American Crime Stories
A/N: "good luck, and enjoy the caskett fangirl's flames and PM's. it a sign that you have a good story. it pisses them off when you go after Beckett. The more hate mail you get the better the Non-Caskett story is."
You know, when I read TheBlackHand724 review of my first chapter, I thought he was kidding. But now, just after publishing two INTRODUCTIONARY chapters, I come to realize what he meant… I mean, check out some of those reviews.
For example, look at "Exasperated", who cowardly hid his or her words behind a "guest" review:
"I wish there was a separate FF thread for people who want to write Beckett-hate stories, and Caskett-hate stories. I get that it is your perogative to do so. I just don't understand why someone would choose to do this? If you dislike the characters and pairing so much, write about a different show. What does it say about you personally, and all those who wallow in the hate, to gleefully write, publish, and discuss the characters in this manner."
To be honest with you, I was more than a bit surprised at those words for multiple reasons. Firstly, I thought this thing we authors were doing was called writing "FANFICTION". I looked up some definitions. Nowhere does it say that someone had to follow the canon pairings… So, his or her statement that "If you dislike the characters and pairing so much, write about a different show" doesn't make much sense to me. I thought, taking the canon characters and plotlines and work them the way you like them was one of the main reasons why so many people around the world enjoy writing and reading fanfiction… How stupid of me to think otherwise…
Secondly, nowhere does it say in any definition that bashing of some characters isn't allowed. In fact, in the tens if not hundreds of thousands fics I have read over the years, a common thread was the bashing of various characters. To my mind, it is the authors prerogative how he characterizes the people in his fic. Again, that's why it is called "FANFICTION". Obviously, I may have been operating under a misconception…
Moreover, I wondered where this and another guest reviewer have read anything about me "hating" Beckett. As many reviewers correctly pointed out, I have mostly rehashed the canon storyline so far. Although, I tried to emphasize the emotional state of mostly Castle and a bit of Beckett – but that's not the point at the moment. So, how the esteemed guest reviewers came to the conclusion that I hated Beckett at this point of my fic, is far beyond my comprehension… Because then, as I was just more or less repeating the storyline, you would have to come to the conclusion that the authors of the series did hate Beckett, too. Wouldn't you?
Well, let's move on to "Exasperated" last sentence "What does it say about you personally, and all those who wallow in the hate, to gleefully write, publish, and discuss the characters in this manner." I like to repeat those words to him/her: What does it say about you personally, and all those who wallow in the hate, to gleefully write, publish, and discuss the author and his or her work in this manner? What does it say about you and your life, that you get so emotional involved about the words someone writes about a fictional character in a fictional show?
It's reviews like that which are the reason why a lot of fanfiction authors get disheartened and why some of them consider to stop writing or even have stopped - even those who are/were active writers for more than a decade.
People, don't get me wrong. You can tell me that my grammar sucks. I know it's true. You don't like my style? Nothing I can do about that – it is my style after all. Feel free to not read my stuff. You can tell me that you don't like my plot or the chosen pairing. That's your right, though once again, nobody forces you to read my story.
In fact, I am one of those readers who stops reading a fic if I do not like it for whatever reason. However, I would never dream about leaving such a hateful review!
Again, I have absolutely nothing against constructive criticism. However, I draw the line at personal attacks. Especially, if they are cowardly hidden behind a 'guest review'! That, I couldn't let stand as it was. So, I apologize for my long winded A/N, but I needed to get that off my chest.
Finally, a fair warning: If you think that my characterization of Beckett was bad until this point, you haven't read anything yet. It will get worse! So, to repeat the famous words that innumerable fanfic authors have used before: you don't like my story, don't f*** read it!
Arc One, Chapter three
TWELFTH PRECINCT BULLPEN
Castle was watching Beckett speak to Gates in the Captain's office. He was wondering why it did take them so long. Previously, the Captain as well as Beckett would make immediately a fuss if anyone had tried to poach in on one of their investigations.
