Love's Journey 2
by Castlefan6
Authors Note This is the continuation of Love's Journey, originally authored by The Muse of Apollo, chapters 1-7 all following are work of Castlefan6' IF you haven't read the original Love's Journey please do so before proceeding with this,
I don't own Castle, I only use the characters for amusement purposes only
A/N For those guest reviewers all caught up in Military procedure, it's FICTION, live with it, also this is a story about Love and it's journey not physical attributes, if that is all you can find to review, this isn't for you Thanks for the read
Chapter 12
Previously
"That sounds great, I really appreciate the fast response and being kept in the loop. When do you think we will get to a deadline for publishing?" Rick asks anxiously
"The deadline is when you want it to be released, minus 95 business days for promotion, printing and graphics, YOU control that Rick, we are not rushing this, it means too much to too many people"
12th Precinct
10:00 AM Same Day
"Nice of you to show up for work Esposito," Kate throws out at Javi as he tries slipping into work almost two hours late,
"What, I was out chasing down a lead, I was working
"What lead Javi, if you haven't noticed the murder board is from our last case which we closed two day ago,"
Ryan is laughing at Javi, not only for being late but also busted for lying to the boss, "Keep this crap up you'll be working Traffic Control at JFK airport, take care of Lanie's needs on YOUR time" and Javi "NEVER lie to me again"
"If I can't trust you to tell the truth, how can I trust you with my life?"
"Sorry Boss, my fault, it won't happen again"
"Well you and Ryan grab LT and the on-call SWAT captains and meet me in the conference room in 30 minutes we have an assignment"
Kate glances down at her phone to see she has a text from Jess,
"Hey there, hope you had a good time yesterday, I know I needed it, on another note, Mike really took charge at the meeting this morning, great choice so far. Equipment is due on site this Thursday, Demolition starts following Monday, can you believe it, finally it's happening, Call me when you're free. Talk Soon, XoXo Jess"
Kate smiles at how excited Jess is about the entire project, and once again her eyes travel down to Castle's chair, and thoughts turn to "If Only". No push that out of your mind, he is far better with Jess she thinks, then sadly turns and heads to the conference room.
She quickly types out a quick text to Jess, "In a meeting and have an onsite visit, call you later to fill you in, Thanks for yesterday, it was GREAT, Talk soon, XoXo KB
The Swat Captains and the boys have just finished filing into the conference room as she hits the send button on the text, so she picks up her folder and resumes Bad Ass Beckett mode
She presents her laptop on screen showing the two city blocks of Washington Heights that would soon be the site of Rick's project, and she was going to make damn sure he and all who worked there were going to be safe.
As she walks through the slides and maps she outlines homes that had been identified as potential stash houses by Major Crimes, and then split the grid into thirds, with Javi, Kevin and her leading three teams.
They would crisscross the properties, making certain, that no stranglers from Simmons gang were hanging around to try to re-establish the business. Full safety protocol was to be followed, including vests, masks and chemical and nuclear alarm devices carried by all.
The protective gear made the day even hotter, but better to sweat some than be exposed to God only knew what. About three hours into the scan, the only human they had come across was a homeless man, sleeping in a crawl space. Rather than roust him as beat cops would do they coaxed him out with water and a sandwich and asked him to spread the word, the dozers would be working here soon demolishing everything, and everyone in their way.
He thanked them, and said he would get the word out, but most of the folks had left the area, it was just to dangerous with Vulcan Simmons using homeless people as targets for the new toy's he bought from the Gun distributor.
Kate called the leaders together 5 hours into the scans and compared notes, everyone agreed it was safe for the project to kick off on Monday and they had done all they could to inform the homeless. They returned to the precinct, and adjourned to the showers, which all greatly needed, before she broke the final briefing a 2-liter bottle of cold water was distributed to each to replace the fluids lost, no one had to be forced to drink it all.
Mike Reboddo' s Office
4:00 PM
Mike was very impressed with the plans that Jess, Kate and Rick had developed, outside the general default setting flaws most companies fall for, they had done a fantastic job. He wanted to ensure that there were no surprises when work began and was delighted when Montgomery called him to apprise him of Kate's actions to do the on-ground foot surveillance, that no form of electronic scan could replace.
He had his plane and equipment set for takeoff in an hour, so he would not alert Kate, or anyone else in the area of heightened security measures. He wanted Arial surveillance that would penetrate the ground, if there had been Meth manufactured on site, the workers had to know and be protected.
