A Deadly Game and a Secret
by Castlefan6
Authors Note: This is one story I've seen requested but never read a completed fic before. Rick has been recalled to active duty; the Hamptons are just his guise to hide the true story. The only ones who know the truth are Gina and Roy. Based loosely off 2-24, A Deadly Game, for the beginning then completely AU.
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.
Chapter 4
Beckett's Apartment
Tuesday following Memorial Day 4:17 AM
/_/
Kate had been awake most of the night, as she glanced at her phone sitting in the charging stand, she could see the time was a whole 34 minutes later than the last time she checked. The hell with it she thought, she rolled over, went to her closet, and pulled on her running gear. She threw some water on her face to finish waking up, grabbed her phone, her keys, her gun, and the letter, God don't forget that and started out the door.
She changed her normal running pattern from the opposite direction of Castle's loft to that of one towards it. She knew it was early, but the concierge staff worked 24/7 at Rick's building. She had the letter in a small pouch slung over her neck so it wouldn't get all wet with sweat, or blur any lines, and planned on dropping it off on her return trip home.
As she was running past the Loft entrance, she noticed Eduardo just opening the front doors, she glanced quickly for oncoming traffic, there was none at this hour of the morning and crossed the street in time to catch him before he went back inside.
"Eduardo, Eduardo" she called out as the older gentleman turned around to face her, with a sad look on his face,
"Good morning Miss Kate, I'm sorry but you're not on Mr. Castle's allowed visitor list, so you may not come in," he said quietly, barely looking at her.
"I understand Eduardo, I don't want to come in, but can you do me a favor, please? I have this letter that needs to be delivered to Rick, only Rick, not Gina, not Alexis just him, can you do that for me please?" she asked,
"Miss Kate, I don't want to get in the middle of anything, he left specific instructions for you, Detectives Ryan, and Esposito, not to be allowed in the building without a warrant. The only people allowed to even come in are Captain Montgomery and Doctor Parrish."
"I understand Eduardo, he's hurt and angry, he has every right to be, this letter is my apology to him, so if you could get it to him personally, it would be greatly appreciated" Kate continued, until finally, the older gentleman took the letter,
"If I get fired, I'll be at the 12th precinct looking for a job "he smiled nervously, both knew Rick would never fire him, yell, perhaps, but never fire him,
"It's important Eduardo that only Rick receive it, and eh"
"You'd like me to text you when he receives it correct? He and Miss Gina are still in the Hamptons, so I really don't know when he will return. I know Miss Alexis leaves Saturday so I couldn't imagine him not being here for that, even if they return just for one day" Eduardo offered,
"Yes, if you could, I would really appreciate it, Eduardo, you said Alexis is leaving, may I ask where she's going, I'm sure it won't be for long" Kate smiled,
Eduardo's face turned sad, "No Miss Kate, she's leaving for Europe for one year, she won't be home until next June. I'm so used to seeing her, ever since she was so little, she could only hold her Dad's pinkie finger, it just won't seem like home when she's gone." He said sadly,
"Oh, I didn't know, you're right, she's Rick's everything, I can only imagine what he's going through," she said as her mind raced back to days before the Demming debacle started when Rick approached her looking like he had lost his world and asked to talk to her in private. Tom had interrupted and of course, she blew him off and went with Tom, now she knew why he wanted to talk. Some friend she had been.
"Yes, Mr. Castle is acting like it doesn't bother him, but we all know, through everything that happened Miss Alexis was the one that was always here, always loved him. Now she's going away, so I guess we all, my staff and Mr. C have to accept the fact that she's grown up, it just seems so fast." He said very sadly,
"Yeah, it's sad, but Alexis is smart and very mature, she'll be fine, just wait and see," Kate said, trying to reassure the kind elder man in front of her, or was it for herself. Somehow, she had managed to put her wants and need above everyone, to the point she knew a friend was troubled and she was too busy.
