Kate Longworth was getting out of her cruisers. Her long Red hair was drifting in the slight breeze. She stepped into the dirt and sand which is everywhere in this part of Florida. She eyes narrows and she says a cleansing prayer before approaching the dead body. The Medical Examiner Carlos Sanchez was sitting over the body. He looked up

"What do you have for me Carlos?"

"The victim was partially eaten by a gator the lower limbs were torn off and probably were dragged away that direction. The Victim is a 45 year old White Male. No wallet or ID on the body but the clothes seemed to be missing. I estimate his TOD to be 4 days ago. Let me roll him over."

Kate was staring into a face she knows very well. A haunting face that looks at her from the dustjacket of his books, it is Rick Castle.

Kate was startled in seeing her old boyfriend lying face down in the muck of the Everglades.

"Carlos, I know who this person is. It is Richard Castle."

"Are you sure My wife is a big fan and she just saw him at the South Beach Hotel, yesterday. He even signed her book she was reading for her."

Kate muttered to herself, "Of course he did"

"Carlos are you sure of the Time of Death?"

"Well I can not be exactly sure but I can make a better estimation in the lab."

"Ok, you do that. Meanwhile get the group out and search for the clothes and the missing limbs. Gets the dogs out too lets see if there is any trail left."

Kate barked orders at the nearby troopers.

\\\\\

Head Detective Jim Longworth was on his day off but then got a text from Carlos.

Jim read the text and rushed to the crime scene. Jim left Holly with Jim Beckett and left in a hurry.

Jim Beckett was flummoxed that Katie's partner would run off so quickly.

Jim looked at his Granddaughter.

"So what would you like to do today?"

Holly a bit short ran over to her mother's book case and pointed at the smaller of the Richard Castle volume. It was a children's detective novel. She loved having that book read to her again and again.

Jim Muttered, "She really is like Rick."

"Ok Holly let me get that one for you. "

"Felix was once again on the trail of a noted desperado…"

Soon Jim was deeply engrossed into the novel. Holly was sitting on his lap following along by pointing her finger at the words.

\\\\\\\

Jim Longworth came into the crime scene only to see Kate collapsed in her cruiser. It was distressing to see his partner is such a state.

"Move Over, I am going to drive you home."

"I need to contact his family", Kate stated between Hiccups and crying.

Jim Held her close the smell of cherries was overpowering..

"Kate, let me handle that."

"No, Jim I appreciate it but this something I need to face,"

\\\\\\

Jim drove them to his house. He pulled her out and guided her to the spare bedroom and drew her hot bath.

"Kate, the bath is ready just go and soak. I know he was your one and done, I am here for you."

Kate cried her heart out for a few hours until the water grew cold. She exited the bath and changed her clothes. She kept a few clothes in Jim's spare bedroom in case she needed a change and did not want to go home.

\\\\\

Having cried out she gathered her phone and located Alexis's and Martha's room at the South Beach Hotel.

Jim drove her and him to the hotel and soon she was standing before the Woman she called friend and step daughter. Kate sniffed and knocked at the door.

Alexis unaware of who was behind the door opened it slowly.

"Alexis, I have some bad news. Is Martha nearby?"

Detective Beckett! Alexis fainted

Jim quickly grabbed the young woman and placed her on the nearby sofa.

Kate went and got some water in a glass.

Slowly Alexis came to with Jim staring at her and when she turned her head she saw Kate.

"Sip the water slowly" Kate said.

Kate noticed how she says that exact thing to Holly too.

"Kate what are you doing here?"

Jim now took over.

"I am Head Detective Jim Longworth. We are from the FDLE we have some grave news to give to you and your grandmother. If you feel up to it could you get a hold of your Grandmother so we do not have to do this twice."

Alexis now called her Grams

Martha knocked at the door and looked straight into Kate's red rimmed eyes.

"Kate why are you here?"

Kate closed the door.

Martha rushed over to Alexis where Jim was crouched down in front of Alexis.

Martha sat close to her granddaughter.

Kate began.

"Martha, Alexis I am with the Dept of Law Enforcement. We recovered a body in the Everglades today. It was a partially eaten but the face was untouched. It was Richard. It seems like he had been dead for awhile."

When was the last time you saw him? Jim asked.

The Party last night it was about 10 in the evening. He said he was not feeling well and he went back to his room. Did you see him or hear from him at any other time?

Alexis showed Jim the phone which had a text apologizing and it was dated 10:10 It was sent from his room.

Kate when can we see the body?

Alexis asked. She was now a 4th year medical student and was going to follow Lanie as a pathologist.

Kate told them to follow them and she would make it available to you in a few hours.

Kate asked, " Was Rick doing anything suspicious? Or did he get any threats?"

"No Kate since he had been removed from the limelight for 3 years most people forgot about him. This was his return to book touring. He missed you so much Kate. It destroyed him you disappearing."

"I wanted to call him but he had changed the number and I left a few messages with Paula but she informed me that I was not welcomed. I am so sorry this happened."

