Disclaimer : Caslte is made by ABC and the writers of the show. This story is an expansion on what they created.
The Twelfth Precinct
Castle and Beckett ride the elevator together heading towards the Homicide floor and Castle is glad that they are alone because it is allowing him to hold hands with Beckett. Something that even when they are alone in the precinct, like now, his 'big rule follower' of a wife normally doesn't allow.
It has been a few days since his confrontation with Holtzman and this is the first time he has been back to the precinct since. Both he and Kate have been with Jordan Shaw going over the events that led to the deadly meeting at the Holtzman farm and also observe the accumulation of the considerable evidence at the doctor's family farm slash kill site.
He is still feeling the strain and anxiety from his desperate fight for life with the serial killer from his childhood. The warm and comforting feeling of his wife's hand in his reminds him of how much Kate has been there for him during all this and has helped him make it some small way past the events of a few days ago. She has been with him, at his side, every step of the way. He knows that she, with the assistance of Jordan, had arranged for her absence from work to stay with him under the guise of assisting the FBI with their investigation. In some weird way being out there again, at the farm, for the last few days has helped him. Has given him small amount of closure more than the fact of killing Holtzman.
Then again his stress levels haven't been helped by the media attention the case has attracted. While he is relieved that in almost all cases his involvement has been reported positively the amount of attention has bordered on ridiculous. The news crews at the scene he expected but there are TV crews and paparazzi outside the loft and were even waiting for them today, here, outside the precinct.
At the loft they are able to avoid them as they are able to come and go from the basement carpark that is part of the building. Also, their trusty doorman Eduardo, ably assisted by a pair of uniforms from the local precinct, is able to keep the media from actually entering the building. All of them, him, Kate, Alexis and his mother are all screening their calls and not answering any from unfamiliar numbers. Through Paula he's released a brief statement requesting privacy and that there would be no comment on the specifics on the case as the investigation is still ongoing.
That's doesn't seem to be stopping them as the couple have just run the gauntlet of camera flashes and shouted questions at the front doors of the precinct as they arrived. Both of them had kept their heads down and Kate had veritably dragged him by the hand through the crush of reporters as LT and Julian, two of the uniforms that worked with them on the 4th floor regularly, pushed the throng aside and helped escort the couple into the building.
It's so ironic in some ways. When he first came to the 12th and started shadowing Kate he would have revelled in such media attention. Now, he's hoping that some movie star or other darling of the tabloids does something soon that will shift the media's relentless eyes from him and his family. He just wants to put this whole thing with Holtzman behind him. It even has him wary of attending the Pen Poe's Awards dinner tomorrow night as the media is sure to be there and while he's proud to accept his award he's sure that the media that will be there will focus more on recent events and not the reason of the night.
The front desk area of the precinct had still been busy with the usual assorted crowd of officers, suspects, victims and other civilians so he'd felt many eyes on himself and Kate as they entered. They had hurried past the security screening point and into the elevators as quickly as they could and so here they were, their breathing just now returning to normal after their dash past everyone.
As he senses the elevator car slow in preparation on depositing them at their destination Kate squeezes his hand and he looks over at her as she is studying him with a reassuring smile on her face. He returns her smile and again thanks the universe for bringing her into his life.
Then there is the familiar ding as the doors in front of them open, Kate releases his hand and they step onto the floor together. They take a few steps towards Kate's desk before they encounter the first other people on the floor, two uniforms escorting a handcuffed suspect. Both men make a point of greeting Castle, one of them even saying, "Well done, Castle!"
As they arrive at Kate's desk Castle is then taken aback by almost all the detectives and uniforms on the floor making their way over to him to welcome him, pat him on the back or give him some few words of congratulations at having taken down Holtzman. It is not noisy or boisterous but, for him at the moment, the perfect low key way for these people that he's worked with for almost seven years to show their appreciation and support. Despite all the killers he has helped Kate put away over the years and the training he's recently done to become an Auxiliary Detective this moment really has him thinking that he's one the NYPD family.
Ryan and Esposito have hung back and finally make their way over once the initial crowd has dissipated.
"Hey, Castles. We're glad you're back," greets Ryan.
