A/N1: Hello folks and WELCOME to the 23rd Chapter of Absolution titled 'It All Comes Out' I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it!
"God, you're going to kill me one day. Y'know that?" Rick heaved after he and Kate recovered from a rather vigorous sleepy morning sex session. "Christ."
Kate giggled and hooked her legs around his hips holding him in place. "I could think of a hundred more unpleasant ways to go than in the throes of passion," she divulged, giving him a wanton look and wiggling her breasts a little to tease him. "What d'you think, hmmm?"
Rick groaned. "Yup, you're going to kill me," he murmured, capturing one of her nipples into his mouth and teasing the hardened nub with his tongue. "God, I love you."
Kate shivered and ran her fingers through his bed mussed hair. "I love you too," she echoed, kissing him languidly on the lips. "Wish we could stay like this all day but we're probably going to be needed at the precinct."
"Can I interest you in an interlude in the shower?" Rick murmured against her neck as he suckled upon the bright red hickey just below her ear. "I've had a good night's sleep and I have a lot of energy to expend."
Kate rolled her eyes. "Not subtle Castle." she told him dryly as he slipped from her depths.
"Subtlety has never been my strong point, sweetheart. You of all people should know that after all this time," Rick said cheekily, leering at her back which was covered in bite marks and hickeys. "God, you look like you've got leprosy. It would take me all afternoon to count all the bite marks and hickeys on your back."
"Hmm, well maybe tonight there will be time to count the marks," Kate purred, turning around in all her naked glory. "Not how about that shower?"
Just as Rick and Kate were leaving their room at the Waldorf Astoria, Kate's phone rang with "YO, IT'S ESPOSITO! YO, IT'S ESPOSITO! YO, IT'S ESPOSITO!" the ringtone Kate had especially created for her Latino colleague.
"Beckett," she answered smartly.
"Yo, it's Espo. Where are you and Writer Boy?" the male detective inquired.
"At the Waldorf Astoria, we're about to leave for he precinct," Kate replied. "Why?"
"You might want to go via the apartment block, the feds have turned up and totally taken over the investigation," Esposito explained. "The FBI Bomb Response squad are here, their CSU van is next to that and their ME took the body away from the scene about half an hour ago. At the moment all the NYPD are doing is monitoring the cordon tapes and keeping the media at bay. Its big news that a bomb went of 'at the home of acclaimed author Richard Castle and his muse' apparently-"
Kate swore. "Great, now that means we're on the outer," she grumped. "Why are you ringing me if the feds have things covered?"
"The lead investigator wants to interview you and Castle seeing as you're assisting the first in the murder investigation."
"Hang on...are the feds investigating the fire or the body at the scene?"
"I don't know, they wouldn't say," Esposito answered. "I'm sorry detective. I am unable to reveal the details of the investigation at this point in time'. He quoted. "Slimy bastard. Is there a Special Agent out there who isn't an up himself asswipe?"
Kate couldn't help but laugh at her friend's joke. "Alright, Castle and I will be by soon Espo. See you then."
"You got it, Chica."
"The FBI is at the scene?" Rick inquired keeping his face steady as he and Kate strode down the hallway to the elevator. "What for?"
Kate made a face. "I don't know," she said. "But according to Espo they've taken over the entire crime scene investigation, their CSU and Bomb response teams are there and their ME took the body at the scene away half an hour ago. Apparently all the NYPD are doing is monitoring the cordoned off area and keeping the media throng at bay. Evidently, the fact our house was blown up last night is big news. Now that the feds are involved we'll be reduced to shit kickers, if past experience is anything to go by."
"Well if it's any consolation last time we had a case involving the feds, they did actually let us help," Rick reminded her as they arrived at the elevator. "You never know, they might do the same this time."
Kate scoffed as she pressed the down button. "I doubt it," she said doubtfully. "Remember I was with a federal agent once, I know how they operate. They don't like to let lower jurisdictions help unless it's absolutely and totally necessary. We'll be the ones to do all the interviewing if there's a list of suspects a mile long and they'll be the ones to make the arrest. They get the glory in the end."
"Hey remember I was a federal agent once, and I wasn't one of those 'ass wipes' Esposito called the ones at the scene...Yes, I heard that," Rick admitted with a grin as the elevator arrived. "And the ones I know aren't ass wipes either. Maybe I should have stayed in the service..."
"Nah, if you had then we would never have met," Kate replied with a smile as she laced her fingers through his and stepped into the elevator. "And I quite like our story the way it is, Cupcake."
