Falling Down
Chapter 7
After the meeting, Gina was certain that Detective Beckett was going not going anywhere. Her plea for reason, compassion for Rick, had fallen on deaf ears. The look on her face had told told it all. She was physically ill at the mere suggestion. Not a good sign. So there had to be another way, she'd just have to outsmart the writer's Detective.
It had taken her a decade to move up the ladder at Black Pawn. It had happened because she was good with people, just not husbands. She had contacts all over the country and a few friends in high places. She had learned early on that the way to motivate people was to flatter them, beyond their weaknesses, and then pander to the vision they saw of themselves. If they had talent, push the talent to its edge, it made good people better, and it culled out the wannabes.
Richard Castle had lept forward with Nikki Heat, but she had helped him become the writer who was able to bring the Heat character to life. He credited the muse. She shook at the thought, 'The muse be damned you idiot!It's not the floozy of the moment who got you where you are today! It's me.'
To beat Beckett she would need to use her weakness. She was her drive to be the best detective ever. But it had blinded her to important things, even to the man who loved her. It forced her to demonstrate her own power over everything. Her myopic view of life caused her to misuse that power. She'd chosen to rub his nose in what was unattainable, she dangled herself in Castle's face, while fawning over men who fancied her boyish/femme fatale act. All to tease and scorn a man who cared about her in a much deeper ways. Stupid girl. Gina laughed to herself, but time had beat Beckett at her own game.
She had gone to school with a guy who was also up the ladder in the FBI. They had lost contact but she'd seen him in New York on a case that Beckett and Castle had worked. It was a sheer accident they even ran into each other. But it reconnected them, and they kept in touch thereafter.
From her friend she learned the FBI, like all organizations, were always looking for the right people. Driven, highly motivated, standouts. He had unknowingly worked with one while in New York. It was time Gina pointed out the obvious advantage of moving New York's "youngest female detective" into her next position in law enforcement.
Surely there were enough field offices in the United States with openings for at least one of those talented people. Perhaps Gina could help the FBI fill a need.
XX
When she called she had to leave a message for Phillip, the receptionist was polite in her greeting, "Office of Phillip Ramirez, may I help you?" Gina explained that she and Mr. Ramirez had gone to college together and this was purely a social call. If she could leave her number, when he had time, perhaps he could give her a call. She was told the message would be passed on. Gina thanked her.
After the call she began to ponder the 'how,' of what she wanted to ask. She couldn't say, I want you to hire my ex-husbands muse and partner, and get her as far from him as possible. It would sounded to much like she was trying to hire a hit man.
She knew she had to be careful, but, Phil was her old friend and she would not lie to him. She would explain the problem, and why the FBI might be part of the solution. A win-win for both Black Pawn, and the Agency. Rick was indeed terminally ill. It stood to reason that the once helpful relationship would soon turn into a burden for his muse. That would end up as just more heart break for her writer. With a little help, both the burden and the breakup could be averted. It was not some moral high ground, but a practical solution, to a painful and unpleasant turn of events.
She was startled by her phone ringing, she looked at the number, it was Phillip. She answered the phone with a small laugh, "Phillip, wow, I didn't expect this."
"Gina, you call. I call. I don't have a lot of friends outside the Bureau. It's always great to hear from you. Are you in DC? "
"Nope, still in New York."
"And how is life treating you?"
"Funny you ask. It's treatment of me is the driving force behind my call."
His voice changed to concern, "Are you OK?"
"I'm fine. It's just somethings have come up, and I was wondering if we might be able to help each other."
"Care to explain, I'm intrigued?"
She paused for a moment before answering and glanced at her calendar. "I would like to explain, but is there any chance you'd have time for lunch this week?"
"I never have time for lunch! But, I always have time for you. Tell me when."
"It's Tuesday in New York so..."
He let out a laugh, "And yes, it's Tuesday in DC. Your scaring me Gina."
"I scare myself Phil, how about Thursday, 1PM?"
"That will work. You have my private number, just tell me where."
"I'll pick someplace near your office, and thanks Phil. See you then."
"I'm looking forward to it Gina. Thanks for calling."
XX
He had not heard from her on Sunday. He hoped he'd made it clear that if she could not accept his offer to travel, he was OK with that, but her face betrayed his hopes.
On Monday she called once, everything was quiet, no bodies had dropped. Paper work as usual. Then she asked if she could come by that evening.
His response was immediate, "It bothers me that you think you have to ask. Has anyone ever, ever, told you, as many time as I have, that you are always welcome at our home?"
"The operative words are 'our home' Castle. It's yours, and your mom's and Alexis' home. So, for the record, I will always ask."
His first response was a grunt, then, "What time works for you?"
"How about eight?"
"Perfect, will you have eaten, I can..."
"Castle, no. You do not need to feed me. I'll get something on the way."
"I won't let you in."
"What?"
