Don't own this great show and all characters are fictional. Not trying to infringe on any copyrights. Kayne Beckett is an original character. A/N: The game Kayne was playing in the last chapter was Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires. A game series I very much enjoy.

You Cannot Go Against The Universe

Part 9

The Innocence Lost, Now Reclaimed

At the sound of the baby crying Kate noticed something change in Kayne's face, it had softened to one she remembered from childhood.

"Mari, shut up! You stay the fuck away from my kid lawman, or I'll-" her rant was cut short as Kayne drew the taser he'd been issued and fired under his upraised arm. The barbs took Louise in her sternum and her ranting was cut off in a pained gurgle as she collapsed on the floor. Kayne walked towards the bedroom where the cries were emanating from and handed off his taser to the nearest Marshal.

"She makes another sound, hit her again." his voice made the air around him lower several degrees.

As he entered the room the first thing he noticed was the smell. This poor child hadn't had a bath in who knew how long and he'd wager the parents hadn't been too keen on diaper changing. Kayne gently picked up the little girl, judging by the dirty pink onesie, and spoke in a low and gentle voice.

"Hey there baby girl, how about we get you changed and get some food into you huh?" Kayne would say it was the tone of his voice that caused it more than him, but the little girl slowly began to calm down.

He carried her over to the only clean area in the room, a bureau set-up for the baby with a changing table on top. Kate wandered into the room just in time to see Kayne grab a spare diaper and the required necessities and start changing the little girl. Once he was done she was in a much better mood, she had a clean diaper and a fresh change of clothes. (There was no way in HELL he was going to risk running a bath with the water in these pipes.)

"Come on baby girl let's get you someplace that doesn't remind me of an open sewer in summer." Kate smiled at her cousin doting upon the little girl, she knew he'd always viewed children as God's greatest gift to mankind.

"Hello Mari, you're safe now, I promise you that. Kayne only looks really scary. I bet you get him to be the softy he really is underneath." Kate's smile grew wider as Mari smiled, her innocent baby blues shining with joy.

"Oh, please! Just because your fiancé is so in touch with his feminine side doesn't mean all men have them." Kayne smirked, causing Mari to giggle at his face.

"Says the guy with the hair longer than most women I see walking around everyday." Kate sniped back.

"Anata wa okashi janai yo itoko. You know I've kept my hair long in honor of my sensei." Kayne's face was unreadable, but, Kate could see the fire in his eyes. His sensei was, for all intents and purposes, his Grandfather when he took Kayne in at thirteen and a half. He'd put his foot down through boot camp about his upbringing and somehow convinced them to let him keep his hair in a top knot. Kate recalled how some guy had made fun of Kayne until the day they started unarmed combat training. (Kayne had mopped the floor with his entire class, including the instructors.)

"Okay you're right, I'm sorry." Kate apologized as they made their way out of the building, one of the SOG that had assisted them handing Kayne a child seat for Mari. "Your taste in sports teams still sucks though."

"Thanks Chris, I'll get this back to you within forty eight hours. I know you guys are trying for another one." Kayne got a smile and a 'Don't worry about it.' from the Marshal in question.


The ride back to the Marshal's office was actually fun, when Mari got a little fussy Kayne would start talking to her and she would calm right down.

"Why are we stopping here?" Kate thought she knew the reason why they were at the supermarket, but she wanted to hear her cousin say it.

"She needs diapers and formula itoko, we can't just hand her over without anything." Kayne wasn't looking forward to dealing with social services, but, it was a necessary inconvenience.

In the store Kate hung back a ways to make sure no one tried to take back the little girl. In doing so she noticed that Kayne got a lot of glances and appreciative appraisals from almost all of the women as he steered the cart while letting Mari hold onto his thumbs as the baby babbled happily.

"Oh, isn't your little girl just adorable." the cashier was an attractive woman that Kayne put around 47. Her face was etched with a few lines that spoke of a great deal of time spent laughing and smiling. Her black hair was tied back in a high ponytail. "You'll need to beat the boys off with a stick when she's older."

"Nah, ex-military and I grew up in Japan studying martial arts and swordsmanship. I think I'll be good on the intimidation front." Kayne smiled politely as the items were rung up.

"There are times my hubby and I wish ours were that small again. My oldest will be starting high school next year." she sighed.

"My sympathies for having to deal with the 'teenage phase'. On the bright side when they have kids they go through the same thing, so karma works it all out." Kayne quipped, he'd been told that by Kate's parents often enough. (He still couldn't believe how much grief they caught for the tattoo episode.)

"Ah, an honest man... better watch that you'll give other guys a bad name." she joked as she handed over his change.

