Wow, thank you all so much for your responses to the last chapter it was overwhelming. I hope you guys like this one as well. Also Keep in mind that Alexis is three in this story and there for will have issues to pronounce certain words so it is not a mistake.
Thanks,
Carolyn
Disclaimer: I do not own Castle; all characters belong to the creators of Castle and to ABC
It was early morning before Kate stirred, rolling over in the bed to find it empty. Reaching out her hand she felt subtle warmth radiating from Ricks recently vacated spot on the bed. Grabbing his pillow she pulled into her arms inhaling his scent as she tried to grab a few more precious moments of sleep.
It felt like only seconds later when Rick was gently nudging her awake, a cup of steaming coffee in his hand, a peace greeting to gently bring her out of her deep slumber.
"Hey Kate, time to wake up." He whispered gently
"No," she mumbled as she pulled the covers up and over her head, "want to sleep"
"Babe come on you need to get up. Your phone went off a few minutes ago and I thought I could drop you off at work and then bring Alexis to school." He said knowing that the prospect of being able to spend some more time with Alexis would drag her out of bed.
"O.k. I'm up," Kate said, gingerly taking the coffee from Rick's hand, reverently inhaling the heavenly aroma, taking satisfaction in the first sip. No one made her coffee better than Rick; she had tried but failed many times.
"O.k. so now that you're awake I'm going to go get Alexis ready and we'll be ready to go in fifteen minutes." He stated as he leaned down to peck her gently on the lips.
"Sounds like a plan," she said after he had pulled away, "I'm just going to jump in the shower." With that Kate finally pulled herself out of bed and walked out of the bedroom into the shower, aware of Rick's eyes on her the whole time.
Stepping out of the room Rick made his slow decent up to his daughter's room gently pushing the door open and walking quietly into the room.
"Alexis time to wake up sweetie, you have to get ready for school." He said gently as Alexis began to wake.
"Daddy?" the three year old mumbled mind still foggy with sleep, "Where's Katie? Is she still here" she asked the fear of abandonment evident in her small voice.
"Don't worry pumpkin, Kate is still here" he reassured, "Now why don't you get up and start to get ready so that you can go say hi"
"O.k. daddy. Can I ask a qestion first?" she asked timidly
"Of course you can sweetheart, what is it? You know that you can ask me anything" he said curious as to what she was going to say.
"Do you think it's okay if I call Katie mommy? I think I did but I'm not sure I was really sleepy. And I don't want to make her mad at me." Alexis said truly scared that she had upset Kate.
"Oh pumpkin, I'm sure Katie would be fine with it but I think that you should ask her not me o.k.?"
"'Kay Daddy," she replied innocently unaware of how her words had affected her father.
"Just one thing pumpkin, why do you want to call Kate mommy?" he inquired. Alexis frowned, deep in thought before she answered her father.
"Well she does things that a mommy is supposed to do." Alexis replied thinking that it made all the sense in the world. Rick needing to hear his daughters explanation pushed her to continue.
"And what are mommies supposed to do?" he asked gently trying to convey that was simply curious and not mad at her for anything.
"Well," Alexis continued, "mommies are supposed to take care of you when you're sick, and when I got the chicken pox Katie was the one who helped me with the itchy spots 'cause you and grams couldn't." She said. Rick remembered it well; Alexis had gotten sick with chicken pox's about two month into his relationship with Kate. Rick had called Kate completely stressed and apologetic, apologizing for having to cancel their date and stressed because he had no clue what to do. Kate had already met Alexis at this point and the two had bonded like crazy, Kate taking Alexis to the movies or shopping when ever she had time off and Rick had meetings. The night Alexis got sick Kate had shown up on their doorstep with all the supplies that would be needed and immediately started to tend to his sick little girl. Rick was pretty sure in that moment he had found the love of his life.
"Is that all pumpkin? Or is there more?" he questioned gently
"No, tons more. Katie play's with me, and takes me places. She took me to see tangled remember? And then she took me to the zoo, and the museum and the art gallery, she even took me to the circus daddy." The little girl responded eagerly. Rick opened his mouth to say something but Alexis cut him off continuing on her explanation.
"And she helped me read and she kissed my owies. She also promised to teach me how to sKate 'cause you don't know how to daddy." Alexis added thinking for a minute before her face turned into a tiny frown.
