Jumping to Conclusions by Oldest Man
Part 2
Beverly Hilton
Los Angeles CA
Castle's suite
The Day Before
The film crew had worked non-stop since sunup trying to get the last few shots 'into the can' so they could wrap up the film and send it to the film editors. They were ahead of schedule and under budget and that meant money for the producers and a good shot at a Christmas opening.
Natalie Rhodes had been extraordinary in her portrayal of Nikki Heat and Castle had showered her with well-deserved praise and she'd lapped it up like a starving puppy.
"Rick, since I did so well, can you do me one favor before you head back to New York and Beckett?" She looked at him with those big brown eyes and he knew he was in trouble. Kate and Natalie were so different and yet so similar that sometimes he could close his eyes and swear that Kate Beckett was saying the lines of dialogue he'd written.
"What? I'm keeping my clothes on, whatever it is."
She'd popped him in the arm just like Beckett would have done and laughed.
"No disrobing required, Rick, although if you want, I can help you take off my clothes later." She liked, probably loved, Castle and would have screwed his brains out every night he was here except that he'd made it very clear from the start that he and Beckett were engaged and getting married.
"Nat, give it a rest, will ya? Now, what's this favor?"
"Take me and my son shopping for his school clothes? I don't know a damned thing about kids' school clothes and school starts in a month and I have no idea what he needs."
"You have a son?"
"David is my son. I got knocked up when I first got out here and – I'm never going to discuss the father. David is 6 going on 35 and he thinks I'm some kind of star-slut. I really need a guy's input and help. C'mon, Rick, I need help."
"Fine. When?"
"Right now. He's in my trailer playing video games and this is the perfect time. I promise I'll buy us all dinner when you're done. C'mon, Rick, please?"
"No way, Nat. I'm not doing this on an empty stomach. Feed us first and then we'll hit the – oh, crap – the mall."
Natalie started to laugh and Rick fixed her with his patented glare and she said "I was so wrong about you in New York, Castle. You're so not gay. That's the most heterosexual response I've seen outta you since you got here. Definitely not gay."
"Not funny. I can't believe you asked Beckett if I was gay."
"I can't believe you told me 'no' when I asked you to sleep with me for 'research purposes'. I can't believe you still say 'no'."
"Natalie, I told you. You don't listen and when you do, you don't believe me. This leopard has changed his spots. I have one woman in my life and I'm going to marry her if I have to wage war on Heaven itself."
"Well, I was serious about what I said in New York. If it doesn't work out with Beckett, I'm next in line. You've ruined me for other men, Rick. I'll have to find one just like you before I can be happy. Unless…"
"Let's find your son. Video games? I like him already."
The kid was small for his age and nerdy looking. Castle liked him immediately.
"So, you're David and your mom says she's read you parts of my books. What do you think of them?" He was serious. The boy could see that and so despite his shyness he was honest – brutally honest.
"I think the sex parts were boring. I mean, I know what goes on, but why all this painful emotional crap? Really, Castle, if it feels good, do it. Right?"
"Hey, Natalie – are you sure this isn't some joke? This kid's brutal and will probably grow up to be a critic. And you shouldn't be reading him the PG-13 stuff."
"I warned you, Rick. David's honest. You should hear some of the things he says to me. He taught himself how to read and he has tutors on the set. He's a smart little guy."
Castle looked at the young boy and smirked. "I'd better not hear you calling her names, David. She works hard and she's doing it for you as well as herself."
David looked at Natalie and smirked and Castle could swear he'd seen the same smirk in the mirror many times. Okay, time for plan B.
"Do you love your mom? I mean, sure, she's beautiful and sexy but she's also funny and caring and she takes care of you when she could just as easily have dumped you into the system and gone about her business."
"Castle! All I asked you to do was give me some advice on clothes, not go all Dr. Phil on us. Jesus, David, you don't have to answer any – "
"Yeah, I love her. I just hate that she takes off her clothes to make money. I get looks sometimes and teased. The other guys, especially the older ones, well, they make jokes about her." He was in kindergarten and Castle remembered well how hellish being in school back in the day could be. Kids were cruel without meaning to be. Some of them never grew out of it.
"David, I never knew my dad but my mom was an actress and did what it took to keep me safe and fed and clothed. Single moms have a hard row to hoe. Kids come first, just like you come first with Natalie."
"Yeah, I know that but it doesn't make going to school any easier."
Rick glanced over at Natalie and saw how the conversation had affected her. He'd never seen her cry. She always struck him as a Beckett clone in that respect. Kate Beckett would never cry. Score one for Natalie.
"Hey, I think my stomach is telling me it's time to eat. David, what about you? Hungry? Feel like – pizza?"
"Yeah! Mom, can we, huh? Pizza? You can go off your diet for one night, right?"