"What's she like, your Captain?", Detective Inspector Colin Hunt asked. Castle pondered how to answer the Englishman's question. He did not have a very good impression of Captain Victoria Gates. In fact, it was pretty low. He knew that his opinion was compromised because of her attempts to keep him out of the 12th precinct and her ongoing disparaging of his actions and skills in the teams investigations. He also had a lot of problems with the Captain's management skills. Not only in regards of Beckett's team. He had observed her working with other teams and in his wanderings in the precinct had heard several detectives talk about the captain. There was a lot of rumbling throughout the ranks. It was obvious, that she didn't have the personality or skills of the late Roy Montgomery. So, there were a lot of ways to answer that question. However, despite his negative feelings about the Captain, Castle decided on a more "diplomatic" answer towards the outsider.
"You ever see that YouTube video of the grizzly bear that decapitates a moose with one swipe of its paw?" Castle deadpanned. The other man cringed. "Comforting."
Castle sighed. "It's nothing personal. She just doesn't like outsiders in her precinct."
"I don't need her to like it. I just need her to allow it. This whole thing with Naomi doesn't add up. Turning down conventional modeling jobs, booking sleazy jobs at private parties - that just doesn't sound like the Naomi I know."
Those words struck a chord within Castle and glared at Beckett. "Yeah well, sometimes it's the people we think we know best that we really don't know at all." At that point, both men saw that the women had finished their conversation. Beckett came out of her captain's office and walked straight towards them.
"Well… you're in," Beckett simple said to Hunt. "Thank you."
Castle couldn't believe what he had heard. "What? Seriously?" Castle exclaimed incredulously and a bit outraged.
"Yeah, his supervisor at Scotland Yard said you're one of the best. Even Captain Gates was impressed with your record." Beckett explained.
"Well, I guess it's not outsiders she doesn't like." Castle sighed. "It's just me," he said dejected and angrily turned to glare at Gates through the window. He couldn't believe the nerve of that woman. Here was a man who was an officer of the law that had previously withheld crucial information on their murder investigation. Instead of raising hell, the Captain just more or less rolled-over. However, despite his years working in the precinct and working with the woman for a few months now, she was always lurking in the background hoping to catch him in a mistake so that she could get rid of him. He knew through various sources that she had tried twice to do so even after the Major had intervened on his behalf after Beckett's return. Beckett interrupted his musings when she asked about the clue the victim had supposedly left Inspector Incredible. Castle focused on the keychain Hunt pulled out from his pocket.
"A key? You said she left a message," Castle asked incredulously and not a little infuriated.
"This is the message. She put it there for me to find. I guarantee it has something to do with her death."
"This looks commercial," Beckett stated.
"It's an Arco-Rifkin 1130R. Mostly used for lockers found at train stations or health clubs," Hunt explained.
"All right. Well, I'll have Ryan canvass the area around her apartment and the hotel. We'll see if any of the businesses have lockers that use this kind of key."
"Yo, Beckett, I got something." Esposito interrupted them.
"Hey, uh, Detective Esposito, this is Detective Inspector Colin Hunt. He's from Scotland Yard. He's going to be consulting on this case. He knows our victim."
Esposito stepped forward to shake his hand. "Hey, how's it going?"
"Pleasure mate."
"So, what do you got?" Beckett asked her partner.
"Well, Naomi did make it to that album release party last night at a club in Midtown. But she was kicked out by security around 10 o'clock."
"Why?" Hunt asked.
"She had an altercation with the host." Esposito pulled out a photo and added it to the board. "Female rapper and ex-felon Nikki J. And she wasn't afraid to take a swing in front of paparazzi."
"Wow. What was the fight about?" Castle wanted to know. That sounded like a promising lead.
"Unclear, but uniforms are bringing her up to interrogation now."
Castle phone buzzed, he looked at his message on his phone. He knew the number and instantly knew that the message would be important. "Think we found him. Call you later with details." Castle closed his eyes. This was good, no, it was great news. He hoped that it was true. They were looking for their target for a while now. He was getting excited.
"Do you usually question them solo?" Castle heard Hunt ask Beckett.
"No, Castle and I usually go in together."
At this moment Castle made a snap decision. "Actually, you know what? Why don't you guys take this one?"
"Are you sure?" Beckett asked.
Castle really didn't want to hang around Inspector Incredible more than he actually needed. Or Beckett for that matter. "Yeah. Absolutely. Besides, Colin's got a personal interest. I really don't, now do I?" Castle said and looked up just to see his lunch date arriving.
"Hah, all right. It's settled then." Hunt said.