"Well, Miss Kate, I'm sorry, I mean"
"It's OK Eduardo, it's my fault, all my fault. I just hope Rick will read my letter and not throw it in the trash. I wouldn't blame him if he did," she noticed Eduardo was trying to get back inside,
"Well, I better let you go, thanks for the favor, you don't know how much this means to me. Take care Eduardo, I'm sure Alexis will be fine" as she turned and re-started her jog, she added a little more effort now, God, how she had screwed things up with Rick, even on a friend level.
She ran an extra two miles trying to work out the guilt she felt deep inside, without luck. She finally returned to her apartment, after a stop at the Java Hut across from Rick's loft to have a coffee. Warm memories flooded her about the time when the Castles had taken her in and given her a home.
Alexis had gone out of her way to make her feel welcome, which triggered more guilt. She threw the remainder of the coffee away and jogged home. After her shower, and normal routine, she arrived at the precinct at 6:33 AM, a little earlier than usual.
She noticed the cool reception that started with Desk Sargent Peron, normally he was talkative, this morning it was a formal "Good Morning Detective" and back to his computer screen. When she returned the greeting, she asked "How was your holiday?" He barked back, "I worked the weekend" and picked up the phone ending any chance of more conversation.
Rick was loved by just about everyone in the precinct, what did she expect from people who knew her actions were what made him leave. She proceeded to her floor and got obligatory responses from two of the night shift detectives when she said good morning.
This is how it's going to be, she thought, at least for a while. She was the bitch that made Rick leave, and the people weren't happy about it and weren't shy in letting her know she was on her own. Screw them all she thought, I don't need anyone as she reached her desk and saw Castle's chair had been removed.
She caught one of the night shift detectives and asked, "Hey, what the hell happened to Castle's chair? Have you seen it?" she almost yelled,
The cop she was looking at shrugged her shoulders, but another one spoke up, Esposito took it to the garbage pile, I think it's still there" he said without a lot of enthusiasm.
Kate took off on a brisk walk and the janitorial staff was just arriving to finish hauling all the trash away, they hand their hands on Rick's chair, until she yelled, "Take your hands off that chair, it goes with me" as she grabbed it from one of the workers and made a hasty retreat to her desk.
She was fuming, how dare Esposito throw Rick's chair away, he never said he wasn't ever coming back, just not in the fall. She held on to the hope that things weren't all lost yet. It wasn't lost on Captain Montgomery who heard the ruckus and watched as she carefully placed the chair next to her desk.
She noticed the Captain, "Sir, did you tell Espo to dispose of Rick's chair? Just because he's not coming back in the fall doesn't mean he's not coming back ever" she tried her case,
"Kate, I never said a word, that's all on Espo, but really, what reason did you leave him to ever come back. Maybe it's time you woke up to the consequences of your actions, starting with Demming's Captain blocking him from ever working another homicide case. People aren't blind Kate, they all saw what you did to Demming, and to Rick, now you have to live with it"
Kate turned her head and buried herself in the casework she was behind on. When Ryan and Espo arrived at 8:04 AM, Ryan saw the chair and just said quietly, "Your ass is grass Espo, I told you to let things alone"
They sat down, and no sooner than their butts reached the cushions, Kate shot them an evil eye, and just said "Conference Room, now, both of you" and walked towards the room.
"We're fucked now Espo, why can't you ever mind your own damn business," said a very irritated Ryan,
As soon as they were in the room, Kate closed the door, locked it, and lowered the blinds. Never a good sign, for a team meeting.
"What the hell were you thinking Esposito, who the hell gave you the right to throw Rick's chair in the trash. If I had been five minutes later it would have been gone, what the hell do you think you're doing?" Kate spit out, angry would have been a mild description of her mood,
"I thought it would be best if you didn't have to see it, I mean after he left the station all arm in arm with his ex-wife, I mean" Espo mumbled as he avoided the evil eye coming his way,
"Well, you're wrong Esposito, he never said he's never coming back, just not in the fall, and it was I who fucked up. I lied to him about having to work then I accepted Tom's invitation to go away, he caught me in the lie, so he has every right to be with who he wishes.