"Yeah, we thought the feebs were going to offer you both to join the payroll seeing as you're doing their job for them anyway," teases Esposito good-naturedly.
Castle smiles at their friend's welcome. Before he or Kate can respond Captain Gates appears in the doorway of her office and calls, "Detective Beckett, Mister Castle. My office. Now!"
Both the boy's eyebrows raise at the Captain's brusque tone and they part to let the couple pass in answer to their superior's summons. With the distinct feeling of being called into the principal's office, he and Kate walk uncertainly into the Captain's office and close the door behind them at Gate's command.
The Captain is standing behind her desk with her arms folded in front of her and, at the pointed look from the woman, the couple go and stand in front of her desk, opposite her, side by side, their shoulders brushing.
"So, now that the FBI are finished with you both I have a few things to say about this 'case'," starts Gates in one of her severest tones. "Firstly, let me say that despite all the favourable things that are being said in the media this whole situation is not being looked upon with such amity at 1PP. You may be a hero to the press, Mister Castle, but I assure you that the means by which you uncovered this killer has caused some serious discussions amongst the department's hierarchy. After all your years observing Detective Beckett, not to mention your recent training to become an Auxiliary Detective, I would have though you would know by now the proper legal procedures for gathering evidence. Yet you decide that little things like due process and a suspect's rights don't apply to you as you entered that man's property without a warrant or probable cause. A clear case of trespassing and breaking and entering. You're lucky I don't march you down to processing and charge you with that right now."
"Sir, in Castle's defence I…..," interjects Kate, obviously intent on telling Gates it was her idea for him to break into Holtzman's barn. Castle's actually glad that Gates doesn't let her finish as he's prepared to take the heat for his actions and not for her to take any of the blame. He doesn't want the corners he cut uncovering Holtzman to negatively impact his wife.
"Detective Beckett, don't think that your role in this had gone unnoticed either. That you, a presumptive Captain, just happen to be waiting in the car as your husband breaks into Doctor Holtzman's barn and that you did nothing to stop him. Let alone the curious fact that it was your service weapon that Mister Castle used to kill the man with. How is the department supposed to have any confidence in your ability to command if you are prepared to throw away proper procedure and ethics whenever your husband is involved?"
"Captain, Kate had no choice. If she hadn't….," defends Castle before Gates continues, angry at his interruption and attempt to justify Kate's actions.
"No, Mister Castle, she did have a choice. Just like you had a choice. A choice between following the proper procedure that you have spent the last weeks learning as part of your NYPDA Detective's training or taking a highly illegal shortcut to find evidence on this killer. Evidence that, if the man had gone to trial, still might have been thrown out as inadmissible given the illegal means by which they were discovered, civilian or not. I thought you agreed to stop these 'off the books' stunts after your banishment last year yet here you are again doing what you want and damm the consequences for both you and your wife," berates the Captain as she pauses before dropping the hammer on the couple.
"I tell you, Mister Castle, both your spot on the Auxiliary Detective's program and your position as a consultant with the department have been put in serious jeopardy as a result of your actions in this. Not to mention that Detective Beckett's promotion could be put on an indefinite hold as a result of her involvement in your blatant disregard for the law," stops Gates finally, fixing the couple with her harshest glare.
Both of them stand there and the significance of the Captain's words weigh heavily on Castle's shoulders. He'd been prepared for any repercussions for his actions that adversely effected himself, but not Kate. The moment he stepped over the property line onto the Holtzman farm he knew there was a good chance that he would no longer be an Auxiliary Detective or even stay as a consultant at all, regardless of what he found. Yet, he's not prepared for his pursuit of his childhood terror being responsible for the freezing of Kate's career. He risks a glance at Kate and she does as well and their eyes lock for a moment.
In that brief moment of connection he tries to convey his deep regret at how he has involved her in his personal crusade while in hers he perceives her denial of his regret and solidarity with the situation they've put themselves in. This is obviously one of those worst moments in 'better or worse' moments of their married life together.
Turning back to the medusa like gaze of Gates, taking a deep breath and with a surprisingly strong voice, Castle speaks up at last, "Sir, I am fully prepared to take responsibility for my actions and any punishment that yourself or those at 1PP deem is necessary. However, Detective Beckett does not deserve to be punished for my actions and I ask, no, beg that my unorthodox and illicit behaviour while pursuing this killer not bring her down with me."
