Aint No Mountain High Enough

By

Natalie Elizabeth

Beckett surprised Castle by turning up at his unwanted birthday party and revealing a little about her past and how it involved him.

As Castle left his room with Beckett attached to his arm he was immediately assaulted with well wishes., hugs and slaps on his back. Castle looked around at the people that were assembled before him. Writers, judges, mafia, Oh my! There were a few unfamiliar faces but he assumed they had come with people he actually knew and liked. He bumped fists with Ryan and Esposito, received kisses from Lanie and Jenny, shook hands with Jim Beckett. What was Beckett's father doing here, not that he minded? The more the merrier and he liked the idea of Beckett's family being here with his family. Speaking of family his mother was here also, flitting about, urging him to walk towards the towering inferno. If he didn't blow out his candles soon, the fire department would soon be attending his party too. Was he really that old? As his mother led the crowd in singing him Happy Birthday Castle looked at the cake under all the flames. He couldn't help the grin that broke out on his face, this cake was better than the one Alexis had organised for him 2 years ago. It had been a justice league cake with a picture of himself standing amongst them in his own superhero outfit. Tonight he wasn't a superhero , he was a cop. The towering inferno was actually a rectangle cake with candles around the outside illuminating a police ID. Tonight he was Detective Castle. How awesome was that.!

"Hip , Hip, Hooray, Hip Hip, Hooray."

"Make a wish Dad."

Castle looked to his daughters smiling face that had seemed so sullen recently. He had thought it was because he was in the hospital but after a few days he was discharged and at home, yet she had still seemed saddened. The last day she had seemed to have picked up and now that he thought about it she seemed to be acting suspicious, he supposed it was to throw him off this somewhat surprise party. His eyes moved to his smiling mother, Alexis co conspirer he surmised, and saw that she was beaming also. It seemed to be common theme as he looked over the crowd of friends before him. Ryan and Esposito seemed to be a little too happy and he briefly wondered how much they had to drink. Castle then turned to the woman who was standing next to him, who had stood by him even though he had been acting like spoiled child. Make a wish! Make a wish! What did he wish for, the moon the stars. Castle turned his gaze back the crowd of people in front of him waiting for him to make a wish as before he blew out his candles. Esposito gave him a wink and Castle knew then and there what he wanted. He closed his eyes and made his wish.

I wish I had balls as big as Esposito's

He opened his eyes and leant forward to blow out the candles. Thankfully his friends and family closest to the cake helped him out. He didn't want there to be numerous candles lit after he had run out of breath, just one. Everybody knew any candles left lit after you had attempted to blow them out equalled how many girlfriends you had! A round of cheers broke out as if blowing out candles was a difficult task.

"Why was he born so ugly, why was he born at all?"

Castle looked up in time to see Jenny and Lanie give twin back hander's to the two men who had started singing. Ryan and Esposito were two of his true real friends; they didn't placate him or treat him with kid gloves. If his hair looked stupid they would tell him and as far as he was concerned that was the measure of a true friend.

The music was cranked up once again and Castle became a social butterfly as moved between the 60 or so guests at his party. Everyone seemed to be either drinking, dancing or just generally having a good time. It was over an hour later before he had a chance to simply stop and take a breath. He stood with a drink in his hand resting against his kitchen bench looking towards the makeshift dance floor. A song was playing, which to him had way to much profanity. He guessed that was the reason he had so many candles on his cake, he was getting old. Everyone else seemed to be enjoying the music, a dance off seemed to be occurring on the dance floor. One between Ryan and Esposito, the other between his daughter and his muse. Esposito seemed to be acting like a rapper where as Ryan looked like a broken slinky. He had no idea what Beckett and his daughter were doing but others around them seemed to be laughing and cheering them on. Castle watched in confusion as Beckett seemed to be doing a rain dance while Alexis was sticking out her but and wiggling it. It seemed the more outrages the moves were the more fun the pair were having.

"It's a beautiful site isn't it?"

Castle turned to the unknown woman who had joined him at some point, he wasn't so sure when he had been too busy staring at the dance floor.

Castle nodded. "It's good to see my daughter so happy." He then turned to look at the two happy woman.

