CH9

It is now one month later: (Early May 1999)

"Are we really doing this Castle?" Kate asked Castle yet again.

"Second thoughts?" Rick asked back.

"No, …yes, …maybe. I don't know Castle." Kate still thought they were moving too fast. In her mind couples took months, years even to get to this point.

"Castle we're looking for a house together. I moved in a month ago and I don't even have a job. You don't let me pay for anything. My life revolves around going to the gym with you and then to the library to read books, except for our weekly dates that you take me out on still." Kate wasn't really sure just what she was complaining about, except she didn't seem to be living, only existing.

If her mother hadn't been killed she would be at Stanford working on being a lawyer, trying to reach her dream. Now her dream was dead and it was the only dream she had. It felt like she was just floating.

Kate was beginning to fear it was all Castle's fault. For the last month Castle had been true to his word. They had been making love to each other daily and Kate knew she was falling in love with Castle, fast. Still what he was talking about was a big step.

Kate had been sleeping with Castle in his room ever since she got there. It did force her to go to the guest bedroom to get dressed since that was where all her clothes were located.

All her clothes now. Castle had gone with her late one night when she was sure her father would be drunk and passed out likely in his bedroom. It had only taken one trip for Kate to collect the rest of her clothes, shoes and a few other items that her mother had given her. She had even taken a few pictures of her mother with her.

They were both in the kitchen eating breakfast. "So what do you want to do Kate?" Rick had a plan, he only hoped that it didn't break them.

"I don't know." Kate was sure she didn't have a plan.

"What do you want to do Kate?" Rick asked again, this time a little more forceful.

"I don't know Castle." Kate answered back.

"What do you want to do Kate?" Rick asked yet again.

"I DON'T KNOW!" Kate yelled back.

"BULLSHIT! That's bullshit Kate. In here you know exactly what you want." Rick poked his own chest with a finger, right over his heart. "What do you want to do Kate?" Rick yelled back at her.

"I DON'T KNOW!" Kate broke down and started crying. Rick came around into the kitchen and wrapped his arms around her.

"I know this isn't going to come as a shock Kate, but I'm falling in love with you, and I think you do know what you want to do. So tell me what it is, from here." Rick placed a hand over her chest.

Kate still had her head buried Rick's chest and was still crying. Kate had stopped listening to her heart not long after her mother had been killed. Right about the time her own father threw her out. Now she had no one except Castle.

"I …want …my …mother." And like Castle sobbing earlier for the first time into Kate's shoulder for what he had lost, Kate was sobbing into Rick's shoulder for the first time for what she had lost.

Rick waited several minutes for Kate to calm down while he tried to sooth away her tension. "I can't give her back to you Kate, but I think I can help you get closure." Rick had a secret, a really big secret. "Come on, sit down with me. I have a story to tell you. It might be just what you are looking for." Rick started to guide her to the love seat.

"Oh I know it's a little early, but you may want this." Rick pulled out an open bottle of wine from last night and poured a single glass for Kate to drink using the new wine glasses that Kate herself had chosen at Macy's.

"Kate …love, I can't get the child I lost back and I can't give you your mother back either, as much as I want to, but I may have something that can help you." Kate was wiping her tears away and trying to listen to Castle.

"I told you I fled from L.A. to New York. I was actually born here, however since my mother is an actress she took jobs where she could find them. Because of that I've moved from one area to the next when her job ended. I went from school to school. I had a few friends from before the move to L.A. and left a few behind me.

It had been a while since I had been here so I kinda knew where I was and where everything was, however one day I went out exploring and ended up getting myself lost. I ended up what I later found out was the wrong end of the city. As an after the fact I should have ended up dead or in a wheelchair best case." Rick paused partly because he wasn't sure how to tell her the next part.

Kate was now paying close attention to Castle, hearing him talk about how even he, an ex-Ranger could have ended up in a wheelchair or worse had her scared. Was her life that invested in Castle now?

"I ran across a guy who looked out of place for the location. He was dressed even better than I was, not lawyer or church Sunday nice, but much nicer than the area warranted. The two of us kind of stood out like a sore thumb.

We started walking out together and were talking small talk. He was disarming and he had me talking about my past, telling him things about what I had done in the Army that I haven't even told you yet." Rick could still picture him in his mind.

"Then he started telling me a story that was way too fantastical to believe. We're talking Twilight Zone here, something that only happens in the movies or in your dreams. I mean when I was young I wanted to be a super hero. Have super powers, x-ray vision, super strength and of course fly. Can't be a super hero if you can't fly. …Unless you were the Flash of course, which would also have been cool." Rick was side tracking himself and seeing Kate glaring at him got him back on track.

"What I'm about to tell you is the god's honest truth. …I swear." Rick held up his hand with his other hand over his heart.

Rick took a deep breath knowing Kate wasn't going to believe a word of this. It just happened to be a good thing that he could prove it, if Kate would let him.

"He told me he was part of a two man team sent out to evaluate planets and determine if they were going to be a threat to them in the future." Rick started off and could already see that he had lost Kate.

"Planets? …As in an alien from outer space?" It was the way Kate said it that made Rick think Kate already thought he was nuts.

