Based on a tumblr prompt by sianita95 : Richard Rodgers is the real author behind pen name Rick Castle, unbeknownst to anyone but Black Pawn & family. Rodgers works as consultant with KB and unfortunately KB is seemingly in LOVE w mystery man RC but shows only disdain for RR. (think Lois Lane being in love with Superman only tolerating Clark Kent a la "Lois & Clark" tv show). RR wants KB to love him for who he is, not his famous name/$$$. Author's choice on length, angst, reveal, etc. (Terrible prompt, huh? lol)
Okay, so I saw this prompt and had to tackle it. For the purposes of this story, I changed the reason that he was following her. I hope I can do this prompt justice. Took a few liberties on how they met, but I think it works.
Richard Rodgers knew that he was in love the moment he saw her. He had never believed in love at first sight. He had 2 failed marriages to prove it. However, he saw someone that he fell in love with the first time he laid eyes on her. Hurrying over to the mayor, he asked quickly, "Hey Bob, I need a favor."
Shaking his head, Bob Weldon shook his head and told his friend, "I'm not getting you out of another ticket. I've already gotten five of them taken off of your record. Any more and it will look like I'm playing favorites."
Rick shook his head and told him quickly, "No. That's not what I need. Look, I appreciate everything you've done, but this is something more important."
"Really Rick? What could be that important?"
Rick pointed in the direction of the good looking brunette woman standing in the doorway. She was dressed in a black dress and had legs that went on for miles. He wanted to get to know her better. He needed to be smart about it however. He had rushed into his last relationship too quickly and all it had gotten him was another failed marriage and a huge alimony payment. Neither being something he wished to repeat. Sure, he could afford it, but that didn't mean he had to like it. He wanted to find someone to spend the rest of his life with. Someone that didn't look at him and see dollar signs.
No, he had to be smart about this. So, he shook his head and pointed in her direction, "I need to know who that woman is. She's beautiful."
Bob turned and looked at where he pointed and saw the woman he was talking about. He clapped Rick on the back and said, "You have good tastes Ricky. That is Detective Kate Beckett. She's a homicide detective out of the twelfth precinct."
"Tell me more about her. Is she married? Does she have a boyfriend? Is she…"
"Whoa Rick. Slow down buddy. Are you sure you want to get involved with someone like her again?"
"I'm just wanting to get to know her Bob. It's not like I'm looking to marry her."
"But you are interested in getting to know her. I know you Ricky. You get very involved with…."
Rick held up his hands and told his friend, "I just want to know one thing?"
Bob laughed and asked, "What's that?"
"Can you arrange for me to consult with her?"
"For your books?"
Shaking his head, Rick told him, "No. You know that only a few people know that I write the Richard Castle books. I want to consult with her for one of my criminal justice classes. Not the literature classes."
The mayor shook his head and asked, "Are you sure that's the right way to go about it?"
"No, but it's all I have."
"I'll see what I can do Rick. Just don't expect too much."
He smiled at his friend and went to find his daughter. It was late and time for them to leave. They were soon on their way home. Rick knew that it was probably a long shot, but he wanted to get to know her better without her knowing about his money and fame.
Meanwhile, Kate was awestruck when she entered the ballroom of the hotel. It was a fundraiser for a children's charity. Normally, she wouldn't have bothered to attend. However, she was here because she wanted a chance to bid on Richard Castle's latest book. She knew that she probably would be able to afford it. Not on her detectives salary, but she at least wanted to try.
She had loved his books for as long as she could remember. The way he told his stories made the characters seem so real. When Derrick Storm was hurt or injured, she could feel for him. She longed for the day she could meet the author in person. He was very illusive. He had never made a public appearance. In fact, no one knew what he looked like. She wasn't ashamed to say that she was quite possibly in love with him. In fact, no other man had ever been able to hold her fascination the way he did. The minute one of his books went on sale, she was one of the first people in line at the bookstore.
She even had an autographed copies of his complete Derrick Storm series. She had paid a huge sum of money for them, but she was missing the latest one. Storm Fall. For some reason she hadn't been able to get that one signed. She wanted it signed so that she had them all. She would go into debt, but she thought it was important enough that she wanted to do it.
As much as she loved him, she hated him for killing off her favorite character. Derrick Storm had become extremely important to her. However, she knew that all good things had to end. It just meant that she could look forward to his next series.
She just wished that he would do a book tour. That would be a dream come true for her. No one even knew what he looked like. He was this illusive figure, but she imagined that he was tall, dark and handsome. He had to be handsome. She just knew that he was. In all of her dreams he was so very handsome.
Early the next morning, Bob Weldon called Rick and told him the good news. He'd had managed to get in touch with Captain Roy Montgomery at the twelfth precinct and he had arranged for Rick to consult with Detective Kate Beckett. Captain Montgomery had informed him that she probably wasn't going to be very happy. She didn't like civilians tagging along with her. He was doing it as a favor for the mayor.
He was never an early riser, but for this he would make an exception. He dressed in a blue button up dress shirt. He ran his hand through his hair and decided that would have to do. He arrived at the precinct shortly after nine that morning. He walked over to the Captains office and he could hear parts of the conversation going on. Mostly it was her complaining about having to entertain a privileged college professor. That she had more important things to do other than babysit.
He heard her Captain tell her, "I understand your feelings on the matter Detective Beckett. However, Mister Rodgers is a personal friend of the Mayor. He has asked us to allow him to consult with us for his criminal justice class. He wants to get a more authentic feel. To make his teachings more realistic."
He heard her sigh and ask, "Why me?"
"I don't know, but the Mayor asked for you specifically. As such, you will let Mister Rodgers shadow you on your cases."
She sighed again and whispered, "Fine.. It doesn't mean that I have to like it. How long will this be for?"
"For as long as he deems necessary. "
She turned and stormed out of his office nearly running into Rick. She huffed out, "I guess you're him."
"Guess so. So, where do we get started?"
She rolled her eyes at him and said, "Lets get a few things straight Mister Rodgers.. I don't need you here. I don't particularly want you here. The only reason you're here is because you are apparently friends with the Mayor. Just stay out of my way and try not to get yourself killed in the process. Understand?"
Rick nodded and followed her into the precinct. She turned and introduced him to the other two detectives that worked with her, "This is Professor Rodgers. Apparently he's going to be shadowing us for the foreseeable future. Rodgers, this is Detectives Ryan and Esposito. Try to stay out of their way also."
With that she walked into the break room leaving the men standing in the bullpen…...
