Disclaimer – I do not own Castle
Rick's Loft – 18:09 – Lounge Area
"Okay, see you than, Storm," Rick answered before closing his cell.
He turned back to the group that had formed in his open lounge area, the author walked back towards them. His partner's eyes following him as he stood opposite from her, his mother and daughter were in the kitchen pretending to be in conversation with one another, but he knew that they were listening in on what was going on. Rick wanted to keep them shielded from this entire operation, the less they knew, the better.
Kate was leaning against the couch for support.
Kevin and Javier were both standing opposite of Rick. The Captain was on the other side of the room, staring out the large window. Her back towards them all, her arms crossed.
After Kate and the Captain's 'conversation' before his father called, Nicole had confirmed that she doesn't know anything about her uncle and he believes her.
"Where do we go from here, Bro?" Javier asked Rick as he rejoined their space.
The author turned his attention on the two male detectives, standing side by side.
Javier's stance was tall, arms crossed. Kevin more relaxed but defeated, the look on his face mirrored the expression a child would have if they had lost their pet. To them, Rick knew he was seen as the puppy that followed their boss around, they were clueless to his background and he was planning to keep it that way, but he also knew that he would have to be a little tough on them.
Rick walked towards Kate and stopped in front of her, knowing that she didn't like a lot of PDA, also she didn't want everyone knowing that they were together. It took everything in his willpower not to pull her into his arms. Instead, he stopped approximately a meter from her, crossing his arms so they wouldn't reach out and grab her.
"I am gonna take the boys to my office. Are you going to be okay out here with her?" gesturing with his head in the direction the captain.
A smile played at Kate's lips, suppressing back the verge to laugh at her partner's coyness, it was cute. Watching Rick trying to be this serious person, something she wasn't use to, but could get use to. Knowing that this side only comes out when the occasion arises.
Which hopefully wouldn't be too often, Kate liked the playful, loving Rick, more.
"I think I can handle it, Castle," Kate assured him, patting his shoulder, suppressing her smile.
Rick grinned at her, feeling her touch on his shoulder. Their eyes locked on one another, like they were the only two in the room. Kate still hadn't removed her hand from his shoulder, now it was just sitting there.
Kevin on normal circumstance wouldn't ruin the Caskett moment that was happening before their eyes but the love of his life was missing and at the moment that took first priority, so clearing his throat.
"Earth to Castle," he shouted as he began snapping his fingers in front of Rick's face.
Causing the writer to break his gaze from his partner and turning his back to her and looking at the two men. Without another word Rick walked away from the group and in the direction of his office. A moment passed before Kevin and Javier realized that they were meant to follow him.
Kate let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head. She watched as the guys walk off towards the direction of Rick's offices before her eyes turned towards the Captain. The brunette observed her new boss, even though her back was to her. Kate knew that she was fighting a battle in her mind.
The injured detective slowly began making her way over towards the older woman. She padded barefoot along the wooden flooring, crossing the loft until she stood a few metres from the new captain.
"I know what it feels like being betrayed by someone you trust," Kate began, genuine.
The older woman in the pant suit turned. Nicole knew that the detective was trying to sympathize with her, curious to who betrayed her. She could tell it was someone close to her, her eyes told her that much. Nicole wasn't looking for a shoulder to cry on. She preferred something she could hit.
"He is like a father to me," the older woman began. "My own father, his older brother took off when I was a baby and it was Uncle Dallas that helped my mother and me, even though he was only a kid himself. Thirteen years old and he was looking after me while my mother worked to keep a roof over our head and food on the table," she divulged.
Kate didn't say a word, didn't think it was her place to say a word. She could also sense that the new captain wasn't finishing saying her piece.
"And now, you're trying to convince me that the man I look up to, is Evil?" Nicole pushed on, her voice flared with passion. "He is my hero, the reason I became a cop. Because of him I never gave up, even when life got hard, he always told me 'Even though times may be tough now, Kiddo. Somewhere else there is someone doing it worse," Nicole confessed.
Kate took a few more steps closer. The older woman dropped her gaze from the detective and looked towards the ground. Even though the younger brunette barely knew the woman standing opposite herself, she could tell that she wasn't lying, that she truly believed that her uncle wasn't the monster Kate knew he was.
