Disclaimer: I do not own Castle
This is my first fan-fic so I really appreciate all reviews, feedback, follows, and all that jazz. Thanks!
There's only so much 90's a person can take before 7:00 in the morning and Alexis Castle had reached her limit, 6 episodes into the Nanny. When the television guide proved to be unhelpful Alexis found herself at Kate's DVR. Her thumb hovered over the button, unsure of what secrets lurked inside. A lot can be discovered about a person from their taste in television. When she did enter, Alexis was met with a vast array of movies and TV shows, ranging from sci-fi to soaps. The young girl took note that Kate had the good ones, Star Wars, Hitchcock, Temptation Lane, Firefly, even a couple con movies mixed in with the Disney classics. Kate's Disney collection both surprised and impressed Alexis. She'd never imagined Kate to be a 'curl up on the couch with a glass of wine and the Little Mermaid playing in the background' kind of girl, but then again, how well did she really know Kate? Nikki Heat was a fan of those movies, apparently Detective Beckett did too. Then Alexis saw it. Towards the bottom of the screen it hid, but she saw it. Kate watched Nebula 9. Oh, Alexis thought if Dad were her he'd have a field day. Then it hit her. He wasn't there. He was in the hospital. Tired of television, Alexis turned it off and left the couch. She didn't want to think about that. In search of a bookshelf, Alexis set off, needing something to busy her mind.
When Alexis found one, a giant one, she ran her fingers over the spines of hundreds of books Kate owned. The Russian literature didn't surprise her; it was more of the vast mystery section that caught her attention. Alexis's fingers paused momentarily over her father's 26 novels sitting on the shelf, all hardcover, with worn pages and in order by publication. Kissed and Killed had a bookmark so Alexis stopped and looked inside. The marker was on the dedication page, along with her father's signature. Kate waited for Rick to sign her book. She's known Kate to be a fan, but she never knew how big. Alexis read what Rick wrote, tears brimming in her eyes, and plopped down in the nearest chair; feet tucked underneath her, and dove into her father's words, a little reading before she went to visit him.
Ryan and Esposito entered a near silent precinct, only to find a half-awake Beckett pouring over a pile of files and six empty Styrofoam coffee cups sitting next to her. The boys, not having made themselves known yet, went over to Karpowski's desk and motioned to Beckett.
"She was here before I was. I've been keeping her coffee levels up but she won't go near Castle's mug. It's just sitting in the sink in the break room. Won't even look at the espresso machine. This must be hell for her. I'm a little worried she's going to run herself into the ground." The trio stared as Beckett slumped in her chair.
"Thanks," Esposito said. "We'll take care of the coffee now."
"No problem," Karpowski replied. "Just find the son-of-a-bitch, for both of them."
Ryan and Espo went into the break room in silence. Ryan started on the coffee while Espo rinsed out Beckett's mug. Ryan did his best to make her coffee the same way Castle did but it wasn't exact. He carried her cup out of the break room, while Espo trailed behind with his own mug.
He set it down on her desk, right where Castle usually put it. Kate's eyes flew to the coffee, then to Ryan. The hope in her expression melted away and the disappointment was evident. She had been hoping that it was all a nightmare and that Castle would strut in and do what Ryan had just done. But it wasn't, and she had real work to do.
Espo went to the other side of her desk and pulled up a chair.
"What time did you get here Kate?" he asked softly. She sighed, knowing if she lied they'd find out.
"Around 6:15."
"What time did you go to bed last night?" Ryan questioned.
"I got a good night sleep if that's what you're asking."
"Don't lie," Espo piped in, "or I'll send Lanie on your ass. How long were you at the hospital?" He didn't even hesitate. They knew she would have visited Castle.
"About an hour," Kate winced, but then the corners of her mouth turning up at the memory of Rick wiggling his fingers.
