CASTLE NEEDS A FAVOR

CHAPTER FIVE

Kate approached the morgue with no shortage of trepidation. She knew that Lanie would be happy for her, but she wondered if she would be surprised by the quickness of it all.

Lanie was sitting at her desk making notations in a notebook so Kate made some noise so as not to startle her as she came in.

Lanie looked up. "Hey girl, what are you doing down here. You need something or just slumming."

Beckett gave her a weak smile. "Can't I just stop by to say hi to a friend?"

Lanie gave her a raised brow. "Oh, you definitely can, but if I were the suspicious type I'd say you were just dropping by with your tail tucked between your legs for ghosting me last night to be with your boy toy."

Kate snorted. "Hah! He's hardly my boy toy. More like I'm his toy girl… that doesn't sound right."

Lanie chuckled. "No, it sure doesn't. That man worships the ground you walk on. He'd walk on water for you, or die trying."

Kate felt her stomach lurch a bit when she mentioned Castle dying. "Oh come on, Lanie, he'd Richard Castle he could have nearly any woman he wants, the pick of the litter."

Lanie suddenly stands up. "And apparently you are the pick." She reaches out and grabs Kate's left hand. "What in heaven's name is this, girl?"

Beckett leaned down and looked where Lanie was staring. "It looks like a ring?"

Lanie glared at her. "It looks like an engagement ring. A very expensive engagement ring."

"Girl, you're getting married!" Lanie threw her arms around her and hugged her.

"Lanie, I can't breathe."

"You can breathe later, I'm not done hugging you yet."

Kate took a deep breath after Lanie let her go and was dragged over to her side chair.

"Tell me everything. I want all the details." The M.E. looked on with anticipation.

Kate grinned. "Well, we had just come back from the sandcastle making completion and had just cleaned ourselves up."

"Wait what? A sandcastle making competition?"

Kate nodded. "Yeah. Any first time visitor to his house in the Hampton's has to take on Castle in a sandcastle building competition."

"Seriously?" Lanie was about to continue when Kate waved her off.

"Let me tell it my way." Lanie sat back in her chair. "Okay, anyway when we had finished Castle told me I'd built one of the best first time sandcastles he'd ever seen. He said it was almost as good as some of his earlier efforts."

"Ego much." Lanie chuckled.

Kate shook her head. "Deserved. The man's a sandcastle wizard. The one he built was amazing."

Lanie leaned over and tapped the ring. "Tell me about this."

"Okay, when we were back he pulled out a Cracker Jacks box and gave it to me. He said it was the runner up prize."

"Cracker Jacks?"

"Yeah, you know that candied caramel popcorn kids snack."

"I know what Cracker Jacks is." Lanie frowned.

Kate nodded. "Yeah, but you know that what's special about Cracker Jacks in not the plastic caramel over stale popcorn. It's the…

"Prize in the box… he didn't." Lanie gasped.

Kate grinned. "Yep. Inside the box was the ring."

Lanie smiled. "Actually when you think about it, it is kind of romantic in a silly sort of way."

Kate nodded. "I thought so."

Lanie grabbed her hand again. "So have you planned a date yet?"

Beckett shook her head. "No, we still haven't worked those details out yet, but whenever we decide you are going to be my maid of honor."

"You bet your skinny butt I will be."

Just then Lanie's phone rang. She picked it up and listened for a few moments.

"Sorry honey, I just got a call."

Kate quickly checked her phone. "Well it's not mine. She gave Lanie a quick hug. "I'll talk to you later."

Kate stepped off the elevator on fourth floor, homicide. She made a beeline for her desk.

"Hey Ryan, what time did are shift begin this morning?"

Ryan grinned at Esposito. "Why I believe it was about 15 minutes ago."

Espo just nodded. "I guess if you are a lead detective you don't have to worry about such things."

"Shut up, "she said as she sat down at her desk. "I had to stop and check in with Lanie."

Espo wasn't done yet. "So, is lover boy coming in today?"

Kate rolled her eyes. "What, do you want me to call him and tell him you guys miss him?"

"Yeah, and tell him to bring some donuts."

Kate shook her head. "How many times have either of you brought in some snacks?"

Ryan gave her a smirk. "The same number as you have."

Kate's glare toward Ryan was interrupted by a uniform coming over with a stack of files for her.

"These are all your case files from the past month. You have to review and sign off on each of them before they can be put in closed case storage."

Kate reached over to shift the files closer to her. "Thanks Velasquez."

Suddenly Velasquez grabbed Kate's left hand. "Ohmygod, Beckett's wearing an engagement ring!"

Suddenly, Kate was surrounded by coworkers complimenting and congratulating her. She stood up to try and get some order restored when Montgomery came out of his office.

