AGAIN: I have no ownership, rights, connection of any kind to Castle. I'm just killing time until the new season. I also have no ownership rights to The Human Target or its characters.
The characters of Roland, Justin, Elise, Vanessa, Isobel, and Mary Rose are my own creations.
All reviews welcome. I only ask that you be polite and constructive. Feel free to point out grammatical, spelling, or factual errors. I do a lot of editing so sometimes cut and paste errors may slip through. Please let me know.
AN: One other point, I may soon change the rating on this story as Kate will start to reveal a much darker side to herself in how she deals with her issues. And I do mean when it comes to physical relationships.
Finally, I am sorry this chapter took so long. The Interlacing of scenes is not easy and I'm still getting the hang of it
MEETING ROOM
"Come my dear," Martha Rodgers said taking hold of Kate's hand to lead her back to the party, "You're young, you should go have some fun."
"If you don't mind Ms. Rodgers…" Kate saw the older woman give her a big smile and shake of her head, "I mean, if you don't mind Martha, I need a moment to clear my thoughts. Please. I promise not to snoop."
"Of course my dear, and I'm not worried. That bunch is so paranoid about their security that if there was anything worth snooping in here, I wouldn't have been able to get in much less Meredith."
With that, Martha Rodgers exited with great panache. Kate looked at the room. She started looking at the two that adorned the space, on opposite sides. They both were encased in protective glass cases embedded in the walls.
They were so different. One was of some medieval like battle scene. It fit with the spirit of the room. A man in armor, wearing a crown, his foot on a fallen enemy ready to face several more coming at him.
However, it was the other one that she focused on.
"You like it?" a male voice she recognized spoke from behind her. It was Rick Castle.
THE VIP ROOM
"Calm down bro," Esposito said to a fidgeting.
"Yeah," Lanie agreed, "I'm sure she'll be back soon."
"I don't know what you're talking about." he lied to no effect.
They were seated at one of the many small, circular high tables in the VIP area.
"Oh please," Lanie said with an amused scoff, "Your head is has been obsessively turning all over the place looking for that little redheaded number who was practically using you as a scratching post. If you're not careful, your head is going to turn 180 degrees."
"She..she was interesting, but I wouldn't say I'm obsessive."
"Really bro," Espo said smirking, "So, it wouldn't rile you any if I said she was walking up behind you."
"Yea, very funny Javi."
Then he saw the look Lanie was giving him and the slight nod of her head.
"Hello, Kevin."
MEETING ROOM
"It's beautiful. It's of all you isn't it?"
"Is it now?" he said playfully.
"Please, ten children holding hands in a circle," she then cocked her head to the side, "Strange though…"
"What is?"
"They're heads are all bowed as if in prayer. You'd expect such a scene to be somber. Instead, the artists use of bright and vibrant color combinations conveys a happy scene. You can't even see their faces, but I can tell who each one of them is. And I can tell they're happy."
Kate then moved closer to the painting.
"This case, I've seen similar ones. It completely seals the work and protects it from the elements, smoke, fire, water damage, etc. It must have cost a small fortune."
"The price was unimportant."
"M R L," she softly read the artists signature, "Mary Rose?"
"Mary Rose Lancaster," he said nodding, "She was an incredibly talented artist even as a small child, like Mozart. Painting, sculpting, you name it, she could master it.
"That's the original of one of her last works. Each of us has a print. It's one she did from the heart for all of us. It's of a very special day, a very special memory.
THE VIP ROOM
"I'm sorry I had to disappear like that on you," Elise said taking a chair at their table, "Minor family drama."
"It's alright. I was just…"
"He was just scanning the room for you high and low for you every second, praying you would came back."
"Thanks, Lanie," the Irishman said blushing.
"Oh, I think that's kind of sweet," Elise said stroking Kevin's arm and giving a quick peck on the cheek.
Ryan almost melted.
"Whoa," Espo said when something caught his eye.
"What's wrong Javi," Lanie asked.
"Elise, I think I know the guy who's talking to your sister over there."
"You mean the guy who looks like the guy from La Bamba?," Kevin asked.
