Genre: Drama, Crime, Romance, Family, Humor
Rating: M for sexual situations and language
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters featured on the show Castle, they belong to the creator of the show, ABC, and the others who do own them.
A/N #1: Great to get the feedback I did for the last chapter so will get right to my thank yous for that! TORONTOSUN (I was pleased to read that you thought the first half of the chapter was good memories for Beckett and the family. And wasn't surprised to see you put Always for the second half with Beckett's time with Castle at night),
Mb (Really nice to see that you thought it was once again a beautifully written chapter, both halves of it. I'm not surprised that you can feel Beckett's fear and frustration too with Castle unconscious too along with not knowing when he'll wake up, it's what I was trying to convey so great you thought that! And I'm also glad that you think too that though the pregnancy is amplifying her feelings Beckett would still have those same feelings as I see that she would be like that, regardless as you put it. I was pleased you loved the story that Beckett told the girls of Eliza's first Christmas since I loved writing it. So great you thought it was beautifully written, both halves, and the thank you was nice of you to say! Really happy that you loved the flashbacks that are feeling the missing scenes that fill in the gaps of their history since of course that's why I put them in. Not surprised you could feel Beckett's sorrow at seeing Castle in the hospital bed being as still as he was. And you made a good point, Castle and Beckett are definitely vibrant both together and then with their family, plus as you said Castle's always in motion, so I'm not surprised that seeing Castle still as he is is disconcerting to both Beckett and you as well. You're very welcome for sharing the chapter!),
vetgirlmx (I was really glad that you loved this chapter, and I'm not surprised at all that you loved this one because of the flashbacks, I know you do love them. I do remember you saying you liked seeing Eliza asking for stories, so I wasn't surprised that you liked it here. And you're right, there was a lot missed with Eliza as a baby while you've had a lot with Julia, but now you're getting that, lol. And I'm really happy that you think it's a nice thing that Julia told her part of the story too, I figured she should since like you said she's old enough to remember a lot of that time period. Another think that didn't surprise me was how you were panicking when Julia said goodnight to Castle, figured that would happen with readers seeing that. And not surprised you're hoping she doesn't have to remember if she ever does. I did laugh a bit to see you saying that you feel like Castle's about to wake up since you added the it's about darn time too, lol, but I am happy that you're eager for it since you obviously want to read more and now you can!) and
MsNYC (It wasn't a surprise to see that you could tell the family was really in pain with Castle's situation. The same with Julia breaking your heart apologizing to Castle for being afraid of her when she was little. And I figured you would ask too if Julia's going to remember anything from before she lost her memory so turns out I was right. Sorry about psyching you out about the bit with what Beckett did to Castle their first night together. I've thought about that a lot after seeing the eppy After the Storm, but I can't figure out what exactly it could be that she would have done that would warrant a vague discussion like there was, lol, nothing's coming to mind. I was really happy to read that you thought this chapter was the best for the story. And of course, pleased to read that you thought it was great writing as usual. No surprise you thought the flashbacks were amazing but I'm glad you did!).
Thanks so much for the reviews, I loved reading them and am grateful for the time taken to write them out and send them to me!
A/N #2: The title of this chapter is the title of a song written by Ira Gershwin.
Looking For A Boy
December 12th, 1926
Daly City, California
Moving a bit Rick realized there was something different about his bed; first that he was naked and second there was something warm against his side. Then it came to mind that that something warm was a body and it was definitely a dame. A second later his eyes flew open as the night before came back to him and he looked to his side seeing it was Kate next to him and she was opening her eyes.
"Good morning," she said with a smile once she realized he was looking at her.
With a smile Rick said, "Morning love."
"Hmm, I thought it was all in my head," Kate confessed as she pressed her cheek more firmly against his shoulder. "I was getting to be a sap."
"No, it was real," Rick said. Something came to mind and he sat up saying, "Kate your father would kill me."
"How do you know?" she said simply as she sat up as well, studying him. "Anyways, it doesn't matter."
