She is awakened by the sound of her alarm. She set it last night for the first time in ages She looks at the clocktime and decides she is ready to return to the precinct.
It has been over two months since she was shot and, in that time, she has only recovered a few tiny snippets of memory. But for some reason, every one of the moments in time seem to contain one common denominator. The writer that she has avoided completely.
She has spoken to Lanie on several occasions but the conversations were light and never went into any details of what had transpired over the last three years. Kate is just hoping when her memory returns that her best friend will be able to help fill any gaps that might occur.
She slept well last night not letting her mind dwell on what returning to the precinct will mean.
Dr. Burke has given her the release to return to work, although with some limitations. Sha can do desk duty, go to crime scenes and investigate, but take downs and arrests will only happen soon.
She is ready to say hi to the boys and let them know how she is doing and meet the new boss. Little did she know that this visit would not be well accepted by the new commander, but she will face this battle just like she has faced all her other battles. Well, most battles.…
All the other battles…
EXcept...
Except the battle in her mind over a certain person who she just can't seem to chase from her mind.
Richard Castle.
But she is glad she can finally, at least, go back to the station and do her job and maybe she can push any thoughts of him out of her head.
When she enters the 4h floor, several officers see her and start calling out to her "Hey Beckett! Good to see you. How are you doing? Are you back to work yet?
She puts on her best smile, speaks to all the officers as she turns the corner to make her way to her desk. When she gets closer, she notices the desks have been moved slightly giving room to add another desk on the end of the row past Ryan's desk.
She drops her bag on what, she assumes is still her desk, causing both her partners to stand and move her direction.
"Hey Beckett" Esposito begins the greetings that is shared by everyone. "We are so glad you're back"
"Thanks guys. It is more than good to be here. I was getting tired of listening to the sirens pass my building and I couldn't go join them.
She is silent for a minute. Is there any movement on who shot me and why?"
Since she lost all memory of the last three years, she is not aware that Castle looking back into her mother's case began a campaign to stop her and that her shooting was just another in a chain of solutions planning on ending with her in a grave.
"so. any movement on who shot me and why?"
Ryan and Esposito look at each other. "No" is the one word answer she gets. Then Javi fills in a little more. "There was a groundskeeper seen in the area but when we went looking for him, we were told there was no one there, so it must have been him"
"What about his weapon? They must have found his weapon?"
"A sniper rifle was found, but it was a rifle that had been missing for 5 years."
"OK then, we need to look into where that rifle has…"
"Kate!" Esposito cuts her off. "We have not been able to investigate anything on your case"
"WHAT! Why?"
Rylan points toward the office "Captain Victoria Gates. Iron Gates. She stopped all work on your case."
"Why?"
"Too many other cases open and not enough investigators."
Beckett points out the added desk "There is another position. Did they add a detective?"
The two men look at each other when Ryan answers "It is a civilian investigator. He helps us"
"OK Then maybe he could help me. Who is it?"
Before she gets an answer a stern voice can be heard coming from the Captain's office interrupting her inquiry. "Detective Beckett?"
Kate turns her head and sees the woman standing in the doorway like a statue. "In my office…NOW"
She takes her paperwork and heads to the boss. "Close the door, detective." The voice is that of someone accustomed to being in authority.
"Yes Ma'am"
"Call me sir, or captain. I assume you ARE in fact Detective Beckett?"
"Yes ma'…uh Yes Sir"
"You know you are to report immediately upon returning to duty?"
"Yes" and Beckett hands over her 'Ok to return To Duty' file.
Captain Gates looks over the documents and comments "Your reputation proceeds you, detective. Youngest female to make detective. You beat me by six weeks."
"I didn't know anyone kept score"
She is still reading the documents. "Everyone keeps score. I see you are to return to limited duty."
"yes" she has a problem calling the captain sir.
Gates reaches in the top drawer, takes Beckett's badge and ID folio and passes it across the table.
"This means you stay inside. No chasing suspects, stay behind during arrests."
"I will still need my gun."
"Rules say you have to requalify before I reissue your weapon." Kate is deciding that she likes this woman even less than what she expected.
"What about my case?"
"Detective, the trail has gone cold. We do not even know why you were shot. It might have been sone kind payback for arresting someone years ago. Until. We get more leads the new cases take precedence."
Beckett is waking back up to her desk. "I want my gun."
"Kate, you know the rules. You can requalify the next time you go to the range, so I wouldn't worry about it"
She looks around. Is there really nothing on my shooting?"
The two partners seem to pause. They know so much they can't tell her.
She points toward the new desk. "What about this new consultant? You say he looks at cases differently. Maybe he can help. Where is he and what's his name?"
Again, the two remain silent then Espo answers. "Castle."
