Ebullition
by Castlefan6
Authors Note: This is AU; Kate's mom was never attacked and is still alive! This resulted in Kate's dad never falling into alcoholism and Kate is quite close to both her parents although having her own apartment.
ebullition - a sudden outburst of emotion or violence:
I don't own Castle; I only use the characters for amusement purposes, except the ones I create.
Also, we take liberties with the timeline from Canon and use events to make this a more believable fiction, thanks.
**************************************************************************/
Story Prompt from
malleys8
Please Note: This is a story, totally AU, based on a very long and detailed prompt from one of my most loyal readers, malleys8. He has submitted such a detailed prompt I'm actually using the revised version we agreed upon as the first chapter. I think you can see that by having Johanna in the picture, we take away the poor pitiful girl who lost her mother at age 19 and introduce some other root causes of behavior.
I'm not a psychologist, I've seen enough of them, BUT I'm not claiming to be producing sound mental health advice. I'll leave that for the experts, BUT without Bracken, or The Drive For Justice, we're left with a completely different playing field. What did make Kate act as she did? What elements of her makeup convinced Rick to stick with her, when he somedays would much rather have shot her, justifiably? What was the event(s) that eventually got her to attempt to look at the world from someone else's viewpoint?
Just some additional housekeeping, Rick was only married and divorced once from Meredith, who will NOT figure into the story. His association with Weldon goes back to their childhood, facts to be revealed, and Roy Montgomery was his CO, Commanding Officer on the special mission he was on for two years, while in the U.S. Marines. Gina is a player in progress, he is just meeting her after relocating back to New York, and having his original publishing contract sold to Black Pawn. Martha has lived with him and Alexis, aged, approximately 14 since Alexis was 5 years old.
We may use cases, or bits of cases from many different seasons to demonstrate their work together, BUT this story is more one of personal relationships, how they come together, fall apart, and hopefully come back together once again. The military reference will be alluded to but not dealt with in specifics, it's to provide a background for Rick to perhaps find common ground with our detective.
There will be angst, TONS OF ANGST, and for the Beckett lovers, you aren't going to like some chapters, BUT they are merely a reflection of what occurred in Canon, and will hopefully serve as a means to the happiness of both our characters. The good news is THIS IS A CASKETT ENDING.
AU: Kate's mom was never attacked and is still alive! This resulted in Kate's dad never falling into alcoholism and Kate is quite close to her parents although having her own apartment.
This is the prompt; the chapter begins immediately after it ends.
Kate majored in pre-law at Stanford but became frustrated with the system, dropped out of prelaw, and focused on criminal law and procedure classes, graduating with honors. While home on spring break she went for a ride along with a friend, who was an NYPD Detective, and was hooked, she applied for and was accepted at the NYPD Academy, graduating at the top of her class.
Her first rotation was in VICE, then based on her performance was promoted to a new position in the Criminal Investigation Unit, responsible for the investigation of almost all major crimes; including robbery, drugs, and, murder. She was very proficient in knowing what the DA would need to build a case, as well as investigation tools and logic, BUT she was very short on people skills. She had been talked to both on and off the record, about her attitude, and cooperation with other Detectives, many of them older men who resented her and had trouble accepting her prowess in the criminal investigation process. She worked without a partner for most of the time, most assigned to her lasted only days, or weeks at most. NYPD had a problem, keep the efficient cop, with the bad attitude, or cut her loose and see their closure rate go down, and face the wrath of the newly elected Mayor, Robert Weldon who had run his campaign on Law and Order and increasing police efficiency.
Rick had broken up with Kyra, graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice, and moved to California immediately after returning from a 2-year stint in the U.S Marines. His military records were sealed, and not open for investigation, because of the sensitive information and locations he had visited during his service. He met Meredith, at a party, still on the rebound from his college flame, and 10 months later became a father, just as his first book, the one he wrote while overseas in locations he could not divulge where or what he did, was published.
At first, he thought it was a dream, but his publisher had arranged for him to work with the LAPD for a few weeks, to refine some chapters of the book. It proved to be the defining moment of Rick's life.
He was assigned to two transplanted New Yorkers, who he got along with very well. His military background proved his worth to the force, plus he had some inside connections at some of the Hollywood spots that enabled the LAPD to gain access.
He was happy with the setup until life changes occurred: Meredith became pregnant, and they fought about her keeping the child, his two partners from the LAPD took open positions back in New York, leaving him in California alone, with a child he knew nothing about how to take care of.
The biggest news was that his publishing company had been acquired by Black Pawn Publishing, owned by the Cowell Family, and the writers would need to visit if not relocate to New York to remain active on their roster.
His divorce from Meredith, as well as her surrendering all rights to their daughter, eased his move back to New York, and the only family he had, his Mother. He had secured a larger contract for his next three book deal, along with a handsome advance which he purchased the loft, and invested 30% as was his rule since he had his first paper route as a boy. Even 30% of his military pay had been invested, and it was beginning to show a sizeable balance, thanks to shrewd investments, and his commitment to investing.
