Before we all find out Beckett's answer which will color this story, here is the last Chapter. ENJOY
The Castle characters are not mine and their use, or the use of any other characters, living or dead, real or imaginary and the words and opinions they may speak are my creations just for the story and should not be attributed to them.
Later, after more dancing, Martha Rodgers stepped up to the microphone again. "Ladies and Gentlemen. I hope you have enjoyed the evening so far. All of you have been extremely generous to the Johanna Beckett Fund. However, we are not done so those of you who have bid and won on items, check your bank account balances and those of you who have not bid or won, get ready."
A rush of whispers and not so whispers, filled the air as the guests were getting ready to bid on some great items in round two. There were still private tours of city hall, conducted by the Mayor himself, more first edition books to be specifically signed to the highest bidder by the Castle's poker buddies, a private diner party at Madison's Keller' restaurant prepared by her award winning chef, for 10 and many other great items.
Martha was still in good voice, even though she had been the auctioneer from the beginning of the night. She loved to perform and this was a command performance in front of some very well known and influential people. The bidding was as lively as the first round and each winner was applauded by the entire group. There was no jealously or disappointment because all present knew that the money was going to a good cause.
"Again, thank you all for opening your wallets to this worthy cause. Only a few items left. This next one is a pair of tickets for the Mets, Yankees subway series at Citifield this year. While we take no sides here, our donor for this item, Mr. Joe Torre, will get the winner a pass to the locker room of the team of their choice for a short meet and greet before the game. We will have a special auctioneer for this item. Please welcome, Hizzoner, The Mayor of New York City."
The Mayor bounded to the stage. "Thank you Martha. Although I do have my preferences and strong opinions for my team as all New Yorkers do, in effort to stay away from partisan politics this time, those preferences and opinions will stay a secret for now, unless one of my staff leaks them." The guests laughed and gave the mayor a little applause. The bidding was especially lively for this item, even Jim Beckett placed a good size bid. "Ok we are at $2500, bid by the man wearing that Yankee cap, guess we know which locker room he wants to go to. Do I hear any more? Going once, going twice,..."
A shout from across the room, "$4000!" All eyes turned and saw a man just walking in the door with a motorcycle helmet in hand. Castles was standing with Beckett and her father. Each looked at the other then to the high bidder. Jim Beckett was surprised. He did not know who it was. Castle was also surprised, shocked and although he did not like it, jealous.
Kate Beckett was startled, also happy, excited, optimistic (maybe this could work out), and flattered (no boyfriend had ever done this for her before). At the same time, she was nervous and apprehensive. The jumble of emotions made her dizzy. Kate reached for Josh, who had been making his way across the room, just as she thought she might fall.
"SOLD!", said the Mayor, "to the man with the motorcycle helmet." There was polite applause, not what you'd expect for the price. The loud and sudden appearance of this guest left the others feeling out of sorts. A buzz began to spread throughout the room, everyone trying to figure out what just happened.
Martha could feel the anxiousness in the room, like when an actor misses a line or a gymnast falls during a routine. "Thank you Mr. Mayor. Now we end the auction part of our evening with this..."
Castle, the Becketts and Josh did not hear Martha. Each was looking at the other, trying to figure out what to do, what to say. Jim Beckett saw the confusion in his daughter's eyes, as she was steadying herself. Katie was still grappling with the jumble of emotions. He reached out his hand to Josh and said, "Hi, I'm Jim Beckett, Katie's father."
This moved Kate to action. "Sorry, sorry. Dad, this is Dr. Joshua Davidson. He and I have been seeing each other for a while. Castle, you know Josh."
"Yes, glad you could make it." There was no emotion, no feeling, a total lack of anything in those words. It was as if they came from a machine.
"Pleasure to meet you Mr. Beckett," Josh said with his best bedside manner. "Good to see you again Castle." Castle thought he detected a smirk. "I had mentioned to some of my colleagues what a big night this was for me. I had my suit in my locker ready to come when the gunshot victims came in. Two. My team and I worked on them. When the father was stabilized, they sent him up to ICU. The daughter was in more serious shape. We lost her once, but restarted the heart. It will take some time for her to recover, but she will. I was going to go up to ICU with the second victim when she was ready, but the nurses and other doctors told me to get ready. They said I could still put in an appearance. So here I am."
"Where were the victims when they were shot?" Both Jim Beckett and Josh looked astonished when Castle and Beckett asked the question in unison. Just then Captain Roy Montgomery came over to the group.
"The father and daughter were only a few blocks from here. It seems that they were going to another formal affair near here when they were attacked." I have Karpowski and some uniforms there now canvassing the area. CSU is also there." Montgomery saw Beckett moving away from the group getting ready to go to the scene, "Beckett"
"Yes sir" she answered.
"Karpowski and her group will handle this, understood?!"
"Sir?"
