CHAPTER 2 – Peeling the Past

"Roy?"

Captain Roy Montgomery of NYPD's 12th precinct looked up from the file he was studying to see the Commissioner standing at his office door. "Sir? Please come in."

The older gentleman smiled at the younger and took a moment to look around the office. Scattered among the certificates and awards were mementos of the man's 18 years in law enforcement. Sitting on his desk was a family picture and on the walls hung photos of his police family. And in one picture there was a group shot of the captain with four others...three men and a woman. The older man smiled as he realized that one of those that were in that picture was the reason why he was there today.

Glancing at the younger man, his smile widened. "Roy, you look good. Evelyn and the kids doing okay?"

Roy grinned. "Yes sir, I am a lucky man. She and the girls keep me on my toes but I would not trade them or anything!"

"Good to hear! Well, let's not beat about the bush. I'm here about Richard Castle..."

TCOP

The subject of the conversation happening back at the precinct was currently riding in the cruiser of his partner and muse, Detective Kate Beckett. They had just solved the murder of a young auto mechanic and were heading back to get the paperwork completed for processing. Their suspect had broken down when Rick had asked her about the bracelet she was wearing; it had been a gift from her boyfriend, the victim. She had suspected that he was seeing another woman and in a fit of jealousy she clubbed him with a tire iron. The really sad part was that the other woman was his cousin and she was helping him shop for an engagement ring for their suspect.

Rick was gazing out the window as he thought about the case. "Beckett?"

His partner glanced over at him. "Yeah, Castle?"

"I know that we have discussed this before. I have been riding along with you for a few years now...but do these types of cases ever really make sense?"

She shook her head. "No, Rick. These are the sad ones. Miscommunication was the ultimate culprit here. Sometimes if people only said what they meant..." Her eyes widened as she trailed off.

"Kate, don't worry. We're good."

She gave him a small smile. "Okay. Let's get this done! I'm looking forward to a night off to relax. Maybe with a glass of wine, a good book and my partner in the tub…"

TCOP

"Rick is what?"

"I know...I was shocked! But you know the situation you have here is unique and if he continues to go out in the field he risks a chance of something happening."

"Sir, there's more to the story..."

"Are you referring to his partner?"

"Sir, Beckett is the best I have."

"And her team, including Rick Castle has the highest closure rate in all the force. I am NOT going to remove any member of this team; but we have an untapped resource and I want to see if he'll entertain a paid position as part of that team using all the skills he possesses. He'll have to pass the Detective exam but we'll use his time working with the department and his old position to make him co-Lead detective."

"Sir, he hasn't shared his 'old position' information with anyone but me. And I believe that he and Kate Beckett have finally pulled their collective heads from where they had been placed and admitted that they care about each other. With the policy that colleagues that are involved cannot work directly with each other..." The Commissioner held up his hand.

"Roy, that policy has been revised to say that it only applies to Uniformed Officers now. We have several hidden couples in the force and one is even at 1PP...You know Lt. Victoria Gates, don't you?" At his nod he continued. "Anyway here is a letter signed by myself, the Chief of Detectives and the Mayor. Do you know where the team is?"

"They are on their way back from capturing their suspect. They should be in momentarily."

"Well then, let's have a cup of coffee and wait then, shall we?"

TCOP

Beckett and Castle entered the precinct grinning. The uniforms waved and Castle greeted a couple and asked after their families; Beckett just shook her head watching her partner as he stopped to talk to Sgt. Hill at the desk and asked when he was going to meet his wife. She was evidently a fan and Rick had promised her a signed book for her birthday. She chuckled as she realized that he was a part of not only her life but the precinct. He may not have the badge but he had the heart of a NYPD cop.

The elevators doors opened and they entered the bullpen to find Ryan and Esposito by her desk.

Ryan was the first to speak up. "Guys, don't look now but the Big Cheese is in with Montgomery."

Castle looked over. "I don't see Bob, just some older guy."

Beckett rolled her eyes. "Not THAT big cheese, Castle. That's the Commissioner. Wonder what 1PP is doing here?"

"Beckett?" Kate raised her head to see Captain Montgomery looking at her. "Come in here and bring your partner."

Esposito looked at Ryan and grinned. Ryan said in a singsong voice "Mom and Dad are in trouble." As Beckett walked by she elbowed him.

Roy stood behind his desk and the Commissioner stood as the others entered his office. Once they came in he motioned to close the door and have a seat. The Commissioner opened a file then looked at Roy and he nodded. "Katherine Beckett: 9 years on the force…detective for six years, lead for four. Three citations for valor and several distinguished service memos in your file. 97% closure rate, highest in the force for homicide. Closure rate before four years ago was 88%. Impressive, Detective Beckett." The Commissioner looked up and resumed. "Team includes Detectives Kevin Ryan and Javier Esposito. Both are good solid detectives with several citations in their jackets as well."

Kate bristled at the obvious absence of her partner in that group. "Sir, I have a four man team…

"Ah, yes…your 'civilian consultant', Richard Castle." He picked up another file. "Richard Edgar Castle, born Richard Alexander Rodgers…came to us just under 4 years ago and has been actively working with your team. Awarded the Citizen's medal for bravery and has written some novels based on the NYPD about a character named Nikki Heat…hmmm...there seem to be some items missing from this file…" At that, Rick looked up wide eyed as Kate looked at him. He gave her a soft smile and decided a small spot on the floor looked interesting as the older man picked up a much thicker file.