"Seriously bro, that's your point of reference, Ritchie Valens."
"Hey, I liked that movie."
"Oh, you mean Vanessa's date," the redhead said turning in her seat to get a better look, "That's Ian. I guess he sort of does look like a younger Lou Diamond Phillips."
"Ian Edgerton?"
"That's him."
"You know him Javi?" Lanie asked.
"I met him a couple of times in Afghanistan. The guys a legend in Special Ops."
"He's a sniper?"
"No, bro. I'm a sniper. He's a sniper who trains snipers. He's like the fourth best marksman in entire U.S and possibly the best tracker. They say he's the bastard son of Clint Eastwood and Yoda."
"Oh gross", Kevin said making a face, "Thanks for that imagery and ruining both Star Wars and Dirty Harry."
"Man up Ryan," Javi said with smirk before turning to Elise, "And he's dating your sister?"
"I wouldn't call it dating exactly. He consults with her company every so often, training her people in counter-sniper methods," Elise said with sly smile, "Of course, every time he comes to town, Vanessa has to buy a new bed."
"I suppose it's like Rick and Jordan."
THE MEETING ROOM
"Have you studied art much?"
"Me, no at least not formally," she said turning to face him, "My mom loved art and would take me to different museums whenever she could. I used to love spending the day walking just walking through the collections."
"In fact," she said with a playful smirk, "The closest I got to taking an art class was posing for one as a model." Let's have some fun with him.
"Wait...posing in…"
"Not a stitch." She said turning her back to him with a wicked smile on her face.
"I guess," he said taking a good look at her magnificent rear, "It's time for some new art acquisitions."
She quickly turned around with playful tilt of her head, "Fine, give it your best shot. It's not like they kept them after all this time."
"You'd be surprised how long they hold on to some things, specially if the professor had more than a passing interest in the model. Did the professor have more than a passing interest?"
Kate blushed intensely.
"Oh, I see one did. Hmmm...should be a good story. May have to research that as well."
"Fine, whatever," Kate said trying to hide how flustered and terrified she is, "Just as well. You'd better hope you find those paintings because they are the only way you'll ever see me naked. I hope you're all very happy together."
Rick just stared at her with a mischievous grin, looking her up and down.
God he's such a jackass. He's actually picturing me posing nude and doesn't care if i know it.
THE VIP ROOM
"Jordan?" Lanie said her eyes widening.
"Jordan Shaw, Rick's date. She's an FBI profiler. Whenever she comes into town, Rick is ultra-pleasant to live with for a while."
"So, she's here?" Lanie asked.
"Ah, no. She's running a little late. She should be here any time though. I know she's worked some cases with NYPD, do you any of you know her?"
"Yeah," Kevin said innocently, "Didn't you and Beckett work a case with her a couple of years back?"
"Actually, we did," Lanie said nervously taking a sip of her drink, "It was tough one."
Where the hell is Kate? Lanie thought to herself trying to hide the panic.
"The answer is yes, Kevin" Elise said breaking Lanie's train of thought.
"Yes...to what?"
"You were just about to ask me to dance?" she said with a playful smile as she took his hand and led him to the dance floor.
"I guess I was," he said looking back to Javi and Lanie.
"That's Castle's sister alright," Lanie said with an amused grin and a roll of the eyes that would do Kate proud.
"How about you Chica, you want to dance?"
She almost said no, wanting to find Kate and let her know Jordan was going to be here. Then she thought, a little surprise might be just good for her. Besides, if I tell her, she might bolt for the door OR kill Castle. How did he know or did he?
"Love to Javi." And they headed for the dance floor.
THE MEETING ROOM
"So," Kate said desperately trying to change the subject, "I had the impression you and Serena were going to ring in the New Year privately."
"Ewww. That's my sister you're talking about."
"She's not really your sister."
Rick gave her a hostile don't even think about going there look.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that." she said putting her hands up in mock surrender, "I'm not sure where that came from."
"You've always thought there was something between Serena and myself. I don't any jealousy from Zalman and he's her date tonight."
"Zalman? She's dating Zalman Drake? Drake's Magic Shop Zalman Drake?"