Rick grinned as she pressed the button for the ground floor and snuggled into him the fresh scent of her cherry body wash invading his senses. "And it's nowhere near finished yet," he replied, kissing the top of her head. "Not by a long shot."
Stopping by the hotel Bistro to get their usual coffee and shared Bear Claw, Rick and Kate left the Waldorf Astoria and got into the Crown Vic, arriving back at the crime scene fifteen minutes later. As soon as the pair got out of the Crown Vic the media pack descended on them
"Detective! Detective, do you have any comment?" one T.V reporter called from the other side of the cordon. "Do you know who the victim is?"
"I'm sorry guys, if you want any comment you'll have to go through the NYPD or FBI Media relations. I have no comment at this time," Kate rattled off.
"Mr Castle. How about you? Do you have any idea who would want to petrol bomb your and Detective Beckett's love nest?"
"I'm not making any comment at this time, guys," Rick said firmly. "If I decide to make any comment, you'll hear it through my publicist."
Rick placed a hand on the small of Kate's back and guided her under the cordon tape.
"Love nest?" Kate repeated with a giggle. "Oh, that's funny. They really do think you bring me flowers every day and make love hearts out of the petals on our bed, don't they? God, if they only saw you snore and hog the blankets and me kick you in my sleep while drooling on my pillow, they'd lose interest quick smart."
"Hey, I resent that!" Rick exclaimed in amusement. "I am not a blanket hog."
Kate rolled her eyes "Oh pfffffft," she scoffed, waving back to Esposito who was waving to catch their attention. "You are so. All through Winter I constantly froze my ass off because you would hog the blankets. If you try that crap again this Winter. I'm spending the entire season in the spare bedroom or sewing two King sized duvets together. Not even you could hog bed coverings that big."
"If I did you'd just have to cuddle up to me to keep warm," Rick replied cockily.
Kate rolled her eyes. "Hey Espo, what's up?' she called.
"FBI CSU are conducting a forensic examination of the parking garage as we speak," he began, nodding to Rick in wordless greeting. "The lead investigator is over there," Esposito added, pointing to a tall muscular man Rick instantly recognized as Frank. "his name is Supervisory Special Agent Frank Grasman. His two underlings are Chris Parnell and David Woodson, they're in the parking garage with CSU."
"Where's Ryan?"
"Assisting CSU."
Kate sighed. "Alright, Castle and I will introduce ourselves to Grasman and see if we can be of any use," she informed Esposito, screwing up her nose. "I don't care what the feds say you and Ryan tell me everything they tell you alright?"
"You got it, Chica."
"C'mon, let's go play nice." Kate said to Rick as the group around Frank dispersed.
"Be nice, Tulip," Rick murmured in amusement. "Save that authoritative. "I'm the boss' act for the bedroom, huh?"
Kate's cheeks coloured. "You are inappropriate Richard Castle, really!" the female detective hissed, the hint of a smile playing on her lips and mischief dancing in her hazel green orbs. "Focus."
The two partners strode across the crime scene and over to Frank who was busy scribbling down notes on his clipboard. "Frank Grasman?" Rick exclaimed in 'surprise.' "Pal, is that you?"
"Ricky Rodgers? Holy shit man. I haven't seen you in twelve months, good to see ya!"
The two men embraced.
"You two actually know each other?" Kate asked in surprise.
"Frank was my boss when I was in the service," Rick replied with a wide grin. "Frank, this is my partner in more ways than one,Kate Beckett. Tulip, this is Supervisory Special Agent Frank Grasman. He heads up the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program at headquarters in DC. He's the best fed on the beat."
"Lovely to meet you, darling," Frank greeted cheerfully, shaking Kate's outstretched hand. "Good to finally see the face behind the famous name."
Kate rolled her eyes and scoffed. "Castle's been exaggerating again, hasn't he?" she replied dryly. "He has a propensity to do so."
Frank chuckled heartily. "Nah, he's just honest," Frank replied in amusement. "Though last time I saw him, you two weren't an item. I suspect going by the doe eyes he's giving you right now. He couldn't lie about you to save himself. I'll be in town for a few days, we ought to go out for a meal and we can swap Ricky stories."
"How about we get this investigation underway first, huh?" Kate suggested as Rick rolled his eyes and groaned loudly. "I want to know who blew up my home and why the feds are taking over the investigation."
Frank sighed. "I can't tell you that yet, Kate. Because at this stage I only have very faint suspicions and it's against my personal policy and the FBI's policy to go in before we have a solid case. CSU haven't finished collecting forensic evidence yet and they've been at it since ten o'clock this morning and it's now three."