Rick wanted to protest that it did, but he recalled his idea after their numerous times together the night before and instead he said, "Then if you're okay with it."
"Now you're on the trolley," Kate said with a smile before they leaned into each other.
Rick held her the best he could as they began to kiss, and he pulled her onto his lap once more. He had to admit that it was a different sensation doing that while they were both naked, but he didn't stop until they parted slowly. He couldn't stop and he leaned down, nuzzling at her neck as she moaned softly in pleasure before he reached up to cup one of her breasts.
"Are you-" Kate started to ask with a gasp, the pleasure intense within her.
"I want to," Rick told her seriously as he looked up at her, reluctantly letting her go but holding her around her waist. "But we need to go back to the city. And see if the Lizzie is fixed… and the phone is working."
"Oh, Julia," Kate said in recollection.
"Let's get going," Rick replied before he helped her get up. He was about to go to his clothes when she stopped him.
"I need to take care of you," Kate replied to his questioning expression. She made him sit back down before she hurried to gather what she needed.
"Is this what you'll be doing for me now?" Rick couldn't help asking as she took off the bandaging on his arm.
"I thought you'd stop being a bull," Kate replied, cleaning him off before she wrapped his arm again.
"I will," Rick assured her, standing up. He wrapped his arms around her and then kissed her deeply before she held onto him tightly.
When they parted Kate murmured, "We have to go."
Rick could hear her hesitation and while she appreciated that she was also right, so he gave her a quick kiss on the lips before they turned to their clothes. He'd never helped a woman dress before, so that morning he found out how to put on a cami-knicker exactly before they took turns with each other. When they only had their ties left he looked at her and smiled saying, "Need some help?"
"Rosie helped me with this before," Kate replied before she let go of her struggle with the tie to let him work on it. When he finished she then said, "But I know how to put one on for a man."
"Of course," Rick said, knowing she likely meant for her father and brother. "Kate," he said when she'd finished, holding her hands. He kissed the palms lovingly before he said, "I'm still set on courting you."
"Do you have to?" Kate asked with a smile. "You've known me almost all my life."
"For society," Rick replied.
Frowning momentarily Kate told him, "It doesn't have to be for very long."
"I'll remember that," Rick replied easily. He then went over to the closet and retrieved the will from the safe there to return to her home. He went with her to the outer room and then said, "Ready?" as they got their coat and cape and he grabbed his hat. At her nod he took her hand and they went hurriedly out into the silent hall to get to the lobby, knowing she was also hoping his car could be fixed quickly so they could be on their way.
"Good morning," the concierge said with a smile to the two. "Checking out already?"
"Yes," Rick said after having checked the time discreetly. He was relieved it was only seven thirty before he realized he needed to get Kate something for breakfast. Shaking his head, he signed the book the concierge was holding out to him and he asked, "Is Whetherbee here?"
"Oh sure, is that your automobile outside?" the concierge asked. When the two nodded he said, "He's taken a look at it and it should be a quick fix."
"Might I use your phone?" Rick asked.
"Me as well," Kate said quickly.
"Of course," the concierge said, gesturing over to the phone at a desk to the side of the lobby.
Rick and Kate made their way quickly over to it and sat down together before he picked up the ear piece first and dialed his partner's number.
"Think he'll be there?" Kate asked as she watched him.
Listening to the phone ring and continue to Rick sighed and said, "No he won't. Call your family and tell them you're safe."
"We're safe," Kate corrected him.
With a nod Rick looked on while she was dialing her home number and he murmured, "I hope they'll be okay we were gone."
"Hello?" a voice said on the other end.
"Rosie?" Kate said.
"Katie!" Rose replied. "Oh my… where are you? Ma has been waiting all night for you; she fell asleep in the parlor."
Looking at Rick, who squeezed her hand gently as he'd heard that, Kate then turned back to the phone and she explained to her sister what had happened the night before as she kept her voice down so the concierge wouldn't hear. When she finished she said for a second time, "We're alright and we'll be leaving as soon as the car is ready."
"Come home first thing," Rose replied. "And soon because we told Julia you'd be home this morning."