Meanwhile, Kate's competition with her partners became a problem for her superiors. They decided she could either transfer to another precinct - perhaps to be assigned a partner she could completely respect and, at least, be willing to cooperate with. If not, she would be facing some serious discipline if she didn't stop harassing her partners so badly. Kate transferred to the 12th precinct, just six months after Captain Roy Montgomery had been installed as its chief.
Several scenarios can happen, so stick around for the ride and see what happens when Richard TAKE NO SHIT SEMPER FI Castle meets, I KNOW IT ALL, Detective First Class, Katherine Beckett.
Hope you Enjoy the ride, THIS WILL BE A CASKETT ENDING, EVENTUALLY.
**************************************************************************/
Chapter 1
The Loft
Monday, 7:00 AM
Rick was working on the list of potential characters that would replace Storm, he still had three more books on his latest contract, but it was becoming almost too easy, like in High School. Not opening the book all term, until one hour before the final, and acing it, it wasn't that he was that intelligent.
He had been reminded constantly by his CO in the Marines, that there was a huge difference between photographic memory and retention than intelligence. He had been blessed with the former, photographic memory and the ability to speed read, both key assets in the role he played.
He looked up to see his daughter, walk into his office, "Good morning, Daughter, what did I forget to do this time?" he asked as she slid next to him kissing his cheek,
"You just have to sign this permission slip for me to join Orchestra, and we are liable to damage to any of their equipment," Alexis smiled, scrunching her nose up, her freckles, all over her face, from a summer in the Hamptons and on vacation with her friends.
"OK, so if you go all ballistic and pull a Pete Townsend on me, I'll have to pay for the violin?" he asked knowing the minute the name came out of his mouth, that it was way too early for her to know who he was talking about.
"Whoever that was, if they smashed instruments, yeah, that's what it means, so I promise I won't." she giggled, as he scrawled his name on the slip, "I thought you would know how to forge my name by now" he added,
"Who says I don't, I just save those for the fun stuff, bye daddy, have a good day. Oh, and Gina Cowell called, something about you having a dinner appointment with her tonight? Should I be worried, father?" she smiled,
"Not in the least, she's my publisher now, we're talking about book ideas and where we want to go from the Storm series." He said,
"Well, you sure? When Harry Sigel was your publisher, you didn't have all these meetings, what happened to him anyway?" She asked,
"He took another job, and actually Gina Cowell is the owner and publisher's niece, so it's nice to be close to the top, at least I think it is," he smiled,
"Well, don't mix business with pleasure, I'll see you tomorrow, I know I'll be in bed by the time you get home." She said,
"Are you sure pumpkin? It's just a dinner, and I'll be home by 10:30 or 11:00 PM latest," he pleaded,
"Daddy, tonight is a school night, 10:00 PM is my bedtime, I'll see you tomorrow, now behave today." She skipped out of his office, "Love you daddy," were the last words he heard as the door closed.
He was shocked, amazed, pick the adjective, how he had gotten so lucky with his child. What had started as an unmitigated train wreck, turned into the love of his life. He still couldn't understand how a mother, any mother, could sign her rights to her child away, for a few thousand dollars and the deed to a home. Whatever her mother's reason, he had tried to make it up to Alexis, without spoiling her into one of those girls that everyone hated.
He made her donate a percentage of her weekly allowance to someone, or some group less fortunate than them, she hated it at first until she discovered her friend at school would be hungry without the free lunch program. They went to the food banks on every holiday, now, Alexis picked the one, and not only donated but worked to help others not feel the hunger.
Martha, looked on with such pride at her son, and her Granddaughter, oh they weren't perfect by a long shot but she was still so proud of life's lessons he had either remembered living through when he was a toddler, or just the need to help others instilled in him.
"I'm off as well Richard, don't wait up for me" she spoke up,
"Do I ever, Mother, and would it do any good? Enjoy yourself, but watch your spending you're almost 90% through your allowance and it's not even the 15th of the month." He said gently,
"Oh Richard, you and I both know,"
"No Mother, no more extensions, advances, increases, whatever term you want to come up with, you'll learn to live within your means or start returning some of those hideous clothes," He said,
"Richard! I taught you better, I mean"
I mean it, mother, the bank is closed, so make up your mind, and enjoy your day. By the way, I hid the booze if you get the urge to take what you can't afford to purchase, have a nice day." He hated to be that way but her alcohol consumption was rising by the day, and she had no regard for the value of a dollar.
He heard the door slam, meaning he had gotten through to her, she had looked and couldn't find the liquor she loved, as he moved the case around a little under his desk to prop his feet. Now back to his list.