"Yeah, I guess it is," Beckett replied.
"Yeah. Besides, my lunch date is here. I'll be back in a few hours. You guys call me if you find anything interesting." Castle stood up and left to greet his friend.
He walked up to his friend and wrapped his arm around her. "Hey Abby, you look great, as always. You have good timing, I'm hungry." And she did indeed look good. Abigail Gibson, or Abby for friends and family, was a tall woman with blue eyes. Her long blonde hair was pulled up in a tight bun. She was dressed in a short grey dress and a black blazer. She loved fashion and could have been a model. Instead she chose to become a fashion designer, working with her grandparents.
"Hey Rick," Abby greeted him with a smile. "Thanks again for letting me borrow your car. It did save me a lot of time."
"You're welcome." They had surprisingly met at the airport, well she had run into him, quite literally. She had apologized and told him that she thought that she would be late for an appointment. When they realized that they would go the same way, he had offered her to use his car.
"So, where are we going?"
"I called Carrie's earlier. I hope that's alright with you?"
"Great," Abby exclaimed, "I haven't been there in ages."
They made their way to the car and then to the restaurant. When they got to the café, they walked up to the hostess. The young woman immediately recognized Rick. Not only was she a fan of his books, but he was a regular guest.
"Mr. Castle, it nice to see you again. You have your usual table."
"Thanks, Mandy."
They walked to their table and ordered something to drink.
"So, Abby. How are your grandparents doing?"
"They are getting older, but still they are healthy. They miss you though and would like it, if you were to visit them."
"That's great. I miss them, too." He really did. Gino Rossetti and his wife Mary were long-time friends. He had been a teenager when he met them for the first time. One day he had been out looking for a summer job when he had found an out of the way little shop tucked into a small gap between two big stores, its sign read "Gino's hand-made suits". Looking at the shop he could actually tell it was old. The shop was dark and very manly with its dark green wallpaper and dark wood floors and display cases. Almost everything in the shop was made of dark wood and dark green leather. The few things that were metal in the shop were made of shiny brass, and even though it was midday outside, the shop was bar room dark with most of the light coming from the bright display cases. There were just a few racks of suits on one side of the small shop and shirts and ties in the light cases on the other side.
A short older gentleman sat behind the counter reading the newspaper. He wore a three piece gray suit that to his teenage mind had looked both old and very classy. The man had jet black hair except for the sides of his head which were bright white, and it was slicked back. He looked like one of those old gangster from a prohibition era mob movie his mother liked to watch. He had commented on that which drew a laugh from the man. They talked for a while and he had started his new summer job the next day. It was the start of a very long friendship. He met Abby more than 20 years ago, when she had only been six years old. Her parents had been killed in a car accident and so she started to live with her grandparents. He even used to babysit her a few times and in turn, she used to babysit Alexis when neither he nor his mother could watch over his daughter.
In the following minutes they ordered their food and caught up in their respective lives as they haven't seen each other for a while. Abby told him that business was doing well. Growing up with her grandparents and spending most of her time in her grandfather's shop it hadn't come as a surprise that she developed an interest in the fashion business. When her grandfather had told her that she could do whatever she wanted to do, she told him without hesitation that she wanted to work in the family business. So, they re-named the shop into "Rossetti's" and started to offer women's clothes, too.
Rick was happy to see that his friends were doing so well. He promised to come by their shop and to up-date his wardrobe soon. In turn, Rick proudly told her about Martha's acting school and the fact that Alexis had been chosen as valedictorian.
"So Rick, what's going on in your life? Still having fun playing cop?" She asked him with a smile. Outside of his own family, the Rossetti's were some of the only people who knew of his teenage plans of becoming a cop. They were delighted when Rick told them that he would be working with the police. Right from the beginning, Abby had good-heartedly teased him about "playing cop". Rick knew that they were happy for and proud of him.
Contrary to previous occasions, this time that question didn't bring a smile in his face. In fact, Abby noticed, that Rick lost his smile immediately. "What's wrong, Rick?"
"Nothing is wrong..." He started to deny but stopped when he saw her glaring eyes. It was the same look her grandmother Mary had when she knew that he had done something wrong or wouldn't tell the truth.