Placing a hand of support on her shoulder caused the older woman to look up. "Trust me," Kate began. "I know what it feels like to find out that the person we see as a hero, which can do no wrong, commits an evil act and betrays you. That behind the cape is past scars, because they're only human. And when we find out that our hero can betray us like that, well than trust becomes damn near impossible for anyone new that comes into our lives, because we're just waiting for the betrayal all over again."
Nicole had read the file on the detective's mother, she had learn't what she could about that case because that was the reason all of this was happening. Hearing the pure honesty in the young brunette voice and seeing the pain in her eyes. She could tell that the detective carried a lot of emotional scars around with her, but she tended to keep it bottled up.
Rick's Office
The writer wanted to keep what he could about his past from the detectives, so they only saw his office, his bookcase was closed. He was standing in front of the door, both detectives standing before his desk, their backs turned to it facing him.
"Storm is on his way back, Brooks and the others are staying with Grant's sons until time for transportation. We have three hours until we have to meet him at Washington Square Park in front of the fountain and trade his sons for Lanie and Jenny," Rick began explaining to the detectives, his voice stone-cold.
"What are we just suppose to wait around and do nothing til your friend get's here!" Javier began angry. "Not gonna happen, Castle!" he spat, glaring at his friend. His partner placed a hand on his shoulder, the Hispanic tensed.
Rick knew that his friend was angry and worried. Hell he has every reason to be, from what his father told him about Dallas Grant. The man had no soul.
"You're too close to this, the both of you are," Rick kept his voice steady.
The Hispanic detective wasn't having any of it, raising his voice and poking the author in the chest. "This is our girls you're talking about, of course we're damn close. If that was Beckett out there..."
Rick was tempted to bend his hand back but instead just crossed his arms and raised his voice back at the detective. "I would move hell to earth to get the woman I love back ... but to catch Grant we have to put personal feelings aside. If we screw this up then there will be a high body count, so Storm and I will do what we have to do to get them back. If you want to be in on it, then you follow my order to the letter. Understood!" Rick demanded, glaring the Hispanic man down.
Both detectives are stunned, completely stunned. Who was this guy? Because the Richard Castle they knew never talked like this to them. Javier saw something in the writer's eyes, a darkness and determination that he has only seen in men that have served before.
"Whatever you say man," Ryan answered a little nervous. Rick and Javier were still staring one another down.
Unknown Location
Both women were sitting on the double bed that was in the windowless sandy coloured room. The light was on above their heads and the door was locked, both women were cuffed to the bed frame, hands behind their heads. So they couldn't do much but sit on the bed and stare at the door.
Jenny had finally stopped sobbing.
The medical examiner refused to shed a tear, she wasn't going to show those men any sign of weakness, even though she was terrified. She would break down as soon as she was in Javier's arms, where she knows she is safe.
Lanie was pulled from her thoughts when she heard what sound like a bolt sliding, a moment later another sound like a key turning. A moment later the door opened and standing in the doorway was an old man in his early sixties, African American with grey sprinkled through his black hair and was dressed in a black suit.
"Evening Ladies," Dallas answers smirking at them. "I hope you don't mind the bracelets? From what the delivery men told me, you were not as easy of a package as I thought you would be." He answered, looking directly at Lanie, taking a few steps into the room.
"I hope you know that you're a dead man," Lanie replied coldly. Her chocolate eyes filled with fury mixed with fear.
"And quite a mouth too, it seems," he continued with a smirk, stopping a few metres from the bed.
The M.E glared at the older man. "You and those men that attack us, have all now got targets on your heads," she assured him.
"I have this rule, never let yourself become a loose end," the older man answered, coldly.
Lanie's eyes widened, mixed with shock and fear. "You killed them! You're truly evil," she stated.
"No, if I were evil I would kill you instead of trading you both for my sons. I know Storm would kill them in a heartbeat if anything happened to either of you," Dallas answers. "But as soon as I get them back, you're all dead," he confirmed
Lanie and Jenny looked at one another shocked.