"We will," Kate replied.
"Wait… Detective Dunham?" Rose said suddenly.
"Rick, he's there," Kate said to him.
"Rose?" Rick asked after he'd taken the phone. "I need to speak to him."
"Rick, where-" Brad started to say when Kate's sister had told her who she'd been talking to.
Explaining what had happened to them Rick then said, "Whoever he was, he went to the city."
"And I know who he is," Brad replied.
"What?" Rick asked in shock. "How?"
"I went to the military as you said, and they had the fingerprints from the cigarette we found," Brad said.
"Who is it?" Rick asked. "Rowan?" he asked, seeing Kate's eyes widen as he had been expecting it to be the quieter of the two bodyguards.
"No," Brad said, not realizing he was startling his partner. "Espinosa."
Swearing under his breath Rick said, "We'll be there as soon as we can."
"Wait," Brad said. "Remember that holder we couldn't figure out?"
"Yeah," Rick said, not glancing at Kate as she was listening in too.
"Espinosa has a girl, she went through our station so I checked out the fingerprints on there; they're hers," Brad replied.
"Who is she?" Rick asked in surprise.
"Lanie Porter," Brad said. "Get here and we'll pick them up."
"On our way," Rick said before he hung up and he and Kate got up.
"What about the car?" she asked him.
"We hope it's ready," Rick replied before he threw on his coat while she grabbed her cape and he helped her with it. When they stepped outside he was startled to see his Tin Lizzie driving back from the road. "She's ready," he said, looking at her before they went to where the car stopped.
"Hello," the man driving the car said. "This is yours?"
"She is," Rick said before he saw that the man recognized him. "I'm Detective O'Donovan," he said quickly. "We've met before. She'll run back to San Francisco?" he said.
"She will, you have some scratches, but the engine came back together," Whetherbee replied. "What happened?"
"I thought I'd seen a deer," Kate said. "I made him turn off the road."
Whetherbee nodded, looking a little unsure, before he said, "Be careful."
"Thank you," Rick said, slipping the man a five-dollar bill before he left them. "A deer?"
"And what would you have said?" Kate shot back.
Shaking his head Rick said, "Let's go." He helped her back into the car before he started it up as fast as he could. They were driving up the coast as soon as he got them back on the road and he said, "Would he have promised the club to Espinosa?"
"I don't know," Kate said honestly. "I don't think so, you knew Junior."
"What if he was potted?" Rick asked her.
Sighing Kate said, "You know he wouldn't drink that much giggle juice." When he opened his mouth she then said, "And he wasn't a pushover."
"Then could he have thought you wouldn't want to take charge of the club?" Rick replied. "Maybe become a nurse?"
"No, never," Kate said firmly. "My place is at the club and Junior knew that. Something happened…"
"What is it?" Rick said, watching her.
"What if he was balled up?" Kate asked softly.
"Someone lied to him?" Rick guessed. She nodded, and he said, "I'd have to ask Espinosa. Did you know Porter at all?"
"I think," Kate replied slowly. "She came to the club once but that was a while ago. She was a moll though; I didn't know she knew Espinosa."
"Whose moll?" Rick asked he looked at her and saw the realization on her face
"Burrell," Kate whispered in anger. "He came to the club once and left her as one of his men called him away."
"Could she have been a spy?" Rick asked.
"She was, she made her way back to the kitchen but said she'd needed the powder room," Kate said.
"We'll find her too," Rick assured her, not surprised she was so angry at her failure to remember. "When was she there?"
"Earlier this year," Kate said.
"Then they had the chance to work this all out," Rick said. "Not your fault Kate."
"I know," she said firmly. "But I'm not going to let them all get away with this."
"Let's just hope we can find them now," Rick replied before they were entering the city limits. He drove quickly to Alamo Square, getting out to help her out of the passenger seat before he saw that Rose was coming down the steps to them.
"Never do that again!" the young woman exclaimed as she threw her arms around her sister.
"I know but I wasn't planning on it," Kate said. "Julia?"