"Ah, here we are. Richard A Rogers. Graduated from Columbia University…Magna Cum Laude with a double degree in Psychology and Criminology…entered Quantico shortly after Columbia, worked with the BAU as a profiler for three years and then became the SSA in charge of the New York field office. Left active status in the mid 90's when his daughter Alexis was born. Current status is inactive but weapons qualifications are current, last recertified two weeks ago…"

Kate's eyes were wide. She knew there was more to Rick; she suspected during their first year as partners when he put three rounds through the center at the range. He looked guiltily over to her and she glared back at him. He returned to looking at his new favorite spot on the floor.

Kate whispered to him "you said you were going to a book signing!"

"I did, Kate…the signing was at 6 and I went early to visit some old friends and…"

"Castle!"

Rick nervously looked up at Kate. He was afraid to see the look in her eyes because he had wanted to leave that part of his life behind. Her head was down and she was shaking in anger. He looked up and glared at his old friend when he heard the snort...wait?! He knew that snort!

Kate at first was angry. She had bared her soul to the man and now she found out he was a former Federal Agent...wait...oh, this was too funny! He hadn't based Derek Storm on someone else...HE was Derek Storm! And she was Nikki Heat! Wait! If they got married would she be Nikki Storm? And that was when she lost it and snorted.

"Umm, Kate?"

"Yes, Rick?"

"I'm glad you're not mad, but I'm a little confused."

"You're confused? I just found out my boyfriend was Derek Storm!"

"Umm, Kate?"

She rolled her eyes. "Yes, Rick?

"It would be hyphenated. You know...Heat dash Storm."

And then...they both started laughing. The others in the room looked on confused. As they finally started to settle down, Rick looked around and snorted. "Umm, Kate?"

"What now, Rick?"

"Boyfriend?"

Kate's eyes widened and then she looked up at everyone. "Boyfriend."

"Nice to have you back, Rodgers."

Rick looked towards Kate and rolled his twinkling eyes. He looked over at the newly arrived agent. "Jacobs?"

The Deputy Director raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"

"How was that sundae? Did you get whipped cream?" At that Kate fell out of her chair laughing at the look on the agent's face. God she loved that man!

TCOP

After the events of the afternoon had settled, Rick and Kate had been taken to the FBI's New York field office. They sat down with Jacobs and went over the details of what was going on.

Jacobs outlined the situation. "Kate, we know that you have been investigating the murder of your mother. We know that Rick had been helping you and we know that you identified Dick Coonan as the man who killed her. We also know that at the beginning there were cops that were acting as vigilantes and making a profit off of this. One of those cops was a rookie named Roy Montgomery. The other two were McAllister and Raglan.

"Montgomery has given us a file that contains quite a bit of information and our guys are going through it. We know who the mastermind is now but we have to build a case before we can move forward. The FBI and CIA are working together on this one and we want you to be involved. Rick here is going to be reactivated and be the SAC running the whole thing with you. Do you follow so far?" Kate looked over at her boyfriend and nodded. She squeezed his hand and he smiled.

Rick looked up at his former protegee, now the Deputy Director and nodded. "Supervisory Special Agent Rodgers, reporting as requested, sir."

Jacobs relaxed. "With you on the case, Rick, I have much less to worry about. You need to report to Quantico tomorrow by noon for reinstatement. Detective Beckett should accompany you and she can observe when you are re-certified for field duty. You will be receiving a promotion to Special Agent in Charge of this task force and you will be activated as long as the current situation warrants it. Do you understand agent?"

"Understood, sir. I do have a couple of requests for my team."

Jack looked at him and nodded for him to go ahead."

"I want Kate as my liaison to the NYPD. Jordan Shaw will be my second. I have a couple others in mind as well."

"Rick, you have the backing of the Director on this. Get your list together and we'll do our best to make it happen."

"Thanks, Jack. It is good to see you."

"Same here. Now get your sorry ass home and explain what is going on to your girlfriend. You need to head to Quantico pretty early. Kate, it was a pleasure to meet you. Sorry it wasn't under better circumstances, but I'm glad he's found someone to put up with him. Oh…yes. Sprinkles were mandatory." After they shook hands, Kate and Rick sat quietly for a few minutes.

Rick looked up at Kate. "Are we good?"

"Yeah, we're good. Any more major surprises waiting for me to find out?"

Rick grinned. "Nope. Boyfriend."

Kate rolled her eyes. "C'mon, boyfriend. You have to show me around tomorrow and we need some sleep."

"Yes, dear."

TCOP

Kate Beckett sat awake in bed watching her boyfriend sleep. She smiled as she remembered saying it out loud earlier. She looked at her best friend, her confidante, her…one and done. He was an FBI agent! Then she thought of Alexis…no, he was a DAD who used to work for the FBI. She had come to know this man, this infuriating, egotistical lovely man. She watched as he nervously glanced at her, knowing that he was scared that she would pull away from him. No, he had knocked down her wall and she was in love with him, even if she had not said it to him yet.