"And Kate looks quite happy to." The woman informed him but that was blatantly obvious.

"Here's your drink Hallie."

Castle didn't turn to look at the man who had joined him; his eyes were transfixed to the woman in red on the dance floor. The music had now changed but she still didn't stop dancing with his daughter. He couldn't get over how well these two were getting along. He swore his daughter seemed a bit annoyed with Beckett at the hospital for some reason. However she had disappeared and come back with Beckett in tow so he figured he must have imagined her hostility.

"I was just telling Rick how happy Kate looks" The woman next to him told the man who had just arrived.

Castle couldn't take his eyes off Beckett. He still wasn't sure if she was really here. "Kate doesn't look happy, she looks ecstatic. I don't know what has gotten into her tonight but I love it. She looks so free and at ease, it's like a huge weight has been lifted off her shoulders. Whatever she is feeling on the inside is radiating out of her and she had no idea how incredibly addictive that is. You just want to be in her presence to soak up that essence she is oozing. She is extraordinary and smart and beautiful and I don't think she hears that often enough." Castle took a swig of his drink, somehow Beckett had the ability to make his mouth water and dry up at the same time.

"Maybe you could make it your goal to tell my daughter that every day."

Castle scoffed, oh yeah he could just imagine that. Give Beckett a compliment everyday instead of her coffee, that would go down well. Instead of receiving his daily smile he would receive a daily eye roll. Wait, did he just say daughter? Castle turned to see it was Jim Beckett who had joined them. Oh shit.

"Mr Beckett, I am so sorry, I meant no disrespect, I just meant..." Words failed him. He was a writer yet words failed him as he spoke to the father of the woman he cared for so deeply.

"Drop the Mr Beckett, Rick and there is no reason to apologize. For a long time I was worried that no one would see Katie for the person she was on the inside. She tends to show people her prickly outer side, buy my daughter is like a pineapple. If you can get past the tough exterior she really is nice and sweet on the inside."

Castle had to laugh at that. What would Beckett think if she heard her father referring to her as a pineapple?

"She really is a wonderful woman." He needed Jim to know he respected his daughter.

Jim nodded. "Yes she is and I think she wants you"

Castles eyes widened. He had adamantly told Jim that there was nothing going on between him and his daughter ,when he went to deliver the photos. Maybe he had gotten the wrong idea when Beckett had invited him here.

Castle shook his head. "Oh no Jim you have got it all wrong. We work together, we are partners but not in that way. We are best friends but it doesn't go further than that."

Jim smiled and shook his head he then pointed to the dance floor. "No I mean she wants you on the dance floor"

Castle turned to see Beckett was waving at him to join her on. Oh god he had just made an idiot of himself in front of Beckett's father turning back to the man he gave him a brief smile.

"Right, well umm I better go."

Castle made his way quickly to the dance floor eager to get away from Jim Beckett. There was something so intimidating about meeting a girls father and talking with them. Maybe he could get together with Jim again on more friendly terms to discuss his methods so he could use them on Alexis dates. When he got to the edge of the dance floor Beckett grabbed him by the arm and pulled him into the fray.

"Come on Castle it's your birthday, you haven't danced yet."

Castle did a bit of an awkward shuffle. "I am not really good at dancing." He told her rather embarrassed.

"You did ok when we danced for the jewel thief case."

"I was taught to dance like that. This freestyle stuff is different, it's like I have three left feet."

Beckett just laughed and grabbed his hands and placed them on her hips.

"Here just move side to side and let me do the dancing. No one will notice those three feet of yours."

Castle wanted to laugh but he couldn't, his hands were on Beckett's hips. Beckett's father and other family and friends were here, possibly watching them and she was allowing him to touch her. He was waiting for her to kiss him again because surely this was his other birthday present. How many songs he had danced to he couldn't say. All he knew was Beckett was writhing under his grip, sending him smiles and for a brief moment he was in heaven. Until he heard his mother's voice come through loud and clear on a microphone. Now he was worried Hell was approaching.

"Excuse me, Ladies and gentleman if you could all make your way towards me."

