A/N1: Hello peoples and WELCOME to the second Chapter of Finality I have titled 'Chocolate Socks' I would love to give all those lovely people who have ticked 'favourite author', 'favorite story' or left and actual review for the first chapter. It truly warms my heart to know what I do for fun is liked by so many others. I hope you like this chapter. And if the warning of the entire story didn't give you a hint this will: There's some norty stuff coming up so if you don't like that skip it.
On with the read!
"You're looking cheerful," Jim commented to Kate early the following morning as they sat together at the kitchen island and shared breakfast. "You've got a different vibe."
Kate grinned. "I feel different," she replied, her green eyes shining with enthusiasm. "I talked to Alexis last night on the ride in from the airport and we decided to go back to the loft today. I wasn't going to go back there til Rick was discharged from hospital but Alexis wants to go back there while she's here for the weekend and she asked me to go with her. I've loved being here Dad but I need my own space and I know you need your own."
"You sure you want to go?" Jim asked his face falling slightly. "I've enjoyed having you here."
"And I've enjoyed being here Dad but I need to go home" Kate replied reaching over and squeezing her father's hand. "You understand don't you? You can come over as often as you like and I'll still come over here."
Jim smiled. "Yeah...I understand," he replied with a chuckle. "I'm just being a Dad, we don't always want to let out little girls go. No matter how old they get."
"So what are you going do if Rick and I get married?" Kate asked with a grin.
"I'm going to pick you up and carry you down the aisle to him and cry like a girl as you two exchange vows," Jim replied with a chuckle. "Though carrying you might be a bit unnecessary, you'll probably gallop like a racehorse down the aisle."
Kate giggled. "Maybe," she replied. "But marriage for either of us is a long way off. I know Rick would like to get married again but after Meredith and Gina, I know he's hesitant to go down the aisle again."
"He shouldn't be sweetheart, especially to with you," Jim said. "You're a totally different woman than Meredith and Gina. Javier told be about the confrontation Kevin had at the precinct with Gina and you would never do that sort of thing. All your life you've been more concerned with other people's welfare than your own. And you've never cheated on anyone you've been with. Rick should and I think feels secure with you. You compliment each other perfectly. Much like your mother and I used to be, though I will admit you're a bit more of a firebrand than your Mom was."
"Rick would call that badassery," Kate said dryly, stirring more yoghurt into her muesli. "He called me a badass at the hospital last night with this huge grin on his face."
"Sounds like he's proud of his girl," Jim quipped. "And not that I'm in the habit of using such a word but I'd tend to agree especially after the story Javier and Kevin told me about the night you arrested Robinson. Javier said, and I quote. "She opened up a can of woopass totally her own brand Mr B it was awesome."
Kate felt her cheeks warm. "Javi exaggerates," she muttered.
"No he doesn't, you know he doesn't," Jim countered scraping his bowl clean and getting up to put it on the sink. "He's just proud and admiring of his best friend. Neither he or Kevin exaggerate."
"I'm going to take those two out soon and thank them for having my back," Kate vowed. "Maybe have them over once I'm settled back at the loft. "I need to thank them in some way for helping me through this whole damn experience."
"Concentrate on helping Rick to get well first, sweetie. They'll understand," Jim told his daughter sagely. "Maybe when he's better and allowed to consume alcohol again, you three can sneak a six pack to him and share a drink."
Kate grinned. "Maybe I'll do that," she said. "Well that's me done, how about we head to the hospital? I told Rick I'd be there early."
"Sure."
Kate hurriedly brushed her teeth then with Jim's help, loaded all her and Rick's belongings into his car. They left the apartment building just after nine thirty and arrived at Mercy West right on ten.
"Do those people have lives?" Jim asked in exasperated disgust as they left the parking garage and headed toward to main entrance of the hospital where a group of television crews and Paparazzi were gathered. "What they do is legalized stalking."