"She's still asleep," Rose replied.
"Do you know where they are?" Rick asked as his partner had descended the steps after Patrick.
"I sent Troy and Welter out to make sure he doesn't leave his building," Brad replied. "And four others to get to Rowan and Porter's homes."
"We need to go," Rick said, looking at Kate.
"I'm going with you," she said. When everyone protested she said to them, "I'm going," her tone of voice firm. "I won't get in the way, I just want to see them and know you found my brother's killer."
"Rick-" Brad said in protest.
"If I don't take her she'll take the Tin Lizzie Junior had and go on her own," Rick replied. "She's my responsibility and I'll make sure she's alright."
"You try and explain that to the boss man," Brad said.
"He won't know," Rick replied. "But first we need something to eat."
"We do," Kate said as she started up the stairs. She shook her head to her twin grabbing her arm and then waited in the foyer for everyone to come inside. "We found this with May," she said as Rick took the will out of his coat.
"What does it say?" Rose asked.
"Junior gave the club to me," Kate began. She smiled at him and then said, "And to Rick."
"So…" Brad said slowly, looking confused.
"I'm going to turn in my badge after this case," Rick told his partner. He then turned to Patrick and said, "I suppose I should say now, I'm asking for your blessing to court Kate."
"I think you should be asking her ma," Patrick replied. "But I would give it gladly."
"Katie?" a voice said from the doorway of the parlor.
"Ma, I'm so sorry I wasn't home," Kate said as she quickly went to her. "But Rick kept me safe," she added as she embraced her. "You don't need to worry."
"What's this about him courtin' you?" Johanna asked.
"I love your daughter ma'am," Rick said, taking off his hat hurriedly. "And I would like to court her," he finished, hoping he didn't sound like a sap.
"When have you last called me ma'am?" Johanna asked, smiling as she spoke. "Katie?"
"I love him too Ma," she replied, smiling at Rick.
"Then you have my blessin' to do so," Johanna said, still smiling but that time at both. "Now we should have breakfast and-"
"We need to go Ma," Kate replied. "We found him."
"Who?" Johanna said. When her daughter said the name, she cursed in Irish and said, "I told Junior not to trust him so much he would give his father's club," tears beginning to fall down her cheeks. "And he still did."
"How do you know-" Brad started to say.
"I could hear you two speaking in the room," Johanna said.
"We were talking on our own," Patrick said slowly before they heard running coming from upstairs and they turned to see it was Julia.
"Ma!" the little girl cried. She nearly leapt into her mother's arms once she was off the stairs and said, "When did you come home?"
"You're still in your nightgown," Kate said, looking at her mother. "I need to go somewhere with Rick and then we'll be back alright?"
"Promise?" Julia asked her.
"Promise," Kate said before she let her daughter go with Johanna after a last hug.
"I'll drop her off as soon as we arrest them," Rick said to Rose and Patrick as they grabbed some cookies Kate's mother had brought out. He waited for a protest from Kate but when she said nothing he left with her after his partner had gone out the door. "Where is he supposed to be?"
"2300 Kirkham," Brad replied. "I'll lead."
Nodding, as he knew his partner needed to since he had Kate with him in the car, Rick opened the passenger door for her and hurried around to start the automobile. Once they were on their way he said to her, "Are you going to tell Julia?"
"We will," Kate said. She looked at him and said, "You're the one who's courting me."
"Alright… then what about tonight?" Rick asked.
With a nod Kate then said, "You'll come to dinner?"
"If you'd like me to," Rick said. When she nodded he sighed and said, "I am sorry Kate."
Shaking her head, she told him firmly, "This is Espinosa's fault, if he tricked my brother into promising him the club by word he should have known Junior would have found out it was a lie."
Thinking about that Rick nodded and said, "I suppose he would have." They were reaching Kirkham and he said, "Stay here."
"Of course," Kate replied, watching him getting out of the car.
"He's there," Officer Welter said once both Brad and Rick had joined him and Troy. "Talked to the landlord inside; he's going to collect rent today; and he knows all his tenants are in."
