Incredibly Long, Apologetic Author's Note: Firstly, dear readers, I'm so incredibly sorry! This chapter has been a stupidly long time in getting out to you all, and for that I can only apologise. I have returned to full-time work, and am also teaching karate three classes a night, four nights a week, which doesn't leave a lot of time free, as I'm sure you can imagine. This story has been nagging at me for a long time, and I finally got off my backside long enough to belt out the last bit of the chapter that needed writing.
I have to thank you all for your continued alerts, follows, reviews and occasional PM's wondering if i was ever going to get around to working on this any more. Your support is what keeps me going. For my devoted, long-suffering bemuse Manuxinhace, *hugs* without you, this story particularly would be languishing in the unwritten folder. Your help, ideas and enthusiasm are what pushed this from a one-shot to my first multi-chapter fic ever, and possibly one of my most enjoyable. Obrigada, querida ;-)
Given the time since my last update, your feedback is eagerly awaited, and hopefully the next installment won't be anywhere near as delayed as this one.
Previously, in Layers:
"Don't you 'hi Lanie' me, Katherine Beckett." The ME said, her tone frosty. "Just when were you planning on telling your best friend you were knocking boots with Writer-Boy here, huh?"
Oh crap... Kate thought, her hopes of both of them getting out of the night with their dignity intact fading rapidly. Here goes nothing...
Their hands lacing together under the table, Rick pressed a brief kiss to her hair, ready to face the music, together. They were in for a long night...
And now, the next chapter!
"Lanie! Hi..." Kate said, speaking quickly. "How are you?"
Silence hung in the air for a moment, then Kate swallowed when she saw the ME raise an eyebrow, her expression stony. Her laser-glare shooting between the couple on the far side of the table, she waited, her lack of words more effective than ranting.
"I..." Kate began. "Er, we..." She gave up and sighed, dragging her fingers through her hair. Turning to her partner in crime, she shrugged.
"It's... still new." Castle said, a soft smile creasing his face. His eyes sparkling, he lifted their joined hands, resting them on the table in front of them. "We didn't tell you because we were still figuring things out. It only came out tonight because...well..." He trailed off. Seeing the look of confusion on Lanie's face, he realised that she hadn't seen the incident with Josh, and given the timing of her arrival, Esposito wouldn't have had time to fill her in yet. Beckett resumed the explanation, knowing full well that the Readers' Digest version wasn't going to cut it.
As the tale of Dr Davidson's epic miscalculation unfolded, Castle watched the expressions on the ME's face. Blinking, she looked at the writer with a new-found respect, still in the dark about his history.
"You've been holding out on us, Castle?" She asked, fighting back a grin at the description of the brief altercation. Never really a fan of Josh, Lanie had known from the first time they had been introduced that Beckett was settling for less than she deserved. As perfect as he was on paper, the surgeon had only ever been a rebound. He'd served a purpose, soothed the jagged edges of Kate's broken heart after she had had her hopes dashed when Castle left for the summer with his ex wife. Beyond that, Josh just hadn't been able to see past the detective's infamous walls. He'd taken her at face value, missing out on the complex layers of subtext which her absent partner had been adept at interpreting.
Reaching out, Rick picked up his beer and took a slow pull. A wry twist to his lips, he replied.
"A few skeletons in the closet, I suppose..." He flashed a charming smile at her. "You didn't think Meredith and Gina were the worst that I'd had to deal with, did you?" He let out a sharp breath, his face covered in mock indignation as Kate elbowed him in the ribs, unable to keep a straight face.
"Rick!" She hissed, trying to bite back the amused chuckle that threatened to escape. "Behave!" Nudging her back with his shoulder, Castle leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to her lips. Glancing back over to Lanie, he saw the look she was giving them, and he laughed out loud.
"What?" he quipped. "It's not like we need to keep it under wraps now, is it?" A smirk forming, he flicked his eyes the distinct lack of space between the shocked medical examiner and the Latino detective beside her. "Unlike some..." He trailed off suggestively, abruptly changing the direction of the inquiries.
Lanie spluttered, practically jumping sideways several inches as she sought to distance herself from the object of her affections.
