The office of wish fulfillment would like to announce that Commissioner Reagan was put here as a cameo by request and that I tried to keep true to his character but even no favorites Frank Reagan wouldn't want to let go of a good police asset.

Zarosguth edited this one double quick and anything that's messed up is still all my fault. Thank goodness we're getting to the chapters that My Muse wanted me to write. She can be demanding sometimes but we love her. So I'm two chapters away from a hand full that I've had done for over a month. Just have to rework the next few chapters to align them with the current plot. So we should have a big posting next weekend.

In the mean time , enjoy and feed the muse.

After coming home, Kate had stripped down and curled up next to Rick but when her alarm went off for work she woke up alone. An ache started in her chest as she reached over to his side of the bed and felt that it was cold. He'd been gone long enough for the bed to cool. Sitting up, she looked around the room and found everything in place but this latest fight was one that left her both angry and guilty.

As she got out of bed and headed for the kitchen, she tried to think of something she could say to help alleviate this latest incident. All the times she had dreamed of being with Castle, never once had she imagined they'd argue so much. On the job they were on the same page so often that she thought they would be that way together as well, even more so when they had taken in Jane. But as her partner had moved out, things slowly started changing and she wasn't sure it was for the better.

She reached to prep the coffee pot and found it half full. A slight sniff revealed that it was about half an hour old. She poured herself a cup and headed back to the bathroom to get ready. A hot shower, some time with the blow dryer and a little makeup and Kate was on her third cup of coffee. She dressed in a tailored business suit because they were going to court again. She took her mother's ring out of the jewelry box and kissed it gently as it dangled from the necklace before hanging it around her neck. She then took her father's watch out and again placed delicate lips to it before strapping it onto her wrist. She had done this same ritual for years as a reminder of the life she had lost and the life she had saved.

Her hand fell to the jewelry box again and she took out the diamond ring that Rick had given her when he proposed. Her heart jumped wildly as she held it up. A beautiful princess cut that was worth twice her salary glistened in the soft light of their bedroom and as she looked around the ache in her chest doubled. Rick was usually just coming out of the shower right about now and she'd traditionally go smack him on his firm rear. She smiled at the thought. Rick could be an ass but he definitely had a nice one. Her grin fell when she looked towards the bathroom and found it empty. She turned back to the ring and placed it to her lips. She loved him, she really did. More than she had ever loved someone before.

Sliding the ring on her finger, she regretted that she had felt so defensive about being there for Liv. But she was family and Rick should have understood that. He hadn't and it made her want to lash out at him for thinking that she wouldn't be there for her friends, especially Jane and Olivia. She remembered more than a few times going over to Liv's when Alex had done something stupid. It had never been a problem before she had started seeing Rick, now she felt stifled and controlled and she hated that feeling. She would have broken it off months ago had she not cared about him so much.

Wanting to do something to break the tension she headed back to the bathroom. She pulled out her lipstick and wrote on the mirror.

"I love you and I'm sorry I hurt you."

She then pressed her lips to the glass and left the perfect imprint of a kiss below the words. She hoped it would be an icebreaker that would allow them to start talking. He was probably in bed in the guest room and she wanted to kiss him at least once this morning so she hustled over to the room but found it empty. So was Alexis' room, which wasn't unusual considering she was already at Columbia U for the day. Jane's room was empty too and so was Martha's.

He probably rode with Alexis to school, she thought. Thinking that must be it, she went back to their room and strapped on her pistol and her badge. She placed her cuffs in her jacket pocket and dug her wallet out of her purse. It was a plain brown bi-fold that allowed her to keep her license, credit card and police ID nearby without having to look totally girly with a purse. She checked to make sure everything was there and in with her money she found something she hadn't put there and it wasn't there last night.

She pulled out a small wallet sized picture of her, Rick and Alexis. It was a family portrait and one of her fondest memories. She flipped it over and found Ricks masculine script on the back.

"I still love you, more and more each day."

