A/N: So I think that last chapter almost divided opinion which was interesting, but I liked that it came full circle back to the stuff from 20-odd chapters ago and that was the main point. At least I know one person liked it and that's always enough for me. So, on we go...again I'm sorry this has taken so long.

Previously on A Simple Search

"I really hate to ask, but I just can't stop myself. I promise I'll leave you guys to eat afterwards, but would you be kind enough to sign my DKB fan-club card Detective?"

Confused, Kate took the offered card and looked at the woman questioningly and asked," DKB fanclub? What's that?"

Shirley answered as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, as if the answer hadn't just shocked both the patrons in front of her into silence,

"It's my membership card to The Detective Kate Beckett Fan Club"

Chapter 24

"That was a little weird right? It's not just me is it?" Kate was sitting on the couch, feet pulled up to the seat beside her, but she didn't seem to move so much as a muscle as she spoke. Holding a glass of wine to her chest deep in thought; her face was the only thing that gave her away. She was confused and a little worried.

They'd eaten their meals in companionable silence, enjoying the food and the company. They'd met George; Shirley's husband, as well as their son the cook. No one bought up the fan club again and they talked like completely regular people. Now that they were back at the Castle mansion though, having whiled away the rest of the day reading and relaxing, Kate couldn't hold it in any more. It was just too bizarre. "You didn't know about it did you; the fan club?" Her expression took on a slightly suspicious edge, her eyes narrowing, when she turned to her partner.

"No. I had no idea believe me; I was just as surprised as you were." He drank from his own glass and checked his phone.

"How big do you think this fan club is? Do you think it'll become a problem? I didn't mind the website, but having a fan club sounds a little over the top doesn't it?" She was about to start working herself up into a state, Castle could tell, so he did his best to calm her down.

"I wouldn't worry about it. I'm sure it won't be a problem." He checked his phone again and as he put it back on arm of the couch he noticed his partners raised eyebrow, "I've got someone looking into it" was all he said in answer to her silent question.

"You've got a guy for everything haven't you Castle," Smirking she finished off her wine and put the glass on the table beside her.

"You've no idea how true that is Detective, but putting that aside we should probably head to bed. It's getting late and I think I've had enough excitement for one day," He drained the dregs of wine from the glass in his hand and stood; he held out his hand to help his partner off the couch and just as she put her hand in his and made to rise he tugged on her arm and sent her crashing into his chest. He smirked at her indignant expression.

"I thought you'd had enough excitement for one day?" She parroted his own words back at him and watched the smirk slip from his face to be replaced with a look of contentment.

"I think I have reserves of energy stored up just for you detective" he reassured her as he led her off to the bedroom by the hand; slowing his pace just a touch to accommodate her slightly limp from her almost healed ankle.

Castle woke with a start, trying to figure out exactly what had gotten him up, he looked to the other side of the bed to find Kate with a phone pressed to her ear, his phone in fact, and she was in a hushed conversation with someone. That must have been what woke him, and when he caught a whispered name he realised why his phone actually managed to wake him up when usually he could sleep straight through 90% of his ringtones. His detective was talking to his daughter. Just as he thought of her she noticed he was awake. She smiled at him and evidently Alexis said something that made her let out a breathy, laughing exhale.

"Yes he's awake, and yes you're totally right. I'll talk to you more soon," Kate thrust the phone at Castle as a slight tinge of red appeared on her cheeks.

Castle told his daughter to hold on a second before he covered the bottom of the phone with his hand; he couldn't resist asking, "What was she right about?"

"Never mind that, what happened to you having a guy for everything? You shouldn't count your own daughter as one of your guys Castle, that's not how it works." Kate's expression was one of affection so he knew she was teasing, she carried on without waiting for him to answer, "Just find out how big of a problem this fan club is; I need coffee." With that she got out of bed and silently padded out of the room in her bare feet.

He'd been so mesmerised by her totally unconscious display of normality and the fact that she got on so well with Alexis that he'd forgotten his daughter was actually still on the line, he came back to himself as he heard her voice shout out, he put the phone back to his ear, "Hey sweetheart, sorry about that I got lost in thought for a second"

"Don't worry about it Dad, I'm more than used to your concentration problems" He could hear his daughters grin as clear as day, "You may want to concentrate a little more on what I've got for you though Dad; it's not great. There's good news and bad news, which one do you want first?"

He could hear the worry in her voice and he unconsciously sat up straighter; this wasn't going to go down well. He knew that already, "Good news first; what did you find?"

"Well, the fan club is really small and it's more like a group of bored housewives that want something to talk about than a hoard of hungry-for-information fanatics. There's less than 15 of them in total and they don't actively look for new members."

"That is good news pumpkin, Beckett will be relieved; thank you"

"Don't thank me yet; while I was searching online and chatting to a few people on the website I came across a new post with a new picture. It's only been up on the site since last night but the links are spreading and I've already seen it on your message board as well as a few places on Instagram…" Alexis trailed off obviously not want to break the news.

"What's the picture off sweetie? Whatever it is, you didn't take it so I won't be mad at you."

