A/N1: Hello peoples and WELCOME to the fifth Chapter of Absolution titled 'Here I am' I must apologise for the length of time snce my last update but I started writing and just coudln't stop and by the time I did this chapter was thirteen thousand words long! Thanks to Bella my badass beta I've divided it in half and the other half will come ina few ddays but for the moment I hav a nice six thousand word installment for you! **Cue dance music** ha ha.

I hope you enjoy every word I had he best fun writing it!

The minute Alexis left the loft to go and pick up her friends for the dance class at the gym in SoHo, Rick locked the door behind her and retreated to his office to continue into his investigation into Johanna Beckett's murder and Kate's shooting.

Something that had become a nightly habit for him once Alexis had gone to bed or the nights Kate didn't stayed over (Which of late had been almost every night). He had a gut feeling beyond his spidey senses tingling that the 'Dragon,' the ultimate culprit to the two horrific crimes was close and that once his or her (Rick hadn't totally ruled out the bad guy being a woman, look how Sophia turned out) identity was discovered and made public the proverbial shit would hit the fan.

A deep and all encompassing love for Kate and his own quest for justice drove him and motivated him every second to bring this case to a close.

"Girl you went off!" Lanie exclaimed as the class ended with Jason allowing the group to free dance to 'Boom Boom Pow'. "Kate Beckett shake your tail feather!"

Kate blushed a deep shade of crimson. "Have fun?' she asked her friend, swiping some sweaty bangs of hair from her face.

"Oh you bet, I'm definitely coming back Friday," the M.E declared. "If I thought Javi would do it, I'd drag him along too."

Kate laughed imagining the Latino detective busting a move in the name of fitness.

"He's more the belting a punching bag type," she told her friend in amusement as Alexis and her friends shared a joke, their shrill giggles echoing around the spacious studio room. "How about we head off? I want to have an easy night off it Rick and I have that meeting with the Commissioner tomorrow morning."

Lanie's eyes widened. "The Commissioner?" she exclaimed in surprise as they leaned against the nearest wall to stretch their legs. "The big cheese? What for?"

"Gates wants us to accompany her to the meeting as she tries to convince the top brass to take Rick on as a consultant," Kate explained, naturally. "Apparently the Commissioner is all for it but the deputy commissioner isn't, and she said if Rick and I appear with her he's less likely to say no or obviously kick up in front of his boss. Gates suggested Rick wear a suit and tie and I go in my dress uniform. I think she wants to hit the deputy with her best shot."

Lanie looked impressed.

"Sounds like she's finally a member of the Rick Castle fan club," she said.

"That's what I told Rick but I'm not entirely sure he agrees with me," Kate replied, dropping to the floor and leaning forward to grab her left ankle. "She's definitely not against having him in the precinct though. If Weldon ever loses office I think Gates will be the one to keep him in the bullpen. I think for the most part her going straight to the commissioner instead the chief of detectives is so he can officially stay at the precinct after Weldon leaves office. She sees his value to the department now."

"That's great, he's not only good for you, you know," Lanie teased as she stretched her arms. "He really does know his stuff."

Kate smiled "Yeah he does."

After dropping Lanie off at her apartment Kate turned around and drove to TriBeCa, arriving at Rick's apartment building shortly after nine thirty. She parked her SUV next to the Writer's Ferrari and made her way up to the top floor where the loft was, letting herself into the homely space with her key.

"That you, Tulip?" Rick called, his voice filtering out from the bedroom.

"Yup, here I am. you decent?" Kate called back, taking off her jacket and slinging it over her arm before making her way through the loft towards the master bedroom.

"I'm always decent Katie Bear," Rick replied with a grin as she appeared in the doorway of the bedroom.

Kate rolled her eyes. "The only person allowed to call me that is Dad," she said dryly as the Writer stretched a freshly laundered sheet over the mattress of the enormous four poster bed. "If you dare call me that again you're not getting a good night kiss when its lights out."

Rick grinned as he abandoned his bed making endeavours and strode over to her.

"If I really behave myself, can I get a goodnight kiss?" he asked, wrapping his arms around her slim waist and giving her his best puppy dog eyes expression.

Kate melted. "You know if you behave yourself you'll get more than a goodnight kiss," she told him, tipping her head to the side and allowing him to brush his lips along the nape of her neck. "God you always tickle me when you do that."

