Epilogue
JFK Airport
Queens, New York
About a week later, the team gathered in the departure terminal as Esposito checked-in in at the airline ticket counter. Kate, Rick, Ryan with Jenny and Sarah Grace there. Lanie, with Alexis, Martha, and Jennifer and her girlfriend as well were all milling about. Kate looked at Esposito through teary eyes. She felt Rick's gentle squeeze. "Damn pregnancy hormones."
Rick looked at her and smiled. "I won't argue with you, but somehow I don't think it's the hormones."
She lightly slapped him in the arm as she also smiled. "Funny babe. I am happy for him. This is another thing that Esposito will be great at."
"Like he needs another thing." Lanie added as she walked over, hooking her arm through Kate's and placing her head on Kate's shoulders. She also has tears in her eyes. "He asked me should he go and I told him yes. It would be good for him."
"He cares about you Lanie." Rick answered as Kate also nodded.
They saw Esposito placed his large sea bag on the scale and with the tag placed, the airline representative moved it to the conveyer and it was on its way to the plane. Esposito walked over and stood in the middle of the group. "Don't have much time before I have to go to security."
Martha and Alexis came over with tears in their eyes and gave Esposito a hug and wished him all the best in the world before it was Ryan's turn.
"Well Javi, be safe over there man." Ryan stated with a little bit of break coming to his voice. He shook Esposito's hand and pulled him into a hug. "Thanks for everything. Come back safe."
"Ryan, I'm gone 90 days, not a year." Esposito replied with a laugh. The man hug broke as Esposito gave a slight shoulder punch to Ryan. "Thanks for checking on my place while I am gone."
Ryan nodded, as Sarah Grace, and Jenny gave Esposito a hug. Jennifer came over and shook Esposito's hand. "I wish you luck Esposito and a speedy trip home in 90 days."
"Me to Detective." Marie replied to Jennifer's statement as she shook hands as well.
Rick came up to Esposito and wrapped him in a hug tightly. The hug broke after a minute as Rick looked at him. "You keep your head down over there okay. You need anything calls us, we'll come running."
"Thanks Castle, but I am pretty sure I'll be advising and only assisting." Esposito answered with a tear in his eye as he looked at Castle, but nodded. "Look after them."
Rick nodded as he stepped aside to let Kate in. She gave Esposito a hug. "You been a steady influence on me Javi, besides Rick. Don't do something stupid over there. We need you back here."
Esposito shook his head in agreement at Kate's statement as their hug broke. "You also have been an influence on me Kate. You take care of everyone, and I want to meet that little one you got growing in there."
Kate smiled through tears and nodded as Lanie walked up and took Javier's hands. She looked him in the eyes. "You get killed Javier Esposito, and I will bring your body back here to beat you up you understand me."
"Yes ma'am." Esposito stated with a smile holding her hands. He brought her in for a deep kiss as everyone smiled. The kiss broke as Esposito heard that his flight would be boarding in 30 minutes. He picked up his carry on and looked at everyone. "I'll write and call when I can."
Everyone nodded as Esposito gave one final look before moving towards security. As he approached the line, he looked back and gave a wave to the group who waved back to him as well, and then he was taken in the mass of people. The sadness was only broken by Kate's phone going off.
"Captain Beckett." Kate answered after quickly gathering herself. She hung up the phone after a minute. "Lanie, Ryan, Russell, Castle, we have a body in Lower East Side. We got to go."
Everyone nodded as they left the area and returning to the job that they had to do, and Esposito would want them to do.
A/N: I left the possibilityof Esposito of returning at a later date. It has been a struggle with family and work obligations, along with a personal issue i had to deal with. I hope everyone enjoyed this and please keep the reviews coming. Thank you.
