Stand by Me
by Castlefan6
Authors Note: By Request. Picks up where Better Part of Valor ends. Please read that before beginning this fic. We see the changes to the lives of a number of our favorite characters, including a few weddings, and other life events. This is for Kim, AKA txgal2015, another of my loyal readers I appreciate so much.
I don't own Castle; I use the characters for amusement purposes only, except the ones I create.
Also, we take MANY liberties with the timeline from Canon and use events from other Canon episodes to make this a more believable fiction, thanks.
txgal2015
Tim
Are you going to write a new story to continue this one? I would love to see what happens with Jordan, Tom Rick, and Kate. Don't forget to add Bracken.
Thank You,
Kim
/
Chapter 1
11:12 PM
Four Seasons Hotel
3 Months After Arrest of Bracken
/_/
The party was finally beginning to lose a little steam, hell it had been going since 5:00 PM to honor two guests and events. The first, the retirement of Roy Montgomery, people had won and lost money in the pool trying to predict the actual date he would convert from the Bret Favre of the NYPD to actually retiring, the smart money was on he never would. Lanie actually came the closest and was rewarded the $4000 that had accumulated through the years. Everyone was happy for her, except the one who should have been overjoyed, Javi, but Lanie would adjust his attitude a bit later in private.
The second event they were celebrating was the official promotion of Katherine Beckett to the position of Captain, of the 12th precinct. For the last three months she had been the interim, or acting captain, when Roy, to the surprise of many retired the day that Senator William Bracken was arrested.
She had been the surprise pick to replace Roy to many, but she had worked very hard to earn the trust and respect of everyone at the precinct. It wasn't lost on anyone the presence of Richard Castle, special civilian consultant, and often the confidant of the Captain, and his impact upon her new personality. She had become a trusted advisor to the younger detectives, as well as one who wasn't afraid to crack the whip when needed.
Whether it was the presence of Rick, or finding justice for her mom, something had happened to the hardnosed detective, who previously always seemed to have a sharp word for any and everyone who displeased her for the slightest of reasons. She actually started a recruitment day for females and minorities for the city, and just promoted her eventual replacement.
XxX
Friday, NYPD, 12th Precinct
Nia Albritton was an African American female, who had proved herself in patrol, vice, and gang squad but had never been selected for the gold shield of a detective grade level job. Three interviews with Kate and it was decided, she would be the lead detective over Javi and Kevin, filling the vacancy of Kate's previous position. Kate held discussions with Javi and Keven before it was formally announced, the latter accepted it as Kate expected, but Javi raised a bit of a stink.
FLASHBACK PREVIOUS DAY
"You're bringing someone new, into our family Kate, and worse, you're putting her in charge? I mean why not me? Hell, if not me, why not honey milk? Don't you think your loyalty is with those who made you who you are today?" Javi growled in their one-on-one meeting when Kate discussed the new changes.
"Javi, in the first place, you aren't eligible, you're still on a PIP for another three months, or did you forget? Just because someone else is sitting in Roy's chair doesn't wipe the slate clean for you. If anything, I would have thought you would have supported me more, knowing that this was indeed a difficult situation for me.
"Seriously Javi, until you change, you aren't going up or anywhere except out, Commissioner Boyle is still pissed at you," Kate replied as softly as she could but still letting her friend know he was being an ass.
"Well, maybe I should consider that in my job planning, it's nice to know, at least hear it from your boss that the brass have me anchored right where I'm at." Javi spit back,
"Detective Esposito, you are behind on your PIP requirements, this meeting was a courtesy to you, not required, your juvenile behavior just reinforced to me that my decision was correct You're dismissed. I would suggest you take a good look in the mirror, the next time we talk like this, I won't remember you are, or at one time was a friend of mine, dismissed" she barked, as Javi rushed from her office to his desk, not saying a word.
Detective Ryan had witnessed the entire conversation from his vantage point and knew his partner well enough to know the news didn't go down so well with him. He was almost spending the increase in pay already the moment the job was posted on the job board. Kevin had tried to warn him, but he continued to fantasize about something that had or would not happen.
