* * *Disclaimer: I don't Own any of the characters or the rights to the show (sadly) * * *
This chapter references Rupert Bentley who appeared in the Episode "Wrapped up in Death" – Season 2 episode 19
"The Case of The Carpathian Ruby"
Chapter 2 "An unexpected Invitation"
Alexis came into the office early. It was barely dawn but Hayley was already there.
"You're in at stupid o'clock today." Hayley commented. Alexis noticed Hayley was wearing her new dress, the one she bought for the Paris trip.
"It's an important day. Esposito and Ryan are starting and I thought we could do something nice for them." Alexis replied.
"I think the pay packet is rather nice." Hayley deadpanned.
"You know what I mean, it's been just you and me, and occasionally Dad when he's not busy with his new kids mystery books." Alexis had a wistful expression.
"I suppose it would be nice to have the boys around." Hayley acknowledged.
"Especially since detective Esposito has a crush on you." Alexis said casually.
"Little Minx." Hayley arched an eyebrow at Alexis. "And technically we should stop calling him detective."
"Probably, but I think that's going to take some getting used to." Alexis replied as she shrugged off her emerald green cloth coat and hung it on the coatrack.
"Just remember they are coming to work for us. We are in charge. Don't let them boss you about." Hayley warned.
"Just remember work place romances never last." Alexis teased.
"Tell that to Beckett and your father."
"The exception that proves the rule."
"Oh, so you won't be seeing the good-looking young man from the Sanderson case again?"
"Don't tell my dad."
"Wouldn't dream of it."
"Thanks. Do you want me to make you a coffee?"
"Oh thanks." Hayley stopped working on her laptop. "So, what nice gesture were you thinking of for the boys?"
"A case. I came in early to look through the list of potential cases and see which ones looks like the most fun."
"So, you don't want them getting put off by a dreary corporate tax fraud case."
"Exactly."
"Ok, you put the coffee on I'll start looking." Hayley sighed.
The morning passed by quickly. It was nearly nine am when Alexis closed her laptop with a slap.
"No luck?" Hayley asked.
"Not unless a cheating husband sounds super exciting?" Alexis answered.
"Javier might enjoy that." Hayley laughed.
"Enjoy what?" asked a voice from the doorway. Javier Esposito was stood in the doorway in a smart black jacket, fitted blue t-shirt and snug fitting jeans. Over the last few weeks since he had handed in his notice at the twelfth, he had allowed his hair to grow out and it framed his face in soft curls. Hayley had to admit he looked good.
"Nothing" the girls chorused. Javier raised an eyebrow and Hayley felt her cheeks warm.
"The Mailman handed this to me on the way up." Esposito strode across the office and handed the envelope to Alexis. It was a thick manilla envelope of high-quality paper stock. Alexis was intrigued this was not like their usual bills. There was a scarlett wax seal on the back when she turned it over. It was just addressed to Castle Investigations.
"What have we got?" Hayley asked Alexis. Before she could answer there was another voice at the doorway.
"Uncle Javi!" cried Sarah Grace as she hurtled into the room. She launched herself straight into his arms and he picked her up and gave her an enormous hug.
"There's my favourite niece. What are you doing here sweetheart?"
"Someone didn't want to go to school till she'd said hello." Answered Ryan who had trailed in behind her, weighed down by the girl's coat and school bag.
"I made you a picture Uncle Javi!" she said excitedly. She ran over to her dad and pulled out a sheet of craft paper featuring a picture of her family, her mom (very pregnant) and dad, her little brother with stink lines and Javier with hearts around him. The picture was pretty good and featured a whole lot of glitter.
"Thank you, sweetheart. I will put this right on my desk. As soon as Hayley tells me which desk is mine." Javier smiled at Sarah Grace. He loved being Uncle Javi, but some days the fact that he never had kids of his own gave him a small pang of sadness. Hayley had never seen this gentler side of Javier before. Ryan on the other hand was a total softie although Castle did once tell Hayley about the time Ryan went undercover with the Irish Mob so perhaps, he was tougher than she gave him credit for.
"Hayley, are you uncle Javi's girlfriend?" Sarah Grace asked looking up at Hayley.
"No, we're just friends." Hayley tried not to laugh at the deer in the headlight's expression Esposito was wearing. Ryan just laughed as he looked at his daughter proudly.
"Oh, that's too bad."
"Why's that sweetpea?" Haley asked enjoying Javier squirming.
"Mom thinks he's lonely and he needs someone special. You're really pretty and Dad says you're really smart."
"Did he now?" Hayley asked looking at Ryan.
"She's at the repeating everything she hears stage." Kevin laughed. "Can't say she's wrong though. However, she is going to be late to school if I don't take her down to Jenny."
Javier thanked God for small mercies. Kevin left the office and Alexis showed Esposito to his desk. On the desk, was a brand-new, high-end laptop. A hot cup of coffee in a mug with his name on one side and Castle Investigations on the other. Espo smiled at the mug, it was a very Alexis touch and he appreciated it.
A few hours passed and Hayley got up and stretched, cracking her knuckles as she did. Alexis was on the phone with a potential client in the front office. Ryan was buried in research for a stolen Vase worth half a million dollars, the owner had reason to not report the theft.
