Altered Assessment
by Castlefan6
Authors Note: Another AU WHAT IF. Castle was only at the precinct for FFYG, until being requested back by Captain Montgomery for Candela case. Kate is the pursuer, Meredith died in Childbirth, Gina is just the Editor. Previous experiences shared by Roy, Rick and Mayor W. We may take liberties with the events and timeline from Canon and use events to make this a more believable fiction, Warning THIS IS AU, with only brief flashes of Canon.
I don't own Castle; I use the characters for amusement purposes only, except the ones I create.
Previously
"Yes, HE, pointing Esposito, owes my editor a written, formal apology for getting in her face when she was within her rights to throw you, and your crews' ass completely off the property, and Detective, keep him out of my sight, or you'll be on your own on this.
"I don't appreciate bullies, especially when it comes from a man with a badge to one of my family, or friends. The next time he goes Macho on someone I work with or one of my friends, we'll see how macho he really is, I think I made my point. The letter can be sent in care of Paula Hass, you have her contact information." Rick's voice never rose a decibel, but the look in his eyes, well it was a look that Kate had never seen before,
"I'll be sure the letter is sent, and that it covers his actions thoroughly," Kate said quietly,
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A/N FFYG it's the start of Castle Flowers For Your Grave, with a couple of twists. Gina is the editor, never been more, Meredith passed away in childbirth, Kate is the one pursuing Rick, stand by for some other twists
Chapter 2
Gallagher's Bar
Two Hours Later
Rick and Roy headed toward the elevator, Roy turned sharply and barked at Esposito, "if you value your job, you won't do anything stupid like try to follow me or Rick, am I clear Detective, or would you rather hear Patrolman Esposito."
"Perfectly clear Sir" he sleeked back to his desk, and the wrath of both Kate and Ryan.
"What the hell is the matter with you, do you have the nosey gene inherited from your Nana, for God's sake you're going to get us all sacked with your stupid behavior Espo." Ryan was wailing on him.
"Espo, what was that thirty-day comment from the Captain, are you on a 30-day trial PIP (Performance Improvement Plan) and if so when did you plan on telling me about it?"
"Well, eh, Kate, Cap is pissed, I figured he would blow off the steam and then well, you know he would come back down to himself. I've never heard him talk to you that way, so I just figured he was pissed and would get over it." Espo offered,
"Well check your email, it's sent to HR, and the Commissioner so you have thirty days to prove you deserve to keep your job, I suggest you start tonight. Write the letter, I don't care if it takes you all fucking night, you understand?"
"Eh. Yes Mam," he barked once again getting an attitude.
"Lose the attitude Javi or you won't make another thirty minutes much less thirty days" Kate was tired of babysitting him
Xx
"So, Rick, how have you been, you're looking good. How old is Alexis now, 9 or 10?" Roy asked,
Rick laughed, "she turned 15 last month Roy, she'll be in college in two years, she's taken so many advanced classes. I can tell you; I'm not looking forward to that day. I mean, it's been just the two of us, since, well for a long time."
"God, you have to be kidding, where did the time go, has it been 7 years since we last saw you and Martha, I'm sorry, inexcusable for a Godfather, I'll make it up to her, I promise." Roy was truly embarrassed and shocked,
"Hey she knows Uncle Roy and now Uncle Bob as Mayor are both very busy, I mean she misses you but she still has you on speed dial."
"Yeah do you believe that shit, I work for the recruit I had to train along with you, it's a wonder one or both of you didn't get us all killed," he laughed, but Rick knew he shared the same pride for their friend and brother in arms. They had been through hell together, and if Roy hadn't been with them, Bob, he or both would have died."
"Yeah, who was that told us, hey Florida, beach sand and broads, what more could you want, and we fell for that line. If I knew what I was getting myself into hell, I might have had second thoughts." Rick smiled,
"I didn't lie, Florida had all of that, but I never promised you stooges you would ever have time to enjoy it, hell the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), headquartered at Hurlburt Field, Florida, is the special operations component of the United States Air Force.
"What the hell did you think you were signing up for, Bay Watch Patrol at Clearwater Beach? You learned the importance of researching everything when you're in the military. Hell, you and Bob pulled 4 and 2, I pulled 10 and four."
