Disclaimer – Nope, Castle's not mine.
A/N - I would love to hear what people think of the re-edit :0)
Rick's Room – 13:17
Finally needing air Kate pulled back, locking eyes with the owner of the magnificent lips she had just tasted. Her arms still looped around his neck and his arms gently resting on her hips, now facing each other sitting on the end of the bed. Both faces flushed from the heated make out session, only moments before. Neither moving from the intimate embrace, neither wanting to move either, this was new territory for both partners.
"Where does this leave us?" Rick cautiously asked. His eyes not leaving hers, a smile twitched at her lips.
She could see the nervousness in his eyes and hear it in his voice. Kate herself was also a little scared; this was a big step for the both of them. If it didn't work, they would both be left heartbroken. But Royce's words kept echoing throughout her mind. 'Risking our hearts is why we're alive; you don't want to look back on your life and wonder 'If Only'. Leaning forward, she placed a simple kiss on his lips, which surprised him but left a smile lingering on his lips. Looking back into his eyes, only a few inches between their faces she finally answered sincerely.
"Together, but I wanna take this slow" she answered, detaching her arms from around his neck and sliding her hands down, resting them on his firm chest. "I want this to be just ours for now before everyone gets involved and the media complicates things," Kate reasoned.
"They already think we're married," he pointed out.
Kate leaned her head forward on his chest groaning, before pulling back and chewing on her bottom lip for a moment before answering. "We'll fix it. Tell them that the rumour of us being married was for an undercover assignment and the reason you didn't correct the hospital was because you were still in shock over your partner being shot and you wanted to be by my side," Kate suggest in one long breath.
Rick leaned in capturing her lips for a quick kiss, which she happily allowed. Pulling back, the writer smiled at his beautiful detective. "I would tell them anything if it meant that I could kiss you whenever I want," he declared.
Kate looked at him with a 'oh really' look, suppressing back a grin.
"I mean whenever you want," he corrected, slightly worried.
The thought of kissing Rick whenever she wanted did sound appealing at the moment.
Kate let a chuckle escape her lips before answering, straightforward. "Just don't call me babe and everything will be fine," she assured him. Rick tucked the loose strand of hair that had fallen in front of her face behind her ear.
Feeling his touch against her skin sent a shiver through her entire body. Those blue eyes filled with such pure emotion. "I think I can handle that, beautiful," Rick whispered against her soft lips before capturing them again.
Kate's mind went foggy and she couldn't even think clearly. The kiss deepened and their tongues battled for dominance, a moan escaping her lips again and her body tingling all over.
Lounge Area
Donavan had Martha in his arms. His old flame was sobbing into his chest, the moment that he watched his son storm out of the room, he was right behind him. Thank god for Kate though, she stopped Rick from saying anything too hurtful towards his mother.
As soon as Kate had seen him walking towards Martha, she ran after Rick so Donavan knew that Martha would need him. When he walked over towards her, she looked frighten of what he might do or say.
She was a little surprised when he pulled her into his arms. That's when she began sobbing again. She needed support right now and even though he was angry at her for lying to him for the last thirty-nine years. He loved her and seeing in pain, ached at his heart.
After a few minutes the actress sobbing subsided and she pulled back from Donavan's embrace. He just shifted his hands from her back and slid them down to rest on her waist, like he wasn't letting her go.
Martha's red rimmed eyes looked into his deep blues. "Why don't you hate me?" the upset older woman asked.
He looked at her benevolent; his toned genuine. "Because you were doing it to protect our son from heartache. I have had a feeling for a long time that Rick was mine, that you lied to keep him safe. I knew how you felt about me fighting over there, it was the reason we went our separate ways to begin with. I was grateful that you let me be a part of his life, even if it was only from the side lines. You could have told me to stay away but you didn't," Donavan answered.
Martha placed a hand on his cheek, giving him a sad smile.
Donavan continued, keeping his voice steady. "I knew in my previous line of work that I didn't have guarantees of coming home every time. Rick and you were the only things that kept me alive over there, knowing that I had to make it back to see you. I am in love with you, beautiful." He confessed, his voice think with emotion.
