Chapter 4 of 4 What's In A Name?

Everyone met at the Old Haunt to celebrate closing the case. Montgomery gave Beckett and Ryan a lift to the bar, not wanting too many official vehicles in the parking lot of an establishment serving alcohol. Lanie gave Esposito a lift, but they arrived a little later than the rest.

The weekend was off to a festive start. Lanie elevated it by starting a good natured Beckett-bashing party. "What's this I hear about Detective Beckett using crayons to draw pictures? I want to see this artwork and do a psych profile of it!"

Beckett glared at her friend and said, "I made sure it disappeared."

Esposito picked up where Lanie stopped. "She may be able to destroy some evidence, but I've got a crime scene photo on my phone that has great blackmail potential. Everyone got a good look at it before it was finally intercepted by Beckett. It showed Alexander giving his Aunt Kate a kiss.

Castle had to chime in. "If I learn to speak Russian, will you let me kiss you at a crime scene?" A few cat calls and whistles let loose at Castle's boldness. Evidently he was going to be more open about his play for the dark haired beauty who was blushing and shooting him death threats.

"Anyone over the age of 5 who tries to kiss me at a crime scene won't live long enough to enjoy it." The preciseness of her words might have betrayed her.

Castle shot back, "You don't scare me anymore. I heard you GIGGLE today."

Everybody laughed again at Beckett's mild discomfort. She sat and chewed her lip and accepted the teasing as payback for the silence she maintained about Alexander and Josh.

Ryan spoke up next, "I can top your giggle with a racy photo. I used the evidence camera to shoot stills of Beckett racing around the desks pushing Alexander on the roller chair!" He produced an 8x10 of Alexander mimicking holding a steering wheel as a laughing Aunt Kate pushed him into Montgomery's office.

Beckett grabbed the photo but Ryan assured everyone he made multiple copies. She admitted, "This is really cute. I'd love to have a good copy to frame."

Montgomery came to Beckett's rescue. "Nice touch dressing the kid in a NYPD shirt. You've got to brainwash him young that he wants to be a cop and not a surgeon." Everybody laughed, wondering if they didn't hope the opposite would be true.

Castle went to the bar to keep the drinks flowing and nodded at Lanie who followed. He asked Lanie for the one answer that would determine if he was angry with himself or hurt by Beckett. "You know her better than anyone. I understand why Josh did what he did, but why did Kate?"

Lanie gave him a straight answer. "You were in relationship when you came back. She didn't plan the charade and hoped you knew better. If you didn't know the truth she played along because it was a substitute for the physical distance you needed from her to succeed in your relationship with Gina."

He officially hated Gina. "Josh told me about my missed opportunity this past summer. Beckett doesn't know that I know. Now I understand why everyone was really mad at me when I came back. I thought you guys were overreacting to my extended absence, but now I'm surprised Esposito didn't beat the crap out of me."

Rick Castle had to make amends. "Obviously I was upset with you earlier about the 'cut and run' comment, but I see now why you said it. I wanted to say thanks for being there to pick up the pieces after what happened."

Lanie softened. "I've been rooting for you two to hook up from day one. Just so we are clear, you are out of second chances. If you break her heart again Esposito will find you and I will kill you."

Castle smiled, "I wish you would tell me how you'll do the deed. I know you've got a way that's never been told that would make me look like a genius."

Lanie smiled back. "A girl has to have some secrets. Beckett seems to be fresh out. Maybe you can help her make a few new ones." Castle grinned like a lost lover who just got thrown a life line. He ordered champagne and 6 glasses be brought to the table.

The bartender brought a silver tray with fluted glasses to the table, surprising everyone. He put the champagne stand off to the side by Castle. The server wiped the bottle and dressed it in a linen napkin to prevent any drops of water from mixing with the refined contents about to spill out. After removing the safety cage around the top, he put linen over the top to catch the cork.

Castle put up a hand to pause the bartender and addressed the detectives "There is about to be a loud pop. Please don't mistake this noise for a threat and harm this young man out of reflex."

Everyone laughed but Beckett who was searching for Castle's the meaning behind the champagne. "What's going on?"

Castle smiled for the man to continue. He wanted to say something about new beginnings, but he settled for a more acceptable response. "We are celebrating family. Normally when a new life is brought into a family, cigars are handed out. Since the Old Haunt is nonsmoking, I amended the celebration to drinking champagne. When the glasses were handed all around, Castle toasted, "To Alexander and his success in overcoming the challenges of his early years."

"Here here" and the clink of glass was heard.