The scent of his aftershave drifted up to her nose and she inhaled gently. She could almost feel his arms around her. His chest pressed against hers. His lips parting her own with a hunger she'd never known before him. No one ever made her feel so cherished, not like he did. She cursed at herself for causing this rift. Then she cursed at him for making her feel this way; like it was all her fault. She tucked the picture back into the wallet and dropped it into her suit jacket's inside pocket. She shut off the coffee pot before taking her keys and leaving.

When she got into the 12th, Kate sat a coffee on her partner's desk knowing that Jane would have skipped Morning Joe's because she had to handle Liv's hangover. She didn't envy her partner in the least for that, having known what the Bronx native was like. How Jane got immune was still a mystery but it was what it was and Kate was relieved that she didn't have to do it… again.

She sat down at her desk and logged in to the NYPD duty roster but when she tried to activate her status, the system told her that she was declined. She tried again and again it wouldn't let her activate. She huffed as she signed in to the systems manual update she found that her current status was "On duty, in Court." When she tried to switch off her in court status it wouldn't uncheck. She signed out and left the system running as she caught sight of her partner.

Jane walked in and took one look at the coffee perched on her desk and all but ran to it. She took a large pull on the beverage before sighing in relief. She set it down and took off her jacket before draping it on the back of her chair. Jane sat down and logged in. After a few seconds she started mumbling about stupid computers and stupid glitches.

Kate leaned back in her chair. "I take it you can't get it to come out of court status either."

"Friggin' technology," Jane muttered, "I don't remember having this problem punching a clock."

"Computers, we can't seem to get along without them." Kate said coldly.

Jane was about to throw a snappy line about not depending on them for payroll when Captain Gates walked off the elevator.

Ever having a clean, respectable look to her, the dark woman slid out of her bright red suit jacket and hung it on her arm as she walked towards them.

"Beckett, Rizzoli," She said in an almost irritated voice. "Head over to One Police Plaza. You've got a meeting." She didn't say another thing as she unlocked her office door and stepped in.

Jane stared at her captain as the door shut. "Did I miss a memo or something?" She looked back at her partner.

Kate was just as surprised, "If you did, I missed it too." She stood up, "I'll be right back."

She headed towards her commanders office and Gates saw her and stuck her head out of the door, "No questions, Beckett. You've been pulled from Active Investigations for your court cases. Report to NYPD HQ."

The door shut and Kate turned around, "Oh shit." She said as she went back and locked her computer.

Jane locked hers and stood, "What?"

"Take your court work with you." She said, "If we're down there we might as well save the trip back."

Jane pulled up her files for court and slipped them into her messenger bag as Kate loaded her attaché case. "What's up, Kate? Talk to me."

Kate threw her jacket on and picked up her case and coffee. "Jane, I don't know how it is in Boston but being called by name into headquarters is like being called into the principal's office. It could be good but it's mostly bad. We are either about to be fired very notably or we're about to get promoted."

Jane groaned, "All the big boys play at HQ, this can't be good."

New York Police Department Headquarters.

One Police Plaza.

"You know we're in court for the Pilar case today." Kate chuckled, "Maybe it has something to do with you tazing those two German Shepherds."

"Right, that's it." Jane bellowed in amusement, "We're here because I tazed two attack dogs so they wouldn't eat you and Espo."

Kate stopped halfway down the ramp to the elevator, "What do you mean me and Espo? They'd have gotten you too."

Jane smirked over her shoulder, "I run faster than the both of you put together."

"Like you can outrun a Shepherd," Kate sneered lightly.

Her partner turned and walked backwards, "I didn't have to outrun the dogs. I just had to outrun you two."

Kate rolled her eyes, "You did."

"Just long enough to charge my baton and then I spun and put seven million volts through them." Jane turned again and smiled at herself. It was when she knew she was buying another one.

"Yep," Kate said sarcastically, "And almost broke one's shoulder."

Jane paused, "Hey, I made sure he wasn't going to run past me and get you."

"Keep talkin' Painkiller." Kate said as she walked passed and hit the call button on the elevator.