"This is your night, Karpowski needs to learn how to lead, and Ryan and Esposito will be there to help if need be. Enjoy. I do not expect to see you till tomorrow afternoon. That goes for you too Castle."
"Yes sir." Castle and Beckett answered together.
"I will never get used to that," Captain Montgomery said. "Well, Evelyn and I have got to go. The girls have to get up early and the sitter has a test in the afternoon. Thank you all for a wonderful evening."
The Becketts, Castle, Josh, Ryan and Esposito all said together, "Good Nite Sir."
Jim Beckett had a feeling that Katie's team needed to talk for a few minutes. He turned to Josh."Josh, join me for a few minutes, I would like to introduce you to the World renown stage and TV actress, Martha Rodgers."
Joshua Davidson looked at Kate with a 'I want to stay with you look'. Kate needed to talk with the team for just a minute. "Josh, would you get me a glass of shiraz after you meet Martha? Anyone else want anything?"
Sensing the need for the group to be together, Castle added, "I would like the same, Boys?"
"Nothing for me thanks."
"Nothing for me either," Esposito added.
"Guys," Beckett said as her father and Josh left, "Montgomery has been acting strange the last few days. First with that Seat case and now this. I do not want to push to hard, but I would like two to stay close to Karpowski and help her all you can. I want to know the progress on this new case."
"Roger that." Esposito said. Ryan nodded in agreement also.
"Castle and I will surreptitiously dig into the Seat case some more."
Just then, Lannie and Jenny came by. "What is going on here?" Jenny asked.
Lannie added, "Javi, unless you want to go home alone tonight, I want to dance some more."
With that Ryan and Esposito left with their ladies. Castle and Beckett stood there alone for a minute, both with thousands of thoughts running through their heads. Josh came back with the wine. He gave both glasses to Castle.
"Kate, may I have the pleasure of this dance?"
She looked at Castle, "Go, enjoy, I will hold the glass for you."
With that, Josh whisked Kate away. The band was playing some classic dance music. Josh wasn't a bad dancer and he was doing his best to lead Kate around the floor. They looked like they were having a good time, Occasionally Josh would lean into her to say something, or she would do the same. Kate moved well with him,
Castle noticed this and took a large sip of his wine. He could not keep his eyes off them. Jim Beckett came up to Castle just then.
"I just heard from your agent and publicist, Paula. She said tonight's first returns are in. Thanks to you and your friends, the Johanna Beckett Scholarship is now funded with $175,000. Thank you Rick. I cannot think of a better way to honor my wife."
Castle turned to Jim. He had both wine glasses in his hand and suddenly felt self-conscious. What would Jim think of him with all this alcohol in his hand, one glass half empty?
Jim could read his mind. He also saw how he was looking at Josh and Katie, "I like Josh, and I think Katie likes him." But then he whimpered to Castle, "See how Katie makes him keep a respectable distance from her. Also remember tonight was the first time I met him and it was by chance. She insisted that I meet you, and not just for the Gala." Jim Beckett backed away a little and concluded, "Rick, please tell Katie I made my way home. She should call tomorrow. I hope to see you soon. Good nite."
"Good nite Jim."
Kate was moving around with Josh enjoying his firm grip on her. She liked the feeling of being led around by her handsome doctor. He had made an extra effort to be here. She blushed when he told her how beautiful she looked, That blushed deepened when he leaned into her and told her he brought her motorcycle helmet and that his bike was all charged up and ready to go.
Josh told her that he knew of her love of baseball and that is why he bid for those tickets. He told her that he wanted her to take her father. That was so sweet of him. She told him, no, that night would be a special night for them.
As Beckett was twirling around, she caught site of Castle, standing there alone. He looked like a sad little boy. She stopped Josh and started walking toward Castle. Josh followed. Out of the corner of her eye, Beckett saw Alexis and Martha coming over to Castle too.
"Thanks for holding my wine."
"Yeah, well, I was ready to finish it too. Cannot ever let a glass of Australian Outback Shiraz go to waste."
Martha said, "Darlings, most of the guests are starting to leave. Don't you think it is time to thank them?"
Beckett smiled, "Yes Martha, but first.." she moved toward Martha Rodgers and gave her a big hug. "Thank you for everything. I know that if my mother were here, you and she would get along splendidly. After all, you both have very precocious children to put up with."
"Don't I know it." Martha smiled back.
"Alexis, I do not know how you do it. Raising your father, yet managing to enjoy the wonder of youth. If I am lucky enough to have a daughter someday, I hope she is as caring, intelligent and beautiful as you are."
"Thank you Detective Beckett."
"Kate, please call me Kate."
"Thank you Kate."
"We will mother, thank you." As Martha and Alexis started to walk away, Castle said, "Your father left. He told me to tell you to call him in the morning. You and Josh do not have to stay if you do not want too. I can handle this."