Montgomery went next, "To the woman who went half way around the world to bring him home." Although the glasses made their noise in coming together, the captain had everyone's attention. "This summer when Detective Beckett took a week's vacation I remember her getting teased about getting some R&R. The reality is she spent 2 days getting there, 2 days plowing through paperwork in a time zone where a New Yorker would find day was night and night was day, and then 2 days getting back with a child who relied on her as a lifeline." Everyone looked at Beckett a little differently, with more pride, awe, respect, or even love.

Lanie followed up Montgomery's story: "To the world's best aunt!"

"To a 4 year old who is the best witness a detective could ask for!" was Esposito's salute.

Ryan followed with his tribute: "To the little guy who brings out the kid in all of us."

Beckett responded to their love and support, "To the best people in the world who accept you without question.

When the bubbly beverage was gone, the close knit group likewise disappeared. Everyone knew the pair needed time to talk. A lot changed since their morning cup of coffee.

"Hell of a day, Castle." Beckett searched his face, giving him a non-verbal invitation to interrogate her.

He smiled at her summation. "I really do have to introduce your brother to my mother."

That caught Beckett off guard. "Why"

"She'll appreciate his acting ability. Josh had me seeing red because I thought you were a couple. You lost the bet with your brother."

"Really?" She was surprised. "You based so much of Nikki Heat on me, excepting the smutty stuff. Why did you make her an aunt? I figured you changed nephew to niece just to mix it up."

"If I had known you really had a nephew, I would have left him out of the story for the same reason Rook doesn't have a daughter. I would never portray an actual minor child in a work of fiction. I am really very sorry about that."

He grinned having flashed on a brilliant idea. "You will have to let me make it up to you and Josh. I really do think I need to have all of you over for a family dinner. Of course we will invite your father as well. Alexis will be thrilled to meet Alexander, and your father can meet my mother, and Josh and I can get to know one another."

"No way! Thanks for the offer, but there is absolutely no reason for us to have some family shindig." Her voice betrayed a little panic at the thought of such a gathering.

Castle couldn't help but smirk. "I can be quite persistent about getting my way. The only control you have is whether or not you'll attend. I can assure you Josh will accept the invitation and do his utmost to see that your father comes. We are flexible and can make whatever schedule accommodations necessary for them."

"What makes you so certain your influence over Josh is greater than mine?" She bluntly challenged him.

Castle countered, "The playbook of manly interactions says I get to deck Josh or he owes me." He smiled putting a little extra meaning behind the family dinner invitation.

Beckett closed her eyes and delayed that battle for another day. She changed tactics. "So you thought I was dating Josh all this time?" She took another drink of liquid courage and waited for what came next.

"Yes."

"And did you admit something about seeing red? Care to explain that literary allusion to a mere cop?" Beckett was doing that thing he called eye sex and it drove Castle crazy.

He looked at her trying to decide between the sexy, comic, or honest responses that leapt to his lips. "Yes Detective, I will explain the reference. Seeing red is an allusion I'd use in writing about a character faced with jealousy or envy. It is a particularly powerful situation if the options for relief are, to use more metaphors, grin and bear it or cut and run."

He saw her shame at the duplicity and felt rotten for being so weak as to show his hurt. He tried to make amends. "I would portray the clueless rascal as someone who might find refuge in falling back on a previous relationship. That couple's attraction would be mutual gain instead of affection. One might enjoy greater influence on the other to work harder, and the other might be to learn from past mistakes and get some distance from insincere liaisons of former times."

Castle checked his watch and saw his time was running out. "The character I'm sketching for you is ineffective at true love. He has shown little initiative other than verbal swordplay. Allowing for some growth, I predict he would make a definitive display in the near future."

He paused as Beckett inadvertently slipped her gaze to his lips and back to his eyes. Castle lowered his voice to a husky whisper, "It should be at a place and time where the universe conspires to make it necessary and perfect. It certainly should not be in a bar where alcohol could be blamed. It shouldn't be outside the lady's apartment where an invitation for more might be assumed."

Ms. Beckett?" She was startled by the man who stood before the table. "I am Mr. Castle's driver and have instructions to offer to drive you home tonight."

Castle smiled at his orchestrated events of the night.

Beckett finally smiled back, clearly understanding the forgiveness and apologies, the champagne and his intentions. She nodded, and got up to leave. "Goodnight, Castle."

Castle had one final message for her, "Until tomorrow, Kate." Shakespeare knew the power of a name.

Author's Note: Thanks for reading. Any final thoughts?