Hey, any Once Upon a Time fans out there? Am I the only one who sees similarities between Emma Swan and our own Kate Beckett? Both are determined, both work for the law, both have a sense of justice, both are determined and both have issues with intimacy. I could go on, but you aren't really interested in that, are you? You want me to just shut up and get on with the story, I'm sure. Okay, then. I'll shut up now.
Alexis tapped her fingernails along the window of the car, chatting on the phone.
"Okay, great! I'll be there Tuesday. And if you need me to come early or anything just let me know."
"You'd think that she could wait a day before signing up for half the volunteer programs in the city." Castle grumbled good-naturedly, shooting his daughter a loving glance through the rearview mirror.
"She's a go-getter, Castle." Beckett said, grinning.
"See? Kate gets it." Alexis snapped the phone shut and stuck out her tongue at her father.
"I knew I shouldn't have let you two like each other." Castle groaned. "Are you always going to gang up on me?"
Beckett and Alexis looked at each other for a beat before turning to him and saying in scary synchronicity,
"Always."
Castle gave an exaggerated groan worthy of Martha Rodgers.
They pulled into the underground parking for the apartment complex, Castle executing a neat turn into a parking spot that impressed Beckett just a little. The car had barely stopped, the engine still purring away, when Alexis barreled out, opening the trunk and pulling out their luggage.
"I have to unpack and do the laundry and finish signing up for stuff online before the ball tonight!"
"Uh… ball?" Castle asked.
"It's this charity thing I signed up for. I'm helping at the silent auction." Alexis explained.
Her father sighed. "And here I'd dared to think that you were going to be a ravishing debutante and have a wild time. Another hope dashed."
Alexis gave her father her famous look. "Dad, debutants have charity works to do, too."
"I thought those were just in the south?" Beckett professed as they began to carry their suitcases towards the elevator.
"If they were, I wouldn't be one." Alexis made a face. "Gram's idea. But the volunteer work is fantastic, and the contacts I'm making should come in handy later."
"If you're not careful, you'll end up as President." Beckett teased.
Alexis made a face. "Eek – politics."
The second Castle unlocked the loft Alexis dashed in, running around at a speed that would have put the Looney Tunes' meep-meeping Roadrunner to shame. She was a flurry of activity, and the two adults could only stand in minor shock and stare at the redheaded whirlwind.
"I think it might be best if we got out of her way for a bit." Castle advised.
"Well, I do have to go grovel for Gates." Beckett sighed. "Might as well get it over with."
"Maybe I could try charming her?" Castle asked.
"Yeah – that'll work, seeing how much she loved you last year."
"But I've changed! I've matured! I've grown! I've written another best seller!"
"Cool it, Castle."
:::::::::::::::::::::::
The talk with Gates was actually less painful then Beckett had thought it would be. The captain listened to her reasons with more patience than she'd exhibited towards Beckett all of the previous year, before nodding carefully and saying her peace.
"I'll admit, Beckett, that you are a valuable asset to this department – and the force in general. I've missed being able to count on you to handle the tough cases. I will let you back… on one condition."
"Yes, sir?" Beckett asked.
"You've served out what would have been your suspension time, so I'll be expecting you to report in tomorrow morning. You can even bring in that writer of yours if you want. But if your mother's case ever comes up again, you will not be allowed to work it under any condition. Is that understood?"
"Yes, sir." Beckett responded. It pained her to say, especially when she'd been so close before, but it had to be done. She wanted to move on and become a better person for both her sake and the sake of others, and she knew that if she got involved in her mother's case again it would drag her down and drown her. She would have to wait until she was much more stable to attempt digging into that again.
"All right then… Detective." Gates honest-to-God smiled at Beckett. "Welcome back."
"Thank you." Beckett smiled. "Sir." She added hastily.
Castle was waiting for her by the elevator, chatting with Ryan. He jumped up when she approached.
"So?" He asked. "What did she say?"
Beckett let her grin overtake her face. "I'm back!"
"Yes!" Castle and Ryan 'fed the birds' excitedly.
"Um… wait… why were you two here together?" Ryan asked suddenly.
Castle and Beckett froze.
"Uh…"
"I came along because I couldn't wait to find out the news." Castle said. "And to see if she said I could continue to tag along."
Ryan nodded, accepting the excuse despite the fact that it was about as flimsy as wet paper.
"Well, I'm going to tell Lanie." Beckett said. "See you two later!" She dashed off before either man could say anything more.
"Did Beckett just… gush?" Ryan asked.
