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, Blue Bloods, The District, or their characters.
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: Ok, I'm trying a new approach to post shorter chapters but posting more often. I'll see how it goes.
Also, a shout out to member EpicOprb. On the first try, they got the answer to the question I posted the last two times. The first person to do that.
I posted the question again below if others still want to try. If you just want to know, send me a PM because I'm not sure when it'll show up in the story.
Why does Castle hate Kate calling him by his last name, specially since in this story he is a police officer too? There is valid story reason for this. I may have not made this clear so far, but he really does despise being called by his last name. He just shrugs it off from Kate because of his feelings for her. Please feel free to PM me with guesses as to why you think he hates being called Castle instead of Rick. By the way, it has nothing to do with the word 'Castle'. He would equally hate it if she calls him 'Rodgers'.
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January 4, 2004 Sunday
RICK'S BEDROOM.
"OK, love you Kate." the little redhead said
"Love you too," the detective said without thinking. She then kissed the top of Alexis' head.
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Upon hearing that declaration from Kate, Alexis' smile widened even more if that were possible.
"Come on, kiddo, you need to eat."
The speechless little girl gave Kate and another tight hug and scampered off after her father with her dog close behind.
When he came back into the bedroom after a few minutes, Rick found Kate with her knees up to her chest and looking through her Blackberry. He just stood in the doorway for a minute."
"Stop staring Castle, it's creepy."
"I can't help it Kate, you're adorable."
"Did you really get into bed with us last night."
"Hey, it's my bed. You two were the intruders."
She gave him an amused look.
Why does she have to look so sexy and adorable at the same time.
"Yes, I did. It felt...comforting."
"I know what you mean."
"I'm sorry...about Alexis springing that invite on you. I think she's determined to maximize her Kate time."
"It's ok. It's really sweet. I haven't had a family dinner…since…"
"I know exactly when," he responded with a tender look.
"Are we going to talk about it?" Rick asked raising an eyebrow.
"There's nothing to talk about. We almost had sex, again and you turned me down, again."
"First, I had no intention of turning you down this time. We were interrupted. And speaking of irresistible forces of interruption, that's not what I wanted to talk about."
"It wasn't?"
"You told my daughter you loved her. And could have just said it in reflex because she said if first. People say it all the time these days to a friend when it doesn't mean anything more than a handshake or fist bump. Bright as she is, she's a little girl who doesn't get the nuances of the things adults say.
"When you told her you loved her. She took it for the full meaning of those words. She's on cloud nine right now, but she's been hurt too many times by someone who says those words like she was saying 'hello' or 'goodbye'. And it's usually 'goodbye'. I will give Meredith the benefit of the doubt and accept that she loves Alexis. Empty deeds make words equally empty.
"So, if you were just saying it casually, I need to know. She's getting so attached to you, and I've done nothing to discourage it because I think you're both so good for each other. Still, I don't want her crushed again. This isn't someone who can just break up with when things get too real."
Kate put down her Blackberry and looked up at him. He's right. Alexis is little girl, and I'm either all in with her or not. Here's my chance. Just tell him I said it without thinking, out of reflex because Alexis said it first. I'm no good for this little girl. She needs someone good, someone whole and that's not me. Besides, once he knows all about me...he'll take her away from me, and unlike Meredith, there is nothing I can do about it.
"Kate?" his voice brings her back.
But it's already too late.
"I wasn't just saying it. It's impossible not love her. I think she's the most perfect little girl in the whole world. She's got this heart full of so much love that I could swear she positively glows. And I cannot understand for the life of me how her mother could not spend every possible moment with her. And now, that perfect little girl is offering all that love to me. Whatever she needs from me, I will give her as much as I can because she's too precious."
"Thank you. And I give you my word. So long as you keep thinking and acting that way, I will never cut you out of her life."
"How did you…"
"You're not as hard to read as you think Katherine Beckett. Come on, I'll make you some breakfast."
"I'm not hungry."
"The rumbling of your stomach begs to differ."
"My stomach isn't rumbling."
"It was when you had your tongue down my throat."
Is she actually blushing?
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NEW ROCHELLE, NEW YORK
"So all you guys memorized The Art of War?"
"Yes," they both said in unison.
"Am I going to have to?"
"It's not a job requirement if that's what you mean," Justin answered.
"But it helps," Ethan added.
"Besides, it's a short book. Memorizing isn't the most difficult part," Justin went on.
"What is then?"
"It's as much philosophy as how to. The tough part is applying what's in there without getting bogged down in the wheat."
"Don't you mean bogged down in the weeds?"
"No, the wheat. You don't want to be a bread guy."
"A bread guy? Does anyone ever understand what you guys are saying?"
"No," they answered in unison.
"It's a phrase we picked up from our headmaster, an Anglican Priest, back at school. The Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches split in the Great Schism of 1054. One of the big sticking points is the type of bread served at the last supper and hence at holy communion. The Roman Catholic church says unleavened bread and the East say leavened bread."
"Seriously, they argued over bread?"