"Honesty's always the best policy, unless you're a politician- then it's considered a bad work ethic." Kayne's glib comment actually got a full blown belly laugh from the lady as he made his way to the store's exit.

Once back out in the car, and after having to dodge Mari's hands grabbing for his facial hair, Kayne pulled out of the parking lot.

"So, back to your place?" Kate really hated this flying under the radar thing. She couldn't even tell Castle she was in town yet!

"Yeah, I need to touch base to let them know that one of the HVTs is in custody and to let them know that their intel is still sub par." Kayne was going to cripple someone, how in the FUCK could they not know that there was an infant in the apartment? Given the fact that it was late evening Kate had suggested take-out and turning in early after this very shitty day.


"THERE WAS A WHAT?!" General Gray was less than pleased with the verbal after action report Kayne provided.

"There was a five month old infant girl in the apartment. She was not harmed in the takedown, thankfully. Who was it that provided the intel for this OP sir?" Kayne knew he had about a 50/50 shot of first crack at whatever intel weenie had gave him the FUBAR intelligence.

"You're welcome to claim what's left of him Capt. Beckett. I need to have a word with his superior first. Since we have one half of the team in custody and are zeroing in on her husband without his knowledge, I'm rescinding the Blackout order. What's going to happen with the child?" he was still steaming about that.

"She's currently in my care sir, I'm waiting on a call back from Social Services as to their recommended plan of action." Kayne was quickly losing his patience with them, he'd called three hours ago and they had yet to call him back.

"Well, I'd say that little girl is in very good hands with you and your cousin. If her father's employer looks to have his contract terminated we don't have to worry about anyone getting to her." Gray and his Naval counterpart in the Joint Chiefs knew that Kayne would make a good father, hell he'd be one know if his life hadn't taken the turns that it did. He couldn't help but wonder what kind of life Kayne Beckett would have lived that tragedy hadn't struck a little before his twentieth birthday…


It was the next morning that Kayne finally got a return call from Social Services. The voice of the man on the other end put the image of a balding man upwards of 350 pounds munching on a doughnut while he talked to him.

"I'm sorry Mr. Beckett, but we have no jurisdiction here. As such, we can't take the child into out care. I've already contacted the U.S. Marshals Service and informed them that the child will remain in your protective custody until this case is resolved. At which point we will then see if we are able to provide a more permanent solution to her custody." the heavy breaths that came through the phone should not have been caused by a simple conversation.

"So, let me see if I understand what you just said: Because you're too fucking lazy to drag your fat, jelly filled ass down here, you're using protective custody to make me do your job for you?" Kayne had the urge to reach through the phone and strangle this bastard, but he didn't want the sweat and God only knew what else on his hands.

"I understand if you're upset, but once this case is resolved we'll have a better understanding of what our options are." if this guy takes one more bite of whatever he's pigging out on Kayne is going to go through the phone to snap his neck, the probable decontamination process be damned.

"You do realize that this particular case may take months to solve at the very least? You also realize that, while I'm assigned to the Marshals, I'm not in WITSEC?" all Kayne heard was a dial tone, which sent him into a short but loud rant of less that favorable epithets about Social Services. (All in Japanese so young ears wouldn't be scarred later in life.)

"Isn't dealing with Social Services fun Kayne?" Kate spoke up from the kitchen, holding a cup of fresh JP4 and a false smile.

"Shizukani damateyo itoko." Kayne growled, then saw the mug in her hands. "Better pace yourself, that's JP 4, not the coffee you're used to."

"What the heck is JP4?" Kate took a swig of the warm nectar, then her eyes went wide.

"It's about three times stronger that normal coffee, and it's dark roast." Kayne smirked, Kate was going to be wired for sound if that was her second cup.

"Oh my God! You could run a plane on this stuff!" Kate gasped, she made a mental note to NEVER let Rick try this… she didn't need him this hopped up on caffeine.

"Hence the jokingly derivative 'Jet Propulsion' designator." Kayne chuckled as he went back to the newly constructed swinging seat and the happy little girl eagerly scarfing down the bottle of formula Kayne had prepared.

"So, what're our plans now that I wont be sleeping for the next month?" Kate tried to complain. (The fact that she took another swig of coffee effectively ruining the effect.)

"Blackout status has been lifted. First stop I want to make is to see Rick. You said that Alexis is home for break, so I want to let him know what's going on. Plus it looks like we'll be in New York for the foreseeable future, so you may as well be able to spend time with your fiancé." Kayne expected the big grin and the hug that followed.

