Hi, as usual I just want to thank everyone for reading and showing an interest in this story,, It's my most popular story yet!
Thank you to my Beta, Ayeshajen you're pretty great for doing this.
Enjoy!
Alexis stared at the two men with fear creeping onto her face. Jim pulls her in for a hug as he begins to question the intentions of their guests. "Boys, what is going on? Why are you here? And with those?"
Kevin looks at the man whom he has known for many years and then back to his puzzled partner. Sometimes he forgets that Javier hasn't always been at the Twelfth and has actually never met Jim Beckett. "We've got a situation, where's Kate and Castle?"
"Asleep, over there. But explain, Kevin, what kind of situation?"
"Did she tell you about the man the other day?"
"Yeah, but he's locked up now."
"Not any more. Someone bust him out."
"What? That doesn't fit with what she told me. He was working alone."
"Whoever broke him out wasn't working with him. He's after Kate, so we think that someone who has a grudge let him out so he could get her."
"Why is he after her in the first place?"
"He spent years in prison for a murder he didn't do."
"Was she the one that put him away?"
"No she wasn't Jim, but Joanna represented him and when she died no one else believed he was innocent."
"So he's going after Katie, I don't really understand."
"The prison warped his mind and he's became focused on her. The captain was the one to get all this, he'll be able to explain more. Meantime Esposito is going to get you two to the precinct while I stick with Kate and Castle."
Alexis turns to the figures sleeping on the sofa, her Dad snores softly as he holds Kate close. It's a surprise that they are still asleep but the pair were so tired. The detectives follow her gaze and smile at the sight. Both men are full of questions, Esposito slightly more than Kevin. Alexis speaks as they watch the sleeping pair, her maturity is clear. "He's after Dad too isn't he? Because Dad stopped him."
"I'm afraid so, but we need to get you safe. We know why he went for you the other day."
"Why? Did he think I was an easier target?"
Kevin walks close and pulls Alexis in for a hug before looking straight into her eyes, he speaks softly as if the tone could ease the meaning.
"He's after Kate because she meant everything to her mom but when he got there he saw you. He aimed for you thinking that you were Kate's."
Alexis looks to the sofa, her gaze fixed upon the entwined hands of the sleeping duo, when she speaks it is as if from far away.
"She reacted as if I were; she reacted like my own mother wouldn't."
As Jim pulls her into his side, wanting to make all her pain go away, Javier speaks for the first time. His mind is full of questions but they can wait, this man is obviously related to Beckett in some way, and both Alexis and Ryan trust him so Javier will trust him too. His gaze is upon the duo while he speaks, making a decision. "Kev, you go with them, I'll keep the other two safe."
"Javier.."
"No, I can handle this danger; let me play the big brother."
"You always do."
"That's because you're no good at it. Just be ready with the goofy comments for when we get the guy."
"Fine, but no threatening Castle, that's Kate's job"
The pair are slightly away from the others now, their voices low so they cannot be heard by the other two. "You've been calling her Kate since we got here, what's with that?"
"It feels weird to call her Beckett in front of her dad,"
"Her dad? That's who that is? Thanks for telling me sooner, bro. Now you're better with Alexis than me and you know Mr Beckett so it's best you're with them. Kev, I play big brother while you play little, ok."
"Fine, but what am I going to tell Lanie?"
"The truth, she'll understand and besides don't I get extra credit for protecting her best friend?"
"Right, see you later man, you can wake them up."
"Yeah, wish me luck with that. "
"You'll survive."
The man turns from his chosen brother and leads Alexis and Jim out of the room, Alexis has gathered stuff from her room and Jim carries it for her as they leave. She spends the last few steps memorizing the image of her dad sleeping so peacefully yet as soon as the door closes behind her, Javier begins to wake them.
Kate wakes first, slowly and still half asleep it takes her some time to realise that the man waking her is her friend. "Espo, what are you doing here? Where are the others?"
"Well, Ryan's got Alexis and your dad, and you're lying on Castle." As he speaks she wakes up more and upon his last words she sits bolt upright and after reluctantly removing her hand from Castle's she watches the man wake.
The lack of her body beside his wakes him and his eyes snap open as her fingers separate from his. The look on her face is tender as he pulls his mind from sleep but before he can speak she turns to another and Rick sees Esposito for the first time. He too bolts upright and begins to look round wildly for his child.
Kate's hand upon his arm calms him and he looks to Esposito for answers. "They're both with Kevin, He's taken them to safety but we've got to act quickly. We haven't got much time."
Rick can't talk so Kate does. "What's happening, Javier tell me."
"The man escaped again, his name is Liam Kennedy, and he's made it his mission to kill you both."
"I know that name."
"I know you do, but now let's focus on a plan. He could be here at any moment."
"You stayed to warn us."
"No I stayed to protect you."
"Javier."
"Let me play protective big brother, please."
"Fine, just this once. How did Alexis take all this?"
"Hugged your dad the whole time, not that I knew it was him. How long have you known Ryan anyway?"
"I've always known him, he's a distant cousin."
"He's what?"
The look on Espo's face pulls Rick from his stupor and he is about to insert his own comment when the door bursts open and Liam Kennedy bursts in.
For those that have read my other stories you know my fond love of cliff-hangers, I don't do them on purpose but it's the best way to end this chapter. Don't worry, You'll like what I've got planned for the duo.