Rick laughed heartily. "And I'm only kissing your neck, imagine what else would tickle if I ventured elsewhere," he said, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. "I like tickling."

"You're a pervert Richard Castle and I don't like it!" Kate declared half heartedly, pulling away from the Writer and walking into his spacious walk in robe where she hung up her jacket and dress uniform.

"Uh huh, your words may say you don't like it but your actions do," Rick countered as he expertly put a new cover on the quilt. "I learnt quite a bit about body language when I was at Quantico, you know. And your body, sweetheart screams every time you put one foot in front of the other."

"Uh huh, so what am I saying now?" Kate asked the Writer, sultrily as she strode out of the walk in robe and into the bedroom, pressing her slim frame up against his muscular one.

"The-that y-you l-like tick-ling too," Rick answered with a stammer as the female detective pushed him backwards onto the bed and climbed up straddling him. "God you should go to that gym every day. Every time you come back from that class you are hor-mmph!"

Kate cut off the Writer's ramblings by leaning down and seizing his lips with her own.

"I picked up a little surprise for us after I dropped Lanie home," she whispered, unbuttoning his shirt and pushing the fabric aside. "I ordered it several weeks ago but it's taken a while to be made and delivered."

Rick groaned as Kate leaned down and playfully bit one of his nipples.

"A-and wh-at's that?" he murmured, exhaling in a rush.

"Has Alexis gone to bed?" Kate asked, looking deep into his blue eyes.

"No, I could hear music playing when you arrived home, but she's gone up for the night if that's what you're getting at," Rick replied, resting his hands on her rounded hips and hoisting himself up slightly to kiss her sweetly on the lips.

"When she goes to bed we go to bed," Kate whispered, sitting up and stretching while giving Rick an alluring look at her midsection and navel piercing as her shirt rode up. "This is not something I want her seeing us use."

Rick's eyes sparkled. "Any clues as to what it is?" he asked, greedily watching her as she unbuttoned her shirt.

"Rick, if I gave you any clues it would ruin the surprise," Kate repeated, pulling off her shirt and undoing the clasp of her bra. "Come now, I didn't give you any clues about what I wore for our first time together and you loved that just fine. There should be no reason you won't love what I've got you tonight without any clues either."

The writer made a face. "You're a tease Katherine Beckett," he declared, sitting up and drawing one of her nipples into her mouth. "Hmm these taste nice, I'll just distract myself with them til bedtime, huh?"

Kate squirmed as Rick ran the tip of his tongue around her nipple and tugged on the piercing jewellery with his teeth.

"Mm, I like it when you do that," she moaned, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing the top of his head. "Want to spend the next couple of hours doing it?"

"If I spend a couple of hours doing this Tulip, I'm going to split the seams in my trousers," the Writer replied dryly as he ran a finger down her long pink surgical scar and bullet wound scar.

Kate made face and twisted away from the Writer.

"What?" Rick asked in surprise. "What's wrong Kate?"

"Nothing," Kate muttered, getting off Rick and turning her back on him to reach into her bag and pull out her favourite NYPD shirt. "It's nothing."

"Clearly it's not nothing," Rick said, mildly sitting up as she pulled on the shirt. "Come on Kate, I thought we were all for not lying to each other anymore. If you expect me to believe there's nothing wrong...you're on drugs."

"Dammit Rick, there's nothing wrong!" Kate snapped, grabbing her brush out of her handbag and stalking into the ensuite bathroom.

Rick buttoned up his shirt and with a sigh made his way into the bathroom standing behind Kate who was angrily yanking her brush through her hair, a scowl upon her face. He gently prised the brush from her clenched fingers and softly and affectionately began brushing her long brown tresses that by now almost reached her waist.

"Talk to me?" he requested, softly pulling the brush through her hair. "I can't promise to solve your problems sweetheart but I can at least try and make you feel better."

Kate's eyes welled with tears and her insides turned to mush as the writer. "I don't deserve you," she said thickly, swiping at her eyes hurriedly. "Really I don't."

"Kate, sweetheart, you're one of the strongest, confident most badass women I've ever met and now you pick the moment to be insecure?" Rick exclaimed in surprise. "You don't have to be insecure with me, you know that. You can tell me anything. What's wrong? Let me help you."