"Don't start, Beckett." Jane said, "I said, 'don't bring that mutt Royal home.''"

"Hey, we kept him out of your room."

Jane groaned, "Central heat, remember? I was sneezing for a week."

"That's bullshit." She scoffed, "That line might work on Korsak but I know better."

As they stepped into the elevator Kate remembered something else about that case, "I also remember a certain single, recently out lesbian who was staring at a certain Reality Celebrity's ass when she first came to the station."

Jane rolled her eyes, "I wasn't the only one; every man in that room was staring at her ass."

The doors opened and three cops came out of the elevator. One remained inside. "And as soon as I saw that outfit she had on, I knew what their reaction was going to be. You on the other hand are supposed to be my rock steady partner and one look at you drooling and I had to put Esposito in there with me." She pushed the button for the ground floor.

"How'd that work out?" Jane asked with a knowing grin. Her dimples were showing as she watched the other officer through the polished stainless steel doors.

"You know how that worked out." Kate said, "And after Esposito started walking around with a hard on I bring you back and I swear I could feel the heat radiating off of you when we watched the collar cam that had a blown up shot of her tits."

Jane rolled her eyes, "Don't tell me that rack didn't move you."

The officer looked up then and pinched his brows together. Jane smirked and passed a glance to Kate.

"They were nice." She replied with a 'kind-of' look, "They were fake, Jane."

The black haired woman turned to her, "You think?"

"I know." Kate said, "Reality stars are like their shows, everything about them is fake."

Jane nodded an agreement as the doors opened and they walked over to the reception desk. They pulled their badges and the desk sergeant checked their names.

"Beckett and Rizzoli, up to Command Floor."

They nodded and got back into the elevator.

The officer was still there. Jane sighed, "Espo seemed to be happy with how that one ended."

Kate glared at her, "That was not happy, that was relief that you turned her down."

A chuckle came from the back and Jane leveled an angry glare, "Something funny Patrolman?"

He shook his head and focused on the rising numbers on the indicator.

"Good," She said as she turned back to Kate. "Look, Kay Cappuccio is hot and I would have seriously considered it." She paused for a second, "Until she opened her mouth. She's dumb as a box of rocks and shallow as a puddle. I don't date stupid," She pointed a finger at Kate, "That's Esposito's area and I'm happy to leave it that way."

Kate started laughing, "He didn't want to date her, Jane."

The elevator doors opened and Jane smirked. "I don't sleep with stupid either." And she led the way out.

Once they checked in at Command front desk, an officer led them straight to the Office of the Police Commissioner.

"Um," Jane said cautiously, "maybe this does have to do with tazing two DEA Shepherds."

"Or there's the guy you killed at your condo. Or the guy you killed in that Brooklyn factory. Or maybe…"

"Oh, shut up." Jane barked, "Each one was cleared by the shooting board and for some reason I still can't figure out, they keep calling me a hero. I would rather be bored out of my skull while sitting at my desk playing Words with Friends with you, Liv and Maura."

A nod of agreement was all Kate gave before a terrifying thought rolled through her head. She caught Jane and her partner turned to look.

The Beckett Case!

Jane lost all color, No, it's not possible. Unless…

Booth isn't on our side! Kate replied.

Kate was almost dancing from foot to foot and Jane was worrying her hands something fierce. They took a second to steel themselves before walking in to the secretary's office.

She looked up at them, "Beckett and Rizzoli?"

They nodded in unison. She waved a hand, "He's expecting you so go right in."

Jane passed a look to Kate and her partner nodded. They prepared themselves for the worst and tried to remain calm. Kate put on her poker face and Jane's eyes darkened. It was like walking into Gates' office. Rizzoli knocked and Beckett pulled the door open.

Frank Reagan was a tall man with broad shoulders and black hair that was greying. His old fashioned mustache showed signs of salting too.

He looked over at the other man standing near him, "Go ahead with twenty new ones and we'll start fazing the old ones out."

