Return To Maine Chapter 2

A/N: Thank you all so very much for all of your kind words and favs/follows! And yet, just saying thank you seems so inadequate. I am truly blown away with all your support.

Relief had washed over her when her phone rang a moment ago and Rick's face had appeared on it's screen

"Thank God, you're okay! I've been so worried! Where are you?"

"I'm sorry, honey. I never meant to worry you. I've just been extremely busy is all. I'm in Dallas at the moment. When do you get off for the holiday?"

" Like normal. At the end of shift today. Why?."

"I was just wondering. I've missed you so much and I can't wait to see you."

"You could have fooled me! I haven't heard a word from you in two days! Are you about done with this tour?"

"No. Not exactly. I wish I was, but sadly I'm not. Remember how we celebrated our 6 month anniversary with a deli sandwich from the bodega across the street from your apartment?"

"Of course I do. It was only a couple of months ago. We'd had a very busy couple of days at the precinct and we were so tired we barely made it there. What does that have to do why you haven't called in the last two days?"

"Well, I want our 8th month one to be really special. Can you meet me at JFK at 6 :00? Please, say yes."

"Why?"

"Well, I was thinking we should celebrate our 8 month anniversary this weekend and it should be special."

"This weekend? How are we going to do that if you're still on tour?"

"Well, I've already put a plan in place. In fact, I've rescheduled the rest of the tour after the holiday weekend."

"Really? Is that why you haven't called?"

"Yes. I wanted to surprise you. I have something really special planned. I've missed you so much."

He rescheduled his tour so he could come home to be with her and have a real anniversary celebration? Wow!

"I know, babe. I've missed you, too, but do you think that was a wise decision?"

"Probably not and Gina is beyond pissed but I don't care. She works for me and this is doable. I can make the last couple of stops next weekend and be finished with it a few days later. I know it won't be easy having to leave you again so soon after we reunite, but I can't wait another minute to see you. Please, say yes."

"I should say no after your incommunicado stint."

"Please, don't be mad, honey. I know you were worried and probably hurt and confused and I'm sorry for that, but I have every intention of making it up to you . Please , say yes. I've missed you so much. Please, Kate! I love you and have been so miserable without you! Please say yes." he begged,.

"Look, even if I can get off on time, I'd still need time to go home and pack a bag and then rush to JFK. I don't know what you have planned or what to pack… What do you have planned, anyway?"

"Nothing too elaborate, I promise. And if I told you that, it wouldn't be a surprise, would it? But seriously, I thought we'd just slip away to the cabin for a few days, you know? Just you and me alone in the woods, returning to where we first started. I thought maybe we could go into Bangor or one of the larger cities for dinner at one of the finer restaurants there and just enjoy being alone together. I've just missed you so much."

"I know. I've missed you, too. Okay. Where do you want to meet at the airport?".

"The American Airlines terminal at the Arrivals level at the carousel in Baggage Claim."

"Okay. I'll see you there, if I can get home from work in time. If not, I'll call you."

" Great! It's going to be great. And Kate?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you!"

"I love you, too." she gushed, warmth suffusing through every part of her body and in spite of being mad at him for his silence, she understood now and she couldn't wait to see him.

"I can't wait to hold you in my arms, kiss every square inch of your gorgeous body and making love to you all night long for the next three days." he said, his voice carrying that sexy, seductive tone.

Her body trembled in anticipation. "I can't either." she breathed, excitement rippling through her, from the top of her head to her toes.

There was a sharp rap at the door, startling her. She turned and saw Ryan on the other side of the door through the glass. "Look. I have to go now. See you tonight. Love you."

"Love you, too."

She clicked her phone off and turned to see Ryan opening the door behind her.

"Sorry to interrupt, but Gates is looking for you. We told her that you were in the restroom. Beckett, are you okay?"

"Thanks, Ryan. Of course. Why?"

"You just look a little flushed is all."

"Everything is fine, Kev. I'll be there in a minute."

He nodded and closed the door behind him.

When he was no longer in sight, Kate shook herself a little trying to gain her composure back before she headed to the Captain's office.


Captain Victoria Gates was concerned for her lead homicide detective. For the last two months, she had seemed distracted and had worked everyday, including her scheduled days off, working after hours off the clock.

Captain Gates was very well aware of the going ons in her precinct and had talked to Kate a few times about her O T. Each time they had these discussions, Kate had assured her that everything was fine.