Jim got a text from Carlos.

"They are ready let's go."

\\\\\

Jim and Kate escorted Alexis and Martha to the pathology lab where Rick's body was laid out for viewing. Martha Looked at the Face and immediately broke down. Alexis now asked for the body to be uncovered.

Alexis using the skills she honed in Lanie's lab scanned the body. There were two indentations in the shoulder and upper collarbone area.

Alexis now convinced this can not be her dad.

"Kate did Dad ever get shot when he was with you?"

Kate looked at Alexis and said, "Not with me. But I have not seen him in past three years."

The redhead nodded carefully.

Dr. Sanchez did you notice this mottling of the skin. It looks like an old gunshot wound. This person is not my father. He never was shot in the shoulder."

Are you sure Alexis?

Yes, I am convinced whoever he is. That person is not my father.

At that point Alexis's phone had a text. It was from Rick he wants her to bring him some of that special Cuban spicy soup that they bought at a café the other day.

That is proof of Life! Alexis crowed loudly.

Kate copied down the phone number and Called.

"Hello?" A weak but very recognizable Richard Castle was on the line.

"This is Detective Longworth with the FDLE. Am I speaking with The Richard Castle?"

"Kate is that you? My god what happened to you? I missed you so much!"

Kate started to blush.

"Rick it is good to hear your voice too but I need to come over and ask you some questions."

"Now?"

"Yes Now it is important Rick."

"Ok just knock on the door. Would you make sure Alexis gets me that soup?"

"I will do that Rick I will see you soon."

Jim stared at his partner. Her voice and demeanor had change drastically.

Alexis now asked if she could be part of the investigation. She gave Dr. Sanchez the number for Lanie in NY.

Carlos started to backpedal but Jim pointed out

"She did correct your misidentification. Bring her on board."

Carlos opened his mouth

Jim gave him the puppy dog look.

"OH ALRIGHT. Suit up".

Alexis now said "Gram you need to get Dad that soup. You know which café it is."

Kate now spoke up.

"Don't worry about it I know the place I will get the soup."

The drive back to the hotel was a quiet one. Jim stopped to get the soup and now they were at the door of The Richard Castle.

\\\\\

Kate knocked at the door and Rick was bowled over by Kate launching herself at him! Hugging and Kissing him.

"Rick, I thought you were dead."

Rick taken back by Kate's advances said

"I felt like I was earlier but I am perfectly fine. Did you get the soup?"

Kate finished hugging him and produced the soup that Martha was holding.

Great let me get a bowl and I will be right with you. Please get yourself settled on the couch. I will be there momentarily.

Rick returned with the soup and busily slurped it down while listening to Kate's recall of the body and crime scene.

So you say I have a dead clone? That is so cool.

Kate rolled her eyes. That is the Richard Castle she knew and loved.

"I want in on this investigation."

"Alexis is already working with our ME to figure out who this person is."

Kate turned to her partner.

Jim said, "OK we can always use another set of eyes."

"It is getting late. We will start first thing in the morning."

"Jim I am going to stay behind, I have much to atone and I will call you later. Ok?"

"Ok Kate takes care."

With that Jim left Kate behind and Martha left with him.

\\\\\

"Rick, It is so good to see you alive. I thought I had lost the opportunity to apologize."

"Longworth Huh? So you and he are?"

"No Rick I just chose it so that it was different than Beckett which everyone associated with Nikki. After the trial I knew I could not be with you at that time. I was a mess I had several bouts of PTSD and I was in a very bad place. I barely held it together for the ending of the trial. I ended up here in Florida with my Dad he helped me through my pregnancy."

"Pregnancy?"

"Yeah Rick she is yours. Her name is Holly Ann Longworth. She is three years old and I want you to meet her as soon as possible."

"Look Rick I am so sorry what I put you through. But once I got well I tried everyone's old numbers but they were out of service and I called Paula but she informed me that you would not take any of my calls. I even left notices on your Twitter and Rick Castle .net but no response. I figured you did not want any contact with me especially after I left in such a hurry. I want you to know I reached out but it was total silence on your end."

Rick was furious.

"How dare Paula keep me isolated? She knew I was looking everywhere for you."

"Oh bye the way I loved your newest book a children's novel? Holly loves that one she wants Jim to read it to her again and again."

"Well I will have to read it to her once I see her."

"I am sure she would love that Rick."

Kate now showed Rick a picture of Holly. She had the emerald green eyes but looked like her sister at that age,

Rick pulled out his phone and brought up the favorite picture of him and Alexis walking in the park at Holly's age. The similarities were striking.

"Kate Stay, We have much to catch up."

"Rick I loved to I have never stopped loving you. But I need to get home and prepare for your arrival. Holly will need some time to process this. I want her to love you as much as I do."

Kate now gave Rick another long slow Kiss reminisces of the one she gave him 4 years prior this time there was no Maddox or rainstorm.

"I will see you soon get well, Rick."

Rick stared at the door as she closed it. Tomorrow will be a very interesting day. Remind myself to Fire Paula!