I came into the 12th Precinct uncertain of which Richard Castle I would be dealing with. Would I get the arrogant pain in the neck that I have been dealing with the last few weeks? Would I get the fun, caring writer who helped me find clues I would not ordinarily catch? I was hoping to get the second option. He was so much easier to be around and work with at a crime scene. I was secretly hoping that Detective Slaughter had cured him of any ideas of playing "cop" again. I mean, come on, he just about confirmed his own spot in the morgue at least twice.
"Have you or Ryan seen Castle this morning?" I only get a shaking head and blank stare as my answer from Esposito.
Espoo and Ryan were not much help, so I turned to my desk to see what I had to do for the day. There was a piece of paper neatly folded on my desk. I had Castle's handwriting on it. The ink looked like it came from a gel pen not a ball point.
I unfolded the paper unsure of what Castle would be on that paper. Apologetic or arrogant Castle? I took a deep breath and prepared myself for anything unpleasant that might be on the paper.
Dear Kate,
I owe you more apologies than I can possibly offer. I acted like a big jerk to everyone on the team, especially you. I almost killed the people that mattered to me most twice. I sincerely apologize for that. Despite every idiotic and stupid thing I did, you still looked out for me. A real friend and a real partner never acts like I have been acting. If you have any doubts about my feelings toward you, put them to rest. I still do and I would have said those words again if I had to do it all over again. See you in the morning.
-Rick
It is an odd emotion being mad at someone and relieved all at the same time. He had lied to me about what he knew about my mother's shooting, so there you have the angry part. It was good to have him back working with us again, there is the relief part. Espisito had been correct about how much of an integral part of the team he had become. Here in the confines of this precinct I had to remain the professional. It would be later on tonight that we could set the past few weeks straight. It was personal.
The elevator door opened. I saw Castle stepping out with two coffees in hand and smiling for a change. There were no dark shadows that shined in his eyes. His smile was not one of an arrogant jackass. Yep, Castle appeared to be back to his old self once more. Damn I missed him.
"Consider this coffee as an apology and a peace offering for my recent behavior. I know I have been a major jackass. Forgive me?" Rick smiled at me with his most charming smile.
"You admitted so something I would have called you. Consider yourself forgiven with a warning to not do that again." I smiled as I accepted the Styrofoam cup.
Before I could take my first eye opening sip, the phone on my desk rang. It was time to do what I got paid for and loved. I had a homicide to investigate.
"We got a homicide guys." I called across the bullpen to Esposito and Ryan.
"Castle, you are riding with me." My words bring a smile to Castle's face.
Esposito and Ryan look up at me just before leaving their desk to follow me. The boys give Castle a dirty look just before leaving. I could not blame them for it because they were also put in jeopardy by his less than intelligent choice to follow Detective Dummy.
"So what do we have Beckett?" Castle's voice regained the boyish excitement that I had missed hearing more than I had realized.
"A shooting victim." My answer sounded rude and blunt, even in my own ears.
"Lead the way." It was nice to hear a tone of voice that I had not heard in some time.
Castle shocked me when he did not almost walk on my own heels. Instead, he was looking around the crime scene for clues with unusual care. He did not say much along the lines of the spoken word, but his careful observations spoke volumes.
"Our vic has to be a pick-pocket because this wallet belongs to a man. This is clearly a woman." Esposito approached me with a driver's license and a number of credit cards that did not resemble her.
"She could also be a master of disguise." Castle must have overheard us because he was just behind me staring at the bag in Esposito's hands.
At first Castle's theory sounded crazy. Why would a woman have a man's ID and credit cards? It occurred to me that it could be possible but it would be a first for me.
The week and the case seemed to speed by me at an unreal speed. It was during my last interrogation of a suspect that we got our killer and his reason. It was as if I was in one of Castle's books because only he could have dreamed up what actually happened.
Our vic, Natasha Meyer, was a reporter for some newspaper. The story she had been chasing involved a gentleman's club that had a reputation for having mob ties. She had found a way to infiltrate the club by disguising herself as a man. She had done such a good job that she got hired on by the management. The owner of the club had been won over by her alter-ego, Marco Block. The owner eventually found out who Marco really was. Natasha knew the risks of her job well enough to know that security cameras were needed. When the hit man shot her, the cameras were on.
Castle approached me while was clearing the murder board. He looked like he had a lot on his mind and that he wanted to talk. I stopped what I was doing long enough to look into his eyes. I knew he was right because I could tell it in my own eyes.
"I think I will have to save this case for one of my books. What a gripping thriller that would be." Castle was clearly trying to avoid the conversation.
"Funny I was thinking the same thing when this started. What's on your mind Castle?" I answered, leaving a silent open door for him to walk through.
"Kate, I wish I could take back all of the trouble I have caused. Trouble I caused for you in particular. It was unfair to all of you. I have no good excuses for it. I should have told you that I heard you that day. I was so angry and hurt that I just had to get away." Castle had his hands shoved into his pockets.
"Castleā¦Rick; I know we need to talk. Just not here. Let me finish what I am doing here." I did not want an audience if I could possibly help it.
"Let me buy you an apology drink." Castle smiled with nervous anxiety I had never seen him have before.
"Help me finish loading this box and I might consider it." I was enjoying my short time to watch him squirm.
I closed the lid and turned to Castle.
"I think I will take you up on that drink. However, I have a condition that must be met." I could see his eyes turn expectant.
"Name it." He was quick to answer.
"My loft and you have dinner with me." The expression on his face was beyond priceless.
I did what I think few women could do to Castle. I rendered the stunned into speechlessness.
"I take the look on your face as a yes. Am I right?" I was savoring the moment.
"Yes." He barely got the answer out of his mouth.
We walked side by side into a night we both knew would change things.