"I won't let you in if you come to my house, with some roach-coach-road-kill on your breath."
"Castle..."
"Let me have a little snack prepared for you at eight. Something nutritious I promise.'
"Have I told you you're impossible?"
"See you at eight!"
XX
She arrived at 7:53 pm. The kitchen counter looked like he was planning to feed Genghis Khan, and friends.
At 8:31 she slumped onto the sofa with an audible groan and flopped her head back. He took the chair across from her. After about two minutes, she raised her head and glared at him, "I am so stuffed." Then she tugged her blouse out of the top of her slacks and undid the top button of her pants. She groaned again. "Sorry Castle I need some space, think I'm going to pop."
He laughed, "I didn't think you could sample that many things, that many times."
"Shut up, this is all your fault."
After 15 minutes she'd quieted down, her eyes had been drooping, "Castle I think I could fall asleep."
"Do you want a blanket? I can wake up it in a bit."
She slowly sat up, "No, I need to get home to my bed. But, I came to talk to you."
"Kate, listen..."
She shook her head, "Please just let me say this. I would love to go and travel, and I trust you to be a prefect gentleman, I simply can't. I have some time saved that I could use to take off, but it is always just a day or two. Little breaks, but you know this."
He smiled at her, he was not surprised. The thing that made her good at what she did, was the thing that would make what he was asking nearly impossible, "I understand." Then he added, "Maybe I can work out a trip down the road for a week-end and a couple of days. We'll just have to see."
She studied her hands, "Then, why do feel so terrible about this? And why are you so kind with letting me off?"
"Kate, I'm always apologizing for raining on your parade. But I feel like this is on me. I should have thought it through before even asking."
She stood up and walked over to him, lightly punched his shoulder. He whined, "Castle I'm flattered you asked. Please keep being you."
"Always Kate, Always."
XX
They met a few blocks from the FBI headquarters.
She stood as he entered the restaurant, Ramirez gave her a warm embrace. "Gina, you look great, and its great to see you."
She stepped back and gave him the once over, "Phil are you sleeping at night? You look a little tired my friend?"
"It is always busy, this week, or maybe more accurately this month has been insane." He extended his hand toward the chair for her to sit.
"You should have told me, we could have done this another time."
"Actually Gina, you are providing a much needed escape. Time away makes things easy to handle...my own advice, which I seldom follow."
Throughout lunch they chatted about their lives, their work and their goals. Both had done well in their respective fields, both were proud of each others success. But each knew success always came with a price and both Gina and Phil had marriages that did not survive.
He sat down his napkin, "OK, so tell me, what is important enough for you to come up here and see me. "
She laughed and swatted at his hand on the table, "Phil if we paid the check and walked out right now, I would call this a great trip and a wonderful visit. I'm glad we could make time."
"Me, too. But what's on your mind."
"You know my ex, Richard Castle?"
"I do. It was a beautiful wedding," He pause for a few beats, "I'm sorry it didn't work out."
"So am I Phil." She shook her head in disgust, "Have I ever told you how stupid I can be? That whole mess is on me."
"No, it's not. Broken marriages, like good marriages, take the work of two people. Something unseen was amiss, you think you played the card that brought down the house. That's probably an oversimplification."
"The reason I'm here is him."
"I know you're his editor, and front person...the Nikki Heat books have been doing well? What's up?"
"He has cancer," her voice cracked and she studied her fork, "the prognosis is not good...they're guessing one to three years."
He studied her, "How do you feel about that?"
"I feel both terrible and sick. It bothers me more than I thought it would. But mostly I'm disappointed. The inevitability, that we must succumb to something, is being rubbed in my face. I was as close to him, maybe as close as anyone ever in my life...now he's being pulled under by this disease. I feel helpless. I wish we could have fixed things...and even if that wasn't in the cards...I wanted a long life for him. Not for him to be cut down in his forties."
"Is he done writing?"
"No. We're finishing up book three, he hopes for one, maybe even two more."
"So how do I fit in this?"
"He has a cop he works with…"
"The person he used to create the character of Nikki Heat?
"Yes...her." The her was not said with affection.
"I think Jordan Shaw mentioned both her and Rick when she had a case in New York a while ago. What's her name?"
"Beckett, Kate Beckett."
"I remember, Jordan thought she was quite a detective. She was taken back by the, detective slash author partnership they had going. She was impressed with each of them, and especially the way they worked together." He paused, "But she's not your favorite."
"One of life's ironies. A woman I can only tolerate has made me rich. She single-highhandedly pulled my best writer out of a slump and set his pen on fire. But for his health, I don't think the Nikki Heat series would ever stop. As long as she's around."
He was silent and then steepled his fingers, "So what am I missing?
"Love."
"What? They're in love? Is that bad?"
"No they're not in love...he's in love."
"Well, from what you've said, it still works and he's continuing to write."