"Has anyone else come in?" Rick asked.
"Not that he knows," Troy said before he heard the radio in his and Welter's automobile coming to life.
Going with the two officers Rick looked at Brad as dispatch told them about two other officers having gotten to Rowan at his home to bring him into the station; though the two trying to find Porter hadn't been able to. "Should we-" he started to say to his partner.
Jumping out of the car when the gun shot went off Kate ran behind it, seeing Rick reaching her. "You-" she started to say.
"It's Espinosa and I promised your mother," Rick told her as he held his gun tightly in his right hand. "Go back to 27th," he told her before he left.
"Espinosa," Brad was yelling as Rick came up behind him. "Drop your weapon!"
"You're not gonna lock me up," Espinosa yelled back after swearing in Spanish.
"We know you killed Mr. O'Brien," Rick yelled. "We have your partner and we'll have your girl soon. If you want to spare them surrender now."
"You don't know," Espinosa yelled back, gripping his gun tighter as he began to pace back and forth in front of his apartment building.
"What don't we know?" Rick yelled back.
"Come out here," Espinosa said. "I'll talk to you but I'm not letting anyone get close." He watched as the detective did so before he held up his gun saying, "Stay there."
"Alright what is it that me and my partner don't know?" Rick said calmly, holstering his gun.
"It was her, she put me up to it," Espinosa whispered so low that Rick almost didn't hear.
"Why would she do that?" Rick asked then.
"Because she told me it was for us," Espinosa said, starting to pace around again. "But she left me holding the bag."
"How do you know that?" Rick said.
"Because when I called her, her landlord answered and said she was gone," Espinosa said, his voice sounding tortured. "I know where she is… Burrell has her."
"Then don't let them win," Rick told him, holding out his hand. "Put the gun down and we'll see what we can do for you if this wasn't your idea."
Espinosa, still holding the gun pointed at Rick, looked him in the eye before he nodded and tossed the gun aside.
"Thank you," Rick replied as he hurried to the man and had him turn around so he could handcuff him. "We need to find Burrell; we find him we find Porter," he said to Brad as Troy and Welter took Espinosa. His partner was about to speak when he saw that Kate was walking up to their killer.
"Ma'am," Espinosa said, a hardened look on his face.
"Did you run us off the road last night?" Kate asked him.
"No," Espinosa replied, looking startled. "I was here, waiting for…"
"One of Burrell's bimbos?" Brad said as he was behind his partner.
"More than likely," Rick said. "Kate, you- ow!" he exclaimed when she punched his arm. "Good thing you hit the uninjured one," he said wryly. "I'll get her home-" he started to say to Brad.
"No," Kate said. When the men rolled their eyes she said, "I won't follow you, but this isn't over, and I want to know you have that bastard."
"You can deal with her, you're resigning," Brad commented.
"Thanks," Rick said wryly. "Are we going straight to the club or should we bother with his apartment."
"Follow my car," Brad replied without answering the question.
Going with Rick over to his Tin Lizzie Kate said, "I need to know."
"I'm not surprised," he replied. He opened the door once again for her and once they were driving back east through the city Rick said, "But if we go anywhere else then you need to get back home to your family."
"Hopefully you won't," Kate said. She merely smiled when he looked at her and then looked ahead as they were nearing Union Square. She frowned and said, "People are here already?"
"No… that's Junior's car," Rick said. "Something is wrong." He parked behind Brad a little haphazardly before he rushed with him and Kate; unable to force her to stay behind; into the club.
"Rowan put the gun down!" Brad yelled, the first to withdraw his gun at the bodyguard who was holding Burrell against him; a revolver against the club owner's temple.
Rick grabbed his own gun seconds after and at the same time he swept Kate behind him further. "Rowan you're surrounded, there's nothing you can do," he told the man.
"I can do enough," Rowan said before he pulled Burrell back in the direction of the office.
"Where's Porter?" Brad asked as they stepped closely after the man.
"Right here," a voice said.
