A/N :To apologize for the delay in getting this chapter out here is a slightly longer one.
Disclaimer : I did not create Castle or am responsible for making it. AWM created the characters and ABC makes it.
Beckett and Castle step off the elevator side by side onto the fourth floor of the 12th precinct, each holding their usual coffee orders. Staying side by side they walk over to Beckett's desk where they deposit their take-out coffee cups and then proceed to divest themselves of their coats and bags. Beckett's usual over the shoulder purse and Castle's not so usual messenger bag.
They are joined at that moment by Ryan and Esposito, walking over from their desks, and it is Ryan that greets them, "Morning Castles. No new case for us yet so looks like we'll be going over some cold case files today."
Esposito takes note of the brown leather messenger bag that Castle has placed next to his chair at Beckett's desk and asks jokingly," Hey Castle, What's with the bag? You finally going to join us in doing some paperwork or are you hiding out here to do some writing. What's the matter your big bad ex-wife on your back again and you need to be here to use your 'consulting' as an excuse for dodging her calls?"
"No Esposito, I'm actually ahead in the number of chapters for the next Nikki Heat so this bag isn't for writing. If you must know it contains material relating to a personal project of mine. Personal, which means I'll tell you what it is when I'm good and ready," responds Castle peevishly.
"Come on Castle. What's in the bag?" asks Ryan eagerly and upon the uncharacteristic silence and blank look he receives from Castle at his query he turns to Beckett. "Beckett, you must know what he's up to. So what's in the bag?"
"Yeah Beckett, what's your husband hiding?" chimes in Esposito.
Beckett gives both her junior detectives a look that says they're not going to get anything from her, as she answers, "Sorry guys, top secret Castle business that only family members can know about for now. When Castle is ready he'll tell you but you're not getting anything from me."
"Hmm, family members only huh. Just like your wedding," says an affronted Ryan.
"That's right. Just like their wedding they're leaving their two 'brothers' in arms in the dark again," adds an equally offended Esposito.
Before Castle can oped his mouth to defend their choice for an intimate family only wedding, again, Beckett rolls her eyes at the exaggerated offence of her two friends and subordinates and responds in her commanding tone, "Enough guys. Why don't you both go down to records and get the files of the last six months' worth of unsolvedes and bring them up for us to give them some fresh eyes?"
Both detectives give Castle a look that indicates that he's getting off lightly before Esposito nods his head to Beckett and responds with, "As you wish." Then both men turn and head out of the bullpen on their assigned mission.
As Beckett and Castle take their respective seats at her desk Castle gives her a small smile in gratitude, looks over his shoulder to make sure the two detectives are both really gone and then leans in to speak quietly so no one can over hear them "Thanks for that. I'm sure to get enough ribbing from them as it is about my "project" it would be good to put that off for as long as possible"
"No problem Castle, but I think ribbing is the least of your worries. You realise that one of them will probably be your TO?" she tells him and sees a look of exaggerated horror appear on his face.
"What! But I thought you'd be my Training Officer? I had all these ideas on how you could punish me for not doing my assigned work," he responds in indignation with a hint of playfulness from his waggling eyebrows at the end.
"Think again Babe. I don't think the department's larges regarding our marriage will extend to me being your TO. If they allow you to do most of your training on the job here and as part of our team then one of the boys will be it. You'll have to rethink those punishment scenarios. I don't think you want to imagine Espo or Ryan in them," she replies in mock sympathy, reaching out to pat the back of his hand that is resting on the top her desk.
Castle's shoulders and spine shudder at the unpleasant images currently passing through his mind but then his usual smile is back on his face, "Oh well that might not be too bad. If it's Ryan then I shouldn't have it too rough. He's too much of a friend to be that hard on me.
"Yeah well knowing Gates she'll probably assign you to Espo knowing that Ryan might take it easy on you and that Espo definitely won't. In fact Espo will probably have you doing every bit of his paperwork plus five mile runs around Central Park just to get you started," teases Beckett giving her husband another unwelcome possibility.
After another shudder across his shoulders Castle looks behind himself again, this time towards the Captain's office, "Speaking of Gates, are you ready to give her the hard sell with me?"
Beckett takes her own look over her husband's shoulder and watches the back of her Captain's long, black haired head as she sits in her office head bowed over paperwork as she responds, "Yeah, I'm ready, but are you really sure you want to do this? It's a lot of trouble for you and if we can't convince her then it all stops here."