"It looks like it was taken at Shirley's Dad; you guys are leaving holding hands. It's actually a really nice picture but it's got a lot of people talking. I don't think they know where it is yet, the only reason I know is because we've been to that diner so often I'd know it anywhere. I can't find the original post yet but I'm still looking. I'm worried about Kate, how do you think she'll take it?"

"We'll work it out; try not to worry about it." Castle was in fact very worried; he knew this could blow up in their faces; should he tell her at all? He didn't know if he was willing to risk what they had, especially when it was so new.

"If you don't tell her then I will," Alexis used her parenting voice to issue that statement so he knew there wasn't anything he could do to influence his daughter in her decision. "You can't build a relationship on lies, and it'll come out eventually. There's no point in trying to hide it Dad." Her voice was now resigned.

"You're right pumpkin. I'll tell her over breakfast."

"Make sure you do, I'll call her this afternoon with whatever I find out so I'll know if you've backed out Dad."

"So you're going to talk to her yourself and leave your dear old Dad in the dark? Where's the loyalty from my own daughter?" He was trying to lighten the mood, but they both saw through it.

"Don't worry Dad, I'm still loyal; but you'd be disappointed with me if I didn't use every opportunity I had to bring Kate onto my side. I can see the two of us having multiple opportunities to gang up on you….or at least I hope so, after you tell her about the photo"

"I'll talk to her and we'll work it out; don't worry so much pumpkin…." He paused, wondering how much he should say wanting to make his daughter feel better, "You do know that regardless of what happens between us…"

"Dad stop, there's no need; Kate and I already talked and she said as much when I was with you guys the other week. I'd just rather see you together than apart; you're both happier that way."

Castle was momentarily stunned by the idea that they'd talked about things like that; but he shrugged it off just as quickly as he thought of it. Kate Beckett was just that sort of person. Fiercely loyal and protective, she wouldn't let her friendship with Alexis be effected by anything. She'd always be there for his daughter and he took great comfort in that, "I'm glad you guys get on so well pumpkin. I'll talk to you later OK."

Kate was sitting at the counter in the kitchen nursing a mug of coffee as if it were an ancient sacred relic, but before he had the chance to utter a word she spoke, "Tell me the bad news first Castle."

"How do you know I've got bad news at all?" He tried to sound upbeat and hopeful but knew she could read him like a book, even if she wasn't actually looking at him. She's still a Detective even if she is on sick leave.

"I can practically feel it coming off you in waves, plus the only time you walk like that is when you don't want to go wherever your feet are leading you. Spit it out Castle; it can't be as bad as I'm imagining."

He came around the counter and she finally got the chance to look him in the face; his worry was plainly obvious.

He decides to just go for it. Rip it off like a band aid, fast and easy, "Someonetookapictureofusleavingthediner"

It was eerily similar to when he told her about the website all those weeks ago and her reaction actually wasn't much different, "Jeez Castle, you had me ready for a heart attack," she took a deep breath, seemingly regaining her composure, "That's not really too much of a surprise. It had to happen eventually and you're known around here; especially at the diner. I have been worried about the reaction when this gets out, but I was more worried about the fan club."

He gaped at her in astonishment.

"I take it that, whatever Alexis discovered, they're not a gossip hungry hoard that's likely to show up at every crime scene? They're not going to wait outside the precinct to ambush me every chance they get. They're not going to start running after me when I'm jogging or scream my name at Remy's just for an autograph. I'm a homicide detective Castle; these are just the tip of the iceberg of the things that worry me."

He visibly relaxed at her words, the worry seeping out of him the more she spoke, draining the last of her coffee. He was back to his usual self by the time he spoke, "No they won't be a problem; from what Alexis told me they have less than 15 members and are just housewives that want something to talk about. She's still looking into things with the picture though. She's going to call you later"

"That's great Castle, I'm glad. Now get me another Coffee while I change. I'm going for a swim this morning. I want to get as much time in the pool as I can before we have to head back" She stretched her back before she kissed him on the cheek and started to leave.

"Head back where?" He'd been too busy staring at her lithe form as she'd stretched and only just register her words.

"Back to the city Castle; we can't stay here forever." She couldn't have realised what her words were going to do to Castle or she might not have spoken them so lightly.

Castle stood and gaped in astonishment yet again, he hadn't even thought about returning to New York. He's been so wrapped up her he'd never paused to consider what was going to happen now that she was well rested and almost back to full fitness. She hardly even had a limp any more so it was a wonder it was only now hitting him like a freight train; how had he not thought past the end of the week? What was going to happen when they were no longer living together? No more lazy mornings or movie nights on the couch. No more popcorn fights that have Alexis scolding them like children. She would go back to the precinct and once again work the overly long hours buried in her latest case while he would go back to being the plucky sidekick who got on her last nerve and killed her patience. She'll go back to her apartment at the end of a long day because she'd finish so late she wouldn't want to disturb him. The closeness of the recent weeks would evaporate like a splash of water on a hot sidewalk.

He could only hope that he had the patience to weather the oncoming storm. There were going to be arguments, he just had to hope they could get through them and come out together.