Martha was tired of shielding her heart from pain. She had actually put it through more by trying to protect it. Donavan removed his hand for her hips and bought them up to her face, cupping it. Eye's locked on one another as he lowered his lips to hers. The actress didn't heisted, the instant moment there lips touched. The old spark was re-lit.
Rick's Room – 13:22
Once again both pulling back for some much needed oxygen, both grinning like teenagers that just shared their first kiss, even though technically that wasn't their first kiss or second.
Kate rested her head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat, closing her eyes and just soaking up the moment.
A minute passed before reality hit her and the reason why they were in here to begin with. Taking a deep breath Kate pulled herself back from the writer's chest and locked eyes with him."Forgive her Rick," she whispered.
Rick's eyes instantly darkened and his expression stiffened. It was still a sore subject which caused Rick to hop up from the bed and look away.
Kate felt for him, she really did but she also knew that the Castles were a close bunch; they gave her hope for happiness and seeing them hurting, pained her. As the brunette carefully stood up, feeling slightly sore, she walked over towards her partner, placing her hand on his shoulder, his eyes averted.
"Life is too short to hold onto Hate, Rick." She began, quoting her mother.
Rick fixed his eyes back on his beautiful detective.
Kate took a breath before continuing, trying to keep her voice steady but like always when she talked about her mother, it pained her. "Mom use to tell me 'There is no room in your heart for hate, live simply, forgive quickly and loved unconditionally." She finished as a few tears fell freely, causing Rick to automatically rush to her side and pull her into his arms.
As Rick held the woman he loved in his arms, kissing her forehead as Kate wrapped her arms around him and resting her head on his chest. "You're amazing, you know that," he whispered.
"You're not bad yourself," she answered not even bothering to move her head that was now comfortably resting on his firm chest. The two just stood there in one another's arms, just holding onto that moment.
Lounge Area
Alexis was sitting at the top of the stairs out of sight, peering down into the lounge area. After hearing shouting and coming to investigate, the seventeen-year-old watched the entire scene play out before her eyes.
The teen wasn't sure what to do; it was like she was frozen in the spot and not able to move. She was worried about her father but Kate was with him, it was kind of sweet hearing her grandmother and Donavan confess their love to one another. Alexis was lost in her thoughts until she heard Donavan's voice call.
"Didn't your dad teach you it's rude to ears drop?" he asked. Donavan and Martha were walking towards the bottom of the stairs; arms snaked around each other's waists. Alexis started descending them.
"He actually encourages it," the teen answers innocently as she stopped at the bottom.
Donavan let out a chuckle, grinning. Yep, that sounded like Rick alright. His gaze fell on the teen who was rubbing her arm nervously, chewing at her bottom lip. "So you're dad's dad, does that mean I can call you Gramps instead of Uncle, Now?" Alexis asked, cautiously.
The older man placed his free hand on the nervous teen's shoulder, smiling at her. "I'd be honoured Lex," Donavan answered.
Then teen flew into the older man's arms, pulling him into a tight hug. Martha released him and watched her granddaughter with her son's father. It was her son and the detective that caught her eyes a moment later, as they re-entered the room and headed their way.
Rick and Kate were standing side by side, practically glued at the hip but were not touching, even though the back of their hands brushed with nearly every step.
The partners stopped a few metres from the rest of the family, who were all congregated at the bottom of the steps. Seeing his father and daughter hug caused a smile to tug at the writer's lips.
Wow - father, even thinking about Donavan in that term still surprised him. Of course Rick had thought about the former marine being his father for decades but it actually being a reality, just stunned him a little.
Alexis spotted her father over her newly founded grandfather's shoulder, looking at him concerned. "Dad" the teen announced causing Donavan to turn around and look at his son.
The room had fallen silent, as both men looked at one another. No one knew what to say. What do you say in a moment like this? How do you react?
"Richard," Martha finally spoke up.
Her eyes were pleading for him to look at her, which after a moment the author's eyes shifted from his father to his mother. His face was still, jaw clenched. It was Kate lacing her fingers with his that seem to break the ice and his expression softened.
Having his beautiful detective standing beside him and willing to prove to him that she was there for him with the intimate gesture, meant a lot to him. Rick had heard the reason why his mother did what she did. Along with Donavan and if he could forgive her, so could Rick.
