Author's Note:
To our dear readers: many of the comments after the last chapter noted the surprising turn of events. That was our intention. This twist is actually where our story started in the creative process. Everything which came before it was build up to that moment. If it shocked you, it was our intention.
This twist is not going to be fixed by a quick snap of the fingers or by true love's kiss. This will be the entire Castle family working together to A) keep Alexis safe B) figure out why she was taken from them in the first place and C) find a way to help Alexis get her memories back.
We know this twist isn't for everyone, but we are excited for this second act to unfold.
We hope you all stay tuned.
Lori and Kaela
-d-d-d-d-
Two Years Later-
"I don't have to go," Javi told Kevin as they walked down the street after getting a cup of coffee together after shift.
"Javi, you served together," Kevin responded, "You have to go. I'll be okay."
"I can go next weekend."
"It's his birthday this weekend. Go spend it with him," Kevin scowled at his partner, "Seriously, I don't need a babysitter. I'm fine. Sarah Grace is fine."
"It's just-"
"I know, but we'll be okay," Kevin told him.
"I'll be gone two days at most," Javi replied, "We can get drunk together the night I get back."
"You know I don't drink anymore," Kevin said quietly.
"A drink every now and then is okay," Javi replied, "Alexis never expected you to give it up completely."
"I don't want to start something I'll never finish."
"How about we hit the gym then?" Javi countered, "Work off some of our aggressions on the punching bags."
"Sounds like a plan," Kevin nodded. "Drive safe, okay, man?"
"I'll call you when I get back," Javi nodded and climbed into his waiting vehicle, "If you need anything..."
"I will be fine," Kevin assured him.
Javi gave his partner the once over before concluding he could follow through on his weekend plans.
-d-d-d-d-
Kevin showed up at Castle's Loft with Martha's favorite flowers and a somber expression.
"Flowers?" Martha smiled at Kevin when she opened the door. "You don't have to suck up, Detective."
"I thought you might like something to brighten your day. We both could use it."
Martha took the flowers and let Kevin into the loft.
"Quiet," Kevin commented while looking around the mostly empty loft.
"Richard and Katherine are eating out tonight."
"Ah," Kevin shed his coat and hung it by the door.
"I have some cake to go with our coffee tonight."
"You didn't have to go through the trouble," Kevin took a seat at one of the stools by the counter while Martha cut them each rather large pieces of the decadent looking cake.
"The bakery said it was no trouble at all," Martha sent him a wink.
"Sarah Grace drew this for you," Kevin pulled out a folded up piece of paper and handed it to her.
"She's quite the little artist," Martha smiled at the drawing.
"She really liked being your helper at last week's show."
"I like having her there," Martha smiled and handed him a fork and piece of cake, "She has quite the flare for the dramatics. I see a career on Broadway for that little one."
"Yeah, Lex always said the same thing," Kevin nodded while shoveling in his first bite. It was probably delicious, but it tasted like sawdust to him. Most things did.
"Kevin, you know it would be okay if you spent your nights with a woman your own age rather than this old broad."
"I'm just not ready," Kevin pushed away the cake. "It still feels like yesterday I was waking up next to Alexis and planning our wedding. I remember her telling me she found this little dress shop across the bridge which makes a dress just like the one she saw in those bridal magazines..."
Martha put her hand over his, "You still go to church every week, don't you?"
"Yeah," he bobbed his head, "I know it's a crazy thing to ask for, but I can't help it."
"Oh Sweetheart," Martha looked at him. "I can't fault you. I ask too."
"It's been two years, Martha," he took a sip from his coffee, "It still hasn't really hit me. Is that weird?"
"I still think she's going to walk through the door with my great-child and ask me to baby-sit."
"God, he or she would be eighteen months about now," Kevin rubbed the back of his neck, "Walking and talking and raising all sorts of chaos."
"Sarah Grace would have been wonderful big sister, and I'm sure Alexis would be hinting about you and she having another one."
"Or I'd be hinting about giving her another one," Kevin chuckled, "We both wanted a big family."
"Richard always hoped he'd give Alexis a sibling at some point. Meredith was gone before Alexis was a year old, and Gina wasn't interested in children."
"I'm sure he and Beckett will get around to it one of these days," Kevin smiled.