"Oh yeah, she's had a crush on him since we were kids."
"Wait a minute. All those times she came down to the shop with you, it was because..."
"She wanted to see Zalman, yeah. Poor guy was so oblivious that she pretty much gave up until recently. Well, I guess all those years of you being jealous seem kind of silly now."
"I am not jealous of Serena."
"You're right. Jealousy is the irrational fear of losing something or someone that is yours. Envy is when want something or someone that belongs to another. So you're envious of Serena unless you are under the belief that I somehow belong to you."
"Why you arrogant...moronic...scruffy looking…"
"I think the next word you're looking for is Nerf Herder."
"Ugh!" she finally lets out her frustration balling her fists and shaking them in front of her.
"Something I said?"
"Listen carefully," she says through clenched teeth poking his chest with her index finger, "I am not jealous. I am not envious. I was just curious about what the big deal was that she had to talk to you in private in what seems to be your own Batcave."
"Hmmm...Batman fan, figures."
"Why?"
"Similar origin stories, loss of a loved one leads to a life fighting crime."
"Yes, well you're the multimillionaire crime fighter."
"True, but that description also fits Green Arrow, Iron Man, The Shadow, The Green Hornet, Moon Knight, and The Phantom none of whom lost anyone to take up their calling."
"Ah but the first Phantom took up the role in 1563 to avenge his father's murder at the hands of the Singh Brotherhood."
"It's surprisingly hot that you would even know that."
"You didn't answer my question."
"If you must know, Serena wanted to discuss you."
ON THE DANCE FLOOR
"Have you been a homicide detective long, Kevin?" Elise asked slow dancing with the Irish Cop.
"Actually, Esposito and I aren't detectives. We're still uniforms attached to homicide."
"Dumpster diving and other such glamorous tasks?"
"Exactly," he answered with a chuckle, "We do all the glory work."
"Do you want to make detective or do you want to stay in uniform?"
"Oh, I definitely want to be a homicide detective. I have a ways to wait though. Javi is likely next up. I'm the most junior. What do you do."
"I guess," she said whispering in his ear, "No more undercover work for you, Fenton O'Connell, at least not the police kind."
Ryan's quickly separated from her, his eyes grew wide, and he almost had a panic attack.
"Relax," she said smiling and pulling his body to her so she could continue whispering in his year, "
"How do you know that name?" he whispered in her ear.
"I created you legend."
"My legend?"
"Your cover, but the term doesn't do justice to what I created. Legend term from the Cold War, coined by the East German Secret Police, the Stazi. It's a false identity so complete that it could withstand any scrutiny no matter how far back they looked."
"Tell me about, you had pictures and records going back to kindergarden. You even made him my third cousin."
"That way, if you ran into anyone who knew you as Kevin Ryan, it could be explained as family resemblance. It actually saved your life once as I recall."
"Yeah, I ran into an old girlfriend from high school. Thank you."
"You are most welcome," she said before planting a deep kiss on him. Her tongue didn't have to fight hard to get access to his mouth.
After a moment, the Irishman had to come up for air.
"Wow...that was…."
"Just the start of you showing me your appreciation, but that's for after the party."
"OK" he said in a slightly high-pitched voice
THE MEETING ROOM
"Me?"
"She's thinks my interest in you could be unhealthy."
And about to get very unhealthy, very quickly. Why didn't I bring my gun? Kate thought to herself as she glared at him.
"Serena doesn't approve of me?" Of course she doesn't. Probably wants the job for herself. Who is that blonde bimbo to...what I am I saying. Aaaaaggggg!
"Yeah, she said you're a train wreck. Actually, she said something like you're a series of ongoing train wrecks, each new train piling into the last."
"And you disagreed with her." Here comes the part where he defends me to his beloved Serenity.
"Oh no, you're a complete mess, a walking bundle of emotional disasters."
"Oh gee," she said rolling her eyes with a sarcasm that barely hid some hurt from his statement, "you really know how to woo a girl."
"Kate, you're broken, damaged, wounded…"
"I get the picture."