As Gates arches an eyebrow at Castle's words it becomes obvious that Kate won't let him throw himself under the bus for her as she pipes up stridently, "Sir, with all due respect to my husband, I was perfectly aware of what he was doing when he entered the barn and the way he did it and the consequences for him doing so, for both of us. Castle, brought down a killer that has preyed on women for over thirty years and I stand behind him and his actions in this all the way. It was I that found Holtzman's farm and suggested he trespass to find the evidence we needed to put the man away. Evidence we probably never would have gotten if we had followed proper procedure. So I am more than prepared to face whatever consequences the removal of this man from society has for myself and Castle. And as for him using my service weapon to defend himself from a murderer that was trying to kill him. There is nothing that anyone can say that will make me think that I wasn't one hundred percent right in giving him my gun. I did it then and I would do it again in a heartbeat."
Gates gives the couple an appraising look and there is a long silence in the office. Castle is thinking, this is it. This is where she tells him that he's banned from the precinct again and, just as bad if not worse, she'll say that Kate has lost her chance for promotion.
After a couple of minutes, that feels like hours to Castle, Gates uncrosses her arms and puts her hands on her hips as she speaks in a tone that is slightly less harsh, "Well, at least you both are prepared to take responsibility for your actions. If you hadn't I might have reconsidered what I am about to say..."
"Sir, we..." tries Kate one last time.
Gates holds up her hand and glares at Kate who looks chastened at being on the receiving end of a glare for once, "Detective Beckett, if you would let me finish. As I was about to say, fortunately for the both of you the Commissioner and some others agree with some of your reasoning for doing what you both did. That is not to say that you, Mr Castle, are just going to skate by on this. Before you are going to be allowed to graduate as an Auxiliary Detective you are required to retake all the legal and procedural classes that are part of your training program. You will be required to pass all of them at a level acceptable to not just your instructors and training officers but for the Commissioner and the Auxiliary Deputy Chief as well. Then if, and I mean if, they are satisfied that you have demonstrated that you have fully taken on board the lessons of those classes and that you are of the appropriate character to be the first NYPDA Detective then you will be permitted to graduate."
"Thank you, Captain, but what about Kate's promotion?" asks a still anxious Castle. It looks like he is out of the woods, he thinks, and he is more than prepared to do the extra work the Captain describes but that means nothing if Kate's career has been damaged by all this.
"On that, the Commissioner wants to see you both at his office this afternoon at 2pm," Gates tells them with a sphinx like look on her face, giving nothing away.
Beckett looks surprised at that as she responds, "Uh, ok sir. Um, do you know what he wants to speak about and why he wants to see both Castle and I?"
"I'll leave that and why he wants to see your husband as well for the Commissioner to tell you, Detective. Now, I suggest you get out there and finish the paperwork on the Emma Malloy case. Just because the FBI have taken over the investigation it does not mean that everything doesn't need to be closed off and properly documented from your team's investigation. Mr Castle, I suggest you contact your lead instructor at the Academy to arrange for you to take those required refresher courses," and with a pointed look at her door she dismisses the pair from her office.
As Castle and Beckett make their way back to her desk they both, again and not for the first time, feel like they've been told off by their school principal. Also, at the same time, they are relieved that the worst case scenarios about their futures, that were playing in their heads, did not come to pass.
"What do you think the Commissioner wants to see us about?" Castle asks Beckett as he takes his customary seat next to her desk and she takes hers behind it.
"I don't know, Castle. Maybe he wants to have his turn at yelling at us as well before telling me that I'm going to be put at the end of the list of officers waiting for Captain's spots. That it will be years before I get command of a precinct," theorizes Beckett pessimistically.
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe he wants to congratulate us and give us medals," suggests a hopeful and ever upbeat Castle, but at a look from Beckett says in a more subdued manner, "Uh, well perhaps not, but whatever it is about it can't be any worse than what Gates just put us through."
"Ya think, Castle," responds Kate sarcastically.
Commissioner Hayward's Office, One Police Plaza - later that afternoon
"The Commissioner will see you both now," says the middle aged female assistant standing in the doorway of the Commissioner's office and indicating with an arm to Castle and Beckett.
