AGAIN: I have no ownership, rights, connection of any kind to Castle. I also have no ownership rights to The Human Target, Suits, Numb3rs or their characters. Before I had been killing time waiting for the season to start. Now, I'm killing time because I'm not too thrilled with the new season but hey, it's only episode two.
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.
January 2, 2004
"Hi uncle Rick," little Mary Rose said as she scampered through Rick's front door and over to her redheaded cousin.
"Hey, sis," Rick said giving Serena kiss on the cheek, "You're a little early. Alexis just finished breakfast. She'll need a bit before she's ready to go."
"Sorry," she pulled Rick aside when she saw Kate at the table chatting away with the girls, and started speaking in a low voice, "She's still here and wearing a wedding ring. Something you want to tell me."
"No need to freak," he said in an equally low voice, "It was just a little joke. I slipped them on after she passed out from the Vodka. Now, the game is to see how long she can go without realizing she's still wearing them."
"For a man in love, you have an odd way of showing it."
"Odd women require odd methods. So, why are you early."
"Well she's trying to look at us very intently. It's killing her that she can't know. But I think the girls have her totally engaged and she doesn't seem to mind. She's good with them. And don't give me that look. I'm still not crazy about the idea of you and her, but I at least have a glimmer of hope now."
"She thinks Guerrero killed her mother."
A look of shock came over Serena's face.
"Where'd she get an idiotic idea like that."
"Thinking about what happened back then, I think she put two and two together and came up with negative four."
"You have to set her straight. The last thing we need is for her be stalking him all over the place. Why not just tell her?"
"Because that would require bringing up the second worst thing that ever happened to her and the also the fact that I know about it. She could shut down completely. I need her to talk about it."
"How are you going to get her to do that?"
"I don't know."
"Well, as long as you have a plan. By the way, Powell called."
"What did he say?"
"I think he still has a thing for your mother."
"Eww...so not what I wanted to know."
"Oh, grow up. Anyway, the person in question is on their way. But there's a twist. The job is just an audition. There is something bigger on the horizon. Are you pondering what I'm pondering."
'I'm pondering that I love it when people are so predictable. When do you think the first job will take place?"
"We need to keep a constant eye out, but Tuesday would be the best time."
"Agreed. Make whatever arrangements you need."
As little Mary Rose bounded up to the table to begin chatting with her cousin, Kate observed Rick and his sister off whispering together.
After all these years, that still pisses me off. The two of them off in the corner talking, shutting the rest of the world out. Why do I get the feeling they're talking about me. Just because you're paranoid, it doesn't mean someone isn't out to get you...or talk about you...or even marry you.
Then she realized Mary Rose was asking her something.
"I'm sorry sweetie, what did you ask me."
"What's that book?" she referred to a paperback sitting on the table, out of her reach.
"It's called the Life of Pi honey."
"Daddy's reading it," Alexis told her cousin, "I think it's silly. They didn't spell 'pie' right"
"And pies aren't alive so how can they have a life?" Mary Rose asked.
Kate smiled a broadly as the two little girls looked up to her with big wide eyes, seeking her wisdom. They are so adorable.
"Well, girls. The book is not about pie the food. It about a boy from India whose name is Piscine, but his family calls him Pi as nickname."
"Oh!" said the cousins in unison.
"But you're right. It is a silly book. I didn't like it very much. Come to think of it girls, never like a boy who has the same name as food. I learned that the hard way."
"We won't." they again said in unison, very seriously.
They are just too cute. Playing dirty Castle, using you adorable daughter and niece as a secret weapon.
Lanie Parish checked herself out in the mirror as Roland Clark came up behind her, wrapped his arms around her and started kissing her neck.
"Now tell me. Aren't you glad you glad I talked you into letting me take you out a second night in a row."
"Oh yeah," she said rolling her eyes like her best friend, turning around and putting her arms around Roland's neck, "Like I needed that much convincing. But I will say, Kate is wrong. Sometimes sequels are improvements."