"By the way, none of that is any of your fucking business, so mind your own business from here on out. You touch that chair again, and I will shoot your ass, and I'm not kidding Espo, in short, FUCK OFF, I'm not your girlfriend or sister, I don't need your protection." She was almost spitting fire now,
"Sorry, I thought I was helping" Espo offered a weak response, while Ryan said, "I told you to leave things alone, but NO, you know best." He was pissed at Espo now,
"Another thing, your shift starts at 8:00, not 8:01, 8:02, both of you have your asses here on time, today you're both docked 30 minutes from your lunch for being late, AM I CLEAR?" She was almost yelling now,
Ryan shot Espo a look like I'm going to kill you, and said, "Yes Mam"
Espo looked at the floor then up, and said, "Yes Mam," then lowered his gaze
Kate just barked out, "OK, get to work, and from now on, let me fight my battles. If I need your help I'll call." She opened the door and two male detectives couldn't wait to make a retreat as she opened the blinds.
She thought, well, get used to it Kate, no one is going to go out of their way to help you till they get over this, as she made her way back to her desk and the files she had been working on. She checked her phone for a text from Eduardo, even though she knew Rick was in the Hamptons with Gina, until, God knows when. She could hope,
XxX
Castle's Loft
Friday, 5:00 PM
Rick and Gina had gone over his checklist one last time, before he left for his private plane to take him to Fort Bragg for the start of, well the start of God knew what. He was being recalled for a specific reason, and now he questioned himself about going through all the effort to keep up to date with new military regs. All the summers when his guests thought he stayed in the Hamptons, he was really at the base, getting trained, and completing the required course work as the Marines updated their aircraft.
He loved teaching, but not when he knew some of the young pilots were training for their death mission. He was a Marine, he obeyed orders and knew that the good of one could never outweigh the good of many. He could only prepare them as best he could and show them the tricks that could possibly save their lives, after that, well, it was up to the Universe.
Alexis knew her Dad was leaving but thought he was going to a seminar, then an extended signing. She could never concentrate, hell she wouldn't have left if she knew the truth. Gina only hoped she could use the book signings before Rick deployed overseas to convince her, she was a smart young lady.
The time had arrived, the car was waiting, Gina was fighting the tears, as Rick gathered his gear and headed towards the door.
"I guess this is it, now please remember Gina, if you find someone go for it, I don't know what's going to happen, but I don't want you waiting for something that might, hell probably will never be. We love each other, but I don't think either of us makes a good spouse. He kissed her gently and turned for the door, as he opened it, there stood Eduardo.
"I'm sorry to impose Mr. Castle, but this came for you with instructions to deliver it to you only, I have been off for a few days, then I realized today you were leaving. I'm sorry for the delay in getting it to you" he said,
Rick knew the stationary even before he could see the handwriting, it was from Beckett. "Thanks, Eduardo as he took it, stuck it in his backpack, turned, and kissed Gina goodbye one final time, as he walked behind Eduardo to the elevators and to the start of a new chapter in his life.
XxX
Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Next Morning 0700, 7:00 AM
Rick had arranged to meet with the Director of Flight School for the base, Colonel Ralph Watterson, an old friend of his. Ralph had been his instructor on the new aircraft as the Marines transitioned over from the older planes. With new planes, came the need for new certifications, requiring not only classroom but hours in the cockpit as well.
Ralph was a Marine's Marine, one that had been there and done it, not just talking from a book. He was a decorated pilot going back to the Viet Nam War days, where he flew almost one hundred sorties during that conflict, receiving several awards, including the Purple Heart.
Rick walked into the diner still dressed in his civilian clothes, he didn't officially report until tomorrow and heard a voice to his right. "Over here Rogers, last one in pays the check, that would be you" he laughed as he stood and despite the difference in rank went in for a bro hug. "How you been, you look good for an old fart. Let me introduce you to two of your fellow instructors, and never mind the ranks for today.
