CASTLE'S COMMAND

CHAPTER NINE

Author's note: As I've noted several times, this is an alternate universe story. So, while all the major events remain the same, some things happen here that didn't happen in our universe.

Dover England 10 June, 1945

Lady Kate Beckett- Castle nestled happily in the arms of her husband, satiated after three rounds of love making. A little over a year after operation Overlord Rick's group was back in England, the war in Europe effectively, if not officially over.

Kate smiled at the satisfied look on Ricks face.

"Let's get cleaned up, my Darling then we can sleep in a bit, it's Sunday."

Kate got out of bed first, went into the bathroom and used the toilet then started running water in the tub. She called Rick in, waited while he used the toilet then they both bathed quickly, dried off and went to bed, neither bothering with night clothes.

Kate awoke at nine o'clock, made short work of her morning ablutions and prepared a simple breakfast of toast with jam and coffee. They would have lunch at the officer's club after attending mass. After breakfast Kate showered while Rick shaved, then he showered and they both dressed for church in their respective dress blue uniforms, Kate insisting that Rick wear his medals rather than ribbons.

"Why the medals, Kate? The ribbons are sufficient."

"For ordinary service dress, yes. But these are dress blues. I want to show off my husband to best advantage."

Rick shook his head but complied with his wife's wishes.

As group commander Rick rated a staff car and a driver so he and Kate had a comfortable ride to the base chapel. Father (Commander) O'Neal was happy to see the pair attend. He had performed their marriage ceremony. He'd seen Kate light many a candle while Rick was away. As they were leaving the chapel father O'Neal said;

"I'm very glad to see you home safely, Commander Castle, your good lady was in the chapel lighting a candle and praying for you every day. It is good to see her lovely smile."

"Thank you, Father, believe me, I'm happy to be here."

From the chapel Rick and Kate went to the officer's club where the met Lieutenant Commander Kevin Ryan and his date, for lunch.

Jennifer O'Malley was a beautiful, blonde Irish woman, a civilian employee of the Royal Navy. A Linguist-translator working at coastal Command headquarters. Kevin had met her at one of the dances held at the officer's club.

They had been dating for several months now and Kevin was getting ready to follow in Rick's footsteps and ask her to marry him. In fact. he was planning to do it at dinner that night. After the initial drinks and their orders placed, the women went to "powder their noses".

Kevin said;

"Rick, I want to invite you and Kate to dinner tonight, with Jenny and I.

I intend to pop the question after dinner and I want you two to be there, but don't tell Kate until you get home. I want it to be a surprise for Jenny."

"No problem, Kev. We'll be there."

The women came back,

"Those two are up to something Kate said, I can feel it. Besides, I am an intelligence officer. I swear that I will get it out of Rick, before the day is over. But for now, let's just enjoy our lunch."

The two women returned to the table. Lunch was a light breezy affair, the two men almost as close as brothers, the women having worked together, had also become friends. The same age and of a similar background, both relieved that the men they loved were probably out of danger. At the end of the lunch, Kevin extended the dinner invitation and it was accepted.

When they got home Kate said;

"Two meals together on the same day, what are you two men planning? Don't you dare say it's nothing." Rick chuckled.

"It's definitely not nothing, it's a very big something. Kevin plans to propose to Jenny tonight and wants us to witness it. Kevin has asked me to be his best man, if Jenny accepts."

"If Jenny accepts? Of course, she will accept. If Kevin waited much longer, Jenny was going to take a page out of my book and propose to him. It's sweet that he wants us to share this with them."

"Sweet maybe, or he wants back up so he won't chicken out."

Kate swatted Rick. "Drop the cynicism, you great oaf. You will behave yourself, or else! You can wear your uniform tonight, but you'd better have a morning coat and top hat for the wedding, I'm wearing a dress, tonight.

As she stated Kate wore a purple silk tea dress from before the war. Jenny a very similar dress in very pale yellow. The men wore their uniforms.

The two couples met in the lobby of the officer's cub, Rick and Kate secretly amused at how nervous Kevin was. Jenny seemed a little off, too as she picked up Kevin's nervousness, but they both calmed down as Kate gently guided the conversation. Rick and Kevin both ordered steak with French fries, Kate had Dover sole with new potatoes and Jenny ordered baked chicken with mashed potatoes. They all shared a large salad.

A Merlot went well with both the steak and chicken while Kate had a pinot noir most of the wine from a grateful, liberated France. As they were finishing their dessert, Rick could see that Kevin was getting nervous so he said;

"Ladies, would you like a brandy to finish off the meal?"

"That would be very nice." Kate said. Jenny agreed.

"The waiters look a little busy, so Kevin and I will go to the bar and get them."

The two men got up and went to the bar.

"Four brandies and a shot of Scotch, please." Rick ordered.

He drinks arrived. Rick handed the scotch to Kevin.

"Drink this. It will settle your nerves."

Kevin tossed the shot down. The men then carried the brandies to the table. Rick raised his glass.

