CH32
It is now just over one month later: (December 30, 2000)
Rick and Kate were simply waiting for the right time to teleport to their hotel to celebrate the New Year. "Have you ever been here before Castle?" Kate was curious as she was learning that Castle got around when he was a Ranger.
"Never, I've only ever seen it on TV or in magazines. This is going to be a first," Rick responded, wondering what it was going to be like.
"Where did you go when you were a Ranger, Castle?" Kate decided to ask.
"I wish I could tell you Kate, I really do, however everything I did is all classified. Something I can never tell anyone, even after we are married. I can tell you that if you can think of an island in the South Pacific, I've probably set foot on it for one reason or another." Rick gave Kate just a hint.
"And I suppose you've killed people, more than just that one boy." Kate wanted to understand.
"Yeah, after the first one I think I vomited the rest of the day. It takes a certain piece of you when it's your first, you're never really the same person ever again. Once you have killed someone right in front of you, you begin to understand the problems troops returning from Viet Nam have had."
"Not to worry Kate, when or if you ever do take a life I'll be right there for you." Rick leaned over and kissed her cheek.
"I probably will won't I?" Kate had thought about the possibility before, just never talked with Castle about it.
"As either a police officer or an FBI agent, it is likely to happen the longer you stay in the business." Rick pointed out.
Kate knew she had fired hundreds or rounds from a multitude types of weapons. All of those weapons were designed to be used against another human being and take his or her life. Kate could only hope she was up for it when the time came.
"There is a woman approaching the front door Richard. She is alone and facial recognition places her as being one Jordan Shaw, an agent of the FBI." Jack suddenly spoke up; his warning was followed by the sound of the doorbell.
Rick was the first one to the door with Kate right behind him. "Jordan, what do we owe the pleasure of your company?" Rick decided not to give away their security system.
"I came to talk to you two, may I come in?" Jordan asked.
"Of course, follow me," Kate answered and started walking away with Jordan following behind her, leaving Rick to close and lock the door. "Can I take your coat?" Rick called after Jordan, his question stopping her. She turned, took off her coat and handed it to Rick. Both of them could see that Jordan was armed.
"WOW!" Jordan commented as she spun in place looking around and up at the ceiling. "I can see why you two don't want to move. I don't think I want to know how much this place cost you." Jordan understood the price of housing in downtown New York City. Especially with Central Park on the other side of the street.
"Thanks we like it," Kate responded with a smile on her face.
"Have a seat and tell us why you are here," Rick offered and sat on the sofa with Kate next to him. Jordan took a chair.
"You two passed in the top 10% of your first 10 weeks as interns and finished first and second in your second 10 weeks of class." Jordan told them.
"Who was first and who was second?" Rick beamed as he baited Kate.
"Castle!" Kate punched his arm, however Jordan was smiling. Working with these two just might be fun.
"It was a fair question." Rick countered showing his puppy dog eyes to Kate while rubbing his arm, only to see Kate glare at him.
Rick noticed that the shy girl he met at the library was growing up and feeling more sure about herself and who she was.
Jordan dug into her bag and pulled out a pair of manilla envelopes. She handed one to each of them. "Inside you will find the terms of your contract for working with my team while working out of the New York field office. After you have read them and signed them you will take them to the field office and report to the agent in charge, Paul Darrigo. Be prepared to stay there all day as he will assign someone to give you a tour, provide your desk assignment, and instruct you in how to use the offices computers." Jordan disclosed.
"You're going to hire us?" Kate wasn't sure if she was shocked or excited. She finally had a job!
"I'm aware that you are technically too young to be hired by the FBI, however should the topic ever come up just show them the ID that you have in your packet. If they decide to snoop too far I'll be notified and put an end to it." Jordan answered. "Questions?"
"If we are part of your team and you are the lead of that team who do we report to since you will be in Chicago?" Rick used to be a Ranger after all.
"You will report to Agent Darrigo each day except when you are off work, however always keep your cell phone with you at all times in case their case load suddenly expands. Agent Darrigo will provide you with your modified Federal ID's, your issued weapon along with an agency cell phone. The one I gave you in your packet was an example of what you will see. It should have said "Not Official" or something like that."
"Anything you would like to carry beyond that will need to be cleared by Agent Darrigo and myself. In your case Mr. Castle I have no problem with letting you carry any weapon you feel comfortable with. Your history and your scores show that you are more than capable with any weapon of your choice."
"I will send your assignments to Agent Darrigo who in turn will pass them off to you on most days. There will be occasions where I will provide you with the details myself or Agent Avery will."