Rick's Loft - 19:03
Martha, Kate and Alexis were sitting at the breakfast bar, nursing their hot beverages while watching the men. The boys had come out of the author's office some time ago. Javier and Kevin were sitting on the couch looking up at the smart board from the writer's office.
Rick had downloaded a map of Washington Square Park from google, which now filled the large smart board.
Rick was standing in front of the white board, pointing to the sections of the park on the board, informing the male detectives in on the plan and on what was in play.
The loft door opened, Donavan entered and walked towards the group of men, noticing that Dallas's niece was standing behind the couch, watching over the detectives and his son at work.
Rick stopped what he was explaining and his gaze meets his fathers, as the former marine walked over towards his him.
"They're all set in place and waiting," Donavan informed his son. Standing next to him, the older man's blue eyes fell on the smart board. "What's she doing here?" he asked annoyed, without even looking in the Captain's direction.
Rick knew who his father was talking about. "I confiscated her phone and she hasn't left Kate or my sight since arrival," he assured.
The older version of the writer nodded. Donavan grunted but knew that his son wouldn't do anything to compromise the mission. He was a good soldier, couldn't have been great but his heart was too big.
It was the Irish detective, asking. "Man, shouldn't we have your back. I mean we're trained detectives. Why do we have to wait in the van..."
Turning towards the detectives, Donavan ordered in his usual gravel tone. "Because I said! We have too many lives in danger to worry about your egos. Trust that Rick knows what he is doing"
Kevin didn't respond, mainly because he was scared off the older man. The Hispanic detective was even more curious now about the writer than he previously was.
"Mr Storm, you plan to bring my uncle in right, even though I am finding this all hard to believe, my uncle is a good man," Nicole explains.
Donavan turned and looks at the younger female version of Dallas and answered "As long as he doesn't resist arrest" full well knowing that he would.
"I am coming along to make sure that everything goes smoothly," the Captain announced.
Donavan gave her an 'Only really' look before considering his options, a smile than played at his lips. "Okay, but you stay in the van with Detectives Esposito and Ryan until Rick gives the orders."
Nicole stared the older man down. Rick just grinned, going against his father was a losing battle.
The two male detectives who were standing side by side watch on. "Are we missing something?" Ryan asked his partner.
"Most likely," the Hispanic answered, arms folded across his chest.
Nicole locked her gaze on the older man. "I guess arguing with you is no point," Nicole asked rhetorical, both Rick and Donavan just smirked, sharing a look.
19:22
Donavan was pointing to the map and briefing the group of what was on the go. "The van will be placed here. Rick and Lieutenant Brooks will be placed here with his three sons to where Lanie and Jenny should be waiting for us. Now we believe that Dallas is going to paint Rick as a target..." before he could finish.
Donavan was cut off by his granddaughter to who was walking from the kitchen and towards him. "Gramps, you cannot let Dad walk into a trap," the red headed teen stressed.
Both Donavan and Rick looked at the blue eyed redheaded teen, her crystal eyes filled with fear. The father in both of the older blue eyed men pulled on their heartstrings.
"Lex, I would never let anything happen to your father, my son," the Australian promised.
He walked towards the youngest Castle, who was standing at the bottom of the stairs. Alexis shook her head, tears stinging her eyes. "You cannot promise that!"She cried, than took off up the stairs.
The room fell silent.
Rick was looking at the stairs, turning towards his father. "I'll go see if ..."
"I go it, Rick," were the words they slipped from Kate's mouth as she walked from the kitchen and towards the stairs.
The writer watched as his partner took the stairs one at a time, her hand holding her wound. Rick wanted to help her up the stairs but knew she needed to do this by herself and he was needed down here.
The male Detectives voices were what pulled his gaze from Kate.
"Be kind, Rewind?" the Irish Detective asked.
"Did she say Gramps?" the Hispanic man, questioned.
Both detectives and the Captain all had fixed looks of confusion on their faces. Rick and Donavan looked at one another, having a conversation with their eyes before both turning back and facing the group.
"We both recently found out there is a family connection..." Rick began to explain.
Martha entered the open lounge area. "Basically I withheld information about whom Richard's father really was, even from Donavan," the actress claimed.
Alexis Room
Kate knocked softly on the teenager's door.
