Chapter 5: From New York City to San Francisco

Previously on Castle… This time Beckett doesn't correct him because this time, this time he's right. The last known activity on her account had been in sunny San Francisco California and it wasn't for travel to New York or anywhere near it.

"Not so fast, Castle. We have no jurisdiction in San Francisco and we'll have to clear travel plans with Gates," reminds Beckett. "Though at this point I do believe a scenery change is in our near future."

"I think I've got us covered on jurisdiction," replies Ryan. "I know a guy who used to live here in the city, before he moved back to San Francisco a couple years ago. He's a Captain with the SFPD now."

"Give him a call and we'll present this to Gates tomorrow."

"You got it. Is there anything else we can do tonight?"

"No, we'll meet back here early tomorrow morning, good night guys. I'd let your loved ones know you'll be out of town."

"You got it, what about Lanie?" Espo asks, a thought striking him.

"I'll let her know she may have travel in her future, but it all depends on Gates. Come on Castle, let's go."

Beckett and Castle walk into the elevator and it closes behind them.

"Hey, Javi," starts Ryan uncertainly.

"Yo."

"Do you mind if I umm…"

"Skip Madden Night tonight so you can spend time with Jenny?"

"Umm, yeah."

"No problem, bro, besides we'll need our rest."

"Thanks, Javi, see you tomorrow."

The next morning in Captain Gates' office at approximately 8:30am all three detectives plus Lanie and Castle stand in front of their captain.

"Let me make sure I understand correctly," starts Gates after Beckett finishes presenting their request. "Mr. Castle found a body outside his door Saturday morning and it may or may not be another 3XK victim but your investigation has stalled because your victim was and has no indication of being anywhere other than San Francisco, so you and your team would like to travel to San Francisco with Dr. Parish and Mr. Castle in your company in order to continue the investigation?"

"That's correct, Sir. Detective Ryan has already gotten permission and restricted jurisdiction from his contact in San Francisco."

"And who is this contact?"

"Captain Darryl Morris with the SFPD," answers Ryan, "he lived here in the city for a couple years, back when I was in Narcotics. I called him last night and he's happy to assist in any way he can."

"And with your permission our flight leaves in three hours," interjects Castle with a smile, holding up five tickets.

"Well I can see you have this all thought out and seeing as this may be a chance to catch 3XK, I can't really argue with your logic here, detective. What I'm trying to say is: yes, the five of you may go to San Francisco to continue investigating this case, however, I'd appreciate updates as you find new information especially if this is the work of 3XK."

"Yes Sir, thank you, Sir. We'll leave right away," replies Beckett before leading her team out of the office.

The team silently gathers the boxes they've already prepared and they all enter the elevator.

As soon as the doors to the elevator are safely closed behind them Castle punches his fist in the air. "Yes!" He holds out his fingers for Ryan and Espo to feed the birds, Beckett and Lanie exchange a look and roll their eyes.

"Alright. I've arranged for a car to pick us up and take us to the airport, it's standing by for my call. He'll pick me and Kate up first and then whoever's ready next, so call me when you're ready," announces Castle.

"Remember we have no idea how long we'll be in San Francisco or what the weather's going to be like so pack accordingly," reminds Beckett.

"Try to be ready in an hour, we all know what New York City traffic can be like, let alone JFK." With that being said they go in their separate ways.

About thirty minutes later Kevin Ryan opens the door to his apartment. "Jenny? I'm home," he calls out.

A heavily pregnant Jenny Ryan turns the corner, a mixture of emotion on her heart shaped face. "Kevin? What are you doing home so early? Is everything okay?"

The Irishman in question quickly closes the gap between them wrapping his wife up in a tight hug. "Hey, beautiful. Everything's fine, don't you worry." He bends down until he's eye height with Jenny's stomach, his arms still around her. "Hello in there. Would you please tell your mommy not to worry so much?"

Kevin kisses her belly and stands as Jenny replies. "You know that's pointless advice to give a mother, right? Now what's this all about?"

Kevin sighs and wanders towards the bedroon, Jenny follows close behind. Kevin opens the closet and pulls down his duffel and suitcase, putting them both up on the bed next to where Jenny has seated herself.