XxX
12th Precinct
Same Timeframe
Kate walked up the stairs to her first day at the 12th, under the command of Captain Roy Montgomery, by all accounts a very fair and good cop. She was sure her reputation and discipline warnings and reports had reached his desk before she arrive, she would have to try to do better. This was really an ideal location, walking distance to her apartment, and close to some of her favorite restaurants.
She checked in with the desk Sargent, received her visitor's badge, and directions to the elevator to the fourth floor, homicide. This would be her new home, and hopefully a new start in her career. She loved her parents, but her mother especially wouldn't let go of the fact that if she wanted to work in law, go back, pass the bar exam, and work in the fields LADIES did, as attorneys or judges, not as cops.
FLASHBACK FIRST DAYS ON FORCE
She didn't know what the attraction to being a police officer was until she had worked with her Training Officer, Mike Royce, for several months. The Academy taught her paperwork, and what sections of the manual to look at, and Mike taught her how to be a real cop. He was loyal, kind, and smart as hell when it came to the life on the streets of New York. He had developed key informants who respected and liked him, so his investigations often started, with him buying a bag of groceries to meet with his CI, (Confidential Informant).
She looked on in puzzlement why this cop making what a civil servant made plus a few hours of overtime here and there would take the time and money out of his pocket for others.
"It's just a few bucks to me kid, the name he called her more than her name, but to them, it may be the difference between having to risk breaking the law and stealing food for their families. They aren't any different, just dealt some lousy cards," he said as if it was a can of soda or a bottle of water.
She learned more from Mike than at any other time in her career. He was the one cop, hell the one person she allowed herself to get close to, perhaps even fall in love with at least what could be love. Mike was as loyal to his wife, as he was to the force. She was in hospice, just days away from dying before Mike told her, that she was sick. He must have sensed something, because he just said, that he married his wife, till death due them part, he had been and would be faithful to that vow.
Shortly later, Kate heard of the opening, coming up, well, Mike was a friend of Montgomery's and put her name in so months later here she was. She knew that she was about to get canned or transferred to a death squad position, once again her TO saved her ass.
Now she would have to make him proud of her. He sent her a note since neither could face each other on the last day, Marie, his wife had died just two weeks before, and he put his papers in. She was embarrassed and ashamed to think about cheating on a dying woman. Something she would have to live with, another reason she avoided the personal lives of others.
Her mother knew by the way she talked about him how she felt, and let her know how disappointed in her for her slip of morality. Her mom even said, "If you need to get laid that badly, go to a bar, Katie, I'm sure you can find someone who has what you want"
Her mom had always been the one to hand out the discipline when she was living at home, but that was tough to hear, even if it were true. She could see the disappointment in her mother's eyes, and perhaps even some shame.
"Mom, I appreciate you telling me straight out, what I did, I know was wrong. Something else is wrong, this has stirred something deep inside of you, so what is it, Mom?" she asked,
"I cheated on your father once, early in our marriage, he acts like he never found out, but he did. I saw the hurt I caused, and I vowed then I would make it up to him. Katie, take it from me, the minutes of pleasure your receive is NEVER worth the lifetime of hurt you will cause.
"Is that why you and Dad seldom take vacations together anymore or sleep in the same room? I never bought the snoring excuse, I never heard either of you ever snore." Kate asked,
"Partially, the other reason was we were only going to stay together until you were through with college, then go our separate ways, and just use the excuse people grow apart. I couldn't leave him, Katie, I love him, and I think my punishment is to watch him go to work every day, knowing that I killed all if not most of that love he once had for me." She cried,
"Mom, I don't think that Dad would stay just for that, I mean,"
"Katie, believe me, you'll understand if you ever break a vow to someone you promise until death does you part, I just hope you never do. It is the worse feeling in the world, knowing you hurt the one man you will ever love. You need to look around, this isn't the I want grandkids conversation, this is you're not getting any younger, and Mike Royce can't be the only man you ever loved. I don't want you to wake up someday and be the cat lady of your block.
"Don't think we don't know why you are transferring to the 12th precinct, and it's got nothing to do with walking distance of your apartment. You need to start treating others as we taught you, look at your Dad, for God's sake, don't take my actions as your role model for that behavior. We all know I have a sharp tongue, and no filter, I think it, I say it. I think I'm blessed that Jim forgives easily, but he has limits to Katie, all partners do."
CURRENT TIME
She approached a young lady sitting near the elevator she had just existed,
"Excuse me could you point me to Captain Roy Montgomery's office, today is my first day."
"Sure, welcome aboard, "I'm Roz Karpowski, I'll walk you there," she said,
Kate hesitated then replied, "Thanks Roz, I'm Kate, Kate Beckett"
TBC
A/N: This story is going to be VERY different from my normal ones, and I will try to follow Steve's prompt as best I can. We have a ton of ground to cover, so I expect a bit longer story than the last couple, and once again, THIS WILL BE CASKETT, you're welcome Charlie.