"Richard Castle, don't you try to turn this around!" She retorted, trying to gain the advantage once more. "We've been waiting years for you two to pull your heads out and get together." Hiding a blush, Kate rested her head against her partner's shoulder, chuckling at their stubborn refusal to see the obvious. Enjoying the discomfort of her best friend, she fired back, a teasing glint in her eye.
"Yeah, yeah, we get it, Lanie. Neither of us could see the forest for the trees... What's your excuse?"
"I'm sorry?" The ME replied, her eyebrows climbing. She leaned back, folding her arms. Unfortunately for her, the movement brought her into contact with Esposito's arm, casually slung across the back of the booth. The instinctive curl of the Hispanic detective's fingers against her skin sending sparks of awareness chasing across her, Lanie fought to keep herself still, her air of affected nonchalance fooling absolutely everybody who wasn't sitting at the table, and certainly not escaping the notice of her best friend. Kate waited, her pointed silence a vacuum aimed squarely at the woman across from her. Lanie fidgeted under the intensity of the scrutiny, before giving up with a sigh. Her mumbled response almost inaudible from the other side of the table, she was forced to repeat her answer a bit louder than she'd really wanted to at the unsubtle look she received from Beckett.
"We were hoping everyone would be so focused on you two dancing around each other that we'd be able to slip under the radar..." She spoke quickly, not meeting Kate's eyes. Looking up, there was a moment of silent exchange between the two women, before they both nodded almost imperceptibly. In response, the detective answered.
"As soon as this case is done, Lanie. We'll make a night of it." She winked at her friend, both certain that neither of their respective partners would be attending that get-together. Mollified, the petite medical examiner settled back in the seat. Her memory throwing up a card, she drew breath to ask another question, her attention once again firmly on the author currently taking a long pull of his beer. Before she could speak, Esposito let his arm drop from the back of the booth, his hand resting on her shoulder. Tugging her a little closer, he spoke quietly.
"I'll explain it later, Chica." He knew that the revelations about the previously unknown back-story of their friend wasn't exactly something that Castle was fully comfortable with being discussed, especially in a crowded bar on a Saturday night. Given how long it'd been buried, and his own experiences on active service colouring his thoughts on the matter, Esposito felt that it would be best to let it drop. Abruptly switching topics, he spoke up.
"Drink up, guys! I'll grab the next round, and then we'll see if Writer Boy can put his money where his mouth is at the pool table." A broad grin on his face, Castle picked up his beer and raised it towards his foe, clinking the glasses together.
"You're on..." He quipped back, his eyes sparkling with amusement. Downing the rest of his drink, he placed the empty glass on the table and slid out of their booth, extending his hand to Kate as he stood. Placing her palm in his, Beckett gripped and tugged, pulling herself towards him. Standing, she kept hold of his hand as she stepped close, delighting in being able to relax around their friends at last. Bumping her hip against his, the detective shot him a smoky look, the challenge written clearly across her face.
"Come on, Castle. You gonna show Espo what you're made of?" Keeping his face carefully under control, the author flicked his eyes to Javier, still seated. Noting the way the other man had frozen in place, his glass still raised to his lips, Castle chuckled. Slinging his arm casually around Beckett's waist once more, he pressed the advantage, his voice teasing.
"Feel like making a small wager on the outcome?" Esposito paused, weighing his options against the possibility of getting taken to the cleaners again.
What the hell... He thought, keeping his eyes locked with Castle's. Draining his beer, he put the glass down firmly and stood up. Swagger firmly in place, he shot back confidently.
"You're on."
10:15am, Sunday, 12th Precinct
"Thanks, Jones." Kate hung her phone up, a tight smile on her lips. Turning, she met her partner's eyes and spoke, her voice clipped. "That was the plainclothes detail on Amanda Watkins. They think they've seen Marenkovic this morning. Nothing concrete, but they caught a glimpse of a guy fitting the general description."
