Knowing You
a "The Time Of Our Lives" story
8. Standing By You
Rick Castle had no idea that a single accident could have such broad reaching ramifications. But then again, wasn't that what life was? Just a collection of happy—and some sad—accidents. Maybe there was a thing to this whole alternate universe idea or rather the idea of the multi-verse. The decisions he made affected his life. But for every decision he made, there were also an infinite number of other decisions that he could have chosen. The possibilities were endless. There was even probably a Rick Castle out there who never had the pleasure of meeting the extraordinary Captain Kate Beckett.
He pitied that Castle, knowing just how dull and boring his life was without the amazing woman he'd been lucky enough to meet. He could have been like that if it hadn't been for the other Castle. He may be envious of the other man for having known Kate first, but he would be forever grateful for whatever cosmic hiccup brought him into this universe, and striking the match, so to speak, that sparked Captain Beckett's interest that would eventually bring her to him.
And now, through an innocent accident—a mistake by all accounts—Castle now found himself standing outside the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. as Captain Beckett went inside to arrest the man who had ordered the death of her mother.
It had been a busy three weeks since they had discovered the microcassette audiotape that had been hidden in the porcelain Parade of Elephants Kate had had on displayed on her desktop. When they finally found the compatible equipment to play it, and listened to what was on it, Castle had known immediately that Beckett was going to need him. And she had. For those three weeks, he stood by her side as they scoured over old reports and case files from the NYPD archives, searching for something that would provide confirmation as to what Beckett and her colleague, Detectives Esposito and Ryan, suspected once they'd recognized one of the voices on the tape.
Captain Roy Montgomery—retired, had been Beckett's mentor and friend. She had told him about how Montgomery had found her in the archives on evening when she was still in uniform, breaking protocol by being down there, but instead of writing her up on report, he'd let her be, eventually taking her under his wing and teaching her everything he knew about being a great detective. He had groomed her to replace him when he retired, so when his involvement in this conspiracy was uncovered, it was difficult for Beckett to accept.
She struggled with the evidence, not wanting to believe it, but in the end, Beckett could not ignore what was in front of her. After a week of sitting on it, taking the time to absorb as much background information as they could, Beckett went to visit the retired captain. And she asked Castle to go with her. After the pleasantries and necessary small talk was out of the way, Beckett wasted no time, cutting straight to the heart of the issue.
When it became clear they had proof, Montgomery came clean, confessing to taking part in an extortion scheme in the 1980s with John Raglan and Gary McCallister to punish the mobs and gangs, and how during one of their escapades he'd accidently shot a killed an undercover FBI agent named Bob Armen. Raglan and McCallister had then framed it on Joe Pulgatti, a mob enforcer. And it was then, that an up and coming Assistant District Attorney discovered what they'd done. But instead of turning them in, he blackmailed them for the money they'd extorted from the mob. And that ADA had used that money to become the man he was today—the leading candidate in the current presidential election: Senator William Bracken.
Castle sat in Montgomery's office and listened as the man poured his soul out, telling Beckett that when he'd first saw her he'd seen it as a sign from God, directing him towards salvation and ultimately his redemption. He'd tried to be the best damn cop he could be, but the past still weighed heavily on him.
To Castle's great surprise, Beckett forgave her former captain. With watery eyes and sorrowful expression, the two embraced. Montgomery offered his testimony and confession to help Beckett get justice, willing to face the consequences of his actions, no matter the cost. And then, before they could make their leave, Montgomery had stood up from his chair and walked over to a painting on the wall in his office. He took the painting down, and unlocked the wall safe hidden behind it. Inside had been a stack of files, more evidence they could use to bring down the aspiring Presidential candidate.
It took two more weeks after that to compile and review all the evidence with federal agents—Agent Shaw of the FBI and Agent Fallon of Homeland Security, to name a few—before seeking an arrest warrant from the US Attorney's office. Beckett called in some favors with some of her other acquaintances working in the Justice Department so that she could make the collar.
They were met by a large contingent of Metro police and Federal agents when they arrived at the US Capitol Building. Castle had squeezed her hand, promising to still be there when she was done, before Captain Beckett took off with the Federal authorities to arrest Presidential hopeful William H. Bracken.
A commotion from the top of the stairs pulled Castle out of his memories. He glanced up, and watched as Beckett emerged with a handcuffed Bracken. The man's face was blank, but his posture was one of defeat. Castle watched with pride as Beckett guided the senator down the steps, before she handed him off to the Justice Department agents waiting at the curb. The agents directed the corrupt politician into the back of a patrol car. And then, almost as fast as it had begun, it was over.
Kate Beckett turned her back on the disgraced senator, ignoring the man's glare, not even watching as the patrol car drove away. Instead, her gaze was focused on Castle. She offered him a weak smile, and walked over to join him where he stood off to the side, away from the spotlight. She pursed her lips and ducked her head as she grabbed his hands.
He felt so much pride and love, Castle almost thought he might simply burst from all the emotions he was feeling for the woman before him.
"She's proud of you," he said. "Wherever she is, she's proud."
Beckett nodded, raising her eyes to meet his. "I couldn't have done this without you, Castle," she asserted, her lips quirking up in a small smile as she chuckled softly. "Quite literally. If you hadn't bumped into my desk and knocked over those porcelain elephants, I would never have found the proof I needed to get justice for my mom."
He nodded, and squeezed her hands in return, shifting to pull her into a firm embrace, holding her tight against him. She shifted her head, nuzzling her nose against his neck, as he dipped his head down and inhaled the comforting fragrance of her cherry-scented shampoo. Beckett sighed, and gently pulled back. She looked up into his eyes with large expression orbs that said so much, more than words could ever say.
"Marry me!" she blurted out, startling them both.
His mouth dropped and her shocked expression mirrored his own.
"Kate?" he questioned at length, confused as to what had prompted such a declaration.
She heaved in a deep breath, and reacquired a hold of his hands, offering them a reassuring squeeze before launching into her explanation. "I know we have only known each other for just over half a year, but I cannot deny the connection we share," she said, gaining courage the longer she spoke. "It is a bond I had long ago given up on having with someone. When my mother died, something inside me changed. I built up a wall around my heart, and unwilling to risk the possibility of love for fear of being hurt like that again. But then you came into my life and opened my eyes, obliterating that wall and claiming my heart. You brought me out of the darkness and into the light, shown me that love does, indeed, exist." She paused for a breath. "I love you, Rick. I do. With all my heart. I love you more than I thought I possibly could love someone. And I know this seems rushed, and ill-timed—and it is—but I know in my heart that there is nothing more in this life I want than to be your wife." She bit her lower lip, glancing up at him with an almost bashful expression. "So, Richard Edgar Alexander Rodgers Castle… will you marry me?"
He didn't have to think at all to know what his answer would be. He wrapped his arms around her, tugging her closer as he pressed a soaring kiss to her lips. "Yes," he bobbed his head, a happy smile spreading across his face. "Yes, Katherine Houghton Beckett, I will marry you."