The pair stand from the chairs in the Commissioner's outer office, where they had been waiting, walk the few steps into the Commissioner's office and Beckett takes the opportunity to quickly brush her nervously sweaty palms on her slacks as they enter. As the assistant closes the door behind them Commissioner Hayward looks up from some papers on his desk he is studying and indicating to a pair of chairs in front of his desk says, "Take a seat."
Once they have done so, Commissioner Hayward sits back in his high backed office chair and contemplates the couple for a moment before asking rhetorically, "Well, Mister Castle, Detective Beckett, you both have been busy, haven't you?"
With barely a pause he continues, "I won't repeat what I'm sure was a frank and uncomfortable lecture that Captain Gates gave you about how you both handled this Holtzman affair, particularly you Mister Castle. Let me just say that if either of you ever pursue a case in such an unethical and illegal manner again you will both be kicked out of this department quicker than you can blink. That being said, and despite considerable pressure from the DA, I'm prepared to put aside your blatant disregard for the law in light of the positive media attention this case has generated and the fact that you have removed a true monster from our streets. In fact, given the media and public's views of your actions in this, if I did punish you, I and the whole department would end up looking like the bad guy."
Commissioner Hayward turns particular attention to Beckett as he continues, "And you Detective. You almost put me in a very embarrassing position by being so complicit with your husband's actions as he took down Holtzman. Embarrassing because this very investigation was supposed to be a trial run for a special taskforce I had in mind and have put considerable effort in trying to create. A taskforce that, thanks to your exemplary scores on your Captain's exam, I had in mind for you to lead before you decided to follow your husband in his crusade against Holtzman. I have to say your actions dredged up some misgivings I've had about your judgment that I've had when it comes to cases that have a personal dimension for you. Your mother's case for instance. However, again, because you've managed, by assisting your husband, to help take down a dangerous serial killer I am also reminded of what a good team you both are and what an excellent investigator you are in particular, Detective. That and if anything the resolution of this case did prove to be a successful trial."
Both Castle and Beckett look surprised at the Commissioner's last words and Kate in particular focuses on the mention of the taskforce as she asks, "A taskforce, sir?"
"Yes, Detective, a Special Investigations Taskforce. Mister Castle's efforts to create and become an NYPDA Detective, the unbelievable clearance rate of your squad at the twelfth, your diplomatic handling of the case involving Chief Inspector Zhang and having both been responsible for taking out two serial killers, even before Holtzman, all lead me to try and find a way to better utilize you and your husband's skills as investigators and not just for the city. So I came up with the idea of the Special Investigations Taskforce. Over the last few weeks I have been in discussions with the heads of the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut State Police forces about the creation and funding of a taskforce to operate across all our jurisdictions. This taskforce would be required to investigate cases, mostly homicides but it will also have a remit to investigate other significant and complex cases that might be beyond the resources or skill of normal detective units or that, in the case of the NYPD, Major Crimes or Special Victims are too busy to deal with."
If Castle and Beckett were surprised before they are doubly so now as Kate asks with a tinge of incredulity, "And you want me to command this taskforce, sir?"
"Yes, Detective. At first I was just going to have you and your husband be the core of the team but now that you've passed the Captain's exam with flying colours you're just the person to lead it. You'll still be leading the investigations as well as supervising an expanded team of detectives and specialists which will include your husband, once he receives his NYPDA Detective's star. It's why I asked him to join us. To see if he wished to be a part of this taskforce with you," the Commissioner pauses to look between the couple before continuing. "To allow you to operate in all of the jurisdictions mentioned detectives and investigators from each of the State Police forces will be a part of the taskforce. I will also be looking for your recommendation for those NYPD personnel you wish to be a part of the taskforce. I won't be surprised if a certain pair of detectives is at the top of that list. I also want to keep your whole team as cohesive and consistent as possible so I want your suggestion for dedicated technical personnel, including a Medical Examiner from the OCME. I've cleared it with the Chief Medical Examiner and whomever you recommend will be seconded to your taskforce whenever you investigate a homicide and will travel with you to whichever jurisdiction required to work with the local ME. However, before any of that. Do you accept the job?" asks Hayward, looking Beckett in the eye seriously.