"Have your agents started questioning the witnesses that were here last night?" Kate inquired.
"Yes and some of my team are back at the twelfth, interviewing the witnesses who left their details with the attending NYPD officers." Frank informed. "I'll need to speak to you separately back at the precinct or the FBI offices, sometime today if you can manage it."
"Yeah alright," Rick replied agreeably as Kate muttered. "Is that really necessary?"
"Unfortunately everyone who lives in the building have to be interviewed Kate, its part of a basic investigation," Frank said sympathetically. "But don't worry, I'll make sure you're interviewed last so you can assist in the investigation. In the meantime I can take one of you up to your apartment so you can retrieve some belongings."
"Just one of us?" Kate asked making a face.
"Unfortunately yes," Frank replied. "And I have to record which one of you that comes with me."
"You go, you know what we need. I can stay down here and help the feds." Kate said to Rick immediately.
"Alright d'you want to go and see if CSU need a hand and I'll take Rick up to your apartment," Frank suggested, pointing to the CSU van which was parked by the entrance of the blackened parking garage. "Just introduce yourself, show your ID and they'll put you to work. We need extra hands in the CSU department at the moment."
"Got it."
Kate squeezed Rick's arm then took off for the CSU truck.
"Any news?" Rick asked under his breath as he watched Kate flash her badge and introduce herself.
"A bit of information came up. I'll wait til we get upstairs before I say anything," Frank replied equally as quietly. "Down here the trees have ears."
Frank put his clipboard on the driver's seat of his car, then locked it and began leading Rick across the cordon to the apartment fire escape entrance.
"He's with me, all cleared." He told to the agent on the door.
The two men ascended the stairs floor by floor in silence and it wasn't until they reached he topmost floor that Rick spoke.
"Progression?" he questioned as he slid his key into the loft door.
"Yeah, a witness saw a young male they thought around sixteen or seventeen running from the scene last night and get into a black BMW with the partial personalised plates of Tango Oscar Papa."
"T-o-p," Rick murmured as they entered the loft. "Well that ought to be easy enough to find, I know there are a lot of black beamers in Manhattan but surely not all of them have personalised plates. "
"That's my thought and I have two people going through the DMV records in an attempt to find this vehicle." Frank revealed as he followed Rick through to his office.
"Have you gathered much from Woodson and Parnell's interviewing Nic Harrington and Rod Halstead?"
"Yeah, Harrington has absolutely nothing to do with this whole conspiracy. They tracked him for a whole week and he only went to the station, home and one round of golf at Bethpage. He was only doing what Rod Halstead told him. But in the last twenty four hours Halstead's been in a blind panic trying to take over the FDNY investigation and giving my team hell about it which tells me he's hiding something big. I think whoever this Dragon is. He's leaning on Halstead and pressuring him to cover up the real reason behind the fire because he knows we're close to finding out who he is."
"So with all the research and work we've done on this case so far, do you have an opinion on who the Dragon is?" Rick asked, opening his safe and retrieving his holster and service weapon.
"Oh yeah, I think it's the governor Phil Robinson," Frank replied as Rick put on his holster belt. "He's the only person in the whole scheme of things that's got the authority to transfer an inmate from isolation to general population like he did with Hal Lockwood. Besides I think the NYPD deputy commissioner Peter Hargraves is involved in this whole mess somehow. The captain of the first precinct homicide squad told me he tried to get the first to sweep the investigation under the carpet and got really angry when he said no. I'm convinced Robinson and Hargraves are connected in this whole mess."
"So what's the plan from here?" Rick asked, inspecting his service weapon then holstering it.
"Well I plan on putting trails on Robinson and Hargraves and another on Halstead and see if their routines connect," Frank divulged following the novelist to his bedroom and leaning against the door frame as he began packing a suitcase. "And if we can find out who this punk ass kid was, that our witness saw running from the scene and getting into this black Beamer. We might be in with a chance of putting all the pieces together and finding out who the hell ordered the hit on Johanna Beckett and shot Kate. She's gorgeous by the way. The pictures in the paper don't do her justice. You've got a good one Ricky, hold onto her."
Rick smiled as he folded a pair of pants and placed them into the suitcase. "I plan to if she doesn't hate me for 'all this going behind her back thing' once she finds out," he admitted. "Right now I'm more scared about her reaction than anything I might encounter with the case."
"Look Ricky, I agree with Ryan and Esposito. Kate isn't going to be your biggest fan after you eventually tell her what's going on but with us and Victoria, explaining the situation I'm sure she'll come around. She's a smart and sensible woman."
