Previously on Storm Clouds

You're extraordinary. You're a private person, yet you opened yourself and your home to me and my family. You took a chance on me when you didn't have to. Very few people would do that. In fact, apart from my mother and daughter, I don't know anyone else who would. Except you. If there is ever a zombie apocalypse, I know who I want on my side."

Beckett bit her lip. He thought she was extraordinary. Richard Castle was a wordsmith, sure but she believed he meant what he said. She sensed the endearment in his voice. Where others thought she was hard or closed off, he thought she was extraordinary. He saw what others failed to see. She looked at him watching her and she knew he was expecting her to say something. What did one say to a person she admired for the way he could weave words in such a magnanimous way. To a person whose words had pulled her out of the darkness and forced her to go on. She was getting too sentimental and she still had a job to do.

Beckett nodded. "I'm not sure you'd want me on your side, Castle. I only kill criminals. If you're after the undead, you better call Buffy." She then turned and walked off to go change.

Tiny time jump here people.

Detective Beckett rolled her head and felt relief when she heard cracking sounds. She had read somewhere that cracking one's bones was bad for you but she didn't care. It was like a lot of things she supposed, it was bad but it felt so good. It wasn't late but it had been a long couple of days. She was just finishing up her paperwork, like her two colleges were supposed to be doing. Although, to her it looked like they were flinging rubber bands at each other, thinking she couldn't see.

"I hope you guys have finished your report," she called loudly across the precinct floor as to draw attention to them.

In response a rubber band came flying her way. Becket groaned. She felt like she was in charge of kids in preschool. Although they weren't respecting her by calling her Miss Beckett, no they were calling her Mom. Picking up the rubber band, she blindly sent it back across to the two kids and smiled when she heard Ryan yelp. Ha ha. She hadn't even aimed.

"You know if we get a case, the paper work is just going to pile up and you won't be able to have a few days off when you want."

They didn't respond but she did notice the lack of a rubber band twang sound. Beckett picked up her pen again and starting crossing her t's and dotting her i's one last time before putting her signature on the bottom. She was done. It was almost 6 pm and if they didn't get a call in the next few minutes she could go home. A hot bath, a glass of red wine and a Richard Castle classic were calling her home and she couldn't wait. After her bath, Chinese food and some fluffy pajamas were the next on her list. Beckett looked at the clock, only two minutes to go then ecstasy would be hers. She couldn't wait and she shimmied her shoulders in delight.

Then her phone rang.

She looked at her phone and saw it was a call from a private number. This couldn't be good. Ryan and Esposito got up from their chairs and looked at her in despair.

"Beckett."

"Umm. Hi Detective Beckett. This is Richard Castle. It's not a bad time, is it?"

Beckett blinked few times. It was… She took a deep breath. It was... Richard Castle. He was calling her. She hadn't seen him since he left her apartment 6 weeks and 2 days ago. Not that she was counting. Hadn't spoken to him since he called her extraordinary. Coffee wasn't the same since he had made her a cup. Forget trying to lie on her couch without burning up thinking of him sleeping there. Or of him picking her up and putting her to rest there. Richard Castle was calling her.

"Detective?"

"No. No, sorry. It's not a bad time. Just give me a second to find somewhere quiet to talk." And to recompose herself.

Ryan and Esposito were frowning at her, so she waved them off. They got the message that it wasn't a case and went back to their desks. She hoped that they would finish their paperwork and not continue to fling rubber bands. That hope was dashed when a rubber band flew past her nose. Beckett walked into the conference room and shut the door, sending her partners a glare. She then turned her back on them. No way did she want them to see her talking to Castle. Not that they knew it was Castle. They still gave her grief for taking over the case.

"Hi sorry about that," she told him.

"No, I'm sorry. Are you at work?"

"Yeah I am," when wasn't she? "But it's fine."

"I wasn't sure when you would be home. I can call back some other time. Or you can call me if that works better for you," he offered.

"No. It's fine really. Montgomery filled you in on everything, right? I was going to call when we arrested Mike, but he said he was keeping you informed."

It had taken a few days, but in the end they had tracked down Mike Gerstern. He was squatting in the home of a very wealthy couple who were in Europe on vacation. The place looked like a scene out of a Richard Castle novel. Photos of Castle were sprawled across one wall. Some with Meredith and Alexis too. It was clear this was one over obsessed person. Finally, one of Mike's friends in LA gave him up. Something about making a great story for a movie.