Turning their heads Rick and Brad saw a young African American woman; dressed for the evening; behind them with a gun in hand.
Rick was startled to not see Kate anywhere and he wanted to ask Porter what she'd done with her, but he was too busy aiming his gun as Brad focused on Rowan. "Put the gun down Porter," he told the woman
"I don't have to do anything," Porter replied. "Baby?"
"Yeah?" Rowan asked as she'd called to him.
"Kill him," Porter replied.
"No-" Brad and Rick said at the same time before the bodyguard shoved Burrell aside and shot him in the head.
"Now put your guns down," Rowan told the two, aiming for the back of Rick's head.
"You're all alone," Porter added.
"And if you kill us what will you have?" Rick asked.
"The club," Rowan said. "Got a paper from Junior himself."
"Alright, then just put down the guns and walk out to get your club," Brad said.
"Oh no," Porter said as her partner looked at her. "You two are in the way."
"No, I think we are," a voice said behind Porter.
"Who are you-" Rowan started to say before his partner was turning around and shooting at the pair standing in front of the door.
Rick tried to shoot at Porter as Patrick and the man with him ducked out of the way, but she was too quick. He could hear Brad next to him firing at Rowan who was shooting at him and the smoke from their guns filled the room. "Where are they?" he asked his partner when the bullets had stopped.
"There," Brad said, going after Rowan who was running back to the office.
"Porter," Rick nearly yelled as he spotted the woman beginning to make a break for the door. He ran after her and was nearing her when she whirled around to him with her gun quickly after aiming straight for him. He would have slid to a stop on the ground if he hadn't been on the carpet, raising his own gun to aim for her as well. Before either of them could get a shot off he watched Kate come up behind her from the darkness around the door, bashing Porter on the head with the butt of her own gun before she could hear her.
"Go," Kate told him as Patrick and the man with her brother in law came over.
Rick nodded before he realized that the man was Rose, and he tossed Patrick his handcuffs before he turned and ran towards the office. "Brad!" he yelled when he got to the room and peered inside.
"Got him, just waiting for you," he replied before his partner was coming over. "My handcuffs are in my left pocket," Brad told him.
After he'd grabbed them Rick handcuffed Rowan and he told his partner, "Kate took out Porter."
"She's dead?" Rowan yelled.
"Quiet you," Brad told the man on the floor. "So, Miss O'Brien…" he said to Rick. "Bearcat?"
Rick just gave him a look before he said, "Good with him?"
"Go out and make sure Porter's not up," Brad said.
Rushing out into the club Rick went straight to Kate and, not caring who saw, wrapped his arm around her tightly saying, "You should have stayed outside."
"No," Kate replied firmly as they let go of each other. "You could have been shot."
"Alright, Rose," Rick said to the woman. "What in the-"
"You think I'd let my husband go off alone?" Rose asked as she fixed the hat on her head. "Anyways you're welcome for the help."
"Head outside for me now and see if there are officers on the way," Rick told them. "We need to get them out of here."
After they were gone Kate said, "Are you going to speak to them?"
"We have to," Rick replied. "But I think I know already the answers. Rowan came after us for the will in case his paper from Junior was null and void. Porter's been pushing him for the club-"
"And to kill Burrell," Kate interrupted.
Sighing as he realized he'd forgotten the man Rick walked over to him but seeing where Rowan's bullet had struck he looked at Kate and said, "So they succeeded in one thing."
"Detective," an officer said, coming into the room.
"Get her and keep an eye on her; that's the ringleader," Rick replied, nodding to Porter who was still unconscious. "We have Rowan… how are the officers that went to get him?"
"Bruckman and Luther got a little banged up but they're alright," another officer replied. "We're taking her to the hospital."
"Come on," Rick said as Brad was bringing Rowan out from the office; wondering if his partner had gotten the man to talk. He led Kate outside and said, "You're lucky your sister hasn't been recognized for a woman," in Irish.
"She might, I'm assuming I'm going home with them?" Kate replied in the same language.
