On Hold by Castlefan6
Authors Note: Thisis my AU version of events as the end of Season 2 was played out. Kate takes the initiative to tell Castle what she wants, is she too late? NO Doctor MB, but some old characters, owned by both Marlowe and me will pay a visit in this story. This will have ANGST, but I think you will like the end result. I liked the TV Show, but several areas bothered me, treating Kate as the victim, she said NO, so the time limit doesn't matter, no guy is going to put his life on hold, waiting for and if the one he is interested in comes around. This will examine the summers of each and then well, read and find out.
I don't own Castle, I use the characters for amusement purposes only
Forward.
I've had several requests, most are to continue with Down for the Count and Collection of Memories which I will do. I wanted to step away, for a brief time and honor a request, well at least do my best to do so, from fellow writer Swordwriter who has encouraged me to become better with each chapter I write. If you haven't read his work, please do so, it is detailed enough for the Armed Force veterans to follow yet allows those who did not serve an understanding to his story.
The request was to pick up from the end scene of Season 2, the See you in the fall, and the pathetic look on KB's face as Rick walks away with his ex-wife to stuuuppp all summer long in the Hamptons.
I chose to look at how each spent that summer, I know there have been a ton of stories already published, but I have yet to deal with the root cause of the anxiety, Lies and Deceit. Having experience this in a personal setting I write from some experience, and some of just conjecture, but one fact I want to spell out now for the reviewers, Anon, Guests and those that log in. I DO NOT HATE KATE BECKETT, I am a Caskett shipper from day one, as my other stories show.
Any reviews that contain Beckett bashing, or trying to get me to write a story you want to tell but are too lazy to do so will be deleted. I enjoy writing as a hobby, I post frequently since my BIGGEST Peeve with an author is slow updates. The excuse that Real Life (RL) got in the way is acceptable from time to time for us all, but I don't want to have to go back and read the last 5 chapters to understand what the new chapter was conveying because it had been 8 months since the last post.
That leads me to my favorites, The Grammar Police, I don't employ a beta for a reason, I control the time of the updates and ALL errors are mine. My background as a Senior Level Director for the largest software company in the world, with teaching for over 8 years at a private and exclusive university in Ohio supports my credentials. If I proof and miss a word, or use the wrong version of it, I don't mind it being pointed out, PROVIDED there is some other critique that either supports or objects to what I have written in a professional manner. One reader pointed out the use of Carrots instead of carats and along with her feedback I laughed about as hard as she did.
Far too many great authors have been chased from this site by the little people who have nothing to do but try to make others look small. I encourage you to challenge those that do this, if you enjoy the work we pour out, we ask for little. Reviews, Follows, Favorites let us gauge how well we are hitting our target audience. If the story is not for you, which often it won't be, move on and find a new story. No need to bash or insult those who are brave enough to publish their works.
My Regulars will tell you that I answer every PM, and will discuss points of the story, and why I took the direction I did, even if it's wait a few more chapters and you'll see. I have been welcomed into this community with open arms and I thank each of you for your kindness. I have used the block tool only three times and hope I don't have to do it ever again.
Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoy this one as well, and Swordwriter, I hope I do you proud,
Tim
On Hold by Castlefan6
Authors Note: Thisis my AU version of events as the end of Season 2 was played out. Kate takes the initiative to tell Castle what she wants, is she too late? NO Doctor MB, but some old characters, owned by both Marlowe and me will pay a visit in this story. This will have ANGST, but I think you will like the end result. I liked the TV Show, but several areas bothered me, treating Kate as the victim, she said NO, so the time limit doesn't matter, no guy is going to put his life on hold, waiting for and if the one he is interested in comes around. This will examine the summers of each and then well, read and find out.
I don't own Castle, I use the characters for amusement purposes only
Chapter 1
Previously
ESPOSITO BECKETT ESPOSITO BECKETT ESPOSITO
So...Castle's last case, huh?
Mm-hmm.
Ryan and I thought we'd do a little going away party.
Yeah, well, it's not like he's leaving forever.
You sure about that? Why do you think he's been following you around all this time? What, research? The guy's done enough research to write 50 books. Look, whatever the reason is, I'm pretty sure it doesn't include watching you be with another guy.
12th Precinct
During the Going Away Party
Everyone is sitting around the table making jokes, Castle has just made them laugh recounting him leaving Alexis for three weeks, "There were tears, lots of tears, Alexis was fine though" as they all laugh. Beckett enters the room, opens a beer, and exchanges friendly banter with Lanie and Castle.
"Rick can I see you in private for a minute please?"
"Sure" as he makes his way from the table following her out into the bull pen.
"What's up?" he asks.
"Well, could we go to the conference room, I would like this to be private" Kate says with a nervous tone he has never heard before.
As he follows her lead to the open conference room, there is a voice that sends chills down Kate's spine,
"Richard are you almost ready, we'll be stuck in traffic for hours if we don't leave soon?" coos, Gina Cowell, ex-wife number 2, and the buxom blonde that she's still concerned about being too close to Castle.
"Hi Gina, sorry I'll be with you shortly, we have some last-minute details to work out for when I'm gone. Grab a coffee for you and me for the road please, the break room is there to your left, I won't be long." Rick smiles.
"Hi Detective Beckett, it's good to see you and thanks for your help in tracking Richard down the other day, I hope I didn't spoil your date by calling?"
"Hi Gina, always a pleasure and no you didn't spoil anything, it was just a lunch not really a date," catching herself, why the hell was she justifying her actions with Tom to Gina, and why the hell was she here?
