A/N: Thank you everyone for the kind words and reviews of the story. i will do one more chapter with time jumps then we will reach the attack. I hope everyone enjoys the update and please keep the reviews coming.

Chapter 7

July 28, 1941

USS Arizona

Naval Base Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii

Castle walked down the corridor of flag country towards Admiral Kidd's quarters. He had just finished off the turnover paperwork of the battery and gunnery department and submitted it to Captain Valkenburgh for his approval. He was tired, despite having the weekend off, which he spent most of it with Kate and his family. The thought of seeing Kate everyday helped him get through these days, and even nights when she had the night watch or him the overnight OOD duty. His thought of his girlfriend and love of his life was interrupted when he arrived at the Admirals quarters. He nodded to the Marine on Duty. "Lieutenant Castle to see the Admiral?"

The Marine nodded, knocked and stated Castle's name and stood aside to let him in. To Castle's surprise, Ensign Tolliver, Lieutenant Commander Douglas, and the Captain were all in the admiral's stateroom. Castle came to attention. "Good morning sir."

"Good Morning Rick, take a seat." Admiral Kidd said in reply. He waited until Castle was sitting down before beginning. "I want to congratulate all of you on a smooth turn over. Your hard work made it possible and the process completed ahead of schedule. We are heading out next week for another week of training, but this week I wanted the turn over completed before we head out. So since it is completed, I have authorized Captain Valkenburgh to grant you three a three day leave. Lieutenant Castle we'll hold your promotion ceremony on Friday at 10 am. You can invite your family and your girlfriend if you want."

"Thank you sir." Castle also replied after the three officers acknowledged the leave and the news from the Admiral.

"Lieutenant Donaldson will act as department head for the next three days, but you are all on leave until 2359 July 31st." Captain Valkenburgh told the three officers with a smile on his face. He got up and handed them their leave chits. "Congratulations all of you, now enjoy your time off."

"Aye sir." The trio replied coming to attention and after requesting permission to be dismissed, left the admiral's quarters. Castle made his way to the communications shack which had a landline hook up in it and place a call.

Naval Hospital Pearl Harbor

Kate Beckett walked down the corridor to deliver a supply request to the supply officer of the hospital. She since the weekend had been nothing but constant smiles and her relationship with Lieutenant Castle had made its rounds already thanks to Gina, but to Kate she didn't care. She had the feeling nothing could stand in the way of them.

"Lieutenant Beckett, phone for you ma'am." The on duty corpsman said from the lobby.

"Thank you." Kate replied walking into the lobby and over to the duty desk picking up the phone. "Lieutenant Beckett, how can I help you?"

"Hey Kate it's me." Castel said from the Arizona. He dismissed the smile of the communications chief with a wave. "I know you are busy so I'll make this short."

Kate was curious now. "Okay what is it Rick?"

Castle smiled as he got ready to tell her the news. "I got a 3 day leave chit, and I'm heading a shore here soon."

"Oh that is wonderful babe. I'll see you tonight and we'll make plans." Kate replied with a smile on her face. She looked at her watch. "I got to go drop off this request. See you tonight. Love you."

"Love you too." Castle replied hanging up the phone and thanking the chief. Now all Castle wanted to do was get ashore and spend time with Kate and his family.

Kate's smile grew larger as she hung up the phone to continue her duties.

Pearl City, Territory of Hawaii

Alexis came into the living room from kitchen shortly after dinner with a glass of water. "I say we spend the next three days on the North Shore."

"Alexis dear, Kate doesn't have the leave your father does." Martha reminded her granddaughter with a smile. "We could just relax here at the house."

"I could always meet you guys at the North Shore after my day is complete." Kate remarked as she and Castle sipped at glasses of wine from dinner. "This should just….."

"No grams is right Kate you are part of us now, though not formally yet." Alexis replied with smile directed at her father.

"Slow down pumpkin." Castle replied with a laugh that got everyone laughing as well. He looked at the three of them. He turned his head towards the radio when something caught his attention.

"Well how about the Royal Hawaiian? Kate could join us at the hotel when her day ends?" Martha mentioned to the family. Yet Castle wasn't paying attention. "Richard, did you hear me?"

Castle turned his head back towards everyone. "Excuse me a minute mother. Alexis turn up the radio please?"

Alexis nodded and went to the radio turning up the volume. "Again repeating our top news story again tonight. The Japanese Military today occupied the French colony of French Indochina. French colonial personnel and military signed an agreement that will allow them to continue rule over their colony with oversight from the Japanese military and civilian government."

"What does that mean dad?" Alexis asked after her father nodded for her to turn back down the radio.