"It'll be him." Castle replied, certainty lacing his tone. The sudden wash of energy that flooded his system had him almost squirming in his seat. Needing to move, he stood abruptly. Walking briskly over to the murder board, he paced back and forth, the air of a caged leopard swirling about him. Drawing a deep breath, he forced himself to hold it for a moment, before letting it go slowly. Somewhat calmed, he glanced back over his shoulder at the detective. Seeing the same barely-repressed urgency in her face, he flashed her a grin. Her eyes locked on his, Beckett reached out and grabbed her coffee, standing as she took a mouthful. Swallowing, she let the silky flavour wash across her tongue, the heat spreading through her. Her heels clicking on the floor, she crossed the room in a few strides, coming to rest next to the author. Leaning back, she felt the absence of his warmth keenly. A little surprised at herself, Kate realised that it had taken her a shockingly short amount of time to become used to the feeling of his solid bulk next to her, the brush of his knuckles against hers, or the easy way they fit together jarring when they were forced to restrain themselves where they might be seen.
Beckett was relieved that their friends knew about the blossoming relationship between the two of them, but that was a far cry from having the rest of the precinct aware of the situation. A frown creasing her brow, the brunette turned her head to the side, nudging Castle with her shoulder. Her voice pitched so low as to be almost inaudible, she spoke.
"What about the captain?" Rick blinked once, caught a little off-guard by her abrupt shift of topic. His mind bringing him up to speed, he answered quietly.
"We should tell him, Beckett." The look of nervous worry that crept across her face somewhat softened by the way she chewed on her bottom lip, Kate waited, needing to hear why. Explaining, the author continued. "He may be your boss, but he's our friend as well. Technically, it's not against the rules, and it's not as though this changes anything for us beyond what we get up to in our time off." He chuckled, a wry grin creasing his lips. "Besides, he'd know something was up the next time he came round for poker anyway..." Beckett's short burst of laughter rang out across the bullpen, thankfully filling up rapidly with other officers already. The background noise covering her outburst for the most part, she only attracted the attention of Ryan and Esposito as they exited the elevator. The duo exchanging knowing glances, they simply shook their heads at the couple apparently lounging around in front of the murder board, accepting the new normal as they joined them leaning against the desk.
"Yo..." Esposito spoke up, the faintest trace of his hangover still visible from the night before. "We got something already?" Beckett spared him a sympathetic look, the memory of their impromptu competition still fresh in her memory. Eschewing money as an incentive, Castle had suggested that they line up shots, with one being downed for each ball sunk by their opponent. The Hispanic detective had downed shot after shot as Castle methodically cleared the table, an untouched row of glasses still in front of him. Resigning himself to the inevitable headache, Esposito privately resolved to never bet against the former Marine again unless he was certain of the outcome.
"Plainclothes got a possible visual on Marenkovic." She took another sip of her coffee, running her eyes over the details on the murder board again. "They'll call it in if they have anything more concrete." Nodding, Esposito glanced at Castle, noting the coiled energy rolling off him, despite the apparently casual way he leaned against the desk. Satisfied, Javier continued over to his chair and fired up his computer, flopping down with an audible sigh, not looking forward to a day of waiting, despite the vastly increased chances that they would be called out at any moment.
Scrolling through the few emails he had received overnight, he paused, a slight shift in the atmosphere registering on his senses. Keeping the rest of his body still, he darted a quick look at the duo, still ostensibly looking at the murder board. Their heads leaning toward one another, they seemed deep into one of their increasingly common wordless conversations. Holding his tongue, Esposito watched, wondering what it was they were actually talking about. The slightly worried cast to Beckett's face gave him his first clue, only reinforced by the brief, sidelong glance over at the window to the Captain's office. Castle, for all the reassurance in his face, was as nervous as his partner, although he was doing a passable job of hiding the worst of it. Understanding burst in Esposito's mind as he put the signs together, and he knew exactly why they were both edgy. He knew the captain was a friend of Castle's, and that he viewed Beckett as almost a surrogate daughter, but that didn't change the fact that he was still her boss, and the NYPD had some very strict rules about fraternization between partners. He sighed quietly, not willing to interrupt, and turned back to his desk. Seeking out a stack of unfinished paperwork to keep his mind off the impending issue, he picked up his pen and knuckled down, determined to get as much done as he could before the call came to roll out.
Their eyes locked, oblivious to the silent scrutiny of their friend, Beckett and Castle stood there, ostensibly going over the known details. Internally, they were discussing what might be the most important decision to affect their working careers in a very long time. A resigned look passing across her face, she nodded almost imperceptibly.
"No time like the present, I guess..." She muttered, knowing that there was precious little they could do on the case until the call came in from the plain clothes officers. Shifting her weight, she stood, her eyes lingering on her partner. Hesitantly, she paused. "Castle?" She asked, fighting the nerves that threatened to rise up inside her.