"I hope so," Martha smiled. "Tell me about work. Any good cases?"
-d-d-d-d-
Javi cursed lightly when he realized he'd gone the wrong way and was now hopelessly lost.
"Stupid GPS," he tossed his phone aside when he realized he had no cellular reception.
He spotted a ranch and pulled over. Getting out he noticed the view.
"On top of the world," he murmured. Lanie would love this place.
He went to the front door and knocked, hoping the owner of the ranch was home and good with directions.
"Coming," he heard a female voice calling from inside.
Javi was taking in the surroundings, his back to the door when it opened, "Sorry to disturb you, but I'm a bit lost and hoping you could point me in the right direction. Apparently my GPS does..."
He trailed off when he turned to face the woman who opened the door.
"Yeah, cell phones and GPS are pretty useless up here. Where were you trying to go?" the woman asked.
"I...ah..." the color drained from Javi's face.
"Are you alright?" the woman took in Javi's obviously distress.
"Alexis?"
"Yes? Have we met?"
"Alexis, it's me, Esposito," he replied.
"I'm sorry, I don't anyone named Esposito," she shook her head. "Did you need something?"
"Alexis...Alexis Castle," Javi stated.
"There's the confusion," she smiled, "My name is Alexis Rodgers."
"Rodgers," Javi repeated. His heart was hammering so loud he was sure she could hear him. "I'm sorry. Can I use your phone to call my buddy to let him know I'll be late?"
"Sure," Alexis stepped back to allow him in, "It's on the table in the hall. Can I get you something to drink?"
"No, thank you," Javi shook his head.
"Help yourself," Alexis motioned him towards the phone when he appeared stuck to his current spot.
"Do you have a bathroom I could use?" Javi asked abruptly.
"Uh, sure," Alexis pointed. "Right in there."
"Thanks," Javi stepped towards the bathroom. With the door closed, his mind began to race. He was certain the woman who answered the door was the very same woman they'd lost two years ago. He began trying to figure out who he should call when a thought occurred to him. He couldn't break the hearts of people he carried about if he was wrong and the woman wasn't their Alexis.
He looked around him and his eyes fell on three brushes. One had red hair in the bristles. The other two were the fine bristled brushes used on infants.
Javi took samples of each, taking great care to keep them in separate pockets until he got back to his vehicle where he knew he had evidence bags in the trunk to store them. He quickly flushed the toilet and washed his hands before emerging from the bathroom. The woman looked to him expectantly.
"Did you still need the phone?"
"I realized I don't have his number. I left my cell phone in the car," Javi flushed in reply, "You don't by any chance know how to get to Lowville, do you?"
"You missed the turn. Go back to the bottom of the hill and take Burnside Avenue," Alexis said.
"Great, thanks," Javi nodded, "Sorry to have bothered you."
"No problem," Alexis smiled as she walked Javi to the door.
She called out to him as he walked to his car, "Uh, Esposito, was it?"
"Yes," Javi turned around.
"This Alexis I apparently look like, is she a friend of yours?"
"Yes, she is," Javi nodded.
"You must not have seen her for awhile," Alexis replied.
"No," he shook his head, "It's been about two years."
"I'm sorry," she said. "Maybe you should look her up."
"Yeah, maybe I should," Javi agreed, "Thanks for the directions. You've got a beautiful place here."
"Thank you," Alexis smiled before she turned her head at the sound of crying. "I should go. I hope you find what you're looking for."
"Yeah, me too," he nodded.
With Alexis in the house, he quickly found three evidence bags, put the hairs in them and made a beeline back to the city.
-d-d-d-d-d-
"Lanie, are you here?" Javi entered the morgue to see a nearly vacant exam room.
"Hey, Javi," Lanie emerged from her office, "I thought you had some birthday bash upstate. Did you get lost?"
"Yes, but that's not why I'm here. Can you run these?"
"You working a case?" Lanie asked, "I thought you took a few days off...Javi, why do you look as pale as a ghost?"
"I need you to run these two against Kevin's DNA and this one against Castle's. You have his DNA, right?"
"Of course," Lanie replied, "We needed it for the case when 3XK set him up. Why are we running his DNA? Javi, what's going on?"
"You can't say anything," Javi said after a moment while looking around to make sure they were truly alone.
