The Death of Darren Anderson


Okay, so this is my first fanfic that I've posted and I'm not entirely sure that I like it but I'd love to know what you guys think?

Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the plot bunny in my head and my little fangirl heart.

Reviews would be great


There was no denying that Detective Kate Beckett was great with children, the way she instantly connected with them and put them at ease was proof of that. As was the great mornings she spent with her neighbour's children when they needed a babysitter on days she wasn't at work. But there was just one child she could handle but never control, and his name is Richard Castle. She didn't know what it was about him, the way he bounced back from anything with childhood innocence, the complete immaturity of his actions, or how excited he got when there was a murder, which she found a bit weird and a lot creepy, but him acting like a kid in a candy store was cute in some strange way that it really shouldn't be, because he is a grown man with a teenage daughter. But that's not the point. The point is that Kate Beckett likes kids. They're cute and fun. Teenagers aren't so cute, but they're great on a different level, you can have mature conversations with them, but still watch kids movies, eat junk food and gossip with them. Or play video games. Kate prides herself on the fact that she is an absolute kick ass at video games.

A teenager that tops the fantastic scale of all teenagers is one Alexis Castle. She can't remember whether she has ever met anyone under the age of 30 as mature and sensible as the 16 year old, and that is some achievement, considering her wild, erratic and childish father, her careless and flighty mother and her rather... eccentric grandmother. Not to say that she didn't love Martha, she did, but there was no denying the woman was mad, but wonderfully so. For instance, when Richard had invited Kate over for dinner with Alexis and Martha, the three women had the most wonderful conversations about the most random of topics, and she could honestly say she had never laughed so much since she was a teenager. In fact, it was that dinner that lit the flame on the relationship that didn't surprise anyone because everyone knew it was going to happen because there was no way two people could work so closely and be such good friends and not act on all that pent up sexual tension between them.

And Lanie had made a nice amount of money on the bet that went all the way around the NYPD about when they would get together.

So, anyway, the relationship. It had been going on for a few months, and then it came out to the NYPD, and due to these little few books Rick had written, the rest of the world. It wasn't really much if a problem, they could both deal with the press and everything was hunky-dory. But then they hit a wall.

Kate had been sitting on the couch of Richard Castle's living room when her phone rang, and she reached over to get it. If this was work... she was going to shoot something. She answered the phone, putting down her cup of coffee on the floor beside Alexis and Rick in case she had to dart off.
"Beckett."
"Uh... Katherine Beckett?"
She sat up, a frown of concern clouding over her face as she shrugged at Rick's questioning look.
"Yes?"
"Daughter of Johanna Beckett and cousin of Darren Anderson?"
She nodded, before remembering to give a verbal response, because the man on the phone couldn't see her.
"Yes, that's me."
"My name is Liam McKinley; I'm from the Seattle PD. We tried to reach you at your house, but you weren't there... I'm sorry to inform you that Darren died yesterday evening."
She felt a pang of sadness, even though this was a man she had rarely met, a few brief times when she was younger that she could barely remember, and she saw him at a few family gatherings and her mother's funeral, but that was it. As a kid she had been scared of him, but she didn't really have an opinion on him. Even so, he was family and she felt her voice quiver.
"How? Uh... How did he die?"
She hoped to god that this wasn't going to be a murder enquiry that she would have to investigate. That was just something she couldn't handle at this moment.
Apparently, the man on the phone knew what she was thinking.
"He died of an existing heart condition; it's not being treated as suspicious, if you're wondering. We were calling because there are some issues we need to sort out."
She got up and walked into the kitchen, her brow furrowing in confusion. Darren wasn't someone she had been close to; he lived in Seattle and had done all his life. She had no idea why they would call her for any issues... "Like what?"
"After looking through records, we've found that you are the last existing relative of Mr. Anderson, and therefore the only existing person eligible to care for his daughter."
"Oh, so... Wait! What? Daughter?"
Since when did Darren have a daughter? The 46 year old man had been a fireman, which was all she knew of him, she hadn't known he had a daughter, or even was in any form of committed relationship.
"Yes, his daughter is 15 year old Anastasia Liddle. She took her mother's maiden name, who unfortunately died a few years ago in a car crash. There are no relatives from that side of the family living within the US, so you are the only person able to care for her, unless you would rather not..."
Kate's eyes got wider and wider as he spoke. She had a cousin, or whatever she was, what do you call a cousin's daughter? More importantly, she had a cousin she didn't know about, with no family to look after her, who would come to stay with her, probably permanently. And if she didn't take her, she knew she would end up in foster care, and she would never do that to a kid.
"No no, of course I'll take her. Should I fly out and meet her or...?"


I promise it gets better, but I feel like this chapter just sets up the story so idk

Review and I'll give you an internet cupcake?

Dani xx