Hello, dearies!
Usually, I'm strictly a twilight writer, BUT since I haven't actually read twilight in like...4 years, I'm moving on!
This is my first Castle fanfic, and I've got a little more than this written, I just want to know if my fellow readers this it's worth reading.
Let me know please 3
"Always nice to come home." Richard Castle sighed as he dropped his suitcase at the entrance of his large loft.
"Yes!" Alexis agreed, pushing her way passed him and into the living area. Her small, Seven year old self probably could have squeezed by him without any issue, but she seemed intent on getting her father out of the way. She trailed her own Hannah Montana suitcase. She dropped it right in the middle of the living room, a rare act of untidiness on her part.
For Rick, though, leaving his suitcase lying around as he did now was not unusual. He sauntered into the kitchen and opened the fridge, searching for a refreshing drink he could have while lounging around for the next few hours. He would have to continue working on his Derek Storm novel soon, but now he just wanted to relax.
Alexis was heading upstairs, taking the stairs two at a time as she bounded up the steps. Though her suitcase remained where it was in the smack centre of the living room, she'd shrugged off her jacket and dutifully hung it in the closet. Her shoes were placed perfectly underneath it. Rick truly had no idea where his daughter had gotten her meticulous neatness from. It certainly wasn't from him or his ex-wife, her mother.
He'd just sat down and was opening a bottle of Pepsi when a piercing scream erupted from upstairs. He was back on his feet in an instant, ignoring the now spilt bottle as he rushed up the stairs, desperate to find Alexis. If anything had happened to her…
He found her just as she screamed again. She was in her room, only a few feet passed the door. As soon as her father came through the door, she latched onto him, tears streaming down her fair cheeks.
Castle picked up Alexis and held her tightly in his arms, shielding her from the dark red, almost brown, stain that covered her floor. The stench was nauseating, something he'd never smelled in real life.
It could really only be one thing.
"Mr. Castle, you'll obviously have to move to a safe house for now, until we have this situation under control." Detective Montgomery told him. The man was relatively tall, African-American, and had an intense stare that was making Rick uncomfortable.
When he'd seen the blood that covered Alexis's floor he'd immediately called the cops. The officer he'd gotten a hold of stood near the door. Officer Kate Beckett. When he'd explained the situation to her, she reached up to the higher power of New York. The Detectives.
Officer Beckett herself would have been of average height, but the inch and a half heel on her shoe made her seem taller. She had dark brown glossy hair, reaching to about shoulder length. She was young, in her early twenties, but some sort of weight seemed to hang over her, pressing down on her slim form. Her face was impassive, and was pale, so pale it was almost unhealthy. She was skinny and frighteningly so. She'd been gifted with soft features; high cheekbones, full lips, and deep eyes framed by thick lashes. She stood with her thumbs in her jean pockets. She kept warm with a black leather jacket that ended at the hem of her shirt.
All in all, she was hot.
But right now, he wasn't Richard Castle the celebrity, he was Alexis's daddy.
Alexis clung to Rick's shirt, but her wide blue eyes were taking in all the cops that were wandering the apartment. This sent him wondering again about Officer Beckett, who stood at the door like a shadow, unmoving. Why wasn't she searching for clues and evidence, like everyone seemed to be doing? He started to feel almost angry. Why wasn't she helping?
As a crime novelist, Rick knew something was out of place, but right now, he just wanted to deal with his daughter, who was watching everything unfold before her.
"Why don't we go get some ice cream?" He asked Alexis, whose small face lit at the prospect of a treat.
"Strawberry?" She asked, her blue eyes shinning and a grin planted solidly on her lips.
Rick sighed in mock disapproval. "It seems I'll never be able to convert you to the dark side. Or, more accurately, the chocolate side." He started to head toward the door. When Detective Montgomery stopped him.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Castle. You can't be permitted to leave at the moment." He told Rick.
Frustration hit him like a wave. "I wasn't even in town. I didn't do anything, and now I can't get my daughter out of this apartment while you search for clues about a murder?"
"Mr. Castle, you must realize that life isn't always like your books. However, in this case we can't let you leave because of the danger. Whoever was in here might have been looking for you or your daughter." Montgomery fixed Castle with a firm stare. At the mention of Alexis, Castle's resolve faltered. He could never put Alexis in danger.
"Give him a break, detective." A new voice drawled. It was scratchy and low. Rick looked over the guy. He was standing next to Officer Beckett, his hand resting on her shoulder. "It's not like he's got much experience with the real deal."
Detective Royce, as he'd been introduced to Rick, was Officer Beckett's training officer. He had tanned brown skin that stood out next to Officer Beckett's pale face. His hair was cut short, shorter than Rick's, and his eyes were a deep brown that seemed to take everything in. He wasn't as tall as Montgomery, but easily as imposing. After his comment to Montgomery, he'd turned his attention to the young woman at his side, and they were deep in conversation. He seemed to be getting her take on the situation, interrupting her when he felt she'd missed something.
Rick watched in fascination at the way the officer behaved around Royce, compared to Montgomery. She was obviously more comfortable with her training officer, and looked at him with eyes and a face that radiated admiration.
His hopelessness must have shown in his face, because for the first time, Officer Beckett stepped forward. "Detective, I could go with them." She told Montgomery, her eyes not leaving Montgomery's face. Royce kept his hand on her shoulder, watching her closely.
Everyone seemed put off by her offer. Even some of the detectives looked up from their work in shock. Montgomery glared at them all and their eyes went back to evidence, or apparently, lack there of. Rick once again started to wonder about the officer.
"Beckett…" Montgomery seemed about to say something and there was something new in his face. He looked…almost sympathetic, but yet he didn't seem to want her too.
"Look Detective, I know you're supposed to be keeping an eye on me and all," She started, piquing Rick's curiosity. What had this young officer done to have to be watched? He listened as she continued. "But honestly, what could happen. If there's an attack I'll be with them, and do you really think this is the place for a seven year old?" She whispered the last bit.
Montgomery looked torn, but finally he sighed. "Fine. Call me if you need anything, if you go anywhere else, or it takes longer than you thought. I'll expect Mr. Castle back here in 2 hours, tops, and you back at the station right after that. Mr Castle," Montgomery turned to him now, "You're not to leave Officer Beckett at any time, and when you come back, the building will be supervised."
Castle didn't appreciate his building being supervised, but it didn't seem like Detective Montgomery was going to waver there.
He turned to Officer Beckett. "Lead the way," he told her. A ghost of a smile formed on her lips, and she turned and led the way out of the apartment.
That's a wrap!
Tell me, what did you guys think? I LOVELOVELOVE reviews, they keep me going.
ALSO: If you've read my stories in the past, you'll know that I sometimes have a habit of advertising my favourite stories. I'm going to do this here, for the most part :)
Today's advertised story is: Maybe This Time by Cassie Valentine
"AU. In an alternate universe, Richard Castle tries to save his failing marriage with another baby. 6 months after the divorce, he meets Detective Kate Beckett and can't help but wonder if Maybe This Time. . ."
~~Luvyas!