"Jenny, I hate to do this to you and I hope it's not for very long but I have to get on a plane in a few hours and to go to San Francisco…" he whispers the last part but Jenny still hears him.

"What? Why? How long have you known? Why didn't you tell me? Why you? Kevin! Talk to me!" Jenny exclaims all at once, on her feet with surprising speed, tears already forming in her eyes.

Kevin turns to face her, tears also shining in his eyes. "Please don't make this harder than it has to be. I love you and I don't want to leave you, especially right now," he sits on the bed and Jenny stands in front of him, her arms crossed. "Now ask me again and I'll answer all your questions."

"How long have you known? Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want to worry you, it's been up in the air for a few days, it only became a real possibility yesterday and that was only if Captain Gates agreed to it, which she did about an hour ago."

"Why you? What could possibly come up to make you go to San Francisco for God's sake?"

"As of right now there's nothing connecting the case to the city except for the location of the body, even I'm having a hard time believing it. We're all connected to this case personally, too. Me, Javier, Kate, Castle, even Lanie."

"How is that even possible? Unless…" she trails off. "You think this is someone you've gone up against before…"

Kevin sighs. "Yes, which is why we're all going and why you can't just stay at a hotel. As much as I'd love you to go with us I can't risk losing you. We're just going to pop over there figure how and why our vic got to the city and we'll be back before you know it."

He stands to continue packing and Jenny sits back down and appears to be deep in thought.

A good fifteen minutes later Kevin emerges from the adjoining bathroom, bathroom bag in hand he puts in his suitcase and zips it shut.

Jenny, who has been silent, chooses that moment to speak up. "What if you have to stay in San Francisco for a while and it doesn't end up being the really dangerous killer you think it is, then do you think I could fly out and join you?"

Kevin laughs as he packs the final items of his carry on duffel: the two newest Nikki Heat and 1st three Derrick Storm novels.

He then sweeps Jenny up into a tight hug, tears beginning to fall. "I'll check in with you every night, you can call me whenever you want." He pulls back and kisses her belly before standing upright to give Jenny one last, long kiss goodbye. "I love you so much and I miss you already."

"I love you too, be safe Kevin," she says crying as well.

Outside a car horn beeps several times and the couple finds themselves laughing through their tears. He grabs his bags and Jenny leads him to the door of their first floor apartment. He opens the door just as the car honks again. Shooting a mischievous glance at the waiting car Jenny pulls him in for one last, tearful kiss.

"I love you so much," they say in unison before Kevin turns away and walks to the waiting car.

As Ryan approaches the car/limo the trunk pops open and he puts his suitcase and duffel inside before the trunk closes itself. One of the side doors pops open to reveal three of his four traveling companions: Beckett and Lanie sit facing the rear of the car on the bench seat under the sliding window, Espo sits across from them furthest from the open door. Turning around Ryan waves one last time to Jenny, who is still standing in the open doorway before he climbs in next to Espo, pulling the door shut behind him.

The partition window rolls down to reveal Castle happily seated in the passenger seat, grinning like an idiot. Everyone is silent as Castle tells the driver to head to JFK, but everyone else has a smile a mile wide.

As they pull away and still no one speaks, Ryan decides he's had enough. "Okay, what am I missing? Why are you all grinning like you just won the lotto?"

It's too much for Castle and the smile morphs into a giggle, Beckett shoves his shoulder lightly. "Rick, don't tease him!"

Espo has to stifle laughter just then too and Lanie nudges his shin with her shoe. "Javi, stop it, it's sweet."

"Yeah, sweet as honey," he replies, causing both him and Castle to lose their last shred of control.

It dawns on Ryan all at once. "Hey now! Come on, you guys!" They're teasing him for his long goodbye to Jenny.

The laughter dies away when Beckett speaks up. "How'd she take it?"

Ryan hesitates.

"Aw bro, not good then, if i had to guess by the tear stains," sympathizes Javi, all humor gone.

"At first no, but she's strong and she understands, I think. I must've caught her in a good mood, she was pretty optimistic about flying out to join us."

"I'd be happy to provide her with transport," offers Castle.

"Thanks, Castle, that's really great of you but I don't want her anywhere near that city of it's really 3XK and who knows what waiting for us in San Francisco anyways."

The car stops and their driver turns to face them. "We're here."