"Yeah, 4 years active then two years reserve, even though they extended us by 11 months in the theater, I'd still do it again Sir. I don't know you made it through three tours there with Evelyn and small kids here waiting on you." Rick looked far away memories flooding into his mind,
"Yeah, well, at that time, I needed the rank and education to be able to support the family, I was just praying I wouldn't get killed trying to do it. I did have a ton of life insurance just in case, but you and Bob, God, what a duo you two were, where you saw one, the other wasn't too far away." Roy shared Rick's look,
"Well, Sir, Cheers to making it home and to those so many who didn't, I remember everyone in our squad, I know you did as our CO. Just know every one of us would have followed you into the gates of hell, we knew you had our six." Rick looked at his friend and saw the tears come to his eyes,
"Do you ever regret it, Rick? I mean do you ever think what would have happened if Kyra hadn't left for London, and you enlisted? Hell, you were what 17 years old in real life, lying to get in." Roy looked over at him,
"Not for a minute Roy, you made men out of a bunch of sissy mommy skirt hugging boys who needed to step up and be men, you did that Roy, even more than Basic so thanks. I don't know where I would have been if not for you." He said softly,
"You don't regret writing Meredith for two years, a few 10-day R & R (Rest and Recuperation) periods, then when you got home you realized you were going to be a Dad? I look back at what happened and feel I cheated you out of the time you could have spent with her, hell who thought a healthy twenty-something lady would die in childbirth." Roy had his limit and was becoming sentimental,
"Roy, you didn't cheat me out of anything, you were the one that got me home, before my turn, without you I wouldn't have been home for the last 4 months, or when, well when I had to bring Alexis home alone.
"Hell, I didn't know anything about being a Dad, Evelyn came out to our house and spent three weeks teaching me how to take care of my child, who does that? A friend Sir, a true friend, so never feel that way. So, what's the story with Beckett's partner, Mr. Macho anyway?" He needed to change the subject
"Esposito?" Roy asked,
"I think that's his name, I just told Beckett to keep him the hell away from me and my friends or I would show him what Macho meant," Rick said, with no inflection in his voice,
"Yeah, he washed out of Special Forces, he tells everyone he was in our unit, but little does he know my or well your and Weldon's background. The kid that would buy his letter sweater then wear it to school and get his ass kicked," Roy laughed,
"Well, I was serious with the asshole, I heard enough tonight, I almost blew my manicured nails, special shampoo image of a famous writer to kick his ass the old fashion way, but then I would have to explain where the training came from. They ended when Rick Rogers became Rick Castle, not even Alexis knows about that period of my life.
"Well, he's on a 30-day PIP or he's gone, so we'll see if we need to even worry about him. I talked to Bob on the way down, and he wanted me to blow it up, so no one would get suspicious but let them check I'm 8 years older than you and Bob, so no one would think we would have served together. What frosts me, is I report to that Asshole you kept out of trouble now" Roy laughed, the first time in a long time.
"Well, I don't want to cut this short, but I've already gotten two texts from Alexis wanting to know should she call you or bring bail money, so I better get home and calm her nerves. Roy, enough of the small talk when you talk to Bob tell him two weeks, we're meeting at my Hamptons home for the weekend, bring the family, deal?"
"It's a deal, Rick, I know Evelyn will be out of her mind getting to see you and the family again, I'll call you, drive careful."
"I'd say the same to you, but Sir, here is your Cab, pick your car up tomorrow, you're over the limit so go home, and we'll talk soon, Goodnight"
Xx
Javi had tried the quick I apologize for the letter to Gina and Kate shot him down now for the fourth time.
"Jesus Espo, you do know English don't you, pretend you're trying to get back into Lanie's bed, put some emotion into the apology or you're going to be looking for a new line of work sooner than later" Kate admonished him after reading his latest attempt at the letter.
"Of course, I know English, and what do you mean about Lanie, I mean,"
"Do you really want to go there Espo, Google sample apology letters to see what you should say, I don't have all night,"
About 45 minutes later Kate made the last few corrections, told him to "print it off, sign it and mail it to the address she had emailed him, CERTIFIED mail at your own expense." She was still pissed, and Javi knew better than to open his mouth.
Xx
Castle enters the loft, throws Martha a dirty look to get rid of her latest conquest, or both leave and they are both out the door within minutes,
"Hey what about you, it's a school night, don't you turn into a pumpkin or something if you're not asleep by now?" he looks to Alexis,
"Well, usually yes, but they make an exception when your Dad is hauled off to the slammer in front of you and all his guests, boy I have never seen Gina so pissed," Alexis responded,
"Yeah, well she had a right to be, but again it's a school night, off to the bed with you."
"Not till you tell me if you're in trouble Dad, I saw you then I saw the shorter detective get in Gina's face, I thought she was going to wound him in the family jewels," Alexis wrinkled her nose,
"Well, pumpkin, I'm not in trouble, they actually wanted me to help them out on some cases, but had a really odd way of asking as well as timing apparently, somebody's been killing people the way I kill them in my books." He said
"That's awful Daddy, any reason the killer picked your books, you're not in danger are you?" she was about to cry
"No Baby Bird, we're not in danger, but I called Mike and he has stepped up the measures, you know Uncle Mike, they would have to kill him to get to us."
"How many killed Dad"?