"Anyway, she thinks I'm risking too much for myself and Alexis by trying to get involved with you. Considering your track record with relationships and your work obsession, she thinks it will be only a matter of time before you either sabotage the relationship or simply bolt. She think's the odds don't make you worth the risk.
"That's the part I disagree with her about. I think you are worth the risk."
Kate looked into his piercing blue eyes and they radiated sincerity. That stopped her dead in her tracks. This is ridiculous. It has to be another one of his little maneuvers in whatever sick game he is playing. He can't mean any of this. Not now…it's too late.
"First, Castle, I don't plan to be in a relationship with you, now or ever so the point moot. Second, she doesn't mind you telling me all this?"
"Well, if we are counting off. First, if it's moot then you wouldn't have asked the second. And as to the second, she kind of insisted on it actually.
"She thinks it's too late and that I'm in love with you already. She thinks me telling how I feel now will make you bolt and the problem will solve itself."
"So, now you're going to tell me you love me" she said with sarcastic and humorous tone. Come on Castle, comeback with some smart ass remark so we can end this.
"Yes, I do."
"No, you don't," she said angrily slapping him across the face.
ON THE DANCE FLOOR
"Why didn't you mention you were with the department" Kevin asked.
"I'm not. I did it as a favor for Rick since the three guys before you were made as cops so quickly, the Bobby and his crew didn't even bother to whack them."
"So, what do you do?"
"I run a software company, Ronin Enterprises."
Kevin suddenly stopped dancing, "You're...you're Elise Cantrell."
"Yes, I know Kevin. We were already introduced."
"No, I mean. The Elise Cantrell. I was reading about you in Inc. magazine."
"It's a dance floor Kevin. It looks weird if you're not dancing."
"Oh, I'm sorry." he started dancing again.
"Just don't tell Esposito, he'll never let me live it down. Some detective I am."
"Well, in your defense, I haven't been associated with any murders."
He laughed and relaxed.
THE MEETING ROOM
"OK, that's not the response I was hoping for," he responded rubbing the side of his face, "Actually any of the ones I was expecting."
"What do you mean?"
"When someone says how they feel, specially if they say they love you, you're supposed to respond with how you feel. You're not supposed to correct them with a slap across the face. That's just rude."
"You can't love me," she says shaking her head and ignoring his quip, "You don't even know me. It makes no sense. You work with computers, numbers, information, and logic. Does this sound logical to you at all?"
"A man in love is not logical."
"Stop saying that." Kate was frustrated to the point of tears so she turns her back to him, "It's too late for that."
"What do you mean too late?"
"Oh I have to make sense when you don't?"
"Hey, that's different."
"How is it different, Castle."
"My words make sense. It's my actions, thoughts, and feelings may not, at least according to you. Your words make no sense."
I really need to change the subject. I can't get into this now. Kate thought to herself.
"And you can handle your sister not liking me?"
"Oh, she likes you. In fact, she likes a little too much for my comfort."
"Meaning…"
"If she didn't have a boyfriend, she wouldn't mind dating you herself."
"Ooh," maybe this was the wrong topic to switch to.
"I mean," Rick said turning his back to her to hide devious smile, "It's not like it would be the first time either of you traveled the other side of the street."
"What?" all the color drained from Kate's face and her mouth just hung open. He can't possibly know.
ON THE DANCE FLOOR
"Kevin, is something wrong, you seem nervous."
"It's...well...your three very scary looking brothers are looking at me the way my prom date's father looked at me while he was showing me his gun collection."
"Oh, don't worry about them," she said laughing, "They're just messing with you. They know I can take care of myself."
"Really?"
"Really. In fact, it's very likely they're taking a pool on how long it will take you to be able to walk in straight line again after tonight."
He then snapped his head and looked at her, "You're not not joking are you?"
"Only that they are taking a bets, not why."
"Come on, let's sit for a bit. I'm basically a tomboy. I'm not used to these shoes. That's Serna and Vanessa's thing."
"OK. So you're not big into wearing heels."
"Yeah," she said turning and stroking his chin, "I just like to put them on during sex."
Kevin exhaled in a wheeze. Elise just grinned at him mischievously.