"Here's to pleasant company and a lovely evening." They all clinked glasses. After a few sips of his drink Kevin said;

"Jenny, you know that I love you, so in front of our dear friends, I want to ask you a very important question. Will you make me a very happy man and do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

Jenny gasped, then with happy tears in her eyes, said;

"Oh yes my love, yes I will." They kissed, keeping it brief, remembering where they were.

"Kate said; This calls for champagne." Champagne was ordered but only one glass each was drunk. Any more would have been too much on top of the wine and brandy.

U.S. Naval headquarters, London England 18 July. 1945.

"The Admiral will see you now, gentlemen.: The admiral's aide said.

Typical dog robber, nice polished staff officer with a naval pedigree as long as my arm probably never heard a shot fired in anger. Rick thought

Rick and Kevin reported to the admiral. The admiral said;

"Please be seated, gentlemen. There is much to discuss. The first order of business is to ask if you gentlemen will consider extending your active- duty time for four years. I hope that you are willing to do so. The next order of business concerns the PT group. As of November first, the group will be disbanded the personnel returned to the United States the boats to be disposed of and the personnel discharged or reassigned. I cannot discuss the reasons for the request until such time as you have extended. If you do agree, you will be returned to the United States for further training. Your wives will be given immediate entrance documents after they secure their military dependent identifications. You will have to be in Norfolk Virginia by February first.

Are you willing?"

"Sir, I will discuss it with my wife and give you my answer within the week, sir." Castle said.

"As will I, sir. Ryan said.

"That seems reasonable. You are dismissed, gentlemen."

Castle and Ryan stood, saluted and left the office.

After kissing his wife upon arrival home Castle said;

"Sweetheart, I'm going to change clothes and make drinks for us and then we need to discuss some things."

"That sounds ominous."

"I don't think so. Major changes, yes. Ominous no."

Rick changed clothes, wearing shirt, sweater and slacks. He made a tall scotch and water for each of them and they sat on the couch.

"Sweetheart, the admiral said that the navy wants Kevin and I to remain on active duty for the next four years We will be returning to the states for retraining. You and Jenny will have immediate entrance documents as dependents. It's not mandatory. We can refuse, if you don't agree."

"Do you know what your assignment will be?"

"Not until we agree, but it will be in Norfolk Virginia and the war is essentially over so it shouldn't be hazardous duty."

"Do you want to do it?"

"I think so, it sounds interesting, but only if you agree."

"As it says in the bible, wherever you go, I shall go. I am your wife and support your decisions."

A very similar discussion went on at Kevin and Jenny's home with the same result. The next day they informed the admiral of their decisions.

Three days later they were called to headquarters.

"Gentlemen, I can now inform you of the mission you are about to embark on The British government as well as our own has deep concerns that the Soviet Union is going to try and take over all of Eastern Europe and threaten Western Europe. While that concern is initially land based, open sea lanes are vital. To that end The United States, Canada and the United Kingdom are forming a unified naval command. Part of that command will be active seaborne intelligence. There will be several dedicated intelligence ships converted from light. cargo vessels. And a new class of destroyer to protect them and assist in intelligence gathering. The DDCI. Communications and intelligence destroyer. A conversion on a late model destroyer hull. The CCCI's will have and extensive electronics suite to include the latest radar, sonar and secure radio equipment.

We are converting four destroyers as are England and Canada.

You two were one of the most effective command teams we saw during the war. You are being returned to Norfolk for destroyer training Upon completion, Commander Castle, you will take command of one of the DDCI's. You, commander Ryan will be the executive officer.

After a shakedown cruise you and your wives will return to England where you will work with your counterpart in the Royal Navy's DDCC.

I am told that the Commander of the lead ship will be Commander, soon to be Captain Bailey, commodore of the British and Canadian flotillas

You will be based in Portsmouth. If all goes well, gentlemen, I am certain that you will both move up a grade, well ahead of your peers."

Dover England, 28, July 1945

It was a lovely Sunday afternoon, sunny but warm, not hot, the sea-breeze cooling things a little. As he'd promised Kate, Rick wore a morning coat, formal outfit, complete with top hat. Kevin wore the same.

Getting them had been a bit of a struggle, but it was done. Surprisingly the men's shop they found, in London, was only two doors down from the bridal shop. The rings even came from the same jeweler as the Castle's rings.

Jenny's gown was very simple. Traditional high-necked long- sleeved gown in white satin. Kate found a similar style dress in lavender organdy.

The wedding was Held in Saint Paul's Roman Catholic church, the same as Rick ad Kate's had been with much the same guest list and father O'Neal officiating. Rick and Kate served a s best man and matron of honor and the two Wrens Clarke and Smythe as bride's maids. The reception at the officer's club. Monday morning Kevin had been granted two week's leave. He and Jenny left for their honeymoon in Ireland.

