"Hi, dad." Kate started hesitantly the next day, as she took her lunch break at the precinct.
"Hi, Katie." Jim replied softly. There was a beat of awkward silence while Kate tried to organise what she wanted to tell him into coherent sentences.
"The little girl I told you about?" Kate blurted a moment later.
"Nevaeh, right?" Jim asked softly.
"Yeah. She, uhh," Kate sighed. "She's yours dad." Kate heard her father's sharp intake of breath and felt that sinking feeling, deep in her gut, intensify.
"Katie, you know I would never wish harm on someone, much less a child, but I've just got my life back on track." Kate sighed.
"I know. I didn't call to tell you I was dropping her off today and leaving the two of you to sort it out. She is staying with me until this case is solved, something which I must discuss with my captain actually now I think about it, and we will see from there. But dad, she's your daughter. You fathered her and now she's here, you cannot just sweep this, her, under the carpet." Kate implored him.
"Katie..."
"No, dad. I let you suppress everything after mom and look where that got you. I won't let you do that again. Nevaeh needs you, I need you." Jim sighed deeply.
"I need to get my head around this Katie. I'll call okay, soon, just let me sort this out in my own head before we involve her." Kate sighed.
"Okay. Sure, I guess. Just, don't leave it too long okay?"
"I won't Katie. I love you."
"Love you too dad." Kate sighed.
"Sir, may I speak to you for a moment?" Kate asked, peaking around Gates' office door.
"Sure Detective, take a seat, what can I do for you?" Kate smiled and closed the door behind her before taking the proffered seat with a small apprehensive sigh.
"As you are aware, Nevaeh Tyler is staying with me, under protective custody, due to perceived threats to her safety and wellbeing." Kate started professionally. She was a lot more comfortable with facts than feelings in this situation.
"Yes, I sanctioned it." Gates replied slowly, not sure yet where this was going. Kate nodded once.
"You have also implied that, as they failed to be available yesterday, Children's Protective Services will be coming today, to discuss moving her to a temporary foster home until her mother is found, or a more permanent situation is required." Kate couldn't bring herself to even suggest that Hannah Tyler could be dead, she may not believe in fate the way Castle does, but she didn't see the need to tempt it.
"Correct." Gates nodded, eying her detective warily.
"I am here to tell you that they will not be needed." Kate finished. Gates leaned back in her chair.
"Is that so, Detective?" Kate nodded. "And why is that exactly?" Kate took a deep breath.
"Because a DNA test has proved that she is my half sister Sir, and thus staying with family. Social Services needn't be involved." Gates leaned forward to rest her arms on her desk.
"Half sister." She mused softly, eliciting a nod from Kate. "Does your father know?" Gates asked gently.
"Yes, Sir, he does." Gates nodded slowly.
"Beckett, you know that this changes things. If we do not get the outcome we want, that could put you in a very tough situation. And whether or not this ends well, I cannot help but think you are now too close to this." Gates reasoned slowly. Kate nodded.
"I understand that, Sir and I shall deal with that as and when it is needed. As for now Sir, I can remain professional. This case is not about Nevaeh, it is about a woman I spent very little time with almost a decade ago. If Nevaeh becomes a key player in this case, I will gladly step down, but I believe in the case of Hannah Tyler, I can maintain my professional boundaries." Gates considered her for a long moment before nodding.
"Very well Detective. I will inform CPS to the new information." Kate smiled gratefully. "Am I to presume this means your shadow won't be joining us any time soon?" Kate sighed.
"Castle will obviously be staying home with Nevaeh until we know how permanent this arrangement is. If it becomes more than temporary we will, of course, be enrolling her in school." Gates nodded.
"Was that all Beckett?" Kate nodded. "Then you may go." Gates smiled at her and went back to whatever it was she was doing before Kate interrupted. Kate nodded again and left; she still had to try and find Hannah Tyler before another body dropped.