"It's one of the downsides of dating a high profile identity, Dad. I've gotten used to it by now, they've been alright lately backing off when I've asked them to."
The media pack spied Kate and Jim's arrival and converged on them.
"Kate Kate! How's Rick going today?"
"Rumour has it he's proposed, where's the ring?"
"Rick's fine, guys. He's recovering at a rate satisfactory to all his surgeons," Kate replied neutrally. "And we're not getting married, not yet anyway. Don't you think if we were engaged we'd announce it together and not in front of a hospital?"
"Is Rick going to quit writing after this incident Kate?" one reporter from an NBC affiliate station asked. "Rumours-"
"Whatever you've heard is a load of bull," Kate replied in exasperation. "Rick has expressed a keen interest in writing again, that's why I've brought his laptop in. Just because he's in hospital and recovering from a serious head injury, doesn't mean the end of his writing career."
"So Frozen Heat won't be his last book?"
"I very much doubt it," Kate replied. "But he's not going to jump right back into writing another manuscript right when he's convalescing in hospital. It's his aim to dive headfirst into all scheduled treatment and get healthy both physically and mentally before anything else at the moment."
"What about his career with the FBI?" another reporter asked. "Is he likely to return to service with the feds?"
"I'm not sure that would be for Rick to answer." Kate replied. "And he's not going to be issuing any statement until he's released from hospital."
"How about shadowing you and the other officers at the twelfth precinct?"
"Again that would be something you have to ask Rick directly," Kate answered, seriously. "I'm sure he would like to and I know everyone at the twelfth would be happy to have him back but his health comes first and I know Rick well enough to say he wouldn't do anything that would jeopardise his health."
"And what about you Kate?" another reporter with a pen and notepad in hand asked. "I've heard you've turned in your badge and gun."
Kate rolled her eyes. "Not permanently," she replied in mild exasperation. "I've just taken some long service leave so I can spend time with Rick and help him in his recovery and rehabilitation. I'll only be gone from the precinct til the end of the year. I fully plan on returning to the beat in the New Year."
"With Rick at your side?"
Kate smiled. "Hopefully," she replied. "Alright guys, that's it for now. I've got to go and see Rick, see you later."
And with the reporters shouting questions at her retreating back Kate led her father into the hospital and to the back of the lobby where the elevator bay was situated.
"They're a nosey bunch, aren't they?" Jim quipped as they waited for the elevator.
"Eh, that's the nature of the gossip media Dad," Kate answered sliding her sunglasses up onto her head. "They can ask the same question in seventeen different ways. No doubt they'll misconstrue what I've said and construct some sort of sensational story from the few answers I've given them, it's what they do."
"I'm surprised you didn't snap."
"I almost did when that reporter asked if Rick was going to quit writing," Kate replied dryly. "That man will only quit writing once he's dead and in the ground. It's too much a part of who he is."
The elevator arrived and Kate and Jim got in making their way up to the neurosurgery ward.
"Morning Kate, Jim," Melanie one of the young nurses called cheerfully as they approached the nurses station. "How are you this morning?"
"Pretty good actually, how's my guy?" Kate asked. "Giving everyone a hard time? He can be a bit of a whinging convalescent."
Melanie grinned. "Nah, he's been really good,' she replied with a chuckle. "Stuffing his face with chocolate at the moment."
"Chocolate?" the female detective inquired in confusion.
"You'll see," Melanie replied in amusement as she dropped down into a chair in front of a computer. "I'll see you around huh?"
"Sure thing."
"Maybe he's recovered and snuck down to the kitchens to steal all the candy bars?" Jim suggested in amusement as he followed Kate down to the end of the ward floor.
"Don't think he's that mobile yet," Kate replied. "Knock knock."
"Who's there?" Rick called with a chuckle.
"Bare."
"Bare who?"
"Bare bum," Kate answered with a snort of laughter leaning down to kiss him deeply on his chocolate smeared lips. "Morning chocolate socks."
