Disclaimer: I do not own Castle or have any connection to the show. This is all just for fun.

This is a very brief AU right before the start of Watershed.

Feel free to add suggestions, criticisms, etc. I don't like people being mean to me, but I won't ban you either. Just the way it is.

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Rick Castle sits at the desk in the basement office of the Old Haunt, his bar.

His cell phone rings, and he smiles at the name on the caller id before answering.

"Special Agent Jordan Shaw," he greets chipperly, "To what do I owe the pleasure."

"Just a social call," the FBI profiler replies, "I wanted to see if you and Kate wanted to grab lunch when you're D.C."

"D.C.," Rick says confused, "We're not planning to be in D.C….that I know off."

"Oh," then the brilliant profiler catches her mistake, "My bad, I guess I got some bad information."

"Jordan," he says slowly, "You need to work on your Irish Blarney."

"Ok," Jordan sighs, "Kate's coming in to interview for a position with Attorney General's task force.

"How'd you get pulled in?"

"You guys apparently worked with them a couple of weeks back," she answers, "And she impressed a certain Agent Stack.

"They wanted her in for an interview. She didn't put me as a reference, but they knew we'd worked a case, so they asked me about her. Funny, they didn't mention you though."

"Of course not," Rick says bitterly, "Your law enforcement types can conceive of detective work being done by anyone one but one of your own. I'm sorry."

"No, I had that coming," Jordan replies, "Roy Montgomery, God rest his soul, gave me a similar warning. I learned he was right the hard way.

And I know you were lying about that shot being pure luck. A certain DHS Agent Mark Fallon compared notes with me and concluded the same.

"You shouldn't have let Kate take the credit all these years," Jordan replies, "But I get it. I pegged her as overconfident and hypercompetitive from the start.

"If you overly excelled in her world on sheer talent, she would have never accepted you in relationship."

"And I'm back in the same spot."

"You don't know that Rick."

"Yes I do, Jordan," he replies, "On paper she fits perfectly into that collection of suits. It'll be months before she self-destructs.

"They'll hire her unless I phone call and squash it which is too cruel or not cruel enough."

"What are you going to do?"

"I don't know, but if she asks you about this, just be honest. I have others I can count on to be devious."

"Somehow that doesn't surprise me."

"But I do need two favors. First, when is Kate's interview."

"And second?"

"Send a note to Agent Stack telling him I hope he enjoys Guam."

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LaGuardia Airport

Queens, New York City, New York

Kate enters the airplane and looks for her seat. Given the brief turnaround of her trip, she just brought a handbag.

After the plane's doors close, a female voice rouses her out of her thoughts.

"Detective Beckett?"

Kate looks up and sees a voluptuous blonde flight attendant that she had seen only once before but couldn't forget.

"Jacinda?"

"I'm glad you remember me," she smiles devilishly, "I told Rick you wouldn't."

Kate starts to look around.

"Oh, he's not here," Jacinda says, "He wanted me to make sure you were upgraded to first class since it was so last minute. Come with me please."

Almost in a trance, Kate follows her to the few first-class seats of the commuter aircraft.

"Oh, he wanted me to give you this," She hands her an envelope, "He doesn't seem happy with you."

Kate starts to fidget.

"Look, Jacinda, I need to get off this flight."

"I'm sorry," the blond shakes her head, "The doors are already closed and we're starting to leave the gate. Rick wanted timed this way so you wouldn't miss your interview on account of him."

Kate sat back down in a state of shock. She barely felt Jacinda fasten her seatbelt for her.

She could call. She was stuck.

Halfway in the air she remembered the note. She opened the envelope and read something that gave her no answers.

Kate,

Funny thing, our friend Agent Stack is on his way to Guam for what will likely be the rest of his Federal career.

Don't worry, I won't interfere with your interview. You'll likely get the job.

I've been thinking where I'd like to see them send you. I hope it's nowhere dangerous. I wouldn't like to see that happen to your father.

However, I'm hoping for someplace as far away from your mother's grave as possible.

Richard Castle

P.S.

Jordan Shaw called a few days ago to ask if we could meet up while we were in D.C.

Guess not.

She just kept reading the note over and over again.