"That's nothing." Castle assured him. "You should have seen her when I…." He stopped as Ryan gave him a strange look and he realized what he was going to divulge. "When, I, uh, started that charity in her mother's name."
Ryan relaxed, grinning. "I remember that. You really made her year with that one."
"Yeah…" Castle smiled goofily at the memory before snapping back to the present. "Well, I should get home – lots to do… writing to get done… before Gina changes her mind and decides to make good on her promise to cut off my foot…"
"Been reading Misery, has she?" Ryan joked.
Castle shuddered and made a face. "God, I hope not. Maybe that's why her threats if I don't meet my deadline are becoming more colorful lately." He clapped Ryan on the back. "See ya!"
"Uh, hey Castle?" Ryan called.
"Yeah?" Castle turned back.
"You haven't…" Ryan figited. "You haven't spoken to Javier lately, have you?"
Castle shook his head. "I was in the Hamptons the past two weeks. Why?"
"No reason." Ryan shrugged. "His suspension is over tomorrow and I just… well, he hasn't returned any of my apology messages."
"You mentioned that you broke the bro code and that you deserve to be ex-communicated, right?" Castle checked.
"Yup. Twice." Ryan said, his shoulders slumping.
"Ah, don't worry about it; I'm sure he'll come around. Say hi to Jenny for me!" Castle waved.
"Sure thing!" Ryan replied.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::
Beckett strode into Lanie's lab like it had been years instead of two weeks.
"Hey, stranger!" Lanie grinned, getting up from her microscope and giving her best friend a hug. "Where have you been, girl?"
"I took a little vacation." Beckett said.
Lanie looked her up and down. "What happened to you?" She asked with her trademark suspicious tone.
"What do you mean?" Beckett asked.
"Something happened, girl, you are practically glowing!" Lanie said accusingly.
"Nothing happened, Lanie, I just got a tan for the first time since… whenever I took my last spring break in college." Beckett said. She was glowing? Sex with Castle must have really done a number on her – she hadn't gotten 'the glow' since her first time with Will Sorenson.
"Hmm." Lanie hummed, not entirely convinced.
"So… are you off tonight?" Beckett asked.
Lanie made an annoyed sound with her tongue and rolled her eyes. "I wish! You still owe me a dinner! But I've got some top screens to run and a shitload of data archiving to do. I've been putting it off way too long and my boss is raggin' on me. Maybe tomorrow?"
"Ooh, can't; Ca–" Beckett cleared her throat. "I'm going to the theater tomorrow with my dad."
"Next Tuesday, then." Lanie said.
"It's a date." Beckett grinned.
They hugged again. "All right girlie – you run along and break out the champagne 'cause you are back!" Lanie said.
Beckett laughed. "Bye, Lanie."
"See ya!"
It felt so good to be back.
:::::::::::::::::::::::
"Dinner!"
The blonde girl at the computer ignored her mother, opting instead to keep focusing on her online chess game.
"'Chessmaster1907, prepare to bow before me." She whispered dramatically, moving her bishop."
"Eddie, I said dinner!"
"Hold on!" Eddie called back. The screen in front of her flashed the words Checkmate – Black Pawn wins.
"Yes!" The teen fist-pumped, her blue eyes dancing. "And she remains the reigning champion of online chess! The crowd goes wild!"
"Eddie! Get your butt down here before I kick it to kingdom come!"
"Coming!" Eddie turned off her computer and crossed the tiny hall into the kitchen/dining room/living area. "What's to eat?"
"Spaghetti." Her mother replied. She had darker hair with a downy quality to it, straddling the line between blonde and brunette. She had a larger nose but big, bright blue eyes.
Eddie didn't bother whining about how this was the third time this week they'd had spaghetti. She knew that it was all her mother could afford. Kraft macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, Hamburger Helper, and PB&Js ruled their life. Instead, the girl flopped down on the worn couch, picking her bowl up from the scratched coffee table (missing one leg and partially propped up by her study books) and digging in.
"Is the pasta overcooked?" Her mother asked.
"No, Mom, this is great." Eddie assured her. "You make the best pasta."
Her mother beamed, but her eyes remained sad. They were always sad.
"You finish eating, okay hon? I'm going to take out the trash."
"Okay."
"Clean up your dishes."
"Okay."
"And don't let anyone in the apartment."
"Okay."
"That's my baby." Her mother caressed her neck and ran her hand through her daughter's hair as she passed. Eddie grinned, watching her mother heave the trash bag over her shoulder and leave, closing the front door with a quiet snick.
Eddie ate for about thirty seconds of silence before the strange ringing began. She froze, frowning, tilting her head and doing her best to perk up her ears.