"Mmmmm morning, Tulip," Rick replied nibbling on her bottom lip. "Very funny, you taking up a comedy career?"
"Nah, though I should," Kate replied with a giggle wiping off the chocolate on his lips with the pad of her thumb. "And why have you got more chocolate on your face than is socially acceptable for a man your age?"
Jim laughed heartily as his daughter playfully scolded her partner
"You're in trouble now pal," he declared
"Everyone at the twelfth sent me a chocolate basket, look," Rick replied jerking his head to an enormous wicker basket full of a variety of chocolate products. "And there's even some chocolate body paint and a brush with devil horns on it in there. I bet that was Esposito's idea the smartass. I've eaten seven Reese's Cups since it got here an hour ago."
"Seven?" Kate exclaimed in surprise. "Your pancreas is going to explode Castle and you'll be in hospital for even longer. How can you eat so many? I can only manage one at a time they're so rich."
"I haven't had one in ages, I couldn't help it I sort of pigged out," Rick replied sheepishly. "Frank and his team from ViCap in Washington sent me a fruit basket. I'm going to get into that today too, there's a fondue set in the chocolate basket too so I thought when everyone comes to visit tonight we could have a fondue party."
Kate rolled her eyes and placed the Writers laptop bag on the table over his lap. "Even when you're still hooked up to an IV and have more injuries than most medical experts think is possible you're still he party animal," she declared. "I bought you laptop, thought you might want to surf the net a bit maybe write a bit should you be struck with any ground breaking inspiration."
Rick's face lit up. "Oh Awesome, I love you so much!" he declared, patting her hip as she plugged the charger cord into the nearest power point. "I'm starting to get a bit bored in here even with all the visitors I've been getting."
"Alexis said to me last night she'd be in this morning," Kate revealed. "We're staying here til lunchtime then going back to the loft to clean it up and get it ready for when you come home."
"I could be in here for weeks yet," Rick countered making a face.
"I know that but I want it to be ready for you to come home," Kate repeated. "Besides I want to go home and Alexis wants to go home when she comes back on the weekends."
"And you're okay with this?" Rick asked Jim.
"Well I have to admit I would like Katie to spend a bit longer at my place," Jim admitted. "But I know what it's like just to want to go home so she's going back to the loft under the promise of a visit at least once a week."
"Well if you're both alright with it," Rick replied somewhat doubtfully. 'Though I would prefer if you had someone with you."
"Rick, it's all over," Kate said quietly. "Frank and his team and everyone in the bullpen arrested everyone that had anything to do with Mom's case and your kidnapping. No one's out to get me anymore. No one's out to get you we're safe finally safe."
"Well..." the Writer replied doubtfully.
"And besides I suspect I'll never truly be alone til you get out of hospital," Kate went on. "Alexis will be here every weekend and I doubt Martha will leave a day without at least calling me, same goes for Dad and you know what Kevin, Javi and Lanie are like, they'll hover. And Gates is part of the circle now no doubt Javi or Kevin will say something to her and she'll check to see I'm okay. I'm a big girl I'll be able to look after myself on the rare occasions I'm alone. I'll be checked on more when I'm back at the loft than I have been at Dad's."
"And I think you've been told son," Jim said to Rick with a snort of laughter.
"Yeah, I know," Rick replied sheepishly. "Spanky fingers to the Writer Man."
"Your headset is in the bag so if you want we can Skype after I've gone home," Kate added. "You're in a private single room now, so you won't have to worry about disturbing other patients."
"Alright, I'm happy with that," Rick agreed, tucking his good leg under his injured one so Kate could sit on the bed with him. "Thank God for modern technology."
"So are you feeling better today?' Jim inquired as Kate entwined her slender legs with Rick's muscular ones.