"We've got this, Beckett." He replied, standing as well. The movement spurring her to life again, the detective pivoted on the ball of her foot and headed towards the captain's office, her ever-present shadow at her side. Relief washed through her the instant that he'd spoken, knowing that he'd be with her as she informed Montgomery of the change in the nature of their partnership.
Her stride firming as they made their way across the bullpen, she let the confidence that she felt scour away any uncertainties. Raising her hand, she knocked on the door frame, glancing around the edge to see if Roy was occupied.
"Beckett?" He spoke, glancing up from the paperwork he was scanning through. "Come in..." Kate stepped into the office, with the author close behind. His eyes flicking between the duo, Roy placed his pen across the top of his keyboard and leaned back in his chair, easing the muscles in his lower back. "What's up?" He asked curiously. He noted the way the detective swallowed nervously before taking a breath, and his anxiety levels increased. It wasn't often that he saw Kate Beckett nervous, and it rarely boded well when she let such obvious signs of discomfort show.
"Sir, I..." She gulped, her eyes darting to Castle once more. The slight nod he gave her stiffening her resolve, she started again. "We need to talk to you, Captain, about a personal matter." Roy laced his fingers together and rested them on the desk in front of him. His eyebrows climbing slightly, he had trouble masking his surprise. Given the case, he'd been expecting something related to that, not a personal matter. In fact, he realised that he had trouble remembering the last time Beckett had felt the need to come to him about something not work-related. Inclining his head, he replied.
"Rick, would you mind shutting the door?" Turning on the spot, Castle closed the door with a brisk movement, the sharp click echoing oddly in the sudden quiet of the office. "Take a seat, you two." Montgomery instructed, when the author had turned back towards him once more. Waiting until they had both seated themselves, the Captain met their eyes in turn. "You were saying, Beckett...?" The detective closed her eyes for a second and let out a short sigh.
"Captain, there's something you should know." She paused, her eyes darting towards her partner briefly. She cleared her throat, and smoothed the expression from her face. Speaking in a formal tone, she continued. "The nature of the relationship between myself and my partner has changed to the point that I am required to inform you of it."
Roy blinked twice, as he fought to keep the corners of his mouth twitching into a grin. He'd long-suspected that their attraction was mutual, and he was impressed with the level of restraint they had both shown while they were on the clock. Needing to obey the protocols, he asked,
"Would you classify your relationship as no longer professional?" He noted the slight wince, barely hidden by Beckett. Speaking up, Castle responded on her behalf.
"Still professional... but there is now a personal, romantic side as well." Rick met her eyes, and Roy could see the way their dynamic had shifted. Kate's eyes softened as she looked at the author, her entire posture relaxing slightly. Wordlessly, she reached out and deliberately laced her fingers through his. The warmth of his hand soothing her, she let a shy smile blossom across her face. Turning back to her Captain, she let out a short chuckle as she realised that far from preparing to rake her over the coals, Montgomery sat in his chair barely repressing a knowing smirk, the mirth dancing in his eyes.
Clearing his throat, Roy eased himself back in his chair, steepling his fingers together in front of his face. The grave tone of his voice totally at odds with his expression, spoke.
"Thank you for informing me, Detective..." He paused, watching their faces carefully, then continued. "I'm still not sure why you felt the need to let me know in an official capacity though." Seeing the blank looks in both their eyes, Roy let the smile he'd been holding back crease his face. "Whilst you are a valuable asset to the NYPD, Rick, you're not on our payroll. The rule about fraternization between partners doesn't apply to you two."
The immediate sigh of relief that escaped from the couple's mouths descended into subdued laughter as the full import of the revelation sank in. Far from having their partnership dissolved, they would be allowed to continue working together as before. The captain cleared his throat, dragging their attention back to him. "As long as you keep it on the down-low, there won't be an issue." He paused, his smile lighting up his face. "I only have one more thing to say on the matter... congratulations. You guys are made for each other." Roy chuckled, enjoying the still-stunned looks the pair opposite him wore. "Was there anything else?" He asked, traces of amusement threading through his voice.