Castle reluctantly pulled himself away from Beckett and turned to see his mother standing under a spotlight. She had a microphone in hand, and Castle prayed to whoever would listen that his mother wasn't going to sing. He wasn't sure what was going on when he heard a mechanical sound and a white screen dropped from the room of his loft. When had that been installed and why hadn't he done it.

"Hello, I hope you have all been enjoying the evening."

A picture of him smiling appeared on the screen. It was one of those cocky pictures of him that was used for the back of his books. Now looking at the photo he understood why Beckett had first thrown one of his books back. Why was his mother showing this picture and why was it on the screen. Did it mean there would be other pictures? Oh god this couldn't be good.

"Don't look so worried Richard it's not like I am going to show a picture of you when you were five and only wore a cowboy hat and chaps."

Castle watched in horror as that very picture appeared on the screen. Thankfully someone had the forethought to draw a party hat over his groin area. A very big hat if he did say so himself.

"Now when we decided to host this party for Richard we called all of you here and asked for pictures and tales about Richard. Some of those stories were unbelievable. True, but unbelievable. One thing we noticed was that a lot of those stories were old stories. Stories of who the man Richard was back then, not who he is right now. In the past three years I have noticed a change in my son, a very good change. So we thought it was only fitting for the person responsible for that change to give Richard's birthday speech. Please put your hands together for one of New Yorks finest, in more ways than one. Kate Beckett."

Castle turned around shocked, Beckett. Beckett was giving his birthday speech. In all the commotion of his mother taking to the microphone he had lost Beckett in the crowd. Now there she was striding towards his mother, with what looked like a manuscript in her hand. Oh no what tales would Beckett regale the crowd with. Maybe it would be better if his mother continued to show pictures of him naked.

"Don't look so worried son," somehow Jim Beckett had sidled up to him unnoticed and now the man was patting him on the back. "I am sure you will enjoy Katie's speech."

"Yeah Bro, I mean how bad could it be."

Castle turn to see Esposito and Ryan had now flanked him. There was nowhere to escape now. He was going to have to stand there, Jim on his left, Ryan and Esposito on his right and embarrassment straight ahead. Castle watched as Beckett held her notes in one hand and the micro phone in another, she looked at him and gave him a brief smile before raising her eyes to everyone else in the room.

"What can one say about Richard Castle" she began before turning back to him and gave him a mischievous smile. "That he hasn't already said about himself."

Castle threw his head back and chuckled. She was leading with a joke, always a good way to start. Beckett's gaze returned to the crown and continued.

"Intelligent, witty, ruggedly handsome." She then turned her focus on him again. "I am of course directly quoting Richard Castle here."

This time the whole room erupted with laughter. Castle watched as Beckett nodded and the screen behind her lit up this time with a picture of him that had been drawn on with coloured markers. He had been given horns, a goofy grin and either that was snot or a moustache he wasn't too sure. Looking at the doodling around the photo he turned to Ryan and Esposito with raised brows. Esposito remained cool and simply shrugged, yet Ryan had a slightly guilty look on his face. Castle just laughed before returning his gaze back to Beckett.

"On a more serious note, we are all here to celebrate this great and wonderful man."

Castles eyes widen. Beckett thought he was great and wonderful. And she was admitting it in front of over 60 people.

"He means a lot of different things to us all here and goes by just as many names. To his mother he is Richard."

Castle watched as the picture behind Beckett changed this one was thankfully a lot nicer. It was black and white and was taken a few days after he was born. There he was, a little swaddled infant being held by his glamorous mother who no one would have guessed she had given birth recently.

"I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Martha and have a nice long talk."

Castle closed his eyes and groaned. Oh God he wasn't sure what was worse, having Beckett's fathers standing next to him during this whole ordeal. Or the fact that Beckett had sat down and had a chat with his mother. When had Beckett had a chance to speak to his mother. He suspected it had been when he was in hospital but his mother hadn't mentioned it and right now he figured he knew why.

"I asked her why she called him Richard, it seemed so formal. Normally family members come up with shorter nicknames. Martha didn't even have to think about it. She told me she was going through a very hard time in her life and then she found out she was pregnant. The discovery gave her a whole new look on life, being pregnant enriched her life. She calls him Richard to remind her of how happy she felt. According to Martha there are times she needs reminding why she loves her son so much."

