For Celine (stuunalee on twitter), because she asked. That said, I don't write fics just because you ask. You also have to be as awesome as Celine. So... yeah.
Dear Mr Castle
My name is Kate. I'm.. far too old to be writing something like this but for some reason I feel as though I have to. I just finished reading Storm Fall – it's wonderful, as are all your books.
I know more about murder than most people, and I also know a lot about the pain of losing a loved one. You capture these things so perfectly... It's almost as though you can understand me in a way no one else does, even though we have never met.
I don't want to give you a sob story. My mother died nine years ago but that's not why I'm writing. I'm writing because... My world only seems to make sense in your books – the world, really, seems to only make sense to me through your eyes. And I was curious, I am curious, as to why you write.
Perhaps there is no reason, perhaps you have no inspiration but I can't help wanting to know. I almost feel as though it will help me in some way – not that it matters to you.
Thank you for reading this message. Don't feel bad if you don't have time to respond.
Sincerely,
Kate.
Dear Kate,
Thank you for your email. I believe a lot can be 'read into' someone's writing, and the way you write fascinates me. You use so few words, yet there is so much feeling within them. I am deeply sorry about your mother's death – though I know my condolences must be worth very little. Thank you very much for your compliments. I write things as I see them; I'm glad others seem to see them that way too.
As someone interested in the motivations people have for doing things, I understand your interest in my motivation. Why I write is hard to explain, even to myself. I have always liked words and using them to express myself, but I think my urge to write novels comes from a deep fascination with people – why they do things, what they wish they were doing, who they want to be, their regrets, their emotions... I want to capture these things in language in order to understand them, and to explore them.
What leads a person to commit this ultimate crime of passion, this despicable act? With life, there's always a story, a chain of events that makes everything make sense. I like finding it.
I hope that answers your question.
You interest me, Kate. Write me again – you're a lot less disturbing than most.
Yours,
Richard Castle (Call me Rick).
Dear Rick,
Thank you for answering my letter so quickly. You did answer my question and I understand, I think. Now I don't know what to write. I just had the one thing to ask.
Thanks again,
Kate.
Dear Kate,
I need to teach you how to write fanmail. Most of the emails I receive are filled with people telling me all about themselves. Tell me about yourself. That's what I want to know. What do you do for a living? Why do you know about murder? What's your favourite colour?
You've been on my fansite to get this address, so you know a lot about me – my height, my eye colour, my favourite food, my middle name, my age – go on. I'm waiting. And raising one eyebrow at you.
If you don't want to tell the truth, make it up. I'll know, though. I play a mean game of poker.
Expectantly,
Rick.
Dear Rick,
Katherine Houghton B, 5'9'', green-brown eyes, short brown hair, slim, born November 17th 1979 (now aged 28 in case you can't count), no children, favourite colour purple, favourite food strawberry milkshakes, favourite writer Stephen J Cannell, favourite movie anything pixar, favourite musician John Coltrane, I live alone, I'm a homicide detective, I hate grocery shopping.
And I play a mean game of poker too.
Kate.
Dear Kate,
See? We know each other so much better now. You are too cruel to me – but I know I'm your favourite writer.
Tall. I bet you're hot. Milkshakes aren't food. Eyes are either green or brown. Purple is the colour of lust. Pixar is perfection. Coltrane is miraculous. I like grocery shopping.
A homicide detective? Now that is interesting. I thought you would be a lawyer. Would you tell me your story? Simply to satisfy my curiosity – you have it in writing that it would be in complete confidence and could sue me for my millions if I ever shared it with anyone.
We should play poker sometime.
Rick.
Dear Rick,
You're the storyteller – you find my story.
Milkshake is a food. It's too thick to be a drink.
What do you want from me?
Kate.
Dear Kate,
I'm curious about you. And I know you're curious too. Why else would you write back?
I don't know your story would be. You're so beautifully complicated, you're the kind of character I strive to create. You don't have to tell me yet. I'll wait, and ask you other things.
You'll know I have a daughter. She's wonderful, I mean it, I don't know how since between her mother and myself... well, neither of us are very sensible. But Alexis has always been perfectly grounded and secure. Until now. I don't understand teenage girls, and I presume you used to be one? She won't talk to me, I'm the 'cool dad' but she's holding back something huge and I wish she would tell me. She lied about where she was going today, she said she was shopping but her phone was in a residential area. I trust her but I can't help but be worried. I want to confront her but I have a feeling that wouldn't be the right approach. Any ideas?
Rick.
Dear Rick,
Perhaps I am a little curious. I'm surprised you shied away from the challenge of my story – I thought you liked that kind of thing. I don't think my story is worthy of your books. Also, your books have happy endings.
As for your daughter, from the way you talk about her it's obvious you trust her and she trusts you. So my advice would be don't confront her. As a teenager I wanted to do the thing my parents would hate the most because they were always prying into what I thought was my life and none of their business. Let Alexis grow on her own – she'll tell you about whatever it is when she's ready and your relationship will be stronger for you demonstrating your trust.
I hope that helps.
Kate.
Dear Kate,
Thank you very much. She told me – she's met a boy! But she introduced me and he seems nice. They were studying together – and this is Alexis, they were actually studying! The things I did at her age, I can't help but worry a little.
You thought I'd like the challenge? – don't believe everything you read on the fansites! I do like challenging women though. And I'm sure you would make an excellent character. You really do want me to guess? You won't like it, so I'm sorry, but you asked.
You even gave me a clue. No happy ending.
I know that you're educated – the way you write. Assuming you're telling me the truth and you aren't a middle aged man, normally you would become a lawyer. That's what you should be and I'm going to take a leap here and say that's what you were on the road to being. You told me your mother died. You're wounded, Kate, and I don't think she just died. I think she was murdered – and I think that is why you solve other murders, because horrible as it is, your mother's killer was never caught. You bring justice to others because you couldn't bring it to her. You blame yourself, even though it wasn't your fault. And you read murder books because you are still desperately searching for a reason, for some meaning to put to her death.
Am I close?
Rick
Too close.
Kate.
Dear Kate,
I did it because you asked me to. I didn't want to upset you, I want... to help you. How many people know this about you? How many people really know you, Kate?
Would you let me know you?
Rick
Dear Rick,
I'm sorry. You're right, I shouldn't have asked. Not many people know, but I don't need them to. I don't want your help or your pity. I just wanted to ask why. Like you thought, I suppose. You're very good.
How would I let you know me?
Kate
Dear Kate
I could take you out for coffee? Do you like the Met?
Rick.
Dear Rick
I like coffee and the Met. Meet you at the entrance to the tea shop at 10 on Saturday?
Kate.
Dear Kate,
Perfect, see you there.
Rick.
A/N: Please review if you want more! Hope you liked it babe!