"With the French defeated in Europe, they couldn't defend their colonies, so the Japanese took the opportunity to grab territory." Castle replied to his daughter's inquiry. He looked at the concern looks on everybody's face. So he decide to relieve those fears. "Relax everyone I don't think the fleet will move. Now I believe mother said something about the Royal Hawaiian?"

The women still concerned decided to put the news on the backburner for now.

July 30, 1941

Waikiki, Territory of Hawaii

For the Castle's and Kate, they had finally decided on just staying at the house and driving everywhere they wanted to go. On the first day of leave, Castle, Alexis and Martha drove down to Honolulu to enjoy a shopping excursion for the ladies, while Castle stayed at home and caught up on much need work around the house. Then today, they headed down to Waikiki to enjoy the day on the beach before meeting Kate at the Manu for dinner. Now sitting at a table, they waited for Kate to arrive before ordering dinner. Castle looked around hoping to see her.

"Richard relax, the girl will be here." Martha remarked at the sight of her son looking around for his girlfriend.

"I know, but I was hoping she would have been here by now." Castle remarked as he drank his scotch from the glass.

"Well, if it wasn't for a delayed inventory, I would have been a while ago." Kate remarked as the hostess walked her up to the table. Castle stood up and gave her a kiss, and pulled out her chair for her to sit. "I do apologize for that. How long were you waiting?"

"Not that long dear." Martha stated as Castle signaled for their waiter to bring Kate a glass of scotch. "Richard are you sure she wants scotch?"

"Dewars straight up, no ice." Kate told the waiter as he came by. The waiter nodded as he handed her a menu.

Martha chuckled as the waiter walked away. "So an inventory this late in the day?"

Kate nodded as the waiter brought her scotch. "The supply officer ordered it, because he is being transferred to Cavite."

Castle took her by the shoulder and gave her a light kiss on the lips. "Well at least you should be completed here soon right?"

"Hopefully by tomorrow." Kate remarked as she sipped at her scotch. She nodded as she sipped at her scotch. She shifted in the seat to get more comfortable. "So how was everyone's day?"

"We had a good day on the beach, yet we wished you could join us Kate." Alexis stated as she sipped at the glass of water.

"By the time I got through bandages and dressings, I was thinking the same thing." Kate remarked that got everyone laughing as the waiter came over.

Alexis and Martha both decided on the seared tuna plate with vegetables and fruit cocktail, Castle decided on the steak, potatoes and veggies, while Kate went with the pork roast instead of steak. As the waiter walked away, Star Dust was being played by the live band that was there that night. Castle got up and held out his hand. "Care to dance Kate, while we wait on dinner?"

"While I would love to Rick." Kate remarked with a huge smile on her faces as she took his hand and followed him onto the dance floor.

Martha and Alexis sat back in their chairs with smiles as they watch the two lovers lose each other in their eyes as they danced.

July 31, 1941

Naval Hospital, Pearl Harbor

On the last day of leave, Rick would rather not be in uniform but he needed to be when going to the Naval Hospital to make a request that really should have been made when he and Kate first got together, but with everything that was going on with the turnover, he had forgotten. He saluted the sailors coming out of the building and strolled in. In the lobby was Captain Bryan who was waiting for him since he received the phone call from Castle. "Hey Lieutenant Castle, what can I do for you?"

Castle sighed and took a breath. "Hey Captain Bryan, I know its last minute, but my ceremony is tomorrow, and I would love for Kate…. I mean Lieutenant Beckett to be there."

Captain Bryan laughed as he clasped Castle's shoulders. "She already made the request to me and Commander Randall a few days ago. She will be there Rick, relax. She just has to stand a midnight shift in the care ward Sunday."

Castle nodded and shook Captain Bryan's hand. "Thank you sir for allowing her to be there."

"No problem at all Mr. Castle, because you two seem to fit each other well." Captain Bryan stated with a huge smile on his face. "Congratulations again Lieutenant Commander Castle."

"Not yet sir but thank you." Castle replied with his own smile on his face. He came to attention before starting to leave the hospital when he noticed Kate standing by the entrance. He came over. "You knew I was too busy?"

"I figured as much, plus I wanted to spare you the rush of trying to get over here." Kate remarked with a smile on her face. She patted his arm. "I'll see you tonight."

"You bet you will. Who else will help me prepare." Castle remarked with a laugh as she playfully slapped his arm and he gave her shoulders a squeeze before walking out of the hospital.