"I swear Kate, just listen." Rick needed her to listen.

"His planet sends out teams to other systems with the plan to determine if they would turn out to be hostile to them. They are expanding constantly and slowly taking over system after system.

If they are deemed a threat to them in the future they send in the military and wipe them out while it is still easy for them to do so. They explained that with our present level of technology it would only take them 6 days to exterminate our race. Eliminate everything we have built and colonize our planet for themselves, followed by terraforming Mars and placing domes on the moon and other planets.

Something about building a dome around the planet and terraforming it under this dome." Rick paused since it looked like Kate wasn't believing any of it.

"They want to kill us and colonize our system?" Kate was trying to dumb this down so she could follow.

"They want to find out if they have to kill us or if they can work with us. Their plan for us was to have each of them select a person and give him something. What this person did with it would determine if we live or die.

They would each choose a person who in turn would choose another person and how they each used what they were given would determine what would happen. His partner had already found his person and he wanted to counter who he had selected with one of his own." Rick paused again to allow Kate to catch up.

"And you're telling me he chose you?" Rick nodded his head. "So what or who is the opposite of you?" Kate thought she knew enough about Castle-that he wasn't a bad person, and would actually help anyone he could. He used to be an Army Ranger for Christ's sake. He fought for his country.

"He wouldn't tell me who the other person was because as part of the deal he didn't know, but he knew his partner and the type of person he would select." Rick told her.

"And you are the counter to whom this other alien selected is?" Kate asked.

"So you believe me?" Rick didn't think it would be this easy. It hadn't been that easy for him.

"Not a single word babe." Kate looked at Rick like he had lost his mind or was trying out a story for a new book, a sci-fi book this time. Or maybe it was a story idea for the next Twilight Zone show.

Rick lowered his head to his chest. "Yeah I didn't think you would, but maybe you'll believe this." He holds up his left arm. "Jack?"

The watch Rick was wearing changes to look like a wide bracelet made of silver and gold with 5 large gems attached across the face of it. Suddenly there is a small figure standing on one of the gems. "Good morning Katherine Houghton Beckett. It is a pleasure to finally meet you. Richard has named me Jack, for reasons that still escape me." The image actually turns and makes a face at Rick, which Kate thought was humorous.

"I am S.T.A.R.S unit 117 of the Strategic Technical Autonomous Reaction System. I am a 5th Generation AI unit that has been built and designed to assist the wearer of any item or object they wish to attain.

Since I'm a 5th generation AI unit I do not suffer rampancy, which for an AI unit is the eventual breakdown of our personality that results in delusions of godlike power as well as contempt for my mentally inferior makers. All smart 4th generation or younger AI units have a 7 year life span, at which point their memory is wiped.

In my case I will die when Richard dies, whenever that date is." Jack stopped talking, and looked at Kate.

Kate was still staring at this little guy standing above Castle's raised arm. He looked human and was dressed weirdly. He was wearing a long trench coat, cuffed and tweed pants, black shoes, a checkered vest all of which were rather blue/gray in color. He was wearing a red shirt that had a white color buttoned tight around his next and had a dark green checkered scarf wrapped around his neck. He was wearing wire framed sunglasses that were hanging low on his nose allowing him to see over them, and had a black bowler-like hat on his head. His hair was cut short and in a way he was kinda handsome, just not as handsome in her eyes as Castle was.

"So you're this alien that wants to kill us and take our planet?" Kate was following or so she thought.

"I'm the AI unit that this alien as you call him gave Richard as part of the test to determine the outcome of your race. It is what you do with me that will determine what will happen." Jack corrected Kate.

"I've had Jack for about a year now along with the other AI unit." Rick explained.

"I, …You were a watch before." Kate didn't understand.

"Each unit has a built-in chameleon circuitry that allows me to appear as anything desired. This is my natural state. Or I can be a watch, simple bracelet, bracelet made up of diamonds, or a simple cord with beads. Anything that is desired." Jack explained and Kate watched as Jack alternated between each look, finally settling on his natural state.

Kate opened her mouth like she was going to say something, however changed her mind and closed it, only to do it twice more.

"It's a lot to take in Kate, trust me I know. You should have been there when he explained it to me. Hell I didn't even believe he was an alien until he showed me what he naturally looked like and let me tell you, it was scary." Rick told her. "Jack?"

Kate watched as Jack changed his form to look like what the alien that had approached Rick looked like.

It looked like a gargoyle with vicious looking claws, a mouth full of teeth, and ears that reminded Kate of a Vulcan from Star Trek, long and pointy if not even more so. Instead of wings it had these octopus-like strands coming out of its back. Its eyes were what got Kate's attention, they were a shining solid blue color. It looked like a born killer.

"They are conquerors; they spread out and search adjoining systems for potential enemies. On each inhabited planet they encounter they leave behind devices like me. It is a test to determine how you would use very advanced technology, far above what you could create. If you are unable to work together, you are considered a danger to their way of life. Instead of waiting to fight you on even ground, you are exterminated now, while you are weak and unable to resist." Jack changed back to his normal form.