"Cross my heart," Lanie ran her hand over her heart.
"I think she's alive," Javi said quietly.
"Who?" Lanie asked and then her eyes went wide. "No!"
"I got all turned around upstate and ended up at this ranch. A woman named Alexis Rodgers answered the door. I'm not kidding. She's Alexis. She has to be."
"How? She'd have come home if she was alive, Javi."
"She didn't have a clue who I was," Javi explained.
"She didn't?"
"No," Javi shook his head. "She was completely blank. No reaction."
"What the heck happened to her?" Lanie began setting up her equipment to run the tests.
"I don't know. I need to know if it's really her before I go to Castle and Ryan."
"Good call," Lanie agreed, "It shouldn't take long to run these tests."
"I'll wait," Javi made himself comfortable on a gurney and studied his hands.
"Javi, why am I running these two against Kevin's DNA?" Lanie asked suddenly.
"Lex was pregnant when the accident happened."
"What!" Lanie gasped, "How the heck do you know?"
"I was going to be godfather," Javi smiled.
"Again I ask, how did you know she was pregnant? Did Kevin tell you?" Lanie asked.
"I kind of guessed. He was sporting this huge grin he'd hide whenever Castle came near us."
"So you don't know for sure," Lanie replied.
"No, he confirmed it."
"Javi, her car fell off the Brooklyn Bridge. The impact alone should have killed her, not to mention any child she would have been carrying," Lanie's eyes narrowed.
"There were three brushes in the bathroom and two of them were the kind you'd use on a child's hair."
"You're a hero if you're right," Lanie replied.
"I don't care about being a hero. I just want to be right."
"It would certainly be the first time," Lanie hit a series of buttons on her machine to start the test.
"Very funny," Javi smile despite himself. "Beckett's not gonna be coming by, right?"
"Nah, her and Castle went to the Hamptons for the weekend," Lanie shook her head, "They needed a weekend away...with the anniversary and all."
"Right," Javi nodded. "I think Ryan's spending most of the weekend with Martha."
"Why Martha?" Lanie asked.
"He doesn't like leaving her alone."
"She has seemed to age a bit quicker these past couple of years," Lanie conceded. "It's almost like Alexis kept her young."
"Castle's worried about her."
"We all are," Lanie replied.
"If this is true, maybe we don't have to worry so much anymore."
"One step at a time, Javi," Lanie tapped her machine gently, "Come on, Baby, tell Mama good news."
"Good or bad, let's have dinner tonight, okay?"
"You're on," Lanie agreed. "It's been too long."
Javi smiled and drummed his fingers while they waited.
A few hours later, the machine spit out a report. The pair jumped off their chairs and dove towards printer at the same time.
Lanie got to the report first and read it, "Oh my God."
"What does it say?" Javi looked at her expectantly.
"It's her," Lanie started to laugh and cry at the same time. "She's alive."
"Holy shit, Alexis is alive!" Javi pulled Lanie into a hug.
"Let's go tell Kevin," Lanie suggested.
"Not yet," Javi said. "I want to know it those kids are his, too."
"Is it even going to matter to Kevin?" Lanie asked.
"If she's got kids with someone else, yeah, it could change things," Javi stated.
"Good point," Lanie nodded. "When you saw her, was there anyone around?"
"No," he shook his head, "At the end a small child cried though. She ran to check on him...her...it."
"The tests will tell us the sex."
"What are you waiting for? Run it," Javi looked to Lanie expectantly.
"This is going to take a few more hours. Let's go eat."
"Not very hungry, but it's worth a shot," Javi nodded his head.
"We'll drink, too," Lanie smiled.
"So long as we're sober enough to read the results," Javi agreed.
"Deal," Lanie snatched up her coat and purse before she and Javi left the morgue. She'd change in the car on the way. She didn't want to waste another minute.
-d-d-d-d-
"Okay, it's done," Lanie announced after examining the machine.
"And?" Javi prompted her.
"Damn," Lanie read the results. "They match Kevin's DNA."
"They?"
"You gave me two samples," Lanie stated, "A boy and a girl...both match Kevin. I also ran it against Castle's DNA, just to check. They're definitely Alexis's kids."
"And Kevin's," Javi breathed. "Damn."
"Now we need to tell them," Lanie replied, "You driving or am I?"
