382. Chapter 382

After Swan Song

Episode 5.07

By

UCSBdad

Disclaimer: I don't own Castle. Fade to black, musical sting. Rating: K Time: See above.

"You don't have to go if you don't want to, you know."

This time it was Castle who rolled his eyes. "Not go? How could I possibly not go? I mean, it's a charity event that I agreed to go to publicly. I'm well known for my unstinting support of all sorts of charities."

"Especially those with lots of attractive women hunting for the White Whale." Kate shot back.

He shook his head. "I really hate hat name. I always feel like I should be trying to ram the Pequod and kill Captain Ahab. And the most attractive woman has already harpooned the White Whale."

"Now I don't like that. It makes me sound like I hunted you down."

"If only the world knew how much trouble we had getting together." Rick put his arms around Kate's waist and inhaled the scent of cherries. "But we've finally found each other."

"But not tonight." Kate said quickly. "You know the rules. We are not together. We're there as each other's partners. Detective Beckett and Mr. Castle, Homicide Squad, Twelfth Precinct. You will not hold my hand, you will not kiss me, you will not wink at me, you will not…"

"Maybe it would be easier if you just told me what I can do?"

"You can sit next to me and ignore me."

"To prove we're not together, could I flirt outrageously with Captain Gates?" Castle asked, smiling.

"No!" Kate was horrified. "You will be polite to Captain Gates." She moved forward until she was pressed up against him. "And you will not, repeat, not flirt with anyone."

"Even that retired Sergeant Noriega?" Castle asked. "She's about eighty and probably hasn't been flirted with since she was twenty. I've seen photos of her when she was a rookie. The only way she could get a man was with a nightstick and handcuffs."

"Mr. Castle," Kate said coldly, "you will be friendly and polite to everyone and you will under no circumstances flirt with anyone." She slid her hand down his chest. "And if you do that, I'll spend the rest of the night making sure you can't move for a week."

"Yes, ma'am." Castle said happily, "And I'll return the favor."

Rick and Kate arrived at the NYPD charity event in a cab together. They had decided that, as partners, they could be seen arriving together. Kate was nervous. "I hope we raise a lot of money. I can't believe Officer Grijalva's insurance has such a high co-payment. He owes almost sixty thousand dollars for his daughter's operations. Detective Kelso told me they're hoping to raise ten thousand tonight."

Castle frowned. "With the NYPD officers providing the entertainment? They should tell people that Espo will stop singing if they fork over their money. They'll make a fortune if they did that."

Kate glared at him. "Espo can sing, a little. And both Ryan and Ann Hastings sang in their church choirs. Hastings even sang in a glee club in college."

"And they call themselves the Blue Brothers?" "Castle said. "Has anyone noticed that Hastings can't pass the physical to be a brother?"

"I'm sure you noticed when she was in that skintight leather costume." Kate put her hand to her mouth, realizing that she should never talk about Lone Vengeance. "Oops."

"If there's anyone who'd excite me by wearing a skintight leather costume, it's you." He whispered in her ear. "Now, I would pay serious money to see that,"

"Maybe, someday, if you are very, very good, you will."

"Aren't I always very good?"

"Mr. Castle. Enough."

Rick and Kate sat at a table with Jenny Ryan and Lanie. The show was opened by the Chief of Police, who told a few jokes that were laughed at mainly because he was the Chief of Police. Castle found the entertainment to be…entertaining. Having been exposed to first class entertainment since his childhood, he did have fairly high standards, but he enjoyed himself. He was pleasantly surprised by the Blue Brothers, who sang Shout, Twist and Shout, and What'd I Say?

He leaned over to tell Kate, "Okay! The Blue Brothers blew the doors off this place. Ryan and Hastings can really sing."

"And Espo?" Kate said.

"He can…shout."

Lanie leaned over to Kate. "Can you come help me with my dress, sweetie?" The two women excused themselves and left.

Espo came back to their table so that he could listen to Lanie sing. Castle had once imagined Lanie as an old style torch singer, but the reality was better than his imagination. When she was done, he leaned over to Espo. "I guess Kate stayed backstage to help Lanie after her number."

Espo just shrugged.

Castle almost choked on his Scotch when the spotlight suddenly shown on his partner. She began to sing.

"Oh, my love, my darlingI've hungered for your touchA long, lonely timeTime goes by so slowlyAnd time can do so muchAre you still mine?I need your loveI need your loveGod speed your love to me

Lonely rivers flowTo the sea, to the seaTo the open arms of the seaLonely rivers sigh"Wait for me, wait for me"I'll be coming home, wait for me

Castle was completely stunned, not only that Kate had such a beautiful voice, but that she had chosen that song to sing. When she came back out and sat down with him, it was all he could do not to kiss her right there.

"Down, Writer Boy," She whispered. "We're not together, remember?"

"Wait until tonight." He whispered back.

The head of the Policeman's Benevolent Fund came out on stage. "Ladies and gentlemen. I have wonderful news. Thanks to an anonymous donor who gave us a cashier's check for sixty thousand dollars, we've raised the money we need in one night. Thank you all so much, and thank you to our anonymous donor."

Every eye at the table turned to Castle. "Rick?" Kate raised an eyebrow.

"Whoever it was wishes to remain anonymous, I suggest we keep it that way."

Kate smiled. "What I told you before we came here? It'll be a month."

"Looking forward to it."

Suddenly a shadow appeared over the table. A large shadow from Robbery.

"Kate! Long time, no see." Tom Demming said. "You have a great voice. Outstanding."

"Thank you." Kate said, trying not to encourage him. "You remember my partner, Rick Castle, the Ryans, Lanie Parish and Espo?"

Demming kept his eyes on Kate. "Oh, yeah. The writer." He smiled at Kate. "I heard you broke up with that doctor, and that you haven't been dating. So, why don't we go out for a drink after this and catch up. I've really missed you, Kate."

Kate smiled back. "I'd love to, Tom. But I have had so much work lately, all I can think of is getting home and getting to bed."

Tom grinned. "Me, too."

Castle clenched his fists under the table and put on his best poker face. No one can know that we're together. I cannot hit Demming over the head with this lovely, heavy centerpiece, as much as I'd love to hear it thunk against his skull.

Kate's smile faded. "I'm sorry, Tom. I'm still looking for something else."

Demming stood there as if expecting something else until Espo spoke up. "Nice seeing you again, Demming, but we have to be going. Lots of work in homicide."

Ryan nodded. "Up to our noses."

Back at the loft, Kate kissed Rick as soon as they were through the door. "I'm glad you refrained from hitting Demming back there." She kissed him again.

"I almost did with that crack about getting to bed. He'll never know how close he came to wearing the crystal centerpiece home."

"And all I really can think about is getting home and getting to bed. Coming, Castle?"