"Ok little miss sassy. So what's your schedule like in the next few days."
"Packed. Dr. Saroyan's got booked solid or on call for the next week."
"Well, Camille is a good judge of talent. She wouldn't be working you so hard or let you work with us unless she thought you were a rising star."
Lanie then turned around and looked at him, raising an eyebrow.
"Camille, huh? You're on a first name basis with my boss," she raised an eyebrow,"My smoking hot boss. Something you want to tell me?"
"No need to be concerned," he said looking down at her with a glowing smile, "Camille was Rick's fling not mine."
"Oh really now. And how much did Rick fling the good doctor?"
"I think she's still hung up on him, even while she was dating that FBI guy."
"So," she says raping her arms around him and drawing him near, resting her chin on her chest, "Do I have to consider this information privileged?"
"Not all," Roland said with a wink knowing she would use the information to torture Kate.
Lanie chuckled at that, "Amen. So, Dr. Saroyan really thinks I'm a rising star."
"Please like you didn't know that little Miss I did the accelerated 6 year B.S.- M.D. program at Howard. Isobel did the same thing at Penn State. The stress made her so annoying we nearly disowned her."
Lanie laughed at that.
"OK, let's go. I need to make a quick stop by Rick's place before we head out," then he gave a mischievous smile, "Apparently, he had a very interesting house guest that you do not want to miss."
"Oh, really now?"
As they approached Kate and the girls, Serena put on a big genuine smile.
"Hello Kate, I understand you had a sleepover last night."
Kate raised an eyebrow ready for a verbal sparring match, "Yes I did. It was rather last minute thing."
"Well I'm glad to hear it."
"You are?" Kate raised a quizzical eyebrow.
"Alexis needs an adult influence at home."
"Hey, why does everyone gang up on me?"
"Because you deserve it," his surrogate sister with a cute smile.
"Yeah!" Kate and the girls followed up.
And there was another buzz at the door.
"And that ends round two of the Rick bashing," he said heading for the door.
Kate was laughing and enjoying herself until she heard the voice.
"So, Roland says you had an interesting house guest."
I wonder if there is anywhere I can dive for cover. Kate thinks to herself.
"And there she is," Lanie says with a giant grin that threatened to split her face in two.
"Mary Ro," Serena addressed her daughter, "Why don't you go with Alexis to her room and help her get ready."
"Ok" both girls said.
After the little girls were gone, Lanie turned to Kate smiling.
Kate got up and took her aside while the three surrogate siblings looked on amused.
"Lanie, I just had a little too much to drink and I needed a place to crash. Get your mind out of the gutter."
"Girl, my mind is no where near the gutter, not with this domestic scene. You're having breakfast with Castle and his family...and," grabbing Kate's hand saying in a very surprised tone, "wearing what appears to be a wedding band and engagement ring."
Kate looked at her hand in shock. I'm still wearing them. How the hell did I forget not to take them off.
"These...these aren't what you think."
"So, not a wedding band and engagement ring?"
"They are...but they don't mean anything. This was Castle's idea of a practical joke. He slipped them on me while I was asleep...in..his...bed?" Why did I just say that. I must still be hung over.
"Asleep in his bed?"
"Nothing happened." I think.
"And how did you get into his bed."
"I was waiting to see Castle at the bar. I had too much Vodka and nothing to eat since pop-tarts for breakfast so I was in no condition to drive the Harley. He just let me crash in his place."
"And why his bed instead of one the many guest rooms this place likely has?"
"You missed your calling. You should have gone to law school."
"That's not an answer girl."
Kate let out an exhale. Might as well get it all out now rather than a draw it out excruciatingly.
"Ok, he put me on the couch and went off to make me something to eat. Except, I was drunk and I was horny. And started stripping my clothes off. I made it down to just my bra and panties when I fell on his bed and went to sleep."
"And the rings. I don't see how he would come up with the idea for those...unless there is more."
"Fine, he wanted to make me think I went through...with…"
"Went through with what? You know if you don't tell me I will ask Castle."
