481. Chapter 481

After Lucky Stiff

Episode 3.14

By

UCSBdad

Disclaimer: I don't own Castle. Just not lucky, I guess. Rating: K+ Time: See above.

She hadn't meant to over hear his phone conversation, but it was late and the precinct was almost empty. When she had come back from the supply room with some new pens, she could hear his voice clearly in the break room.

"Of course, Jeri."

A pause while Jeri, whoever she was, spoke.

"You know I will. Of course, I'd love to. Can't wait."

Pause.

"You want me to what?" He laughed. "Well, just because you asked me so nicely. I wouldn't do that for just anyone, you know."

Pause.

"Yes, I will want something in return." He laughed. "I'll be thinking about it."

He said goodbye and hung up.

She moved quickly back into the hallway where he couldn't see her, waited for a minute, then walked out hoping her face didn't register anything.

"About done?" He asked.

She nodded. "I'm afraid so. We can't do anything until we get the financials tomorrow."

He smiled and got up." Okay. Tomorrow, Beckett." He walked to the elevator and was gone.

As she sat there she felt an icy feeling in her stomach. Jeri? Who the hell is Jeri? And what is it that he'll do for her, but not just anyone? What about me? He said he loved me. That day at the swings, after I came back to the city, I told him. Didn't he understand what I was trying to tell him? She thought back to that day. I ignored him for three months and then I told him about my walls and how I couldn't be the kind of person I want to be, I couldn't have the kind of relationships I wanted to have, until my mom's murder was solved. My mom's murder. She was killed by a professional killer hired by some unknown, powerful person or persons. Someone who can whistle up cold blooded killers like Hal Lockwood and the sniper who shot me and then just have them disappear. Oh my god! Did Castle think that I meant that I was telling him that I might never be able to be with him? That my quest for justice might take the rest of my life? That he should try to go on with his life without me? And then I practically pushed that damned insurance investigator onto him. I told him to do what suited him. Well, dammit, I can't expect Castle to have the same non-existent social life I have. That wouldn't be fair to him. But he knows I want him to wait for me. Or does he? Why can't I just talk to that man?

Kate Beckett went home and tried to get some sleep. But she couldn't stop thinking about Jeri. She could see Jeri in her mind's eye. Gorgeous. No doubt about that. Big boobs, I'm sure. Castle likes big boobs. She looked down at her own boobs, sure that Jeri's were bigger, firmer and perkier than hers. Not just gorgeous, of course. I know Castle better than that by now. She'll be smart, well educated, sophisticated, and independent. Probably a lawyer, the CEO of an IT company, or a surgeon, maybe. Certainly not a cop. She imagined Jeri and Castle in his bed. No, in her bed. He won't take a woman to the loft because of Alexis. She'll have an all pink bedroom with a heart shaped bed. A king sized bed at that. With romantic music on and chilled champagne. And oysters. Castle will be making love to her, telling her he loves her. Asking her to the Hamptons. They'll be lying there, tangled among the sheets, all sweaty. She tell him she loves him, too. He'll start coming in to the precinct less and less so he can be with her. Then he'll stop all together. They'll move to Europe so he can write a book about his new muse, forgetting all about his old muse. I'll be all alone.

Kate finally fell asleep, feeling miserable.

Castle was a little later than usual the next morning, but he did bring her coffee as usual. He hasn't forgotten all about me then. However, she did notice that Castle did look a bit tired. Hours of making love with Jeri, no doubt.

Hours passed without a body drop. Castle sat there playing with his phone. Kate wondered if it had pictures of Jeri on it. Naked photos?

She checked her watch. "It's after noon. Do you want to grab a bite at Remy's?"

Castle looked up. "Oh, sorry. I forgot to tell you, I have someplace to go for lunch. It's a business lunch. I'll be hours. I've got to go. See you later."

Beckett glared at his back as he left. Business lunch? Monkey business.

He had been gone for ten minutes before she noticed he'd left his phone on her desk. She picked it up. I wonder if there are pictures of Castle and Jeri on the phone. In bed together? Having sex? She shook her head and put the phone down. What's happening to us isn't Castle's fault. If I could just…

The phone rang. Beckett checked the screen. All it said was Jeri, with no photo. She knew she shouldn't but she just couldn't resist. She picked up the phone and hit accept. "Detective Kate Beckett."

There was silence for a few seconds on the other end of the line. Then, "Oh, I'm sorry. I must have the wrong number."

"We're you trying to reach Richard Castle?" Kate asked.

"Um, yes."

"This is his phone. I just answered it for him. I'm his partner." Kate did her best to give the impression that they were partners in more than just police work. She doubted that it worked.

"Oh, can you take a message for me?"

"Sure." Kate said through gritted teeth. Here I am arranging his next damned orgy with this bimbo.

"Will you please tell Mr. Castle that Jeri called and..."

"Can you wait for me to get a pen and paper?" Kate broke in. Mr. Castle? What kind of girlfriend calls him Mr. Castle? "Okay, go ahead."

"Please tell Mr. Castle that Jeri called and that I got everything ready for the weekend and he was such a huge help. And please tell him that Alexis was absolutely right. He's the coolest dad ever."

A mixture of relief and embarrassment filled Kate. "You're a friend of Alexis'?"

"Oh, yes. We went to Marlowe Prep together. But I was a year ahead of her and I graduated a semester early so I'm at Hudson University now, but we're still BFF's." There was a pause. "You're the detective he works with, right?"

"Yes. Kate Beckett."

"Oh, wow! That must be so cool working with Mr. Castle. I really envy you."

"It has its moments." Kate said, blushing slightly.

They said goodbye and hung up, leaving Kate feeling much better.

"Your new girlfriend called while you were out." Beckett said when Castle finally returned.

"My what?" Castle asked, looking confused.

"Jeri? Alexis' friend Jeri. She said to tell you that everything was ready for the weekend, that you were a big help and that Alexis is right. You are the coolest dad ever."

Castle smiled. "Was there any doubt of that?"

Kate gave him a very mild glare. "So what did you do that was such a huge help?"

"Jeri is double majoring in music and computer science at Hudson. She's put together a music file sharing service for local bands that don't have the money to make CDs, or get any publicity if they do have a CD. It covers both her majors."

"And what did you do?" Kate insisted.

"I put her in touch with a really slamming rap duo."

Kate laughed. "You know a rap duo? You even know what rap is?"

Castle did his best to look offended. "Of course I do. I know the Page Brothers."

"What? Those two are ex-cons. And you're setting them up with some college girl? Castle, what were you thinking of?"

"They're serious artists and they'll meet her at a club. Alexis and I'll both be there. And several large bouncers."

Kate blushed slightly when she asked the next question. "I accidentally overheard you last night talking to Jeri. What is it that you're going to do for her that you usually wouldn't do?"

Castle blushed in return. "Nothing special."

"Tell me. Tell me, or your conversation suitably edited, goes to the boys." Kate threatened.

"I agreed to dance."

Kate frowned. "You can dance. We danced at the fundraiser when you got me the dress, remember?"

"I can. I've just never danced to rap music before." He replied defensively.

"Castle dancing to the Page Brothers' gangster rap? I'd pay to see that."

He grinned at her. "You don't have to pay if you come with me."

Kate wore the blue dress she'd worn when they arrested Oz, the drug dealer. When Rick led her out onto the dance floor, she leaned close to him. "This time I won't glare at you if you can't keep your eyes off my ass."

She turned her back to him and shook her booty as hard as she could. And Castle watched.