Okay guys here is the latest chapter. For all of you who thought that Sorenson should get his comeuppance here it is. I thought about waiting till next chapter, but thought I might have a few angry readers show up at my home.
For the reviewer who said I had turned Castle into Conan, well that was the point. I modeled his reaction to the one I thought I would have given the situation. I think that Sasha got off light given what he said, and when I wrote it I felt that he did indeed intend to take Alexis for payment.
Again I own nothing but a dark imagination.
Chapter 112
"I would appreciate it if you left my wife alone." He saw Sorenson's eyes widen at his statement. "Yes, I called her my wife. Since we are together and will be married soon, I already think of her as my wife. If you bother her again, it's gonna piss me off. And trust me, you don't want to see me pissed off."
Rick turned to Kate and said, "It's been a really bad day for me. I think I am going to the gym and beat up that heavy bag for a while, blow off a little steam.
Beckett couldn't help but watch as he headed for the stairs down to the gym. She kept going over what she had said to Will before Castle came in. Loved him for years. Held him at arm's length. Why would I do that? Why would I ignore my feelings for him and date other men? I don't know why I did it, maybe I was scared of him. Maybe I was scared of me. But I was definitely scared of us. Of what we could become. I have never had someone care enough to get to know me-the real me. They just accepted what I showed them. But not Rick, he wanted to know everything about me. My biggest joys but more importantly my biggest fears. He has seen my shortcomings and loves me in spite of them. And he has shown me his and I love him all the same. I may have fought these feelings I have for him but no longer. He is it for me. We are going to make it, we are going to have an amazing life together.
While lost in her thoughts she did not see Sorenson leave the room. She put away her cup and headed back to her desk. As she reached her desk the elevator opened. She was shocked to see who was exiting the car.
She had not seen Agent Gray since the case where the con man was killed while faking at being at the North Pole. But there he was, walking toward her desk with Agent Gage with him. "Detective, how are you?"
"I'm doing well and you?"
"Oh you know how it is." He leaned down and whispered in her ear. "We're with Homeland, we met through Castle. You guys were at his bar having drinks and I walked in. Got it?"
"Yeah, I got it."
"We need to speak with Captain Montgomery. Is he in?" He was looking into Montgomery's office as he spoke.
Coming around the corner, Montgomery heard his name. "Someone looking for me?"
Beckett spoke up, "Captain this is Agent Gray and Agent Gage from Homeland."
Montgomery motioned for them to follow him into his office. "You too, Beckett. I want you in on this."
As Montgomery closed his door Gage spoke up. "It's good to see you again Captain." He turned to Beckett. "Detective."
It was Gray who spoke next. "We are here about the incident that happened in New Jersey. I wanted to let you know were joining the investigation in an advisory role."
Montgomery looked out of his office. "Where is Sorenson?" He turned to Beckett and raised an eyebrow.
"I'm not sure, we were in the breakroom and I got lost in thought. Next thing I knew I was alone. Let me see if the guys know where he went."
Kate opened the door and called to Esposito and Ryan. "Do you guys know where Sorenson went?"
Ryan spoke up first. "He grabbed his bag and headed for the stairs about five minutes before they got here." He pointed to the Agents in Montgomery's office.
"Oh crap!" Beckett turned to Montgomery. "Castle had words with Sorenson in the breakroom then headed for the gym. He said he needed to blow off some steam."
Gage chuckled as he said. "You think this Fed is going to pick a fight with Castle?"
A concerned Beckett responded, "It looks that way."
Gage moved for the door. "Which way is the gym? Oh, and who is next in line with the Feds?"
With a curious expression on her face, Beckett asked, "Why does it matter who is next in line?"
"Because if he's trying to save face by taking on Castle, he just might spend a few days in the hospital." He looked back at a stunned Gray who was trying to warn Gage not to spill his identity. "Oh hell Gray, they know who he is now. I haven't seen him in action in years. Let's go watch the boss."
Xx
Castle had changed into the sweats that he kept in the locker room. He commandeered a locker years ago and kept gym clothes there for the times he used the gym. After a difficult case he would sneak down to the gym as soon as Kate and the boys left for the night and worked out his frustrations making sure that no one see him. He had a state of the art gym in his building but sometimes he wanted the atmosphere of an old smelly gym.
He was stalking the heavy bag landing blows at a moderate pace. He was leery about going full bore since anyone could walk in at any moment. He really didn't want to explain how all of the sudden he seemed to know how to handle himself.
Sorenson had quietly entered the gym after changing into his FBI workout sweats. "Looks like you could use a little training there big guy." The venom was dripping from his voice as he spoke.