Castle couldn't him but give a little snort at that. Like mother, like son. She caused him as much grief as he caused her. Turing his head he found his mother in the crowd and blew her a kiss which she returned. The picture on the screen changing drew his attention back to Beckett and her speech. Another nice shot, maybe this wasn't going to be as bad as he thought. It was a picture of himself and Alexis cuddling on the couch.

"To his daughter he is Dad, or Father when he is naughty."

"Which is all the time" The crowd again erupted with laughter as Castle turned to find his daughters voice. He finally found her at the back of the room in front of a laptop; she was obviously in charge of changing the pictures on the screen. She gave him a big cheesy grin before turning her attention back to the laptop making a few adjustments, so he turned back around again to look at the screen. Various smaller photos appeared of him with different groups of friends.

"To his friends he is Rick or Ricky, fun and playful, but to all of us at the precinct, he is simply Castle."

The screen changed again to a shot that had been taken the day of the fake magazine shoot. There he stood, Beckett beside him, Ryan, Esposito, Lanie, Montgomery and a bunch of other officers in the background who had photo bombed the shot.

"Now to some people, calling him by his last name is formal or harsh but we all go by our last name at the precinct. Castle is as much a part of our team as I am, I willingly walk into battle with him by my side every day. He may not carry a badge or a gun but what he does have can't be earned. Street smarts, the ability to think out side the box and integrity. He does what he does because he can, not because he is paid to do it. That's the kind of man he is and that's who we are here for. To celebrate the day this wonderful man came into this world and into our lives."

Castles mouth gaped open slightly. He couldn't believe the words that were spilling out of Beckett's mouth. She was praising him and there wasn't any hint of humour in her voice.

"Close your mouth," Esposito told him. "You'll start catching flies."

Castle closed his mouth and his eyes caught Beckett's for a brief second before she looked back down at the paper in her hands.

"Richard Castle is the kind of person who helps out his mother, no questions asked."

Fear began to grow inside him when Beckett turned her gaze to him yet again and a familiar twinkle shone back. Oh no, she had twinkled at him before hitting him with some witty retorts only moments ago.

"Although maybe he should have asked some questions this time." She finished a smile now on her face.

Castle was confused, he was always happy to help out his mother. He had learned the less he knew the better. That was until he watched Beckett nod her head and a new picture appeared on the screen. Castle covered his eyes with his hand hoping to hide from the picture. It didn't work. He heard hooting and hollering and felt Esposito slap him on the back.

"Whoo hoo, nice legs Castle."

Drawing his hands down from his face Castle stared at the picture of him on stage, in a DRESS. The person is sick Richard, his mother told him. It's only a small role, only a few lines, so there is no understudy. Please you have to help. What she failed to mention was that the role was that of a woman, who despite the fact she had only 4 lines, she was onstage almost the whole time. Sliding a glance to his left, he saw Jim with an amused expression on his face.

"Richard Castle is the kind of person who is a doting and responsible father."

Castle rubbed his hands together, finally something good. At least he thought that until the picture of himself and Alexis appeared on the screen. Oh no, how could Alexis do this to him. He turned to where his daughter sat, trying to glare at his daughter. It was hard though, she was grinning back at him. Just like she was grinning in the photo of them, except in the photo she was upside down. He had flipped Alexis upside down and held her by her ankles, while he tried to sweep the floor with her long hair.

"Richard Castle is the kind of person who loves Golf."

Golf that wasn't too bad he thought. Beckett probably had a picture of him playing golf with the mayor. The photo changed and Castle let out a groan. One of his golfing buddies had taken the picture on their phone of a particular bad game. If there was a sand trap his ball somehow magically found it. The picture had been taken as he swung back his club an angry look on his face.

"Richard Castle is the kind of man who is an expert fisherman."

Oh no this was not going to end well. He hated fishing, hated it with a passion. Yet a group of his friends were going so he had tagged along. As expected the picture changed and there he was for all the word to see with a giant hook in his hand.

"You know if you're interested I can show you how to fish properly."

Castle turned surprised at Jim's offer. He had pretty much thought fishing sucked but if Jim was offering to spend time with him, than he would take it. Maybe he could get some blackmail material for when it was Beckett's birthday.