THE MEETING ROOM
"Well, Serena has dated women before," he said turning to face her now that he has facial muscles under control, "And then there was you and Jordan Shaw."
"What...what...do you know about Jordan?"
"Really, hot FBI profiler. She worked a string of prostitute murders with the NYPD a few years back. You and Mike Royce were assigned as support personnel. You fit the killers type so they used as live bait a couple of times.
"She was in the middle of a bad divorce. You and Mike were in the middle of your break up. During the case and for a time afterwards, she was your only lesbian relationship, at least that I know of. At the same time, she started a relationship with Mike. He knew about you, but you didn't know about him. You found out. You broke it off with Jordan.. She and Mike broke it off a little while later. Was that a good summary?"
"Perfect, mind telling me how you know all this?" she said with an 'I'll kill if you don't talk' look, "Did Mike tell you in his interview. You guys bond over some stories about me?"
"Oh no, Mike was very discreet when it came to you. He didn't even mention that you two were involved. And, for the record, I never asked."
"Well, you didn't need to, did you now?"
"Yeah, I was hoping to gloss over that part."
"How did you find out?"
"Well, Jordan worked with my team a few months back to help refine our information correlation matrix for serial cases.
"And what, one day in the break room she tells you about me over coffee?"
"Actually, I don't like coffee or any hot drinks for that matter. Shortly after we started the work, Jordan and I started seeing each other. I guess I'm lucky you both went back to guys."
"You're dating Jordan?"
"I wouldn't call it dating, really. It's very casual, more like friends with benefits. She's also my date for tonight, but she's running late due to a case. "
The color in Kate's face returned. At first it looked like she was blushing, but this was pure rage.
Again through clenched teeth, "And how did she end up telling you about me."
"She kinda had too. She screamed a couple of times during sex, and she felt I deserved an explanation."
Kate had lost the power to speak or blink.
"I'm kidding. We started seeing each other. She's a top FBI profiler. She knows how to read people. I told her about Evelyn trying to set us up and how disappointed I was that you wouldn't agree. And…"
"And what," Kate asked...knowing she wouldn't like the answer whatever it was.
"She figured that knowing about you two…the imagery in mind….would….make the sex better. And it did. Not that it was bad before. It was phenomenal. But after that, whole new levels."
ON THE DANCE FLOOR
"What are you looking at that's amusing," Kevin asked noticing that Elise was staring off and had a goofy grin.
"Turn with about 90 degrees to your right," as they did she continued, "That's my baby brother Justin dancing with the redhead in the gold dress."
"Do you know her?"
"She works civilian tech on their team. He's been crushing on her since she started. I'm just happy he got up the nerve to ask her to this. So you know what that means."
"What?"
"We need to maneuver that way so I can tease him a bit."
"You're awful," he said lightheartedly.
"It's what big sisters do."
"Tell me about," he said laughing as the moved over to Justin and Natalie.
"Oh oh," Justin said to his date.
"What is it?"
"My sister, Leecy, and her friend are slowly dancing there towards us. So, please don't let any embarrassing stories she tells you make you think less of me even they are likely true."
"I promise," Natalie responded giggling.
At that moment there was a tap on Justin's shoulder.
"Hey let me cut in and let the lady dance with whose she's been waiting for all night," the guy was 6' 5", blonde, muscular, in his early 30's, and apparently very drunk.
"Do you know this...person?" Justin asked.
"Never seen him before in my life, and I certainly haven't been waiting for him."
"You heard the lady, friend. She's not interested."
"Aww, she just doesn't know what she's been missing," drunk mountain responded and put his hand on her shoulder.
"Hey, that's enough," Justin said knocking his hand away and placing himself to shield Natalie from the guy's advances.
Suddenly, the delivered a right cross to Justin's face and he went down on the ground and was bringing his right leg back to deliver a kick to the vulnerable Justin.
In an instant, before the drunk could connect, Elise bolted towards the drunk. A hit to his larinex stunned him and an instant follow up hit the back of his left leg knocked him off balance. A third hit to his back sent him falling forward. As he was going down, she grabbed his right arm. In seconds, she had him immobilized face first on the ground with her heel to his back and his right arm twisted behind as if she was about to tear it off.
