Collection of Memories by Castlefan6
Authors Note: This is a continuation of Down for the Count, my AU version of events immediately following the end scene of Countdown where Kate is in the arms of Josh watching Castle walk away after several near-death experiences. Please read that before continuing with this. I had severe anxiety when Beckett just watched as Castle walked away watching her in the arms of Dr. Motorcycle Boy, and once things were back to Caskett, how could we get Rick back to the precinct? NO Doctor MB, but some old characters, owned by both Marlowe and me will pay a visit in this story.
I don't own Castle, I use the characters for amusement purposes only
Chapter 8
Previously
"I can see why you are one of New York's best detectives," Seeger says trying to buy some grace from the earlier blunders, "Ganz has arranged to sell them tonight at 7:00 PM to a representative of a Drug Lord, very dangerous, both here and his home country of Mexico."
"We have the sting operation all setup, including cops posing as beach goers, SWAT and the FBI are all coordinating tonight, we were told to sit on the sidelines."
Los Angeles Police Department
100 West 1st St
Los Angeles CA
6:33 PM Same Day
Kate and Rick make their way back into the lobby and go to show their badges when the officer just waves them through. Entering the elevator, they sneak one quick kiss, before the chime dings for the floor housing homicide, where they see Seeger barking orders to another group, perhaps his team. As soon as he notices them, the attitude is back to sunshine and roses,
"Detective, the waitress said you didn't get a chance to eat today, so we took the liberty of bringing you and your team back your usual orders. I think we have about 25 minutes before the take down is scheduled." Rick says politely as he and Kate extends the bags of food.
A look of shock comes over Seeger's face, then shyly he remembers his manners,
"Thanks Mr. Castle, that was very thoughtful of you both, Hey Guys, our guests from New York have brought us food, be quick about it, the takedown is in 18 minutes and I want everyone in their stations.
Less than 15 minutes they are all situated in the large conference room, showing each of the 6 remote camera feeds, with the ability to zoom in on one or more at a time. Promptly at 7:00 PM a big burly guy with tattoo's over his arm comes into view, except for his face, "this is the CI and for his safety his face will not be shown" Seeger announces.
Next a panel truck pulls into view with Ganz and one of his gang leaders, obviously in a hurry, the exchange of money occurs. The big guy and the gang member start to load the panel truck from the first vehicle, you could hear someone say, stick with Ganz, whose got primary, then the radio clicks with a badge number, I'm primary, eyes on him sir, then I got your six.
Wait for my signal,****** then It's a Go all units, it's a go, and there appeared to be over 100 Police, SWAT, Sheriffs, and FBI cars converge on the spot. Ganz made the mistake of trying to run, then his biggest mistake was to pull a gun and fire towards an officer, he was riddled with bullets, a moment later lay dead on the pier. Royce's final words proved to be prophetic, the hell did indeed rain down on Ganz and provide closure for multiple murders, including former NYPD Officer, Mike Royce.
Kate and Rick were allowed to stay as they interrogated the associate of Ganz, who confirmed he was the shooter of all three victims, and produced a location, a storage locker where a cache of guns, drugs and money were found along with fake ID's. The force also rounded up the remainder of the Ganz Gang and with each one singing loud on the other, convictions were sure to follow.
It was a bitter sweet moment for Kate, yes Mike had been avenged, but the man took the easy way out, death over trial and prison. "Bet your TO would tell you to take the win, it doesn't look pretty but it's still a win, and Mike has justice" Rick says quietly as he gently holds Kate.
"You're right, in fact Royce would have said, the cost of the bullets were less than the cost to house the maggot, he got justice, swift, but still justice" she whispers back to Rick through watery eyes. "I Love you Rick, just please never leave me, I don't think I could take it,"
"Sweetie, I'm never going anywhere, we're going to grow old together and let our Grandkids come and wait on us when we are old and feeble," he smiles, then see's the look in her eyes "Kate, I'm serious, you are my Always."
Detective Seeger comes over to them, "Well I guess this closes both your case as well as my two, the bastard took the easy way, but he won't hurt anyone again. I'm very sorry for your loss Detective, I have transmitted the official report along with a copy of the video to your Captain to allow the case to be closed and the death benefits paid"
"That was very kind of you Detective, I appreciate the cooperation you provided"
"Well we do apologize for the initial ***"
"It never happened, we are good and if you are ever in New York please look us up" as she shakes his hand, "Your department was very helpful indeed" not letting him complete his statement.
"Mr. Castle, thank you as well, please do take care and hopefully next time we see each other it will be under better circumstances."
