453. Chapter 453

After The Third Man

Episode 2.14

By

UCSBdad

Disclaimer: If I owned Castle would I be writing fanfic? Rating: K Time: See above.

January 25, 2016

"Where's Beckett?" Ryan asked.

"She's in the locker room changing."

"What for?" Espo asked. "You're just going to Remy's for dinner."

"Yeah, leaving your long suffering partners behind." Ryan added.

Castle smiled. "Gates told you two to have those corrected reports on her desk by 7 AM. It's not my fault your writing skills are abysmal. "

"There's nothing wrong…." Ryan stopped in mid-sentence as he saw Beckett coming out of the elevator.

"Looking good, Beckett." Espo said appreciatively.

Castle turned around to see his wife standing there, dressed in a nice, red, off the shoulder dress that showed her legs off quite nicely. Her hair was done up and she had more makeup on than usual. "I thought we were just going to Remy's." He said.

"We are. But considering what day it was, I decided to dress up a little."

Castle frowned. "What day it is?"

Kate rolled her eyes. "This is the anniversary of our first date."

Castle was even more confused. "We got together in May, so our first date was after that, not in January."

"I can't believe you. Our first date was at Remy's after we arrested that Customs agent for the murder of his brother-in-law."

"Beckett, that was not our first date."

"It was. I remember it well."

"So do I."

January 25, 2010- Beckett

As he took her arm, she curled her hair around one finger. I do like Castle, even if he does bug me at times. I tried to tell him that after he said he was going to stop following me after I had to shoot Coonan. I didn't do a really good job there. I want him to be around when I find the bastard that ordered the hit on my mom? That's sounds more like I want it written up properly, maybe even be a Nikki heat book. What I want is for Castle to stay with me and my team. Even take me out to dinner at Remy's every once in a while. Just like friends do.

January 25, 2010 – Castle

As he turned around in the elevator, he let go of her arm. No sense in taking chances. Touching Beckett is a no-no. She didn't notice, or she's letting it slide. But I should move just a little bit away from her so she doesn't think I'm going to grope her in the elevator. Not that groping Beckett doesn't appeal to me. Except for the part where I wake up in the ICU in a week. She was quite clear, the idea of being linked in any way, shape or form to me gets her angry. Very angry.

January 25, 2010- Beckett

Why didn't he take my arm again? Certainly, he doesn't mind touching me. I'm sure he wants to touch me everywhere. Oh god! Of course. When I saw that article in the paper, I over reacted. I acted like being linked romantically with Castle was on a par with being linked with some serial killer or something. No wonder he's avoiding any physical contact with me. He's afraid I'll blow up at him again. Well, it did upset me that the article made it look like we were together, but I should have let him explain. After all, I know that gossip columns write all sorts of garbage. They'd be linking me to Prince Harry and Castle to Angelina Jolie, or someone like that. As it was, it was just media puffery.

When they left the elevator, Castle stayed a good two feet from her. But, when they crossed the street, Kate "tripped" and had to grab onto Castle to keep her balance. She held onto his arm all the way across the street. There's no reason I can't hold onto Castle's arm. Friends do that all the time. And it'll let him know that my little over reaction didn't mean anything. I'm happy to be with my friend.

January 25, 2010-Castle

Did she hurt herself? Knowing Beckett if she broke her leg, she wouldn't say anything. She probably wouldn't hang onto my arm, either. She'd just limp along and say she was fine if I asked her. And get mad at me if I acted like she wasn't fine. Just do nothing, Rick. That's the safest policy. Unless….Is this a test? As mad as she was at the thought of us being romantically linked….And I'm not sure I convinced her that the story was just a misunderstanding with Donna Vincennes. That must be it. What can I do? I can't very well grab her arm and pull it off of me. I'd look like an idiot. And suppose she is hurt? I push her away, her ankle or leg gives way, she falls down and injures herself some more. What am I supposed to do? Why don't women come with an instructional manual?

As they approached Remy's, Castle saw a way out of his dilemma. As soon as they reached the door, Castle reached out and opened it, forcing Beckett to let go of his arm while she went through the door ahead of him.

Okay. I got through that.

One of the waitresses saw them come in. "Hi, would you like a table?" She pointed to a table in the middle of the dining room.

"How about a booth. There in the back?" Castle said.

He sighed with relief as the waitress led them to the booth. Remy's is not exactly paparazzi central by any means, but if someone did take a picture, Beckett would never forgive me. She'd probably think I set the whole thing up.

January 25, 2010-Beckett

Okay, he had to open the door for me, he's being a gentleman. And I had to let go of his arm, but why did he ask for a booth in the back? Did he mean it when he said he was upset with that article? Is his reputation as New York's ninth most eligible bachelor all that he's interested in? He said he didn't have fun with Amanda Livingston. Of course, that doesn't mean he wants to be with me that badly. Is he here just because he's hungry?

At the booth, Castle sat Beckett and then sat across from her. He didn't want to sit next to me. On the other hand, we are sitting across from each other. It's easier to talk that way.

Kate stretched her long legs and accidentally rubbed her foot across Castle's ankle. At once, Castle pulled his legs back and tucked them under the bench seat he was on. Why did he do that? Did he think I was coming onto him? Does he think I'm still mad at him? Am I doing something wrong?

January 25, 2010-Castle

I got through that one. She'd have thought I was playing footsie with her for sure. I'm pretty sure she wouldn't have shot me in public, but once we were all alone, I'd have been in deep trouble.

The waitress had left menus and the service was fast. Their burgers, fries and shakes arrived and both began eating.

"I love Remy's." Castle said. "They can have Dragos."

"They can have Dragos and their tiny portions." Kate agreed.

Since it was late and it had been a long time since lunch, they were both very hungry. The food disappeared quickly.

"Dessert?" Castle asked.

Kate looked at her stomach. "Oh, why not? Split an ice cream sundae?"

"With all the trimmings?" Castle asked.

"Of course."

They left after dinner, each going their separate ways.

I managed to get through that all right." Castle thought. I'll live to shadow Beckett again tomorrow.

Kate watched Castle walk away. Okay, he likes me. But just not that much. She sighed. I guess that's what I really wanted.

January 25, 2016

"It wasn't what I wanted." Castle said as they got in the elevator.

"You were appalled at the idea of being linked romantically to me." Kate replied.

"I was not. You were furious. I was just defending myself. I was fascinated by you from day one."

She nodded. "The problem was that we never talked to each other."

"We do now." He leaned over and kissed her. "I love you."

"I love you, too. Always."

"Always." He repeated.