"Aye," Rick told her, smiling when she did so back at him. He turned then to Patrick and Rose and said, "What will you do now?"
"Stay married," Rose replied, speaking in Irish herself. "We spoke and… he's not sure what he'll do," she said, nodding to her husband. "He loved our brother so much he doesn't think he'll be able to love again." She looked at her twin and then said slowly, "He wants to have a baby. Not," she then hurried to say as Rick and Kate looked at her in shock. "Not like that but to adopt a child."
"You should," Rick said, smiling at Patrick who seemed to be following their conversation, but he wasn't sure if Junior had taught him Irish.
"We want to," the man said then.
With a nod Rick said, "Take her home for me and tell your ma everything you know now."
"Are you coming still for dinner?" Kate asked him.
"Yes," Rick replied firmly. "As soon as I can." He wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her but since there were people coming through the square; as well as more police and an ambulance; he had to hold back. He took off his hat and said, "I love you Kate," since he could at least say that in Irish.
"I love you too Rick," she replied, smiling at him. She then grew serious and told him, "Thank you."
"The least I could do for Junior and you," Rick replied. "All of you." He helped her into Junior's car and held onto her hand for just a little longer than he should have before he closed the door.
"Still goofy?" Brad asked, coming outside since the officers had taken over inside.
"Can't help it," Rick said. "Let's follow Rowan; at least we can get something out of him," he told his partner before they went to their automobiles and left at the same time for their station.
Hurrying up the stairs to the O'Brien home Rick hoped he wasn't late and hoped he and Kate would have the chance to talk to Julia. Knocking on the door he waited, taking off his hat in a rush and wondering why he felt like a green teenager seeing his sweetheart for the first time. But before he could think about that for long the door opened and he smiled seeing it was her.
"Come in," Kate told him, ushering him. She closed the door and tried to take his coat before he hung it himself. "Did you learn anything we weren't told already?"
"Porter was… kept by Burrell for a few years before she…" Rick started to say. He sighed and said, "Rose to the place of his moll though he couldn't really have her there openly."
"He did say his wife was going to be at the club the other night," Kate told him.
Nodding Rick said, "She was his secret and she wanted more since he kept her… secret."
"What about Rowan and Espinosa?" Kate asked. "How did they know her? Just when she went to our club?"
"Yes, and she told me she took advantage of your brother not keeping those who were African American out to find a way to take it," Rick replied.
"I'm guessing Burrell was too hard to take from?" Kate asked.
"She thought so at first; Rowan told us that," Rick said quickly, looking over as he felt someone was watching them. He saw it was Rose and Johanna and he then turned back to Kate saying, "But as soon as she realized both Espinosa and Rowan carried a torch for her she knew she could do it. She wanted to be the most powerful woman in the city. So she had them both tell Junior that you were going to be in trouble if he gave you the club whenever he retired, and he unfortunately believed him; he thought they were looking out for him." He took her hands and said solemnly, "She was going to kill you next to make sure you wouldn't get the club."
"Now she won't," Kate replied.
"Thank you, Rick," Johanna said, walking to him to embrace him. "Jim and Junior would appreciate what you've done."
Nodding to her Rick said, "And I am no longer a detective."
"For the club?" Rose asked. "I read the note and showed it to Ma."
"Another thing we're grateful for," Johanna said with a nod.
"Ma," Kate said to her. "Rick and I want to talk to Julia before we eat."
"Of course," Johanna said. "I'll have Rosie get you."
With the two leaving the foyer Rick turned to Kate as soon as they were alone and took her in his arms. "I know Julia's coming but I wanted to do this… you could have gotten hurt or-"
"And I didn't," Kate cut him off with. "I'm swell Rick and luckily so are you."
"Hi Uncle Rick!" Julia said, coming out and hugging him. "Are you done?"
"We are," he said as he picked up the little girl. He kissed her cheek and said, "Your ma and I have something to tell you."
"What is it?" Julia asked with a slight smile.
"Here," Kate said, leading him into the parlor. They sat next to each other on the couch with her daughter on his lap and she said, "Honey, Rick and I are courting now."
