320. Chapter 320

After Den of Thieves

Episode 2.21

By

UCSBdad

Disclaimer: I might steal Castle, but I don't own it. Rating: K. Time: See above.

"This is my other partner, Castle." Richard Castle sat in his office, sipping Scotch, and replaying Esposito's line in his head over and over. "This is my other partner, Castle." He smiled. I like it. Espo thinks of me as a fellow cop. Well, maybe not exactly a completely real cop, but he appreciates my input. In spite of everything, I do good things for the 12th Precinct. Who figured out that Internal Affairs informant must have been lying? Who, I ask? Who else but Richard Castle. Once we found out that IA's so-called informant was Esposito, we knew it had to be Holliwell. And once we had Holliwell, he promptly rolled over and gave us Racine. Holliwell and the ledger will put Racine in prison for a very long time.

Castle smiled to himself and took another sip of Scotch. I've written best sellers, dated beautiful women, and had more fun than anyone has any right to have had, but this was real. I made a difference. He thought back over the last year or so. And it wasn't just one lucky guess, either. I've made a real difference in a lot of people's lives. I've done good things. I've helped…Beckett.

Castle sat back and thought. She's changed in the last year. She smiles more. That's good. She has a great smile. She has a great lot of things. Which Demming noticed, damn him. Castle's smile faded. Demming asked if there was anything between Beckett and me and I told him the truth. We're not together. I am her partner, or at least I was. What could I have told Demming? If I had lied, I know it would have gotten back to Beckett. That's just the way my luck runs with her. She would have gone totally postal if she found out I had been messing with her social life. No, I couldn't have lied. Could I have told Demming another truth? We're not together, but I'd like us to be together? I just don't know how she feels about me. She told me after she shot Coonan that she had gotten used to having me pulling on her pigtails. That's not exactly a declaration of undying love. More like she's resigned to having me around. But she does smile at me. I no longer get those Beckett glares every time I open my mouth. But I still do get them.

Castle poured another glass of Scotch and thought about his relationship with Detective Kate Beckett. When I found out about the Nikki Heat movie I asked her to guess why I was there. She said that she wondered about that every day. Later, she said that she must have done something pretty bad to have been cursed with me. No, I can't say that Beckett sounds like she's that into me. She seemed to be interested in Demming, though.

Castle downed the rest of his Scotch. Women seem to leave me. Kyra left me. She said she needed some space. She got all the space she needed and then some. Meredith left me. Decided some director or producer was more to her liking. I actually left Gina. I divorced her, not the other way around, but she was perfectly happy to see the last of me. As a husband anyway. Most of the rest of the women in my life have moved on, not that I minded. Why would I care if Ellie Monroe went back to LA to resume her career and sleep with more people who could help her career? I don't like it, but I think Beckett may be leaving me behind. No, that's not right. Since we've never actually been together, she isn't really leaving me. It just feels that way.

This sucks.

Kate Beckett sat with Tom Demming, just chatting. This is fun. She thought. This is what I've been looking for. This is exactly what I used to have all those years ago and this is what I haven't had since Mom died.

"So, would you like to go out to dinner?" Demming asked.

"I'd love to, Tom. When?" Kate smiled. This is just what I need. A date with someone I know a little bit about. Someone that I can relate to.

"Friday?" Demming said, smiling.

"Perfect. Where?"

"Do you like Chinese?"

She laughed. "I love Chinese."

"Okay, I have a couple of places in mind. I'll see where I can get a reservation, and let you know."

"Sounds great."

Demming smiled at her. "Do you mind if I ask you a question?"

She shook her head. "You can always ask, I just can't guarantee that I'll answer."

"Fair enough. It's about Castle. I can't say that I know him, but I know a little about him. I'm kind of surprised that he's here and taking part in investigations as he does. I mean a mystery writer? He didn't catch on at all when we first interviewed Racine, but he was the one that figured out that IA's informant must have lied. None of the four detectives caught that. What's his story?"

Kate wasn't sure that she wanted to talk to Tom about Castle, but Castle would no doubt be around, so she should explain his presence to Tom. "He was a big help in solving a case a year or so ago that involved someone copy catting murders based on his books, and he turned out to be quite helpful and still is. He stuck around to write a novel about a female NYPD detective. Have you read it?" Kate cringed at the thought that Tom might think of her as Nikki Heat.

"No. I'm a cop. The last thing I need in my life is murders when I'm not at work. I might just read it, though."

"Oh, I wouldn't bother." Kate said quickly.

Demming shrugged. "No problem. Um, I asked Castle if he and you were, you know, together. He said you weren't. I'm just a little curious as to why not. You're an attractive woman, he's a rich, attractive man. It would seem a natural. I hope I'm not prying."

Kate shook her head. "No, you're not prying. He does have some good points, but Castle is egotistical, vain, he is completely unable to take anything seriously, he has the attention span of a cocker spaniel, and can't keep from making up bizarre theories about murders. These usually involve zombies or space aliens. He can be absolutely infuriating at times."

Demming nodded. "It's funny, though, that doesn't sound like a man who would go with us after an armed and desperate rogue cop."

Kate shrugged. "Like I said, he has his good points. Just not many of them." The last thing that Kate wanted to do was to have Castle intrude on her conversation with Tom.

Demming looked at his watch. "I've got to go. Reports to write. I'll call you later."

Kate smiled as Demming walked to the elevator. Okay, maybe Castle isn't as bad as I made him out to be, but I don't want the self declared, ruggedly handsome best selling author scaring Tom off. But, I did kind of push Castle to the side on this case. Oh, well. Things will get back to normal now that the case is over. Not normal, of course, but better.

This is going to be great.