Beckett rocks back in her chair at the offer. First the State Senate and now this. On the face of it leading this taskforce seems to be a dream come true. A way to stay on the front lines while accepting promotion and more responsibility while investigating tough and interesting cases. In some ways it's why she accepted the job with the Attorney General's taskforce in DC but this time she'll be able keep Castle, the boys and maybe even Laine at her side as she does it.
She looks over at Castle and he is looking at her with an expectant gleam in his eye. Just from the look on his face she knows he wants her to accept it. That he prefers this than the offer for her to run for the State Senate. This way his work to become an NYPDA Detective will mean even more. That he will be able to continue to work by her side as she investigates even more intriguing and difficult cases. While her instinct it to accept straight away she knows she should take some time to consider and to actually talk about it with her husband.
She turns back to the Commissioner and says, "This is a lot to take in, sir. Can you give me some time to think about it and to discuss it with Castle?"
Hayward nods in understanding, "Of course, Detective, but not too long. I'd appreciate it if you could give me an answer by the end of the week."
Beckett gives her own nod in response, "Yes, sir. I can give you my answer by then and thank you for the offer."
"Don't mention it, Detective. And what about you Mister Castle? What do you think about the taskforce and being a part of it?" asks Hayward looking directly at Castle this time.
Castle takes a breath before responding, "I wont deny this whole idea sounds intriguing but I don't want to influence my wife's decision before we've had a chance to discuss this, Commissioner, so like her I will have to give you my answer at the end of the week."
"Of course. Oh, one other thing that might help you make up your mind. While the taskforce will travel a fair bit within the three states for it's investigations you will be based here in Manhattan. Like some of the MCU and SVU units you will not be based here at 1PP but at a particular precinct, the twelfth. Your taskforce will take over the fourth floor of the twelfth. The homicide squad there will be moved to the neighbouring 15th precinct. That way you will have some familiar surroundings to operate from."
"What about Captain Gates and the command structure at the 12th, sir? Who will this taskforce report to and what will be the chain of command with Captain Gates also on the fourth floor of the twelfth?" asks Beckett, not wanting for this opportunity of hers and Castle's to usurp Gates within her own precinct.
For all their turbulent history with her superior officer, even their most recent dressing down, she has grown to respect the abrasive woman. Over a long road Gates has earned her loyalty. Perhaps not to the same extent that she had for Roy Montgomery but she has earned it just the same. So she doesn't want this to be a negative for the Captain's career or cause any unnecessary conflict with the woman.
"Ah, yes, Victoria Gates. I'll tell you both this now in strictest confidence and also because I know that as we speak Chief of Detectives Chavez is meeting with her. She is also being offered promotion, to Deputy Chief under the Chief of Detectives. She will be moving to here to headquarters if she accepts. With the homicide squad moving to the one five I'll be looking to promote Lieutenant Jorgenson in robbery at the twelfth to Captain. He's been on the Captain's list for a while now. He will take command of the precinct. He will stay on the 3rd floor and the taskforce will operate independently of his command. It will report directly to the Chief of Detectives and he will, in return, report to a committee of the Chief's in charge of the three State Police Forces involved and including Chief Barnes," answers Hayward.
There is a pause again as Castle and Beckett sit there and absorb the Commissioner's words. They both need to speak to the other about this but both of them are also thinking that they know what the other is going to say. Coincidentally they are thinking the same thing. That this taskforce could be an answer to their dreams of remaining at each other's sides, professionally, while offering an opportunity for new and exciting work. The new mountain's to climb that Beckett had been looking for since Zhang's case.
Both are eagerly contemplating the possibilities that this taskforce offers for themselves and their partners. It will also be a challenge and neither of them has shied away from one of those.
A/N : So there you have it, my idea for where Beckett's promotion could lead. Form the spoilers going around it looks like season 8 will not be anything like this. SPOILER ALERT...In fact it looks like they are bringing back something that was, if you read my story Reactions and Ruminations, one of my least favourite parts of season 7. PI Castle. In reality a taskforce like this could not just happen but this is fiction so I'm going to run with it. I see lots of possibilities.
Thanks as always those that have chosen to read and respond to my story.