"Thanks."

"Richard Castle is the kind of person who loves to dance."

Castle watched in horror as his victory dance from the Hamptons was now suddenly larger than life for everyone to see. He covered his face with his hands but then dropped it to look at Beckett.

"I thought you deleted it."

Beckett smiled at him. "I did. But not before sending it to your daughter."

Oh so this was a conspiracy, the woman in his life were ganging up on him.

"Richard Castle is the kind of person who doesn't, mind making a fool of his self to make a friend smile."

Castle's eyes narrowed, he had made a fool of himself numerous times, but for a friend? The picture changed and he let out a huge guffaw.

"Hey"

"Hey why did you involve us?"

It was clear the two men next to him weren't happy about being included in his humiliation. The picture was another taken from the fake magazine shoot. There he stood with his partners in crime Ryan and Esposito, posing with their hands on their hips, pouting their lips. The three men looked quite funny and that was the whole point, to make Beckett smile.

"Richard Castle is the kind of man who invites you around for dinner and then gets you to cook."

Castle stared in wonder at the picture that appeared on the screen. How, how was this even possible. The picture wasn't the best quality but it was clear what the picture was. It had been taken in this very home, of his kitchen. Of Beckett and himself cooking in the kitchen. Well Beckett was doing the cooking, or rather chopping, he was stealing vegetables. This particular shot was of the two of them in their matching aprons standing very close together. He had no idea how the picture had been taken considering they were the only two people in the room.

"Richard Castle is the kind of person who won't let you get away with pushing him into freezing cold water. He will pick you up and throw you in there too."

While others around him laughed, Castle smiled as memories of their time at the Hamptons came rushing back to him. It was so out of character for Detective Beckett to push him in the water, but he was starting to realise it was very in character for Kate.

"Richard Castle is however the kind of person who won't hold a grudge and will offer to carry you across the sand, so it doesn't stick to your body."

Castles mouth dropped open as yet another picture flashed on the screen and he had no idea how the picture even existed. It was of a scene he had run over in his head so many times yet this wasn't in his point of view. Again it was a picture of himself and Beckett, except this time they were both smiling like idiots. Beckett was on his back, one arm on his shoulder the other raised in the air holding an imaginary whip. It was a rare shot of Beckett acting with such wild abandonment. He still wondered who had taken a photo and how quickly he could get a copy of it. To a stranger this picture could be of a couple enjoying a day at the beach.

"And finally Richard Castle is."

Castle moved his eyes from smiling Beckett on the screen to nervous Beckett in his home. What was making her so nervous, did he have a reason to be nervous. What could be worse than a picture of him dancing like Beyonce. Beckett took another deep breath and her lip began to tremble.

"Most importantly Richard Castle is the, is the." Beckett tried to start her speech again but she faulted. She bit her lip before taking a few deep breaths. The picture changed again and he watched as Beckett turned to look at the screen. He followed her gaze and stared at the picture of the two of them. He couldn't believe the picture she had chosen to put up at his birthday party in front of his friends and family. It was the same one her father had picked of the two of them smiling and looking at each other, happiness clearly written on their face. Although he often fantasised that it was more than happiness, it was love. Why would Beckett have shown this picture to everyone, to an outsider this was a picture of a very intimate moment. Not what it actually was, him pulling Beckett to sit in his lap and after a few seconds of struggling, the two of them laughing. Jim had liked the photo so he had asked for a copy, he had also liked it so much it was his wallpaper on his laptop. Now that he thought about it, the only way Beckett could have gotten the shot of them all at the precinct and this one, was if she accessed his computer. If she had accessed his computer than she had seen his wallpaper. Oh crap he was a dead man, the next words out of Beckett's lips surely had to be Richard Castle is the kind of man I am going to strangle. He timidly looked at Beckett and saw she was staring at him intently. She swallowed again before licking her lips and opening her mouth.

"Richard Castle is the kind of man that I love."

