Very AU.

All the gang are here, just in different roles. I tried to write Rick as a slightly more serious and more confident individual.

The story is set in Tampa, not NYC, the importance of which will be apparent later on.

The time-frame is present time with flashbacks to build Rick and Kate's backstory.

This is my first foray into fan-fiction as an author. Feedback is welcome and appreciated.

The plot and new characters are mine everything else belongs to ABC.

Tampa Wednesday October 5 2016

Kate Beckett wheeled her silver BMW M3 into the parking space. She braked abruptly, stopping the vehicle in the precise center of the space and killed the engine. Both she and her passenger sat silently, the only sounds the ticks and clicks of the cooling engine.

She fixed her gaze on a small, official-looking sign that graced a galvanized steel post at the head end of the parking space. Supervisory Special Agent Beckett, it read, with Reserved in larger letters underneath the name.

Special Agent Hayley Shipton, in the passenger seat, turned to face her. "You made it, girl," Hayley said after a moment. "This is what you've been working toward for years. How does it feel?"

"Fine," Kate replied, repressing the smile that tugged her lips. "I'm excited and proud and all that, but I just don't seem to be as happy as I thought I would be."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm going to miss you, that's why."

"Kate, you're only moving down the hall, it's not like you're transferring to Borneo"

"I know." Kate sighed. "But we've been office mates since you transferred from Forensic Accounting to the field."

Hayley smiled. "Three years. Three good years."

"The best years of my life," Kate agreed. "I wouldn't have made it to this point without you."

"I don't know… "

"Seriously, Hayley, you are the most emotionally stable and wisest person I've ever met. It's really hard to believe you're only twenty-seven."

"It's genetic," her friend replied. "My dad always said sagacity was my mom's middle name."

"Whatever the source," Kate said. "You've kept me grounded, and you always seem to know the right thing to say to help me through the rough spots.

"That's what best friends are for." Hayley gave Kate's hand on the gearshift a quick squeeze. "You don't want to be late on your first day at your new job, so maybe we should get out and head on in."

"Right."

The two women opened their doors, facing the early October heat and humidity of a central Florida morning. They headed toward the nearby office building. The letters over the main entrance identified their destination as the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

As Kate turned onto the final section of walkway leading to the entrance, the turbine-like hum of a vehicle closing in from behind them captured her attention. To her practiced ear it was the seductive beat of a high-output V8 speaking Italian: in other words–Ferrari! Kate successfully resisted the urge to turn and stare as the brilliant red convertible caught up and passed them, pulling in to the first empty visitor space.

"Nice wheels," Hayley said quietly to her friend.

"You have noooo idea." Kate breathed. "That, girl, is a 548 Spyder. I didn't know they were even out yet." Her pace slowed as she feasted her eyes on one of the most beautiful cars she had ever seen.

"You're such a motor head," Hayley teased. "The only reason you didn't ride your bike today was so you could show off your new car."

"Not true," Kate protested with a grin. "I didn't ride the Harley cause it's too hot today to wear my leathers. Not to mention the fact that you still refuse to ride with me."

"Once was enough."

"Come on, it wasn't that bad."

"No, the ride was great. It was getting tossed out of the biker bar after the fight that ruined the mood."

"We only got tossed out because you broke that guy's arm." Kate pointed out.

"And why did I have to break his arm?" Hayley prompted.

Kate felt the faint beginning of a blush rising from beneath the collar of her cream-colored button down. "Because he was getting ready to hit me with a beer bottle."

"And?"

"He was trying to rescue his buddy."

"His buddy with the dislocated shoulder."

"And a concussion," Kate added, just to be helpful. "It wasn't my fault. I told him not to put his hands on me."

Hayley gave a theatrical long suffering sigh. "The things I do to get you to have a social life."

"I warned him." Kate protested.

"Kate, Kate, Kate, in those leathers and the way you were dancing it's a miracle there weren't a couple of coronaries."

"I like to dance. It's not my fault men are jerks."