"I'm sorry mother," Rick finally spoke up.
His mother looked at him, bewildered. "For what? I am the one who kept this secret from you, the one who lied to you for the last thirty-nine years," Martha confessed.
Rick felt Kate squeeze his hand, letting him know once again that she was here for him, the writer turned and face his inspiration. "A beautiful woman reminded me 'There is no room in your heart for hate, live simply, forgive quickly and loved unconditionally'." He answered with a heartfelt smile.
Kate's cheeks were tinted pink, hearing him repeat her mother's words just makes her love him more.
"Oh Richard," his mother answers softly then turning her attention to the brunette. It was the young redhead that looked from her father to the detective.
"Wait, are the two of you..." Alexis began asking, enthused.
Kate turned from Rick to his daughter, feeling really nervous all of a sudden. Four sets of blue eyes were now looking at her. All waiting for an answer, her partner was biting his tongue, curious to what she would say.
Kate knew that The Castle's shared everything with one another, well besides Martha big secret. Knowing that they had a right to know and if asked would keep it a secret for now.
"Yes," Kate finally admitting, bitting down on bottom lip.
The teenager let out a loud squeal and jumped forwards pulling Kate into a hug causing Rick to drop her hand, the teen squeezed a little too tight causing Kate to intake a sharp breath and gasp. Alexis immediately pulled back, letting go off the detective, her crystal blue eyes filled with distraught. "Oh god, Kate. I am so sorry, I didn't mean to hug so tight. I didn't think I ..." the teen began apologizing, her eyes becoming a foggy as a few tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Alexis, I'm okay," the older woman explained to the teen, wiping the tears from her face. Kate could see that Alexis was highly upset thinking she really hurt her, yes she had felt some pain with the tight hug but the brunette didn't want the teen thinking that she did something to physically hurt her.
Kate gave the girl a warm smile to prove that she was okay, ignoring the tinge of pain that was coursing through her at the moment.
"Are you sure I didn't hurt you? You look pale," Alexis asked, her voice filled with apprehension.
Rick turned his attention to his partner; his blue eyes darken as he took in her appearance. She did look a little pale. Why hadn't he noticed this before? She wasn't getting sick was she? Maybe he should take her to the hospital.
"I am fine Rick, stop worrying," Kate gently told him. He raised an eyebrow because he hadn't said a word. Could she read his mind? He shook the idea off, focusing back on the brunette as she gave him a genuine smile but he could see the pain in her eyes.
Giving her a firm look he asked. "Have you taken any pain pills at all today, Kate?"
Kate felt like she was getting questioned by the principal.
Now that her and Rick were together, she didn't want to lie to him. Dropping her eyes to her feet and chewing on her bottom lip, the brunette mumbled. "I can handle a little pain, Rick." Kate felt her chin being lifted, the next thing she saw was Rick's eyes looking at her with trepidation.
"Kate you need the pills, you shouldn't have to handle the pain" Rick's answered with raw emotion.
Kate knew that her partner cared deeply for her, even loved her. His confession was evident of that. Ever since her mother's death she had shielded her heart, keeping a barb wired fence around it because the risk of it getting broken was too big. But then she met Rick and slowly the fence was taken down.
Seeing the concerned look in Rick and Alexis eyes touched Kate heart, the brunette knew that the Castle's were the best thing that has walked into her life in a really long time. Sure at first she had found Rick highly annoying and strongly disliked when he investigated her mother's past without her permission but as time passed, Kate learnt that just who Rick is. He has the biggest heart and that's why sometime he does before he thinks, she couldn't really blame him for caring too much. He just wanted to ease her pain.
Kate turned, facing him and took hold of his hand. She laced their fingers through his. "Okay, I promise to take the pills if I feel pain."
Rick bought her hand to his lips and placed a kiss on the top of it. "That's all I ask," he answered smiling at her. Kate couldn't help but smile back. Rick's smiles were always contiguous.
"Aaaawww" came from both little castle and momma castle, who were watching them.
Donavan was standing in between the two and just chuckled as he shook his head.
Kate all of a sudden felt very hot, she wasn't use to being watched and awed at it like this. So clearing her throat, she announced. "Um I'll be in the study," not waiting for them to answer she let go of the Rick's hand and went into the direction of his office.