Castle stood there frozen in shock. Did she just say LOVE! No she couldn't possibly have. He was fantasising, one too many drinks that's what it had to be. She had said she loved Richard Castle and he was Richard Castle. He feared moving in case it broke the spell. Sliding his eyeballs to the right he saw Esposito smiling at him. That had to be a good sign right, although whatever Beckett had really said could be what was making him smile. He then looked to his left being careful not to move and saw that Jim also was smiling. Castle watched in slow motion as Jims hand came towards him. No , no please don't. His internal pleas went unnoticed as Jim slapped him on the back launching Castle forward.

"Go get her son."

Son! Son, suretly this had to be a he felt the slight pain of the slap and you weren't meant to feel pain in a dream, right. The Beckett vision in front of him didn't vanish either, she just handed the microphone and speech to his mother and saucily walked towards him. A nervous smile crossed her face before she bit her lip.

"What's the matter Castle, cat got your tongue."

Castle gulped, not cat but he was dreaming Kate would.

"Ddddid you just say"

"That I love you " Kate interrupted him. "Yes Castle I did. Happy Birthday I hope you got your birthday wish"

Birthday wish, Castle shook his head and watched as her smiled faulted.

"You didn't"

Castle said the first thing that came to mind. "No I wished for Esposito's balls."

"Dude"

Castle looked towards Esposito and then realised what he said.

"I didn't mean literally. I mean because he is brave and has guts. I was working my way up to asking you for a date. I guess that's pretty redundant now."

Beckett nodded at him.

"Seriously. You love me."

Beckett nodded again.

Castle leaned in. "And no one is dying."

Beckett rolled her eyes at him. "Come on Castle only you would do something that dramatic"

Castle opened his mouth to refute her claim and then closed it again. Yeah ok he was chicken, maybe he would do something like wait until Beckett was on her death bed to confess his true feelings. He didn't have to because she had just confessed her feelings for him. Ion front of his family and friends as a birthday present. He had asked for a sign and this was it, he just needed one final thing to be sure.

"If that was a birthday present then don't I get a kiss after it."

The smile that broke out of Beckett's face could have lit up the night.

"You do."

Beckett brought her hands up to his face and slowly lowered her lips to his. The second her lips hit his Castle declared it the best birthday ever. As her hands snaked their way around his neck he finally allowed himself to touch her and pulled her close. He would gladly give up his fortune to stop the caterwauling of friends and family around him. It was the loud clearing of his mothers throat that had him tearing his lips away from Beckett's. He couldn't help but give her a quick squeeze before turning around keeping one arm around her. The spotlight was once again on his mother.

"Oh behalf of everyone here. It's about time"

The cheering started up again and Castle was worried how Beckett was handling the attention but she just snuggled into his chest and smiled. Best birthday ever.

"Now the party isn't over people. Keep drinking, dancing , having fun just don't expect my son to be aware of anyone in the room apart from Kate"

Castle smiled and shrugged, his mother was right. The music started up and the crowed began to disperse but not before giving a few more congratulatory slaps and well wishes. Beckett turned to face him wrapping her arms back around his neck before started top sway to the music. Castle could safely say he loved dancing now, he would make it mandatory everyday. He would use any excuse to have her in his arms. He rubbed his cheek against the side of her head.

"I love you to Kate"

She pulled her head back from his shoulder.

"I know, your mother and daughter informed me numerous times."

"I am sorry I didn't believe you. I was acted like a fool."

Beckett shook her head. "No Castle, not now. I still want to talk later but for now I just want to enjoy being in your arms." She returned her head to his shoulder and continued to sway to the music.

Castle held Beckett tighter oblivious to the world around him because Beckett was his world. She had said she loved him in front of family and friends. Kissed him with her father and his mother only steps away. He wasn't sure where their relationship was going, they would talk later , but for now he was quite content to be in her arms.

AUTHORS NOTE: NOT OVER JUST YET, MAYBE ONE MORE CHAPTER FOR THEM TO TALK AND WRAP THINGS UP. DEPENDS ON HOW IT GOES I MIGHT HAVE MORE TO SAY, OR RATHER FOR THEM TO SAY. I WILL LET YOU KNOW AT THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT CHAPTER IF IT IS OVER OR NOT OK.

LOVE YOU GUYS, YOUR REVIEWS HAVE BEEN AMAZING BUT KEEP THEM COMING.

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