"Keep in mind there will be instances where you together, separate or with the rest of my team will be traveling to a different city to work a case," Jordan warned them both.
"And everything is in here?" Kate lifted her packet.
"Everything you need to know at this time is in there. Where to go, who to report to, your pay, your health insurance, 401K amongst other things," Jordan confirmed while nodding her head. "You have until January 3 to sign or not sign and report to the New York field office."
"If there are no more questions I will see you two in the New York field office on January 3, after your time with Agent Darrigo. I'll let myself out." Jordan stood up followed by Rick and Kate.
"I really like your home, perhaps when I have more time I'll get a tour. It's been a pleasure meeting you Agent Castle and Agent Beckett. Or should I say Agent Castle in both cases?" Jordan said, noticing the ring on Kate's finger, causing Kate to blush.
"We haven't talked about that yet," Kate admitted.
"It should prove challenging when I say I want to talk with Agent Castle and find out just which one I end up getting to talk to." Jordan chuckled, turned to get her coat, and left.
"Agent Jordan Shaw has exited the house;, the front door remains unlocked." Jack advised them. "And I have activated the at home alarm."
"Shall we read what Agent Shaw has left us?" Rick sat down and opened his packet watching Kate do the same.
Kate was looking her paper over, base salary for the first year, $65,332 annually with a bonus of $15,260 based on performance. Kate started giggling. "Something funny in yours?" Rick asked looking at Kate's happy face.
"I have a job and I'm making the most money I've ever made." Kate explained and moved on to her 401K data.
Rick finally found his paper that had his base salary after looking at his 401K data first. $66,098 annually with a bonus of $15,260 based on performance. It was money Rick really didn't need, however he would have less time to write with a full time job now. It was a good thing his new contract only required a new book every 2 years once accepted by Black Pawn. He now had one year and some odd number of months to finish the first of three, and had met his new editor that represented Black Pawn. So had Kate since she went with him to all of his book signings after the book launch party.
"How far are you into the next book Castle?" Kate was curious.
"About 1/3 more or less. It's likely going to be tough having a full time job and working on my writing. Still I've got over a year to complete it and if I finish ahead of schedule I can start on the next one." Rick was trying to formulate a plan, however it was going to take time to find out how much time he actually did have to write.
After reading their contracts for employment with the FBI it was time to pack for their trip. "Pack light Kate and remember to bring something to wear for a formal dinner suitable for dancing." Rick suggested.
Kate happily pulled out the dress she had just worn to Castle's last book launch party along with a set of sexy lingerie that she was still getting monthly along with 3 of her bikinis, some feminine products along with her make-up bag.
"All set Castle." Kate announced and took hold of Castle's arm. Instantly she found herself just a block away from their hotel.
199 George Street, Sydney, Australia. Four Seasons Sydney, Deluxe Royal Suite on the 34th floor. 1,152 square feet of space. Just inside the door was a half bath and a location to hang your coat. This living room had a loveseat, 2 chairs and a dining room table that could seat 6. The master bedroom beyond had a king sized bed, dresser and then Kate walked into the bathroom. "OH – MY – GOD!" Kate was looking at this huge round Jacuzzi tub that Kate just knew was calling her name, stand up shower, separate room for the toilet and three small closets.
"We really don't need rooms like this Castle, but thank you." Kate gave Rick a quick kiss.
While the check-in time was 3:00pm, their room was already ready and waiting so they didn't have to go anywhere and waste time. "Ready for lunch? We can look what the hotel has to offer or go somewhere?" Rick suggested.
They ended up in Pei Modern that had a nice view if you were sitting close enough to the windows, however they ended up on the opposite side so they only saw the dining room.
"MY GOD Castle, they want $100 for a T-Bone steak." Kate's eyes were bugging out and had to look at the price 3 times just to be sure. "Don't even think about it Castle, we could grill enough T-Bones on your R2D2 at home to last a week at this price." Kate wanted to cut Castle off at the pass.
Rick – Tiger Prawns, Jerusalem artichoke and kumquat. $28 AUD
Kate – Yellowfin Tuna, watermelon and ginger. $22 AUD
It was nice, it was light and it allowed them time to go sightseeing.
They found a site purely by accident as they wandered around. They purchased tickets for a performance. The Descendance Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Dance. Sydney's first professional independent traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Dance Troupe.
Many of the performers had long beards and had painted themselves white, or chalk or whatever they used. Mostly it was their face that was white with designs in white on their arms and bare chest. "Maybe I can buy you some paint and you can mark yourself Castle." Kate teased.