At first, Mike had been unwilling to talk. Ryan and Esposito had told her to let it go, they had more then enough evidence to convict him. She needed more than that, she needed to know why. Why he had been stalking Castle. Why he had killed Meredith. Why was another child motherless. After a gruelling interrogation, putting way too much of herself into it, the suspect cracked. He had Richard Castle envy. Mike wanted to be rich and famous and he blamed Castle for that not happening. He also blamed him for Meredith ending their relationship. If he couldn't have her, then the author certainly wasn't going to either. The man was borderline delusional and would soon be behind bars for a very long time.

"Yes, Roy kept me updated. I still can't believe Meredith's ex killed her because of me."

"It wasn't your fault Castle. You did nothing wrong."

"Deep down I know that but if..."

"No buts," she told him. "You can't spend your whole life wondering if only."

She heard him sigh.

"Yeah I guess. Thank you again for clearing my name, by the way."

"I didn't do anything really. It's my job to track down criminals, you weren't a criminal," Beckett tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. It wasn't the first time he had told her thank you, but it still made her smile.

"Thankfully you saw that."

"No problem." And it really was. "So was there something I can help you with? Need a parking ticket fixed?"

She heard him sigh. "No, actually I wanted to talk to you about my daughter."

Beckett frowned. "Alexis. Is she okay?"

"No she isn't, and I'm getting worried."

Beckett gulped. She felt like an idiot for asking about fixing parking tickets. How could she be so insensitive?

"Tell me what's been going on."

"I know she is grieving because she lost her mother, I am grieving too. It's just I've never lost anyone close to me. I don't know how to handle this situation and I didn't know who to call."

Beckett bit her lip. That often happened. Losing someone was hard whether it was expected or not. Most people didn't know how to deal with it even if they had lost someone before. There was plenty of help out there, but people often didn't know how to get it. Either that, or they thought they were weak for asking. She had struggled for years before finally seeking therapy. She still went once a month just to talk to someone. Lanie, Ryan and Esposito all knew about her mother's death, but she rarely spoke to them about it.

"Okay."

"I'm sorry for bothering you at work for this. I know this isn't part of your job, but I am at my wits' end."

Beckett trembled as she heard despair in his voice. "No Castle. It's fine really. I gave you my number if you ever needed anything. I'm glad you called. A lot of people refuse to admit they need help. I can give you the number of my therapist if you like. Maybe some websites that are good with this sport of thing. "

She heard him sigh. "I have tried two therapists, and they don't seem to be getting through to her. She won't really talk to them. "

"It's hard to find a therapist you like. It took me a few times until I found a good one and then they moved. I had to start the process all over again. Mine is very good, but everyone is different. What I like, you and Alexis might not like."

"Oh, I haven't seen a therapist."

"Oh. You know you should, even if it is just for a session or two. If you see the same one Alexis does, it might give you some insight into why they aren't working? Trust me: I've had therapists who were just jerks or insensitive."

"Okay," he sighed.

Beckett bit her lip. He said okay, but it didn't seem like he was.

"Is there anything else can I do to help?"

"Could you talk to Alexis?" he replied quickly.

He wanted her to talk to his daughter? Beckett was surprised by this. She wasn't a professional therapist. Not only that, but she figured he would want to keep his business in house, especially considering it was about his daughter.

"Umm. Listen Castle, I'm not a qualified councillor."

"I know but you have been there. You know what my daughter is going through."

Beckett took a deep breath. "No I don't." She then rubbed a hand over her face. She started to feel the darkness sweeping over her. It didn't always come when she started thinking about her mother's death but she felt now.

Castle was silent for some time.

"You mean you lied to my daughter. You lied to me. You didn't really lose your mother. Of course you didn't. You were just trying to get information out of my daughter - I get it. It helped solved the case right. Well, I'm glad. I'm sorry I called. "

"No. NO," she insisted. "I didn't lie Castle. My mom was..." Beckett gasped for air. She couldn't do this , no here. "What I meant was I don't know what your daughter is going through. Everyone deals with grief differently. Just because I have been through similar circumstances to your daughter doesn't mean I know what it's like to be her. I promise I didn't lie to either of you. Not about this."