"Yeah she is, but she's also a firebrand with badass ninja skills," Rick replied as he began filling the other half of the suitcase with some of the female detective's clothes. "I've seen her angry and it's not a pretty sight."
"I've got your back, Ricky. And a lot of other people have too, don't dwell on it," Frank assured his friend. "And if shit hits the fan, I will personally track Kate down and make her listen to you. I'm not above stretching the rules, you know."
Rick chuckled humourlessly. "Yeah I know," he noted. "But I want to lessen the collateral damage. When the time comes for me to tell Kate what we've all been up to, I want the whole group to be there."
"I think we can organise that," Frank agreed as the suitcase began filling up. "You'll need to explain to Kate why you're now carrying a gun. I've organised with Victoria to have you authorised to carry one for your own protection, under the guise of being in dangerous situations by following an active NYPD officer. I doubt Kate would question that."
"Probably not."
Rick filled up the suitcase with clothes for him and Kate then packed up his laptop then went upstairs and packed a small suitcase of Alexis' belongings. He then went back down to the cordon with Frank close by his side.
"Am I allowed to participate in the running of this investigation?" Rick asked Frank under his breath as he stowed the suitcases in the Crown Vic.
"Yeah, do it under the guise of being Kate's partner though," Frank replied. "You know the rules. Follow the special agent code of conduct and don't do anything that might prejudice the case in the long run alright? If you're not sure don't do it."
"You got it."
Rick stayed at the scene with Kate assisting. The brunette detective and his FBI colleagues til the early evening when the sun started to go down. They then made their way back to the twelfth precinct with Ryan and Esposito.
"I haven't spent a whole day being a shit kicker since I first got into the service!" Kate declared as the four friends and colleagues entered the bullpen which was full of FBI agents and Karpowski's team who were rostered on for the night shift. "I'm grateful for being a detective now."
"Where you can dole out the shit kicking duties?" Esposito suggested a wide grin upon his face.
Kate rolled her eyes at the Latino detective's joke. "Ha ha, if you like." She replied
"Detective Beckett, Mr Castle...a moment please?" Gates called from the door of her office just as the two partners sat down at their desks.
"Ooooooooh, someone's in troubbbbbbbble." Esposito teased.
"Shut up Javier," Kate growled dryly. "Don't you have some work to do?"
"Touché."
Kate and Rick made their way over to Gate's office where the captain and Frank were waiting for them.
"Sir?" Kate inquired as Rick shut the door behind them.
"I only need you and Mr Castle for a few minutes," Gates assured, dropping down in her chair. "Since Mr Castle has officially come on as a NYPD consultant. It has become apparent to me that he is in need of his own service weapon-"
Kate's eyebrows disappeared into her fringe at her superior's revelation.
"However, there will be heavy restrictions," Gates continued. "Mr Castle, as I understand you have your own Glock nineteen. The same gun the NYPD use, am I correct?"
"Yes Sir," the Writer replied with a grin.
"Upon signing this form you are authorised to carry it with you when you are out on the field with Detective Beckett and Detectives Ryan and Esposito," Gates informed him, retrieving a piece of paper from her desk drawer. "However you are not to take it out of its holster unless you personally feel your safety is compromised or use it when out on the field as the detectives would. Do you understand?"
"Yes Sir," Rick replied his grin widening.
"I've had you personally authorised by the Commissioner himself, but like you did when signing on to shadow Detective Beckett. You have to sign a waiver absolving the NYPD of any liability should you be injured during the course of following any detectives in the department, alright?"
"Sounds awesome to me!" Rick declared, pulling a pen out of his jacket pocket with a flourish. "Where do I sign?"
"This isn't a book signing, Castle." Kate quipped in amusement.
"I know," Rick replied, signing his name with a flourish on the dotted line and withholding the urge to add a smiley face. "Pity, I like the suits and fancy-ness of it all."
Frank let out a snort of laughter. "Maybe if you ever decide to take up the commissioner's offer of joining the service, he can organize a red carpet and a group of paparazzi," he said. "You've done a lot of PR for the NYPD, I'm sure he wouldn't mind."
Kate let out an unladylike snort of laughter and Gates cracked a smile.
"Oh ha ha." Rick responded dryly.
"Alright, if anyone asks about you carrying a firearm tell them to contact me," Gates told Rick. "I'm working on getting you an ID card that gives you clearance, but in the meantime it might be a good idea if you not publicise the fact you're carrying."
"I can do that."
"Well, that's all. Finish up your work then head hom-well to the hotel, it's been a long day."
