Changing Tracks

Disclaimer: I do not own anything associated with 'Castle' or ABC studios.

Authors notes: This is my first fan fiction that is to be published, ever. Please R&R.

Chapter 1: 'Insecurities'

Richard Castle entered the bull pen carrying two coffees and a bear claw pastry, Detective Kate Beckett's which was in no way a coincidence. He placed one of the coffees on her desk in front of her with the bear claw, as he did every morning. He was rewarded with a quick smile from Beckett and then sat quietly watching her as she filled out paper work on the case they had just closed the day before.

"Castle, I've asked you not to do that! It's creepy!"

"But, Detective, I like watching you do paper work. You get this cute little dimple like furrow on your brow. It's really quite adorable."

"If you use the words 'cute' or 'adorable' when describing me, ever again, you will be eating your meals throw a straw. Understood?"

He had to suppress a laugh at the deceptively sweet smile on her face as she spoke. "But, Detective, It was a compliment," A cheeky smile that she had only seen on Castle crept onto his face. "Besides, you won't let me tell you that your stunning or anything else really. What am I left with? How's a man supposed to get a woman to take him seriously if he's not allowed to tell her what he really thinks?"

"Here's a hint, stop trying!"

"You wound me, Detective. I don't plan on stopping until you agree to go on a date with me, just one…At least."

She rolled her eyes the way she always did when he tried to make any advances, serious or not. "Fine."

"You mean you'll do it? You'll actually go on a date with me?" He had a moment of hope. He had been trying for two and a half years now and despite his family's enthusiasm for the Detective even they had begun to suggest he date someone else and put his feelings for Beckett behind him. He had become somewhat depressive at home and it had only gotten worse with each subsequent rejection.

"No! I will not go on a date with you. 'Fine', as in keep trying if you want, you're only wasting your time and energy. It'll never happen."

By now Castle had become an expert at hiding his disappointment. The only people who had learnt to see throw his disguises were his mother, daughter and despite his best efforts, himself. At least they were the only ones he knew about. He put on a cheeky smile and continued in a calm voice, "Well, if it's so engraved in stone that my attempts must fail, then I suppose I should stop trying, as you say."

He stood and began to walk towards the door when she called to him, "That reverse psychology crap doesn't work on me any more than false flattery. Don't expect me to chase you, Castle!" In her moment of uncertainty she had forgotten that the squad room was full and likewise not noticed that his daughter had just entered the bull pen. "I was fine before you started stalking me and I'll be over the moon when you stop. Regardless of the reason" That's when she saw the mortified look on Alexis' face and realized, all too late, what she had just done and that Alexis of all people had seen it. She began in a whisper, "Castle, I'…"

Castle silenced her with an upraised hand, the universal gesture for 'haven't you said quite enough?' He then turned to his daughter and said, "Wait for me by the elevator, Alexis". The entire room was silent except for the click of Alexis Castle's heels as she did what she was told. The air was so thick with tension as he waited for her to be well out of earshot of what he was about to say that it could almost be cut with a knife. When he finally spoke it was with a smile that everyone could see was forced and in such an indifferent tone that Beckett's own heart broke at the pain she knew he was hiding.

"Detective Beckett," her title dripped from his tongue with venom, "I assure you, I was not trying to manipulate you. Nor did I realize that you no longer enjoyed my company and were eagerly awaiting my departure. I suppose you never really did and given the implications of your last statement, I assume that you only said you wanted me to stay out of some unwanted pity." She again attempted to apologize but he again waved her off. "You do not owe me anything, Detective. I was not going to say anything, yet, but for the sake of maintaining our working relationship, I will. I am nearing the end of the last Nikki Heat novel contracted. As it bothers you so much, I promise that I will not do another. Thank you for your honesty and patience, Detective.I will be out of your hair in no time and I will not bother you again." Beckett was stunned and couldn't bring herself to consciously blink, let alone speak. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a lunch date with my daughter." He didn't wait for a reply, he just walked out.

Beckett sat silently, watching the exit Castle had used and replaying their entire exchange in her head. 'Why did his seeming acceptance of defeat and his walking away bother her so? Why did the declaration that he was finished leave a bitter taste in her mouth?' She hated herself for the answer.

Chapter 2: Will be up soon.