Chapter 1

The elevator doors open onto the floor of the homicide division of the 12th. It is his most favorite place on earth. Since he started coming here 2 years ago he has grown from the bimbo chasing playboy to something different, something better, and someone better. He has seen the worst in humanity, yet is in awe of the people who work on this floor to bring closure to the families of the victims.

Beckett, Kate is the best of the best. She works tirelessly to provide that closure. The 40 hour week does not exist in her world. She will arrive as early and stay as long as it takes to get that justice, and that is what has inspired him to change from the playboy everyone knows.

It's not really a change, as he has never really been that person people read about on page 6. It is, or more correctly was, an act to sell books. It's an image created by Paula, his publicist and Gina, his publisher and ex-wife. They said that with his build and looks, the bad boy playboy author image would increase book sales by 50 percent. He was young and naïve and if it helped sell books he would go with it. It helped provide a comfortable life for Alexis, and he could not complain that he hated the attention of the beautiful women.

He stepped out of the elevator and headed to Beckett's desk. As he turned the corner he saw a sight that he could only say disappointed him. There was the robbery detective that Beckett had started dating sitting in his chair. As he approached Demming asked "am I in your chair?"

"Afraid so" is all he could say. Telling him to get his sorry tail back down to his floor would obviously not work. And he did not want to cause anymore discourse than already existed.

"Well it's good you're here early, Castle. I was hoping I could catch you before everyone got here. I wanted to talk to you alone." Tom said without making the effort to give up Castle's chair.

Rick cocked his head to the right and offered a sincerely confused look. What could Tom possibly want to talk with me about? We have nothing in common and can barely stay in the same room. "Where Kate?"

"She should be here in a little bit. I got an early start this morning. "

Oh… so they spent the night together. Wow I did not see that coming, did not think that they were that far along in this relationship.

"What do you need Tom?"

"For you to stop. Stop following Kate, let her have her life back."

"Her life back? I am not sure what you mean."

"You weaseled your way into every aspect of her life. Not only that, you befriended her team. Bribed really, with free lunches, use of your Ferrari. Not to mention Knick's tickets. So they overlook everything. Not to mention you and the Captain. Who is she going to complain to? You have engrained yourself into every part of her life." Demming smirked as he continued to unleash everything on Castle. "You're going to get her killed or worse! When you're with her she not only has to worry about your safety, but hers as well. She has no backup when you two are out there. You guys are going to run across a situation where she need a partner with a weapon and who does she have. An idiot with a Monte Blanc pen."

"This does not even take into account the mockery you are making of her career. She had to fight for everything she has gotten. She had to struggle against the sexism, the leering from fellow officers, not to mention the criminals she has had to deal with on a daily basis. She thought she was past the worst and then you show up. Not only does she have to deal with it from the bad guys, but she has your innuendos and leering to look forward to each day. She just wants her life back."

Shocked and confused would be a great description for Castle at this moment. It felt like he had been hit in the stomach with a sledge hammer.

"Are these Kates opinions or…"

"Let me stop you right there. Kate is the one who brought this up last night. We're on the couch having a glass of wine and she brought it up. She poured out her heart. She just wants her life back. So I decided to talk with you. You know man to man, ask you to give her back her life."

"Um…Yea…I guess… I guess I will just… Yea um I'm gonna… just go. I have to get back to writing the next Heat book. Let the boys know I will catch up to them sometime. Please let her know I never meant to hurt her." Castle turns and starts to the elevator and realizes that he still has her coffee in his hand. Turning back to Demming motioning for him to take her coffee he tells him "Make sure that you remember her coffee each morning." And with that he heads to the elevator never seeing the small smile on Tom's face.