Mutely, Beckett shook her head, her thumb absently tracing aimless patterns on the back of her partner's hand. Standing, she felt the gentle, affectionate squeeze of Castle's grip before their fingers parted. Reaching out, the author opened the door and stepped back, letting her go through in front of him. Pausing in the doorway, Beckett glanced back at the captain. "Sir?" She swallowed, the sheer relief written plainly across her face. "Thank you..."
12:30pm, Sunday, 12th Precinct.
The sharp ring of the telephone shattered the busy quiet of the bullpen. Reaching out, Beckett answered, her no-nonsense tone firm and decisive.
"Beckett." She paused, then replied. "We'll be there in ten." She hung the phone up and turned to face the boys, who had perked up at the sound off the phone. Standing, she called out, the rush of adrenaline lacing her voice. "Plain cloths just got a confirmed visual on Marenkovic. We'll meet them there and bring him in." Castle grinned, the slow, feral baring of his teeth sending a chill down the Detective's spine as he moved towards the elevator.
"Lets do this..." He said, smoothly switching mental gears into combat mode. Bouncing on the balls of his feet, he barely kept himself in check as they waited for the elevator, each second seeming to stretch out longer than the last. With a soft ding, the doors parted, and the foursome piled in, all more than ready to bring the case to it's conclusion.
12:37pm, Sunday, outside Frank McCourt High School, West 84th Street
Beckett pulled the car over, somehow squeezing it into a gap that by rights should have left a significant amount of paint on the sidewalk. Before she could kill the engine, Castle had his door open. Drawing breath to call out, she saw that he had headed around the back of the car, obviously intent on grabbing their ballistic vests. Popping the trunk, Beckett undid her seat belt and got out, slamming the door closed almost as an afterthought. Flashing her a tight, eager grin, Castle held his hand out to her, the dark blue of the ballistic vest clutched in his fingers. Taking it from him, the detective slipped her head and arms through the holes with practiced ease, shrugging her shoulders to settle the extra weight. Glancing over to her partner, she noted that he'd already donned his own. She blinked, the sight of the solid, close-fitting black vest a stark contrast to the usual 'WRITER' emblazoned across his chest.
His eyes flat, Castle pulled out his pistol and checked that he had a round chambered. Releasing the slide, he slid the weapon into the holster on his hip on auto-pilot, his thumb flicking the safety to make sure it was still on. Clipping the strap over, he secured his sidearm.
The sober reality hit Beckett suddenly. She was still thinking of Castle on some level as the happy go-lucky author, always ready with a joke and a charming grin. The rapid, methodical way he went about getting his equipment in order hammered home that this was what he had been trained for. The former marine stepped close, his hands reaching for her waist, fingers deftly seeking, testing to make sure the velcro straps were in order. Kate felt a flush of warmth wash through her at the immediacy of his presence, her own hands raising automatically to repeat the procedure on him. This was real, tangible, the way they looked out for each other, their wordless link keeping them in tune.
Pausing for a split second, their eyes met. Castle dipped his head forward, his lips ghosting across hers for the briefest of moments, before the subtle shift in pressure told the detective that he was smiling. Her own grin stealing across her face, she reached down and slapped his backside, watching the shock flash into the endless depths of his eyes. Letting out a short bark of laughter, he pulled back, matching her challenging stare blink for blink.
"Beckett?" He quipped, the teasing tone belying his nerves. "I've got plans for you when this is over..."
Kate growled, her fingers, digging into the belt loops of her partner. Yanking him back towards her, she leaned into him, her lips sealing against his as her tongue parted his lips hungrily. Releasing her grip on his belt, she threaded one hand into his hair, her fist tightening as she kissed him, hard fast and brutal. Her growl swallowed by his own, Castle responded, his tongue parrying with hers as he devastated her mouth, his hands spanning her waist as he held her close. Nipping at his lips, Kate had to fight hard not to wrap one leg around his hips and draw him closer, the rising tide of lust mingling with the adrenaline coursing through them, threatening to pull them under. Breaking for much-needed air, the sound of their panting mixed together as their foreheads touched. A strange blend of want and peace suffusing the pair, they drew the brief, stolen moment into themselves.
"Now we can go..." Kate muttered, a faint blush staining her cheeks as she ineffectually tried to smooth down Rick's hair, so thoroughly mussed only moments ago.