"Will someone tell me what's going on here? What's all this ruckus?"

Velasquez pointed to Kate's finger. "Beckett's wearing a ring. She and Castle are getting married!"

Montgomery looked down at Kate. "Is this true, Beckett?"

Kate nodded. "Yes sir."

He smiled. "Congratulations, Beckett."

"Thank you, sir."

"Now everyone get back to work. You can give Beckett your congratulations and well wishes on your break." He gave Kate a wink, then turned back toward his office.

Everyone went back to their own duties. Ryan and Esposito stood next to her desk.

"That's a pretty nice rock you got there Beckett." Expo grinned at her. "I imagine he gave it to you over the weekend since you didn't have it last Thursday."

"Yep." She smiled.

Ryan stepped up. "So tell us. Give us all the details." Espo stood there expectantly.

She shook her head. "Nope."

The boys turned away in disappointment. "You're no fun."

Kate smirked at them. "That's not what Castle thinks."

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Kate knocked on the door to the loft. She knew that today was going to be a day with Alexis, so she hadn't expected him to show up at the precinct. She figured if they caught a case she could text him and let him decide what to do. They hadn't had a body drop so it turned out there was nothing for him to do anyway.

The door suddenly opened and she saw a slightly startled Castle staring at her. "Why didn't you use your key that I gave you?"

She quickly stepped in and gave him a kiss. "I didn't want to interrupt if you were still doing something with Alexis."

"Alexis is still here, and mother should be along soon. We're having a family dinner tonight."

"Oh, then I'll get out of your way." She moved toward the door.

He stopped her. "I said it was a family dinner." He took her left hand in his. "This means that you are family too." He escorted her to the couch.

Just then a flurry of red hair and youthful energy came bounding down the stairs.

"Detective Beckett, I'm so glad you're here for dinner. Grams will be pleased that you came." The young redhead came over and sat next to Kate.

"Alexis, I've told you to call me Kate." She smiled for the girl. "So how was your day?"

"It was great, Kate." She then began to tell her all about their day going through the Air and Space museum. She gave Rick a sidelong glance. It was someplace that she wouldn't have liked to visit. But Alexis' blow by blow description of their day filled in what was missed quite well.

Not knowing what Rick's plan was she kept her right hand over her left. Was this dinner supposed to be the revelation of the engagement? Should she take the ring off until it was the right time? She glanced up at Castle but he just gave her a wink.

Alexis was finally winding down when the door suddenly opened and in walked the diva of the White Way. She was dressed to the nines and had a glow about her. She immediately took over the room.

"I'm sorry if I'm late, darlings. The congestion was just unbearable. There was a woman walking down Broadway wearing spandex pants and sandals. "What was she thinking?"

Maybe she was thinking she wanted to be comfortable, mother?"

Martha just waved Rick off. "Where did she think she was, Brooklyn?"

Martha noticed Kate. "Oh Katherine, I'm so glad you came. I hope this little dinner is to tell us that Richard asked you to marry him."

Three mouths dropped open. "Mother, how did you know?"

"Tush darling, it's about time. You've known each other for years, and even though you haven't been dating that long you belong together. It was time." She made a gesture with her hand. "And the fact that Katherine is hiding her left hand from us makes me suspicious. What might you be hiding my dear?"

Alexis reached over and grabbed Kate's right hand. "Let me see." She pulled her hand away, exposing the ring on her third finger.

"Ohmygod, it's beautiful, dad."

Martha walked over and lifted the hand to inspect the ring for herself. "I must say, Richard, you have excellent taste in rings. And now you have finally shown excellent taste in fiancé's."

Kate looked at the two redheads. "You don't think this is kind of fast?"

Alexis chuckled. "I remember dad talking about you being 'the one' over a year and a half ago."

Kate quickly did some math in her head. "That would have put you at about your Most Eligible Bachelor Number 9 days." She gave him a glare as he shrugged his shoulders.

Alexis jumped in again. "Actually, I thought dad wouldn't get around to asking until you both were on Social Security."

Martha came over and sat next to Kate. "So dear, how did that doctor take the news?"

"Oh my god, Josh!" Kate slapped herself in the head. "I can't believe I forgot all about Josh!"

Alexis gave her a strange look. "Wasn't he curious about all the time you were spending with dad? I mean you just spent the weekend in the Hampton's together."

Kate was shaking her head. "He's in Haiti doing his Doctors Without Borders thing. It's a passion of his. He left about a month ago, and he won't be back for another two months."

"Oh well, if you snooze you lose." Martha waved a hand. "But I do think you should warn the good doctor not to expect a warm welcoming home."

Castle grabbed Kate's hand and pulled her to her feet. "Now that we've all settled Kate's problems for her, let's get to this fine meal I've slaved over ordering it in."