"Oh?" Julia said with a smile. "Does that mean you're sweethearts?"
"It does," Kate said.
"She's right," Rick replied. "I love your ma." He smiled when Julia embraced him tightly and said, "You don't mind?"
"No," Julia said, looking up at him and shaking her head. "I wanted you to be sweethearts."
"What will you do tomorrow?" Rick asked them.
"I don't know, the club will be closed until after the New Year," Kate replied. "Did you want to spend time with us?"
"I would," Rick said, smiling at Julia who tugged on his blazer sleeve.
"Can we go on the cables?" the little girl asked.
"Perhaps," Kate replied. "Though I was going to suggest Golden Gate Park."
"That would be perfect," Rick said.
"Hey, dinner is ready," Rose said, smiling as the three all looked at her. "Let's go."
As they got up Rick asked, "So your ma knows you went out like that?"
"Of course," Rose said as she was still wearing her trousers and shirt. "But she made me promise not to do that again."
"That would make sense," Rick said.
"Especially because you might get in trouble being caught in trousers," Kate told her sister.
Laughing with the others as they gathered around the table Rick saw soon that he and Kate were sitting together, and he was relieved her mother approved of them. He set Julia down in her chair before he quickly helped Kate into her seat and then sat next to her. The talk around the table was about everything but the case though he wasn't surprised when they still talked about Junior. They also spoke about their memories of O'Brien Senior and their time after the earthquake.
"Were you really like Pip?" Julia asked.
"Well… I wasn't in a graveyard and I didn't steal food so not really," Rick replied as he picked her up to hold her in the kitchen.
"Hmm," Julia said.
"What's on your mind tomato?" Rick asked her.
Giggling heavily at that word Julia said, "Now you can move in!"
"I'm afraid not honey," Kate told her. "It's not proper still."
"Oh…" Julia said with a frown. She was going to speak again when Rick stopped her, taking her over to the family room where they gathered once everything from dinner was cleaned. "What will we do now?" she asked him as he set her down.
"How'd you like to play charades?" Rick asked.
"Yes!" Julia said eagerly before she looked at her mother.
"We'll start," Rick said, taking Julia's hand so he could act out the first thing he thought of to her. They proceeded to play then, and he realized that he'd made a mistake trying to keep away from Kate; watching her smile and laugh at their game he knew he was right where he belonged.
"I'll be by tomorrow," Rick said as he and Kate walked to the front door together. "The park?"
"Yes," Kate said. "Once we take her to Stow Lake she'll forget the cable cars."
"Should take her there too," Rick replied. He looked around the house and said, "Though they've been pinched you're safe but… I am glad Patrick's here."
"So am I," Kate replied. "Though more for Julia's sake."
Rick nodded and then took his coat from her before saying, "Should I get a picnic for her?"
"I suppose you're taking her on your own?" Kate said in amusement.
"I suppose so," Rick replied before he just looked at her.
"The club," Kate said while he was putting on his coat. "You won't need to sleep there."
"No?" Rick asked in surprise.
"Patrick's offered," Kate said.
"I understand," Rick told her quickly. "To be closer to Junior… he was goofy for him."
"And Junior for him," Kate replied. "They never had much chance."
"Two years," Rick replied. "Two years that he'll hold close to him for the rest of his life." He looked into her eyes then and was about to speak when he hesitated and said, "I hope for longer with you."
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't thinking the same myself," Kate said. "But I won't spend my time thinking about time."
"I won't either," Rick replied. He then smiled at her slightly and took her hand before squeezing it and taking the chance to lean down to kiss her. They were brief, and he said, "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Tomorrow," Kate repeated in a murmur. She watched him leave; waving to him when he turned to look at her once he was at the bottom of the steps.
Pausing for a moment Rick did his best to resist the temptation to take her with him to his apartment as he knew he'd damage her reputation even further after what they'd done the night before; even if only her twin and brother in law knew. So he shook himself and got into his car, driving back home though his mind was still back in Alamo Square.