"Thankyou Sir."
As soon as they had left Gates' office, Kate pulled Rick into the break room. "You're one step away from being a cop now," she claimed, lacing her fingers through his and giving him a soft smile. "I reckon you should start at the academy next week, get you on the job officially."
"That will happen, Tulip. But I have a few things I want to do first." Rick replied, drawling her close and pressing a kiss to her forehead.
"You have a grand plan?" Kate asked in amusement, resting her head on his broad chest and listening to the comforting thump, thump, thump of his heart.
"Hmmm hmmm, I do." Rick replied, stroking her brunette locks affectionately.
"Care to elaborate?" Kate pressed, closing her eyes and inhaling the comforting scent of his cologne.
"Nope not yet, the time will come," Rick murmured, combing her hair with his fingers. "Fancy heading to Remy's with the boys? I'm starving, half a bear claw is not nearly enough to nourish this magnificent body you're groping at the moment."
"Oh pfffft, I am not groping you!" Kate scoffed. "Though I can...if you like."
The female detective squeezed his crotch.
Rick chuckled. "When we get back to the Waldorf you can do more than grope," he murmured in her ear, pulling back as he saw Frank leave Gates' office and go into the bullpen. "But not here, huh? You know me, once I start I can't stop and there are too many people around here to start getting frisky now."
Kate smiled. "How about you keep your hands busy by making me a coffee?" she purred, sending the Writer's thought pattern straight to the gutter. "Hmm?"
Rick winked. "I think I can managed that," he answered. "Want to go and see if the Rysposito monster and Frank want one too?"
"Sure."
Kate cheekily slapped the writer on the backside and left the break room. Rick retrieved a bottle of milk from within the refrigerator and set about making coffee for the rest of the team. He was just texturing the milk when the men came into the room closely followed by Kate.
"I've heard from a certain detective you make the best coffee in Manhattan," Frank said, dropping down onto one of the many chairs dotting the room.
"Oh really?" Rick replied in amusement, catching Kate's eye and flashing her a wink "I think that detective might be a little bias."
"Dude, she's a lot bias." Ryan teased as Kate's face went bright red. "You should have heard her bang on to the CSU feds back at the scene..."
"Yeah it was 'Oh Castle this, Castle that, Castle's got such a great ass-Oooof!" Esposito mocked in a high voice as the cushion Kate threw at him hit him right in the abdomen.
"Javier Mariano Esposito, you take that back right now!" Kate exclaimed shrilly, picking up another cushion. "I said nothing of the sort! You apologise right now or I'll tell Lanie what you've been up to!"
"Ooooh burn, she's got you by the balls there, man." Ryan joked as the two friends jokingly sparred. "Bringing out the girlfriend card..."
"Kate knows us all better than we know ourselves," Rick divulged as he extracted coffee into Kate's favourite travel mug. "She knows when to pull out the girlfriend card in Espo's case."
"Javi's girlfriend is my best friend," Kate told Frank as she playfully elbowed the Latino detective. "She gives me material to use on him all the time."
"I really ought to keep my mouth shut at home." Esposito grumbled the hint of a smile playing upon his lips.
"So how long have you known Rick?" Kate asked Frank as the Writer began delivering the coffees to their owners. "All I know is that you used to be his boss."
"I've known him since he came to the academy at Quantico, what, about eighteen years ago?" Frank said.
"Yeah, Alexis hadn't been born yet," Rick replied, giving the older federal agent a steaming mug of coffee. "Latte with two sugars."
"Thanks," Frank replied, wrapping his hands around the mug. "Yeah, well he came to the academy with the best academic record of all the applicants that year and proved to be the best student, with the best shooting accuracy during the course. Then when he graduated I pulled some strings and got him in the V-CAP department in Washington. He was in the job for six months in Washington then moved back to the Manhattan offices and was in the job there for three months before he left the service to become Mr Mom and superstar mystery writer. I've been trying to convince him to come back to the service ever since. But I understand why he hasn't. And now that Alexis is off to college, I thought I'd be in with a chance of getting him back in the service til Javier and Kevin here told me the NYPD commissioner invited him to join the police force."
"It would be less travelling involved if I joined the NYPD," Rick replied with a grin giving Kate her coffee before turning back to the espresso machine to make his own. "All my friends and family and the people I love are in New York anyway."
"You love us?" Esposito said with a grin. "Aw bro, we're touched."
"Oh shut up," the Writer replied dryly, rolling his eyes as group burst into laughter. "You know full well what I mean, smartass."
