she wanted to check up on me. You'll be glad to know she approves of us."

Castle sighed exaggeratedly. "That's a relief. I have my ex-wife's blessings."

"I also asked her why you two had divorced." Kate decided the part about the soufflé could wait. "She said that you knew all about her and she knew nothing about you."

Rick thought for a moment. "I suppose that's accurate. In my defense, Meredith's favorite topic is Meredith and anyone who's around her for any length of time will know all about Meredith. And I'm not too sure how much about me Meredith wanted to know."

Rick slid his arms around Kate and hugged her tightly. "And I do want you to know all about me. And I want to know all about you."

She slid her hand down his chest to his boxers. "I have an idea where we can start."