Kate's tears spilled over as the Writer dropped the brush on the vanity unit and wrapped his muscular arms around her. He turned her around and pulled her close. Kate snuggled into his warmth and listened to the strong thump thump thump of his heart.

"Tell me," Rick murmured after several long moments of silence. "What's wrong?"

"I don't like y-you t-touching my s-scars," the female detective whimpered. "It reminds me how I got them and that scares me. And it reminds me Mom is gone and Roy is gone and I came close to not having what I have with you. Nothing used to scare me Rick but now it does. You know I've gotten rid of my Mom's murder board because I can't face it knowing someone out there wants me dead so I can't find out they killed my Mom and had Lockwood try and kill Roy? I want to find out who killed Mom but I can't when I know they want me dead. If I died because of it, it would absolutely devastate Dad and I couldn't do that to him. He was so broken when Mom died and he couldn't handle it happening again..." she paused for a moment.

"I wouldn't want it to happen to you either," the brunette confessed.

Rick wrapped his arms around Kate more firmly. "Oh hell Kate, don't be afraid. I'm here for you I always will be," he vowed resting his chin on her head. "You shouldn't be afraid of showing me your scars. I know it's not pleasant, the way you got them but they're part of you. Sure they show you've been broken, but they also show you've healed. You've risen from the ashes and defied whoever shot you. You're a fighter."

"Sometimes it doesn't feel like it," Kate whispered. "Sometimes my job sucks and I just want to give up."

"And you're allowed to feel like that, you wouldn't be human if you didn't," Rick told her as he stroked her hair affectionately. "And why are you telling me that you don't like me touching your scars? It's been nearly three months since we started being intimate and you've let me touch them from the beginning."

"I've been caught up in the moment," Kate confessed, her face turning a magnificent shade of scarlet. "A lot of those times we've been at it the minute the door of the loft or bedroom has been locked behind us. I've not had time to think and register you've been touching them, or even seeing them. Just now I did have time to think about you touching them and it sort of gave me the willies, remembering all the times you have seen and touched them."

"How about we start slow again?" Rick suggested, turning the female detective around so she faced the enormous vanity mirror. "Take your shirt off...please," he added upon seeing her impish smile.

"You know I do believe this is the first time you've actually asked me to take my shirt off," Kate began with a nervous little giggle as she grasped the bottom of her shirt and pulled it over her head. "Normally you rip it off or yank it off me."

"And we'll get to that again another time but I want you to deal with this first," Rick murmured, running his hands up her slim sides and cupping her small breasts in his hands. "We're just going to stand here for a bit. I'm going to touch you all over but I want you to tell me when you get tense or unsure, alright?"

"You want me to give you a safe word?" Kate asked in amusement.

"Do you have one?" the Writer asked, kneading her cleavage and rolling her nipples in his fingers.

There was a short pause. "Cinnamon," Kate replied with a small giggle.

"Cinnamon?" he enquired.

"It goes the best with apples, you see..." Kate trailed off giving her Writer the sultriest look she could manage.

Rick closed his eyes and groaned softly as his entire body's blood supply headed south.

"You said that to tease me," he growled in her ear as he circled her nipples with his index fingers.

"Yes and no," the female detective whispered, turning her head and kissing him languidly.

"Hmm that feels niiiiiiiice."

"More?" Rick asked, sliding his hands down her muscular abdomen to the waistband of her jeans.

"Of course."

Rick trailed his finger tips up and down Kate's slim sides touching every inch of her creamy white skin. He tugged on each of her nipple rings and massaged her abdomen going up to then away from the bullet wound and surgery scars between her breasts

"Kate, open your eyes and look into the mirror," Rick whispered as he cupped her breasts in his hands. "You need to watch this."

Kate pulled herself from the pool of lust she was quite happily wallowing in and back to reality by looking into the vanity mirror.

Rick's hands left her breasts and his fingers began tracing the lines of her scars. "These do show bad stuff has happened to you, but they also show you've healed and come out the other side," he whispered, running the tip of his index finger from the top to the bottom of the surgery scar. "To me it shows how strong you are. How you persevere. How you never give up. You are not ugly with them Kate."

