Dropped Call
by Castlefan6
Authors Note: Castle missed his going away party because something unexpected came up and the Castle/Gina/Hamptons thing didn't happen etc. Castle assumes Beckett is with Demming and goes off the grid for several months. Would our favorite couple ever reconnect? From a prompt from Kato769. NOTE: AU not canon
I don't own Castle, I use the characters for amusement purposes only
Chapter 9
Previously
"Get out of my office Beckett, in fact Get out of this station, take the next 3 days off while I figure out how the hell to handle this."
Montgomery turned a folder over and opens up requests for transfer from Kevin Ryan and Javier Esposito, and under position requested, both had put, Any Open. Perhaps it was time to rethink Kate Beckett as the lead detective he sure as hell couldn't lose both Espo and Ryan at one time, so he needed to come up with something.
12th Precinct
3:00 PM
Same Day
Montgomery had been in a foul mood, worse than anyone had seen him since he took command. His door had stayed shut and at some period he had drawn the shades. He had been on the phone non-stop since Beckett left, and it wasn't a coincidence that the Police Union Reps had joined him a short while ago.
Espo looked at Ryan, "Bro, this is bad, and I think it's Beckett that's gonna get hurt on this one."
"I know Bro but there's nothing we can do, hell if we warn her, we'll be facing whatever she is, God knows what that is."
Inside Montgomery's Office
3:20 PM
"So before I make this call, we are 100% in agreement, Union, and Management, Beckett is to undergo Sensitivity Training for minimum of 3 sessions over a period of 8 weeks, during this time the lead detective role will be handled for the first 4 weeks by Detective Ryan, then Detective Esposito will lead the last 4 weeks.
If further training or action is required by the NYPD Psychiatrist, then we will determine the status of Detective Beckett then, whether she be permentantly demoted to Detective, or undergo more treatment. If she resists or declines either to step down, or attend therapy, it will be grounds for termination without cause or recall. This the agreement, and is witnessed by the Chief of Detectives, and Commissioner Boyle." Roy asks
Everyone agreed, so now the action was on Roy to inform all involved. He decided Beckett had the right to know first, so he locked his door, and closed the blinds as he made the call.
"Beckett, how can I help you Sir?"
"First please sit down, I usually have these discussions in my office, but I can't wait till you return, due to circumstances beyond all our control.
Beckett, you've had a great career and rose up the ranks faster than anyone in our precinct, BUT your actions of late have left a lot of those in power to wonder was it too much too fast."
"But Sir I*"
"Save it Beckett, and don't interrupt me again, this is coming down on you but has impacted me as your CO as well. Effective immediately, once your suspension is served, you will report back, but as Detective, not Lead Detective, you will report to Detective Ryan for 4 weeks, and then Detective Esposito for an additional 4 weeks.
During that time, you are REQUIRED to seek sensitivity training paid for by the NYPD, conducted by Dr. Carter Burke, NYPD Psychiatrist for a minimum of 3 sessions.
Failure to attend any session, or if you are unwilling to accept your temporary change in command will result in your dismissal, approved by the president of your Union, Commissioner Boyle and the Chief of Detectives Haller.
You will not be considered fit to resume your role as Lead Detective, until cleared by Dr. Burke. If you are unable to resume your normal duties after 8 weeks, the move to Detective is permanent, and you must follow all regulations to process any further promotions. A permanent replacement for Lead Detective will be made at that time.
Do you have any questions Detective Beckett? A formal registered letter stating what was verbally relayed to you was sent to you an hour ago, you must sign and return either by registered post, or hand deliver to the HR Department, Do not attempt to enter the precinct or your normal work station until cleared to do so. Are we clear, and do you understand all that we have discussed today?"
"Yes Sir" Beckett barely gets out as she stumbles to her couch. Her job, that's all she's had for years and now, she may not have that? She has to work for Ryan and Javi? Her mind is flooded with thoughts, then she realizes Montgomery is speaking again,
"I'm sorry sir, could you repeat that last part?"
"I said, this was the toughest call I have ever had to make, and not only is your Ass on the line, so is mine, so think wisely Detective, for both our sakes, Good Bye" then the line is dead.
Roy opens his desk takes the glass, puts it back and then just turns the bottle of single malt up to his lips, then sits with his head in his hands for a few minutes, to gain his composure, then steps to his door,
"Esposito, Ryan, my office now!" his voice booms across the entire floor, everyone is abuzz with the gossip and rumors, no one knew for sure.
Ryan looks at Espo like What the hell did you do now and gets up and meekly follows him into Captain Montgomery's office.
"Close the door, and keep your mouths shut, until I finish, and if I hear one word of this come back to me one or both of you will be directing traffic for the NY Giants football games, you got that?"
"Sir, Yes Sir"
"Sit down, I just got off the phone with Beckett, the Commissioner and others have forced me to either correct the problem or get rid of it, and I only have a short time to prove I have a cure in place.
Effective immediately Beckett is reduced to Detective, for the next four weeks this team will be lead by you Detective Ryan, and then Detective Esposito you will take the following four weeks, Beckett returns in three days and will be the third member of your team. During this 8-week time frame Beckett will be evaluated and undergo Sensitivity training and then based on he Doctor's evaluation, and the review board a final determination will be made as to what grade level Detectives Beckett will hold, if any. Her failure to obey any part of this order will bring about her resignation which will be accepted without prejudice or review.