"Who do we tell first?" Javi asked.
"Castle," Lanie said. "Which means we're headed to the Hamptons."
"Damn, at this hour, traffic is going to be a bitch," Javi groaned, "Grab your stuff. I'm driving."
"Right," Lanie grabbed her purse and the clothes she'd been wearing this morning.
-d-d-d-
"Castle, the doorbell," Kate mumbled.
"What?" Castle looked to her in confusion.
"The doorbell is ringing," Kate said without lifting her head.
"They'll go away," Castle muttered.
Kate raised her head, "No, they won't. Lanie's at the window."
"Why would Lanie be here?" Castle lifted his head and looked around, "Thought she was working this weekend."
"I guess she changed her mind. One of us should let her in."
"I'll go," Rick got out of bed and found his robe.
"Thank you," Kate smiled and buried her head in her pillow again.
"Lanie, do you have any idea what time it is?" Castle opened the door and then looked at his wrist, only he wasn't wearing a watch, "Hell, I don't even know what time it is. What are you doing here?"
"We have news," Lanie said as she and Javi stepped into the house. "Where's Kate?"
"Asleep," Rick responded, "Like I want to be. Spill so I can go back to bed."
"Yo Beckett! Get down here," Javi called.
"What's going on?" Rick stumbled towards the sofa, "You guys going to Vegas for a quickie?"
"Please," Lanie rolled her eyes. "If I ever get a ring from this man, we're doing it right."
"You've thought about things like that?" Javi was startled by her admission.
"A few times," Lanie nodded. "Anyway, not why we're here."
"Yes, why are you here? This had better be good," Kate stumbled into the room.
"You might want to take a seat," Lanie suggested.
"Castle, wake up," Javi barked at him when he spotted Rick practically lying down.
"I'm here," Castle's eyes went wide.
"What's going on?" Kate let out a healthy yawn.
"I can't say it," Lanie said. "Javi, you tell them."
"I...uh...got lost on my drive upstate," Javi began, "I stopped at this ranch to get directions and made a startling discovery."
"A nudist colony?" Castle giggled insanely.
"Castle, be serious," Lanie scolded him.
"Rick, she's alive," Javi said quietly.
"Who's alive?" Rick asked.
"Alexis," Javi said.
"What kind of sick joke is this?" Rick rose angrily, ready to punch the younger man.
"Castle," Lanie got up and in between the men. "I ran the DNA. It's her."
"There must be some mistake," Kate stated. "It's been two years, and there has been no sign of her."
"I don't know how, but it's her," Javi said. "The thing is, she didn't know me."
"Then it's not Alexis," Rick shook his head, "You're a hard man to forget."
"She thinks her last name is Rodgers," Javi said.
"Rodg..." Rick trailed off.
"That makes zero sense," Kate chimed in, "Rick changed his name long before Alexis came along."
"There's something else," Javi admitted.
"You're on a roll. Don't leave us in suspense," Rick replied.
"Congratulations, Rick. You're a grandpa," Lanie said after a quick glance at Javi.
"Say that again," Rick requested.
"A boy and a girl according to the test results," Lanie couldn't help the small smile.
"Alexis has children," Rick began to process the news.
"Kevin's children," Javi filled in.
"Oh my God," Kate spoke finally.
"Does he know?" Rick asked.
"Not yet," Lanie shook her head. "We wanted to tell you guys first."
"We need to tell him," Kate stated.
"Yeah, any ideas on how to do that and not give him have a heart attack?"
"Maybe when he's really drunk," Javi thought out loud.
"He doesn't drink anymore," Kate reminded him.
"Lanie can fill a hypo with booze, and we can tell him it's a flu shot," Javi said.
"Let's make that plan B," Kate rolled her eyes, "It's going to be a shock no matter how we tell him. It's best to just tell him straight."
"When?" Javi asked.
"Right now," Rick responded.
"Castle, it's three in the morning," Kate pointed out.
"He's waited long enough," Rick replied.
"I'll drive," Javi said.
"I'll drive," Lanie corrected. "You're running on fumes as it is."
"You're probably right," Javi handed off his keys.
"We'll be right back," Kate took Rick's hand. "Use the Keurig. Make some coffee."
"On it," Lanie went to the kitchen to start brewing.