Kate's whole body tensed up as Rick's fingers left the surgery scar and circled the outline of the bullet wound.

"I really don't like this," she whispered as the Writer used his whole hand to cover the scars and massage it in small circles. "It's harder to deal with when you know its happening."

"Remember your safe word," Rick reminded her softly as he reached for the jar of cocoa body butter Kate kept at the loft and dipped his fingers into it. "I'll stop the minute you say it."

Rick spread a generous amount of the body butter over Kate's scars and set about sensually massaging it into her skin. The air was soon thick with the scent of arousal and cocoa. Kate turned her head sideways and kissed her Writer languidly, closing her eyes and relaxing til her body was soft and supple.

"How are you feeling?" Rick asked moments later as he turned her around and held her close.

"Mmmmmm, much better," Kate replied with a sleepy sigh. "Now I smell like chocolate."

"So do I because you're pressing you're gorgeous body up against mine," Rick replied. "You know if we keep doing that Kate, one day the day will come when you're going to be totally comfortable with me touching your scars. I don't want you to be unsure or afraid around me, okay?"

Kate lifted her head and looked at him through her long eyelashes. "Okay," she replied softly. "Thanks for being patient Rick, you're the best."

"No, you're the best." The Writer replied. "My beautiful Tulip."

The following morning Kate and Rick rose early for their meeting with the Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner of the New York Police Department. While Kate was in the shower, Rick pressed her dress uniform and was just starting hanging it up when his cell phone rang with 'Hit Me With Your Best Shot' the ring tone for his publicist and PR girl Paula. He unpocketed his iPhone and rested it on the top of the washing machine, putting it on speaker as he began pressing his suit pants.

"Rick Castle, your most favourite client ever!" he answered cheerfully.

"Someone got laid last night," Paula said in amusement. "How are ya sweetie?"

"Busy busy busy, you know the usual guff, just pressing my best suit at the moment. Kate and I have a meeting with the top brass of the NYPD about the force taking me on as an official consultant."

"Awesome stuff, do you want me to put together a press rel-"

"No," Rick said, firmly. "I want to keep this under wraps for the time being, at least til things are sorted out with the top brass. Plus I have to check with Greg and see if being an official NYPD consultant will interfere with my contract at Black Pawn. I read over it last night and I don't think it will but I want to make sure with an actual attorney."

"So will you be paid for it?"

"Yeah, I don't know how much or whether it'll be on a weekly or by case basis but I plan on giving the money to the Injured Officers Guild anyway. I want to do some good."

"You do, do some good Rick Castle. Don't think you don't," Paula told him. "I know this whole shadowing thing started for book inspiration and moved on because you loved Kate but I also know you do it to help her get justice for victim's families. You've got a strong moral drive, unlike what some people think."

Rick groaned. "What the hell has Gina been saying now?" he asked, annoyed. "Come on Paula don't snow me with bullshit."

"You haven't been online this morning yet, have you?"

"Paula it's only quarter to nine in the morning, of course I haven't, these days the only time I have to get online is when I get home from the twelfth. What's online?"

"Well TMZ and the OK! website have pictures of you and Kate taken yesterday in Central Park," Paula began. "The ones featured, you two feeding each other fries and kissing like the world is on the eve of destruction. Gina rang me just now and asked me quite pointedly to get you two to pull it in and behave yourself."

Rick rolled his eyes.

"Oh for fuc-really?" he exclaimed. "Really? And she couldn't have rung and asked me herself? Not that I would've told her anything but to get bent. What the hell is her beef?"

"Personally I think she's jealous."

"Of what?"

"That Kate is the woman in your life and not her," Paula went on. "Ever since the official pic's of you and Kate looking cosy at Weldon's New Years Eve party went public, she's been foul."

"I don't know why, we tried getting back together and that comeback was as successful as the Spice Girls," Rick grumbled. "And that was months ago. Kate is my girl now and no one else, screw that playboy lothario shit image I've had to put up from the beginning. I'm tired of that Paula. I'm not going to stray, Kate is the last woman I'm ever going to be with and the person I want to know that the most besides Kate is Gina. The only relationship I have with Gina now is a purely professional one, she ought to know that."

