"What do you mean he changes your life?"
"He just gave me Casino Royale. That book's the reason I wanted to become a writer."
"Oh," she says faintly, thinking back to when he turned down the chance to write James Bond for Nikki Heat. Guilt and something else pierce through her, her heart beating fast.
"I've always wanted to thank him," he says, wistful.
"Why don't you?" she asks.
"How?"
"Make up a story, Writer Boy."
She pushes him towards the man who's now retreating behind a bookshelf. Castle gives her a look and she throws him a thumbs up. He takes a breath and walks into the same row as the mystery man. He's spying through the shelves, watching the boy examine his new book. Castle pretends to look for something before coming up next to him.
"That's a big book for a kid," Castle says, good-naturedly.
The stranger tears his gaze from little Castle and looks over at him. He smiles slightly.
"I know he can handle it."
Castle's mouth turns down into a small frown.
"Yeah, you know him?" he asks.
A shadow passes over the man's face.
"What's it to you?"
Castle wavers, unsure of how to answer.
"I'm dating his mother," he decides, cringing inwardly at the lie.
The man considers him as if assessing a threat.
"You're seeing Martha?"
"You know her?" Castle asks, surprised.
"Used to."
"I didn't catch your name," Castle says, holding out a hand.
"Matt Dunning," the man replies with a firm handshake. "And you are?"
"Oh, uh...Derrick Storm," he says quickly.
"That can't be your real name," the man scoffs.
"Stage name. I'm an actor," Castle rambles, "What do you do?"
"Private business consulting."
"Here in the city?" Castle probes.
"Around."
"Martha's never mentioned you before," Castle says, a thought niggling at the back of his head.
"It's been a while."
"How long's a while?"
"Almost 9 years," Matt says, eyeing Castle suspiciously. "And I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell her about this."
Castle holds up his hands. "Not a peep."
He narrows his gaze for a moment and then gives Castle a curt nod.
"I have to go," he says, throwing one last glance towards Castle's younger self. The young boy is flipping through the pages of the book and staring at the text in wonder. A soft look blooms over the man's hardened features.
"I'm sure he's really thankful," Castle says quietly.
"Take care of him, yeah?" Matt says.
"I'll do my best," Castle says, shooting him a curious look.
The man gives him another nod before walking away. Castle watches him disappear into the stacks, the oddest feeling overtaking him. 9 years, huh? He shakes it off and concentrates on locating Beckett.
He finds her two rows down, perusing the children's section.
"Beckett," he whispers.
She looks up from a copy of the Phantom Tollbooth.
"How'd it go?" she asks.
"Are you doing research?" he asks, nodding at the title.
She closes the book. "We did not step into another dimension."
"It certainly feels like it though," Castle says, "That guy said he knew my mom."
"He did?"
"And the last time he saw her was 9 years ago," Castle presses.
Beckett's forehead crinkles in confusion and then her eyes widen.
"You're not thinking…"
"That's the same time she got pregnant with me."
"You really think he could be your dad?"
"Why not? I've never met mine before. I always thought it was because he didn't know I existed or he didn't care. Why else would a complete stranger give me a book? And a pretty mature one, now that I think about it."
"Maybe because he's a creepy pervert who likes giving children adult books," she says.
"Fair point, but there's something about the whole thing that makes me think it's less criminal."
"What makes you say that?"
"He was watching over me like he wanted to protect me, not hurt me."
"Castle, if that's really your dad, why would he try to hide it? If he knew about you, all these years, how come he never reached out?"
"I don't know," he says, doubt clouding his face. "He must have a reason."
"Do you think your mom knew he was in contact with you?"
"No," he says firmly. "She said they had a one-night stand and never learned each other's names."
"Well, it's not not possible," she says after a moment, chewing her lip. She glances away and reshelves the book.
"Wait a minute," Castle says, taken aback, "You don't believe me."
"Why would you say that?"
"You used a double negative."
"That's ridiculous," she says and then hedges, "It's just...there's not much to go on."
"I knew it!"
"Castle, you know what I mean."
The excitement flits from his eyes, and she sighs.
"We should go," she murmurs. Castle nods morosely but then a thought strikes him and understanding dawns on his face.
"He told me he works as a private business consultant in the city," Castle says eagerly.
"So?"
"That's a classic cover."
"Cover for what?"