"Diet? Natalie Rhodes, you don't need to diet. Between your work schedule and the physical activity on the set, the last thing you need to do is watch your calories."
She colored, pleased that someone noticed and appreciated the hard work she did. Acting was more than just saying the lines with the right emotions. There were physical requirements, especially in the Nikki Heat movie.
"Yeah, okay, pizza. Castle, I'm damned glad you're going home soon or I'd never get another – um, y'know, a certain kind of role?" She was referring to gaining weight and he just smiled thinking that she meant nude shots.
"And that would be bad why? You're an actress and shouldn't rely solely on cheap 'shots' to get roles. Hell, do you think for one second that Beckett would ever do any of the things that Nikki Heat does?"
"Rick, for your sake, I sincerely hope she does." Her smirk was a killer and Castle knew when to shut up.
"Food, Nat. You promised. Then, David, we men have a mission – to buy clothes and then escape from the evil Unworld known as – The Mall." He tousled the boy's hair, wondering if someday he'd have a son of his own to tease and love and nurture.
The Dreaded Mall
The trip to the mall was well organized and the tasks were accomplished in an almost military manner. They got in, found the objects they needed, and made their escape without harm.
"Jesus, Castle, that went well. We got everything I could imagine he'd need. I need you to reserve this week next year and the next and – "
"It was simple. Shirts, pants, underwear, socks, shoes, a jacket, a raincoat, some cool t-shirts, a backpack and we were done and it didn't cost you a fortune either."
"That's because you waved your magic AMEX card around and had the salespeople running to get selections while we sat on our butts and waited and chose and then waited and chose and – "
"Let's ask the man of the hour. Dave, would you rather walk around aimlessly following Natalie around while she looks, touches, tries on, has you try on, can't decide and then repeats the process until you beg for mercy or – the Castle method?"
"Definitely the Castle method. See Mom, I told ya a guy knows what a guy needs. Simple. Thanks for the t-shirts, Rick. She would never think of them."
"Hey, she has a name. Use it. Now, it's been a long day and I have meetings tomorrow with the village idiots so take me home, Natalie."
Beverly Hilton
Los Angeles CA
Castle's suite
David had to use the bathroom so Castle invited them up to his suite and barely made it inside before collapsing into a Lazy-Boy. He was asleep within seconds.
David had finished in the bathroom and found his mother sitting down just staring at Rick.
"You like him, doncha, Mom?" He could see it in her face.
"What's not to like? He's nice, charming, sexy, good with kids, kind, thoughtful but he's someone else's, Davie. If only I'd have gotten to him first – but he's hers now. Ready to head home?"
"You just gonna leave him there?"
"Yeah. He's a big boy. He can take care of – " His cell rang a couple of times and he hadn't moved a muscle. She reached into his sports coat pocket and saw it was Beckett. It was 1am in New York but only 9pm in L.A.
"Hello?" She wondered what Kate wanted this late?
"Who the hell is this?" Natalie looked at David with an almost frightened look on her face. She hadn't considered how it would look – sound – to Kate if she answered Castle's phone.
"Un, it's Natalie, Beckett, Natalie Rhodes. Rick's asleep. Wore him out. He's definitely not gay. Had a long day and then I – " She was laughing, remembering some of Rick's antics with her son.
"Put him on the phone. Wake him up. I need to talk to him, right damned now!"
"Rick, Rick, hey, babe, it's Kate Beckett. She doesn't sound like she wants to leave a message, Rick. Here. Talk to her." Better you than me, Rick. Jesus, she sounds like such a bitch –
"Hey, Kate. What time is it? What's wrong?"
"Wait a minute. That's not true. Nothing – "
"Damn it, Kate. Let me explain – "
"You've got it all wrong. You've come to conclusions that just aren't – "
"Kate, baby, please. You don't mean that, do you? Let me expla – "
"She hung up. She told me to stay here and she was going to pray for an earthquake that would swallow me up. She's giving me back my ring. This is madness. She must be on something."
"Rick, I answered your phone. She knows how I feel about you. I've never made it a secret from you or her. You know what she thought. Call her. Make her understand. Hell, give me the damned phone. I'll call her."
"No. I can't do this over the phone. I need to get back to New York. I'll catch the first flight back after my meeting with the village idiots. I'll fix it.
"Well, we're heading home. Go to sleep. I'm sure she'll call you a million times and apologize. Do you need a ride to the airport?"
"Nah. Gotta drop off the rental. Thanks. Hey, Dave, call me if you just want to talk. I'll see you the next trip out."
Natalie kissed him softly on the lips and then she and her son left Castle to his nightmares.
He called her 5 times and she ignored the calls so he left voice mail messages. He made reservations and sent her texts with his flight and arrival times and asked her to pick him up.
He had a plan.