"Ha. Deja-Vu."
Castle hadn't meant to sound so disheartened but at 3am, even his natural optimism had long dissipated between the lack of case updates and the empty chair at Beckett's desk that threatened to tear the heart right out of his chest.
Yes, he knew that Beckett and Esposito were the most likely of their team to know how to take care of one another but still…no calls, no changes, no sudden reappearance meant trouble, lots of it.
By the look on Ryan's face as the detective stepped off the elevator, shoulders slumped; he wasn't the only one feeling that way.
Martha had gone home a little while ago, promising to care for Alexis while things were going awry here, hoping to take some of the pressure and responsibility off his shoulders the only way she knew how.
Her departure had left him as the sole occupant in the office for the longest time, keeping his fingers crossed that Montgomery's tightrope act would pay off.
But so far, there'd been no calls either or.
"I think Jenny got tired of my nervous fidgeting.", the detective admitted and stopped short of Castle, the dark circles under his eyes having grown trifold since he left, "I figured I would be of more use here. I take it nothing new transpired?"
"Not yet.", Castle said with a somber headshake, "Montgomery decided to rattle Steward's cage himself. I don't know if he felt that he'd have more bargaining power or if the exhaustion is getting to him. I haven't heard yet if either one of them ended up in jail or the hospital from it. Or maybe we'll get another picture of him keeping Beckett and Esposito company."
Ryan cringed at the mental image before rubbing the back of his neck for a while, his tie askew from all the restless readjustments.
"The elections are still a day and half away. They don't have that kind of time. I don't like this at all."
Castle dreaded the intimate discussion the man sitting across from him would want to have, struggling to keep his own anxiety in check under the circumstances. Eventually, he shrugged and let out a barely audible sigh.
"You gotta remember that they're being held hostage by a group of well-organized guys. They may not have the ability to escape, much less communicate with us. But you can't just give up on them."
"I'm not giving up man, I'm just…that picture. It…I am worried about Javi."
"Your partner is fine.", Castle reassured, putting the utmost confidence into his words, "I mean, look at the guy. He's all muscle and…and cockiness and Latin temper. You've seen how he gets in those kinds of situations. Let's just…let's just not assume anything off a picture. I am confident he'll be back soon enough to…to pick on you. Enjoy the break while you're getting it."
Ryan raised his eyebrows in undisguised surprise, his back straightening slightly as he looked the writer up and down.
"How do you go from acting like an annoying twelve-year old to a man of such wisdom?", the detective asked genially, causing Castle to smile.
"It's called staying unpredictable. It keeps things interesting. You should try it sometime."
"I doubt Jenny would enjoy that. Life in itself is unpredictable enough.", Ryan argued, ready to keep going when the buzzing of Castle's cellphone interrupted them.
With his eyes widening, the writer reached for it in the back pocket of his dress pants, frowning when he didn't recognize the phone number.
Normally he wouldn't answer, but the current circumstances required a change of MO.
"This is Castle?", he answered and bit his lip, nearly jumping sideways when he recognized the voice on the other end.
"Ryan, it's Beckett!"