"Except I don't have a beard Agent Beckett." Rick replied. He knew that both of them would sign the forms Jordan had left them.
"Good, I like you clean shaven Castle." Kate stroked his cheek and then kissed it.
They took a scenic flight in a single engine seaplane that only lasted 30 minutes and showed them the Northern Beaches, from Manly to Palm Beach ending in a double orbit of the harbor that gave them views of the Bridge and Opera House.
The next day was a guided tour around the city of Sydney that took most of the day. Rick and Kate retreated to their room on the 34th floor and opened the windows so they could hear the sounds of the fireworks. The 34th floor overlooking the Opera House turned out to be an excellent view for the fireworks show that lasted for several minutes.
They spent the next day out on the beach where Kate teased Castle while applying the suntan lotion, only this time she wasn't shy about where her hands went. "You are an evil woman Agent Beckett."
Kate's only problem was that Castle retaliated by rubbing sunscreen all over Kate's breasts even if they did stay hidden behind her top. Her smooth butt also got the treatment. "You put your hand down the front of my bikini, babe, and I'm going to take you right here, right now."
Rick simply kissed her and finished apply sunscreen to her smooth ass, drawing a finger up her crack, as Kate to bit her lower lip to keep from moaning. "We are going to be using our toy tonight," Kate informed Castle. "Bring it on," Castle whispered into Kate's ear.
Spending some time sunning and swimming in the ocean they left the beach to go looking for lunch. "We start work tomorrow," Rick reminded Kate.
"I finally have a job." Kate was smiling excitedly. "I wonder what kind of cases we will have?" That was one thing Kate didn't know much about.
"Sounds like our first day is getting use to the office and meeting people, likely a lot of paperwork. Government for some reason loves paperwork." Rick commented.
"And promptly loses or shreds it when something comes back to bite them." Kate pointed out.
"Not with me around." Jack mentioned since he is capable of storing a great deal of information.
"Worried about something?" Kate looked nervous to Rick.
"I've had little jobs here and there, not including kid sitting on occasion, which was actually my most hated job." Kate mentioned.
"You don't like or want children?" Rick didn't want to sound worried, however he feared that he failed miserably.
"Oh no, it's not that exactly. It's just how do you discipline a child that isn't yours and will blab to his or her parents the second they get home. I'll admit that I'm not ready to have children, it actually scares me to death at this point in my life. Don't get me wrong Castle, if I end up pregnant I'm definitely not getting an abortion. I would never do that to you or the child. I'm just not ready to be a mommy yet."
"Where is your mother now Castle?" Kate still hadn't met her in all this time.
"Mother is in Dallas now and will be for the next two months. Her old show ended and she found a new one. After Dallas she'll be in Houston, then Phoenix, followed by going on to California for a few months. After that who knows," Rick replied.
"I'll ask her when she has some time off and we can go see her when we have a day off." Rick said.
"That would be nice Castle. You know my dad, it would be nice to meet your mother before we get married." Kate was nervous about what his mother would think, but then she was worried about her father at one time too.
"We need to arrange a lunch with your father sometime this week too. Along with doing some grocery shopping for him," Rick pointed out.
Kate nodded her head in agreement. Without her mother, her dad stood no chance of cooking for himself. It all had to be simple or else he would eat out all the time, which might be better for him if he can keep to eating at different places.
It was January 3, 2001 and Kate was trying on her second outfit of the morning. "We're going to be late on our first day Kate." Rick poked his head into the dressing room where Kate stood in her bra and panties.
"I can't decide what to wear. A lot of what I have is too casual and the other half is too sexy. Which I blame on you by the way." Kate accused Rick and took down another top and tried it on. "What do you think?" Kate turned around and pulled her top closed.
Rick shook his head. Kate took off the top, threw it on the pile, and pulled out another one. "How about this one?" Kate tried again.
"Oh I don't know, maybe another one." Rick answered, trying to keep the grin off his face.
"Damn it." Kate starts to take her shirt off and then stopped. "You just want to see me with my shirt off. You pervert! This is important Castle! It's my first day on the job and I want to look professional!" Kate kept this top on and buttoned it closed.
"That's Agent Pervert to you Kate and you would look great in anything, or nothing. Except I don't want them seeing you in nothing. Now put on some pants, put on your high heeled boots and grab a coat and let's go." Rick tried to hurry her up.
"Got your bag?" Rick asked as Kate came running to the front door. She immediately turned around and ran back, leaving Rick standing there shaking his head.
26 Federal Plaza, 23rd floor. First day as FBI Agents was about to begin.
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I'm going on vacation over the Holiday so the next chapter will not be until Tuesday.