"I think I've got it Agent Sorenson."
Sorenson slowly moved the around the bag at the same speed as Castle, being sure to keep the bag between them. "I've got to know... why you? Kate is a smart professional and you, well you're you."
Castle tilted his head so he could see Sorenson around the bag. "What in the hell does that mean?"
"She deserves some one better than you. Someone who will love her for the rest of her life, not someone who's just trying to get in her pants. Someone who will be there for her."
Castle moved from behind the heavy bag and faced Sorenson. "I guess the guy who left her for a job is the best choice. Is that what you are saying?"
Sorenson got nose to nose with Castle, angrily saying, "I believe you threatened me earlier. I think it's time you were brought down a notch. I have had just about enough of everyone telling me not to upset you. So why don't we try a little self-defense training, writer monkey." The smirk on his face grew as he finished his declaration.
"Just remember you asked for this Agent Sorenson."
Xx
Waiting at bottom of the stairs was Dr. Lanie Parish. "Javier, what in the hell are we doing here?"
As giddy as a school boy, Esposito said, "Well it looks like Agent Sorenson followed Castle to the gym. We think he may be looking for a little one on one training."
Lanie's eyebrows shot up. She turned in the direction of the door and marched to the gym with everyone in tow.
Xx
Before Castle could answer the challenge, a straight jab caught him square on the nose making him sway backwards. It was the second time today that someone had caught him with a jab to the nose and he was pissed. As he righted himself, he raised his left thumb and swiped it across his upper lip checking for blood. When he found none, he circled to his right trying to get the tears out of his eyes.
As Castle circled he heard the door open and it drew his attention. He turned slightly to see who had entered and Sorenson took advantage, landing a right hook that staggered Castle. As Castle took a step back Sorenson launched into him, landing another jab followed by a crushing uppercut to Rick's abdomen. Expecting Castle to call it quits, he took a step back and looked towards the visitors who had entered.
He turned back to Castle. "I'm not sure why Kate says I should be worried about upsetting you. Looks to me like that's one more thing that you have fooled her about."
Castle stood to his full height and stretched his neck. "Okay Will, you caught me with one I wasn't expecting; now let's try this again shall we?" With that Castle quickly took the three steps to bridge the gap between himself and Sorenson.
Sorenson met him with a jab that snapped his head back, but instead of staggering back, Castle slipped to his right and landed a right cross that caught Will in the jaw. This time it was Will who staggered back. Castle shifted back to the left and threw a left hook catching Sorenson on the other side of his jaw. Will's hands dropped to his sides and Castle threw two quick jabs that caught Sorenson square on the nose which immediately spewed blood.
By this time Castle had become enraged. He was replaying the words Sorenson said earlier in his mind, kept seeing him in his loft trying to mend fences with Kate. He decided to end this right now. He went from defending himself to wanting to hurt Sorenson; after all Will had attacked him.
Sorenson's hands were covering his nose as Rick swept his legs out from under him. As Sorenson hit the mat, Rick reached up under the back of his sweatshirt and pulled his knife. He placed it along Sorenson's neck the same way he had done a few nights earlier with Esposito.
A horrified Kate shrieked, "Rick don't! Please, don't Rick!"
"Had enough Will?"
Will muttered something and nodded his head. Castle leaned down and whispered in his ear. "I think you should think about taking a few lessons yourself."
Rick got up and looked at Kate who was speechless. "I was never going to hurt him. But I wanted him to know that I could have if I wanted to." Castle shuffled over to her and pulled her into his arms. "I swear I'm not this man anymore. I hate this side of me, I hate that you are seeing this side of me. Please remember I love you, and I will do anything to protect you and Alexis, and maybe mother too. Although sometimes I wonder if she is worth it."
Kate slapped his chest. "Don't ever say anything like that again. Of course Martha is worth it."
"You sure?"
"Yes."
"What makes you so sure?"
"She gave birth to you and raised you until Alexis took over."
Castle smiled. "Till Alexis took over?"
Kate pressed her lips to his and Ryan let out a wolf whistle. "Yes until Alexis took over, and as soon as Alexis goes to college I will take over. I have to do my part to raise you."
Lanie was amused at her best friend. "You sure do have your hands full Kate. I don't know too many women who would take on that job." She moved to the mat and began to inspect Sorenson's nose as Gage followed her.
Gage looked down at him as Lanie called for Esposito to bring her a cold towel and she sent Ryan to get her first aid kit. Gage finally spoke, "Don't worry Mr. FBI. Yours is not the first nose he has broken. Just some friendly advice... whatever you did I wouldn't do again. He took it easy on you; next time it might not go so well for you."