"You're just jealous because I'm eligible for the lead position and you're not Kevin, face it. I mean who else is Kate going to pick, a somebody that she never knew, or one of her boys who has always had her back?" Javi had bragged,
"Javi, it's not all up to Kate, she can suggest your name, but let's face it, bro, you're not the most popular detective with Boyle or Weldon, not after the way you treated Rick when he first got here," Kevin said,
"Look, I still don't know what Kate see's in him, but I know she'll fight for me, when it comes to this, I got this Kev, I already picked out what I'm buying with the raise." He boasted,
"Well, I wouldn't buy anything just yet Detective Esposito, Kate's announcing her decision on Friday, so just be prepared, I mean you're my partner, but if I were her, I don't know what I would do." Kevin tried to reel him in.
PRESENT TIME
Esposito had been quiet since his meeting with Kate the previous day, today he would meet his new boss, Lead Detective Nia Albritton, a woman he had yet to meet but already had formed a dislike for. Kate called the unit to attention, and when everyone had quieted down, she took the opportunity to introduce Nia to the floor.
"Listen up everyone, I'd like to introduce you to our newest member, please welcome Lead Detective Nia Albritton who will be filling the spot left when I was promoted. Thanks to all, especially to Roz and Anne who filled in on the lead position for my team, well now Nia's team as we went through the selection process. Please give her our warmest of welcomes, and give her the courtesies you always afforded me, thanks and dismissed" she said as the crowd began to file away.
Rick had walked in as Kate was doing the introduction, and you didn't have to have profiling skills to read Esposito's thoughts. His face was a frown, and his eyes never left the ground, until he walked into Rick after the introduction.
"Sorry, Castle, I didn't see you there." He said with no emotion,
"Yeah, I can see, you're dragging your lower lip around pouting because your friend made a decision based on skills and facts, not loyalty as you called it. Where was your loyalty when she earned a three-day suspension for just being your lead? Where was it when Kevin had a note placed in his file just for being your partner?
"Look, you don't like me, newsflash, my heart is broken, NOT. Get over yourself before you force her to suspend or fire your ass Espo, you say you were former Special Forces or was that special education?" Rick turned and walked away from the sulking detective. Espo watched as he stepped towards Kate's old desk, now Nia's, and extended his hand to her.
"Welcome aboard Nia, I'm Rick Castle, and I help out from time to time, actually I came to welcome you and to get this old thing out of your way." He grabbed his beat-up chair, and moved it away as Nia shook his hand,
"Well, Rick, I think you're underselling yourself a bit, I know the scoop, and I would always welcome your input into our cases, it'll be the same format as the Captain used. We'll have the murder board, updated by any of the team, and I'd appreciate it if you offered your input anytime" she said with a natural smile,
"Well, you may have an issue with one of your team members if I do that Nia, and I don't want to cause any issues with you and the team," he said quietly,
Nia replied loud enough for Esposito to hear her, "Oh Cap and I already worked that out, anyone pulling any juvenile traits will be looking for a new home and soon, I don't have time for that crap, and I know the huge paycheck the city is giving you for all of your help" she laughed, as Rick smiled, watching Espo's face turn beet red.
Kate walked out of her office to see her, well her boyfriend for an official title, but anyone looking at the two of them could see the love beams bouncing between them.
"How's it going Nia, any issues so far, and Rick what are you doing with your chair?" she asked,
Nia replied quickly, "no issues Captain, Rick was just welcoming me, and I made it clear that he was welcome to help on any of our cases, we need to keep your closure rate up," she smiled, as Kate turned to Rick,
"Well, since eh, you're the Captain now, I was going to toss this, I mea"
"Richard Castle take that chair to my office, and don't you or anyone dare think about laying a hand on it," she said sternly, as Rick quickly obeyed,
When he entered her office, he could see the large sign, "Hands Off, Do Not Touch, Do Not Remove, by order of Captain Beckett" on her desk. She walked in behind him, took the sign affixed it to his chair, and placed it in the corner, next to the bookcase showing her awards.