"Yeah, I am much better," the Writer replied smiling as Kate began to soothingly massage his braced leg. "Each day I need less and less pain relief and naps during the day are lessening too. I'm hoping by next weekend I'll be able to stay awake all day and hopefully go without the morphine at night, it acts too fast and I get muddle headed after waking up from a dose. I want to have full control of my faculties when my favourite girls visit. They're my best medicine."
Kate blushed. "Suck hole," she muttered. "Behave."
"Well your colour is improving every day, maybe your 'favourite girl' is helping you more than the doctor's ever could," Jim quipped airily as he made air quotations with his fingers. "Don't have any idea who that could be though."
"Daaaaaaad," Kate scolded. "Be nice, being a smartass is not becoming of you."
"You say that to me too," Rick chipped in. "Almost-oof oy police brutality I'm a convalescing man detective, hitting me isn't going to help me recover."
"Neither's running your mouth," Kate teased reaching up and playfully twisting the writer's ear.
Jim chuckled heartily. "You two remind me so much of Johanna and I," he said with a soft smile as Kate turned around and allowed Rick to sling his one good arm around her waist. "We used to bicker and tease each other all the time too."
"How about once I get discharged we head to Woodlawn and visit her headstone?" Rick suggested quietly. "I think it's time to go as a group, maybe Victoria, Kevin and Javi can come along too seeing as if it wasn't for them this case wouldn't be about to go to trial."
"Would you mind Dad?" Kate asked leaning back into Rick's embrace and letting him nuzzle her ear affectionately.
"No, I wouldn't," Jim replied softly his voice catching in his throat. "I think your Mom would want to meet all your friends honey and just because she's not with us anymore doesn't mean that still can't happen."
"We'll do it the day I'm discharged then," Rick suggested resting his hand on Kate's abdomen. "A thousand stems."
"Castle a thousand stems would entirely cover the headstone," Kate said dryly. "The three hundred you normally just about cover it."
"We should plant a flower bush then," Rick suggested. "Or lots of bulbs so come Spring time there's a carpet of colour."
"I think Jo would like that," Jim said thickly. "Every year she would plant bulbs around the cabin and every Spring it look like a paint box exploded. I'm not much of a gardener so it looks a bit messy since she went."
"I'll take Rick up there one day and we can have a go at pruning everything if you like," Kate suggested. "Maybe we can do it before we go to Woodlawn and plant some of the bulbs from the cabin at her gravesite."
Jim's face lit up. "I love the idea!" he exclaimed
Two hours later Jim stood up.
"I best be off and leave you two love birds be, alright?" he said cheerfully leaning forward to kiss Kate on the cheek. "See you two tomorrow."
Thanks for coming Jim," Rick said gratefully. "Means a lot you come in every day."
"Don't think about it, you're family," Jim replied cuffing the writer on his good shoulder. "See you two tomorrow too, okay Katie?"
"Sure thing Dad, I'll meet you here in the morning and give you the car back then," Kate answered. "Safe trip home."
"You too sweetie."
As soon as her father left the room Kate flicked the curtain surrounding the bed around a little and turned around to advance on the Writer with a growl trailing long, languid and wet kisses down his neck and along his left clavicle.
"I wouldn't go any lower, if any of our friends or family turn up it's not going to be a good look if-ahhhhhhh."
Rick groaned as the female detective reached under the sheet and grasped his masculinity.
"Won't be a good look if what?" Kate purred feeling him swell within her grip.
"Y-you know what," Rick groaned in her ear as she pumped him slowly. "Don't play coy with me."
"I'm allowed to pay coy," Kate teased, her green eyes darkened with desire. "I think I should come in here early every morning and administer some homeopathic medicine, what d'you say Writer Man?"
Rick caught Kate's earlobe between his teeth and tugged on it til she let out a breathy squeak.
"We'd get caught," he murmured
"I'm an efficient worker. I can help things along quickly so we don't, if you get my drift," she whispered in his ear. "Interested Writer Booooooooy?"