"They're still arguing over bread. It's like anything to do with the Bible or any book of religion or philosophy. Some people look at the overall message, devil bad, God good. Others, get hung up arguing about what type of bread Jesus had at the last supper."
"How long until the raid starts?" Mike asked, trying to change the subject.
"Patience, not all the pieces are in place yet," Ethan answered.
"What pieces are missing?"
"The press, actually, like, Colin's girlfriend, Times report. We need maximum press coverage," Justin replied, "A little electronic recon on my part showed that bank's chairman sits on the board of directors of Coonan's charity and is a very big donor. The Van Cortlandt is also is a big contributor to one Senator William Bracken and close with Christian Dahl. Bracken and Dahl have both vouched for the guy over and over again."
"So, he's already getting arrested, wouldn't that make news especially after the drugs are found. I'm sure the press will show up."
"Eventually and all public will get is a dry report and some video of a dead bank. Boring new reporting. We need on the spot video of U.S. Marshals taking box after box of stuff out of the bank headquarters. We need live film of the drugs being taken out of suburban homes and small businesses.
"Remember, the public only responds to bright shiny objects that are right in front of them. That's how they got stuck with guys like Bracken in the first place."
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OFFICE OF DICK COONAN
"Hold on, hold on," Tom Alderton said in panic, "What you're suggesting could lead to a full scale gang war."
"That choice may already be off the table," Zalmay replied.
"What the hell does that mean?" Coonan asked.
"Once the Latin Kings' supplies from you dry up, there will be a huge heroin market that will not be served. Do you honestly think your competitors are going to simply leave that money on the table out of professional courtesy.
Vulcan Simmons' territory borders the Latin Kings. He'd have the easiest time moving in on the Kings' market. He'll figure he should grab what he can before some other competitor does. It'd be like crossing the street. And once your back, do you think Simmons will simply walk away and leave you alone?"
"Before we draw guns, let's think about this," Alderton said trying to calm things down, "Maybe we can make a deal with Simmons, make him understand just how bad things could get for him if he makes this kind of move. He hasn't lasted as long as has by letting his greed make him stupid."
"I didn't realize you and Simmons were such buddies Tom," Coonan quipped, his eyes now full of suspicion.
"We're not, but there is no getting around the power he wields and he has to be dealt with."
"What the hell are you talking about?!" Coonan was starting to lose it.
"The election is what he's talking about Mr. Coonan," Tarzi answered, "Since 9-11, massive amounts of law enforcement personnel have been targeted towards counterterrorism, especially here in New York for obvious reasons.
"Recruiting and training personnel cannot be accomplished overnight by just writing a check. It takes years that the local, state, and federal governments don't have when a panicky public demands to protected from all the monsters hiding under their beds. When you take personnel from one area, other areas suffer.
"Now that the hysteria of the attacks have worn off, people are noticing the lack of law enforcement in other areas. They don't care that they demanded it. They just decide that the Senator and his colleagues are to blame.
"And that brings us to Mr. Simmons. He doesn't want these personnel restored to where they were. So, he agrees to use his influence to keep things calm in his territory, and in return, the Senator and all his allies at all levels of government don't change the status quo.
"I see," Coonan said glaring at Alderton, "I think Tom is regretting bringing you here."
"I made it clear to him, before I agreed to consult, that I give the best advice and information I can to the person who pays me. Right now Mr. Coonan, that is you."
"Dick, don't you see. This is good," Alderton interrupted, "Simmons has an incentive not to move against you."
"I think Tom is oversimplifying the situation, Mr. Coonan."
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HAMPTONS FAMILY HOME
"You know, you should cut the guy a break," Ian Edgerton said leaning against the doorway in white button down shirt, jeans, and boots.
"Where you listening in on the conversation?" Vanessa said straightening her black with silver lettering Cornwall Academy sweatshirt. She sat down to put her boots on.
"Only your side of it. Let me guess, he heard about the Airport and called to make sure you were OK."
"And to warn me about your track record with women," she said giving him a glare as she pulled the cuffs of her jeans over her boots.
"Well, Mark's a good man. He may be stupid enough to break up with you, but I think he wants you to be happy. Look Nessa, I've known Mark a lot longer than you have. He may have a monumental stick up his rear, but he's one of the most decent guys I know. A little confused right now, but he wants to do the right thing. You should take it easy on him. "
"Considering what we did to each other last night and the night before and two nights before that, why are you trying to get me to take him back? I know it's not because you didn't have a good time."
"I never said you should take him back. I just said you should take it easy on him. And we both knew what this was when it started. It was about a few laughs and a lot of fun."
"What about the airport? Laughs or Fun?"
"Oh definitely, that was a lot of fun," he said putting his hands on her shoulders, "But you're not a fun only type of girl, Vanessa Kinkaid. And we both know it."
"Are you breaking up with me too?" she asked.
"Of course not. I am perfectly willing to make myself available for your sexual pleasure. I just want you to be honest with yourself."
Vanessa laughed at the comment and gave him a big hug.