"Being a spy," he says. "Beckett, what if he's CIA?"
"CIA is a popular theory with you."
"Yes, well, law of averages demands that I'll eventually be right," he says, "But think about it. A spy doesn't have relationships. Well, a good spy, anyway. That way your loved ones can't be used as leverage in case your cover gets blown."
Beckett twists her lip in thought, hesitating.
"Casino Royale is a book about a spy. It's like he's giving me a clue."
"I don't know. It sounds pretty far-fetched," she says.
Castle's shoulders slump and Beckett wants to reach out, smooth away his pain. She hates that she keeps bursting his bubble. But then he straightens up, his face lighting up.
"What about the time I shadowed someone at the CIA?"
"You what?"
"I was trying to get access to do some research for my first Derrick Storm and I kept getting turned down. I wasn't famous then, I mean, why would they let some wannabe writer get an up-close-and-personal look at the life of a female agent unless I had a connection?"
"A female? How many women have you semi-stalked in the name of 'research'?"
"Beckett, I'm serious."
"It could be a coincidence."
"Since when do you believe in coincidences?"
Beckett lets out a frustrated sigh and Castle stuffs his hands into his pockets.
"You know, I told Alexis once that I didn't mind not having a dad growing up because I could imagine him to be anything. An astronaut, a pirate, or a Nobel-prize winner." He looks at her imploringly. "What's so bad about thinking he's a spy?"
Beckett softens, her lips turning up in a sad smile. "It's not," she says, "I just don't want you getting your hopes up. This whole thing is crazy enough."
"Maybe this is why we came here. So you could see your mom and I could see my dad."
She nods, thinking.
"We should head back uptown then," she says. "If you're right, then maybe we'll be able to travel back."
They walk into the building in Harlem just as it's getting dark. There are loud noises coming from down the hall. There's a pop followed by jubilant cheers.
"Sound like someone's opening champagne," Castle says.
"What do you think's going on?" she asks, coming to a halt in front of the elevator, but glances towards the door of the law firm. As if opened by her gaze, it swings open.
A woman shouts, "Gonna grab some air!" before turning to face them and stopping short in the doorway. She stumbles a little, tripping into the jamb.
Castle reflexively reaches for her but she catches herself on the doorframe and waves him off. "'M good!" she says. She grips it, straightening her stance and stares at them for a moment, blinking slowly. A shiver runs down Beckett's spine when she registers the sight in front of her—the sight of her mother. But the no-nonsense businesswoman from before has transformed into a flush-faced, carefree-looking girl, her hair loose and ruffled and her blouse untucked.
Johanna's face flashes with recognition. "You!" she hiccups. "And you," she finishes, pointing at them aimlessly.
"Yes, hi," Beckett says to her and then whispers under her breath to Castle, "I have never seen her this drunk before, or like ever."
"Can't believe you came," she says, her words falling out her mouth like a lethargic drip of honey.
"Came?" Beckett prompts.
"To my party!" she shouts out, throwing her hands up a little.
Castle snorts and Beckett steps on his foot. Johanna squints at Beckett as if trying to figure something out.
"We've met before."
"Yes, earlier," Beckett says.
"That's not it...what's your name?"
"Nikki Heat," Beckett blurts out.
A dopey grin splits Castle's face. "And I'm Jameson Rook, but you can call me Jamie," he adds, offering his hand.
"Johanna Hale," she says, shaking it. "C'mon in!" She beckons them inside.
"What's the occasion?" Castle asks.
"Just got engaged," she says, wiggling her fingers and showing the gleaming diamond on her left hand.
"Congratulations!"
"Thank you," she says on another hiccup.
"Where's the lucky guy?" Castle asks Johanna. He leans into Beckett and murmurs, "Does your dad have some of those far-out sideburns?"
"Will you shut it?" Beckett shushes.
"He's right over there," Johanna says, motioning to someone in a crowd of people. "Baby, come meet my new friends!"
"Baby?" Beckett mouths to Castle, slightly horrified. He chokes down a laugh.
A man with a nice, clean haircut and argyle sweater makes his way to them. "Nikki and Jamie," she says, looping her arm around his waist and leaning into his side.
"This is my fiancé, Tom."
A/N: Thank you for the lovely responses. I know Castle is ten in canon when his dad gives him the book, so it's tweaked to fit this timeline. Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