Was that a phone?
The girl got up, still frowning, and tried to track down the source of the shrill ringing. Neither she nor her mom had a phone. They were another way for people to track them – whomever those 'people' her mom was so scared of may be. But sure enough, there was a phone ringing coming from somewhere in the tiny apartment. The walls in a project building like this were thin but they weren't that thin.
Eddie followed the sound back down the hall past the doll-sized bathroom and into the bedroom she shared with her mother. It wasn't coming from her end of the room. In fact, it seemed to be coming from the chest of drawers her mother used (having insisted that Eddie take the closet). Eddie pulled open each drawer, the ringing getting louder when she opened the underwear drawer. She rifled through until her hand seized upon a hard, metal object that was definitely not a vibrator.
She pulled it out. The burner phone shrieked in her ears, insisting that she answer it. The number was blocked.
Tentatively, knowing that her mother would probably skin her alive for this, Eddie answered the phone.
"Hello?"
"Who is this?"
The voice at the other end of the line startled her. It was male, and deep – a little throaty, even. It was most definitely annoyed.
"Um… who is this?" Eddie asked.
"You must be Eddie. Where's your mother?"
"Uh…" Eddie stumbled. How did this guy know who she was? "She's… not here."
"I didn't ask if she was there, I asked where she was." The man replied impatiently.
"She's taking out the trash."
"And where is she taking it to?"
"The big dumpster in the alley. We don't have an internal trash chute." Eddie explained.
"Take me to her, now. This is urgent – they've found you. You have to get out now." The man didn't yell or bark, but his voice was forceful. He sounded like he was pressed for time, and she could feel his urgency transfer to her. Eddie got up, the phone still pressed to her ear, and began to make her way back to the living room. She grabbed her shoes and started to slip them on.
"Look, I don't know who you are, but I didn't even know that my mom had a phone, so I think–"
Three distinctive pops rang through the air. They almost sounded like tiny firecrackers, except for the metallic ring that floated in the air for a millisecond afterwards. Eddie had grown up in the dirtier parts of town. She knew what that sound was.
And it was coming from right beneath the living room window. The living room window that looked down over an alley containing the apartment building's dumpster…
"Mom!"
Eddie tore out of the apartment, phone clutched in her hand, leaping down the steps three at a time and nearly twisting her ankle on the landing. She barreled past an old lady neighbor and burst through the lobby door, skidding to a halt and veering left, turning into the alley.
Her mother laid there, her head and shoulders resting against the alley wall. Three gunshot wounds spread blood like drooling mouths, gaping out of her chest and staining her green sweater. Eddie flung herself down in front of her mother, pushing her hair out of her pale face.
"Mom?" Eddie asked. "Mama?"
Her mother tried to speak, but couldn't. She was slowly bleeding out, her life pouring out of her through the black holes in her chest. Her breathing began to fade.
"Mom…" Eddie began to do CPR, pressing down on her chest to help her breath. "No, no, no, Mom, please…" She was almost frantic. Her mother's eyes slid closed. Eddie grabbed her, shaking her, pulling her to her. "No!" She screamed. "No, no, no! Stay with me! Damn it, Mama, Mama, please, stay with me Mama…" She sobbed hysterically, shaking her mother's corpse. "Mama!"
Eddie pressed her forehead to her mother's chest. She was crying to violently that she had to close her eyes to stem the flow of tears cascading down her face. It took her a minute to even hear the voice emanating from the phone still clutched in her hand, never mind pay attention to it. When she did, she answered in anger.
"What the fuck do you want?" She shouted into the phone. "Did you know this was going to happen?"
"I knew that they were coming after her, yes." The man replied calmly. "Eddie… I'm sorry."
"Like hell you're sorry!" Eddie shouted. She was angry, angry at the entire world, everything around her giving her pain as she realized that her mother was dead. With no shooter around, the man on the phone was the most convenient target for her furious grief. "You knew this would happen!"
"Don't you dare tell me what I am or am not sorry about." The man replied. Eddie shut up, and even paused in her crying for a moment. The man's tone was deadly. "This tragedy hurts me more than you know, so cut your childish crap and listen to me.
"They'll be coming to investigate the apartment soon. They don't know about you yet – they suspect, but they don't know. You have to get out, now, and to a safe place before they find you."
"But where is safe?" Eddie asked. "I don't know anyone."
"Your mother told you what to do in case you had to make a quick getaway, right? Escape and hide your face?"
"Yes, but she was always alive then. We had a scheduled meeting point–"
"Just answer my questions. Now you do what your mother told you, but then you go and find…"
Eddie frowned. "But why would I–"
"Do as I tell you."
