I have had a few suggestions that my military elements are incorrect. I have never served so I do not know what is required or what happens in the Marines. This is just fiction and as I said before, totally AU.

"What do you mean you want to consult," Commissioner Frank Reagan replies?

"I would like to be embedded with a homicide team to see if my knowledge would be helpful."

"You do realize how dangerous this could be for you," asks Mayor Bob Weldon?

"It is anymore dangerous than most of the missions I have been on."

"I have a team that could use another member. Detective First Grade Kate Beckett has the best solve rate in my precinct. She has Detective Second Grade Javier Esposito, who is former special forces, and Detective Third Grade Kevin Ryan as team members. I have not been able to keep a partner with her. She is awful tough and is not afraid to speak her mind. If her closure rate wasn't so good, she would have been disciplined for her attitude. But Frank can tell you she gets the job done." Captain Roy Montgomery could see a great partnership, if both of their alpha personalities don't cause them to kill each other. It could also be a great personal relationship.

"I know of Beckett, are you sure her take command attitude will be able to coexist with Rick's? Two people used to being in charge sounds like a recipe for disaster," Reagan replies.

"I can tone down my bossiness some. I don't have to be in charge all the time. I follow orders the same as all of you do," responds Rick.

"Okay Rick, if you really want to try, I will approve it. But don't destroy the teams dynamic. You are a little larger than life," Weldon adds.

"If the mayor is okay with it, I will go along with it too," Reagan says.

"One thing though, I don't want them to know about my military background. I want them to see me as a regular person, not a soldier looking for a thrill. I would also like to go as Rick Castle instead of Rodgers. They won't be able to find my background that way."

"A regular person? With your brains, strength, and speed you will never be able to pass as 'regular'. You are always thinking several moves ahead in everything you do, but are you sure about this? What is your backup plan," Roy wants to know?

"I will sign back up for another tour of duty. I have ninety days leave starting tomorrow that I plan on using to see how this would work."

"So it is either this or the Marines," asks Weldon?

"Yeah it is. I would be placed on the short list for my star. Too many people would balk at a 29-year-old being at flag rank. It would cause too much trouble; I would have to turn down that promotion."

"Rick don't be hasty. You could make the history books again. Look at what good you could do. You always had the least number of lost troops in your command. You could do wonders as a general. And you want to use your nickname? Where did Castle come from anyway," Reagan tries to find out more about his friend?

"As a kid and through my service people said they always felt safest behind or following me. Told me it was like being behind castle walls. They started calling me Castle and it just stuck. Let me try this for 60 days and we can all talk again about what would be best."

"Okay, we will meet back here in 60 days and see how things are going. But I will need you to sign several documents for the safety of the city, all consultants that go into the field have to sign them." Weldon has to protect his city from any lawsuits, even if it is at the expense of a friend.

"Thank you, all three of you. Without your support, I know I will eventually burn out. I haven't been in country for five years and likewise haven't had a date even longer than that. I know I have put you all in a tough spot, I promise to keep your detectives safe. Maybe if things go good, I will go to the academy and actually become an officer."

"Rick if you do that, with your service, it would be an abbreviated class and I think I could start you out as a detective without having to go through the patrol ranks," Reagan informs him.

"Okay, I will see you all later, and you captain tomorrow. What time do you want me there?"

"Come in at nine tomorrow, so I have enough time to tell Beckett and calm her down some, maybe."