Rick's Office
As soon as father and son entered the office, Rick closed the door behind them, then turned and looked at his partner. She seemed a little on edge.
"Where do we go from here? The longer this guy is out there the more time he has to plan an attack and I don't know what I would do if anything happened to any of you," she revealed in one long breath.
Rick looked from Kate to his father, the older male held his gaze steady. The two held their contact and talked with their eyes, like they had many times before on missions, decades ago.
The older version of her partner than turned his attention towards her.
"We have to wait until he comes out of hiding, if we make a move before then, we could risk endangering someone else's life, not to mention Grant getting away with what he did. This guy is smart, Kate. I know waiting around sucks but it is how a sniper is trained. They study their target before they take the shot so they don't make a mistake," Donavan explained, deadpanned.
Kate didn't like to wait; it made her feel like bait to a trap, just waiting for the claws to snap and take her away from everything she loves. But she knew that Donavan was right, if they moved to soon then they would give the traditor the opportunity to make his move. Who knew how deep this thing ran? Who he had in his pocket?
"What if we take him out and then someone else comes after us? Do we even know how deep this thing runs? What if it doesn't end? Do we even know who he has under his control?" the brunette questioned. She turned towards Rick and answered. "You're the one who told me that we cannot win this. What if you're right? What if we're fighting a losing battle?" she finally asked.
Rick could sense that Kate was scared, hell so was he. His entire family was in danger, the writer was tempted to sign them all in witness protection but what would that solve. They would just be running and in hiding for the rest of their lives and never see their loved ones again and doing that, Dallas Grant would win.
"I know Grant and I know that once we take him out, this will end. He is smart enough not to involve anyone in this because then they could turn the tables on him and bribe him. The ones involved were to frighten of him to say anything, the fear Grant would have held over them, threatening their loved ones. Things were going good until your mother got involved and when he got wind of her re-opening the case involving the dead FBI agent, that's when he would have hired a soulless human like Lockwood to do his dirty work. I doubt Lockwood even knows who hired him, just that he was powerful. It was Lockwood's job to make sure this stayed buried, that's why your mother and anyone involved was taken out and the cops that were in pocket wrote it off as 'Random Gang Violence' and it was swept under the rug". Donavan theorized.
The room was quiet for a few minutes as what the former marine sniper had just said was being absorbed in by the detective and writer.
"What about his niece or sons, they're all in the force. How do we know that they haven't all been compromised?" the female detective questioned.
"We'll soon find that out. I cannot see Dallas bringing them in on it before now. He wouldn't put family at risk like that. From what Rick has told me about Hal Lockwood, the guy was a monster, the kind that would kill in cold blood and it wouldn't affect him. Knowing that I highly doubt Dallas would get family involved, it does seem odd that he put his niece as the new Captain at the 12th but from reading her service record, she earned that position." Donavan answered.
Kate still didn't like it, she still remembers the captain coming in to the hospital and informing her that she is assigning her to a new partner. Saying that Rick couldn't protect her like a real partner could, like hell. That writer has been there for her more times than Kate would like, protecting her more times then she would have liked and now since she knew his background, it didn't shock her why he had always protected her.
"Wait, what did you mean by 'We'll soon find out' ... how?" the brunette questioned the older man.
Donavan smirked, he was curious to when his son partner would catch onto that. "This morning when Grant took that shot, he went too far. So to even the stakes, I might have sent some men to grab his sons and take them to one of my safe houses for safe keeping," Donavan answers casually.
Rick stood in place beside Kate, explaining. "They might also ask the sons a few questions, while in their custody."
Both father and son seemed pretty proud of themselves. Kate's eyes darkened with apprehension. She knew that the both of them had more training then her but was that such a wise thing to do.
"Are you trying to piss him off? That will just make him come after you!" the detective began, as she studied the expressions on their faces, realization hit the detective. "That's what you're hoping. You want Grant to come after you, hoping he will drop his guard. That's one hell of a gamble" Kate finished, hesitant.
Rick placed his hand on her shoulder, causing her to turn to face him. "Kate, you have to trust that we know what we're doing," Rick answered deadpan.