"I think she does sweetie, she just doesn't like it," Paula replied, honestly. "Don't worry I told Gina in no certain words that if she wanted you and Kate to pull your heads in, in public she has to ring you herself. I was promptly hung up on after that. For what it's worth honey, I think you and Kate being so affectionate with each other in public is refreshing. You weren't like that with Meredith or Gina."

"Yeah well neither of them were my soul mate were they?" Rick muttered, sincerely. "Kate is, I'm seriously considering taking some time off writing after the next and last Nikki Heat book goes to print, just to spend more time with her."

"Does she know that?" Paula asked in surprise.

"No, I've only just recently been considering it," Rick told her, honestly. "My contract with Black Pawn ends with Frozen Heat and for once I'd like to be able to concentrate on something other than writing. I mean I love doing it, it's the best job ever but I want to be able to write because I want to not have a deadline hanging over my head. I've got a couple of ideas for books but they can wait."

"So you want to shadow Kate full time?"

"Yeah that would be nice," Rick replied, pressing a wrinkle out of his dress pants. "Or I might just go and live in the Hamptons for a while, Alexis goes to college in the fall and I'd like to just bum around doing nothing for a bit. I've told Gina once my contract ends with Black Pawn I'm not going to immediately renew it til I have a manuscript written."

"You've been thinking ahead, I'm impressed," Paula told the Writer. "But ringing to tell you about Gina's latest grump isn't my primary reason for calling. I do actually have more interesting subjects to discuss."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, well you know it's Literature and Reading Week from next week don't you?"

"Yes," Rick replied.

"Well every day next week The View wants to feature an author on the show and today the executive producer rang me and asked if you'd like to be on the show? Jodi Piccoult had to drop out. And anyways she doesn't have a book coming out this year, you do. I thought it might be a good bit of publicity for you, interested?"

"Yeah, sure why not?" Rick agreed amiably. "I haven't been on that show since Heat Wave, sure sign me up and email me the details."

"Brilliant stuff sweetie, thanks a lot. I'll get back to you," Paula replied as the line started beeping. "Ah that's my end I'll be in touch, alright?"

"You got it see you soon."

"Bye!"

When Paula hung up Rick placed the iron in its bracket then seized his iPhone and rattled off an angry text to Gina.

'It is none of your business that Kate and I are physically affectionate in public. You had no right to go to Paula and demand we 'pull it in'. Just because I'm with Kate does not mean you have the right to tell us how to behave. It didn't work out for us twice,so stop with the petty jealously. It's getting tiring. You're my editor and publishing agent and our relationship is PURELY professional, nothing more. Grow up and contact me directly next time you have a beef instead of going behind my back -Rick.

"Damn Gina," He muttered once the delivery report had gone through.

"What's she done now?" Kate asked, surprising him as she slid her arms around his waist.

Rick momentarily closed his eyes and leaned into her embrace. "She rang Paula and demanded we, you and me, keep public displays of affection to a minimum." Rick replied turning around and pulling the female detective close to him. "Apparently we were followed by the paparazzi again yesterday and pictures of us kissing are all over the TMZ and Ok! home pages."

Kate groaned. "Again?" she exclaimed. "And we've got the meeting with the top brass today, they would've seen them too!"

"Yeah I know but there's not much we can do about it," Rick replied with a sigh as he took Kate's uniform from the hook on the back of the laundry door and held it out to her. "It doesn't affect how you do your job or how I do my bit in helping you do that job, the top brass should see that. Gates knows it's the case and she's one of the most respected personnel in the whole NYPD, people respect what she says."

"Hm it'd still be easier if we were going in with a clean slate," Kate told him. "Alright I'm going to put this on, we'll head off soon alright?"

"Got it sweetheart."

Rick brushed his teeth and hair before he dressed in his smartest suit, carefully knotting the black tie around his neck which rested on the dark plum shirt under his jacket. Kate smiled and zipped the bag containing a more casual change of clothes for them each before approaching him and smoothing down his lapels.

"You look really smart," she said affectionately, adjusting his tie. "Very spiffy."

"Spiffy?" Rick replied, raising an eyebrow in surprise. "I thought I was ruggedly handsome. Alexis used to call me spiffy whenever I dressed up to go out when she was small."

"You are ruggedly handsome and ruggedly spiffy too," Kate replied with a giggle as she put on her cap. "How do I look?"