"Thank you Ian, but I am being honest with myself. I just wish he would be honest with me."
"You think he's lying to you?"
"No, not like that. I think he's holding back. He doesn't say everything he's thinking. It's deception by selective information, quibbling. Trust me, I know, it's something my family excels at doing."
"I've noticed. If you became a family of politicians, I think you'd have permanent residence in Congress and the White House."
"Ouch!," she smiles and gives a light slap, "Way to hit below the belt, Edgerton."
"Just call 'em like I see 'em. If any of you had gone to law school, I would have thrown in the Supreme Court too."
That made her laugh even more.
"Come on," he said, "Let's hit the road."
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RICK'S KITCHEN
Kae sat at the Island bar while Rick finished her omelette.
"Mmmm...smells good," she commented with her eyes closed and taking in the aroma.
"I was going to treat you to one of my famous smorelets, but someone," he motioned to a smiling Alexis, "put the kibosh on it."
"Kate, what does kibosh mean?" the little redhead asked.
"It means to put an end to something in a very sudden way. What's a smorelets?"
"It's my brilliant invention," Rick answered, "It's an omelet surrounding chocolate and graham crackers. See, it's an omelette and smores in one, a smorelets."
Kate face went expressionless for a moment and then she turned to Alexis next to her.
"Is he kidding?"
The little redhead shook her head no.
"And you put the kibosh on him serving me one?"
The little girl then shook her head yes.
"Thank you!" the brunette detective said with great exuberance, hugging Alexis.
"Geniuses goes so unappreciated in their lifetimes," Rick said with a mock pout as he served Kate her omelette, "I tried to convince Madison to put it on the menu."
"What happened?"
"She threatened to quit," Alexis offered.
Kate broke out laughing, "Thank you Mads!"
Rick huffed again, but he had a big smile on his face. Seeing how happy Kate's presence made his little girl made him happier than he thought possible.
"Daddy, are you going to help us shop and cook today?"
"Wish I could pumpkin, but I have to go to the office."
"But it's Sunday!" she said crossing her arms and frowning.
"I know it is sweetie, but I have to meet with uncles Colin, Ethan, Roland, and Justin. Then we have to talk to the mayor about what happened yesterday."
"You really have to go daddy?"
"Yes pumpkin. The mayor has to tell the city what happened yesterday, but he can't tell them the truth until I tell him. Understand?"
"I understand daddy."
"Hey sweetie," Kate interrupted, "Since I'm coming over for dinner anyway, why don't I go shopping with you, Mary Ro, and your Aunt Serena."
"Yes!" the little girl's face lit right up and threw herself into Kate for a big hug."
Over the top of Alexis' head, she saw Rick smile and mouth 'thank you'.
She just smiled back at him.
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RICK'S BEDROOM
After breakfast, Kate went into Rick's bedroom to grab a quick shower. Luckily, she brought a change of clothes just in case she had to spend last night here watching Alexis.
She got undressed, sliding into the very short cream colored silk robe. She looked at herself in the mirror.
"Damn, that robe makes your legs look even more endless than they already are."
"It's lack of material makes it ideal for overnight bags."
"And here I thought you brought it along just for me."
"Don't be silly Castle, if I was going to do something for your benefit, I wouldn't have brought any robe at all," she said biting the left side of her lower lip in a way that made him lose the power of speech for second.
"Ah, Here brought you some extra towels."
"I checked, there are plenty of towels."
"Ok, then I came to catch you wearing next to nothing."
She then got a sexy, almost predatory smirk on her face and pulled the sash on the robe and let it drop open, sliding off her shoulders and hanging on her bent elbows.
Rick's mouth just hung open.
"Happy?" she asked.
"In ways you could never imagine."
Her smile grew wider. She then turned around, took the robe off completely, and draped it around her neck like a towel while walking towards the bathroom, offering him an unobstructed view of her perfect derriere.
Once inside, she looked over her shoulder, gave him a final smoldering look, and shut the door.
She hung up the robe and turned on the faucett.
She looked enviously across the bathroom at the giant tub.
This tub is huge. You could put like two maybe three people in here. Why would anyone need a tub that big...ewww...hmmm….not like I haven't...get your mind out of the gutter Kate.
Definitely have to try it out when I have the time and company.
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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, Blue Bloods, The District, or their characters.
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: Ok, I'm trying a new approach to post shorter chapters but posting more often. I'll see how it goes.
Also, a shout out to member EpicOprb. On the first try, they got the answer to the question I posted the last two times. The first person to do that.
I posted the question again below if others still want to try. If you just want to know, send me a PM because I'm not sure when it'll show up in the story.
Why does Castle hate Kate calling him by his last name, specially since in this story he is a police officer too? There is valid story reason for this. I may have not made this clear so far, but he really does despise being called by his last name. He just shrugs it off from Kate because of his feelings for her. Please feel free to PM me with guesses as to why you think he hates being called Castle instead of Rick. By the way, it has nothing to do with the word 'Castle'. He would equally hate it if she calls him 'Rodgers'.