He nodded as the Commissioner signed the form and handed him the file. The man excused himself and walked out, closing the door behind him.

The Commissioner looked up at them and stood up to his full six foot four inch height and smiled a tight lipped smile.

"Sergeant Beckett," He said, his voice thick with authority as he came around his desk and shook her hand. "It's a pleasure to see you again."

"Thank you, Sir." She replied curtly.

"Mr. Castle hasn't been around the 12th too much lately." Reagan said calmly. "I take it he's been tied up with his latest book."

She nodded, "Yessir. The book signings take up a lot of his time."

"Understandable." He said with another tight smile. "Please express my congratulations to him for being the New York Times Best seller three weeks in a row. That's quite an accomplishment."

"Thank you, Sir." She said "I'll pass it along."

He turned to Jane, "Detective Rizzoli." He shook her hand confidently, "I understand congratulations are in order."

He received a quizzical look for that one, "Sir?"

"You got engaged over the weekend." He said, "I trust that you will pass along my congratulations to Dr. Isles for me.

Jane turned to look directly at him, "Sir, how do you know about that? That isn't public knowledge."

Again he passed a confident smile, "I'm the commissioner. I know everything."

He smiled as he noticed her squirming ever so slightly and returned to his desk. "So now that evaluations at the 12th are done I wanted to congratulate you both. You made a 98% conviction rate, in all of NYPD that has never happened and I wanted to be the first to congratulate you both.

Jane looked to her partner and Kate stood wide eyed, "Sir? Could that be a mistake?"

He shook his head. "I'm afraid not. Your evaluation was one of the first that Captain Gates turned in. Although she didn't have anything too nice to say about Rizzoli, she was more than impressed with your team and your leadership, Sergeant." He reached over and pulled out a file and opened it.

"'Sergeant Katherine Beckett has continuously demonstrated exemplary skills in investigation of Homicides both recent and cold as well as shown a distinct and natural talent for leadership amongst her team, which consists of two very capable detective threes, a rather difficult Detective two,'" He looked up at Jane, "She means you," and turned back to the paper, "'and a brash civilian consultant. In addition to being my top investigative team, she also manages the nine other detectives in h er squad with unerring efficiency and leads more by example than by instruction. Beckett is well respected by the personnel under her command and I have little reservations about moving her up into a larger position. In truth my only reservation is with her partner, Detective two Rizzoli'"

He flipped the page and started over, "'Detective two Jane Rizzoli has shown great improvement in the areas of attitude and flexibility, both towards her fellow officers and myself in particular. Despite her rank of detective two she does have a strong aptitude for leadership, however when faced with adversity, her natural reaction is to intimidate and give attitude. Of those in Homicide, often Sergeant Beckett is the only one whom she listens to despite being teamed with two detectives that outrank her. During interviews, Detectives Esposito and Ryan have both repeatedly stated that they respect not just her abilities as an investigator but also admit to deferring to her leadership in Beckett's absence. I have witnessed that Rizzoli can be very intimidating and other officers at the 12th have made similar statements. This has caused me to alter on-call and time off rotations numerous times to ensure that Detective Rizzoli and Sergeant Beckett are partnered at all times.'"

"Then I have this note here," he said, "'Rizzoli is a good cop but needs a firm hand to guide her, I recommend that she be partnered with Beckett permanently.'" He closed the file and looked up at them. "She made the last statement off the record."

"There goes my promotion." Jane said sarcastically.

Reagan smiled, "Which brings us to why you're here." He looked up at them and held up two sheets of paper. "These are your transfer requests."

Neither moved nor breathed. Commissioner Reagan was the only one who could stop those transfers cold.

He came around his desk and sat down on the edge directly between the two of them. "I've read your files, I know what you are capable of and I just brought you up here to find out what it's going to take to keep you here in Homicide."

"Sir?" Disbelief filled the room as Kate spoke, "I don't understand."

"Ninty eight percent conviction rate," He repeated, "In all my years in the NYPD I've never even heard of such a conviction rate. The only one who came close was a Sergeant over at the 15th and she ranked a 94, I promoted her to Lieutenant for it."