"So when will we be able to go back to the loft?" Kate asked Frank as the hilarity died down.
"Ah a little while yet I'm afraid," Frank responded with a sigh. "I want to personally oversee the witness statements and make sure CSU have done a total and utter investigation of the scene. Besides there's finding out who the vic is and going through all the CCTV footage of the area."
"And we can't go back til the whole investigation is over?" Kate exclaimed in exasperation. "That could take weeks!"
"Well if it does, I'll make sure the FBI compensate you and Rick for the inconvenience of not being in your home," Frank answered. "I have an idea where I'm heading with this investigation and if it goes well and like, my team and I hope's it will. You'll be back in your home by the end of the month."
"Can you let me-us," Kate said interacting to Rick, Ryan and Esposito. "In on any details of the investigation?"
"I can't beyond what you already know," Frank relied apologetically. "But the minute something comes up that I can tell you, I promise I'll let you know. Until then you're just going to have to stick to your day job."
Kate made a face. "Never thought I would say this, but my job sucks." she grumbled.
"Ah, well you can join the federal service Kate. We're always on the lookout for individuals with an outstanding record in law enforcement," Frank replied with a grin. "Especially with badass ninja skills."
The female detective rolled her eyes and elbowed Rick in the stomach. "Castle is the only one in the precinct that uses that phrase," she inserted as the writer blushed a deep shade of magenta. "He's been talking about me again, hasn't he?"
"Chica, Writer Boy talks about you all the time." Esposito piped up.
"Yup, president of the Kate Beckett fan club," Ryan added pointing at the Writer. "He was mentioning he wanted to get polo shirts made up with "Fan of Kate Beckett' printed on them at the scene today."
"I'm not even going to dignify that load of bullshit with an answer," Rick declared as he swallowed the last mouthful of his coffee and went over to the sink to rinse his mug. "If I said that, you said if the Knicks won against the Bulls on Saturday you were going to come in on Monday morning dressed in some of Jenny's lingerie and serenade Gates with 'You're the One That I Want' from Grease."
Kate, Ryan and Esposito choked on their coffee and Frank roared with laughter.
"Think Ricky won that one Detective." the older federal agent said with a snigger.
"I'm going to put a scoreboard in this break room next week to keep record of all the points I'm accumulating," Rick declared once the hilarity had died down. "I've been on a roll this week."
"Yeah, so you think Writer Man. We'll let you believe that if it makes you feel better about yourself." Kate voiced, draining the last of her coffee and patting his cheek with a grin.
"Oh shush it."
Three days later the phone calls began.
While Kate was at an appointment to sort out the insurance on her car and bike, Rick remained at the precinct working with Ryan and Esposito on their latest fresh case when the writer's iPhone rang shrilly with Ride of the Valkyries his default ringtone.
Marking his spot in the paperwork the writer picked up his phone and answered it smartly.
"Castle."
"Listen you asshole," Came a heavily computerised voice down the line. "Pull the feds off or Beckett gets it."
"Excuse me?" Rick exclaimed.
"Stop your investigation or I will put another bullet in the pretty detective," the voice repeated. "Pull the feds off or next time I won't miss."
"No you listen," Rick hissed. "I can't pull the feds off and I already know who you are. I'm only working to put the evidence in order to take your ass down. Nothing and I mean nothing will stop me from nailing your worthless pathetic ass to the wall. You have no idea the strength of the team behind me. You screw with Kate Beckett, you screw with Rick Castle!"
He hung up and threw his iPhone down.
"Yo, how-"
"What do you want Javier?" Rick snapped as the Latino detective approached his desk.
Esposito's eyebrows arched in surprise at the Writer's uncharacteristic bad mood.
"I was just wondering if you were having any luck with Hector Martinez's financials but if you're going to be like that..." Esposito proclaimed. He began walking away.
Rick sighed and dropped his pen. "Javier-" he began, slumping back in his chair. "Javier, I'm sorry man."
The Latino detective turned around. "What's up bro?" he inquired, his face the expression of concern. "You've been really snappy the last few days. It's like you're Beckett without her morning coffee."
The corner of Rick's mouth twitched in amusement at his friend's joke. "I've had a tough few days," he confessed, rubbing his face. "And it's starting to get on top of me."
"Is everything alright between you and.-" Esposito asked, letting the question hang in the air.
"Oh yeah never better," Rick replied with a smile. "It's just...oh I dunno if I should tell you."
"Coffee?" Esposito suggested, nodding in the direction of the break room. "I think I have the hang of the espresso machine now."
"Yeah alright."
Rick got up and followed his friend into the break room.