Kate placed her hand over his hand that was resting on her shoulder. "I do, I'm just scared," she confessed. "What if something goes wrong, Rick? I can't lose you," she whispered.
Rick could see the fear forming in the brunette's eyes, wanting to reassure her, the writer enclosed the space in between them and pulling her into a hug. She responded by wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her head on his chest.
This was her safe place, in Rick's arms.
"You won't. Now that I have, I am never letting go." Rick whispered in her ear.
12th Precinct – 14:02 - Captain's Office
Nicole was sitting behind her desk staring through the blinds and looking out at the nearly empty bullpen. Ever since she had arrived at the 12th, the mood had been somber. Not that she blamed anyone. They had just lost their captain, a highly respected man in the force.
Nicole hadn't gotten the chance to meet him but heard only good things about him.
Everyone was a little on edge today, especially after the shooting at the novelist apartment building this morning, from what she had gather, all the cops and detectives here at the 12th loved the writer.
Over the last eight days since arriving at the precinct, she had heard numerous stories about Rick and Kate. Apparently there were bets going on when the two would get together, even the previous Captain was in on it.
Nicole had been informed by the Mayor and Commissioner about Richard Castle's reason for being here, also that he had basically signed his life away to the 12th. She had also seen the closing rate on the cases of Detective Beckett's team; they were good and had improved ever since the writer began shadowing Detective Beckett.
Nicole had interviewed both of Kate's team members a few days ago. Both thought highly of the writer. Detective Esposito even told her that the writer had changed Kate, that he made her life a little more fun. Her gaze dropped back down to the file that she had been reading, the Captain was familiarizing herself with Johanna Beckett's murder. It was the reason the Kate became a cop and the Captain was curious.
Morgue
As Detective's Esposito and Ryan entered the Morgue, they took in their surroundings.
The morgue always smelt like death mixed with strong cleaning products and felt cold. If Kevin had to be honest with himself, he would admit that this was the part of the job he strongly disliked. The part where they see the bodies, even at the crime scenes because even though it was his job, it sucked because he meant a life had been taken.
The Irish detective actually admired Lanie for her job because she was around death basically twenty-four seven and yet she still remained positive. That takes a lot of strength to face death all day and manage to still stay positive and happy.
The two detective stopped on the right side of the autopsy table, Lanie was opposite from them, the body was on the table covered from the stomach down by a white cloth.
Lanie had finished the autopsy on Lance Diaz.
From what they had gathered from his file, Lance was thirty eight, from Newyork but was based in Queensland, Australia. Worked for a private security company called Storm Security, Storm Security has business all over the world but is based in Australia.
Lance had been living in Australia for ten years now, after he left the marine's he moved to Australia and started work at Storm Security pretty much right away. He was married, has a wife and two twin boys - five years old. Rick had informed them that he would make the call.
Lanie had noticed as soon as the detectives entered her domain. She was dressed in her rose coloured scrubs and had her clipboard in hand. She was finishing writing up the autopsy report on the deceased. Since they knew how this guy died, the autopsy had been pretty straightforward and since they got to him pretty much straight away. She was able to remove all of his organs in pretty good condition, except his heart. That is what the bullet had pierced.
Lance Diaz was an organ donor, so she sent off all his usable organs to the hospital, even though his life was taken, hopefully he could save another.
"Hey guys ... just finished the autopsy on your boy here. Pretty straight forward since his death was on television," Lanie answered low-spirited. Her boyfriend had made his way around to her side, snaking an arm around her waist and pulling her closer.
The medical examiner hugged the clipboard, resting her head on his chest and letting out a sigh. "God, watching that scared the hell out of me today," Lanie admitted.
"Yo sé que mi amor (I know my love)" Javier whispered in Spanish.
"Castle wasn't the target. The shooter was just trying to send a message, this guy was just Collateral damage," Kevin explained.
Lanie lifted her head from Javier's chest and looked across at the Irish detective, angry.
"Collateral damage. That is a human life you're talking about Kevin!" she began, her eyes getting misty. "How can someone do that, just take someone life like it means nothing? One moment they're here, the next they're gone. What kind of person does it take to make that choice? Think they can play god?"
"That is something we try to figure out on a daily basis, Cariño," Javier offered as he placed a kiss on the top of her head.