"Alexis baby what is it? Is there anything else Kate does that makes you want to call her mommy?" Rick asked knowing that the final reason was the one Alexis was having the most difficulty with. After a few moments Alexis whispered something inaudible. "What was that sweetie? I couldn't hear you."
Alexis looked to the ground and said in a louder voice, "She stayed daddy, mommies are supposed to stay." Her eyes filling with tears, "No one has ever stayed only you and grams, mommy left and I only talk to her occasionally but I don't think she likes me much. With Katie I feel like she loves me, and she promised me she won't leave." Ricks heart broke hearing his three year olds main reason for wanting Kate to be her mom. Sadly this was not an answer that he could give to his daughter; she would have to ask Kate because at the end of the day this discussion truly needed to happen between Kate and his daughter.
"Well, those sound like very good reasons pumpkin, but I still think that this is something you need to talk with Katie with o.k.?" he said gently. Alexis nodded her head and headed out her bedroom door determined to ask Kate as soon as she could.
Downstairs in the kitchen, while Rick and his daughter where having their heart to heart Kate had been enjoying her second cup of coffee and a piece of toast. Kate had been completely absorbed in her thoughts until she heard the unmistakable sound of a three year old running towards the stairs and then beginning a slow decent being careful not to fall. Allowing Alexis to make her way down the stairs Kate stood by in case Alexis needed anything. Once both feet were firmly planted on he ground Alexis finally asked the question that she had been so worried to ask.
"Katie would it be okay if I called you mommy?" she asked, her voice sounding small. Kate was shocked, sure Alexis had called her that last night but she had figured that the small girl was tired and was not aware of what she was doing. Choosing her words carefully Kate made sure that Alexis truly wanted, and felt comfortable with this.
"Alexis sweetheart, I would love if you called me mommy, but are you sure that's what you want?" Kate asked the little girl, "Because if you're not sure I'm fine remaining Katie." Kate assured the small child.
"No I'm sure," Alexis said, turning her head as her father came down the stairs, "Daddy she said yes!" The three year old exclaimed. Rick grinned at his daughter's excitement as he walked towards them.
"I'm glad pumpkin, but now you need to eat your breakfast, we're going to drop Katie off at work before we drop you at school o.k.?"
"O.k. Daddy." Alexis replied, "Mommy can I go to work with you one day?" she questioned
"Alexis as much as I would love that it's not really safe for you where I work, there's a lot of big bad men who you shouldn't be near o.k.?" Kate said worried that her answer would upset Alexis.
"Oh, o.k. that's fine" the little girl replied focusing back on finishing her breakfast. A few mouthfuls later she was done. "Daddy I'm done can we go now? I want to se where mommy works and then I have school, and I don't want to be late."
"O.k. sweetie we'll leave right now" Rick said grabbing all of their coats, and ushering them out the door.
Getting into the car Kate turned to Rick, "Can you let me out a block before the precinct? I don't want people to see me getting out of your car, that could cause some issues for both of us," she asked sheepishly
"Ya sure that's no problem." He replied putting her mind at ease. "Besides this way I can get a good bye kiss" he grinned
"I don't know castle," she teased, "All depends on how fast you can get me to work, 'cause I do have an active case" she grinned. With that Castle [pulled away from the curb and headed towards the precinct.
Stopping a block away from Kate's work he pulled up to the side to let her out. She leaned across the center console of the car and placed a chaste kiss on his lips, trying to keep in mind that Alexis was in the back of the car.
"I'll see you tonight," she whispered against his lips.
"You might see me sooner than that," he grinned, frowning as se quickly pulled back.
"What do you mean Rick?" she questioned
"Well I might have spoken to your captain and volunteered to be a civilian consultant on this case, because lets face it no one knows my books as well as I do." He said, he looked at Kate to see what she was thinking, but she had her poker face on preventing him from seeing her feelings on the matter. "Look I promise I'll stay in the car and I won't put myself in any dangerous situations o.k.?" he could see Kate fighting with herself the tension showing on her face. Kissing her softly once more he whispered against her lips, "I promise it will be fine" the reassurance calmed Kate down because she gave a swift nod putting his mind at ease.
"Just remember Rick at the Precinct you call me detective, or Beckett, you can not call me Kate under any circumstance, got it?" she demanded making sure he knew how serious she was about the matter.