"Two, so far, Uncle Roy and his precinct are working on it, so you don't have to worry. HE chewed some butt out when he got down there tonight. Oh, that reminds me, mark your calendar, two weeks, we're spending in the Hamptons with both Uncle Bob and Roy and the families, Uncle Roy thought you were 10 years old, so it's been far too long"
"Dad, I'm 15, I'll be in college in less than two years, Uncle Roy needs to visit us more often," she notices her Dad quiet and just staring,
"Are you okay Daddy?
"Yeah, just so senseless, especially the books he chose, that's what's throwing me,"
"C'mon, it's bedtime. You can figure it out in the morning." As she took his hand and pulled him down the hall,
Xx
Two Days Later
Mike accompanied two patrol officers as they wheeled in 4 skids of fan mail that had been cleared by his group to allow the Police to do their investigation.
"What the hell is all of this?" Espo asked as he walked upon the officers,
"It's fan mail for Richard Castle that was requested, well the first part of it anyway" Mike replied,
"What do you mean the first part of it, how much mail does that man get?" Javi needles,
"More in a day than you will in your lifetime hotshot, he's loved by his fans. You must be Esposito, the smart-ass detective he told me about that smarted off to Gina once your lady boss had started questioning Rick"
"What do you mean smart ass? I asked the suspect some questions,"
"First place you dick head, neither Mr. Castle or Ms. Cowell were at any time a suspect, secondly, you interrogate anyone involved with my boss and his friends like that again, I'll break your arm off and shove it so far up your ass you won't be able to speak.
"Careful what you say next, don't let your mouth write a check your ass can't cash, because I have permission to kick your ass from one side of this precinct to the other, just give me a reason"
Mike's sleeves slipped up revealing a tattoo that Javi knew he wasn't just bragging this dude was one bad mother
Kevin watched as the macho special force veteran slipped away without saying a word, his face marked with fear and embarrassment. The tattoo he saw told him more than any words, the guy was special forces, not just any special forces but the crazy ones, the ones who survive just to kill their targets.
The exchange wasn't lost to one Captain Roy Montgomery who told Mike, another one of his former direct reports in the Air Force, he had permission to wipe the floor with Esposito. It seemed like the good Captain had grown tired of the macho image, and it warmed his heart to see him back down and slink away, defeated without ever throwing a punch.
"Hi, I'm Detective Kate Beckett, and you are and what is all this?"
"Hi Detective, my name is Mike Powers, head of security for RCE, or Rick Castle Enterprises, and you requested his fan mail, this is from the first two days of the time period you asked for." As he pointed to the skids in the conference room.
"We did a preliminary check on the mail, that's why the envelopes are opened, all have been X-rayed, and any objects removed and dealt with," he said so matter of factly
"What does that mean Mike, eh may I call you Mike?" she asked,
"Answer to the second question is yes, Mike is fine, the answer to the first question is you're a detective, I'm sure you can figure it out."
"Mike has Mr. Castle received death threats, and if so, why wasn't the NYPD notified." She asked, now showing a deep sense of concern,
"Begging your pardon Detective, Rick's in better hands with his own people than somebody like that asshole over there. Rick also reminded me to tell you, if he touches one part of this case, you're on your own, I think Rick said words to the effect of aren't there cars that need parking tickets, he may not screw that up."
It wasn't lost that Javi heard every word, and just sat like a defeated fighter on his stool, he knew if he opened his mouth it would be the last time for a long time, his friend made the mistake of taking one of these guys on, and he didn't get out of the hospital for 3 months.
"Tell Castle I understand the deal, but I was hoping he could at least let him assist in investigating his fan mail" as she was speaking Mike began shaking his head no,
"If he touches one letter, then solve the case yourself, Detective. Rick doesn't get this vindictive too often but Gina told him what was said to her by the other detective when you were taking him away. If Rick had heard it, he would have earned his pay then, but now, he's off or you're on your own, I'll be right over here till you're done." As he moved to the office chair in the conference room
Kate walked over to Javi, "What the hell did you say that got them so pissed off, Javi, I want to know and I want to know now"
"It was a joke Kate, I told the lady, I guess Gina, that maybe she drove her writer so crazy that he finally stopped writing about it and actually did something, it was a joke"
"You fucking moron, are you crazy, call Rick Castle and apologize this minute, or you're suspended as of now. What the hell were you thinking, that was insulting to Rick and Gina, and uncalled for."
Kate stood as Javi dialed the number she gave him, but got voice mail, he made his attempt at apologizing and asking to be able to help on the fan mail, but the message clicked off.
"Do me a favor, go back and check the connections between the two victims, but DON'T Talk to anyone, you understand?"
"Yes Kate," as a defeated Esposito prepared for grunt duty and a great deal of it.
TBC
A/N We're not going to dig deep into the Military background, past what has been written. If any protocols or Military traditions were broken, deal with it, it's a plot point I needed to make to like Roy, Rick and Weldon for future use, not to display the deep knowledge of the Air Force Special Forces. Thanks