"I have to do this Kate. As I told you yesterday I have to do whatever I can to make sure I can stay as your partner. Come on. The boys will be down in records for a while we might as well do this now while they aren't here to stick their noses in or interrupt. Plus the sooner we get this out of the way the sooner I can really get the ball rolling," says an earnest Castle as he bends down, opens the messenger bag at his feet, extracts a file folder from within and stands with a cocking of his head in the direction of Gates' office indicating for Beckett to follow him.
At the sound of a knock on the door of her office Captain Gates raises her head from the paperwork she is studying to the sight of her lead detective and her husband/partner/consultant tagalong standing in her office doorway. Removing her reading glasses from the end of her nose she looks at the couple and asks them, "Detective Beckett? Mister Castle? Are you both wanting something?"
Castle immediately jumps on the opening Gates has supplied and takes a couple of steps into her office to be standing in front of her desk as he replies, "Yes sir, there is something that both myself and Detective Beckett are wanting and we are respectfully seeking your assistance and permission before we proceed."
"Yes sir, respectfully, we are both seeking your guidance and assent to proceed with a project that Castle has come up with that will positively affect our partnership, our team and the whole homicide division here at the twelfth," adds Beckett as she joins her husband's side, standing in front of Gate's desk.
Gates' eyebrows raise at the words and the united front the pair are showing her and with a wave of her hand indicates for them to each take a seat in front of her. After allowing them a moment to get situated and taking in the file folder that Castle has on his knees and clasped in his hands, Gates leans back in her chair, folds her arms across her chest and speaks just as Castle opens his mouth to begin.
"Before you both start what I am sure, thanks to Mister Castle, will be heartfelt, thoughtful and very verbose speeches about this "project" let me tell you that I know all about it."
A look of shock appears on Beckett and Castle's faces at that and it is Beckett that asks nervously, "You..You know about it sir?"
"Yes, Detective Beckett. I received a call from the Commissioner yesterday and he told me all about this grand idea of your husband's for the creation of NYPD Auxiliary Detectives and that he be the first one," Gates shifts her gaze to Castle and continues, "Mister Castle, firstly let me say how disappointed I am that yet again you have gone behind my back and over my head about a matter that directly affects my precinct."
Castle cringes slightly at the Captains words and responds apologetically, "I'm sorry sir. No offence was intended. I only approached the Commissioner and a few others as a tentative first step to see if what I have in mind is even possible. I hope the Commissioner made it clear that this will not go ahead without your approval and that you are under no obligation to give that approval?"
Gates nods her head at that, "Yes, Mister Castle, unlike the last time when the Mayor gave me no choice the Commissioner did make it clear that the ball is in my court as to whether this scheme of yours goes ahead. So first, are you serious about this or is this just some publicity stunt to help you sell books?"
"Sir, I assure you that publicity is furthest from my mind in regards this except as a means for me to attain my goal. That goal is for me to be Kate…I mean, Detective Beckett's partner in a much more official capacity and therefore subject to the same review, standards and formalisation as any set of partners in the NYPD," says Castle sincerely leaning forward in his chair as he speaks.
"And you agree with him on this Detective?" asks Gates, turning her attention back to Beckett and looking for the truth in the woman's eyes.
"Yes sir. While I might not have come up with this idea in my wildest dreams I'm behind Castle in this one hundred percent," responds Beckett with sincerity equal to Castle's.
"Captain, I hope I am right in supposing that you were not happy when the DA was the one that decided that I be banned from the precinct last Christmas if for no other reason that someone else was telling you how to run your own precinct. This idea of mine is a way to try and ensure that any process that in the future that may endeavour to have me removed as Detective Beckett's partner will have to be a much more formal process. That it follow procedure, allow the proper avenues of appeal and not be at the whim of someone outside the precinct just because of "appearances," Castle pauses as he takes a breath.
"You may be correct in your assumption that I was not exactly pleased with the DA sticking his nose into the running of my house. However, you are back as Detective Beckett's partner now and you have assured me and the DA that you won't do anything in the future that will warrant your removal, a pleasure I want to reserve solely for myself by the way, so why do you think this is necessary?" pushes Gates, wanting to make sure that Castle is being frank with her.
