Love's Journey 2
by Castlefan6
Authors Note This is the continuation of Love's Journey, originally authored by The Muse of Apollo, chapters 1-7 all following are work of Castlefan6' IF you haven't read the original Love's Journey please do so before proceeding with this,
I don't own Castle, I only use the characters for amusement purposes only
Chapter 10
Previously
"Jess, how can you work with me, knowing that I love the man you love, even if I crushed his heart, and how the hell can you always treat me so nice, I just don't understand, and I know I would never be able to do what you are doing"
"Kate, I know you love Rick, and in a special way he loves you, BUT that special love that he and I have, the type you had a chance at was killed by all the hurt. When he remembers your love, it is associated with some good times, that turned into a living hell for him, and we both know that bad overshadows good in all things,"
Castle's Loft 8:00 AM
Next Day
Jess and Rick are having a light breakfast when Rick's phone rings, It's Captain Montgomery on the line, and he has just gotten word from Rikers Prison authorities that one Thomas Demming, former NYPD Detective was found hanging in his cell this morning. Rick flips the phone over to speaker, so Jess can hear as well,
"Roy that's awful as much of a pig he was, no one deserves to die hanging from a bedsheet over a prison toilet." "Has Beckett been informed yet or what do you need us to do. I take by the call you would like something?"
"You know me too well, probably why you have half my retirement in your poker winnings, but yes, I think it would be great if there was someone here for Kate when she is informed, there is a blackout on news releases till the coroner officially rules on it at least another 2 hours.
Do you think you and Jess or at least Jess can be here for her, I have no clue how she is going to react?" Jess nods her head yes, "Roy give us time to grab some coffees and we will be there in about an hour, and word to the wise, pull Esposito in and threaten him with his life, he is connected to Demming through their days at the 54th and that blabber mouth can't keep a secret to save his own soul"
12th Precinct
One Hour Later
Jess and Rick make their way up to homicide with the two large coffee carry our thermos for the rest of the cops, and Kate's special flavor in her cup. As they exit the elevator they run into a very pissed off Esposito, Rick thinks to himself Roy must have lowered the boom on him, and when he doesn't even acknowledge, Rick is sure that he just got his ass handed to him by the captain.
Kate heard the elevator ding, and faint smell of coffee, but she's done chasing ghosts, so she stays focused on her paperwork until she smells the distinctive aftershave of Rick and Jess is carrying her coffee again.
"Hey, I didn't expect to see you guys here, especially at this hour, is everything ok**" "Detective Beckett, can I see you in my office now please, and bring your friends," Roy booms across the bull pen. Kate looks up at Jess, then Rick, but both play it off like they know nothing and head to Roy's office.
Once inside Roy's office Jess hands Kate her coffee and is right by her side,
"Kate, we got some disturbing news this morning and I asked Rick and Jess to join us, it seems as if Detective Demming ended his life earlier this morning, unofficial cause at this point is Death by Hanging, I'm so sorry Kate, is there anything we can do?"
Kate is quiet for a few minutes then answers with a steady voice, "Yes, yes there is Roy, can we all go out for a drink tonight to celebrate the rest of my life, Demming has family to mourn him, but we need to celebrate the next chapter in mine. I forgave him a long time ago, now he has a higher judge, but I don't have time to stay stuck in his slime, I have a life I need to live."
"I'm so very proud of you Kate" Jess whispers as she draws her into a hug.
"Rick, Jess you came down here because you thought I would be upset or sad, and Roy I bet it was you that called them, right? Long pause before Roy and Rick both nod, then Kate looks at them and said "Thank You all for caring enough to do this, I know your calendars are full but when you think a friend is in need, you drop it all and come to help, I love you all too" she finishes with a smile.
"Let's celebrate the living, tonight, and the next chapter in my life, Jess, Rick can you make it even for just one drink?"
"We wouldn't miss it Kate" Jess immediately responds as Rick just nods.
Roy interrupts and says "well that's the main reason I brought them down Kate, but we have some other developments as well. Let's grab some of that good coffee before Espo steals it all for himself and adjourn to the large conference room."
They enter the room to find someone familiar waiting on them, "Detective, Jess, Rick please meet **" "Mike what the hell are you doing here" interrupts Rick
"I take it that you all have met, and if so when and how? This was a highly secret undercover mission." Roy disses,
"Well Roy, Rick and I served 8 years in the Marines together" Mike confesses and watches as Roy's lower jaw nearly hits the floor from shock, "We aren't allowed to disclose all the details but the notes in the briefing you got about me, apply to Rick as well"
"As for the lovely ladies I met last evening as we were discussing security for Lost Innocence Project, Jess will release the details she feels are necessary for that"
"OK Mike that covers our end, but What the hell are you doing here?" Rick glares
"As Captain Montgomery has said this was a highly secret under cover mission, with joint forces to flush out the Drug Lords of the 12th Precinct, mainly Vulcan Simmons" "I can report that his usefulness to the holder of his leash has expired, and he as well as 5 of his top aides were pulled from the Hudson River early this AM."
"Rick, I think the project has brought too much attention to the area to remain under the radar, so they chose to eliminate and relocate somewhere else. We are trying to insure it is not in the US and definitely not in NY." "It was also not a coincidence of the timing of Demming's suicide with the raids, since he had been traced back to being on Simmons payroll for years"
Kate has sat quiet through this all, but tears began to fall, and she finally mutters, "Rot in Hell you Bastard" as Jess collects her and they head to the Ladies Room.
Roy is still shaking his head "8 years in the Marines and not one person, in a room full of detectives picked up on it? Damn"
Mike looks over at Rick, "Well the good news is I am really between gigs now, so can you put in a good word for me with Jess?"
"I'll think about it," Rick tries to bluff but then they both start laughing, I'll talk to her Mike, same phone number or did you go all spy on us?
"Same number we'll talk soon."
No one could miss the charade and spectacle Esposito and Ryan had made of themselves trying to hear or see what was going on, Rick asked Roy, "So what are you going to tell the Bobsy Twins out there"
"I got that all figured out, I'm going to say that IA was here about the illegal football pools and other gambling going on and they were looking for candidates to serve on a task force, going to tell them I put their names in the hat." The room howled with laughter
Kate returned from the Ladies Room with Jess, and Roy gave her the rest of the day off. Jess insisted she come to the Loft, and after some persuasion, she agreed. Jess finally made use of the In-Home Spa service that Martha and Lexi had been using for years and the ladies were treated to massages, nails and finally hair done. Rick to their surprise had made reservations for three at Le Cierc where they had a great meal, then joined the 12th gang at the local bar to toast to Kate, Chapter Two, no one shed a tear for a Badge Bunny Magnet Detective now laying cold on a Morgue Slab, Karma had been served.
N/A Good place to stop. Next, we get more involved with Rick and the book and the day to day Project activities with Jess, stay tuned for where Kate shows up. I promised no Bracken and I am serious, not going that route, we used Simmons for Rick to test her reasoning, she passed
Thanks for the reads, favors and follow, leave a short review if you are inclined, all appreciated - Tim