"C'mon fess up." Esposito urged as he fetched their coffee mugs from the cupboard underneath the espresso machine.
Rick hesitated. "I-I've been getting these phone calls," he began. "They started three days ago."
"What sort of phone calls?" Esposito inquired as he poured milk into the texturing jug.
"Phone calls warning me to back off from the investigation," Rick revealed. "They're always come to my cell and started off by just saying 'back off'. I got one just now and whoever it was said if I didn't get the feds to stop the investigation the sniper wouldn't miss Kate this time."
Esposito's jaw fell open in shock. "You've been getting these calls for three days and haven't said anything?" the Latino detective yelped. "Jesus Christ Castle, Beckett's in real danger if the Dragon is sending his lackeys to intimidate you! What the hell were you thinking? You gotta tell Frank!"
"No," Rick said firmly. "He's just trying to put the wind up me. He knows I haven't got the power to pull the FBI off this case."
"And what if he's serious, bro?" Esposito demanded, his voice rising in volume. "Do you want Kate to be shot again?"
"NO!" Rick exclaimed loudly. "Don't be so fucking stupid! Of course I don't!-I-"
"Detective Esposito, Mr Castle, please tell me there's a good reason for your screaming argument." Gates demanded as she strode into the break room attracted by the noise the two men were making.
"Y-" Rick began.
"If you don't tell her I will." Esposito growled cutting Rick off.
"I'm not saying shit." Rick snapped.
"My office...now!" Gates demanded. "Move it."
Rick was the first to leave the break room and stormed past Gates into the hallway running alongside the bullpen before making his way to her office. Esposito followed a matching scowl upon his face.
"Alright, what the hell was that all about?" Gates demanded as soon as the office door was shut behind them.
Rick remained resolutely silent.
"Detective Esposito?" Gates continued, staring down the male detective.
"Castle's been getting mysterious phone calls warning him to back off from the investigation into the fire at his apartment building," Esposito revealed at once. "Whoever it is demanded he get the feds to back off or the sniper would go after Kate again and not miss her this time."
Gate's face fell. "Is this true?" she asked Rick.
"Y-yes." the writer admitted, his determination instantly evaporating under the Captain's hard glare.
"I can't let this slide Rick, surely you realise that," Gates advised, her voice wavering slightly. "If you're getting intimidating phone calls, the Dragon is getting serious and more dangerous. Frank has to know."
Rick groaned and dropped his head into his hands. "That means Kate does too, doesn't it?" he asked rhetorically.
"I think the time is coming bro." Esposito uttered, his voice sombre.
"Well I don't want to say anything to her til Frank knows." Rick insisted.
"I'll ring him now, you two let Kevin know what's happening," Gates instructed. "Not a word to anyone else, got it?"
"Got it." The two men chorused.
Ryan returned from the gym fifteen minutes later and Rick immediately explained the situation to the Irish detective.
"Shit, its crunch time, isn't it?" he stated, his reaction mirroring that of Esposito's
"Yeah it is," Rick conceded tiredly. "But we're close to getting this son of a bitch Kevin. I can feel it."
Kevin flashed his friend and colleague a wan smile. "We've just go to let the pieces fall into place, huh?" he said.
"Yeah, something like that."
Not long after Ryan returned from the gym Frank returned to the precinct.
"Rick has something to tell you," Gates said pointedly once she had gathered the team in her office.
"Ricky?" Frank inquired.
Rick sighed. "For the last three days I've been getting these phone calls," he confessed after a moment of contemplative silence. "The latest being about forty five minutes ago, always on my cell. It's a computerised voice warning me to back off or Kate will get it. The most recent one warned me to pull the feds off the investigation or the sniper would go after Kate and this time they wouldn't m-miss."
Frank's entire visage tensed up as Rick choke out the last word.
"You've been getting these calls for three days and haven't said anything?" he seethed. "Jesus Christ Ricky, this is exactly the sort of thing I insisted you to tell me when this investigation began! Do you have any idea what you've done? You've compromised a federal investigation! If you'd told me about these calls when they first began we could've put a trace on your cell and found out who this asshole is! You delaying things have put us on the back foot! We could have found out who the caller is by now!"
"I know that!" Rick snapped back. "And I've not withheld this information just to get my rocks off, I've wanted to tell you but I'm scared! These people are after the woman I love and want to marry and have children with-I-"
"Newsflash Einstein, they've been after Kate for months." Esposito piped up.
"Shut up, Javier. You're not helping."