"Okay, no reason to look at me like that." He sighed. He knew that he would have to tell her something. "Well, it's been rough few months. Montgomery's death and Beckett's shooting took a tall from all of us. For some reason the new Captain doesn't like me much and I had to involve the Mayor again to stay on as a consultant. I know that she's watching me and waiting for a mistake so that she can get rid of me. That and the various investigations are a lot of stress. It's not as much fun as it used to be."
Abby frowned. When she had asked him similar questions in the past, he would regale her with tales about what he and his partner slash muse had experienced throughout some of their investigations. You could practically feel the joy and happiness in those tales. This time he just mentioned negative feelings.
"I'm sorry to hear that, Rick."
Castle sighed. "Yeah, me too."
"Is that the reason why you don't seem to be in a hurry to get back to the precinct?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, in the past, you would check your phone for updates on your investigations every few minutes. And while you weren't impolite, it always seemed like you were eager to go back to the precinct as soon as possible."
Castle frowned and thought about Abby's words. He thought back to the last times they had met. He was sorry to realize that what she had said was true. "Well, I guess you're right. I'm sorry about that."
Abby put her right hand on his. "Don't be. We all were and still are very happy that one of your dreams came true and you could work with the police." Rick took her hand in has and pressed a bit to show his appreciation for her words.
"But tell me, Rick, did anything happen today? As I said, normally you're more focused on your investigations than you now."
Castle sighed. "Well, it started relatively normal and we got the necessary facts. Routine, you know. Then we learned that a witness had seen someone fleeing the crimes scene and that the same guy later searched the victims' apartment. An officer later found out who he was and where he was staying. So, Beckett and I went to his motel. There we found the suspect leaving his bathroom, glad only with a towel. The guy introduced himself as a Detective Inspector from Scotland Yard. Then he had the nerve to purposely drop his towel in front of Beckett. The whole thing had been very inappropriate and the guy was so smug about it." Rick paused to sip on his drink.
"Then the guy wanted to get involved in the investigation. That's bad enough, but he did it by blackmailing Beckett with withholding evidence. And Beckett agreed to it, just like that. In the past, she blew a casket when another detective or agency had tried to be involved in our investigation. However, this time she didn't do anything. There had been no questions and no objections. She didn't even ask me, her partner, if it were alright. Then, at the precinct, even our Captain didn't raise any objections. She let him in on our investigations without objections. It seemed that Gates was even impressed with the guy's record." Castle paused and sighed again. "You know, I previously thought that the woman didn't like outsiders in her precinct but it turns out, that she just doesn't like me."
Abby listened to his tale and wondered why he still worked there if he wasn't welcomed. She decided to ask him directly. "Why do you go back when you're so unhappy there? I mean, you could probably go to any precinct and work with another detective? Surely, your friend the Mayor would help you. And don't say it is because of your research. I know you well enough to know that you have enough material to write many more books for your Heat-series."
Rick paused for a moment and thought about that. Why did he go back there? Most of his previous reasons weren't valid anymore. Abby was right, he could work in any precinct he wanted. When he had talked to Bob about Gates throwing him out of the precinct, the Mayor had even told him so. That meant, he could still work as a consultant. In the past, he had never even contemplated the offer. He wanted to work with Beckett and nobody else. First, research was the main reason, then his feelings for the detective were the main factor for his decisions. However, now after the past few days - especially after he had heard Beckett's confession - he realized that those weren't his main reasons anymore. What he told Beckett this morning was right, he had been in Las Vegas the past few days. What he failed to mention was that he had been in meetings most of the time. Meetings that he didn't want to have in New York, so that prying eyes wouldn't find out about them. The plans that had been made there didn't need him to stay at the precinct. Rick was honest to himself, he didn't look forward to seeing Beckett everyday anymore. So, he had to think more about his future and adept his plans. He looked to his friend.
"You're right, Abby. I don't have to go back there." He took out his phone and sent Beckett a message, telling her that he wouldn't come back to the precinct. For the first time in a while, he didn't feel bad about leaving her a man short during an investigation. After all, she had the help of Detective Inspector Colin Hunt, Scotland Yard.
A/N: As mentioned above, some of you criticized that I've mostly rehashed canon so far and that you knew what would happen after "47 seconds" and the following episodes. That's true. However, while I am still going to incorporate cannon plots, I'm happy to say that this is the time when we start to go AU.