Gage stood up and began to loosen his tie. "Okay old man, you had your fun with the kiddies. How's about let's see if you still know how to handle one of those." He was pointing to the knife that Castle had laid on the bench before taking Kate in his arms.
Castle was still holding Kate who had snaked her arms around his waist. He turned to Gage. "Listen Tom, you won't last five minutes. Let's not embarrass all of the agents in the field. How would it look if a writer whipped an active agent, hmm?"
Gage had his shirt off now and looked at Castle. "I think I can take you."
"It would be the first time."
"But 'dad' I'm feeling lucky today. Besides, Mr. FBI softened you up for me."
As Rick let go of Kate, he could see the hesitation in her eyes. "It's okay Kate, this is just for fun. We have been doing this for years."
"If you say so, but I'm worried. I know you'll be okay but I don't like it."
Castle moved to the bench with the knife and Lanie and Esposito were helping Sorenson up from the mat. Both his eyes were turning black and he was having trouble speaking.
Lanie looked at Agent Jones of the FBI, he was Sorenson's number two on this case. "I think he has a broken jaw, you might want to get him to the hospital."
She turned back in time to see Castle taking off his sweatshirt. She let out a wolf whistle. "Girl you have been holding out on me. Why does Castle look like he just stepped out of an Olympic pool?"
Beckett rolled her eyes. "Not now Lanie."
Castle and Gage stepped onto the mat and began to circle each other. They were waving their knives in front of each others' faces, effectively defending against an attack.
Castle was the first one to speak. "Well let's get this over with, I've had a long day and I want to get something to eat." Gage stepped forward pushing the attack. In a whirlwind of knives moving and crashing together, Castle was able to ward off the attack.
"Getting better Tom, maybe in a year or two you might be able to land a blow." Castle grinned and moved forward pushing his own attack. Again there was a whirlwind of clashing knives as they came together.
This went on for what seemed an eternity as the occupants of the room were mesmerized by the movements of the two combatants on the mat.
"Javi, have you ever seen anything like this?"
"Only in the movies, bro. And the movies don't do this justice."
Castle had been probing Gage's defenses waiting for him to make a mistake. He was prepared to pounce at the first one he saw. Finally Gage dropped his offhand guard. In a flash Castle faked a thrust and slipped beneath the guard of Gage's offhand, sweeping his legs as he went past. Gage was thrown off balance, allowing Castle to grab his arm and force him to the ground using an arm bar. Castle rolled over on his back pressing his back to Gage's and thrust his knife into the mat next to Gage's head, letting him know that if this had been a real fight he would be dead.
As they got to their feet Gage looked over to Kate. "For ten years I have tried to beat him in a knife fight and not one time have I won. At least I don't have to buy the beer, he owns a bar." He turned back to Castle and smiled. "You win 'dad' this time."
Karpowski came through the doors. "What did I miss?"
"Just Mr. FBI getting his tail handed to him."
Castle turned to Karpowski. "You guys think that the research is a joke. That I do it just to get close to Kate. But I spent a year with the CIA and learned a few things."
Karpowski looked at Montgomery. "Well that's good to know. Captain there has been a shootout in Chinatown. Four are injured and five dead. The double duce is on the scene. They think it might have something to do with the thing FBI is here for. They are contacting the Agent in Charge now, but I got a heads up from Jackson over there. Thought I should tell you."
Beckett looked at Castle who gave an almost imperceptible sigh. If she didn't know all of his tells, she would have missed it. Kate grabbed his sweatshirt and handed it to him, pulling him aside from the rest of the group.
"Kate, before you ask the answer is yes." She could see the torment in his eyes. She could tell this was his greatest fear, that he would have to tell her that something like this happened.
"Kate, I was leaving, they told me everything I needed to know but I stopped and asked one question. And the answer sent shock waves through me." There were tears in his eyes as he revealed what happened.
"Shh, it's okay, I'm not going anywhere. I'm not running, just remember that I'm not running."
Gray replaced his cell phone in his pocket after his brief conversation. "Homeland is taking over this investigation. We will continue to use the FBI assets to assist. Castle, you are back on the team. I will deal with Sorenson, although I am not sure how much complaining he will be able to do. You know drinking his dinner through a straw kind of puts a damper on talking."
There you go! I hope that everyone enjoyed this chapter. I know I did writing it, never felt that Sorenson was bad guy just didn't care for him.
Thoughts and reviews are so very welcome.