"Could you keep an eye on Mari for me while I grab a shower and change? I already gave her her bath." Kayne asked as he downed the last of his coffee. Kate smiled and nodded, waving at the little girl and drawing a grin from around the bottle still at Mari's lips.


Kayne came out of the bathroom less than ten minutes later. (He'd trimmed his facial hair so certain tiny fingers couldn't latch on.) He listened for any sounds coming from the living room and was rewarded with muffled giggles from Kate and an amused humming from Mari.

"Is Kate making Iceburgh dance for you baby girl?" Kayne couldn't help buying the little stuffed mascot of his favorite NHL team. He'd smiled as Mari had immediately wrapped her little arms around the plush toy.

"I want to go on record stating that if you get her a teal and black cheerleader outfit I will fight you for protective custody." Kate joked as she picked up the now empty bottle as Mari grabbed up her penguin.

"Please, you all owe us for sending you the coach that got you two more Super Bowls." Kayne quipped as he picked up Mari and proceeded to burp her. Kate stood at the kitchen island and watched Kayne as he cared for the now (temporarily) orphaned little girl. Her mind pictured him and what he would look like if he'd been taking care of his own child. She managed to swallow the lump in her throat as she thought how unfair things were. She'd lost her mother and he'd lost his family in the span of a few years. She really hoped that things would turn around for him. Her thoughts are interrupted by a belch she would swear could never come from such a tiny little thing.

"Wow, that was a good one." Kayne chuckles, then he catches Kate's glare.

"Great, that's all she needs, to know how to project to the Jersey Wetlands before she's a year old." she CANNOT believe Mari even burps like her cousin, did he have a liberty here in New York that she didn't know about?!

"Oh please! Like you don't belt one off that's louder than that after you have too much oregano and garlic." Kayne riposted, it was something that affected them both. (It also made them VERY cautious when getting Italian.)

What happened next made Kate's heart melt a bit. Mari's left hand had made it's way up to Kayne's cheek and rested there for a few moments. Kayne smiled at the innocent little girl as he allowed her to wrap her tiny digits of her other hand around his finger. Her left hand moved towards his mouth, where a soft grin rested. Kayne pressed his lips gently onto Mari's little hand, drawing a cooing laugh from the child. He couldn't help but feel that he was getting to see what life would be like… if the world were a more equitable place.


Rick was surprised when a knock sounded against his door around lunch time. Neither Gina nor Paula should be coming around for anything job related. Mother and Alexis are at a spa day and Pi isn't here. (THANK GOD!)

"Kate… hi." Rick smiled as he laid eyes upon his beaming fianceé grinning broadly in his doorway.

"Surprise!" Kate's greeting is short because she knows what will happen next. Both she and Rick move at the same time, their lips meeting in a long, slow, and passionate kiss that spoke of everything from I miss you to Welcome Home!

They were both so caught up in their kiss that neither noticed that Kayne had entered the loft, closed the door, and taken Mari into the kitchen to make sure nothing was going to catch fire.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming? I could've picked you up at the airport." Castle noticed Kate's face fell as he spoke.

"It's job related Rick, been in town a few days now under orders to not speak about the case. Thankfully we're no longer under those orders." Kate smiled as the grin spread across her fiancé's face, then he froze.

"Wait a second, we? Who else is in the City?" Castle was confused, they were alone in the loft.

"Hey, Rick." Kayne greeted as his hand landed on Castle's shoulder with a solid clap. The girlish squeal that issued from Castle made Kate snort to try and cover her laughter. "You know, fabric softener might help to prevent bunching."

"Oh hardy har har Kayne. I don't see you for six months and this is the treatment I get?" Rick huffed, then he noticed the child carrier that Kayne had set on the kitchen island. "Did I miss some major announcement?"

"This is Mari, her mother was arrested for an attempted breach of national security and her father is on the run. Child services did a wonderful job of not even trying and stuck her in my 'protective custody' until this case is solved." Kayne ground out.

"Ah, the joys of dealing with Child Protective Services." Kate chuckled darkly, then ducked behind Castle as Kayne narrowed his eyes.

"Whoa, I do NOT want to be in the middle of a Beckett Brawl!" Castle whined. Kate and Kayne shared a devious look and proceeded to engage in what could only be called a slap battle; with Castle right in the middle.


"I can't believe you of all people would do something like that." Castle pouted from his seat at the kitchen island.

"Hey, I may be a soldier, but that doesn't mean I don't have moments of childish exuberance." Kayne quipped. He sat on another of the bar stools feeding Mari a bottle.

"Well, on the bright side this little one looks to be in very good hands." Castle pulled a face at the child, drawing a smile.