"Wonderful," the Writer replied, softly brushing her cheek with the pad of his thumb. "Though I can't help but recall the last time I saw you in your dress uniform, I hope I won't have to see anything like that again."

Kate cupped Rick's face in her hands, kissing him softly on the lips.

"You won't," she told him softly. "I'm not going to do anything to put myself in that position again, Rick. I love you too much."

A huge lump formed in the back of the Writer's throat and he swallowed with difficulty.

"I love you too Tulip," he whispered, returning the kiss with a little more desperation. "Let's go huh? Shock the boys with you turning up in your dress threads, might get Espo to take a pic of us together."

"You're not going to ask Esposito anything of the sort," Kate muttered as she hoisted up their bag and her handbag. "You have quite enough pictures of us together, thank you very much."

"Aw not even for me, Tulip?" Rick pleaded adorably as they left the loft.

Kate's insides melted into a puddle of mush. He was so adorable when he begged!

"I'll consider it," she said firmly, pocketing her keys. "You're adorable when you, beg you know."

The Writer's eyes sparkled. "Would you like me to do it more often?" he asked her, cheekily spanking her backside.

"Behave yourself Writer Monkey!"

At quarter past ten Rick and Kate arrived at the twelfth precinct and immediately began attracting attention due to their smart appearance.

"Who are you two trying to grease up?" MJ the desk sergeant joked to Kate as the pair progressed through the lobby.

Kate tapped the side of her nose with a grin. "The Boss." was all she revealed.

"You look good, you know," Rick told Kate moments later as they got into the elevator. "Very badass."

Kate smiled and lowered her eyes. "Thanks," she mumbled, lacing her fingers through his. "I'm not big on putting on my dress uniform, it feels too pretentious sometimes. I hope Gates thinks I've scrubbed up alright."

"Trust me she will," Rick assured the worried detective, giving her hand a squeeze. "You look perfect Tulip. There are no creases on your uniform and your service medals are so shiny the reflection is hurting my eyes. Do you clean them every day? And I'm guessing by the smell, you put so much hairspray in your hair not one hair will ever dare think about falling out of place."

Kate rolled her eyes. "Ha ha," she retorted dryly. "I just want to make a good impression. It's a big deal meeting the Commissioner."

"I know it is," Rick replied solemnly, pressing a reassuring kiss to her cheek. "You'll knock his socks off, I'm more worried about the impression I'm going to make. I'm not a cop and I follow you around the inner sanctum. It's going to be more awkward for me."

"Everybody loves you Rick, you've got a very warm personality. You won over me, you can win over anyone." Kate told the Writer, biting her lower lip and giving him a coy little smile.

"Yeah but I'm not entirely sure the tactics I used to win you over is going to work on the Commissioner and his deputy," Rick replied with a chuckle as the lift ascended to the fourth floor. "Presenting the big cheese of the NYPD with a bunch of roses, some fancy chocolates and a teddy bear with 'Be my valentine' on it, might not go over well."

Kate laughed.

"You're funny." she said with a contented sigh.

"All the girls say that."

"Ha!"

A moment later the elevator arrived on the fourth floor the heavy doors opening up revealing the usual early morning bustle of the homicide department's bullpen. Once again the pair immediately began attracting attention due to their dressed up appearance.

"Beckett?" Detective Trevor Eggerstrom exclaimed in surprise, stopping in his tracks as he spied his colleague in her dress uniform. "Is that you? Jesus I haven't seen you in your dress threads since, well Roy's funeral."

"I know," Kate said dryly, addressing the veteran homicide detective. "Got to do some sucking up today and Gates wanted me to dress the part."

"Looking good, I'm sure you'll knock the socks off whomever you're trying to suck up to."

"Thanks."

"You're not going to let on who you're meeting with?" Rick asked as they made their way further into the bullpen.

"No, he doesn't need to know. I'll tell Kevin and Javi though, I know they won't blab."

"Yo, h-dress uniform?" Esposito greeted Kate in surprise. "Wow been a while since I've seen you in those."

"Who are you trying to grease up?" Ryan chimed in with a cheeky grin.

"The Commissioner," Kate said furtively as she dropped down into her chair and unlocked the secure drawer of her desk. "And the deputy."

"The top brass?" Ryan yelped. "Are you kidding?"