"Got it, now I will see you later but first I need to drop Alexis off at preschool."
Kate stepped out of the car and watched it drive off shaking her head as she wondered how the hell he had managed to weasel his way into a consulting position, no matter how short term. Deciding it was best to ponder this later Kate walked towards the precinct and up to the homicide floor, where she was immediately greeted by Ryan and Esposito both with files in their hands.
"I'm assuming you two have something," she inquired
"Yes," Esposito nodded, "one of the letters that we went through definitely triggered our radar. The bottom of the letter was a drawing of the first crime scene it was childish but we have CSU lifting prints we should get them back shortly," he informed her
"Okay sounds good let me know when we have anything else." With that she walked to her desk and started pouring over financials. Kate had been staring at back statements for the better part of an hour when she felt someone brush their hand over her back. Looking around her Kate saw that Castle had arrived and she hadn't even noticed.
"This is for you," he said handing her a coffee, their hands brushing softly as he passed over the steaming cup of bliss that Kate so desperately craved. "Anything I can do?" he asked. Kate was about to answer when her phone started to ring. Picking it up she listened and jotted down a few notes before hanging up and calling out to Ryan and Esposito.
"Guys we got another one midtown, let's go. Hopefully once we get back the results will be hear from the prints." With that the teams left with Castle riding with Beckett.
Arriving at the scene the detectives carefully walked around listening to the information Lanie had to give.
"Lanie, you got a C.O.D?" Kate asked
"Not until the full exam. But this wasn't a stabbing." Lanie replied
"What about the knife sticking out of her back?" Beckett questioned
"Lack of blood around the wound suggests she was dead before it was inserted. No foam around the mouth, so we know she didn't drown" Castle supplied
"Oh you're good." Lanie said impressed. Castle smiled
"It kind of comes with the job; you know background research for authenticity. But anyway she was killed first then posed later just like the others."
"We figured Castle." Ryan said slightly annoyed, Beckett just sat their trying to suppress a grin.
"If you're so observant Castle what's wrong with this scene, if it's from one of your books?" she asked trying to keep the teasing lilt out of her voice, sure that he would pick up on the missing detain quickly. He didn't disappoint
"The dress is the wrong color," he said, "In my book it was blue." At that moment Kate's phone rang, she gave Castle a pleased look then stepped out of the room in order to take the call. Stepping back into the room she announced to the rest of the group what she had found out.
"Prints are back and we have a name, lets go" with nothing left for the detectives to do they followed Kate out and went to the address that they had been given. Stepping into the apartment they were all shocked with what they saw. The whole apartment was practically a shrine to Castle and his novels, photos were displayed everywhere around the room. Signalling for them to split up they methodically moved through the rooms looking for any evidence. It wasn't until they heard a small thump that they realized their suspect had been hiding in a closet the whole time. Once they had him cuffed they brought him back to the precinct for interrogation.
On the car ride back to the station castle said what had been on his mind since entering the apartment. "I don't think it was Kyle," he said. Kate looked at him at with a questioning look on her face.
"What on earth makes you say that?" she asked confused as to why he thought they had the wrong person.
"Well the rose petals in the Tisdale murder? They're grandiflora, not hybrid teas. "Kate looked at him as though he was crazy. "Before you look at me like that hear me out okay?" nodding her head in agreement Rick continued his explanation. "Somebody set up Kyle to take the fall. Somebody who knew enough about his fixation with me to use it to get away with murder. That means, we're not looking for a serial killer. We're looking for a good old fashioned murderer. Someone with motive." He paused giving her a moment to ponder his words. Rick new she figured out what he was getting at when she turned to him wide eyed.
"All of the little details that were wrong would never have been made by Kyle, he's too much of a fanatic, plus his condition wouldn't allow him to make mistakes like that. Meaning that only one of the murders was the true cause of this the others were to frame Kyle."
"Now who stood to inherit Mr. Tisdale's fortune when he died?" Rick asked all the pieces coming together in his mind.
"Alison, but with her out of the way it..." Beckett stopped abruptly picking up her phone and calling Esposito. "Espo I need units at Harrison Tisdale's place make sure e doesn't leave." Once Kate hung up castle had already headed towards the car waiting for them to depart.