"Oh. Okay. I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions. I am such an idiot," he told her. "I'm just very cautious when it comes to my daughter. I wouldn't be asking for help if I wasn't desperate. Alexis means the world to me and I'll be honest with you, I'm scared. She is my baby and she is hurting and I cant stop it."

Beckett's heart broke at the man's admission. He was scared. Scared about what was happening to his daughter. Even though she couldn't see his tars she could hear his sniffles and labored breathing. There was no way she could deny this man.

"Tell me what's been going on?"

"Umm,"

He seemed confused by her question. Almost as if he didn't expect her to help.

"I want to help Castle. Please"

"She hasn't cried."

Beckett frowned. "She was crying the day it happened."

"Yeah, but not since then. I've told her its okay to cry but she won't."

"Maybe she doesn't want you to see her cry." Beckett offered.

"It's possible, but we have always been so close. The day she got her period she came running up to me all excited and dragged me to the supermarket to get her some supplies. I nearly fainted but she was so happy about becoming a woman."

"Well, she wanted to share her happy news with you. This is different."

He was silent for a few minutes before answering. "I guess."

"What else is going on?" Beckett questioned.

"She isn't eating much. Alexis was never a big eater, she usually liked to graze over the day. Eat five or six small meals instead of the three that I usually eat. Lately I can barely get her to eat one full meal. She is wasting away."

Beckett gulped. Okay, so she had definitely been there. She still kept a pair of jeans as a reminder of how dangerously thin she got. Slipping into that deep dark hole was not an option, for her or anyone else.

"When I look into my baby's eyes, all I see is darkness. It's like I don't even know her. I don't expect her to be doing cartwheels, and I know she needs time, but I'm worried I'll lose her."

This man had lost his ex-wife. She didn't know the circumstances of their divorce, but there had to have been love at some point in their relationship. He needed time to grieve but he couldn't do that: not while he was trying to keep his daughter alive.

"Okay. What can I do to help?"

"Really. Seriously," he exclaimed. "Ohthankyouthankyouthank you."

Beckett smiled at his jumbled words. She hadn't even done anything yet.

"Can you come and speak to her. I don't think over the phone will do. She hasn't really been saying much in person. Maybe seeing you will help. "

"Okay. I guess I could do that." She could spend a few hours with the young woman, it couldn't hurt. "Can I have your new address?" she looked at her father's watch on her wrist. "Would you like me to come now? My shift ended a minute ago."

"You'd be willing to come now. But if your shift has ended, doesn't that mean you have been working all day? You must be tired."

Beckett held back a sigh. She was exhausted, but a few hours sleep was nothing compared to helping someone get their life back. "Alexis needs help. I want to do what I can. It's fine."

"Okay. I appreciate it. The thing is we aren't at our new home. The loft we bought is really great. It's large and has lots of room but it needs to be redecorated. Well, at least that was what mother said after she claimed a room for herself. We have been staying with a friend of my mother's, but it isn't home and Alexis just seemed to be getting worse. Roy said we were okay to leave town once the investigation was over so I've taken Alexis to our house in the Hamptons."

"Oh." That's right: he did mention having a summer home.

"Yeah. She has school but her teachers have been really good. Alexis was always ahead on her work anyway, but she is still studying some of the time. Her teachers have been emailing her everything she needs to do. I was planning on staying here until Alexis gets better. But, it's been two weeks and nothing has changed. I guess going to the beach isn't a magical cure that will fix anything."

"It was a good idea. Sometimes getting away does help."

"That's what I thought. If you're willing to talk to her, I guess we could come back. Our home won't be ready for at least a week but the media has died down. We could stay in a hotel."

Beckett shook her head at the idea. Alexis had been through enough. She didn't need to move into a hotel, but if what Castle was saying was correct, waiting a week longer could be detrimental.

"No Castle, it's fine. The Hamptons isn't that far. I could drive out for the day. Being in an environment where she feels safe is probably the best thing for her."

"I couldn't ask you to drive out here just for a day."

"It's fine," she told him. "It's not all that far."

