FATE

Chapter One

The basic line of attack had been laid for years. Knowing that he would eventually have his revenge made waiting bearable; even satisfying, in a sense. Watching as Rick Rodgers, now Richard Castle, rose to higher and higher success and fame made his brother crazy, but to him, it only made the takedown sweeter. So much farther to fall. So much to take away. Years in prison, fantasizing, then actively plotting, had made him more patient and more focused than anyone would have believed. Besides, if he'd acted on his plans when he'd first been released, he would have been the first one suspected. Now, however, there would be plenty of candidates, especially since Ricky boy had recently been involving himself in real-life criminal cases.

Opening his computer file to the Ledger's much perused article, "The Charmed Life of the Charming Richard Castle", Zach Baron sneered at the photo of his nemesis. There was so much publicity for this new Nikki Heat series; like having a hot female detective was all that innovative. Truly, there was nothing new under the sun. Except for the fun he was about to have, taking Richard Rodgers Castle apart, piece by piece. And the man had so many vulnerabilities, Baron shook his head with an ugly grin. "Where to start?" Picking up a prepaid cell phone, Zach left a detailed message for a contact from prison, smiling as he imagined the worry on Castle's face when he heard the news. The first inkling that his 'charmed' life was over. An author should appreciate foreshadowing.

Sometime during the night, Kate awoke to a warm hand playing gently with her breast,

stroking it lightly, while something hot and solid pressed against her bottom. Smiling drowsily, she stretched and pretended more sleepiness than she felt, allowing a light moan to escape her lips. Immediately after that, a second hand made itself known, touching her other breast and focusing on her nipple, which was already hard. Unable to keep still, Kate shivered and snuggled back against Castle, gasping as his hands slid along her body, his breath on the side of her neck. Soft and low, Rick apologized insincerely, "Sorry, did I wake you?"

Wriggling her naked bottom against his erection, she murmured, "Mmm, this better not be a dream."

"If you're in doubt, I could always pinch you…" teasingly cupping her shapely behind, Rick squeezed her bottom before sliding his hand up and down her thigh.

"I'd rather you fuck me."

Whispering into her ear, "Oh, I mean to do that." He lightly pinched her nipple, rewarded with a gasp. Castle continued, "Or… I could do both."

Kate craned her head back to kiss him, but she warned, "You're going to pay for that."

Concentrating on pressing as much of her body against him as possible, he taunted, "Bring it, Detective. I think you'll find that I've hardened up during our time together. Maybe you hadn't noticed."

She smiled appreciatively, and opened her mouth for more of his kisses. They were spooning, his hands moving unhurriedly, and she at his mercy, enjoying the way he teased her, mind and body. And when hadn't Castle teased her? It had begun the moment they'd met, even all the way back to the book signing. Closing her eyes and relaxing into his close embrace, Kate drifted back to that first day, eight years earlier.

Standing in line at the bookstore, Kate was fascinated to see the different types of people who seemed to share her interest in Richard Castle and/or his books. Quite a diverse crowd, although it was predominantly female. She noticed that all the younger women in line seemed dressed more for a night club than a Barnes and Noble, which made her feel self conscious in her police uniform. When the line finally started moving, excited chatter began. Most of the women were talking about the photo on the back of Storm Season, how handsome the author was and Kate chuckled as she heard all the speculation about what he'd be like in bed. Not that she hadn't thought of it, once or twice; though she found his clever intelligence more seductive than his looks, having an innate distrust of pretty boys. And he was pretty. Forty-five minutes later, she was finally near enough to the signing table to see and hear Richard Castle interact with his fans and she was pleasantly surprised at his kind demeanor. When the man just ahead of her confessed his man-crush on the novelist, asking him to sign his book, "To Adam, with love," Kate was impressed with his mild eyebrow raise, followed by mutely writing the requested autograph and a friendly handshake.

Her turn. Sliding her open book in front of him, she was unprepared for the jolt she got from the author's electric blue eyes looking into hers. Castle held his hand out as he looked Kate up and down, smiling at her uniform. "Hi, I'm Rick. And you, are one of New York's Finest." His intonation gave the phrase a double meaning.

She managed to shake his hand firmly. "I am. At least, that's my goal. I'm… Kate." Take me seriously, Beckett willed him; don't let me down.

"I have a lot of respect for what the NYPD does on a daily basis. I hope that comes through in my books. Thank you for what you do for our city." He stopped, staring into her face. " Umm, how would you like me to sign your book, Kate?" The author was smiling at her, but she had the feeling he was trying to read her, the way she tried to read suspects, and potential boyfriends.

