I didn't get as many reviews for the last chapter but thank you to those who did. The past few days have been insanely busy. Thank you for all the follows and favourites, they make my day and help me write faster.

I'm currently writing a piece of coursework on regulations to prevent creative accounting, you'll be able to guess what I'd rather be doing.

Disclaimer: Last month I was helping my uni win varsity in rainy Sheffield not filming in sunny LA

Chapter 6: Sir

She should be at home packing with her husband for Corsica or spending time in bed however, the people at the twelfth have other ideas. She's called into work because it is "Urgent" and "Imperative that you come in." She was still in her PJs, reading the newspaper with Castle on the settee fighting over what bits they wanted to read so instead settled for doing the crossword. That was until her phone rang. At least she wasn't told distinctively that Castle couldn't come and if it was another undercover mission she'll tell Gates "No". Especially after what happened last time, she wasn't going to miss lunch with her husband. She had done her share of undercover work; last time out it nearly killed her.

When she gets to the fourth floor of the twelfth, she looks around and finds it weird that it looks as if nothing had happened yesterday. Apart from the fact that Captain Gates was in her office with Chief George Hamilton. She had seen him only a few days ago for her Lieutenant interview so why was he here now? To take away her Lieutenant status before she had even started because of yesterday's events? Deciding it best to talk with her two superiors alone she suggests that Castle become reacquainted with her elephants.

She entered Gates' office to mixed facial expressions; Gates wasn't her usual forward self, she wasn't avoiding eye contact nor trying to make the eye of her best Detective whereas Hamilton seemed to have a smile. She made a point to shake hands with both of them, whatever was going on she needed to remember formalities and pleasantries.

"Good morning, Detective please sit down"

"Thank you, Chief. If you don't mind me asking, why am I here?"

"I'll get to that soon. As you aware of the events yesterday, your Captain here has made a decision."

She looked to Gates for any indication of what was going on, this time Gates was looking straight into the eyes of Beckett as she spoke,

"Kate, I've seen you here for the past few years and what you have achieved has been fantastic. You have one of the highest closure rates in the whole of the NYPD which given the workload due to the location of the twelfth is nothing short of incredible."

"I too have been aware of your capabilities but I was surprised it took you so long to attempt any of the exams for Sergeant. You are destined for much bigger things. While your stint in D.C. was relatively brief, you came back with more experience and Gates here has told me how it changed you."

"Thank you both for your kind words, as to why I didn't take the exams sooner I was enjoying my job and wanted to feel as if I had earned it or done my stint as detective. I took the exams because I felt ready and wanted to see if I could do them. The fact that I got a promotion like I did, I didn't expect so I was honoured that I was given it."

"Yes, that is completely understandable and I know other cops who aren't as good as you to try and move up the ladder quicker than they should and others who have the capabilities to reach higher stay as a detective for most of their careers."

"Kate, after yesterday I went home and talked with my husband. It is time for me to retire and I don't want to leave the job without knowing that someone who is capable of doing the job better than I am is to replace me."

"Sir, I still don't quite understand why you are telling me this."

"Kate, I want you to take over." Kate tried to take in her boss' words. A woman she had looked up to had just said that she could do the job better than her.

"Now, I know this is quick and you haven't even started as Lieutenant yet so I want to give you a bit more time to think about this. I know you're going away next week but I'd like to have your answer as soon as possible." Kate was still struggling to take it all in, the Chief was here offering her one hell of an opportunity. If a Chief turns up and offers you a job, you know you aren't being messed about.

"Wow, I'm flattered but I don't want to be a pen pusher just yet. I'm young and still feel as if I'm not quite ready to sit behind a desk for the rest of my life. As you've said, I'm great working in the field and that is where my heart is now. I don't yet have the stature to change the role to try and keep me in the field."

"You don't need it. Make the job your own. You've taken down a former senator who had twenty years of serious crimes behind him and all of the operations that went with it. Everyone above you knows the name Kate Beckett so don't be afraid. You were the youngest female detective, would have been the youngest female Sergeant or Lieutenant but if you accept, you'll be the youngest Captain"

Kate couldn't believe what was happening, she was held in such high regard by those above her and the woman that she respected. She looked to the man sat at her desk, the man who helped her solve the big cases and encouraged her development. He was ecstatic about the Lieutenant role, what would he do if it were Captain Beckett.

Her two superiors both looked out to see Castle playing with the elephants that had sat proudly on her desk, hoping that this would make her accept. She looked back to Gates who gave a smile and a nod whereas Hamilton who wore a hopeful smile, both waiting for an answer.

"So if I were to become Captain, I could still be out there with my team and continue like it is now just with a few more responsibilities?"

The two people who had just sprung a massive surprise on her looked at each other, nodded and together said "Yes."

"Who is going to do the paperwork and other things that come with being Captain?" She questioned

The chief looked to her, smiled and said "I don't think we have to worry about that."

"Then yes, I'd be honoured too."

They stood up and shook hands, all of them envisioning a bright future and a fresh new direction for the force.

"If you don't mind, can we keep it quiet for now? I want to tell Castle but not like this, I've got an idea that will he'll never forget."

"That's no problem with me and I'm sure that Gates won't mind. Just come by 1PP when you're back and we'll have a new contract to sign. If there's anything I can help with, just let me know."

"Actually, I know this is perhaps a bit forward but would you mind helping me with something to surprise Castle?"

She explained her request and they both were quite impressed and said

"No problem, we'll have it for tomorrow."

She said her goodbyes and thanks to the two people who had just taken her professional world to a whole new level. She walked out of the office and took Castle's hand.

"C'mon, Castle. Time to get out of here."

"What was all that about?"

"You'll see."

"Is this another one of your surprises? I'm liking all these surprises."

"Well don't get too excited. It isn't that big." At that point he wasn't able to see the big smile that had taken over her face.

A/N Remember this is set a few years from now. In the UK you can retire from the police or fire service at 50, for a full pension you must have done 30 years of service. In the private sector is it being staggered up from 65 depending on how old you are now.

I really hope you like Castle's surprise, it might be in the next chapter or chapter 8. Any guesses?

I don't know if I'll be able to post tomorrow but a few reviews might make it so… :)

Pretty please with cherries on top?

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