Rick removes his badge, then turns to Kate, gently taking hers from her lapel, "What do you say, Let's get out of here, Montgomery will need an update when we get to the hotel"
"I know, I just want some alone time with you, I have never been clingy my entire life, but the last few weeks, I just have to have you near me, or I don't feel complete."
"Babe, the car service is waiting for us, all we need to do to be alone is go on one elevator ride, and raise the privacy screen in the limo, so let's go, OK?"
As soon as the elevator has stopped Kate is leading Rick out of the elevator towards the car, and once the privacy screen was raised, she turned to him, crying gently, as he pulled her into him.
"Babe, what is it? Missing Royce? It's all right, he was someone special in your life, it's natural to ****"
Her lips claim his mid-sentence, and she pours out her love, in her kiss, then another and another, till she is composed enough to talk. "Rick, it wasn't Mike, I mean I felt bad, and a loss, but that wasn't it."
"I realized just how close I came to losing you on so many different cases and was too much of a coward to tell you how I felt, in fact I kept you away by seeing men I didn't love or ever would. I could have lost you just as easy as Mike, except you're the love of my life, I know that now."
"Babe, hey, we both did stupid things, but that's over, we're engaged and when we get more than 5 minutes uninterrupted we are going to plan our wedding, just the way you want, I love you, no more thoughts of the past OK?" Rick returns her kiss, and she finally begins to relax in his arms just as they arrive at the Four Seasons.
"It's 1:30 AM LA Time, think we should wait to brief the Captain, don't you Rick?"
"I sent him a text and told him we would be available for an update after 9:00 AM LA Time tomorrow, so we can get some rest, or well rest" his smile lights up her spirits.
The next several hours are spent reassuring each other that no matter how stupid the act, it was in the past, and the slate was clean. No old boyfriends, girlfriends or anyone from their pasts that would hurt one or the other would be mentioned.
It wasn't that they were trying to re-write history, but rather establish the baseline, of what worked for them. It helped Rick as much as Kate, and since they had done it together, gave them both the feeling that if they could get through that they could face anything that life would throw at them.
They also came up with the ground rule that all relationship discussions in the future would be conducted in bed, with Rick holding her, with her head oh his chest, a reminder that his heart beat for her, and she had promised to never break it.
Eventually between making love, petting, and talking both fell asleep in each other's arms, and surprisingly there were no bad dreams, just visions of little Castles running in the sand or around a big house in the suburbs.
NYPD
12th Precinct
7:00 AM EST Next Day
Captain Montgomery has logged onto his computer, scanned the incoming emails, till he spots one marked Important from the LAPD. As the attachment is virus scanned, then downloaded, he hits play, and is amazed at what he sees.
The robbery is solved, Ganz is dead, NYPD have his accomplice in custody and he will be doing a lot of time on the felony drug possession, and accomplice to attempted murder charges, no damages to any police officers, so all that remains is Beckett's final report and he can close this case.
"Esposito, Ryan, My Office Now" he barks as he sees the two straggling in a few minutes late.
"Sir yes Sir" comes the reply from both.
"Sit your asses down, and keep your mouths closed" he snarls as the two walk into his office, and "Ryan close the door".
"I received an email from LAPD overnight, and it contained the filmed results of the takedown of Ganz, come over here and look for yourselves."
The two detectives move reluctantly and stand behind the Captain as he plays the video for them clearly showing Ganz, forcing the hand of the officers. Suicide by police is the term used in some cities, leaving an officer no recourse but to shoot, just as Ganz did.
Then the Squad Leader of the LAPD Swat team comes on, and dictates the events of the night almost like he was reciting a book report, no emotion, till he says "No officers or official personal were injured, except for the death of Michael Royce, retired NYPD, our condolences to his police and personal families."
"Looks like they closed the case Captain" Ryan says
"Except we have our own paperwork to do, and just so you guys know, Kate is not to see this, complete the case, you will be the support for the DA in the Drug Case, time for her to start her new life without reminders."
"I'll be calling them in about an hour or so, so stick close, as I said you two will complete the paperwork TODAY, am I clear?"
"Yes Sir," both sound off in unison.
"One more thing, you both know Beckett is engaged, so I fully expect you two to step it up, it wouldn't surprise me if she actually begins to take some of the 27 weeks of accumulated vacation time soon. My message if I have to spell it out, you both will be point on most investigations, it's time to leave the cradle gentlemen. Dismissed "
"Wow Bro, do you really think Kate is going to start taking vacation?" Espo asks Ryan once out of earshot of the Captain.
"Espo, she is marrying a freaking millionaire, why she would want to work anymore is anyone's guess, other than her Mom's case, what keeps her here?"