"There is a gun for hire named Guerrero. I found out yesterday that he's Castle's Dutch Uncle. They're close."
"Is this Guerrero wanted for something?"
"No, nothing officially. He's very good. But, I have reason to believe he may have a connection to my mom's murder."
"Oh sweetie, I'm so sorry," Lanie said putting her hand on her arm in concern.
"Castle insists it's impossible. Anyway, after one too many shots of Vodka, I was so desperate that I told Castle that if he agreed turn him over, I would marry him right away."
"And you thought you had gone through with it."
"Only until my mind cleared and I caught on."
"And how long did it take you to catch on?"
"About the time he...uh...he…" she started blushing.
"He what?"
"He started laughing, ok"
Lanie then burst out laughing.
"It's not funny Lanie, he put these fake rings on me. I thought...I actually married him…"
"I hate to break it to you," Lanie said holding her hand, "But these rings aren't fake?"
"What do you mean they're not fake," Kate said in almost hysterical whisper.
"Trust me girl, I know my diamonds. And these are real."
"I think Lanie is enjoying her second favorite activity," Roland said observing his companion.
"The yanking of Kate's chain," Serena finished with a smirk.
"What's today's plan?" Roland asked.
"I'm going to take the girls ice skating. You're going over the office. Ethan has scouted out the likely places the Latin Kings are using as a storage and distribution point. He needs ground intel to confirm, but I think he's close.
"From what he's got so far, the set up is like we thought. They don't keep too much on hand, only enough for a couple of days as a precaution. Once they run low. They call for shipments from their outlying supply houses. We can't do what we need without finding those houses."
"I'm running analysis on possible transport routes and methods. I've also plugged in what we know about Coonan's charity operation. Then there are other factors," Roland responded, "Those houses will be in areas with little or no Latin King or any other gang activity. The houses are for storage only. They don't want any attention. They'll likely use houses and business that are Norman Rockwell Christmas white. We've cross referenced by people who were about to lose their homes and business but suddenly got a good survived with very little explanation."
"You may want to also look at similar setups that were recently bought for cash with very little haggling. See if any of the buyers have fake identities," Serena suggested, "Using desperate third parties is too unstable a situation for someone as controlled as Coonan. He would have his own people there, maybe guys he even served. That's another good datapoint."
"That brings up another possible filter," Roland suggested, "Coonan. isn't just ex-military, he's ex-Special Forces. Given his training and indoctrination, he's going to fall back on his training. We can apply military SOP to how he organizes."
"This military angle gets me worried. Coonan. hasn't stayed ahead this long just because of his connection to the Senator."
"It's likely, he has cops and agents on the payroll." Serena observed, "Big risk for a tip off. You don't have time to background check everyone."
"No we don't. So, let's bypass them entirely. He can't afford to get people in every armed local, state, and federal agency. We just have to make sure this falls into an area of some agency he won't see coming. Like...like...EPA, Fish And Wildlife, USDA...I know...IRS."
"Oh, that's cold brother," Roland said with a wicked smile."
"It doesn't matter what their warrants will say. Under exigent circumstances, they can still prosecute for anything illegal they find there. Also see about screwing with their gas, water, electricity, utilities in general. It could help us out if they don't have a working toilet in the place."
"Oh, that's hitting them where it hurts," Serena said with chuckle.
"So, brother," Roland says with a grin, "We're all going to be down there working while you go ice skating."
"Rank has it's privileges," Rick responded back with a grin, "Unless you want to go chasing two five years olds all over the ice."
"I'll be at the office."
"Serena, I need you to go ahead and get ready for Mr. Falco. Better early than late. Change of plan too. Here comes...we'll talk later."
"Castle!"
"Yes?" he answered innocently as possible.
"I thought you said these rings were props, fakes."
"No, I said that my mom's many romances had allowed me a good source of props. Technically, a prop doesn't have to be fake. It's just an item used in a performance."
"So, these are real?" she said holding up her left hand.
"Yes. Can I have them back now...I should put them back...and why are you smiling like you're about to get your revenge."