In spite of her assurances that things "were fine", they obviously were not that. She had noticed that Kate looked fatigued, had noticed her staring off into space and that was not like her. And that was why she wanted to talk to Detective Beckett now.

Apparently, the boys were aware of it, too and had approached her in the break room about staging an intervention of their own. Well, unknown to them, she was planning on doing it anyway before they asked her.

Victoria Gates knew that Detectives Ryan and Esposito were good detectives in their own rights and were concerned about their friend and were only looking out for her.

She admired their loyalty, but they were the precinct's very own class clowns. It was time to see what these two could accomplish on their own without Detective Beckett.

She opened her top desk drawer and checked her antacids. Damn! She'd need to stop on her way home and buy a large bottle.

Since coming to work at the 12th, she practically ate them like candy dealing with those two and Mr. Castle.

Still. Thinking back to Detective Beckett, she'd play into their plan and send Beckett home.

She looked up from the Compstats at the rap on her door'

"You wanted a word, sir?"

"Yes, I did. Come in, Detective Beckett. And close the door behind you. Please, have a seat." she said, motioning to the chair in front of her desk.

As Kate took her seat, Victoria removed her glasses and set them to the side of her desk.

"The reason I wanted to talk to you is about your OT."

"Sir, I worked off the clock…" Kate stammered.

"I'm well aware of that and I appreciate your loyalty and dedication. How are you doing physically?"

"I'm a little tired, but it's nothing I can't handle. Besides, beginning tomorrow, I have three days off…"

"Any special plans, detective?"

The detective hesitated and squirmed a little before answering. "No. No special plans, sir."

"Then I suggest that you make some. Your three day weekend begins immediately,:

"Oh sir. That is completely unnecessary…"

" I would be completely remiss in my duties as your Captain if I did not look out for the well being of my staff. There are no open murder cases and I'm sure that if anything arises those two out there are perfectly capable of handling it. This isn't a request, detective. It's an order. Now, I expect you back in here first thing Tuesday morning and not a minute before. Do I make myself clear?"

"Perfectly, sir."

"Good. Now, gather your things and go home. Enjoy your weekend, detective. You are dismissed."

"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir." Kate replied, rising.

Wow! That was surprising and unexpected. While the boys and Rick were certain that their new captain had no heart, was cold and unfeeling, and even she had had her doubts at first, she was coming to understand the woman and was developing a modicum of respect for her.

Captain Gates escorted Kate out and from her open door, shouted across the bullpen. "Ryan, Esposito! Detective Beckett is starting her weekend as of now. This weekend, you will both be on call and I trust you two will see to her files."

:Yes, sir." they chorused together

"Yeah, Beckett. We got this. Don't worry." Ryan added.

"Yeah, Beckett. We got this. Enjoy your weekend." Espo said, nodding in agreement.

"Thanks, guys."

She proceeded to her desk and removed her purse from the bottom drawer and her sweater from the back of her chair and proceeded to the elevator.

Was it just her or had she noticed a fist bump exchange between her partners and were they actually smirking at her? Oh, they did! The little instigators. But they couldn't possibly know that she was meeting up with Rick, could they? Nah!

They couldn't possibly suspect anything. She and Rick were very careful. Still… This seemed off to her. She made a mental note to ask Rick about it later.

Ryan and Esposito watched as Beckett got on the elevator, smiled impishly at her and waved as the elevator doors slid closed.

Unaware that Captain Gates had come out of her office and was standing behind them with a hand full of DD5's, the boys exchanged a fist bump.

"Operation Beckett stake out begins at 6:00 after work." Espo said.

What the hell? Were these two actually planning on staking out Beckett's apartment? Why?

"You know, Javi. I don't feel right about this. Maybe we should let Beckett's private life be private."

Appalled at what she was hearing, she leaned forward, her head in between theirs.

"You're damn right, you should! And if I hear anything about either one of you anywhere near Beckett's apartment, there will be hell to pay. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, sir." they chorused.

"We were just thinking about going to The Old Haunt for drinks later. Game of Madden, my house afterwards, right Espo?"

"Right."

"Gentlemen, I will be watching and I will know if either of you go near Beckett's apartment. So you'd best stay away.

"We will, sir. You have our word on it."

"Good. Now get back to work."