Castle's Penthouse
Los Angeles, CA 7:30 AM local time
Kate awakes to find her fiancé propped on one elbow looking at her so lovingly, "Still Creepy Rick, even if I do love you," as she pulls him in for a good morning kiss.
"I ordered coffee, and look" he gets that little boy with a new toy look on his face, excitement he can hardly contain, "Bear Claws, Maurice had them sent over from North Hollywood this morning so they would be fresh for you"
"Really Rick, that man is amazing, does he do that for all the guests or are you just one of a few?"
"WE are on the preferred list, future Mrs. Castle, so anything you want, or need Maurice will make it happen, if it's possible"
"Like you do for me, except no love making for him, right?" Kate kids
They enjoy the coffee and treats then assume Kate's position, Rick on his back looking at the ceiling, Kate with her head on his chest, ear over his heart, and wrapped up gently in his arms.
"I love my position when we talk Rick, I just feel so safe, and secure in your arms, and each heart beat I hear is an I love you from you, so special I love you Rick, I'm going to say that everyday at least once I promise, just to be sure you never forget."
"Kate, I love you, and I will never forget, I carry your heart with me, to protect and keep you safe and never let you hurt again if I can help it, you are my world, my everything" as he kisses her gently and sweetly.
As the kiss breaks and each are left staring in each other's eyes, Kate finally breaks the silence after several moments, "What time do we brief Montgomery again Babe? Once we do that I thought we could make plans to head home."
"I texted him we wouldn't be available till 9:00 AM our time so I think we ha****"
Kate is pulls him into her for a kiss that leaves no doubt what she desires. Finally at 8:45 AM Rick hold his hand up, "Stop Babe, we have the rest of our lives , don't kill me before I can complete my dream" he smiles totally exhausted from the "You have no Idea" activities that his fiancé has just made a believer, again, out of him.
NYPD 12th Precinct
11:56 AM Same Day
Montgomery's phone rings with Rick's caller ID, as he motions Ryan and Esposito to join him.
"Good Morning Rick, Kate thanks for the update last night Rick, and most of all thanks for not calling me at 4:30 AM local time here, I'm getting too old for that crap."
"I have Ryan and Esposito with me, we have reviewed the official reports including the video of the forced police suicide of Ganz, I'm sorry Kate, but at least the bastard won't hurt anyone else."
"Thank you Sir, but like Rick and I talked, Mike would have said it was the cheaper route, a few bullets to save years of tax payers dollars housing him in prison," she is holding Rick's hand and gently gives it a squeeze as she looks into his eyes.
"Is there anything we need to add to the report, or can we take the transcript and complete ours, FYI Violet is returning to San Francisco to stay with her family, she's done with the acting scene so she is safe."
"I can't think of anything Sir, Rick you spoke to Seeger and his Captain last night, anything to add to the official report?"
"Captain, the LAPD have put Royce in for an accommodation, posthumously since he is the one that followed the clues, and ultimately paid the price to break this case. They estimate the ammunition would have killed or wounded hundreds of Police Officers.
They are wearing the Blue Bands across their badge with Mike's badge number, for one week to honor him beginning next Monday start of shift."
Kate has turned her head into Rick's shoulder and is weeping softly, for a moment, then mouths silently "Thank You Babe".
"Well, that's an honor I didn't expect, Good work you two, both with the case and with the LAPD, sounds like you have established some relationships. Kate, once you are home and you and Rick are up to it we will finalize Mike's arrangements, we have time so don't push yourself."
"Thank you, Sir, I think we will be leaving later today," Rick is shaking his head affirmatively, "so we will down sometime tomorrow afternoon. I can hear Royce now with his TO voice, you're slacking Beckett, no one gives a damn about your paper cut, suck it up buttercup" as she laughs
"Well we will see you both tomorrow, then we need to talk about, ***"
"If you are going to say taking some vacation you are absolutely right Roy, boys have your calendars updated, because I have a wedding to plan and I'll be damned if another body drop is going to screw it up."
"Safe travels you two, see you tomorrow" as the phone disconnects, on the call and also on one part of Beckett's past. They have navigated the troubled waters and came out on the other side, now it's time to celebrate, and make her dream come true, wearing his wedding ring, Always.
A/N This is an AU take on how things could have gone, I liked the episode that was filmed, except the fact she is still with Josh, and their souls were practically laid bare, another block for the sake of blocking. Also, I thought they strung the wedding out for at least one season too long, if not more. Next chapter we deal with Royce's funeral, Kate taking time away as Rick returns to the precinct in a diminished time commitment, and the start of Rick and Kate's foundation, for deprived students. As always Thanks for your reads, comments, reviews and favorites, I appreciate the response. Tim