"Richard was selected because he is the opposite of the other person that was selected. Each is then tasked with selecting another person to receive a similar AI and assist that person.

What happens good or bad is what will determine if your race is exterminated or you are allowed to advance." Jack told Kate.

"Who was the other person?" Kate asked.

"I do not know and Richard was not told. I do know that Richard was selected a day after the other person was selected." Jack answered her question.

"You've been doing this for a year already!" Kate looked between the two of them. "How much time do you have?" Kate sounded to Rick like she was finally starting to believe.

"There is no real time frame. Each unit will last as long as the owner lives. When Richard dies for whatever reason, I die with him. The same is for the other units. So in a way time is up when each of the AI units ceases to function. At that time a determination will be made on what happens next, provided you are all still alive." Jack answered her question.

"Meaning what?" Kate didn't understand that last part.

"In my case I have access to your internet. Your race has already involved itself in two World Wars along with a number of smaller engagements including the ones that are taking place at this moment. They simply don't gain much attention.

It is conceivable that you will destroy yourselves even before the test is completed." Jack explained.

"Or this test of yours will end in that result." Kate added.

"That is one of the many possibilities yes." Jack agreed. "However it will help if you keep a positive outlook." Jack countered.

"Wait right here, don't move." Rick held Kate in place for a moment then ran for his bedroom. When he came back he had a device just like Jack in his hands. Jack himself had disappeared.

"This is the other unit. It is inactive at the moment. …I want you to wear it and take on this task with me. I want you to help me Kate.

Think about it for a moment. Your mother is gone and as much as I would like to correct that for you, I can't. What I can do is help you find answers and give you something that will help you do that with me." Rick actually moved so that he was kneeling on the floor in front of Kate. Kate was starting to panic. The look was so familiar based on what she had seen other men do when, ….

"Take the unit Kate. …I, …I'm falling in love with you and I want to find out if we have a future. I know I'm asking a lot of you Kate. I just want to know if you are willing to give us a try. Take the unit or not. I'll have to find some who will take it and work with that person, but I don't want that to interfere with who we could be." Rick did his best to look pleading and confident to Kate.

Kate didn't have an answer. How did Castle answer so quickly? What was his motivation for doing this? He could have said no, go find someone else. Maybe it had something to do with his being an Army Ranger in his past. His dedication to country through service.

Kate however knew she didn't have that kind of dedication. Kate had started thinking about why they couldn't find out who killed her mother. It hadn't really occurred to her to be the one that did the investigation of who had.

"Can I think it over?" Kate needed time.

"Of course! Think it over, take your time." Rick answered quickly.

"And no pressure from you; I want to make my own choice." Kate pointed her finger at him.

"No pressure! Just expect me to ask once in a while if you have thought about it." Rick didn't want Kate to just drop it. Too much for both of them was at stake.

"No pressure Castle. …Promise me." Kate poked him in the chest, his big broad chest that she so loved pressing herself into and feeling his arms around her.

"Scouts honor." Rick held up his hand.

"You were never a scout Richard." Jack countered, getting Kate to grin at Castle's pouting face.

Rick pulled the other unit behind his back and out of sight. "Are we still going to go home shopping? This doesn't have anything to do with that. This is for us, it's just that instead of living here we would be living there." Rick and Kate both knew they had an appointment to meet their real estate agent in about an hour.

"Sure." Kate was already in before Rick sprung this on her.

"Can I ask a question of Jack?" Kate asked as they are getting ready to leave to meet their agent.

Jack shows himself just above Rick's watch. "Ask away Katherine."

"If Castle is going to keep you, call me Kate." Kate wasn't sure she liked being called Katherine, it was rather formal.

"My apologies, it is part of my programming to be formal. It is why I say Richard while you say Castle. I shall endeavor to adjust to using the name Kate from now on. Was that your question?" Jack responded.

"What exactly are you? I mean I know what you told me, but what are you?" Kate had heard Jack's explanation, but that didn't answer her question.

"You can think of me as a super computer on steroids. My capabilities easily surpass anything your race is capable of creating for several hundred years, even at your speed of advancement." Jack was just a little full of himself, but with good reason.

"Is this unit you want me to take the same?" Kate asked.

"You said one question." Jack countered and then started laughing. "Sorry, I couldn't resist. To answer your question, no, your unit like the others are all different. Each unit has different capabilities. You will not know what that unit is capable of until you agree and attach it to your person." Jack answered her question.

"Wait." Kate stopped at the door just as Castle started to open it. "You said attach. What does that mean exactly?"

"I am attached to Rick's arm right down to the bone. It is meant as a security measure. It prevents anyone from stealing me. It also guarantees that when Richard dies, I die." Jack explained.

"So this unit would be attached to me, permanently." Kate stated.

"Correct, however it doesn't have to be on your arm like Richard has chosen. Since I can change how I look I can also change to a different style of watch or anything else. In your case you may prefer to have it attached at your ankle, it is up to you." Jack answered her question.

Kate was initially afraid of being literally attached permanently to something, however having it hidden away in a boot or just above her shoe under her socks didn't sound so bad. Not that she was sold yet.