"It has worked but the cancer changes everything." She paused, "I don't want you to think this is about jealousy. Rick and I are ancient history, that will not change. But I still feel protective of him. He's a good guy. A great dad and writes great books, even if I have to nag him to death. But...he's an artist...they're just not wired right."
Phil Ramirez let out a spontaneous laugh. "Gina you make writing sound like a genetic defect."
"It's takes a degree of craziness."
"I'm still not sure where this is going."
"Phil, you said Jordan Shaw felt Beckett was a good cop. Is she good enough for the FBI?"
He sat in silence pondering the response. Finally, "From what Jordan said, yes. She probably is."
"Then hear me out. Rick is going to get a lot worse. For reasons beyond me, his affection for her is unrequited. She has no interest in him, at least romantically." She held her hands palms up, "Love is love, it didn't happen for them. But he doesn't seem to be able to let go." She shook her head, "For example, she was the first person he confided in about his cancer, and she was truly upset...but everyone is." She paused and he gave her time, "I met with her and asked her to tell him the truth. Or to find a boyfriend and run off, but to clearly shut the door. Let him know there is no them, and there will never be."
"What did she say?"
"She became sorta flipped. Became visible upset and stormed out. I tried to explain that wasn't about her. Rick will soon face…the most difficult road...she and everyone else will run off. I told her that he's in love with her, and that she needs to honest with him. But she also needs to do it now. Not later."
"Ah," he paused, "and you think a job would make that possible?"
"I think she's super talented. She was the youngest woman to every make detective in the NYPD's history. She now has one of the highest closure rates in the City. She's driven, and better than good at what she does. Her career is her life. Not Rick Castle. If the right opportunity came along, and it would help her career path, she'd leave Rick to his mother, daughter and...ex-wife."
Once it was all out, she felt exhausted. The whole thing has been weighing on her and she'd felt, trapped and unable to help him. Again Phillip remained quiet, to see if she was done. Finally she spoke, "Am I crazy Phil? I trust you to say so. To be honest, to even tell me I'm ready for the rubber room."
The rubber-room comment made him laugh, "No Gina, no padded cell for you. I'm glad you explained it all. First, the FBI is always looking. Schools and training can do a lot to help, but ask anyone...the really great agents have a sixth sense. People who don't have it, make fun of it, and those who do, don't talk about it. They just know. Those agents just sense when things are amiss, or out place. They see flags no one else does. If Kate Beckett has that, we are indeed interested. And she would likely be interested in us. I can do some discreet asking. If someone is looking, I'll direct them to call her captain and ask if they can interview her. From there, it will have to have it's own legs."
"Thank you Phil."
He nodded, "But I'm still worried about you Gina. I know you're protective of your writers, but this seems like, like more..."
"That's why I wanted to explain it all to you. If you think I'm just fooling myself, and this is a cat fight, then say so."
"It's your anger that is off-setting. You seem to have some deep seeded resentment of this detective, yet you acknowledge that she's partially responsible for the whole Nikki Heat series.
Gina starred out the window, "She is a big factor in the books. He says she's his muse, and I'd be stupid to get between a writer and his muse. Especially when it's my writer. I guess the problem is...I know what kind of a man Richard Castle is, and I dropped the ball, but she seems to see no value in him, or at least in his… his love for her." She shook her head, "I can't understand that... and when I think about what he's about to face, I don't see her being there to help. If she rejected him in health, why would she step-up in sickness?"
"Gina, like I said, I'll ask around. If there's a spot their having trouble filling. A job with an FBI is not a little thing, and … it has potential to assist on other issues."
"Sleep on it. If your radar goes south tomorrow. You don't have to explain to me...I trust your gut Phil."
XX
The plane touched down late that evening. Gina Cowell was fried. She felt like Judas returning to the fold. He would never understand or believe her motives were for his good. He would hate her if he found out. But, it wasn't a vendetta against Kate Beckett. In her mind, Beckett had walked past an opportunity, and as a women, she understood, love is not a switch. If Beckett was not drawn to Rick, then she wasn't.
All their worlds changed with his diagnosis. Things would never be the same. If there were no adults in the room, Gina figured she'd have to pick up the slack. The detective had found a use for her best writer. All that would soon be history. They were headed for a storm and not everyone would survive. Kate Beckett had made her choice. That was her right. But time was up. She needed to move on. If she would not do so on her own, then others would have to move the pieces on the board.
Gina thought about Phil, she had great respect for him and his ability to make things happen. She suspected that Kate Beckett was about to experience her own life altering event. While it appeared she had scorned the request to set Rick free, she doubted the driven NYPD detective would be able to resist the call of the FBI. New York, Rick Castle and her pre-FBI life would just be another speck in Beckett's rear view mirror.
AN: Thank you for reading and commenting. This is a AU story, still I used a bit of cannon to assistant in the telling of my tale. Hope you enjoy the ride. Madreag.