"Rick, that chair got me through some tough days when well when I wasn't sure about us. I mean I looked at it and wished, maybe your darn universe heard me and brought us together. I mean, Roy is alive, I got promoted, Mom got justice, or is in the process as soon as the legal haggling is completed" she said, locked on his eyes, showing every ounce of love she felt for him.
"About that Kate, the court just ruled and has denied the last request for change of venue, so jury selection starts Monday. I know it's been a long three months Babe, but the bastard is in jail where he belongs. Short of putting a bullet between his eyes, I can't think of a better fate than that." Rick said, the anger very present in his voice. He seldom if ever got angry about his own mistreatment, but for those he loved, sometimes he scared even Kate.
"Thanks, Babe, I don't know what I would have done without you, you're my rock, and even Martha and Alexis have been so supportive." She said, locking onto his eyes,
"I so wish I could kiss the Captain right now," Rick said, softly, never losing his lock on her eyes,
"I so wish I could kiss my boyfriend right now as well; you want to go to lunch in about an hour or do you have plans?" She asked, her voice dripping with eroticism,
"Where did you have in mind? Can we get seated there on such notice?" he asked,
"I wasn't thinking of a restaurant Babe, my place is 15 minutes away, that gives us thirty minutes"
"I'll be by the murder board when you're ready to go to lunch Captain," he said as his eyebrows wiggled, as he backed out of her office, leaving her flushed and wanting him every bit as much as he wanted her.
XxX
A short time later, Kate Beckett had forgotten all about the cases of the day, all she knew was the man she loved, the man she never thought she had a chance with was making love to her. Not just screwing, like most lunch hour quickies, but he had techniques that had her over the moon in a matter of minutes. Finally, he entered her and the entire session lasted a total of 12 minutes, giving them three minutes to wash up and get redressed and back to the precinct. They made it with a minute to spare.
Kate could live without food for days, hell forever if making love to Rick was the tradeoff, but he didn't see it that way as he discretely had a burger fries and her favorite shake at her desk when she arrived back. He had to go to Black Pawn to clear up something but would be back in a few hours.
He knew what to expect from Gina, she would want him to speed up the release of his new book, the one he still had three months to provide to her since she was in the middle of forecasts. He wasn't about to help her one bit, not that he held a grudge, but he had to talk to Kate about the new idea for characters.
The last thing he wanted to do was to hurt, piss off, or cause damage to the lady he had fallen madly in love with. Her happiness, was all he cared for now, especially since Alexis was going to Sandford or perhaps Oxford just to break the chains, she felt her dad held over her in a few months.
He walked into the office of his ex-wife and saw Melissa, her executive assistant sitting at her desk, Gina on the phone in the inner office, as usual, she didn't look happy, what was new he thought.
"Hi, Rick, you here to see Gina?" Melissa asked, with a flirtatious look. She was a very pretty girl, and if he were the playboy Rick, he would have taken her up on her overt offers, but not now, not ever as long as he was with Kate.
"Yeah, what kind of mood is she in this morning, or need I ask?" as he witnessed her flailing her arms and the volume get louder on the phone.
"Well, remember that scale you gave me, the one to keep me out of trouble after she heard my conversation to you?" She asked as Rick laughed,
He had bought her an amateur weather forecast kit, one board was chance of rain, green showing no chance, yellow, partly cloudy with a chance, and red, hurricane warning or watch.
"I remember" he laughed as she turned the dial to red on the weatherboard, not just read but the wind forecast was also red, meaning she was doubly pissed at someone or somebody.