"Truthfully, after recent events I don't want to risk being taken from Detective Beckett's side again and while I have the utmost faith in Detective's Esposito and Ryan and the other members of the NYPD to have her back I believe that my place is not only as her husband but as her partner. A partnership I think that even you acknowledge, Captain, is the best in the whole department at solving murders. The precinct's own Compstat figures certainly reinforce that," says Castle as he taps the file folder in his lap. "Yet that's not the only reason. For a long time I have felt that while I have benefited both personally and financially from my time consulting here at the twelfth that the justice that we seek for the victims and their families deserves more of a commitment from me. I feel that I need to do this as a way of giving back to the NYPD for its generosity for letting me follow Detective Beckett and base a series of bestselling books on her. Not to mention for allowing us to meet in the first place and us becoming husband and wife," Castle pauses again and glances affectionately at Beckett next to him.
"Sir, for the over six years he has been shadowing me Castle has repeatedly put himself, his resources and his time on the line to help protect the citizens of New York. And yes, both he and I have gained personally out of our partnership but that still doesn't take away from the fact that together we have the highest clearance rate and have put more murderers behind bars than almost anyone else in the city. Together we make a great team and I think that as a new Auxiliary Detective Castle can only make our team even better. With Castle as a sworn member of the NYPDA he would be showing how seriously I know he takes our job here and how he wants to share in that oath we all took to serve and protect the citizens of this city," declares Beckett as she makes her own glance over at her husband.
The couple sit united but not without some nerves as their Captain takes a few moments in silence to consider what has been said, her poker face unreadable to them both. Gates leans forward in her chair, unfolds her arms and clasps her hands on the desk in front of her as she looks Castle square in the eye.
"Mister Castle, are you sure you want to do this and all the work it will entail? No more swanning in and out when you feel like it. You'll be expected to be here whenever you are assigned a shift and absences will only be allowed if they have been previously approved by me. Also, you will be required to complete the same amount of paperwork that all NYPD officers, Auxiliary or otherwise, complete. Then on top of that as a member of the NYPDA you will be wholly bound by the rules and regulations of the NYPD and if you insist on continuing as Detective Beckett's partner that you will be under my direct command," states Gates with just a hint of anticipation at the prospect at finally having the power to reign in the sometimes over exuberant antics of the writer.
Castle takes a very visible and audible gulp at the Captain's words but looks back at her steadfastly as he responds, "I assure you Captain that I have well considered all of the responsibilities, requirements and consequences of this path but it is a path that I am well prepared and insist on taking."
"Sir, Castle's recent experience as a Private Investigator and the effort he put into making that work shows that he has what it takes to undertake all the duties of an NYPDA Detective," Beckett adds and with a small smile across her lips continues. "As a PI he showed that what we do isn't just about the books for him but is also about seeking justice. While even he will admit that he also did it as a way to try and get around the DA's sanction and still work cases with me even during that time he still showed how valuable an asset he is and was responsible for the solving of several cases."
"Yes, well Detective the less said the better of the number of times your husband became involved in your cases while he was on official suspension from working with the NYPD. That said I won't deny that, to my continuing surprise and disbelief, you two do make one of the best pair of homicide detectives there is and I have always thought that it could be even better if only Mister Castle could learn a bit of discipline. If nothing else this little idea of his will allow me to teach him how a real NYPD detective goes about their business. In a manner that is serious, following proper procedure and completely respecting the chain of command. Are you prepared for that Mister Castle?" she asks again of Castle with a pointed look.
"Yes sir, absolutely. Whatever it takes. I want to prove to you how seriously I take the work Detective Beckett and I do together and that this is the commitment I mean it to be," responds Castle solemnly.
Gates take another few moments as her eyes bore into those of Castle. Then showing the decisiveness that her rank requires she gives a slight nod of her head, "Very well Mister Castle. While I can barely believe I am saying this I won't object to your little idea and will go as far as giving my recommendation and approval for the idea to the Commissioner. That said if at any time I think that you are not wholly committed to this enterprise or are not giving a one hundred percent effort then I will do everything in my power to terminate this arrangement, do I make myself clear?"
"Absolutely sir. Perfectly clear and as I've said I am fully committed to this and I hope the day I stand before you as the first sworn NYPDA Detective will prove that to you," replies Castle gravely.
"All right then. Well you better get out of my office and start making this happen then. The sooner it happens the sooner I can put you to some real work, dismissed," and with another nod of her head Gates ends the conversation, dons her reading glasses and returns to the paperwork in front of her.
Not until both of them are back seated at Beckett's desk and ignoring the curious looks the newly returned boys are shooting at them, as they pass them, do Beckett and Castle dare speak.
"Well, that went a lot easier than I thought it would," says a slightly relieved Castle.
"Yeah, looks like she can't wait to have you under her control. I always thought that was her main problem with you. That you were something she couldn't control. Now you've handed her the means to do exactly that. Are you ready for that Castle?" asks Beckett, truly curious of his answer.