Two can play at this game.
"I don't think so Castle."
"Excuse me?"
"Well, you keep asking me to marry you? Maybe I'll keep the rings for a while, see how it feels. That won't be a problem will it?"
"No...no...it's...it's fine," Rick tried to recover smiling deviously, "Anything that might get you closer to the alter."
"And you're mommy won't mind?" she said pursing her lips in a mocking sweetie-pie voice
"If she even notices, I'll just blame it on Justin."
"Wouldn't be the first time," Roland said with a smirk.
Then Rick's cell phone rang and he looked at the caller id.
"Speak of the devil. It's Justin."
"Hey, what's up little brother? Ok, call you back in a second."
Roland, why don't you come with me, we'll use the landline in the study, he wants us on speaker."
As Rick began to dial the phone, Roland closed the study door.
"You knew she would keep the rings on didn't you?" Roland asked smiling.
"I hoped she would. If she didn't, she didn't. If she did, I wouldn't propose if I didn't trust in her integrity."
"It still amazes me how you've lived as long as you have."
After the boys headed into Rick's study, Kate, Serena, and Lanie sat around the table.
"So Lanie, what do you have planned for my brother today?"
"Nothing, I'm sorry to say," then she got a mischievous look, "Dr. Saroyan has me on a real tight schedule for a while."
"That sucks," Kate commented.
"By the way," Serena seemed to have picked up on Lanie's look, "How is Camille?"
"Great. She works me hard, but she's an awesome teacher. It's hard work, but it's not drudge work. I learn a lot. You know Dr. Saroyan?"
"Very well. Rick brought her around a lot when they were dating," that got Kate to stiffen up, "I thought she was great for him and Alexis really adored her. She still has Camille on that stepmom list hers. I was rooting for them to make it."
"So, why did they break up?" Lanie asked.
"I don't know if they actually ever officially broke up," Serena said suppressing a grin.
Kate choked on her coffee.
"Are you ok sweetie," Lanie asked barely suppressing a grin herself.
"Yeah, just a little surprised. You said they didn't break up?"
"Well, they went out and did other things. Before they agreed to be exclusive or anything, their schedules got the better of them. They couldn't sort it out. It's not like there was an official breakup moment. They just moved on. Though, from talking with her, I can tell she still has it bad for Ricky."
"You keep in touch? I guess being an insurance investigator, you guys must cross paths professionally." Kate inquired. I am so in denial...Lanie will eat me alive when she gets a chance
"Not as much as you would think, but we do hang out a lot. She's awesome."
"That's great." Kate said through almost gritted teeth. Camille has the approval of his favorite sister...and his daughter too. I shouldn't care...I shouldn't care...I want to scratch Camille Saroyan eyes out.
Rick and Roland came back, both men looked angry.
"What's wrong?" their sister asked. She was visibly concerned. She knew the difference about being upset with something professional and something personal. And if it was personal for both of them, it meant it involved the family.
"Are the girls still upstairs?" Rick asked.
"Yes, what's going on?"
"Andrew Sr. came by the office today."
"You're kidding," Serena blurted out angrily.
Kate noticed that she was fiddling with her watch which was on her right hand. Serena Kaye can be described as many things. Fidgety, is not one of them.
"Who's Andrew Sr.," Kate asked.
"It gets worse," Roland added somberly, his barely controlled rage causing him to ignore Kate's question.
Serena just looked between him and Rick waiting for elaboration.
"Apparently, he called in some favors and got special hearing for Andrew Jr."
"What kind of hearing?" Serena's eyes started to flash with anger as well. She leaned on the table and bowed her head down to get a hold of herself.
"One to see if he could serve out his sentence under house arrest under electronic monitoring."
"Who's Andrew Sr.?" Lanie jumped in, "For that matter, who's Andrew Jr."
"Andrew Slaughter Sr.," Serena finally told them, "Ethan's father. Andrew Slaughter Jr. is Ethan's older brother and the apple of their father's eye. Junior is currently serving a multiple sentences for securities fraud and other white collar crimes. He should be in prison for the rest of his life. What did he want with Ethan?"