A hardtop unfolded smoothly from behind the seats and locked into place as the driver exited, straightening up to catch the women's scrutiny. Kate's well-honed powers of observation classified him with practiced efficiency: White male, tall (six feet 2, or so) medium build (two twenty-five maybe). She couldn't help but admire the stranger's erect bearing and confident stride. Military, more likely ex than current. He had short reddish-brown hair with a hint of gray. He was dressed rather casually in faded jeans; gingham check button-down and a light blazer. Wire rim glasses gave off a geeky vibe that provided an odd contrast to the way his eyes seemed to be scanning the surroundings, as if there was some danger that lurked in the shadows. Definitely military, whatever he was, this man has seen the elephant.

The visitor's gaze found hers, and a hot flush heated Kate's cheeks at being caught staring. Probably here to turn himself in for insider trading, or something white collar. No one I'm interested in.

"Ferrari guy doesn't seem too jerky to me. Maybe if you ask nicely he'll take you for a ride."

"Hayley!"

###

The visitor proceeded toward the main entrance behind the two women. Reaching the entrance at approximately the same time, he stretched to open the door.

"Allow me, ladies," he offered, and his gaze traveled over them from top to bottom. Hayley raised an eyebrow and nodded at the stranger as she passed through. Kate, however, shot him a glare that would have shriveled small, fuzzy mammals had there been any in the line of fire. Just another jerk that treats women like objects, glad he's not my problem. How could a guy drive such a cool car and be such a jerk?

###

He paused, frowning for a couple of heartbeats, still holding the door, as the two women disappeared into the building. He shrugged, and walked up to the receptionist, resuming his characteristic crooked grin. "Rick Castle to see Special Agent in Charge Montgomery."

The receptionist nodded, and directed him to a small waiting area. He eyed the rigid molded plastic chairs before choosing one at random. His thoughts turned to the two women. Could one of them be her, the famous "Sparrow Hawk?" Both women had badges and side arms, so they were clearly field agents but neither fit his preconceived idea of what the woman would look like.

Whoever they were, they made a striking pair. Both tall and slender and dressed almost identically in a sharply tailored pantsuit and cream- colored button downs. The brunette appeared to be the older of the two. He noticed she was wearing heels that put her at nearly his eye-level. Her chestnut hair fell to shoulder length in soft waves that perfectly framed her face. Slender and obviously fit, she looked more like a supermodel than a kickass super cop that allegedly ate raw gators for breakfast

The second woman, except for skin tone, hair color and length could almost have been a clone of her - Partner? Her hair was shorter and more of a honey gold that perfectly set off her skin tone; which suggested the luscious color of a perfectly prepared crème caramel.

Rick felt his attention drifting back to the first woman. There was something about her that niggled at his subconscious. Something significant - Oh well, probably just that it's been a long time. A very long time.

Rick rose to take the hand offered by Roy Montgomery.

"How are you doing Roy?"

"Great what can I do for you?"

I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd drop off the report on the samples you gave us."

"We'll talk in my office." The agent turned and led the way through the doorway that the two women had disappeared through earlier. It was a short walk, and Montgomery showed Rick into his well-appointed office and gestured toward one of two couches facing each other across a chrome and glass coffee table.

"Have a seat, Rick." Roy took a seat opposite and leaned forward expectantly. "You've finished the analysis already?"

"Yep." Rick opened the leather messenger bag he carried and extracted a single sheet of paper. He passed it across to Roy, who almost snatched it away in his eagerness. Rick knew exactly when his friend reached the telling point. He gave a soft huff of astonishment and met Rick's gaze.

Ignoring, for a moment, the smug look on Rick's face, he whistled softly and sank back into the plush cushions. "Cobra DNA?"

"To be precise," Rick pointed out, "DNA from a 'False Water Cobra', it's primarily found in South Africa."

Roy suddenly slapped his knee with his free hand. "Got you, you son of a bitch."

"Roy, what's the context for these samples? Your guys dropped them off at the Institute, but didn't tell us much else."

"Sorry about that, but the case was at a critical stage and it was strictly 'need to know'.

Rick's smirk faded, "Okay this time, but if the Bureau wants the Institute's help in the future then I 'need to know'. My security clearance is probably higher than yours."

