523. Chapter 523

After After Hours

Episode 5.08

By

UCSBdad

Disclaimer: I really do own Castle. And if you believe that, I have this nice bridge I'd like to sell you. Rating: K Time: See above.

As Kate went off to make some notes for the report she'd need to write, Castle took the opportunity to take Martha aside. "What happened? When we left you two we thought we'd come back to a case of pistols for two and coffee for one."

Martha shook her head. "No matter how we feel about some things, Richard, the thing we both care most about in our lives is the same: Our children. Jim has been watching Katherine go off to face possible danger for a dozen years or so now. I've been watching you go out with Katherine and risk your life for less time, but I'm just as terrified now as I was when I found out about how you took down that awful killer on that first case with Katherine."

Castle's eyebrows shot up. "Wait! You know about what happened with Tisdale?"

"Of course I know. You foolishly went running after him with one shoe off and then got captured by him. You somehow managed to get the drop on him and get his pistol."

"He had the safety on the whole time. I was never in any danger." Castle frowned. "And who told you about that. I never told you anything about…Was it Beckett?"

"Richard! I do not tell tales."

"No, not Beckett. She'd have told me that she told you. It was Ryan, wasn't it? He never could keep his mouth closed." Seeing the look in Martha's eyes, he guessed again. "I know. It was Espo. He's always had this brother and sister thing with Beckett. On the one hand, he wants her to be happy and be with me and on the other hand, he'll never think anyone's really good enough for his "sister'." He smiled. "It was Espo, right?"

"Oh, for God's sake, Richard. It was Captain Montgomery. He behaved as an adult, even if you didn't. He felt that you weren't taking police work seriously enough."

He nodded. "True, I'm afraid."

"Thank God that Katherine was there to grab that horrible man. You should have grabbed ahold of her then and never let her go. You have no idea how disappointed I've been that you seemed to be letting the most perfect woman for you slip by."

"I tried to grab ahold of her. I really did."

"Not that way, Richard." Martha glared at her son. Castle had to admit, Martha's glare was every bit as intimidating as Beckett's.

"Things might have gone wrong if we'd started dating then, Mother. I had some growing up to do and she need to break down some walls. But, you're right. We could have gotten together a lot sooner if we'd talk to each other."

They were interrupted by a uniform. "Mr. Castle, Ms. Rodgers? We're ready to have a unit take you and Mr. Beckett to your homes. Detective Beckett will be a while. She's making notes for the report she'll have to write tomorrow."

Castle shook his head. "I'll stay with Beckett. You can get home okay, can't you?"

Martha smiled. "Of course. You're going to stay and help Katherine with the report?"

"I'll just make sure she doesn't split an infinitive or dangle a participle. Although Kate is pretty much an exception, bad grammar seems to be a prerequisite for being a cop."

Martha leaned in to Castle and whispered. "Katherine is very much an exception and don't you ever forget it, kiddo."

Writing up her notes was slower going for Kate than it was usually. Maybe Castle's right. At least I hope he is. We don't live our lives on paper and somehow, in spite of our differences, we're a good team and a good couple. We've really been together for over four years now. First as shadow and muse, then as real partners and finally we became friends. Castle has been my best friend since…Kate stopped. She wasn't sure how or when Castle had gone from an annoying tag along to being her partner and then her best friend. The Candela kidnapping was the first time I saw Castle as being something other than an obnoxious playboy determined to bother me. He volunteered to take the ransom money knowing it could be dangerous. And then he wanted to stop following me after I had to shoot Coonan. I knew I wanted more with him when I almost went to the Hamptons with him. Kate shook her head. There's no point in trying to puzzle out the mysteries of our relationship. We're lovers now and I actually think we can stay that way.

"It's "I" before "E" except after "C" or when sounding like "A" as in neighbor and weigh." Castle said.

Kate's head shot up. "What?"

"You were looking puzzled. I thought perhaps you were having a grammar problem." Castle teased her.

"I went to Stuyvesant High School and Stanford. I can spell and use proper grammar, Castle." Her smile took the sting out of her rebuke.

"Problems?"

She shook her head. No, dammit. Most of our problems have been caused by my being unable to get past my walls and talk to Castle. "Well, not so much of a problem. I was just thinking about what Leo said tonight and what you said."

"I wouldn't worry too much about the ramblings of a homicidal maniac."

"Oh, Castle. You're really not that bad."

He sighed. "Walked right into that one, didn't I?"

"Absolutely. But, I was just thinking that we've really been together for four, almost five years now. It's not like we're some couple who's just getting to know each other."

"And I'm happily getting to know parts of you better and better." Castle wiggled his eyebrows. "And the parts are spectacular."

Kate rolled her eyes. "And I walked right into that one. But, we've done pretty well as partners, friends and now lovers."

"I'd say we've done outstandingly well, Detective Beckett." He glanced around the bullpen, and not seeing any one but Ryan and Esposito, he kissed her very quickly. "And I'll do better when we get home."

"You'd better."

When they arrived back at the loft, Martha had long since gone to bed. Standing there in the dark, Kate put her arms around Rick. "Just hold me, Rick. Hold me."

"Are you okay?" He asked, holding her tightly.

"No." She replied.

"Can I help?"

"I don't think so."

That upset Castle. "There's nothing I can do? What's wrong, Kate? Tell me."

"You could have died tonight. I could have died tonight. And it could happen again at any time. I hate putting you in danger."

"You do not put me in danger. I go into danger willingly to be with you. And I would never consider not being with you, so don't even ask."

"I won't. I hate the idea of not having you around with me on cases as much as I hate the thought of you being in danger, or worse."

Castle kissed her. "Then let's put it out of our minds for a while. We're both tired, so let's go to sleep. Things'll look better in the morning."

"I hope so." Kate said, taking his hand as they walked to the bedroom.

At the top of the stairs, Alexis stood there with a look of horror on her face. Dad could have been killed tonight. Again?