Rick's resolve totally evaporated and he seized Kate's lips with his own. "If we get caught-" he groaned as the female detective pulled down the hospital blanket and yanked up his hospital gown. "Oh shit Kate!"
Rick dropped his head back on his pillow as he felt Kate's lips close over his erection. He scrunched his eyes shut and exhaled in a rush and she grasped him with her hands and massaged him. The female detective looked up at him with a wanton gaze before returning her attentions to his hardness.
Careful not to put any pressure on his injured knee or abdomen wounds Kate lapped and laved at his length, circling the sensitive head with the tip of her tongue then expertly slurping at him like a melting ice block. Rick threaded the fingers of his good hand through her brunette tresses and thrust into her mouth with a hastily muffled grunt.
"God that feels out of this world, Kate!" he groaned, gritting his teeth as hard as his wired jaw would allow. "God I'm going to peak if you do that much longer."
"Trust me you won't," Kate purred, trailing the tip of her tongue up the underside of his hardness and stomach to his heaving chest. "I don't want you to come early."
"When you're in one of these moods I can't help but lose my shit," Rick groaned, running his hand up and down her back. "Are you-are you wearing no panties?"
"Not tellin'," Kate whispered in his ear, grabbing his hands and forcing it down on the bed. "You can guess, boyo."
"Aw but Kaaaaaaaaaa-aaaate!" the Writer whined. "I wanna knooooow!"
"Have I ever given you what you wanted because you whined about it?" Kate asked, with a giggle as she leaned down to suckle upon the nape of his neck.
"No."
"Then shut up and enjoy the ride."
Kate loved teasing Rick. She had for their entire relationship and now that he was in hospital was no exception. She sucked on his earlobes then trailed long, languid and wet kisses down his heaving chest and abdomen to his groin. Rick bucked his hips up in anticipation of her engulfing him with her mouth again, but she gave a little giggle and kissed anywhere but where he wanted her to. Her long brown tresses trailed over his twitching length and he grabbed fistfuls of sheets as that, along with the sensation of her running her nails up and down his inner thighs brought him to the very brink of bliss.
"Every second you stall, increases the chances of us getting busted!" Rick groaned a light sheen erupting on his brow. "I can't handle any more Tulip, please!"
Kate chuckled and the vibration of her amusement shot up Rick's length and ignited his pelvis with a vociferous need to peak. The Writer let out a strangled cry and flopped back into the bed. He totally surrendered to the female detective and grabbed a handful of her hair, hissing as she increased the force of her suction til both his legs were twitching.
"UGH Kaaaaaaaaaaaate!" Rick groaned a drop of sweat sliding down his forehead and into his eye making it sting. "Shit I can't-I'm gonna, arrrrrrrrrghhhhhh!"
And with that he came, spilling himself into Kate's mouth. The brunette dug her nails into his muscular thighs and consumed his release greedily.
"God, you're gonna kill me one day!" Rick declared with a groan wiping at his still stinging eye. "Oh wow, that was-was-"
"You know for a man that makes a living by putting words in the right order, you're having an awful lot of trouble constructing a sentence right now," Kate teased as she tucked him under the blanket again. "What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?"
Rick chuckled and cupped her face with his free hand. "You could say that," he replied, kissing her languidly on the lips then scooting aside to allow her to snuggle down next to him. "Ahhhhow!"
Kate immediately sat up her face full of concern. "What's wrong?" she asked in alarm. "Are you sore? Do you need pain-"
"Tulip, I'm fine. Just a little sore," Rick replied. tugging her back down to his side. "Doctor Anderson told me I would be for a while yet. I just got carried away with the moment and moved a bit more than I should have. Don't worry, I'm fine. I had a lot of fun. Can we do this every day?"
Kate's eyes sparkled. "If I hear from the nursing staff you've been a good boy," she promised. "And you're not stuffing your face with Reese's Cups. And you think I was starting a flower shop when I was in hospital? Look at you this room is Flower Alley!"