"This sad looking piece of shit is Captain Russel Dodge, and the big gorilla behind him, is Captain Sidney Lemon, just like the fruit, sour as hell" he laughed. Guys this is your lead instructor, Colonel Rick Rodgers, don't let the soft look fool you, he's earned his rank.
"He has a little gig as a writer when he's not serving with us, he's known as Rick Castle out there, but that stays here. He gets treated like everyone else. He might just be a lot luckier if you guys hit the girlie bars"
The guys exchanged greetings as Rick slid into the booth next to his CO, Watterson always ate a hefty breakfast, and not much the rest of the day. Today was no exception as the waitress came over to take Rick's order, she looked once, then twice, and finally got the order straight on the paper, as she blushed and scurried away.
"I think she made you Rick, we'll need to keep your shades on and get you a decent haircut, like I said no one gets special privileges." Rick knew how he worked, strictly by the book, he was fair but a tough old SOB.
"So, what are we in for Ralph? I'll say it before you do, we must be in deep shit over there if they activated me" Rick smiled,
"Well, why ask a question if you already know the answer, but not to be curt, we've been getting our asses handed to us, too many, far too many ground casualties. We beefed up the helo pilots, but they have gotten some F-15's and are beating us at our own game. Say Rogers do you still hate grits", as he reached over and took the dish from the server as she was setting Rick's breakfast down,
"Yes, I do, I don't know how you can eat those things, it's not like you're from the south. How the hell an old man from New Jersey can learn to love those things beats me" Rick said as he laughed and stole a piece of bacon from Ralph, for payback.
Ralph reviewed the plans for the next two weeks; it was the instructors who were getting schooled during this time. Training for the troops began after one week off for the instructors. That was the week Rick was to be in North Carolina for a signing, meeting Gina there. Rick would need to re-qualify as all instructors but at a level higher than the ones he would be charged with teaching. His evaluation would come directly from Ralph, and if he failed, he would be dropped down to a regular flight instructor.
XxX
Time flew by, probably because there was always something to do, especially now that he was serving as the Lead Instructor. He had passed his re-evaluation with flying colors, probably due to all the extra work he had put in when others thought he was on vacation in the Hamptons. The truth was he was working at the local airbase of the Navy, even if he was a Marine, they allowed him to conduct his training there.
He avoided the press by hiring body doubles who were at various locations across the United States. Most of the reporters had given up after two or three wild goose chases for him, but there was always one or two independent paparazzi who were willing to do anything almost for that one photo, the exclusive that would earn them a ton of money.
On one occasion his security group had confiscated a camera, long-range lenses, and several rolls of film just in time. The poor smuck looked on in horror as Mike Weis, Rick's chief of security smashed the camera to pieces, then the lenses, as he opened each roll of film and crushed the data cards leaving the paparazzi with nothing to sell, as well as a good beating by Lenore Donell, the only female on the security forces.
He made the mistake of calling her Babe, and Honey and paid for it with a good old-fashioned ass-kicking. She was neither of those names, she was former special operations and a friend of Mike's from childhood, who just happened to bat for the opposing team when it came to sexual orientation.
Rick had tossed Kate's letter into his footlocker the day he arrived, thinking he would get to it when he could, right now was not the time or place. He had to stay focused on what he was doing, Beckett and her letter would wait, he was preparing men the skills that could keep them alive in a few short weeks.
He had confirmed with Gina, he was meeting her at the Four Seasons Hotel in Greensboro North Carolina on Sunday, with the book signing to begin on the following Tuesday in three or four cities. He had managed to talk to Alexis, she had arrived safely and true to his prediction was homesick, and sad.
She had perked up when he told her that he would ask Gina to visit her after this signing. Things were falling into place, but he was glad he wasn't a spy. Keeping all of the stories straight took a great deal of effort, it was easier to just be honest, he sighed, for the first time thinking of Beckett and the great liar she had become. Oh well, another story, for another day. Now he was off to see Gina and invoke the first phase of his decoy scheme.
TBC