"SHHHHH!" Kate hissed. "Yes Kevin, the top brass. Gates has a meeting with the Commissioner and his deputy at eleven thirty about bringing Rick on as an official consultant on the pay roll and everything and she wanted us both to dress up. Him in a suit and tie and me in dress uniform."

"Something about making a good impression, she said." Rick added as he sat down at his own desk.

"Everybody loves you bro, you'll get by the Commissioner easy." Esposito assured the Writer confidently.

"That's what I said," Kate told them, removing her purse from her handbag and pocketing it. "According to Gates the one we have to worry about is the deputy commissioner, he's the ass kissing rank climber, apparently."

Ryan and Esposito snorted with laughter.

"Gates called the deputy commissioner an ass kissing rank climber?" Ryan chortled. "Iron Gates?"

"Yup, twice in yesterdays conversation and I know she's said the same thing to Rick at least once," Kate replied, locking her desk drawer.

"Well the meeting you have with top brass explains why Gates has gone with the dress threads as well," Esposito informed his colleague. "She must really want to get you on the books, Writer Boy."

"We all do and we have for years," Ryan revealed, sitting on the corner of the Writer's desk. "You're more than just a funny joke and great coffee."

"Thanks guys."

"Anytime."

"Well we better let Gates know we're here," Kate said with a sigh as she got to her feet. "We'll let you know how things get on, alright boys?"

"Got it," Esposito replied.

"We'd wish you luck but you don't need it," Ryan called after them. "Just kick ass."

"Thanks Kevin."

"It's great you have two friends like that, you know," Rick told Kate as they strode over to Gates' office and she knocked on the door. "They have your back, don't they?"

"Yeah they're the best," Kate said affectionately. "Apart from you I wouldn't want to work with anyone else. You three are my boys."

"Come in!"

Kate twisted the door knob of Gates' office door and entered her superior's office with Rick close behind. The author shut the door behind them and took his place by his girl.

Gates looked up from the paperwork in front of her and studied the pair before her.

"Morning Sir, reporting for duty." Rick greeted the older woman with a salute and the cheesiest grin he could manage.

Kate's businesslike exterior instantly evaporated and she roared with laughter, bending over sightly from the effort. Gates rolled her eyes good naturedly as the ghost of a smile drifted across her lips.

"Good to see you're in a good mood this morning Mr Castle," she told the writer, closing the folder in front of her and tucking it under her arm. "You both look very presentable. If the Commissioner and his deputy say no to you joining us officially, they've got no soul."

"There's some debate about that with the Deputy Commissioner, isn't there Sir?" Kate asked with a grin.

Gates raised her eyebrows but grinned. "That is your opinion detective but know this, most of the NYPD just call him an ass kissing rank climber." The older woman replied. "But I suppose you could add soulless to that."

Kate just sniggered.

"Well let's head off, the Commissioner like's people he meets with to be prompt," Gates continued. "After you."

Rick led the way exiting Gate's office first and waiting in the hallway til Kate and Gates followed. He held his hand out for Kate and she wordlessly laced her fingers through his as Gates locked her office and led the way down the hallway to the elevator. Ryan and Esposito caught their eye and flashed them with double thumbs up mouthing the words 'Good luck',

"So what's the plan for today?" Kate asked Gates as they got into the elevator and began the journey back down to the parking garage.

"Well when we arrive at headquarters, I'll introduce you and Mr Castle then open the conversation," Gates began. "This folder with contents of which I've been compiling over the last few weeks is hardcopy evidence of all the cases you two have worked together. This is primarily for the deputy commissioner's benefit. Then I plan on steering the conversation towards you giving your own reasons for Mr Castle joining the precinct and how he helps you with the case etcetera. I'm confident you can give a convincing story."

"I hope so," Kate replied, giving Rick's hand a squeeze and flashing the Writer a small smile. "How are we getting to headquarters, the Crown Vic?"

"No...we'll go in my car," Gates answered. "It's closest to the exit and I want to be on time to this meeting. Besides if you take a squad car you're on call and I told dispatch you're out til three, let's go."

A/N2: Well there you go peoples I hope you iked it there's more to come in the next part. Story/Author and Favourite author alerts are awesome but reviews are awesomer!...lol

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