"Well, I wish you luck, she's been on the phone for over an hour with the board, and as you can see, major hurricanes warnings are in effect for the next 48 hours, she's not looking too happy" Melissa smiled,
"Well, I'll see if I can change that, just for you Melissa," he smiled,
"Oh, come off of it Rick, everyone knows there's just one woman you care about now, and Kate Beckett is a lucky lady, she better treat you right, or well, you know you have options," Melissa said,
"We're fine Melissa, but thank you, you should really concentrate on your secret admirer yourself. Jeff in Copyright would pay a week's salary for a date with him, why don't you say hi to him, he's a nice guy, not like me." Rick laughed,
Just when he finished, her phone buzzed, a very pissed off Gina said, "Melissa, you're wasting your time hitting on him, why don't you just do your job and show him back" she clicked off the intercom,
"Oh, she's happier than I thought," Rick said with a large grin, as Melissa blushed in embarrassment.
Rick went through the door and greeted Gina, with a smile, "So how's Attila the Hun today, what's so important that you needed a face-to-face meeting." He asked as he walked through the door.
"Rick, we need to make some revisions to your contract, the board is all over me, and we can't live with it the way it is," Gina said, getting down to brass tacks immediately,
"You could have saved me a trip Gina, and you the aggravation, the contract stays as is, unless you and the board want to buy me out of the five books, of my choice, I will remind you, just let me know" as he turned and headed back out the door,
"Wait Rick, please?" Please was a word that Gina Castle Cowell used perhaps three times the entire time they were together, over a four-year span,
"I'm sorry what did you say, Gina, I thought I was hearing things?" Rick said, forcing her to say it again, and louder,
"I said please Rick, I really do need to talk to you, and can we leave the bitterness of divorce court out of these talks please?" She asked, not at all like herself,
"OK, Gina, something is wrong, very wrong, and I can see that you're worried. For that I'm sorry, truly I am, but really you stopped being my concern when, well"
"I know when it was Rick, please don't remind me, I Fucked up big time, and I have to live with it," she said,
"So, you thought having your legal team pull every stunt in the book to delay and cost me money on my other project was a way to my heart? It was a way to forget what I saw, what I heard? What were you thinking Gina? Why should I help the woman who did her best to bankrupt me, despite having signed a very iron-clad pre-nuptial agreement?" Rick asked in a soft tone, the one that he knew would rattle her even more,
"God Damn it, Rick, can you at least show some emotion in this, I mean?"
"What do you mean Gina, should I show emotion that my wife cheated on me in our home? Or do you mean the part where you went to your uncle behind my back trying to revise my original contract? Which way when you fucked me over are you speaking of Gina?" Rick replied, again in the soft tone,
"Look Rick, I deserve that, I made a mistake, then I tried to cover it by altering your contract here, I'm sorry for both, sorrier than I can ever say. I need your help Rick; Black Pawn has got sixty days to prove solvency or it's going to have to file bankruptcy. I'll lose everything, I can't let that happen". She was almost crying now
"Gina, we both know your settlement from me is still in your personal account, you really should change your passwords, so you won't lose anything, your uncle will. Well, you might get fired since you're the managing editor, so that part, yeah I guess you're in deep shit." He said. Knowing she loved her job and title more than anything, or anyone
"Rick, all it will take is your outline for your next series, we can show solvency on that alone. The bank is afraid since our divorce was so heated, you might opt-out of your contract after the next two books, as your clause calls for.
"I need to guarantee them that you're staying for all five books, is that too much to ask Rick? Hell, we used to sleep together, we shared our most intimate secrets, surely you can do this for me?" She pleaded,
"Sorry Gina, I'm not even sure if I want to write any more at all, so the answer is No, go to Conrad, he's the next Richard Castle according to you, your Uncle and Black Pawn's hype." He said, again emotionless,
"Rick, you know as well as I do, that book is a flop, it's going to be a miracle if we break even on him, and I severed his contract" she was opening up,
"Oh, was that before, during, or after you fucked him in our bed? Sorry, Gina, that's price money can't pay so good luck" He decided to let her worry, he still had to talk to Kate about his idea anyway. If she nixed it, then he would have to find another series, IF he decided to write again at all. He could make the heroine based on Jordan, Roz, or Anne, if Kate truly objected, he hoped she didn't. He knew there was so much more story to tell about the woman he now loved than what the public had seen, he hoped he could convince her to go along,
TBC