Dover England, 01, November 1945

It was with a sad heart that Rick watched the PT boats being loaded onto cargo ships and the crews onto transports for the trip back to the United States. Castle had been lucky to persuade several officers from his group to join him when he got his new command. He especially wanted Chief Esposito as senior chief of his ship. The admiral pulled strings to make it happen.

Kate's service obligation ended that same day and she was glad to put on her Wren uniform for the last time.

They only had a little under two months to complete all the necessary paperwork for Kate's admission to the United States and pack all her clothing and household goods she wanted to take for shipment. She took the antique silverware and chinaware that her mother had left to her. The only furniture that she took from the Mayfair house was the China cabinet. They wouldn't need any other furniture, as the navy supplied furnished housing on base to officers and married career nco's.

Enlisted personnel lived in barracks.

Portsmouth England, 14, December 1945.

All paperwork completed, goods and baggage loaded on a fast transport, Rick and Kate, Ryan and Jenny along with military personnel and civilian employees of the navy boarded the RMS Queen Mary, then fitted out as a troopship, for the voyage home.

New York City, 21 December 1945.

Since Rick didn't have to report to Norfolk until February first, Rick took a month's leave. The couple would spend the time with Rick's parents, letting Kate get to know them and they, her.

Kate and Rick took a cab from the pier to his parents' loft. Walter, the doorman had no trouble recognizing Rick.

"Mister Castle, welcome home! Ad this beautiful lady must be your wife. Welcome home too, Missus Castle." Kate smiled at the greeting and extended her hand.

"Walter, this is indeed' my wife Kate. Kate, this is Walter Kendall. He's been our doorman since I was a freshman in high school."

"Very pleased to meet you, Missus Castle."

"And I, you Mister Kendall."

"Oh, please call me Walter, everybody does. We better get your bags unloaded, then I'll call up and let Missus Waterford know you're here."

Walter and the cabbie unloaded the bags and carried them into the lobby.

Rick paid the fare and gave the cabbie a generous tip.

Walter called up to the loft to let Martha know that Rick and Kate had arrived.

Rick, Walter and Howard, Walter's assistant carried most of the luggage up on the first trip. Walter and Howard went back down for the rest. Martha and George were waiting for them at the open door to the loft.

Martha immediately hugged Rick and kissed him, George embraced him.

"Mom, Dad, I want you to meet my wife, Kate. Kate this is my mother, Martha Rodgers Waterford and my stepfather George Hayes Waterford. Officially George is my stepfather but he's the only father I've ever known, so, he's Dad, to me. To give Kate her dues, she's Lady Katherine Beckett Castle."

"I am so very happy to meet you both, but please I'm just Kate."

Martha stepped away from Rick and hugged Kate.

"We are so pleased to meet you, Darling girl, you are a beauty. But Katherine is such a lovely name. I shall call You that. Just as I have never called Richard Rick or Ricky. Please call me Martha."

George stepped up to Kate and took her hand.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

"Please call me George."

"George, help Richard with the luggage. Put it in Richard's room. Katherine, help me make drinks and set out snacks. After we have a little snack, you can unpack and then have time for a nap, if you wish one. Dinner is at eight. I hope you like Italian."

At Rick's raised eyebrow, Martha said;

"Not to worry it's being catered from Mario's. Heaven knows that I'm not a good cook."

The dinner was a light hearted affair, with superb food and stories from both Rick's and Kate's lives before the war and none about the war itself except for how Rick and Kate met and fell in love.

After dinner Martha said;

"Why don't you two retire early, I'm sure you're tired after the voyage in that crowded ship. We have plenty of time to talk, since you'll be here a whole month." Rick and Kate readily agreed.

The next couple of days was spent entirely as home just relaxing and talking, Martha and George both thinking that Rick had hit the jackpot with Kate and Kate find Rick's parents easy to like and knew that she would quickly come to love them

A few days later Martha said;

"Katherine Darling, your wardrobe is lovely but I think that you should have a few new dresses, lingerie and stockings. Spend some of Richard's accumulated pay. And Richard needs a completely new wardrobe besides his uniforms. None of his old ones fit anymore."

The women, happily and Rick grudgingly. Spent the next three days shopping. Rick also arranged for Kate's China cabinet to be stored in his parent's basement, the chins and silverware in the loft.

The month passed all too quickly but by the end of it, Kate and her in-laws quite firmly loved one another. The navy base at Norfolk would provide furnished housing, but they would have to provide their own household goods, so Kate and Martha went shopping again for pots, pans dishes silverware, and all the other household necessities. Rick had them shipped to Norfolk n the same train they were traveling on. Kevin and Jenny met them at grand Central Station and rode with them to Virginia.

The two couples checked in three days early, to be able to settle in to their new quarters and begin a new phase of their lives.

Author's note: The inspiration for the DDCI's came from the United States creating DDR's late in World War two. DDRs were radar picket destroyers created as advance warning ships against Japanese air attacks, especially kamikazes. The destroyers had their torpedo tubes removed to make room for more radar and radio equipment.

Although there was not a lot of action in this chapter, rest assured that more is on the way.

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