"Well, that was a different start to the morning." Hayley said as she crossed the office to the fancy coffee maker. If possible, it was fancier than the machine Castle had bought for the precinct. Havier hoped there was an instruction book somewhere.
"Gotta admit, it's nice coming in at a decent hour. No waiting for a call to say a body's dropped. Time for a real breakfast." Javier said.
"Don't let the first day fool you. We clock some long hours, especially if the case is time sensitive. Hopefully now we have the two of you, we can spread out the work load a little, see if we can try to finish a little early on occasion. On the nights we don't, we do have access to Ricks very excellent scotch collection." Hayley said as she refilled both their coffees and took a seat in front of Esposito's desk.
"Now you're talkin'." Espo smiled his thanks for the coffee. Thinking about the night the girls offered he and Ryan a job. They had drunk far too much that evening. It was honestly a bit of a blur.
"Oh, did Alexis give you the card?"
"Card?"
"Yes, the company credit card. One for both of you. To cover any expenses." Hayley went over to one of the filing cabinets and pulled out a couple of envelopes.
"Wow, I'm used to filling in a claim form and hoping I get it signed off before pay day." He replied as she handed him one of the envelopes. "Yo, Ryan. Check it, we're fancy." He called over to his partner. Grinning ear to ear. Kevin came over glad to have a break from the research. Hayley handed him his with a dramatic bow and he bowed back. Esposito rolled his eyes at the goofballs. He was struck by how quickly they had made themselves at home here.
"Fancy?" Ryan asked as he opened the envelope.
"Company credit cards, but they're not that fancy twenty grand limit."
"Twenty grand, Jeesh." Kevin said. "That's not exactly chump change."
"We are going up market bro." They fist bumped and pretended to wear monocles. Now Hayley was the one to roll her eyes, but she smiled. She was right in what she said to Alexis earlier, it was nice having the boys there.
Alexis came back into the main office and smiled at the three of them goofing around, it was like they had been part of the team forever. It felt right.
"I'm glad you guys like being fancy because we are going to a Gala at the Museum of Natural History." Alexis had mischief in her eyes.
"That might be a little too fancy for us." Esposito replied warily.
"Speak for yourself Javi, I can do posh." He said posh in a mock English accent and Hayley snorted.
"Yes, a regular James Bond." Hayley dead panned. "How did we score an invite to such and esteemed event?"
"Apparently dad and Beckett worked a case there years ago and a Rupert Bentley wanted to send his thanks with an invite to the most exclusive party of the year." Alexis raised an eyebrow towards Hayley.
"You think he wants to hire us without it becoming public knowledge."
"I think a decade is a long time to wait to send a thank you." Alexis answered.
Ryan and Esposito looked between the ladies, impressed with their deduction.
"Wait, was that the case where Castle thought he was cursed?" Ryan asked.
"Yeah, we took all the bolts out of his chair and rigged the Espresso machine explode to mess with him." Esposito laughed. He missed working with Castle and Beckett even if Castles theories were always crazy. The case at the museum had Castle convinced that the Mayan King mummy was running around murdering anyone who disturbed his tomb.
"Wasn't Rupert Bentley the financier who set up that big publicity scheme to spin the murder, just to get more people to visit the exhibition?"
"Well as long as there aren't any undead at this Gala it should be a nice evening. Cocktail bar, a chance to dress up-"
"Maybe a chance to chat up some rich new clients" Hayley finished.
"Ooh and you guys can use your new business cards." Alexis beamed and she handed Ryan and Esposito a small box of business cards each.
"Very official." Ryan said appreciatively. "Hey look its embossed." Ryan had an eye for detail. Esposito has to admit he did feel important.
"Oh, and its black tie so if you need a new suit just put it on the company card." Alexis added as she showed the guys the invitation.
The invitation was printed on thick vellum and it was addressed "Richard Castle and associates, your presence is requested at the Museum of Natural History for a Gala event to celebrate the arrival of the Treasure of the Carpathian Mountains collection. Friday August 13th. Black Tie. Open cocktail bar. Seven pm till late."
"Are you sure your dad won't mind?" Ryan felt bad going crazy with the card on day one.
"First of all. The Gala is a work event, if we want to attract the best, we have to look the best." Hayley began.
"Secondly" Alexis continued "Since we have been running the place the only money paying for those cards is profit from the cases we have closed. Dad doesn't need to pay in as he's making profit just from his name on the door."
"So, A Castle is in charge just not the Castle everyone assumes?" Esposito had to give Alexis props she was smart and determined and definitely not a kid anymore. Esposito thought Castle must be incredibly proud.
"Although I wonder if we should tell Dad about this since he knows Bentley. I'm sure Beckett would love an evening out if Grams will babysit."
"It'll be nice to see them." Ryan said.
Hayley grabbed her purse from her desk. "That settles it. Boys take this" she produced a card from her purse "Get your suits and a dress for Jenny"
"Hey does my date get a dress?" Javier asked.
"Are you bringing a lady?" Hayley asked casually.
"No" Esposito mumbled "But I could…" Hayley hid a small smile.
"Alexis and I are going dress shopping. Meet back here at six and we can all go to the Gala together."
Next Chapter: We make this Look Good.