The drunk was now struggling pain and call her multiple expletives. The others on the dance floor had stopped and moved back due to the commotion. They didn't seem too concerned once Elise had the bully down.
Javi and Lanie came up to Kevin's side.
"Dude," the hispanic officer whispered to his partner, "Your new lady is a real badass."
"Yeah," Kevin responded with a big grin, "Isn't she though?"
A few seconds later, Ethan arrived with two security men even larger than the drunk guy. The security was not necessary. Ethan was hauling the guy away without much problem. The guests returned to dancing and revelry. Such things occasionally happen on New Years.
Tapping her earbud, Elise talked to her sisters, "I'll look after Justin. Someone better go make sure Ethan doesn't kill that idiot."
Kevin and Javi helped get Justin to his feet and they all moved back to the VIP room.
THE MEETING ROOM
"OK, you want to know about my feelings," she was practically hyperventilating from the anger, "I hate you Castle, I want you die."
"No, you don't."
She just glared at him.
"Hey, I can be rude too."
"Obviously," she said calming down a little.
"Hey, at least I didn't slap you."
"Why are you doing this? Why are you messing in my life? Is it because I wouldn't go on a blind date with you. Is that why you're sleeping with Jordan and hired Mike for a job?"
"If I did it the other way around, I would be deeply confused about why I'm telling I love you."
"Please, no more of schtick. Be serious."
"Do you think me so petty that I would do all that just because you turned down a blind date with me?"
"Actually, I do."
"Actually, I would. Fair enough. You might be right that I am that petty, but that's not what's driving this. I met Jordan because of a case. She was smart, attractive, funny, and willing to go out with me. We have a very casual relationship that is fun.
"I needed someone with Mike Royce's skill set and background who would fit into my team. I trust Roy's judgement, and I asked him for a recommendation. It was a very short list and Mike was at the top. I've been trying to recruit him for 7 months. I interviewed the others. Mike was the only who would work. He finally agreed."
"And Mags?"
"OK, that one was about impressing you. Sue me. I gave your best friend from high school a phenomenal opportunity that she is totally qualified for. I was honest about it with her and I'm honest about it with you.
"And if you've cooled down, you would realize that your logic is silly. You're saying I'm dating Jordan because she had a relationship with you. But she's the one who told me about her relationship with you. That's kind of a paradox don't you think?"
"Well, maybe you heard rumors and decided to confirm it."
"What rumors. You guys were very discrete. If there were any rumors, you would have heard them long before me. I'm not even in the same department."
Kate finally bowed her head. She couldn't take much more of this. He knew too much about her. So decided try one more tactic.
VIP ROOM
Kevin and Javier helped Justin to a chair while a terrified Natalie looked on, comforted by Elise.
Once he was seated, Lanie began a cursory examination of Justin as she saw Isobel approach.
"How's he doing Lanie?" Isobel asked with a very concerned look.
"He seems to be ok, Do you want to take a look."
Then, a tall, dark, and handsome young man in a black tux carrying a doctor's medical bag approached.
"This is my date, Josh Davidson. He's a resident in the trauma unit."
"Well, I see Justin is in good hands. If you guys are good, I'm going to go see what happened to Kate."
STORAGE ROOM
Ethan threw the drunk into the storage closet and he went tumbling clear across the room until he hit the back wall.
Before he could follow up, Collin and Roland arrived and were holding him back.
"Come on brother," Collin tried to calm him down, "You know what Rick said. He doesn't want anything ruining New Years Eve."
"I'm not going to ruin anything," Ethan said with an evil smile, "Drunk mountain and I need to discuss his future as an organ donor."
"Hey," the drunk said getting up and charging, "Who do you think you are."
"Shut up!" Collin and Roland said at the same time as the both punched him sending him flying back into the wall, again.
"Hey, I wanted to do that," Ethan pouted.
"Why should you have all the fun?" Roland said. They all broke out laughing.
"You guys are so screwed," the drunk said trying to get up and falling down then pulling his badge out of his coat, "I'm a cop."