Kate and Rick got dressed quickly and just before they left the room, Kate took Rick's hand, "Talk."
"I don't even know where to begin," Rick sat himself on the rumpled bed.
"Who would do this?"
Rick's face hardened, "I have an idea I'm not enjoying right now."
"Who?" Kate asked.
"My father," Rick said. "He's the only one I can think of who would use the last name Rodgers."
"We've pissed off a lot of people over the years," Kate reminded him, "It could be a crime organization we took down, a deranged fan...another deranged fan."
"But to go this far?"
"Wouldn't be the first person to go out of their way to turn our world upside down," Kate caressed his shoulder.
"She's alive, Kate," Rick smiled through his tears.
"Let's grab Kevin and Martha and go to her," Kate offered him her hand.
"I want to wait to tell my mother," he said.
"Why?"
"Because until I see her, I won't get Mother's hopes up."
"Yeah, okay," Kate agreed.
"Let's go."
-d-d-d-d-
"I'm coming," Kevin called to the person knocking at his door.
Trying to wipe the sleep out of his eyes, he peered through the peep hole to see Castle, Beckett, Esposito and Lanie waiting on the other side.
"What's wrong?" Kevin threw the door open, "Is it Martha?"
"No," Castle pushed by him. "Mother's fine...as far as I know."
"Hey, Ryan," Kate gave him a hug.
"Something's wrong," Kevin realized, "What is it?"
"Sit down," Javi said after a moment.
"I don't need to sit down. Just tell me what's wrong," Kevin demanded.
The four of them exchanged looks and then Lanie stepped forward, "Kevin, we-we found Alexis."
"You found her," Kevin choked on the emotion and then nodded, "I guess that's good. We get closure."
Javi was the first to understand, "No, Kevin. We didn't find her body. We found her. She's alive."
"Ali...alive," Kevin felt his legs give out. Javi was able to catch him before he hit the floor and brought him to a chair. "Where is she?"
"Upstate. I got lost and knocked on the door of her house."
"This had better not be one of your sick jokes," Kevin stated.
"You know me. I wouldn't do that to you or to Castle."
"Let's bring her home then," Kevin stated.
"It's a bit more complicated," Javi stated.
"What's going on?"
"She doesn't remember us. She looked at me and didn't recognize me."
"How is that possible?" Kevin asked.
"It was a long fall," Lanie chimed in, "With the impact, it isn't out of the possibility she suffered a traumatic brain injury."
"But it's her?"
"I ran the DNA," Lanie said. "It's her."
"What do we do?" Kevin asked, "How do we get her memories back?"
"I don't know," Lanie shook her head. "Kevin, there's something else."
"Please don't tell me she's married."
"There wasn't a ring on her finger," Javi said.
"Then what is it?" Kevin asked.
"She has children," Rick chimed in, "A boy and a girl."
Kevin stared and then looked at Javi who nodded, "We were going to go to the courthouse and then tell you guys."
"You knew she was pregnant and never said anything," Rick replied, "Why would you carry that burden alone?"
"I didn't," Kevin shook his head. "Javi and Martha knew."
"I should be more angry at you for keeping this from me, but I'm so happy she's alive I'll overlook it," Rick hugged the younger detective.
"You remember how to get there?" Kate asked Javi.
"I wrote down every turn I took," Javi nodded, "I wasn't going to get lost a second time."
"Good," Kate said. "I think we're about to go on a road trip."
"I'll pack a bag," Kevin replied, "In the morning, I'll call my mom to see if she can watch Sarah Grace for a little while."
"Lanie, I need a favor," Rick started.
"Name it," Lanie replied.
"I need you to stay in town and distract Mother."
"I'll tell her Kevin got pulled into work because you guys were all out of town this weekend," Lanie nodded.
"Thank you," Rick hugged the medical examiner.
"Go get Alexis. Bring her home," she whispered.
"We will," Rick nodded.
"You want us to take you home first?" Javi asked.
"No, I'll take the subway."
"We'll call you with updates," Javi hugged her. "Thanks for your help."
"Be careful," she told him.
"Aren't we always," he kissed her cheek.
"Funny," Lanie smiled.
"I'm ready," Kevin announced.
"Let's not waste another minute," Kate replied.
-d-d-d-d-