Let me be perfectly clear, this is the best situation I can come up with any hope of re-forming the top performing homicide team in all of New York. Your requests for transfers have been denied, you must reapply if you still desire to do so after this time period of evaluation of Detective Beckett is concluded. I will NOT stand for any more cut-throat activities towards any member of the NYPD or any others that will work with us. Is that clear?
"Sir, Yes Sir" comes the answer in unison once again.
Any Questions"
Ryan looks at Espo, who nods then he speaks "Sir, would he be possible for us to possibly retain Castle for our team? I mean he left under circumstances that were less than favorable but Sir he was a great asset to the team, one we miss very much"
"Good question Ryan, but unfortunately, I have no way of getting in touch with him, and frankly I doubt he would come back until there is final disposition of Beckett's status, even if at all. Feel free to pursue it, BUT his daughter and mother are both off limits, do not contact them, is that understood?"
"Yes Sir"
"Any other questions,"
"No Sir" then get out of here and send any nosy nellies to me, do not disclose this agreement until I clear it, that's all Dismissed"
Esposito and Ryan are shaken to their core, Beckett had been a Detective only about 6 months longer than they, but she had been the heir apparent to Lead Detective, Jim Cannon who retired shortly after they joined, leaving the opening to Beckett. She had been to date their only boss, and Kevin was struggling on how he was going to assume the opposite role.
"Let's grab a beer, any place but a cop bar," Javi suggests
"Lead the way, Ryan replies, and definitely no cop bars."
University Medical Center
Toronto Ontario
3:45 PM Same Day
Rick and Trey had a full day today, not only was there infusion, but they also took a 30-minute course in physical therapy. Stretching muscle areas that could be diminished for lack of better terminology, lack of use.
Women were given a set of Yoga exercises to deal with the cervical area, and the men to work on areas that supported the male reproductive sections. The program had talked about holistic approach, but the therapy and exercises caught most off guard.
Once the initial shock and in some cases embarrassment, they began the exercises and could feel areas of the body begin to loosen up. Since the gene re-programming portion of the program was such a vital part of not only killing the cancer present but also training other areas to be prepared to attack cancer cells if they attempted to invade healthy cell areas, the PT was very important in the holistic approach.
As they left the hospital, tired but with more strength than they had had just a few days ago both were beginning to feel just a bit of optimism creep in. Trey takes Rick's hand, and asks,
"Hey Stud, up for a visit tonight?"
"Well, I would rather spend all night in your arms but yes, I feel up to it, are we going out or are they coming to us, and who is the mystery guest?"
"Out, I thought we would swing by the Diner and see how things are going with Jack, and the staff, I promise no working, or worrying OK?" as she reaches over and kisses him sweetly.
"Ooh that sounds great, the first place I laid eyes on you, and*"
"No and Rick, we stick to our diets, we can't get you sick on me and get set back in treatment. I promise you, once we're done, I will or have the chef make you anything you want, including Poutine, all you can eat"
"That's evil woman, how you can just read my mind like that, I mean it's like you know what I'm thinking and going to say before I say it."
"That's because we're connected at a deeper level, some call Soul Mates, others use other terms, but I'm closer to you than I have been with any other man, hell any person, at any time in my life, scary huh?"
"Not scary at all, I feel the same about you, two broken marriage, and a two year long quest to be the knight in shinning armor for Beckett, and I feel closer to you than any of them."
"Speaking of Rick, and don't get this wrong, I Love You, I really do, and I want to give us a chance, but I don't want you staying with me because of the Cancer, or because we work well together.
If there's ever a chance you can fix things between you and Kate, do it. Don't hold back on my part, I mean the farthest you are going to get with me is 2nd base for a while and maybe never get a chance to go any farther I won't hold you back from other women, it's not fair to you," as she finished tears pool in her eyes,
"Trey, you just have to trust me, I'm with you, I'm right where I need to be at this moment, and I would never cheapen the love we have for each other by settling, and you have to make the same promise to me.
If you ever become attracted to someone else, your life's mate, please tell me, I love you enough to wish you happiness, stay in your life as much as you'll let me, but stand aside.
Like you say, I want to give us a chance as well, once we're done with all of these outside distractions, you know the little C word that everyone throws out. No matter what happens, I want you to be happy, healthy and successful, if that's with me, I will be proud, if someone else steals your heart, then he will be one lucky guy," as hard as he fought it one tear trickled from Rick's eye.
"Hey, sorry to be a downer, but I needed to say that Rick, Thanks for listening, and even more Thanks for Loving Me in a way that doesn't choke me from other people or emotions. I can't, I won't go back to a relationship where I am controlled on everything I do."
"Nor would I ever want you do, hey there's the diner, dry your eyes or Jack will think we have bad news"
Her reply is a sweet kiss and "Thank You, Rick" and they exit the car and enter the diner to a standing ovation. Jack is around the counter hugging his sister, and first starts to shake Rick's hand, then pulls him in for a Bro hug instead.
The evening is spent with food, laughs, and a true hope for a better future for Trey for the first time she can remember, Rick smiles and laughs but is silently hoping he can win this beautiful ladies heart, but also is preparing himself for the day she will walk away, just like all the rest, they all walk away sooner or later.
TBC