Illusion vs. Reality

"Castle it's been weeks," Espo exclaimed.

"I know. Trust me, I would have contacted you if I could." Both of the boys had unshed tears in their eyes once Castle told them Beckett was dead.

"We should've known when we realized it wasn't Caleb's body we found," Ryan said, letting a single tear fall. Castle looked down at his wedding ring, closing his eyes, and hoping that Beckett was okay.

"Castle? Where have you been?" Hastings asked, as she came over from her desk. She started towards the group, but quickly realized something was wrong. Ryan had tear tracks covering his face, and his eyes were red and puffy. Espo's eyes had begun to lose the fight to keep in the tears, and occasionally, one would slip down.

"What's going on?" Hastings asked, in a much softer, and more caring voice.

"Beckett…" Espo managed to choke out. Even though Castle knew that Beckett was alive, he couldn't help but feel as though she were dead. He was glad that Hastings could figure out what had happened on her own. If he had to tell the story again, it would break him.

"I'm so sorry Rick," Hastings said, offering him a hug. Castle accepted it, knowing she needed it too. Beckett had been Hasting's role model, and the younger cop cared about and admired her.

"Who was the bastard who did this?" she asked, directing her question towards the boys.

"It was Caleb," Ryan managed to choke out. "They killed each other." By now, other people were beginning to notice what was going on, next to Ryan's desk. Hastings had tears running down her cheeks, and everyone crowded around to find out what was going on.

10 emotional minutes later, everyone knew the story, and the entire homicide division was in mourning.

"So, who's our captain now?" a single voice asked. Castle took a deep breath, wiping at tears. It hurt him to see his friends so sad, not to mention the whole Beckett being held hostage situation.

"Don't worry," Ryan said. "I have an idea." Still wiping his eyes, he strode towards the elevator, trying to look confident.

Beckett looked down at the handcuffs she was in. They were police cuffs, strong, and impossible to get out of with what she had. Great. She was handcuffed to a steel railing, just next to the bed. Right now, she was in an impossible situation. She would simply have to sit tight, and wait for Castle to get back.

Ryan came back half an hour later, with a familiar person by his side. She immediately noticed something was wrong, and approached Esposito.

"Gates?" he asked, confused. "What are you doing here? I thought you were down at 1pp."

"I was detective. But Ryan managed to convince me to step in temporarily as captain." Castle's head snapped up, and idea quickly forming. Dammit. Stop it, he fiercely told himself. But he couldn't help it. His gut told him that this was his only chance to rescue Beckett. He was smart enough to realize the dangers he would cause if Caleb let him go. There was no way in hell that was going to happen. He'd let himself hope in a time of desperation. But now, his head was clear, and he had a plan. He would need help.

"Ryan, Espo, and Gates, would you come with me?" Castle asked. The trio looked up, seeing determination in Castle's eyes. They followed him to a corner of the precinct, sensing this was for their ears only. Castle glanced back at the group, thinking for a second.

"Stay here," he said, walking back towards the crowd.

"Officer Hastings? Would you come as well?" he asked. The young cop wiped her eyes, and nodded, following him back to the group.

"I brought you all here to talk about Beckett," he began. Almost immediately, Gates stopped him.

"Mr. Castle, I don't think this is the appropriate place to have this conversation." Castle, admittedly had to agree, but he had been so desperate…

"Okay. Let's go to my office. We can talk there."

"Okay castle, what's this about?" Ryan asked, as soon as the door was closed.

"Hold on," Castle said. "Hayley? Alexis?" he called out. The two girls appeared at the door, confused at the sudden crowd.

"Dad!" Alexis cried out, enveloping him a crushing hug. Castle hugged back, extremely glad to see his daughter again.

"What happened?" Alexis demanded. "We couldn't find you… or Beckett. We looked everywhere. Where were you?"

"It's a long story. And I promise I'll explain. But for now, I want you to go back to the loft. And whatever you do, don't leave until I said so. The same goes for Gram." Alexis was smart enough to figure out something was terribly wrong.

"Dad? What's going on?" Alexis asked. Castle knew that he couldn't bring his daughter into this.

"Look, I'll tell you later. But for now, please just do as I say." Alexis glared at him a moment longer, challenging him. When he didn't flinch, she slipped out of the office.

"Rick, are you going to tell me what that was all about?" Hayley asked, bewildered.

"Beckett's being held hostage," Castle explained. There was a collective and audible gasp from everyone.

"Beckett's alive?" Hastings asked. "But you said-"

"I was blackmailed," Castle interrupted. "By Caleb. He has Beckett and is threatening to kill her. We need to get her back." The detectives were looking at one another, anger entering their eyes.

"I always knew that guy was no good," Esposito snarled. "We have to go and catch this bastard before he hurts our captain." Everyone else nodded in agreement.

"Guys, we will rescue Beckett. And we will take down Lok Sat once and for all."

"You sound like you have a plan," Hayley said.

"That's because I do. And I'll need your guys' help with it."

"You know you have my help Castle," Esposito said with absolutely no uncertainty.

"Mr. Castle, this is going against all of the rules."

"But it's the only way," Castle countered. "I know you would rather go the official way, but that's not going to work. This whole operation needs to be undercover. The world needs to believe Beckett is dead."

"I don't know," Gates said uncertainly.

"This is the only way. Do you really think I would waste my only shot to rescue the love of my life?" Castle asked, pleading with his eyes.

"Well, I don't like it, but I understand. Okay. For Beckett, I'm in." Castle grinned, a spark of hope blossoming in his heart.

"Beckett, we're coming."

I apologize for any plotholes in the story. I'll try to explain things. Caskett in the next chapter. I realizeGates mightbe a little OOC (out of character) but my reasoning is she's willing to save a fellow cop. Thanks, R&R

NightLightning21