At Harrison's apartment
"Please stay in the car." Kate asked as they pulled up to the apartment.
"But Kate what if…" he started to whine
"Please castle I don't want anything to happen to you"
"Okay fine but I get to be there when you interrogate him."
"Fine, just stay. In. the. car." She said stressing the in to him, he leaned up to try and steal a kiss, when his eyes closed Kate quickly cuffed him to the car, ensuring that he would stay put. Once she knew he wasn't going to move Kate turned and walked into the building to go arrest Harrison for the smiled once she had left and pulled out the spare key he had in his wallet, uncuffing himself easily but still remaining in the car. Not even 5 minutes had passed when castle saw Harrison fleeing down the fire escape, hopping out of the car, Rick chased him, Beckett on both their heels.
When Harrison grabbed Rick and pointed the gun at him everything went into slow motion for Kate as she tried to keep the situation under control.
"Rick!" Beckett exclaimed as she saw the gun being pressed into his side
"Stay back! Stay back!" he called
"Whoa! Whoa!" Rick cautioned
"Don't come anywhere closer!"
"Put the gun down!" Kate said taking a step towards the two men
"Stay back! Stay back!" Harrison warned
"Hey, easy, easy, easy!" Rick said feeling the gun pinch his skin
"Don't move!" Harrison screamed
"Let him go, Harrison!"
"Come on!" Harrison ordered Rick as he backed away slowly pulling Rick with him to continue acing as a human shield
"Easy, easy! Okay. Okay, don't..."
"Castle, you okay?" Kate called, fearing for her boyfriend and hating that she had to still keep up the pretence of their lack of relationship
"Yeah. Except psycho here needs a breath mint." He joked trying to put his girlfriend at ease
"Shut up!" Harrison bellowed
"Okay! Hey, Harrison. You know what's bugging me? If you were that deep in debt, why didn't you just ask your father for the money?" Castle inquired
"Castle, you are not helping!" Kate called desperately
"You know what I think? I think you did ask. I think you asked and he said no. I think he always said no. A self-made man like that, I bet he thought you were weak for asking."
"He's the one who was weak. I was trying to make something with my life, and all he cared about was her!" Harrison said full of anger at the thought
"That's why you killed her. It wasn't just for the money. You wanted to punish him before he died, take away the only thing he loved. That's a pretty good story."
"Who are you?"
"Harrison, let him go! It's over." She called desperately
"It's not over! It's not over! Drop the gun or, I swear to God, I'll..." Harrison cried shoving the gun further into Rick's side.
Deciding to take matters into his own hands, Castle punched his elbow into Harrison's nose, and grabbed the gun. Stepping away from Harrison's crippled form on the ground
"Tell me you saw that!" Castle exclaimed as Kate rolled her eyes and forced Harrison's hands behind his back
"Can I see the cuffs, please?" she huffed from exertion
"Yeah, yeah. Okay."
Once Harrison was safely in a cruiser headed towards the precinct Kate ran over to Rick crushing him to her in a tight hug.
"Don't ever do that to me again okay?" she whispered
"I'm sorry but honestly I was fine," he said, "Harrison had the safety on the whole time" Kate looked at his shocked but instead of scolding him for not telling her she did the last thing anyone expected, she pulled him down for a passionate kiss, one that assured her that he truly was okay. Hearing wolf whistles in the back Kate pulled away and blushed into his shoulder.
"Guess the cat's out of bag now huh?" he whispered against her lips teasingly
"Yep I guess so," She smiled, "Come on lets go to the precinct I can finish my paperwork, then maybe we can spend the night just hanging out I really need some cuddle time." She mumbled embarrassed for having admitted to such a thing.
"That sounds perfect," he whispered, "But I'll have to leave in an hour 'because I need to pick up Alexis, but I'll pick her up then swing round to get you as well. This way you get to spend time with her before she absolutely passes out for the evening. And I can tell by the look on your face that you need to see her as much as she'll want to see you." He finished.
Kate grinned at him. Linking their hands Kate gently guided him back towards the car looking forward to an evening of relaxation and quiet.
Hey everyone,
Yes I know I skimped on the case details, I just really did not eel like tying it all out so I tried to keep it to a bear minimum. As always I hope you enjoyed and PLEASE do not forget to review, I love knowing what you guys think of the story
Carolyn