435. Chapter 435

After Ghosts

Episode 1.08

By

UCSBdad

Disclaimer: I see that and raise you one Castle. Oops! I don't own Castle. Rating: K Time: See above

"So why did you really let her win?" Martha asked.

Alexis nodded as well. "Why, Dad?"

Castle did his best to look shocked. "What? You don't believe that I just didn't want to embarrass her in front of her friends?"

Both redheads shook their heads in unison. "Not a bit, kiddo." Martha added.

"If you didn't want to embarrass her, then why ask her to play poker in the first place? She could have lost to Esposito, or Montgomery, or..."

"Me." Martha said, interrupting Alexis.

Both Castles looked at her and shook their heads.

Castle sighed. "Okay, you know why she became a cop. Because of her mom's murder. That changed her whole life. She failed to solve the case and that changed her life even more. Because of that, tough as nails Detective Kate Beckett is wounded inside. She doesn't let it show very often. I saw it the first day we worked together and again when she told me the story. She's in a lot of emotional pain and after I went all in, I realized that I just can't put Beckett in any more pain. Not even a little bit."

"She's not going to like that." Alexis said.

"That's why I'm not going to tell her. I don't feel like having Beckett put me in pain." He waited for a beat. "Not even a little bit."

Martha said nothing.

Beckett was able to watch Castle and Lee Wax through the glass in the door of the interrogation room. She could see Lee Wax leaning into Castle. She wondered if the true crime writer was rubbing her boobs against Castle's chest. Wax obviously wanted something from Castle and was probably willing to use sex to get what she wanted. The obvious thing she'd want would be inside information on the case. Lee Wax wasn't exactly a suspect, but she could well have killed Cynthia Dern. Even if she hadn't, the true crime writer could and would use any information on Dern's murder, or anything else Beckett's team ran across, in her book. Beckett idly wondered if Castle understood that Lee Wax was just flirting with him because he could help her, or if Castle's ego was so huge that he really felt that any and every attractive woman was just waiting to fall madly in lust with him. Her first thought was that Castle would bed her in a second without any further thought on his part, and that she should tell him not to share anything with the woman. But, she thought again. Castle did have an immense ego, but there was more to him than that. Exactly what that something was, she wasn't sure yet. He was more than an over aged frat boy with no though beyond his next sexual conquest. He was smart. A lot smarter than she'd initially given him credit for. He was useful as a member of her team. She stopped her train of thought right there. Richard Castle is not, repeat not, member of my homicide team. He was imposed on me by the mayor and once he's done with his damned book about some slutty detective that'll make my life miserable, he'll be gone. And I can't wait.

She saw Lee Wax lean in and hand Castle her business card. She could see Castle smiling. Was he making a date with her? Beckett had mental image of Castle and Wax making love in Castle's loft. On his desk? That would be appropriate for writers. On the couch in his living room? No, in his bed, of course. She had never seen his bedroom, but she imagined it: A huge bed, a mirror on the ceiling, a sound system playing romantic music, perhaps even a video camera so he could recall his favorite conquests. She could see them in the throes of passion, their naked bodies entwined, passion…

What the hell am I doing? Beckett thought. What the hell do I care if Castle sleeps with her or with every writer in the country? Just as long as he keeps his damned mouth closed around her. Beckett thought about telling him not to tell Lee Wax a damned thing, but decided against it. I certainly don't want Castle to get the idea that I actually care what he does or who he talks to. If he does give her anything and it blows up in his face, he'll be out of my hair that much sooner.

Lee Wax walked out of interrogation with a smile on her face. She glanced over at Beckett. Beckett could almost sense what the other woman was thinking. I've got a source on your team.

Beckett glared at the writer as she walked to the elevator.

When Castle came out of interrogation, he had a smile on his face as well.

Castle poured his orange juice and one for Alexis while Martha drank some sort of a protein drink.

"So you gave Beckett back her money?" Alexis asked.

Castle nodded. "Every penny. She threw her hand. I checked."

"Why did you give the money back?' Alexis asked.

"I don't like being patronized any better that she does."

"It doesn't make sense." Martha put in. "You wouldn't take her money because you didn't want Katherine to be hurt in any way. She knows that you could lose that much money every day and you wouldn't miss it. And she must know that you play poker with the mayor, Judge Markway and Captain Montgomery and that you've lost money before. She couldn't have thought you'd be embarrassed by losing. As a matter of fact, I can't think of anything that would actually embarrass you. I doubt if Kate Beckett could think of anything."

"Thank you, Mother." Castle said sarcastically.

"Always glad to help."

But that started Castle thinking. Why would Beckett refuse to take my money? She would have won it fair and square. That doesn't make sense. Why would she do that? Could she actually like me? Castle shook his head. Never happen.

…..

Castle smiled at James Patterson, Dennis Lahane, and Michael Connelly. He put his hand in the small of Kate's back and guided her to her chair.

"Here she is, gentlemen. The lady who is going to clean you out tonight."

"I'm afraid my fiancé is exaggerating." Kate said, blushing slightly.

Connelly shrugged. "You've got to be better company than Rick."

"But if you've agreed to marry him…." Lahane began.

"Something must be wrong with you." Patterson finished.

"I'm afraid you may just have made me angry.' Kate said.

Rick knew his poker buddies were in trouble.