A Convergence of Storms – Part 1
Summary – A post 6x23 fic previously titled Hours Lost Forever. What happens when Castle shows back up after the car crash and thinks the crash happened after the wedding and Kate was in the car with him. Will be 3 parts and 3XK or Bracken are not involved. This looks at some new "old" mythology based on Castle's time shadowing the CIA.
Author's Notes – Thanks for all the favs, follows, and reviews – they really mean a lot. You are awesome. This is fairly short.
BTW, in chapter 10, I added something to one sentence – '"Several people were quite shocked when they read the first few chapters. Others of us, vindicated. The courier drop that Derek was sent on, meeting the contact, the spider in the bathroom, the kidnapping by the enemy, and daring escape," said Althea.'
I'm not sure if FF notifies people when I replace a chapter.
Disclaimer – Don't own Castle – Marlowe, ABC, and Disney do.
Chapter 11 – Aftermath
# # # # # # # # #
The funeral was held in a back corner of the Arlington National Cemetery specially reserved for these types of situations. It was small and private, only 6 people in attendance, no honor guard, no flag ceremony, no 21 gun salute, befitting a person who did not exist.
They hadn't shared all the facts with Martha and Alexis, just that Hunt had been killed on duty and a ceremony would take place to commemorate his life if they wanted to attend.
The group stood silently around the columbarium wall where the cremated remains had been placed after a short prayer was read. A small name plate marked the spot.
When Althea asked Castle what he wanted on it, he hesitated, not knowing what to put on it and then decided just to use the name that Hunt had told him the first time they met, when he thought that Hunt was one of the good guys.
But Castle would never know what Hunt's real name was and that left him with an odd sense of being incomplete. Other than that, Castle wasn't sure how to feel. The man had sired him, but, in his absence, his mother had filled the both roles of mother and father as he grew up.
Hunt had been a stranger – not family, as he told Beckett after the last time they met. In fact, both times they met had been in less than pleasant circumstances that gave them no real connection. This was then a mere formality – the marking of a stranger passing out of the world. But a void had also formed in his soul, one now that would never be filled.
Martha quietly dabbed her eyes and squeezed her grand-daughter's hand gently. Hunt may have been a one night stand, but there had been a possibility of it becoming more…if he hadn't been a spy. Yeah, she always knew how to pick men…
Alexis returned the squeeze and frowned slightly. She had never met the man, but his appearance in her life had forever altered the sense of security she had always felt. After several weeks of therapy, she knew she'd never go back to the innocence she had before that, and that would always pain her father.
After Castle told her about Paris, Beckett felt both anger at the man for having caused the problem in the first place and then gratitude that he had helped Castle get Alexis back. Then when she had met him in person, that anger came back full force. He had used to son to complete his mission, once again putting his life in danger. And now, because of something that never could have been imagined, Castle's life – hell – all of their lives – could be in danger and the man was now dead and unable to help. But she was here to support Castle and held onto his hand as tightly as he gripped hers.
"If anyone would like to say anything at this time?" the chaplain asked.
Castle looked at the name plate and shook his head, words failing him.
Anders cleared his throat. "I'd just like to say that the US government is grateful for your service and sacrifice."
The chaplain nodded. "Thank you all for coming," he said, concluding the ceremony.
Althea stepped towards Castle and put a hand on his shoulder. "Rick," she said softly. "I have something for you in the car."
Castle nodded and then quickly kissed Beckett as he let go of her hand. "I'll be back in a minute," he said quietly.
Beckett nodded and walked with Martha and Alexis to the town car that awaited them.
Althea, Anders, and Castle walked over to the other town car and the trunk popped open as they approached.
Althea pulled out a small worn briefcase. "These are your father's personal effects. We thought you would like to have them."
Castle nodded as he took the briefcase and swallowed thickly, amazed that one man's life could be condensed to so little. "Thanks."
He started to go and then turned back, pausing for a moment. "She's dead, isn't she? Sophia, that is."
Anders nodded in affirmation. "You were there."
Castle frowned. "Yeah, but I've learned that can be faked." He paused for a moment before looking at them sadly. "Were you ever going to tell me or just let this Sword of Damocles hang over my head forever, hoping that nothing would happen?"
"Rick, I am sorry for everything," Althea said softly. "Now that we know the situation exists, we have taken measures to prevent future occurrences."
Castle frowned. "But that doesn't mean they won't." He straightened and smiled slightly. "Then again, as my mother once said, there are no guarantees in life."
Althea smiled back. "You know how to reach us," she said, kissing his cheek and giving him a hug.
Castle nodded, and then turned and walked towards his family.
# # # # # # # #
Althea and Anders waited until the town car with Castle's family drove off before getting in their car.
"So how'd it go?" whispered Hunt, his voice gravelly.
"The usual," replied Althea. "Lots of tears and tearing of clothes."
Hunt nodded. "Good – I was afraid they were going to miss me."
Althea paused as she regarded the man. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
Hunt nodded again. "I can't help Richard like this and I've made too many enemies. It's time to disappear forever."
Althea nodded. "I'll start the process."
Hunt shifted in the seat, keeping his face passive as he tried to find a comfortable position.
For just a nano-second, he had lost his focus when he had seen the pictures of Richard in his target's room, and that one blink of the eye had cost him dearly. He hadn't been killed by the bomb, just injured enough to make him a liability at this point, possibly forever.
As much as it would pain him not to see Richard, Martha, and Alexis again, even at a discreet distance, he knew that they would be better off if the world thought he was dead. He was sure that this information had already spread like wildfire through the ghost network – one of the greats was dead, long live the ghosts.
Now it would be up to the younger, more able assets to sort out this mess he had inadvertently gotten Richard into when he had opened the door for him to observe the CIA. He almost wished now that he hadn't.
# # # # # # # # #
While Beckett changed, Castle sat the briefcase down on his desk and studied it without opening it.
He was so unaware that he didn't hear the door snick open and Beckett walk into his office.
"A penny for your thoughts," she whispered in his ear as she snaked her arms around him from behind.
Castle leaned back into her arms and frowned slightly. "I'm not sure I was thinking at all – or maybe I was thinking too much."
Beckett released him and perched on the side of his desk, her hand resting near the briefcase, giving him time to organize his thoughts.
"I know that 'naked I come into the world, naked I leave,' but is this all we are – just a briefcase at the end?" Castle asked rhetorically.
"What I know," said Beckett, reaching forward to loosen his tie, "is that you are much more than just your material possessions. It's what you've done between the beginning and the end that matters, and you, Richard Castle, are a good and honorable man."
Castle smiled at her and pulled her into his lap. "What did I do to deserve to have such a wise woman in my life?"
Beckett smiled back and came willingly, putting her arms around him. "Just must be your incredible luck."
Castle nodded and buried his face in her hair. "Kate," he said finally, "my flight or fight instincts tell me to run – to get away from you – from mother and Alexis – to keep you safe."
"No," said Beckett firmly, cupping his face in her hands, locking eyes with him. "You promised never again and I'm holding you to that. Okay?"
Castle closed his eyes and took a shaky breath. "Okay," he said finally.
Beckett kissed him softly and then looked at the briefcase. "So what are you going to do with that?"
"I don't know," Castle said and then looked at it in silence for several moments. "I think I'll just let it sit there for a while."
"Okay," said Beckett as she settled back against him as he wrapped his arms around her, kissing the top of her head.
This was right, Castle thought. This was family and this was where he wanted to be.
# # # # # # # # #
The End of Part 1