292. Chapter 292

After Always Buy Retail

Episode 1.06

By

UCSBdad

Disclaimer: Wholesale, or retail, I don't own Castle. Rating: K Time: See above

"Probably saved my life." Kate admitted.

"I definitely saved your life." Castle said, looking somewhat grim. "And you know what that means, don't you? It means you owe me."

"Owe you what?" Beckett said suspiciously.

"Whatever I want. And you know exactly what I want, don't you. You know what I really, really want you to do."

Kate braced herself to slap Castle into next Tuesday.

Castle leaned into Kate and spoke in a low voice. "Never, ever call me kitten."

Beckett wasn't able to keep the look of shock off of her face.

Castle noticed. "Why, Detective Beckett. You thought that I was going to tell you that you had to sleep with me, didn't you?"

Kate looked away, but blushed furiously.

"You really do have a low opinion of me, don't you?" Kate could hear the disappointment in his voice. She heard Castle walking away from her. "I'll get a cab from here. There's nothing left but paperwork, right." Then he was gone.

Kate was too busy when backup arrived to think about Castle and what had just happened. But once back at the precinct, she had to think about what he'd said and what she'd thought. Damn him. He tells me that he's basing Nikki Heat, a so-called cop with a stripper's name, on me, and he says she's slutty. He liked the idea of Nikki as a cop by day and a hooker by night. It's not like he's never made any suggestive remarks to me. But the more she thought about it, the more she knew what she had to do.

Castle had come to a difficult plot twist in Heat Wave. He decided to play Angry Birds in the hopes that inspiration would strike. It didn't, but there was a knock on his door. He checked his watch. Martha was out of town and Alexis wasn't due back for hours. He shrugged and went to the door.

"Beckett!" He said with a smile. "Come in. I'm glad you dropped by. I need to apologize to you for today. Would you like a drink? Here, let me take your coat."

"Um, do you have any white wine?" She handed him her coat. He wants to apologize? Why?

Once seated on the couch with their wine, Castle spoke. "I was a little brusque with you this afternoon. Actually, I was insulting. After what I told you about Nikki, and her being slutty, it's only natural that you'd think I'd think that way about you. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said what I said, or rather, I should have said it in a different way. I don't think of you at all like that. And I shouldn't have just walked off and left you there. Forgive me? Please?"

Kate blushed slightly. "Castle, I came here to apologize to you. You did save my life today. I shouldn't be thinking bad things about you. You had every right to be angry with me. And, yes, I certainly forgive you, although there's no reason for you to need forgiveness. But, will you forgive me?"

"Of course. And given my reputation, it wouldn't be too hard for anyone to think the worst of me."

"Your reputation is improving, ever so slightly, in my eyes at least." Kate smiled at him and he smiled back. "Besides, I'm not exactly your type, am I?'

Castle shook his head. "There you go with that low opinion of me again."

Kate looked up at him. What did he mean by that?

Before she could ask the question, Castle asked her a question. "So, if you think you're not my type, what do you think my type is?"

Kate was a little embarrassed, but having said she wasn't his type, she had to explain it. "Castle, you date supermodels, starlets, beautiful women. I'm not in their league."

Castle nodded. "Aha! Perhaps it's not your low opinion of me, but your low opinion of you that's the problem. Beckett, you must know that you're an extraordinarily beautiful woman. You couldn't possibly not know that. You are as beautiful as, if not more beautiful than, any woman I've ever dated. "

Kate blushed, but nodded. "It's not really an asset in my line of work, so I suppose when I think of myself, my physical attributes aren't what I think about. Besides, being the "hot rookie" was no fun." Kate regretted the last sentence as soon as she said it.

"The hot rookie? Officer Katherine Beckett?" Castle nodded in comprehension. "In a male dominated police force? I can see that being a problem. Care to share with the class, Officer Hot Rookie?" He smiled when he said that. "No. That's too personal. You shouldn't answer."

"Thanks. But it's less personal than my mom's murder and I told you about that. And you can pretty much figure out the rest. At the Academy, I was one of very few women in the class, and I was the best looking. The male cadet's reaction to me told me that. When we had unarmed combat training, there was always a line of male cadets waiting to take me on. I got my boobs groped and my ass squeezed and hands down my shorts so often, I lost count. I was finally pulled aside by an instructor and told to kick the next one who groped me in the balls, and to keep kicking them until the guys learned to stop."

"I imagine they did stop, but that your reputation suffered."

"And how do you know that? Poor little Ricky was groped by the girls?" Beckett teased.

"Mother is an actress. She never talked about it and as far as I know, she never let anyone do anything to her, but kids hear things. I know she was pressured to sleep with some men to advance her career."

Beckett nodded. "Yeah. I was called a lesbian, frigid, a man hater, everything. When I graduated from the Academy, my training officer Mike Royce saw what was going to happen and let everyone know in no uncertain terms that no one was to touch me. He made the few that did regret it."

"I'd like to meet Royce. He sounds like a great guy."

"He retired and I kind of lost touch. And yeah, he's a great guy."

"One more thing, Beckett. I wouldn't date you just because you're beautiful. Although I admit to having done that in the past. You're a fascinating person. I like being with you. You keep me entertained."

Beckett laughed. "That must be my role in the universe, Castle. To keep you from being bored." She checked her watch. "Now that we've both forgiven each other, I should go. I have to get up early tomorrow and do paperwork."

"I will not join you." Castle said, shuddering.

He helped her on with her coat and opened the door for her. "Do you need me to call you a cab, Beckett?"

"No. I drove." She stopped for a second. "There is one thing. You deserve more of a reward for saving my life than just not being called kitten." She leaned up and brushed her lips on his, then walked to the elevator.

Castle stood in the open doorway, stunned. Why did she do that?

Why did I do that? Beckett thought as the elevator door closed.

Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, Meredith read the script for the film she'd been signed to appear in. Rick is so easy to manipulate. In some ways it's too bad, really. In others, it's perfect. I knew he'd do something to get me out of New York, but a part in a movie? Oh, I am good.

I wonder how long it'll take that detective to learn to manipulate Rick? I hope they don't get too close. Having him marry that bitch Gina was bad enough. I don't like it when people come between Rick and me. What am I worrying about? Rick and some cop? Never.