"Olivia Benson." Jane said.

Reagan looked at her, "You know her?"

"She's one of our best friends and one hell of a cop." She said smartly.

"Yes she is." And there was something in his voice.

"You know her too don't you, Sir?" She asked.

He leaned his torso back and crossed his arms over his chest, "I was in command of SVU before Donald Cragen took over. I was the one who paired her with Elliot Stabler."

He again appraised them, "So what's it going to take, ladies?"

Jane turned to look at her partner who straightened, "What's the NYPD offering, Sir?"

He sighed. If they were to stay he'd have to put it all out there, "I have an elite investigative unit that's going to need a good commander in a few weeks. So my office isn't flooded with requests for that position, I'm keeping the name in my pocket for now. Beckett, you have all the qualifications to be that commander and I think you would do well there so I want to promote you to Lieutenant and despite Captain Gates' reservations, I think Rizzoli would make a good sergeant for you. I'll waive the time in grades for both of you and put up the paperwork this week so you can take over right after LETO. The job comes with a healthy pay raise and an increase in benefits, plus an increase to your pensions. When Gates decides to move on or someone promotes her, I'll put your name at the top of the short list for her replacement, with Rizzoli earmarked for your Head Sergeant and as long as you perform the way you have in the past, I'll endorse your names with my own."

Frank Reagan looked straight at Beckett and dangled the carrot in front of her, "Even if Rizzoli still wants to return to Boston, I want to put you in command. That's a lot more than what Boston Police is offering you. Within six weeks, you'll be in command of an elite unit and within a few years, you can be Captain of Homicide."

It was everything that Kate had ever dreamed of and she was tempted. Her partner saw that and nodded.

Go ahead Kate, take it! She sent.

Frozen in indecision, Kate looked back to the Commissioner. "Sir, I need some time to think about this and discuss it with my partner. How much time do I have?"

He stood up to his full height and tugged on his blazer, "I can give you until Friday. After that, Personnel is going to start shoving candidates my way."

She nodded, "Thank you for the offer, sir. I'll have an answer for you soon."

He nodded and looked over to Rizzoli, "Anything to add, Detective?"

"It's not a decision I can make alone, sir." She said, "I'll have to discuss it with my fiancé and my partner." She bit her lip, "But thank you for the offer."

He shook both of their hands and smiled tightly, "Very well. I look forward to hearing from both of you."

He returned to his seat and sat down and as they started to leave he called out, "Rizzoli."

She stopped and turned back, "Yessir?"

"I'm familiar with Dr. Isles' work and would gladly endorse a request to join the New York Medical Examiner's Office should she get tired of teaching."

"Thank you, Sir." She said, "I'll pass it along."

A glance to Kate and they were out the door.

Neither one said much as they made their way around the building to the court house on the back of Police Plaza. Both lost in thought about the offer that the top cop of NYPD had extended. It was a dream come true for Kate and she knew that her partner knew it. It was everything that Kate had worked her whole career towards; a Flag Officer and command of a Detectives' bureau.

Finally she decided to break the silence, "I'm going to see Burke tonight."

Jane merely nodded her understanding. And Kate stopped her with a hand on her chest. Jane looked over at her and their eyes met. Kate projected her uncertainty to her partner.

"Will you come with me?"

Jane ran a hand through her hair as she thought about it. "Sure, but I'll have to call Maura and let her know. I don't think we have anything planned tonight."

Kate nodded and let her hand drop. "What're your thoughts on this?"

Jane sighed heavily. The words that came out of her mouth were the last thing she wanted to say but her loyalty to her friend was undeniable. "Kate, it's a good opportunity and it's everything you wanted. I think you should take it."

"What about you?" She asked. "I know you and Maura want to go home but are you considering staying on here?"

She blew out a raspberry, "I… I can't answer that. If it was just me, I'd stay just to back you up but it's Maura too. You know how much she loves New York."