"Awwww but I like stuffing my face with chocolate," Rick whined playfully, lacing his fingers through hers and kissing each knuckle along it. "It's sweet, like you."
"You're a suck hole Richard Castle and it does not suit you," Kate scolded, shivering as the writer suckled upon her neck. "Really it doesn't."
"Would it be sucking up to say I'd prefer to eat you, you taste betterrrrrrrr?" Rick purred in her ear.
Kate lifted her eyes so they met his then leaned forward pressed his lips to his. The Writer responded enthusiastically, pressing his tongue against her lips. Kate acquiesced to the pressure and opened her mouth giggling a little as she felt he Writer tickle her on her back between her shoulder blades.
"Oh for god's sakes, you two get a room!" a familiar masculine voice exclaimed.
Like the sound of a plunger being yanked from a toilet Kate and Rick jumped apart, both of their faces flaming in embarrassment. Frank and Woodson and Parnell stood there both openly grinning at the loved up couple's embarrassment.
"We had one til you three nosey parkers showed up," Rick grumbled. "How you doing? When did you get in?"
"Last night," Frank replied with a chuckle shaking the Writer's hand. "Just to sew up a few things before court begins next week. Hargraves and Robinson are being tried separately and Hargraves is up first."
Instantly the intimate and romantic vibe of the room evaporated to be replaced by an apprehensive and tense one.
"So he's still pleading not guilty?" Kate asked in clipped tones her green eyes flashing with barely contained anger.
"Oh yeah, that's why we're going to trial, his legal counsel told us he was going to try for a guilty plea before the second arraignment but obviously that didn't happen so now he's pleading guilty and we go to trial next Wednesday."
"Wish I could be there," Rick declared making a face. "I want to see that son of a bitch squirm when I look him in the eyes."
"Don't worry, I'll do it for you," Kate vowed. "I want to be there for every day of the trial. I'm not going to be a victim any longer."
"What's he being charged with exactly?" Rick asked, gripping Kate's thigh comfortingly as the female detective set her jaw and grinded her teeth angrily.
"Primarily the attempted murder of Kate, the attempted murder of you and murder of Marguerite Olsen who was the body killed in the fire at your loft parking garage but there's also two counts of conspiracy to commit murder for the apartment fire in which those two kids died," Frank began. "Then there's the murder of Cassidy Jackson, and Luanne Price. Also accessory to the murder of Johanna Beckett and three counts of rape, two of possessing a class A narcotic with intent to deal, two of possessing a trafficable amount of marijuana. Two counts of grievous bodily harm, one to you and one to Tyler Harrington and one of arson. And there are also countless charges of intimidation and assault but if I listed them all you'd be discharged before I could finish. But it's the murder of Marguerite Olsen, attempted murder of Kate and the attempted murder and kidnapping of you a sworn in federal agent that we're leaning on."
"And how confident are you of getting a conviction?" Kate asked stiffly.
"Very confident," Frank replied seriously. "Kate the litany of charges against Robinson and Hargraves are enough to warrant the death penalty. And not that I should tell you this, but that's what the DA is going to ask for when the trial gets down to discussing punishment. The drug charges alone are enough for the death penalty but the prosecution is going to emphasise the kidnapping and attempted murder of a federal agent. Trust me when I say those two assholes are never going to see the light of day again. We've all worked too hard for the jury to have any doubt."
"Good, because if they got off-" Kate began.
"Tulip, they're not going to get off," Rick said softly rubbing her leg reassuringly. "You've seen the case notes you've talked to these three. No jury anywhere in the country is going to find those bastards not guilty."
"We've got everyone Kate," Woodson chimed in. "We were arresting people up to two weeks ago. We busted the drugs, the prostitution the conspiracy."
"And these three are the best at the Bureau they wouldn't snow you," Rick declared.