Her breath tightens in her throat. "Richard Castle?"
Both men nod their heads.
Beckett sits down at her desk with a huff. She has heard his name constantly since her shooting. She tried once to contact him, but that did not go so well.
Esposito can't tell her that Richard Castle IS, in fact, investigating her shooting, along with other attempts on her life. He is using the precinct as cover for gathering information.
Ryan's phone rings and he takes the call. He looks at Kate and Javi "We got one."
Esposito looks at Beckett. "you coming?"
Looking down "No. You two go ahead. I am going to go to the range"
The two men leave out and Kate grabs her bag and also leaves, except to somewhere else.
/\/\/\/\
Just as she planned, her time at the range pretending a paper target was a bad guy trying to kill her was quick. The target did not fare well. Her score was almost perfect.
She folds the proof, places it into her bag and walks to the exit. When she enters the street looking around wondering what her next move should be.
Looking just up a block, she decides to walk that direction trying to clear her head. Everything happening in her head tells her she must try again to make connection with the Playboy and see what he can help her remember.
She Sees a bookstore and decides to walk in that direction since there seems to be a large group of people waiting for something.
When she gets close enough, she sees why. The large banner says there is a book signing and Richard Castle is there promoting his latest book 'Heat Rises'
Once more she feels her heart in her throat. Not only is he there, but his book title degrades her even more. She decides that this might be the time to try to talk to him without interruptions. She will wait outside the store and catch him when he leaves.
Over an hour goes by and the line is still out the door and she decides to change plans and enter the store and, using her badge, break into line.
Just as she turns to enter the store, her phone chimes. Looking at the message, it is from the station. The Captain wants her back there…immediately.
She changes her direction and heads to the nearest subway station and makes her trip back to the 12th.
When she arrives at the precinct, she walks directly the captain's office. "You wanted to see me sir?"
Looking up thru the top of her glasses "Yes. You left the firing range over an hour ago. I thought you would be back here by now."
Beckett was not expecting to be questioned about her every move like this. Montgomery was more open to understanding personal time. "Sir, I am still dealing with a few things."
"Well, deal with your 'things' on your own time, we have cases that need your attention."
"Yes sir." She responds then pulls her requalification report from her bag. "I would like my gun back now"
Captain Gates has realized she has met her match when it comes to tenacity. She looks over the target, reaches into the desk and returns Beckett's issued Glock 17.
/\/\/\/\
Detective Beckett has finished her shift. A little early due to it being her first day back and doctor's orders to not get too tired on her return to duty.
She walks from the station and looks both ways on the street. She decides to first go finish something she started earlier and was interrupted by the captain.
Entering the subway, she heads toward the bookstore where she saw a signing going on. Unfortunately, when she arrives, she sees the staff removing the banner and signs for the author's presence. She stops for a minute looking at the advertisement for the new Nikki Heat book, Heat Rises and decides to go ahead a purchase a copy and take it home to read.
When she approaches the desk, she notices that there is a small stack of books with sign stating that these are autographed by Richard Castle, just not containing a personal greeting.
She places a copy on the counter. The young lady clerk smiles from ear to ear. "Oh! This book is great. Castle has outdone himself. I love this book." She just is beaming.
Kate wants to know what the girl is thinking. "What is so great in this?" Holding the book up.
"Rook's love for Nikki. Or should I say, Rick Castle's love for Detective Beckett. He has poured every emotion possible into his story."
Kate feels her face turn red due to the remarks of this obvious fan girl.
Kate is glad she has cash and will not be presenting a debit card with her name on it knowing the clerks usually look at name and greet the customer by name. She pays for the book, takes the bag and rushes out to the street. She feels like everyone nearby is seeing inside her and the emotions that she can't seem to control. She is now heading home as quickly as possible.
/\/\/\/\/\/
She is still trying to resolve herself that her home is a different direction that before her amnesia but slowly getting accustomed to the stores nearby. Stopping for a quick takeout Italian, she is on her way again.
She arrives home, changes into lounging clothes, takes her meal and places a small amount on a plate, planning to save he rest, along with the other dozen half empty boxes in the refrigerator, for later.
She sits down on her couch and opens the new book that she just purchased. She is just beginning the second chapter when she hears a fairly gentle knocking on her door.
Looking toward the entry, she knows she is not expecting anyone, especially this late. She places the book on the couch, the plate on the table. She rises and stops at her hall table to retrieve her personal weapon from the drawer.
When she reaches the door, she is ready for almost anything.
ALMOST.
What she finds outside was not on her list of visitors
Opening the door, she comes face to face with Richard Castle's mother.
"Martha?"
"Hello Katherine. Do you mind if I come in?"