"He's right though," Frank said his brow heavily creased. "Alright I'm putting a trace on your phone, if these people have been calling for three days they're not going to stop any time soon. We'll find these people Ricky despite you royally screwing up."
"Hey lay off!" the writer exclaimed. "I'm sorry alright? I'm really sorry, just keep Kate safe, okay? Do what you have to, to keep her safe."
A singular tear ran down Rick's cheek and Ryan being the nearest reached out and squeezed his friend's shoulder silently, reassuring him.
"Alright, we'll do our bit, but start thinking about how you're going to tell Kate, because the time's going to come when we can't protect her without her knowing what's going on," Frank voiced. "Am I clear?"
"Crystal," Rick replied, exhaling with a deep shuddering breath.
"Alright, to start with you're going to have to come with me and turn your cell over to tech so they can put a trace on it. If Kate comes back while we're out, we're off doing some male bonding."
Ryan and Esposito sniggered heartily. "Alright let's go," Rick said, getting to his feet with a sigh as he got to his feet. "Let's get this over and done with."
The phone calls didn't let up. As soon as the trace went on Rick's iPhone and a team was assigned to monitoring the calls coming into the device, they increased in their frequency, now arriving at all hours of the day and night. Usually ringing and immediately hanging up but occasionally a proper and ever threatening conversation. The weight of keeping the truth from Kate was weighing heavily on the writer's shoulders and he began losing weight and throwing up when the adrenalin and acid reflux became too much.
"Bro, you have to tell her," Esposito told his friend after following him into the men's bathroom a week later. "It's killing you, you're barfing every half an hour and you've dropped ten pounds. Everyone is starting to get suspicious."
Rick spat the last mouthful of bile into the sink and turned on the tap to rinse the contents of his stomach down the drain.
"I don't know if I can-" he croaked rinsing his mouth out. "Jesus Javi, this is harder than I ever thought it was going to be. I'm so afraid of losing Kate, I really am. I waited years to find my soul mate and now that I have I'm facing the very real possibility of her leaving me and wanting nothing more to do with me. Do you have any idea how frightening that is?"
Esposito regarded his friend closely. "No," he confessed, reaching into his pocket and retrieving a packet of chewing gum which he held out to the writer. "No I don't, I can't imagine how hard this is for you. I can't imagine losing Lanie like you're imagining losing Kate. But you need to tell her today bro. It's eating you up. You've got me Kevin, Frank and Gates to back you up."
"She's still going to hate me," Rick muttered, taking a piece of the Latino detective's gum and popping it in his mouth. "Thanks."
"She's not going to hate you," Esposito insisted. "She's not going to like what you've been doing but she's not going to hate you, soul mates don't hate each other."
"You should write a relationship advice column," Rick said in amusement.
Esposito scoffed. "Bro, I'm hardly the poster boy for expert relationship advice," he said dryly. "If you want sound advice on building a solid relationship go to Honey Milk. I don't think he and Jenny have ever shared a cross word."
"Maybe I'll go to him after Kate screams at me," Rick said looking at himself in the mirror and noting the dark circles under his eyes. "Is Frank here?"
"Yeah, I saw him talking with Gates."
"Can you tell him I'm going to tell Kate today. I have to. I don't give a rats ass where the investigation is, she needs to know."
"Sure thing, I can do that," Esposito agreed, slapping his friend on the shoulder. "Get yourself together, take a few deep breaths. You can do this."
"Thanks Javi."
Esposito left the bathroom leaving Rick alone with his thoughts. The Writer turned on the hot water tap the cupped his hands under the water lifting the liquid up and scrubbing his face til the temperature became intolerable.
"C'mon, man up Castle. You're a man not a mouse!" he scolded himself. "Let's DO this!"
Taking several more steadying breaths Rick turned and made his way into the bustling bullpen. Frank caught his eye and flashed his friend and colleague a surreptitious thumbs up. Rick managed a wan smile and turned, making his way over to Kate who was at her desk in her own little world and totally absorbed in her paper work. The female detective jumped in surprise as the Writer trailed his fingers across the back of her neck then leaned down to kiss her on the crown.
"Hey Tulip," he murmured, sitting on the edge of her desk.
"You scared me." she claimed, flashing him a smile that never failed to turn his insides into a puddle of mush.
"Sorry about that," Rick replied, forcing himself to smile. "Actually, can I have a word?"
"Sure, shoot."
"Not here, the break room," Rick insisted, sliding off her desk and holding out his hand. "I'll only keep you a few minutes."
Kate gave him a confused look then got up and followed him into the break room...
A/N2: DA DA DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUM! Reviews feed the beast!