25. Chapter 25

After Poof! You're Dead, Again.

By

UCSBdad

Disclaimer: Nope, this is not mine. Rating: K Time: Do you really need to ask?

Author's note: Yes, another story set after Poof! You're Dead. The first After Poof! You're Dead is Chapter Four in this series, if you're interested. Actually, it's even Chapter Four even if you're not interested.

I was happy there just for a second for Castle. When someone said there was something about him in the paper, I thought that maybe he and Gina had announced their engagement, or something. It never occurred to me that they had made Page Six because of a very public fight.

Kate sat in her place, going through all of the celebrity gossip websites she could find. She found a half a dozen videos of the fight. Now that everyone has a smart phone, privacy is gone. All of the videos began at about the same time in the fight, when Gina began screaming at Castle. Apparently, if they'd been arguing before that, it was a quiet, civilized argument. She could see Gina screaming at Castle, but they hadn't been able to pick up most of the conversation, just when Gina loudly cursed Castle. Kate heard her call him a self- centered bastard and a liar. Castle tried to say something, but Gina threw a drink in his face. Castle stood up, anger clear on his face, his fists balled at his sides. He leaned forward to say something to Gina, then pushed past her and left.

It wasn't until the last video she watched that she saw any more. This one was taken outside of the restaurant. Castle was standing, apparently waiting for his car or a cab, when Gina walked out. Whoever had taken the video was much closer and Kate could hear their conversation.

Castle turned and looked at her. "I'm not going to offer to drive you home," He said coldly, "but I will pay for a cab." He reached for his wallet.

"Go to hell." Gina said viciously. "Better yet, go back to that little slut cop of yours."

Kate could tell that Castle was angry. She had never seen Castle angry like this, but he managed to control his anger. "Gina, Beckett is certainly not a slut, and there has never been anything between us. Nothing at all. All I'm trying to do here… "

Before Castle could finish, Gina slapped him hard across the face. "How stupid do you think I am? Don't you think I know what that cheap little whore is trying to do?"

"Gina, Beckett has a boyfriend she's serious about…"

Gina slapped Castle again, then stood there glaring at Castle as if daring him to say something in Kate's defense.

Castle's car arrived. Castle got in the car and drove away, leaving Gina standing there.

Oh my God! Kate thought. The fight was about me. I can understand Gina not being happy with Castle spending so much time with me. Josh is unhappy that I'm with Castle so much. I'll have to see what I can do to help Castle with this.

Kate just hadn't been able to find the right time to talk to Castle the next day and then she'd overheard Castle tell Gina that it was over. It wasn't until the day after that Kate was able to talk to Castle. They sat in her Crown Vic, waiting for a witness to show up at her apartment.

"Castle, after I saw the item about your fight with Gina, I saw some videos on the gossip websites about the fight. I hope you don't mind my looking."

Castle shrugged. "I'm kind of used to having my life out there for the public. It's no problem. I've seen a lot worse celebrity fights on those websites. All she did was call me some names and throw a drink in my face. I've had worse done to me."

Kate wondered if she should tell Castle what she'd seen. Well, of course she should. That's why she wanted to talk to him. "I saw another video. It was taken outside the restaurant and I could hear your conversation with Gina."

"Crap!" Castle said. "Beckett, I'm sorry. You shouldn't have to have to listen to Gina saying…those things about you in public. I'm really sorry. I wish I could…

Kate took his hand in hers. "Castle, that's enough. You're not the one who called me a slut and a cheap whore. There's no reason for you to apologize to me."

"Beckett, it's just that anyone who sees that will think…"

"Enough, Castle. I don't want to hear any more apologies unless you actually do something you need to apologize for. Okay?"

"Okay, Beckett."

"I'd like to talk to Gina about this. Maybe you two can work things out."

Castle laughed bitterly. "Thanks, but what will you say? I'm not sleeping with Castle and I promise to not sleep with him again in the future? Anyway, that's not the problem. It was just out chosen topic of argument last night. Talking to Gina won't help, although I do appreciate the offer."

"If you don't mind my asking, what is the problem? Maybe I can help?" Kate noticed she still was holding Castle's hand. She thought about releasing it, but didn't.

"Gina is a very smart, very driven woman. She pushes very hard."

"I know the type." Kate said quietly.

"You mean you? No, you're nothing like Gina. Oh, you're smart and driven all right. But you're driven to speak for the victim. Gina is driven to get more for Gina. More money. More fame. More power. More of everything. She's going to be a success or die trying."

Rick reached over and covered Kate's hand with his other hand. Now her hand was between his two hands. "Gina sees me a lot like you do. Kind of like the old fable about the ant and the grasshopper. Gina is the hardworking ant, getting all ready for winter. I'm the happy-go-lucky grasshopper. Thinking only about myself and my pleasures."

"Castle, I do not think about you like that at all. You're a very smart, driven man yourself. And you're interested in a lot more than your pleasures. You're my partner on the homicide squad, the best I've ever had. And you're my friend. You're a good father, a good son, and good person all around."

Castle smiled. "Thanks, but to continue, if Gina had my talent, she'd write 24/7. She can't understand why I persist in wasting my God given talent. The reason is that I use my talent to make money to do what's important to me. To be with Alexis. To help Mom. To help you."

Castle stopped and looked off into the distance. "Gina doesn't understand that. She makes what she feels are absolutely convincing arguments to her playboy grasshopper to work his ass off, and her grasshopper doesn't pay any attention. So she looks for a reason that makes sense to her. And she concludes the problem is you. I spend way too much time with you. I make no money while I'm with you. Of course it's all a vast conspiracy for you to take her rightful place in my life."

Kate realized that Castle was rubbing little circles on her hand with his fingers. Oddly, she found it very erotic. Keep doing that, please.

"So, I'm afraid Gina and I are over for good. I really don't know why I started up with her again after we got divorced. It's not like I didn't know what I was letting myself in for."

"So what are you going to do now?" Kate asked. I know what I'd have you do if only I could.

"I'm going to hang around with a leggy blonde with D cup fake boobs."

"What?" Kate said, shocked.

"Miss Rubidoux, the exotic dancer and our witness, just walked into the lobby of her apartment building." Castle released Kate's hands. "Coming, Beckett?"