"I know I'm just being stupid," Kate said sheepishly
"I see you got the fruit basket from the director," Parnell said with a snort of laughter, nodding to the enormous basket of fruit on a nearby ledge. "He was going to send flowers until Frank told him about when you used to pinch everyone's fruit in the break room back when you first joined the service."
"Yeah Banana Boy," Frank said with a snort of laughter
"Banana Boy?" Kate repeated, looking at Rick with an arched eyebrow and a growing smile. "I thought you were Writer Boy?"
The Writer rolled his eyes. "It's nothing." He muttered.
"Bull it's nothing," Frank continued. "Kate, when Rick came to ViCap straight out of the Academy he was always forgetting his lunch and often resorted to pinching everyone's fruit. I caught him one day and since that day he's been Banana Boy."
Kate let out a snigger. "I ought to let that bit of information drop at the precinct," she said playfully, elbowing Rick in the side. "You know Javi has a penchant for giving everyone nicknames, he'd love that."
"I'm sure he would," Rick replied dryly. "And he wouldn't take it and run with it at all."
"I actually have something for you two," Frank said addressing Kate and Rick equally and he retrieved two envelopes bearing the FBI insignia upon the front from within his inner coat pocket. "These would normally be posted but the sender knew I was making a trip to New York and asked me to deliver these to you, Javier, Kevin and Victoria personally."
The pair took the envelopes and opened them.
Kate pulled out the single page inside and began reading the letter within.
Dear Detective Beckett.
It had been brought to my attention that recently you participated in the hostage rescue of Special Agent Rodgers with colleagues of ours from the New York Police Department. I have been assured by eyewitnesses at the scene that you went above and beyond the call of duty and that your direct actions resulted in the arrest of two heinous criminals and the solving of dozens of unsolved homicides and the shutting down of one of the biggest drug and prostitution rackets in recent history. As director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation I value the actions of any individuals, sworn officer or civilian whose selfless action benefits the welfare of FBI employees, thus I have made the decision to award you the FBI Star Medal. By definition the FBI Star is awarded for serious injury sustained in the direct line of duty from physical confrontation with criminal adversaries, an injury inflicted by weapons, gunshot wounds inflicted in the line of duty, or an injury so severe that it would require substantial emergency room sutures, hospitalization, or comprehensive medical treatment for a sustained period of time but it is also awarded to members of state and international law enforcement agencies and military groups who like you assist FBI employees in dangerous hostage situations as you did during the rescue of Special Agent Rodgers.
You will be presented with your star at the end of November during the next academy graduation ceremony in Quantico Virginia.
Congratulations you are a credit to your friends, family and the NYPD.
Yours sincerely
Robert MuellerDirector, Federal Bureau of InvestigationWashington DC
Kate was shocked, truly shocked.
"I-I-er-I why?" she stammered. "Me?"
"That's the reaction I got from Victoria, Javier and Kevin too," Frank said in amusement as Rick remained silent, his ice blue eyes wide with shock. "Though Victoria was a little more eloquent in expressing her disbelief."
"But I'm just a homicide detective," Kate exclaimed as she began re-reading the letter. "One of over five thousand in the NYPD and the director wants to award me an FBI medal of merit?"
"Yeah he does," Frank said. "You performed exceptionally under a lot of duress Kate and Mueller values that sort of commitment. He actually asked me if it'd be worth inviting you to join the feds and I said he had as much chance of you joining as he has of Obama giving the next State of the Union address in a pink tutu."
Rick let out a great snort of laughter. "So Mueller's basically giving me a merit medal for rescuing my boyfriend?" Kate asked.
"No, he's awarding you a merit medal for arresting a heinous criminal and being at the forefront of rescuing a sworn Special Agent," Frank replied patiently, pulling over a nearby chair and dropping down into it. "And as Javier said 'being a law enforcement badass.'"
Rick guffawed loudly his face turning bright red from the effort.