"That," said a voice from just outside the doorway, "Remains to be seen."
THE MEETING ROOM
"So, is that what all this declaration of love is about," she said changing her tone from rage to sultry and walking towards him swaying her hips provocatively, "Are you hoping to fulfill your threesome fantasy with Jordan and myself. Do all the things you only imagined."
As she moved closer, he backed up, but there was no look of nervousness in his eyes. There was amusement and a good deal of arousal.
"No," he said in a barely audible whisper.
"And why should I believe you?"
"Because when it comes to you, I don't believe in sex before marriage."
"You what?" she scoffs, almost laughing, "You...you..don't believe in premarital sex?"
"You need to listen more carefully. I said I don't believe in it with you. I will not have sex with you, with or without Jordan's presence, until you marry me first."
"You're insane."
"Possible. Still, I slept with both my ex-wives before we got married. I'd thought I change it up a bit this time. Also, all your relationships with have been passionate short term ones that seem destined to implode. That's what I'm looking for."
"And a marriage certificate guarantees it won't implode?"
"There are no guarantees Kate, but considering how you idolize you parents' marriage, you would not be so quick enter into it unless you wanted it to have a chance to go the distance."
"Just so there is no misunderstanding, that was a proposal. If you like, you can call Tiffany's tomorrow. Ask for Mr. Paul Varjak."
"Why?"
"For the ring of course," he said leaving the room.
"Of course," is all she could say. She was so stunned she was barely able to speak or move.
STORAGE ROOM
"Captain Montgomery?" the drunk cop said from the floor.
"I come out to a friend's bar with the missus to enjoy New Years, one of the few over the years where I haven't had to work. And I have deal with a drunk imbecile rather than dance with my lovely wife. I am not a happy man Detective Baker."
"So, he is one of yours?" Collin said derisively.
"Yes, meet Detective Norman Baker from robbery."
"Norman," all three brothers said simultaneously, snickering.
"Sir," Baker said ignoring them, "I want to press charges against these three for assaulting a police officer."
"I'm sure you do, detective. Of course, you have not witnesses while they have a room full of witnesses to you being drunk, disorderly, and assaulting a state trooper."
"State trooper?"
"The guy you punched," Montgomery continued, "Also, in addition to being State Troopers as well, these three gentlemen are his brothers."
A noticeably confused Baker looked at Roland, "You guys are brothers."
"Of course," Roland replied, "I just got back from vacationing in Miami and I haven't lost my tan yet."
"How long have you been saving that one," Ethan said sarcastically.
"Couple of years. I wanted to save it for a special occasion."
"Nice," Collin commented, grinding.
"Back to my imbecile problem," Montgomery interjected, "I really would like to avoid paperwork tonight."
"Alright Captain," Colin answered, "Justin seems to be ok. You man was too tipsy do much damage. The fall probably hurt worse than the punch. In the spirit of the holidays, we'll let him leave, a cab of course. Alright?"
Everyone nodded their head in agreement except Ethan who eventually gave in under prodding from his brothers.
"I'll show him to the door," Ethan volunteered.
"No," Colin said holding up his hand, "Roland and I will."
"Can't blame a guy for trying."
"And Baker." Montgomery said as they were leaving.
"Sir?"
"I would forget this ever happened if I were you. You're lucky. I know these men well. And messing with their baby brother...well...wouldn't be able to identify what's left of you with DNA."
"Yes, sir" that sobered him up a bit.
AGAIN: I have no ownership, rights, connection of any kind to Castle. I'm just killing time until the new season. I also have no ownership rights to The Human Target or its characters.
The characters of Roland, Justin, Elise, Vanessa, Isobel, and Mary Rose are my own creations.
All reviews welcome. I only ask that you be polite and constructive. Feel free to point out grammatical, spelling, or factual errors. I do a lot of editing so sometimes cut and paste errors may slip through. Please let me know.
AN: One other point, I may soon change the rating on this story as Kate will start to reveal a much darker side to herself in how she deals with her issues. And I do mean when it comes to physical relationships.
Finally, I am sorry this chapter took so long. The Interlacing of scenes is not easy and I'm still getting the hang of it