AN: Thank you, as always, for the reviews. I am sorry that this has been delayed. I was focusing on my mental and physical health the past few days. But the good news for you, you don't have to wait as long for the next one on Monday (hopefully). Enjoy

CH15

It had been a few months since the bank robbery. There had been murders since, but nothing as strange as the one that had them visiting Castle's old school. Jenny had given birth to Sarah Grace, so Ryan was on leave. They all had gone to see the new baby and gave their best wishes to the new family. She hadn't expected the conversation that Castle started with her as they were exiting the hospital.

"So are they going to call you Aunt Beckett or Aunt Kate?"

"Why? Do you want to be called Uncle Castle?"

"Uncle Castle has such a better ring to it than Uncle Rick."

She laughed. "Either or would be fine with me. Or just Kate. They don't need to call me aunt."

"Oh, yes they do. If Espo is Uncle Javi, you get to be Aunt Kate."

"Did you pick Grams or did Martha?"

"Shockingly, Meredith did. Mother didn't want to be called Grandma, Granny, or anything that made her sound old. I didn't want her calling her Martha. Meredith suggested Grams after eating some Golden Grahams, it was one of those pregnancy cravings she had, and mother liked it." There was a pause. "Have you ever thought about what your dad would be called?"

She stopped as they reached the elevator to look at him. "That would imply I've thought about having kids."

"Have you?"

"I…well didn't think it would ever become a reality. Once my mom was killed, my life changed."

"You're good with kids. I saw the way you held Sarah Grace just now. You weren't scared to hold her."

"Well, when you've dealt with explosions, being shot at, and almost dying, holding a baby is nothing." The elevator doors opened and they stepped inside. "What about you? Have you ever thought of having more kids?"

"I didn't. After two failed marriages and being the one that took care of Alexis for most of her years, I didn't know if I would find someone that I would want to have another child with."

She pressed the button for the ground floor. "Well, who knows, Castle. Maybe the third time's the charm."

Kate hadn't expected to tell him in her own way that she was open to the possibility of having kids with him and marrying him at the same time, but it came out before she even realized it. It was too soon for that, which they both knew, but he mentioned it again yesterday when their case involved a little girl who had witnessed the murder.

"Beckett, I know you've said you haven't thought about having kids, but you're going to make a great mother someday. The way you were with her just now, you're a natural."

"You're not so bad yourself, Castle. Getting her to laugh and smile when I'm sure she's been traumatized. She likes you."

"I tried my best."

She took his hand in hers. "You did. Plus, the offer of milk and cookies really won her over."

"Well, I know the best baker in town where I can get said cookies."

"So what you're saying is you're going to bribe all of our witnesses with my cookies now so they'll like you?"

"No, if I were going to do that, I'd offer them your cheesecake. But most kids don't like cheesecake. Maybe ours will, considering you're their mother." She looked at him, taken back at his last words. "I…I mean..what I meant to say…"

She bit her bottom lip trying to hold back the smile and laugh that wanted to escape her. "Time will tell, Castle." She left him in the middle of the bullpen, with an expression of awe on his face. She looked back at him with a smile. "Come on, Castle, we have to go get those cookies you promised."

She was going to meet Castle at the loft, for dinner, but she had to stop at Johanna's to do some inventory. She heard the door open and figured it was Castle since he was the only one that would come in when the sign said closed. However, when she looked up from the binder on the counter, she was met with a pair of eyes she did not want to see.

"I hope you don't mind, but I've heard great things about your cheesecake."

"What can I do for you, senator?" She made sure that her tone was harsh and unwelcoming.

He locked the door behind him and she placed her hand on her holster, ready to draw her gun if need be. "I need a favor."

"One that doesn't involve cheesecake I presume. And if I'm not mistaken, I think you're in my debt."

"That I am, but this impacts us both. I'm up for election and my opponent wants to make some more affordable housing for the homeless. One of those areas happens to be where we're currently standing. Now, I know you stand for the greater good, but I also know how much this place means to you."

He was sadly right. She didn't want to give up her bakery, but she wasn't about to stand in the way of helping people get off the street.

"I can always go elsewhere."

"You've already established your roots and would you want to go somewhere else, where this is so close to the precinct? And think about the business you'll get if you support me."

"How exactly would I be supporting you?"

"My opponent, well he has a son in the 9th precinct."

She knew where his mind was headed. "I'm not making him out to look like a bad cop."

"Think about it, Beckett." He handed her over an envelope. "Here's everything you'd need."

She pushed the envelope away. "I don't need to think about it. I'm sure you have enough cops to do your dirty work or were McCallister and Raglan the last ones."

He laughed as he shook his head. "Now those are two names I haven't heard in a long time."

"Probably since you've had them killed."

"You know where to find me if you change your mind." He turned his back to her and started to head towards the door.

"Senator." He turned around. "I won't change my mind and when I come looking for you, it will be to arrest you."


She locked up and headed over to Castle's. She wasn't sure she had been able to wrap her head around what just happened, but it was bringing the want to dive back into her mother's case to the surface. She knew she couldn't, but damn it, each time she saw that man's face it made her blood boil. She got to the loft and knocked on the door. It wasn't long before Castle opened it and the smile that was on his face vanished.

"What happened?"

"Bracken." She entered the loft and he closed the door behind her. "He came to the bakery, wanting a favor. I told him no."

"What did he want?"

"To frame a cop to help him win an election."

"Do you think he's going to…"

"No, he's not going to do anything to me. He knows that even if he tries to kill me, I've at least told you about him, if not Ryan and Esposito as well. He was just hoping that he wouldn't have to pay anyone to help him this time around. It just makes me so angry, Castle."

He wrapped his arms around her. "Angry that he's not in prison, angry that he can find ways to get what he wants, or angry that you don't have the evidence to put him there?"

"All of the above." She rested her head against him as she wrapped her arms around him.

"How about we get away?"

She looked up at him. "What do you mean?"

"The Hamptons. We'll take a long weekend and forget about everything. I just sent the final draft of Heat Wave to Gina and I could use a long weekend away with the woman I love."

She gave him an apologetic smile. "Castle, I can't."

He moved one of his hands to cup the side of her face. "Yes, you can. I know you're not on call this weekend. The bakery will be fine and at any point, you feel like we need to come back, we will."

She knew he was trying to prevent her from going down the rabbit hole once again and she knew if she didn't go with him, that's exactly where she would be going. "Okay."

He pressed a kiss to her temple. "Thank you." She wasn't sure if he was thanking her for coming with him or for not throwing her life away.