They all joined in setting the table and dishing out the dinner.

After dinner they all talked and gushed over Kate's ring until it got late and Martha and Alexis excused themselves to go up to bed.

Alexis found herself thinking about the changes that were going to be made. She was thrilled that her dad was going to marry Kate, but she wondered where that left her. She was not used to sharing her father with another woman. Gina was all work and some parties so she didn't really take a lot of time with her father away from her. Most of their time together was after she was in bed. Her mother she barely remembered. But Kate would be different. She would be around, and conversely her dad would continue to be with her at work.

What would that mean for her and her father? A part of her felt like she was being replaced by Kate, that there would be much less daddy/daughter time. But again, she was getting older too and perhaps it was time that she relied less on her dad, and made more decisions for herself. She would never not need her dad, but the thought of becoming more independent for herself appealed to her. When her head hit the pillow she was smiling.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Now came a new problem. Martha kept putting the pressure on for a wedding venue. In her mind only the most grand venue would do. She spent many hours reviewing and rejecting one extravagant place after another.

Castle consistently tried to tell her that all they wanted was a simple intimate wedding. Just the closest friends and family. No big deal. She wouldn't hear of it.

"Richard," she said. "Your marriage to Meredith was barely a stop at the county clerk's office. You and Kate deserve better than that."

"Yes, Mother, but you remember Gina and my wedding. It was all that big hoopla and it was as intimate and romantic as a circus."

Martha frowned. Castle let his mind go back to that day. Gina had wanted the big show. Hundreds of guests, full orchestra all the pomp and glory one could imagine. Also, she made sure that there were lots of newspapers and magazines represented. She even contacted the local television stations. She was never one to pass up any free publicity.

The only part of that wedding that Rick remembered he actually enjoyed was when they left for their honeymoon in the Caymans.

Kate even tried to reign in the indomitable Miss Rogers. She tried to explain that she wasn't from that high society. That she was a simple girl who just wanted a comfortable, intimate wedding.

When that didn't seem to work. Kate tried to play the cop card. She explained that as a somewhat notable police detective she had enemies and being in an event that was such a public display could potentially be dangerous.

That got Martha to pull back. She told the two of them that she would have to think some more about that.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Castle was still in a quandary about who to ask as his best man. He knew that Kate had already locked in Lanie, but he was conflicted. The only close friends he's had lately are Esposito and Ryan. How could he pick one and not the other? He knew what he had to do. He'd ask Kate.

"What am I going to do, Kate?" She looked at him in confusion.

"How can I pick between Espo and Ryan as my best man?" He paced. "Whomever I choose the other will be hurt."

Kate shrugged. "Simple don't pick either. Isn't there some old friend whom you can pull back to act as your bestie?"

"You arrested him."

"Oh yeah, sorry."

Castle shrugged. "It wouldn't have worked anyway. It had been years since we'd seen each other."

"How about one of your writer poker buddies?"

Castle shook his head. "We really aren't all that close. During the games we spend most of our time comparing our numbers and them making fun of me for only putting out only one book a year."

"What about your other poker buddies? How about the mayor, he's your friend."

Castle smiled. "That's a great idea, but not the mayor. I want him to marry us. But another member of the Gotham Poker Group."

They both grinned, then in unison said. "Roy Montgomery."

Castle had a big grin on his face. "And now I've just also solved the problem of Espo and Ryan."

"Oh, what brilliant plan did you come up with?"

"I'm going to ask them to be my groomsmen. With Alexis as your one bridesmaid you only have to get one more to make it all work out. Brilliant, right?"

"Sure, now I have to come up with another bridesmaid." Kate sat there and pondered for a couple of minutes. She didn't really have any girlfriends except Lanie. She had drifted away from most of them after she joined the force. The only one she had even seen since then was Maddie when she saw her because of a case. That was it! She'd aske Maddie.

She leaned over toward Castle. "How about Maddie?"

Castle nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, that would be great. And we could have her restaurant cater a small reception." Castle frowned. "Once we've constrained mother to something more in line with what we want, and not a re-creation of the royal wedding."

Kate nodded wearily. "Why don't you talk to the boys the next time we're at the precinct, and I'll give Maddie a call to see if she would be available sometime later this summer."

The shower had been nice but now they were getting ready to turn in for the night, but Kate still had things on her mind.

She was sitting on the edge of the bed being held by Castle from behind.

"I can't believe I just forgot about Josh? What kind of person does that?"

Rick hugged her. "The kind of person who already knew deep down that a relationship with someone like Josh didn't really have any room in it for you." He hoped that would make her feel better about it.

"Yeah, but to just simply forget about him. What does that say about me?' It hadn't worked.

Rick gave her another hug. "Well, for one thing, you'll be able to keep you're record intact of dumping the boyfriend before he could dump you."