"Just, ' to Kate. Kate Beckett'." Annoyingly, she was finding it difficult to make intelligent sentences while his intent gaze was fixed on her.

"Playwright or Archbishop of Canterbury?"

Since smart equaled sexy in her book, Kate couldn't hold back a full-on smile as she murmured, "Playwright."

Flashing her an admiring look, Castle began writing, while still talking to her. "A cop who knows the difference between an Archbishop murdered in the 1100's and an Irish playwright. Something tells me that you, me and Batman have something in common." With that enigmatic statement, he handed her book back and gave her a sad smile. " But, I hope that I'm wrong. Best wishes for a very bright future, Officer Beckett. And, thanks for reading. You're a true rarity; intelligent, down-to-earth, brave…and with excellent taste." Here he gave her an impish grin. You… made my night." He paused, looking at her seriously, "In fact, if you have some time…" Before he could finish, a woman brought a phone to him, saying, "It's Alexis. Do you want to take it?" Without skipping a beat, Richard Castle mouthed "Sorry,", held up a finger and took the call. Kate felt her face flush hotly, then turned on her heel to leave, insulted that he would try to pick her up with another woman on 'hold'! Especially when the first words he said were, "Hi, Sweetie!" She stalked a few feet away, ready to leave her signed book on the shelf when she realized that 'fanboy' Adam from the line was watching her.

"What? Enjoying seeing me be toyed with and discarded?" Whoa, where did that bitterness come from? Just because the arrogant SOB thought he could make her a notch on his bedpost… Kate took a deep breath. "Sorry, I didn't mean… "

Adam just shrugged, with a wistful grin and said, " Alexis is his daughter. I hear she comes first. Always."

"His daughter? How do you know? I mean, it's none of my business… never mind." Kate bit her lip, trying to smile at Adam as she walked past him.

"My nephew goes to school with her. I'm told Rick dotes on her." To her retreating back, "He's a single dad, if that makes you like him better." Under his breath, "Since I don't have a shot."

Kate exited the bookstore, rolling her eyes at the way she'd lost her grip for a minute, while wondering how the man had been able to get under her skin so easily. However smart (and sexy) he might be, she resolved that he was definitely not her type. Way too annoying. Getting into her car, she turned on the overhead light and opened her book to read his inscription.

"To Kate Beckett, You will be one of the finest; trust me, I can tell. BTW, you have amazing eyes. Richard Castle

When Rick flipped her over, so that they were laying side by side, Kate came back to the present in an instant, running her palms over his chest and down his abdomen. Moaning as he explored between her thighs, she spread her legs in invitation. He pulled her leg over his hip and slid into her, gritting his teeth at the taut feel of her around him.

Now that she was facing Castle, watching him as he moved against her in the diffused light cast from the moon, Kate was mesmerized by his face. He seemed enthralled by her, his eyes roaming from hers to her mouth to the place where their bodies joined. And while her mind and heart fled from what his eyes revealed, her soul understood, and she trembled. They rocked each other steadily, the build up so gradual that the intensity of her climax caught her by surprise. When they stilled, Rick kissed her mouth and then pulled her against him, already sleepy.

Early morning light was filtering through the French doors when Castle next opened his eyes, a naked Kate Beckett in his arms and her soft, round breast in his hand. Taking a deep breath, he inhaled her scent and realized that he was hard for her once again. The sheet had slipped partially from her shoulder and he watched her breasts rise and fall, then turned his attention to her face, relaxed in sleep Finally able to look his fill, Rick absorbed the sight of Kate asleep. She seemed so young, and still innocent, the clock turned back to a time before life had shown her it's much uglier side. He wished somehow that she could be spared the trauma and heartbreaking loss, even though he realized those things were a large part of what had forged her into the extraordinary woman that he had come to care for. Not for the first time, Rick considered the strange and cruel misfortunes that had changed the course of both their lives. Was it just a fateful coincidence that Kate had experienced her greatest tragedy when she was 19, her loss setting her on the path to become a cop; just as his own life had been derailed by tragedy when he was 19, transforming him into a man who devoted his waking hours to thoughts of crime, murder and death. Unbidden, the vision of another girl sleeping in his arms flashed in his head; sweet and truly innocent, golden curls obscuring her face and the spot of blood on the sheet by her hip troubling his conscience.

Swallowing a lump in his throat, Rick forced the memories away and focused on the here and now. His erection gone with the painful trip into the past, he glanced at the clock on the bedside table. 6:25 AM. Alexis would be calling soon. Castle allowed himself a few more minutes with Kate, still amazed that she was actually here with him in his bed. Moving carefully, he managed not to disturb her as he covered her with the sheet and made for the shower, taking his phone with him.