It was almost 6am when Rick returned to the loft. He needed to be back in his office in 3 hours. Rick barely slept a wink as he was over at Kate's place, talking. No matter how hard he tries to push for the name, she wouldn't give it. Then, Rick has an idea instead of just looking into Kate's files; he should look into Doug's as well. He made a mental note of that and went into his room to shower. Half an hour later, he was out.
Rick wakes up as he hears a knock on his room door.
"Dad, you've got a phone call," Alexis called. "It's Kate."
Instantly he jumps out of bed and frantically looks for his phone. He must have left it downstairs when he came home yesterday. He opened the door and the red head passes the phone to him.
"Kate?" Rick asked. "Is everything alright?"
"Yea," she replied. "It's just… Can we meet up? Maybe for lunch?"
Kate Beckett and lunch?
"That sounds great," he answers.
"Remy's at 1?" Kate suggests.
"Sure," he replies. "See you later."
"Yeah, bye." Kate hangs up.
Kate takes a seat by the window just as Rick walks in.
"Hi," she greeted.
"Hi," he replies. "So, what do you want to talk about?"
Before Kate could say anything a waiter comes up to them to take their orders. 2 burgers, a strawberry milkshake for Kate and a chocolate one for Rick.
"I know this case means a lot to you but we can't continue," Kate told Rick.
"Why?" Rick asked puzzled.
"I got a call," she started. "A little while after you left."
He could see she was practically shaking. He slides his hand on top of hers and gives it a light squeeze.
"He knows about this," she continues. "About us re – opening the case."
"Kate, I…" Rick started before Kate interrupts.
"I know you're trying to help," she sighs. "But all this must stop."
"Kate, please," he pleaded. "Nothing is going to happen. I'll make sure our son is safe. We can put a detail outside his ward, just in case."
"For how long?" Kate asks. She realises the how high the stakes are and she's not willing to take the chance. "How long, Rick? If it's just a day or two, maybe it'll still work but do you think they'll let you do keep the detail for months or for years?"
Rick maintains his silence. Both of them know that she's innocent but without solid evidence, it'll be impossible to convince the judge.
"Then let's go somewhere," he suggests. "Somewhere where no one can find us."
Is he crazy? Kate thought. As crazy as it may sounds, she actually considers it as an option.
"No," she said firmly. "No, Rick. Just stop the case."
"But Kate," he replied. "You'll be facing death charges if you back out."
"I know," she says almost inaudible.
"What about Caleb?" Rick asked. "What will happen to him if you…"
He dares not continue. He couldn't imagine her dead now that she had just returned into his life.
"He's your son too," she said faking a smile.
Oh shit! Rick thought. She's giving up.
"Kate," he says like a prayer. He's praying in his heart that she would change her mind. That she would let him do his job and nail that bastard. And that she'll trust him enough to keep their son safe.
"I'm sorry, Rick," she replies. "I wish there's another way."
Their food came and they ate in silence. Rick paid and they decide to take a walk through the park. They went to their favourite swing set and sat quietly. Memories played in their minds as they silently wish that they could return to those times.
"I used to bring Caleb here every Sunday," Kate said breaking the silence. "We would play ball or go on a mysterious adventure, it would be just us against the world."
There was a brief exchange of smiles.
"How did he know about you?" Rick asked. "The killer?"
There was another wave of silence.
"Kate?" Rick called out, hoping she would respond.
"Let's go home," she says as she gets off the swing. She feels that she's been watched and she's not going to risk her son's life by engaging even in the slightest suspicious action. He trails a little behind her.
"We're being watched," she says just loud enough for him to hear. Rick almost turns to look but Kate stops him. "Don't look. Just try to act normal."
She grabs his hand and her steps quicken. They were almost running. However in a city that races against time, they looked rather normal. She hails a cab and the both of them climbs in. She gave the name of the hospital Caleb's in and the driver drives off blending into the busy New York traffic.
"What was that all about?" Rick asked bewildered.
"He was there," she replied. She looks behind to see if anyone's following.
Clear. She sinks down on the back of the cab and lets out a huff of air. She turns towards him and find him looking at her in disbelieve.
"Are you sure?" Rick asks.
"Yeah," she replies. "I think so I mean I saw a man that looks like him by the trees. He… Damn it, Castle! I don't know. I didn't get a good look at his face."
He sighs. Great, now her lips are indefinitely sealed.
"Kate, you've got to tell me everything," he states, sternly. "If you want Caleb to be safe, I suggest you tell me everything you know about this man. I'll arrange for witness protection if necessary. Just give me his name and I'll make all the threats disappear."
She chews her lip as tears swell up in her eyes. Rick looks on waiting for her to answer. Kate ponders for a while, deciding if exposing the real killer was a risk worth taking. She decides to trust Rick, praying that her judgement will not go wrong.
"His name is Johnson," she mutters not louder than a whisper. "Aaron Johnson."
Sorry for the long wait. I'll try to update as soon as possible.
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