To say Castle was surprised by Beckett's presence in his office would have been an understatement.

"What are you doing here?"

His tone is curt, and he wouldn't look at her directly.

Kate slowly gets up from her spot on his couch.

Rick keeps his hands busy by trying to pour himself a drink. Stiff.

"I thought I told you we're done." He slams a glass down on the small serving table, mindful but in an effort to hide his somewhat trembling grasp.

Still silent, Kate hovers behind her husband…fist clenching and unclenching in an effort not to touch him.

"You said we were done. I say otherwise."

"Oh so when you say things, it's all decided—for us. But when I say it, all of a sudden it's up for discussion. Gee thanks, Kate." He tries to hang on to the anger. It's hard, but he has to.

Silence. Then a soft sigh.

"You know, a couple of weeks ago, I would've believed you. And I'd be on my knees begging you to take me back if I had to. But this time…"

She slips beside him, and all of a sudden Kate has managed to place herself right between him and his drink.

She's standing so close he's having a hard time not placing his arms around her like he wants to.

"I'd believe everything you threw at me last night if it weren't for one thing."

His jaw is tense as he croaks a word out, "What?"

"You were mean."

Castle's eyes widen a fraction and his wife takes it as her cue to continue.

"You get mad. You get upset. You know just how to cut me to the core, Rick. You know all the buttons to push. You always have. You know when, you know just by how much, you know me. You. Know. ME."

She places a hand on his chest, right above his heart.

"Just as I know you. I know I've hurt you time and again. And what I did, how I started out with the whole Locsat investigation…it wasn't right and you have every right to be mad. You have every right to want out." There are tears she's holding back as she locks her eyes with his.

"All these years, despite everything, you have never been mean. And Castle? What you pulled last night with me? That was mean. You were mean. You pulled, poked, and pushed all the buttons you know would push me away."

Castle couldn't look away. His hands are clenched into fists, wondering how to proceed.

"So don't tell me we're done. Because we are far from over, Rick. At least until you tell me what the hell is going on."