"He wanted Ethan to put in a good word with the board," Rick barely got the words out.
"How dare he," Serena's face was red and her eyes were actually tearing up, she did her best to control her voice not wanting the little girls to hear her, "He's lucky we kept Ethan from killing that piece of genetic refuse!"
"Serena, calm down," Rick said.
"Calm down!" she snapped back, "This isn't happening Rick. You understand me? The only way he leaves prison is feet first."
"I know," he responded taking her into a big hug, stroking her hair.
The move did not go unnoticed by Kate. Tears were coming down Serena's cheeks.
They are getting way too angry over some white collar criminal.
"I'm sorry," Rick said to Kate and Lanie, "It's a private family matter. We shouldn't be having this out in front of you."
"Excuse me," Serena said releasing Rick, "I need to go freshen up. I don't want Alexis and Mary Ro to see me like this."
"Lanie?" Roland said to her gently.
"Yes."
"Justin also had another reason that called. He's working on something and he really needs your help with today."
"Roland, I'd love to help, but I told you Dr. Saroyan has me booked solid."
"Rick?" Roland looked at him.
Rick took out his cell phone and dialed.
"Camille, it's Rick Castle...I'm fine and Alexis is great, growing up too fast I'm taking her and Mary Ro ice skating today...I'll send her your love...listen I need a big favor. I was wondering if I could have Lanie Parish for the day…no I'm not trying to get Roland a booty call funny. Justin has this situation he's working on. I can't go into it too much over the phone, but he needs someone with medical forensic training and knows the OCME procedures...oh...hey I understand...if she can't spare the training hours. I don't want to hurt her career…
"You will...awesome. I will tell Justin to expect you. Thanks, I appreciate it Camy."
Great he has a cute nickname for her. Kate thought to herself And from the sound of that conversation, she just wormed her way into his office...and possibly something else.
"Ok, Lanie looks like you still have to go to school today. Cam will help us out."
He then picked up his phone.
"Hey Justin, we can't get Lanie but Cam agreed to come over this morning…yeah, make sure she fills out all the appropriate confidentiality paperwork. I don't want a repeat of last time. Oh, and I almost forgot, Jordan will be stopping by...yeah I told her about that….ok Thanks."
It's the freaking ghosts of girlfriends past. Kate as getting angry now. Why doesn't he just start a harem?
"Kate."
She snapped out of her funk when she heard him call her name.
"You'd better get your bike and head to your place. Just give me a call when you're about ready. The girls and I will swing by to pick you up."
"Wait," Lanie said raising an eyebrow at Kate, "You're going with them?"
"Yeah," Rick answered, "We convinced Kate to come skating with us at Rockefeller Center."
"Hey, you try saying no to those two," Kate protested her innocence with a smile,"It's like a wall of adorable cuteness." Besides, whatever will keep Rick away from Jordan and Camille. Oh crap, here I go again.
"But, I thought you always went skating on January 2?" Lanie asked.
Thanks a lot Lanie.
"She does?" Rick asked with gotcha look.
"Yeah, it's like an annual tradition with her."
"Oh really?"
"After this morning, do not even start with me Castle."
AGAIN: I have no ownership, rights, connection of any kind to Castle. I also have no ownership rights to The Human Target, Suits, Numb3rs, Bones, or their characters. Before I had been killing time waiting for the season to start. Now, I'm killing time because I'm not too thrilled with the new season but hey, it's only episode two.
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: In 2004, Bones character Camille Saroyan was still a coroner in New York City. She did not move to D.C. until 2006.
I could have made up a similar character, but I've crushed Tamara Taylor was hot ever since her one season on 'Party of Five'. Also, she was played the 'Teacher' in the beginning of the Firefly movie. And like Stana, she is a totally hot Canadian. Hmmm...Stana, Tamara, Grace Park, Tricia Helfer, I need to move to Canada. God Save The Queen.