"If my being under Gates' thumb is just one of the things I have to accept to make this work then it's a small price to pay. Anyway don't think she'll house train me fully. If she did that she would take away that imaginative flair that is such an important part of what I bring to our murder solving," responds Castle.
"Imaginative flair, huh? Is that what you are calling your wild theories now?" jokes Beckett then turns serious. "So now that Gates has come on board what's the next step?
"Well, I'll give Bob a call and he, and a couple of others will meet with the leading member of the committee in the State Senate that oversees legal and law enforcement matters to get the legal framework in place for this to happen. If they get that done then it's then just up to me to get through the training," Castle pauses and looks over his shoulder at the boys who are still looking curiously at the low talking couple. "Then I have to wait and see which of those two comedians are my TO and what sort of program they and the academy come up with for me."
The next day at the Manhattan offices of New York State Senator Arthur Carrington.
The large dark wooden door of the office opens and three men step out into a tastefully decorated corridor. Once the door is closed behind them the well-dressed African American man in the group turns to the thin dark haired man in the trio and shake his hand.
"Thank you for your help with this Mr Stokes. As one of the leading lights and contributors of the party I think your opinion on this helped sway things with Senator Carrington," thanks a grateful Mayor Weldon.
"It was my pleasure Mayor Weldon. Anything for Mr Castle and Detective Beckett. I owe them both so much more than I can ever repay. While my own aspirations for public offices haven't worked out I'm glad to see my thoughts still carry weight with those in the party that do hold office," replies property tycoon Aaron Stokes affably.
"It probably doesn't hurt that you were one of the people that recommended Carrington for his seat either Aaron," adds the other man present, NYPD Commissioner David Hayward. "You certainly must owe Beckett and Castle. First you bend my ear to lift my hiring freeze so that Detective Beckett gets rehired and now you're going to bat for her husband and his idea to become a volunteer detective."
"That's right David I do. Anyway from those figures you were quoting to Arthur I think my 'interference' is justified. If I hadn't then you would have lost the services of one of your best detectives and her partner," Stokes looks at his watch. "Well gentleman I apologize but I must dash or I'll be late for my lunch with my daughter Emma. I'll see you at Green Meadow for that 7am tee time on Saturday, David. Mr Mayor, a pleasure," and with that Stokes takes his leave.
As they watch the man walk down the corridor, away from them Mayor Weldon turns to Commissioner Hayward and says, "And thank you, David. I know Ricky was not one of your favourite people after that Scarpella business but I think he has shown with his proposal that he really wants to give back to the city and the department."
"Yes, well as Aaron said the figures speak for themselves and when Castle and Beckett are working together they are the best I have for solving murders. In fact this idea of Rick Castle making a formal career out of his consultancy with the NYPD has made me start to think about his wife's future as well," responds Commissioner Hayward as the two men slowly walk down the corridor, following the path that Stokes just took.
"Oh, how so David?" asks a curious Mayor.
"Well I can't help but think that she maybe is a little underutilised heading a single homicide squad out of one precinct. Don't get me wrong I don't want to lose her to some admin job or break up their partnership now that Castle is making it more official. I'm just considering how best to utilise Detective Beckett's obvious skills even more appropriately," muses the Commissioner as the two men wait at the elevator.
"All right, while you think on that I'll get together with my supporters on the city council so that we can push through the city side of the regulations needed to make Ricky's idea work. With Senator Carrington working on the State Senate you should be able to tell Ricky to start training before the end of the month," states the Mayor as they enter the now arrived lift.
"Yes, I'll have the Auxiliary Deputy Chief coordinate the formulation of the training program for this new position. If all the legislation goes through as planned then it should all be ready for him to start as soon as they do. In the meantime I'm sure he and Detective Beckett will continue to solve murders just like they always do," concludes the Commissioner as the elevator doors close and they start their journey to the building lobby.
A few nights later in Central Park
A jogger is pounding through the night keeping his strides in time with the music blaring from his earbuds. He stops, startled as he is confronted with the sight of a hooded figure crouched over the prone form of a body on the ground. Before he can say anything or even move the figure rises and he is confronted with the face of a beautiful Asian woman behind the very disconcerting sight of a gun pointed right at him.
A/N : And so we head into "Hong Kong Hustle" with the added variable of Castle's grand idea which looks like will happen. Who am I kidding if it didn't happen there would be no point to this story.
Thankyou all that are reviewing, reading, making this a favourite and following.