On the second pass, a little closer to the ground the instrumentation started lighting up, Mike marked the readings, just as he suspected, run off past the property but still a health hazard. He was glad to know that Kate and the crews had been properly protected as they did the foot patrols. He concluded his surveillance and returned his plane to the hangar.
He needed to talk to Rick, make that Jess, Oh the Hell with it Rick would know more about this so if she gets pissed it's for a good reason he thought. Pulling out his phone he speed dials Rick, fully expecting to get his voicemail, and is surprised when Rick answers on the third ring,
"What's up Mike, something bad if you are calling me instead of Jess,"
"Well not terrible news, but things you both should know about, is she there so we can get this on the table to see how you want to handle it?"
"Hey Jess, got Mike on my cell, can you come to the office please?" Mike hears off speaker,
"Hey Mike, what's up Jess comes on the line," she doesn't sound pissed or threatened at all.
"First sorry to call Rick Jess, but he has dealt with this type of crap before, and I didn't want to lay a huge mess on your lap this early into the project"
"No Problem Mike, if you haven't noticed by now, if you talk to one of us, you are talking to us both," Mike hears the sound of a kiss breaking apart,
"You guys are sickeningly cute, stop that while I brief you OK?
In unison he hears "Sorry, not Sorry"
"OK here is the cliff notes I am sending the photos, and graphs to all three of you, Jess, you Rick, and Kate.
"It seems our friends manufactured Meth on one of the properties, and pumped the waste downhill, the actual toxic site is not on any property that we are working but close enough we need to force the owner, to clean it up for health reasons, for both workers and those who will live there soon."
"Great Catch Mike, that could save us millions of dollars" Jess replies, I'll get with the EPA, our attorneys and start the action tomorrow,"
"Not counting any potential health issues as well, Great Job Buddy, "
"It's located away from where we want to initially build the first units Jess, IF I am reading the plans correctly, you may want to double check me on that" Mike says,
"Montgomery called me today and Kate was leading a ground force for recon, Thank God they all were properly protected, had to be hot as hell, but I bet no one complains now"
Jess thinks, "Ohhh so that's the onsite visit she meant in her text, that woman we need to control her, so she doesn't get hurt"
Rick laughs "Jess you have been the most successful of anyone so far doing that, but she has been better"
Mike asks, "Jess do you want to meet up tomorrow, maybe with Rick and Kate, so we all know what is going on after you sick the EPA and lawyers on city of NY?" We can review the documents then if that works.
"Let me talk to Kate, Rick, are you free tomorrow after 10:30 Sweetie," and they hear Mike exclaim "OHH MYYYY GODDDD" Stop it, as he laughs.
"That works for me, let's see if Kate can get away, maybe even do lunch have it catered here, say around 11:30 or so."
"Mike we'll get back to you, and once again, Great Job, I really appreciate you taking charge like you have, I feel we and our future guests are in great hands for protection" Jess answers
"My pleasure Jess talk to you later", as the line goes dead
Jess sends Kate a quick text including Mike on the address line about lunch tomorrow, and just says Mike found something more than her ground force had need to talk about it.
Kate responds in less than a minute, "See you tomorrow at 11:30 XoXo KB" Mike is one second behind her "See you then MR"
Jess walks over to Rick and just takes him into a deep passionate kiss, that curls his toes, "Been waiting to do that since I left you this morning" she breathes, "It's been a hell of a day and before anything comes between us Get to our bedroom buster, I can't wait any longer"
Batting practice proceeds, then a game that Definitely went into extra innings that left Jess lying in Rick's arms totally satisfied, just glancing up at the man that made her feel like no one ever had before.
"Jess, I love you, I mean really really love you, even more than I ever thought was possible and I have never been this happy in my life." "Today was incredible, had a great call with Kelly, and no pressure for production date, all up to me."
"Mike is doing an awesome job and has already paid for his salary with the cost savings today"
"You are all over every detail of this project and it seems like even Kate has replaced that mission for revenge, with this project and doing what she can to help"
I'm Happy so very Happy, but I have to know Angel, are you, I mean am I not doing something I should**"
Jess hushes him with a kiss with the passion that only she could display, "Rick, believe me when I say this, I have never been happier in my life, and I wouldn't change one thing about you or us" She kisses him once again deeper, longer and pours the sincerity that only those in love would know.
A/N Bulldozers start next chapter, and soon we will see the design of the Martha Rae Rogers unit come to life, I'm excited
Thanks for the reads, follow and favorites, Always Appreciated - Tim