She heard a muffled response. "Come in."
The brunette entered the room. It was darkly lit. Kate could see Alexis silhouette, lying on her bed crying into her pillow.
The sight tore at the brunette's heart strings. Making her way over towards the bed and then sitting down on it, beside the teen. The room was dead quiet; the only sound that could be heard was the sobbing coming from the Alexis.
Kate placed her hand on the teen's back, causing her to turn and face the injured detective.
"I'm scared Kate," Alexis voice trembled. Leaning her head on the detectives shoulder; the older woman draped her arm over the teen's shoulder, pulling her closer but being careful of her injuries. Both young women sitting against the head board of the bed, in an intimate embrace, like mother and daughter.
"Me too sweetheart," Kate confessed, kissing the top of the teens head. "Me too."
Alexis sobs for a few minutes before subsiding and asking her female role model. "Why does dad have to go as bait?"
Kate was often put in the position of giving bad news to loved ones, but it's different when it is someone you know. When you have a personal connection with them, when it's a child and somebody she cares about deeply. She saw Alexis as a daughter.
"I am not happy about this either, Lex," Kate began, her hazel green's locking on the crystal blue orbs. "But I know that your dad would never go into a dangerous situation ... Storm would never let anything bad happen to him, he would always make sure he came home to us," Kate finished, smiling at the girl.
The brunette than wiped the last falling tear from the girl's eye.
Open Lounge Area - 19:35
Kate made her way down the stairs. Rick was waiting down at the bottom, once spotting her. Her partner jogged up to meet her halfway and placed a hand on the small of her back. The brunette knew that he she needed a little assistants when handling the stairs, so she allowed his touch and even pulled Rick into a side hug and allowed him to help her down the stairs.
Reaching the bottom, Kate finally spoke up. "She'll be fine," assuring the father.
She turned to face Rick, her hands placed on his chest and looking up into his eyes. The writer snaked his arms around her waist. Without her heels, Kate was a little shorter than she usually is. Her expression was soft and a smile was tugging at her lips, the injured detective temporally forgetting that they were not alone in the room.
"I know. You'll be here to make sure of that," Rick answered gentle but serious. He watched as the smile disappeared from her lips, along with her hands removing from his chest, forcing him to unsnake his arms from around her and Kate taking a few steps back.
"I am coming with you, Castle. You cannot tell me to stay here and twiddle my thumbs waiting to hear if you're alive or not," Kate informed her partner, her eyes began to sting with tears but she blinked them back and turned her eyes from him so he couldn't tell that she was on the verge of tears.
Rick noticed the glassiness in her eyes before she turned away. He knew his partner was worried about him, but god dammit he was worried about her even more, even if that meant raising his voice slightly.
"Kate, you're injured. I know that you need to prove something to yourself by being there. But getting yourself killed or even more injured, won't prove anything," his voice filled with raw emotion.
Stepping forward, Rick placed his hand gently on her left cheek. His blue eyes filled with so much emotion. It was hard to stay mad at him, just looking into his eyes and she melted, not that she would ever admit that to anyone.
"God, I love you Kate and if anything else happened to you ... it would kill me," Rick finished sincerely.
Kate felt the warmth of his hand on her cheek, heard the honesty in his voice, saw the love in his eyes. Unlike herself, Rick was never afraid to show or tell how he felt. Kate reached for his free hand and laced her fingers with his. She might not be a great wordsmith like the great Richard Castle or always able to express how she felt out loud but in her own little way, with a simple touch. She knew that he knew what she felt.
The two stood there for a few minutes before they heard someone clearing their throat.
Donavan kept his face set in stone, not giving off any emotion, even though seeing his son and his partner that close reminded him of the early days of himself and Martha. After all those decades, the fire stilled to burned.
"We're on a deadline, Rick," the father shouted across the room towards his son.
Rick and Kate turned and looked at the small group, all eyes glued to them. The two male detectives both had their jaws gaped. The Captain reminded quiet, her face emotionless.
"I trust you," Kate whispered to him. She pulled away from him and walked towards the kitchen, towards Martha. Rick watched her go, a stupid smile on his lips. He still couldn't believe how lucky he is.