Her partner's sarcasm wasn't lost on Kate. "I won't ask you or Maura to stay Jane."

"I know." She said as she continued on to the courthouse, "But Reagan was right about one thing. Boston can't offer you what he just did and you should think about that. It could be years before you make Lieutenant and even if you do, you probably won't get Homicide."

"I know." Kate said mournfully. "But no matter what, Jane, you're my partner and I'm not going to do this on my own. If we stay together or split apart, New York or Boston, it's as much your decision as it is mine."

Jane smiled at her and even Kate could see it was forced, "I know and I love you too."

Back at the 12th, Rick sat down at Kate's desk and arranged the flowers he had purchased on her desk. It was a small token of his regret for angering his fiancé but honestly he didn't understand why she was so angry at him. She was the one who kept running off with her friends all the time, leaving him at home waiting for her to come back. Was it too much to ask that she try to consider him before she decided to go solve whatever meltdown her friends were going through?

He sighed as he gently adjusted the last rose into perfection.

After ensuring that all was as it needed to be he set onto the task of going over the case files he had missed while he had been moving his business to Boston. He shuffled through Kate's notes as well as Jane's. It was the only thing on her desk she ever allowed him to touch.

As he reviewed the notes, he started digging through the files on the unsolved murders and although they told a different story, each one was a clue to a much larger series of events. He focused his attention on each case and made his own notes. Using the back of the murder board he started taping those notes up.

Two hours later he had gone through the last file and sighed as he looked over the massive case. There were pieces missing everywhere. He started to go through the files again when a courier came in to the bullpen.

Since Castle was one of the few plain clothes people there, the young man headed straight to him.

"Are you Detective Rizzoli or Beckett?" He asked.

"No, they're out of the precinct right now." He said casually. "What do you have?"

"I got a package here from the Navy but I need Detective Beckett or Detective Rizzoli's signature."

"How about Captain Gates's signature?" Rick asked.

"That'll work." He said.

Rick knocked on the door to Gates' office and stuck his head in.

"Rizzoli's case came back from the Navy and the courier needs your signature."

She looked up at him from beneath her glasses, "Send him in."

Rick waved him in and a few minutes later, he was on his way while Gates tore open the package and pulled out the file. Inside there was also a flash drive in a sealed evidence envelope. Rick cringed as he recognized it.

"Let's see why Rizzoli gives carte blanch to these guys." She flipped through the file and as she perused she nodded her eyes revealing her surprise, "This is good work."

It took her another few minutes before she got to the last page. She took out the note and frowned. "'Detective Rizzoli, I managed to generate a few solid leads on your cold case and the Flash drive contains some of the background you were looking for. Gibbs had me password it so you'd call him before you get to it. There's some sensitive information here and he needs to brief you on what you can and can't use. Tim McGee.'" She looked up at him, "Sensitive information on a cold case?"

"NCIS has far better resources than we do," He said nonchalantly. "Not all of them are admissible in Court."

She glared at him, "Clandestine government information probably." She shoved the drive into the file and handed it to Castle. "Tell Rizzoli that it's her ass if this comes back to bite me or my unit and by extension Beckett as well."

"Will do, Sir." He said with a grin.

He walked back to Kate's desk and sat down as he perused through Jane's cold case. Once he was certain that there was no one looking he pulled out the flash drive and looked at it.

Why would Jane give this to a Fed?

He had a feeling he was being watched but unwilling to leave the drive out, he tucked it into his shirt pocket and put the file in Jane's inbox while making a note and sticking it on the file.

I have McGee's flash drive. Castle.

Since he knew that Gates would probably check, he already had his story about not leaving sensitive information lying around and went back to the murder board. He wondered what Special Agent McGee could pull together on this case and he also wondered who exactly this 'Gibbs' was.

The thought was dispelled by another courier who came I with a dolly and three file boxes stacked up on it.

The courier came straight to him, "Beckett, Rizzoli, or Gates?" he asked.

"Castle, actually. I'll go get Gates." He headed back to the captain's office.