"Absolutely not. Josh, would you get my coat? It should not be too long."
"Ok, meet you by the podium."
"Thanks"
Forty minutes later the last guests left. Josh came over with Kate's coat. She put in on and moved over to Castle. Kate wrapped him in her arms, gave him a kiss on the cheek and whispered, "You have no idea how much this means to me and my father, but I promise that whatever comes our way, I will ALWAYS be there to have your back."
"Me too."
Roy Montgomery could not sleep. He checked his children and went downstairs to his study. He found a note on his desk.
The Powers that be are very angry. You are not keeping up your end of the agreement. I thought the father and daughter tonight were the Becketts. Next time I will make sure.
Montgomery was shaking. He took out his files and put them in an envelope. Addressed it certified, return receipt requested. He would send them out the next day. After that he had a half a glass of his best whiskey. By the time he got up to go to bed, he knew that it had to end and he started formulating a plan to do so.
It was early, early in the morning as Martha opened the door and walked into the loft. She had been at the school working with her students on a production that would soon be performed. Afterward, a few of them invited her out for a drink, or two. She expected to see Richard up. He had trouble sleeping these past few days after the gala. She was exactly sure what the problem was but she had a good idea that it involved a doctor and police detective.
She quietly walked over to Richard's office and saw him on the couch. He had his laptop on the floor next to him, eyes closed. He was mumbling to himself, the way he would sometimes do when working out a problem in his sleep. Martha let him be.
Just then there was a knock at the door. Martha quickly opened it and saw Beckett there. "Katherine. What are you doing up so late?"
"I was at the precinct late, finishing up some paperwork. I know Rick is up late sometimes and hoped to give him this and maybe say hello?"
"He is sleeping dear, but I can wake him up if..."
Beckett cut her off, "No, no, please don't. Just give him this and tell him I hope to see him tomorrow." She handed Martha a small envelope, smiled and left.
Martha went into Richard's office and was going to leave the envelope on the laptop. When she entered, something seemed to startle Castle and he woke up. "I was dreaming that someone was knocking at the door. I couldn't get up to answer it, but then I heard whispering. Someone was saying 'No, no, please don't...' It sounded like Beckett but I couldn't get up to see what was going on."
Martha stood back in surprise, "Wow, I forgot you could be a very light sleeper. Beckett was at the door. I said I would wake you, but she said 'No, no, please don't.' She was in no trouble, but just wanted me to give you this." and with that she handed Richard the envelope. "I'm tired and am going to bed."
"Mother, aren't you curious to see what's in the envelope?"
"Not tonight kiddo. See you later this morning."
Castle opened the envelope and pulled a card. It was a pre-printed thank you card with the name, Johanna Beckett on it. Inside was a short note from Jim Beckett,
Rick,
You know Johanna was a big fan of yours. I was skeptical about you, always reading of your playboy ways on page 6. I teased Johanna about it but she said that was not who you are. She could tell by 'subtext' in your alter-egos.
Now, I have a much different opinion, First seeing you through Katie's eyes and then up close. I smile every time I think of this because I hear my wife laugh at me and say, "See, I told you so."
Thank you for everything. I hope to always call you friend,
Jim
A picture fell out of the card when Castle opened it. It was Beckett in a red turtleneck sweater, lacing up her ice skates. She looked to be 17 or 18. Behind her sat a boy, looked to be about 9 or 10. On the back of the card, Kate had written a short note.
To the Nine-Year old kid on a sugar rush,
Please do not ever stop pulling my pigtails. ;)
When Martha came down later that morning, Richard was up, showered and dressed and had pancakes and eggs ready, and coffee brewing for her. He was smiling has he finished his plate. Martha sat down read the note, saw the picture and read the inscription. She smiled.
"You ok kiddo. There is only one person who can change you mood that drastically."
"Yeah, I am going to the precinct today."
"Are you sure? You were pretty upset before. Has anything changed between Katherine and Josh?"
"Don't know and don't care." he replied.
Martha asked, "So is what you have with her enough?"
Castle thought for a minute, smiled and said, "It is enough for now." and left.
Post Script- The following year's gala was for the benefit of two scholarships, The Johanna Beckett Memorial Scholarship and the Roy Montgomery Memorial Scholarship.
If you want to see the picture I am referring to, watch season 3, Knockdown. The scene starts with Beckett on the floor talking about reviewing her mother's files. Castle is reviewing pictures and sees the one described above.
There is another Castle Fan Fic. which develops the idea of a scholarship for Johanna Beckett. It is called Breathe by SarahlovesA. It is different then this but just as good. I recommend it to you.
I hope you have enjoyed this story. I have tried to make it hopeful and enough in and of itself. There are a lot of parts which I hope to use later in the continuing stories of Castle and Beckett. Please let me know what you think.