Again, no yelling, but this was a man who was used to being obeyed. Eddie didn't ask any more questions. He finished his instructions, and hung up – but not before leaving her with some parting words.
"Remember that you are not safe. The people you are going to will keep you safe for now, but only as long as they don't know the truth. Once they do, they will be in as much danger as you are; even more danger, in truth. So you keep on your toes. You watch your back. And whatever happens, you be prepared to run. You got that?"
Eddie nodded, then realized that he couldn't see her. "Yes." She replied. "Yes, I got it."
"Good girl. Now go."
"But my mom–"
"Go, damn it! There isn't much time! Go!"
The man hung up. Eddie pocketed the phone, standing up slowly. Tears leaked out of her eyes as she looked down at her mother's body, slumped down in a filthy, anonymous alley.
"I'm sorry I never believed you." Eddie whispered. "And I'm sorry that I have to leave you. I love you, Mama."
And Eddie did when her mother had always prepared her to do.
She hid her face and ran.
::::::::::::::::::::::::
"Hey, Castle." Beckett said, smiling like she hadn't seen him in days instead of just an hour ago that morning. She took the coffee he offered her gratefully. She'd had one a couple of hours ago but man, did she need her fix.
"Mornin', Beckett!" Esposito called. "Hey, Castle!"
"Hey!" Castle replied.
"What've we got, Espo?" Beckett asked.
The junior detective got a strange look on his face. "Well, I gotta tell you, Beckett, you're not going to like this…"
"Beckett!" Lanie called.
"Hold on." Beckett said to Espo, changing direction to head towards the crouching M.E.
"But…" Esposito sighed.
"What's up?" Castle asked.
"This body, it's… um… it's got a lot of similarities to another one." Esposito explained.
Castle frowned. "What kind of similarities?"
Beckett reached Lanie and froze in her tracks.
The M.E. was crouching by the body of a woman. A woman lying slumped against an alley wall, riddled with bullet holes.
"She bled out." Lanie said softly.
Beckett's world began to spin.
"Beckett?" Castle asked. "What–" He froze as well. "Oh…"
Beckett's throat constricted several times before she could speak. "What… what happened?" She asked.
"Well, I'd like to pass it off as gang violence," Lanie said.
Beckett flinched involuntarily.
"But there's something here you'll want to see."
Lanie gestured for them to come closer. Both Castle and Beckett bent down, following the examiner's finger.
"You see these smears? And those bits where the blood has congealed a lot? I'll have to take her back to the lab to be sure but I'm pretty sure the first is from handprints and the second is from where blood spurted out when pressure was put on the chest."
"You're saying that… someone tried to give her CPR?" Castle breathed.
Lanie nodded. "Gold star."
"And look at these footprints." Esposito said. "They're from sneakers, and this woman was wearing boots."
Sure enough, the Jane Doe had on big brown sensible boots.
"So there was someone else here." Castle said, standing up.
"A witness." Beckett stood up as well.
"Well you can bet the shooter didn't try and get her heart starting again." Lanie said.
"Canvas the area. I want to know if anyone saw something." Beckett said.
"Neighborhood like this?" Esposito said. "Nobody's going to see anything. They're all selectively blind. And deaf."
"Do it anyway." Beckett insisted. "Castle and I will go check the dead woman's apartment, see what we come up with. Lanie, get her back to the lab. I want a report ASAP."
Lanie and Esposito both nodded. Beckett turned away and began walking. Castle jogged to catch up with her.
"You okay?" He whispered.
Beckett stopped and looked at him. "No." She whispered. "I'm not." She drew in a shaky breath. "But as soon as we catch this son of a bitch I will be."
"Kate." Castle said. "You don't think…"
"It's connected to my mom somehow?" Beckett sighed. "I don't know. But until we can prove that it does, I'm investigating this like it's any other case."
"Okay." Castle nodded. "Okay." He smiled reassuringly. "You know that I'm here for whatever you need, right?"
Beckett smiled. "I know." She nodded. "And I'm glad, Castle. I really am glad that you're here."
Making sure that no one was watching, she squeezed his hand.
For those of you who guessed that the fuzzy feelings of happiness would not last long, congratulations! You were right! Time for the real plot to begin… Mwahahaha!
This is totally random and I doubt anyone cares, but Eddie is named after a character from Stephan King's Dark Tower series – which is, by the way, the only stuff by Stephan King that I can handle – who is a loud and proud New Yorker. If you're a fantasy fan, I do suggest that you check out the series. It's worth the read.