"Shush it you," Kate hissed, elbowing the chortling writing in the leg. "I don't think I deserve it, I mean I was only doing my job, not even that really. It was a personal mission and no law enforcement agency anywhere in the world awards medals of merit for personal missions."
"No they don't," Frank conceded. "But as you said you were doing your job, and you did it in a spectacular manner and that's why the director has deemed you worthy of the award. Same goes for the rest of the team, none of those three think they deserve it either."
"Well how about we all agree to disagree?" Kate suggested folding he letter and replacing it in the envelope.
"So are you going to accept it?" Rick asked placing his own letter on the bedside cabinet.
"I-I...don't know," Kate said eventually. "I d-don't really think I deserve it."
"Kate keep in mind the director doesn't award the Star willy nilly," Parnell informed the brunette sagely. "He's a hardass that expects and receives the best conduct from his agents and other law enforcement agencies he deals with. What you did in that warehouse that night and the research you did in the lead up to it is exactly how he defines the best conduct, hence why he asked Frank if it was worth asking you to join the feds. Believe us when we say you do deserve this medal. You know is we wouldn't snow you."
Kate smiled at the older agent. "Thanks," she said. "It just feels weird y'know? I never imagined my career would go as far as it has."
"Hey enjoy it," Rick chided, wrapping his one good arm around her slender waist. "I for one think Mueller has great taste, when this gets out the world is going to see badassery Kate Beckett style."
Kate rolled her eyes. "You use the word badass and all its cognates too much," she teased.
"I've been telling him that all my life!"
The group turned to see Alexis, her red tresses pulled back in a high pony tail standing next to Martha.
Rick lit up "Hey Pumpkin!" he exclaimed happily holding his arm out for a hug. "How you doing, kiddo?"
Kate slid off the bed and Alexis strode forward engulfing her father in a hug.
"I'm good, you? How are you feeling? What have the doctors said? You're looking heaps better."
"I feel heaps better," Rick replied, returning his daughter's hug. "No new news from the doctor but I should be getting the bandages and sling off my shoulder Monday morning and if I look okay to the doctors then I'll be starting physio on it then."
"And I assume you'll be a better patient for this lot of physio then back in January when you broke your other shoulder?" Martha asked primly leaning down to embrace her son. "I don't think I've heard so much moaning and groaning in all my life."
"Yes, thank you mother," Rick said curtly kissing Martha on each cheek and rolling his eyes at Kate who was biting her lip in an effort not to laugh. "I didn't moan and groan, but if I did it would have been because of the horse tranquilisers I was on."
"Yeah, yeah any excuse Writer Boy," Kate teased. "Do it again and I'll take a picture of you high as a kite on meds and leak them onto the precinct network."
"And if he's a particularly annoying pain in the ass, email me the pictures and I'll make sure it's leaked into the FBI network." Frank chimed in with a chuckle
"Hey, I'm still here!" the writer exclaimed. "And here I was thinking you all loved me."
"Aw, we do that's why we're teasing you," Kate chided tugging on his earlobe affectionately and pressing a kiss to the top of his head. "And it's fun teasing you."
"Hmmph."
"Well Alexis and I better be going, we've got a lot of work to do," Kate said to Rick a short time later as a nurse came in to take his vitals. "See you tonight?"
"Yup, see you then," the Writer replied returning her kiss. "Thanks for bringing in my laptop."
"Want us to bring anything else in, Dad?" Alexis asked leaning down to hug her father.
"Nah I'm good, just having you two girls here is enough," Rick replied with a smile. "Wish I could help you."
"You can help us by getting better and coming home Dad, that's all we need right now,' Alexis replied solemnly squeezing his hand. "Kate, Grams Doctor Parish and Detectives Ryan and Esposito have all the heavy stuff covered, okay?"
"Alright," Rick replied. "Drive safe."
"Will do Dad, see you tonight."
"Til then."
A/N2: Reviews feed the beast!