The sound of the key jangling could be heard as Richard "Rick" Castle enters the loft. It was 3 in the morning. His mother Martha Rodger and daughter Alexis Castle were already sound asleep when he got back. Rick had been drinking and just by the looks of it, a lot. Another case closed, and another will be waiting on his desk tomorrow. It's not that he hated his job as a lawyer but ever since he lost his writing contract about a year ago he just wasn't himself anymore. Rick slams his tired body against the couch and let the effects of work and alcohol kick in before drifting to sleep.
Waking up to the sizzling sound and aroma of pancakes, Rick feels the pounding effect of hangover from yesterday's drinks. He rubs his eyes and drags his body over to the counter only to find his daughter making pancakes for breakfast.
"Morning dad, I didn't mean to wake you up." Alexis says as she lays the pancakes on the plates.
"No, I was just getting up myself." Rick answers he leans in to kiss the top of the teenager's head. "Morning, pumpkin."
Just before he could say another word, Martha waltzes in making the most dramatic entrance to join her son and granddaughter. After all, she'd used to be the best theatre actress during her prime (which was not too long ago?).
"Good morning, my darlings," she said.
"Morning, grams," Alexis answers.
"Morning mother," Rick replies.
About 2 hours later, Rick Castle is in his office and finds his next case lying on his table. CASE NO. 41319. By the looks of it, he knew it was a criminal case. Usually, he doesn't like taking criminal cases (and what more side the convicted). But somehow something tells him that he had to take on this case. He opens the file and his eyes instantly catch the suspect's name. It can't be there must be hell of a big mistake, he thought.
"Kate," he whimpers under his breath.
He couldn't believe his eyes.
Katherine Beckett? Law school dropout? Convicted for murder?
Murder? Rick thought. How did THE Katherine Beckett turn into a murderer?
He was in his final year when they'd met. He remembered she'd to be a sweet, innocent girl with the most enchanting smile. She had just turned 18 when they met back in law school. He was Richard Castle, the son of Martha Rodgers, the Broadway star but unlike other girls she didn't really care. They were in love. Madly, crazily, head over heels, passionately in love.
A year later, her world shattered. Her mother was murdered. It was all over the news. "Johanna Beckett - lawyer found dead in an alley", and he was there for her. He'd push her to continue her studies but something in her changed. She had lost her inspiration, her drive and her passion. But being the stubborn person he is, Richard still urges her to complete her degree. However, it was not long before he had to move to L.A. for his job. She was mad at him; she'd called him a quit. How could he think of leaving her when she needed him the most? Despite of that, he left. He had just disappeared. They have never kept in contact ever since and the next thing he knew is that she'd turned into a murder suspect. No, not a suspect. She'd owned up to the crime. That makes her THE MURDERER. How did that happened?
He wasn't convinced that she did it. It just wasn't Kate Beckett. Or at least the Kate Beckett he knew. He needed to take this case. He must take this case. He had to save her. He had to save his Kate.
Katherine Beckett knew HE was her lawyer but she couldn't help but think. Of all the people that I could end up with… I had to end up with Richard Castle. AGAIN. Katherine Beckett – charged with murder of Doug Maclain. Doug Maclain! That son of a –
Her thoughts were interrupted as a prison guard enters her cell.
"Somebody wants to see you," the prison guard says sternly. The guard put the cuffs on her and led her through the hallway. There were other prisoners, cheering, jeering, and banging on the cell walls and gates. The other prison guards struggle to control the commotion. But she didn't care, she just wanted to get it over with him and return to her cell.
The door opens and there he stands.
Richard Castle in a suit and briefcase? Kate thought.
She thought she'd never lived to see this image of his.
Rick Castle, she thought. And still ruggedly handsome.
Kate, he thought. You're still as extraordinary as ever.
The prison guard steps back after removing the cuffs. They both take their respective places. It was a small white room, similar to an interrogation room. There were 4 guards including the one that brought her in. And there were another 2 each behind the doors. The security cameras recording every movement, every conversation, every breath.
"Richard Castle," she started. "How long has it been?"
"Katherine Beckett," he said as he stared into her eyes. Her eyes were cold yet there were something that hinted him that she didn't kill Doug Maclain. "Since I left for L.A., I supposed. I know you too well, Beckett. You wouldn't even hurt a fly. What made you turn into a cold hearted killer?"
"Something just doesn't change. Does it, Castle?" Kate asks with a smirk. She was mocking him, making fun of his presence. "10 years and you're still in meddling around with my business. When will you EVER learn to leave me alone?"
"In this case, Beckett," he said, trying to sound professional. "You have no choice but to comply. Unless you want to face death charges, you have to tell me what happened. So, did you or did you not kill Doug Maclain?"
She learns in. His body tenses up. He curls his fingers up forming a knuckle on his thighs.
"I did it," she whispers into his ears. Her confession sends a chill down his spine. "I killed Doug Maclain... And there's nothing you can do about it, Rick."
Was it supposed to be sarcastic, compliance or was it just pure sexiness?
"Why?" Rick asked, trying to look calm. Then, he tightens the grip of his knuckles to control himself. At the back of his mind, he just wanted to just jump out of his chair and kiss her. God, how he misses her. "You're a sensible woman, Kate. Why did you kill Doug Maclain?"
She sits back at her place and puts on a sly grin. She bites her lower lip as he watches, waiting for an answer. She looks at him or rather observes him for another minute or so.
"I'm done talking," she said. "I have nothing more to say."
She stands up allowing the prison guard to cuff her. Just before they disappear through that metal door that separates criminals and the civilians, she turns around.
"Goodbye, Rick," she said sarcastically.
He watches as Kate and the prison guard disappear through that door. How he wishes to punch someone, something, anything. He knew she was playing him, playing with his feelings. He starts to regret helping her. She CLEARLY doesn't even want to help herself. But why? No! He has to, he must find out what happened. What made Kate Beckett - the girl who was so determined to put criminals behind bars, end up behind bars herself? He exits the empty room. His eyes fire up with determination.