"I still feel bad about it. I honestly didn't think this through. I wanted you to help Alexis, but I wasn't sure if you would say yes or no. We have plenty of bedrooms, you are more than welcome to stay overnight and then drive back the next day. I am not asking you to take time off work or anything. You probably can't get the time off of work at such late notice anyway, otherwise I'd ask if you wanted to stay longer. The house is right on the beach but we also have a pool and a beautiful deck area. I'm sure Alexis would like it if you were here. She talked about you a lot when we drove to your place that night. It was the next day when she stopped; I guess it kind of just hit her. It's why I thought perhaps you could help. Alexis really seemed to connect with you."

Beckett bit her lip. Tomorrow was supposed to be her day off and her team wasn't on call. Maybe she could talk to her captain about having the late shift the day after. That way, it would give her plenty of time to get back if she stayed overnight.

"I actually have tomorrow off. Let me go and talk to my Captain, see if I can switch shifts. Can I call you back in a few minutes?"

"Are you sure? I don't want to cause trouble. If you want, I could call Roy and explain. I know the mayor: I could pull a few strings so you don't get in trouble."

Beckett smiled. This man really was generous.

"Let me talk to Montgomery first and I'll call you back, okay?"

"Are you sure? I don't want you to waste your day off. I know how hard you work."

"Castle don't make me reach through this phone and tweak your ear. I call you back okay."

"Okay. Thanks."

Beckett walked out of the conference room and over to her desk. She put her computer into shut down mode before walking over to knock on her captain's door.

"Come in."

"Good evening sir."

Captain Montgomery looked up from his paperwork. "Detective Beckett. I thought you went home when those yahoos you call partners did."

She shook her head. "No Sir. I got a call so I went into the conference room."

He frowned at her. "Is everything okay?"

"Yes and no."

Montgomery nodded. "Maybe you should sit down."

Beckett took a seat. "Thank you sir."

"So why don't you tell me about this call."

"The call was from Castle."

"From Rick. If there's a problem, why didn't he call me?"

Beckett bit her lip. She wasn't sure how much she should reveal. Castle had been vigilant about keeping his daughter out of the media, although she was sure Montgomery wouldn't say anything to anyone.

"It was about his daughter sir. It seems she hasn't been taking the death of her mother well and he is quite worried."

Montgomery frowned. "So why is he calling you?"

Beckett shrugged. "I guess he thought I could help because of my mother."

Montgomery raised his brows at her. "You told him about your mother?"

Beckett nodded. Montgomery was the only other person at the precinct who knew about her mother. He also knew how she liked her privacy.

"I am impressed Detective."

"Slaughter was grilling her, sir, and I needed her to know I was on her side. I thought telling her might help. She was able to give us vital information about Mike Gerstern. "

"You did good work, Detective. The mayor was very impressed. He is hosting an event in a couple of weeks and has already asked for your team to be available to attend."

Beckett tried to hide her dismay. The mayor expected them to be there for protection work.

"Don't jump to conclusions Detective, he wants you there as guests. My wife and myself are invited too. She is already out looking for a dress and advised me to let your team know soon. It takes forever to find the right dress and partner to go to an important event. Or so she informs me. I would have told your team this evening but I don't believe in rewarding rubber band flinging. "

Beckett nodded. "Thank you Sir. I am sure you told the mayor that the invite wasn't necessary and we were just doing our jobs."

"I did. You're not turning down an invite to the mayor's party, are you Beckett?"

She shrugged. Formal parties weren't really her thing. "I just think our time would be better spent catching criminals than mingling with celebutants."

"Well, the Mayor likes to let the celebutants know they are well looked after. You will be attending the event."

"Yes sir."

"So Alexis is taking the death of her mother hard. That's understandable."

Beckett nodded. "Yes it is. He is quite concerned about her health and mental wellbeing, and I was wondering if I could go and speak to her."

"She should seek some professional help."

"I suggested that sir, but they have already spoken to two and got nowhere so far."

Montgomery shrugged. "Well, I'm guessing it couldn't hurt for you to go and speak to her. Was there a reason you were coming to see me? You don't need my permission to speak to Rick and his daughter. You certainly didn't ask for it when they stayed at your home."

Beckett's mouth dropped open. "I... Um.. Sir they had nowhere else to go."

Montgomery laughed. "It's fine Beckett. I was just surprised."

"I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone. For my privacy and theirs."