"I understand, the orders came from DC, but I'll tell you what I can. The case involved a human trafficking ring operating out of Miami. The prime suspect has an alibi, but a victim who managed to escape claimed that she had been threatened by snakes to keep her quiet."

"Wasn't that enough to get a warrant?"

Roy shook his head with a bit of chagrin. "No one really believed her. She was clearly strung out on heroin, so the snake story was chalked up as at best a drug-induced fantasy.

"So our test results lend credence to her story."

"Oh yes," Roy developed a feral grin, "The prime suspect is a reptile dealer, specializing in venomous reptiles."

Rick couldn't completely suppress a tiny smirk. I hate human traffickers. Feels good to help take one down. Maybe I should get Lainey a bottle of that Merlot she likes so much. She outdid herself on this one.

Roy stirred as if to rise, but Rick interrupted. "Roy, do you have a minute? There's something else I'd like your help with.

"I've got about twenty minutes."

"The University's long term goal is to become the center for technology research and education in the southeast. Ed has made a lot of progress toward that goal."

Roy chuckled, "Yeah, that's all he talks about at our poker nights. What's his latest idea."

"What we would like to do is to create a medico-legal lab that would focus on the one-off types of cases that defy analysis with standard techniques. We're not interested in mass-producing DNA tests or anything like that. There are already plenty of those available. We're looking for opportunities to help solve a case, but at the same time push back the frontiers of science a little bit."

Montgomery leaned forward. "Are you looking for funding? If you are, I have to tell you that's above my pay grade."

Rick chuckled. "No, we have private funding for the lab itself, but we feel that a more structured relationship with the Bureau would help attract the kind of world-class scientists that we want."

"I think this is a great idea, I've been telling Washington for years that we need to cultivate relationships with local universities. The Bureau's crime lab is the best in the world at what it does, but it can't do everything. I'll study your proposal before I forward it to Washington with my recommendation."

"Thank you, I appreciate your help."

"In the meantime, is there anything else I can do for you?"

"As a matter of fact, there is," Rick replied. "In company with a couple of private investors, the University has created an advanced technology research institute to commercially exploit some of the cutting-edge science being done at the University. The board feels that some of those applications might be of interest in the law enforcement arena, and that it would be useful for the Institute to have a more first-hand appreciation of the issues your folks face, and how technology can assist them."

"I assume that you have some idea as to how to obtain that first-hand appreciation."

"The board would like to appoint a liaison to work with your office in a semi-official capacity. That individual would be responsible for all contact between the Bureau and the Institute, and would work with your people to develop the logistics."

Montgomery held up his hand. "I think we should pause this conversation for a second while I get one of my key people in to hear what you have to say. She was just promoted to head up my Counterterrorism Unit and is the perfect person to make something like this work." He rose and took the few steps to the door of his office. Motioning to his administrative assistant, he said, "Marilyn, can you get Agent Beckett in here for me, please?"

###

Kate received the call in the middle of unpacking her personal effects, and immediately headed down the hall to her boss's office. Knocking softly, she entered and slammed to a halt as she realized there was someone in the office with Roy. She opened her mouth to notify them of her presence, but then closed it quickly as she recognized the visitor. Oh my God, he must have filed a complaint. I am so busted.

"Ah, here she is." Roy waved her toward the opposite end of the couch occupied by the stranger. He rose and turned toward her. She could tell the exact microsecond when he recognized her. First, his eyes narrowed, but then the corners of his mouth quirked upward slightly as Roy introduced her. "Professor, this is Supervisory Special Agent Kate Beckett. Agent Beckett, this is Dr. Richard Castle of the University of South Florida."

The professor extended his hand. After a moment's hesitation, she offered hers for a perfunctory shake.

"Please be seated, Kate. The professor was just sharing a proposal that the Bureau work more closely with the University in several ways that are very creative. I told him that you would be the perfect person to give his ideas a fair trial, so I'll let him fill you in on what they are proposing."

Kate nodded and swallowed, relieved that she wasn't going to be reprimanded on her first day.

Rick went back over the main points, but when he reached the point about an official liaison, Kate interrupted. "Pardon me, Dr. Castle, but does the University have a candidate for the liaison role?"

Rick grinned. "Me."