"Aw, is uncle Rick being silly?" Kate cooed as she joined her fiancé, taking the seat across from her cousin.

"Yes." Kayne responded.

"NO!" Castle vehemently denied. Kate fixed her man-child with a look for a few seconds before Castle blinked and turned away. She repeated the process on Kayne as he sat the now empty bottle down and placed the burp bib on his shoulder. Without breaking eye contact he proceeded to burp the little girl he'd been 'given' custody of.

"Okay, one of you needs to blink or your eyes could get damaged." Castle pointed out. Any response was cut off as Mari ripped off another rather loud belch. "Wow, kids got a set of lungs on her."

"She has potential, I'll give her that. She'd make a very good Padawan." Kayne joked. Kate rolled her eyes at her cousin's antics.

"Oh please, like you're some Jedi burp Master." Castle taunted. Kate froze, oh this could not be happening…

Kayne just gave a half smirk, the right side of his mouth twisting up and causing Castle to flinch back a bit. (At that angle Kate had to admit that it did make him look a little psychopathic.) Kayne very calmly settled Mari on his right thigh and covered her ears as he leaned back and took in a deep breath.

"Kayne Beckett!" Kate warned, but it was too late. The burp that issued from Kayne's mouth was one that reverberated through the entire loft. (And possibly several blocks around it.) Kate would admit that she could belt them off with the best of them, but a Kayne Beckett Rafter Rattler was not something she wanted him teaching to ANYONE let alone the little girl he was 'given' custody of. (Yeah given… the only thing that fat bastard gave Kayne was excuses and attitude.)

"You were saying Mr. Castle?" Kayne smirked, Castle's eyes were wide as his mouth stood agape. Mari was looking around trying to figure out what was going on.

"You ever do that again Kayne and I swear to God that I'll tase you." Kate warned. When she and Castle had kids the last thing she needed was them trying to pull one of those burps off. It was bad enough they used to trade inappropriate puns and snaky comments at family holiday dinners, she was drawing the line here. Kayne's phone rang, cutting into Kate's train of thought.

"Oh great, Langley is calling me." Kayne griped in a flat and toneless voice. He handed Mari off to Kate, who only froze for a moment before a cooing giggle from the little girl caused a smile to bloom on her face.

"Captain Beckett." Kayne listened for a few seconds before his face actually brightened, it wasn't Josephine. "It's been a while old friend." Kayne walked upstairs to continue the phone call as Kate and Rick were left to contend with Mari downstairs. Everything seemed to be going well until Kayne bellowed in Japanese (Kate remembered the translation of 'kidding' in the form of a question, but the frills and dressings Kayne added to the question she didn't know… and probably didn't want to…)


"Are you absolutely sure?" Kayne knew the answer, but a small part of him hoped this info was wrong.

"Yes Capt. Beckett. It would seem that he has resurfaced after his desertion from the Navy. We have reason to believe that he may be attempting to fulfill some form of contract. As your current assignment and promotion are not widely known outside of protected channels, we would recommend that you be very cautious in the future. If he attempts to contact you, inform us immediately. Under no circumstances are you to engage his without backup." the analyst was one of those annoyingly voiced people who always sounded so damn condescending on the phone.

"You do realize that if he does try to 'make contact' with me, that it will not be on the friendliest of terms. I am capable of following there orders, but if I am threatened I will defend myself." Kayne knew that he most likely wouldn't even see him. He'd lied about everything when he enlisted, bastard didn't even give his real name. Then he'd tried becoming a SEAL only ring the bell less than halfway through, he'd gone UA (Unauthorized Absence) and tried to fake his death shortly thereafter. Kayne was the one that pointed out that the burned body couldn't be John, the tattoo they thought confirmed his death had been proven a fake. After so many years Kayne actually didn't think that anything would come of this bit of news. Truthfully what kind of idiot would want to go after one of the deadliest close quarters fighters alive?

"You know what, don't even worry about. We'll update the Joint Chiefs on this, but I'd be willing to bet dollars to donuts that he wont even make an appearance Captain. Good day to you." the analyst decided to end the call. Kayne found it odd that shortly after he'd spoken to the one person in the Agency that he did trust this intel weenie (and he used the intelligence part of that title VERY loosely) would contact him with a Do Not Engage warning.

It's not like anyone would be that foolhardy, right?

A/N: Just going to put this out here... My NHL team is the Pittsburgh Penguins and my NFL team is the Jacksonville Jaguars (no jokes or disses on my teams please.)

A/N 2: I know I keep dropping hints about Kayne's back-story. All will be revealed in later chapters.