"No problem. And just between us, don't do it ever again. So was there a reason you came in here?"

Beckett nodded. "Yes sir. Castle has gone to stay at his home in the Hamptons. He was hoping the change of scenery would help Alexis but it hasn't. I know we have the day off tomorrow but I was hoping to get the late shift for the day after. I told Castle I didn't mind driving up but he felt bad asking me to drive so far just for a day. He has said I can stay over and drive back the next day. It would give me more of a chance to speak to his daughter and hopefully make some progress. I know it's last minute but.."

Montgomery waved her off. "It's fine Detective."

"So it's okay.'

Montgomery sat back in his char. "When was the last time you took some time off?"

Beckett frowned. "I had the flu a couple of months ago sir. I took a day off then."

He shook his head. "No, I mean had time off. Like a proper break."

Beckett lowered her head. "It has been awhile sir."

"Right. Well it's about time you used some of those days up."

"Sir."

"The Hamptons should be lovely this time of year. Get some sunlight and fresh air. Take a few days off. I am sure Ryan and Esposito can act like adults for a few days while you are away."

"It's not necessary sir."

"Are you saying Rick's daughter doesn't require more than one day of your time."

Beckett shook her head. "No sir. Thank you sir."

"Three extra days and I am filling out the paperwork myself so don't even think about changing it."

Beckett stood up and exited the room, not quite sure what had happened. Starting her shift later in the day was all she had asked. If he had said no, she would have just made the trip back late at night. He was now giving her a few days off.

Beckett went to her desk and picked up her things. She would text Ryan and Esposito and come up with some excuse for her last minute absence. As she entered the elevator, she scrolled through the numbers on her phone until she found Castle's. His number had come up as private, but he could just have his number blocked or called from another number.

"Beckett. Hi."

She smiled. He obviously had put her number into his phone too.

"Hi Castle. Sorry I took so long."

"It's no problem. I didn't get you in trouble?"

Beckett laughed. "No actually, Montgomery was more than happy for me to have time off. I am sorry but I told him it was for Alexis - I hope you don't mind."

"No, of course not. Roy won't speak to anyone."

"I asked for the morning after tomorrow off but he actually told me to take a few days. I haven't taken time off in a while."

"Really that's great. I'll get a room set up for you. It will be a great place for you to relax for a few days"

Beckett bit her lip nervously. "Are you sure? I know you value your privacy. I could get a room at a hotel or just come up for the day."

"No no, it's fine. I trust you. So when can you come up?"

Beckett gulped. Did he just say he trusted her? He trusted her.

"Well, I'm on my way home now."

"So you will come tonight?" he asked eagerly.

"No. I'll need to go home and pack a few things. Shower and eat, it's been a long day and I don't know if it would be safe for me to drive tonight."

"I could send a car for you."

"Umm."

"I'm sorry if I sound so pushy. When I got off the phone, Alexis came in and asked who I was talking to. When I said it was you, she perked up a bit. She actually spoke and asked how you were going and when we might be seeing you next. I didn't want to say anything in case you couldn't come. It would be great if you could be here when she wakes up. Kind of like a nice surprise. She told me she was going to bed early; she has been doing that a lot. What kid wants to go to bed early?"

Beckett sighed. Her night of Chinese food and a Castle novel was going to need to wait. She was tired but if Castle sent a car for her, there was no reason why she couldn't catch a few winks. It would mean she wouldn't have to get up early and drive all the way there. Alexis needed her help. Beckett didn't know if she could help her or not, but she had to try.

"Okay. Can you give me an hour before sending the car? It should give me time for me to get organized."

"Sure. Bring a swim suit, Alexis often goes for a swim. Well she used to anyway. I've been trying to get Alexis out of the house, so maybe something to wear out to dinner. If that's okay with you?"

Beckett gulped. Dinner with Richard Castle.

"Sure. I don't want to be an imposition. Montgomery gave me a few days but I can leave whenever you want your privacy back."

Castle laughed. "I'm sure your company will be well received by both of us."

"Okay. Well I'll see you soon."

Author Note:

So that's it for the case people. I never intended it to go on for so many chapters. I am going over my chapters already written and thinking about combining them so they are longer. O i could just update more frequently. Also if you have suggestions for a better summary of this story I am sooooo taking suggestions