"That's good to hear, I won't have to bother you again for the summer, Rick is taking me to the Hampton's, so I can stay on top of him, well for his book. We'll be sure to send you an advance copy" she replies as the cat fight begins between the two.
Kate is silently fuming, irrational as it is, but he replaced her in a day, not even a day, and with some big boobed bimbo that he's had sex with. That's not fair her subconscious tells her, Gina is his publisher, and she did call for publishing business. It was unfortunate timing that she had been cuddled on the couch with Remy's takeout with Tom about to get to the next level when the phone killed the mood.
They enter the conference room, Rick still smiling, totally oblivious to the transactions that just occurred between the two women, one marking her territory with the words, "away for the summer", the other trying to rectify a mistake and a lie.
"So, what's up Kate? I don't want to be rude but Gina's right, we do have to leave soon, or we'll be in traffic forever."
"Rick, I had this speech prepared about how I don't let people in and not good at sharing, but Fuck It, I was going to ask you if the invitation was still open, but I can see now that you didn't waste any time replacing me."
"Excuse Me? It wasn't I who flaunted Mr. Detective in my face for the last 6 weeks, totally ignoring the fact that we were partners. Think about it Kate, just do yourself one favor and relive the scenes from the last several cases and tell me the message you would have received had it been you in my place.
What do you think I or any man was supposed to do. I asked you said no, in fact you lied to my face, and when I found out you had plans with Boy Toy, I was supposed to put my life On Hold waiting for you to change your mind?
Is that what you would have done? Since Demming came into your life I don't exist, even as your friend, in fact I have been treated as the nuisance someone you had to put up with because of orders."
"Rick, that's not true, and yo*"
"Not True Kate? Go back in your mind, maybe the words you said didn't even mean enough for you to remember them, but I sure as hell did.
If you're asking about the invitation, I didn't replace you Kate, you're going with Demming and I don't interfere with a woman who is taken. I invited an available women who said yes and didn't see the need to lie to me, so get off your soap box about being replaced. There never was an us, you made damn sure of that every chance you got."
"We're not together anymore, I broke up with him to go away with you." Kate says sadly,
"I'm sorry about that Kate, but I was raised a gentleman, and no matter how badly I would love to say let's go, I won't." Kate's face flushes with panic and sadness,
"I asked Gina, she accepted, and we are going. I placed my life on hold for you for almost two years, to hear what you just said, but the joke is really on me. You break up with your boyfriend to come and tell me now you are ready for me, and we should go?
How pathetic does that make me Kate? Saying the words out loud I can see why the entire precinct thought I was your puppet on a string. If you hurry maybe you can still connect with Tom, I'm sure he would love the weekend with you, it was worth you lying to me, so he had to be good for something." Rick is on a roll now and not holding back.
"Rick, Is Gina your girlfriend now? I mean is this how we are going to be work partners with no chance of ever being anything more?"
Rick laughs, "Do you even hear what you are asking me? I made the comment about Tom being your boyfriend and I was told that's none of your business.
Kate's mind is in flashback mode and she remembers exactly when she said it, the art robbery and homicide case where Demming worked with the team.
BECKETT CASTLE BECKETT CASTLE BECKETT
I think we should pursue both lines of investigation.
Well, he's your boyfriend.
Excuse me?
I'm sorry. Am I jumping to conclusions again?
It's none of your business.
"Well Detective", making sure she is aware that he is using her title now, no longer Kate, or even Beckett, "Its none of your business, and why would you care anyway?"
The participants in the party can not only see, but also hear Rick's booming voice as he is voicing his frustration, finally letting Kate know that no one, no matter how smitten they are with someone will wait forever while being subjected to that type of abuse.
The conversation has not been lost on Gina either, but too her credit, has remained stoic and not celebrated the fact that her ex-husband, is standing up for himself like he did when they were married.
"Rick, I mean is this serious between you and Gina, or do you think*"
"Beckett, while I'm gone, don't expect a call, email or text, regardless of if Gina lasts one day or we fuck each other's brains out the entire summer, "It's none of your business."
"But Rick, I mean I know you're angry but what did I do that was so terrible to make you hate me?"
"I don't hate you Kate, I care deeply for you, but I have had two marriages and countless relationships fail because of a lack of honesty.
You lied, you know you did, and you know why and spare me the crap you didn't want me to feel awkward. When I get back and you can honestly discuss the behavior you exhibited towards me during Demming's time with this department, we can talk."
"Rick, I don't want to wait that long I mean I didn't do anything that bad, please? I said I was sorry for all that and the lie."
"You have got to be kidding me right, that's your first step, go back and look at the hurt you caused, some unintentional, but some instances were just cruel Kate, something I had never witnessed from you. Until you know what you did, how can you even be sincere in an apology?"
Rick turns walks out of the conference room with Kate following sheepishly behind him. He smiles as he sees Gina, she wraps her arm around him, sending a clear message of property lines and boundaries, as he waves to the party in the room, he slips his arm around Gina,
Trying with every ounce of her being to stay silent, she finally utters, "See you in the fall?"
He turns just for a moment, replying "See you in the fall" then smiling turns back to Gina as she watches them enter the elevator all smiles, and hugs.
Her thoughts take over, she did it this time, yesterday she had a boyfriend and Castle on hold, today, no boyfriend, no Castle, and she really didn't believe him when he said see you in the fall, he just wanted out of there, away from her. She didn't know what was worse, the hurt she now knew she caused or the pathetic looks coming from her co-workers, it was going to be a long summer, starting with this weekend.
A/N Please see the forward at the beginning of this chapter. Thanks to all who read, review, favor or follow, your support is the fuel that feeds the energy to keep writing.