"She slapped him on the chest. "Real nice. Now I'm not only a callus person, but I'm also some sort of Jezebel."

"Kate," he kissed the side of her head. "Don't beat yourself up over this. Josh had never really been invested in the relationship anyway. You were just someone he used when it was convenient for him."

She looked over her shoulder at him. "You didn't like him much did you?"

"Nope." Castle smiled.

"So, what do I do?"

"You write him a Dear Josh letter that says after much soul searching you've come to the conclusion that your lives are too different to be able to make it work. You wish him all the best and that's it."

She nodded. "Yeah, I could write something like that. I did like him, but we always had to work around his schedules since being a doctor his time was much more important than just that of a cop."

"Hey, you know what you should do?" She shook her head. "After you write the letter, you should slip an invitation to the wedding in. Just to show there are no hard feelings."

"Could this be a little revenge making itself known there?"

"Maybe."

She turned in his arms till she was facing him. "I know you hate cheaters, and I've never cheated on anyone in the past. But we made love in the Hampton's. Does that mean I'm a cheater?"

Rick traced his palm down her cheek. "I can't truly answer that for you. I know what I think."

"What do you think?"

"I think for someone to cheat on a relationship that both parties have to be invested in the relationship. I don't feel that Josh ever was. To him you were merely a means to satisfy himself without having to service himself." Castle sighed. "I've known people like him before. Their world revolves around them. Anything or anyone that comes within their sphere is merely something to be used for gain or gratification."

Kate frowns. "But he does all this humanitarian work? That doesn't sound like someone as shellfish as you describe."

"It all depends on why he's doing it. Is he doing it to help the downtrodden and the poor? Or is he doing it to boost his own self-image and ego?" Rick kissed her head. "Do you feel like you've cheated?"

"As I would have defined it in the past I guess I would, but as you defined it for me I'm unsure."

Castle gave her a hug. "Let's look at it another way. If you brought some guy home from a bar one night. Would you consider that a relationship?"

She shook her head. "No, of course not."

"Now, look at the number of times you've been with Josh over the length of time you've known him. How often have you truly been together?"

Kate frowned. "When you put it that way, not that much."

Castle nodded. "And how many times have you been to his place?"

"We've never ended up at his place."

"So, given what you've told me, and what I've seen of his actions. I'd classify Josh as merely a handful of one night stands rather than an actual relationship."

Kate's brow furrowed at Castle's description.

Rick grinned. "Was he better than a vibrator?"

Kate had to stifle a laugh. "Not really."

"I know this still bothers you so let this be your guide. You know how much I hate cheating." She nodded. "Well, I don't consider what we did as cheating on a man who is never there. I've never seen you two as an actual couple. I can live with it if you can."

He laid back in the bed and pulled the covers up to allow her to slide in next to him. She rolled on her side until she was able to put her head on his chest.

She sighed. "You really are something, you know that?"

He stroked her hair. "But you aren't going to tell me what, are you?"

"Nope."

Castle changed the subject. "How did it go when you told your father?"

Kate smiled. "It was actually quite… pleasant. For some reason, he likes you."

"What's not to like?" He smirked at her. "Did he ask about Josh?"

"Wellll, I've never actually told him about Josh."

Rick laughed. "I think that says something. You don't share your personal life with your father much do you?"

She shrugged. "After I became an adult he no longer took any interest. I think my teen age years scared him."

They laid there silently for several moments. She played with the fingers of the hand he had over her waist. He used his other hand to play with her hair, which would annoy her in the morning when she woke up to all the tangles and knots he caused.

Finally she broke the quiet. "Rick, I don't what to make any definite wedding plans until we talk to your doctor."

"What's wrong?" He asked. "Don't you think that once he has the definitive test results that he'd contact me with them? That he would give me the whole low down on what and when?"

She sighed. "I'm sure he would. But this waiting on some nebulous time frame is making me nuts. I want to have him give us his best estimate on what to expect and when. I want to know what we have to work with, both good and bad."

"I'll make an appointment and I'll…"

"We'll."

"We'll go in and see him and get all the information we can."

"Good."

He kissed her head. "Are you sure you want to know this early? "

She ran her hand down his cheek. "How long have you known me? I've always been the one who had to know everything. No stone unturned. I can't just sit and hope for the best. I have to know what I can and can't do. You understand, don't you?"

"Yes, I understand and I agree with you. But for right now, this moment. What do you want from me?"

She brushed back a couple of tears. "I want you to make love to me. And when we're done, I want you to do it again."

AN: Okay, here is the rewritten chapter five. I'm not sure if it's better or worse than the original. The Josh issue is confronted and dealt with. I hope it works for you. One more chapter left.

Readers are appreciated, Review if you wish.