"Beckett, are you kidding me? You're running on an hour of sleep and you think that's helping Castle? He doesn't want you to lose yourself over this." Espo sounded frustrated. Those damn tears sprung in Kate's eyes at the sting from Espo's words soaked in.
"Go take a nap on the break room couch. We'll wake you when the new captain gets here."
Begrudgingly, Kate did as she was told. She closed the door behind her and tried not to think about the case as much needed sleep enveloped her.
It was the same dream. Kate woke up to Ryan gently shaking her. Her eyes were stinging as he looked worriedly down at her.
"Sorry, Kev," she murmured.
"It's fine, Beckett."
"New captain here yet?"
"Not yet."
"How long was I asleep?"
" 'Bout an hour. I came in to get a coffee and you were tossing, turning, and sweating. You kept mumbling Castle's name, Kate." She looked down. "Hey, we're all worried about him." She nodded. "Try to get a little more rest."
"Thanks Ryan," she whispered, laying her head back down on the couch.
Esposito came in forty-five minutes later to find a wide awake Beckett drinking a glass of water.
"Yo, Beckett. New captain has arrived. She's calling everyone into the bullpen. We gotta watch out for this one. They call her 'Iron Gates'." Kate nodded, gave a small uh-oh and followed Espo out.
All of the detectives and uniforms were gathered outside Montgomery's office, listening intently to Iron Gates speak. Kate was only able to pick up bits of the speech.
"Gates…my precinct…dilatant writers playing cop…some changes," was all Kate could comprehend. Her mind soon drifted and became flooded with memories of Montgomery. Gates's back to work is what snapped Kate back into reality. She found her way back to her desk and had just taken a seat when gates poked her head out of Roy's old office.
"Detective Beckett, a word please."
"Yes ma'am," she replied, getting up and entering the office.
"Ma'am is my mother. You will call me "Sir" or "Captain"."
"Yes sir."
"First off, let me say I'm sorry for the situation you've found yourself in." Kate felt herself relax a little. "Then let me say that there will be some changes being made to your team, in light of recent events. I hope you understand." Kate tensed.
"Changes?"
"No more civilians risking their lives by shadowing you."
Kate paused and let the words sink in. Unfortunately she understood.
"I understand, sir," Kate replied. Gates looked pleasantly surprised.
"Honestly, given your reputation with Mr. Castle, I would have expected more of a fight."
"And there would have been, a week ago, but today I feel the same way. It's too dangerous, for him and us."
"Well that's good to hear detective. Now get back to work."
"Thanks you sir."
At her desk Beckett released a long sigh. It still hurt to think Castle wouldn't be following her anymore. She thought back on all the times he proved to be surprisingly helpful, that smile creeping across her mouth.
"Beckett, we got something," Ryan called to her from across the bullpen, breaking her daze.
"What is it?" She questioned hopefully.
Ryan and Esposito began filling her in on their latest development, when her phone rang.
"Beckett."
"Kate!" Alexis squealed through the line. "He's awake. The hospital just called. Dad woke up. Grams and I are on our way. Come soon!" Beckett was out of her chair, one arm through her jacket sleeve, and headed towards the elevator are "he's awake".
"Alright Alexis, I'll be right there," Kate said before hanging up. Espo and Ryan, after hearing only half of the conversation followed Beckett to the elevator with puzzled expressions.
"Is Castle alright?" Espo asked concerned.
"Yeah," Kate replied smiling. "He's awake."
"We're going to stay. Make sure you call us with how he's doing," Ryan piped in.
"Got it Ryan, I'll be back," she said as the elevator doors closed in front of her. Espo turned to Ryan.
" Bro, I haven't seen her that excited to see someone in a long time."
"Me either. I wonder how Josh feels about all of this."
"Dude, I don't care. If he gets in the way of these two anymore, I'm gonna pound his ass."
"How she's been acting over Castle, maybe they're not even together anymore."
"Man I hope so, but my threat still stands. Let's get back to work."