August 1, 1941

USS Arizona, Naval Base Pearl Harbor

The ships company plus a few dignitaries such as Castle's family and girlfriend, and civilian authorities from the Island were present on the rear deck of the USS Arizona for the promotion ceremony of Lieutenant Castle. As much as Castle and Kate had tried, Lanie was barred from attending the promotion ceremony on the main deck. She had to view it from a platform near the hatchway that led to the galley. Lanie tried to explain she was ok with it, but to Kate and Castle it was unfair. Yet there wasn't anything they could do about it now. As Castle stood by near the rear of the ships company trying to calm his nerves before the ceremony began. He then heard the ships bugle of the Marine detachment sound attention. Then Captain Valkenburgh's voice come over the speakers of the sound system brought aboard to do this ceremony. "Lieutenant Richard Castle, front and center."

Castle at attention marched, and performed the precise movements as he approached where Captain Valkenburgh and Admiral Kidd were waiting. He stopped in front of Admiral Kidd, and came about to face the division commander and saluted which was returned before Captain Valkenburgh first brought up a blue folding jacket. "From: Commander Battleship Division number 1, To: Lieutenant Richard Castle. Letter of commendation: As Officer in charge of anti-aircraft battery number 1, your devotion to constantly train your men beyond standards set by higher command, the welfare and well-being of your sailors, and to education yourself on the constant changing nature of warfare has set an example for others to emulate. With the willingness of your ability to adapt and overcome certain difficulties you have maintain the highest standards of officer within the naval service. Your dedication to duty and service stands within highest forms of the Naval Service. Signed Admiral Issac C. Kidd."

Captain Valkenburgh handed to the chief standing next to him. He brought up another folder. "From Captain Franklin Valkenburgh, USS Arizona, To: Lieutenant Richard Castle, Letter of commendation. As the Officer in charge of anti-aircraft battery number 1, you set an example for other officers on board and in the fleet to emulate by constantly meeting and exceeding standards despite a constant turnover of personnel and changing equipment. Your ability to train your crews on new threats, and bring them up to speeds shows your dedication to duty. You are an example of the highest forms of tradition of an officer of the Naval Service. Signed Captain Franklin Valkenburgh."

This time Captain Valkenburgh brought up a white sheet of paper and read it aloud. "From Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet, To Lieutenant Richard Castle. Subject: Discharge from the rank of Lieutenant. Lieutenant Richard Castle hereby you are discharged from the rank of Lieutenant on the first day of August in the year of lord nine teen hundred and forty one and are hereby eligible for the next rank. Signed Husband E. Kimmel, Admiral Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet."

Captain Valkenburgh switched papers. "From The President of the United States, To Lieutenant Richard Castle: Subject Promotion to rank of Lieutenant Commander. To who shall see these presents, know that posing special trust in the confidence and abilities of Lieutenant Richard E. Castle, I do here by appoint this officer a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy to rank as such on the first day of August, 1941, and by the order of the United States Congress, this appointee will faithfully carry out the duties and the abilities to which the grade appointed. I do strictly charge all personnel of lesser grade to render obedience to appropriate orders. And this appointee will carry out such orders from time to time by superiors acting to the rules and articles governing the Armed forces of the United States America. Given under my hand and by the direction of the President in Washington DC on this twenty-fourth in the month of July in the year of our Lord nine-teen hundred and forty one, the Honorable Franklin Knox, Secretary of the Navy."

Captain Valkenburgh held up another piece of paper. "From Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet, to Lieutenant Ricard E. Castle, Subject: Recalled to Active Duty with Rank of Lieutenant Comander. Richard E. Castle, you are hereby recalled to active duty with the rank of Lieutenant Commander on this the first day of August in the year of our lord nine teen hundred and forty one. Signed Husband E. Kimmel, Admiral Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet."

As Captain Valkenburgh passed the final papers over to the Chief, Admiral Kimmel now came forward. "Raise your right hand and repeat after me."

Castle knew what was coming. He had said them every time he reupped or got promoted. "I Richard E. Castle, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic, and I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. That I take this obligation freely and without mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that I will discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter so help me god."

"Congratulations Lieutenant Commander." Admiral Kidd said shaking Castle's hand as Captain Valkenburgh handed the Admiral everything who handed it to Rick. "Who would you like to help you pin these on?"

Castle didn't even think about it. "My mother, daughter, and Lieutenant Kate Beckett sir."

Captain Valkenburgh stepped to one side. "Mrs. Rodgers, Ms. Castle, Lieutenant Kate Beckett come forward please."

Ryan and Esposito had been tasked to escort Martha and Alexis up as Kate walked behind them. She saluted the two senior officers before taking one of the shoulder boards off Castle and putting the other one on, as Martha and Alexis did the same. She took a step back, allowing Martha and Alexis by before saluting and returning to her seat. Captain Valkenburgh and Admiral Kidd said they were proud of him and expected more of the same. Then Captain Valkenburgh looked ahead. "Lieutenant Commander Castle post."

Castle saluted the two officers, did a left face, and marched off towards the area he came from. As soon as he arrived, and resumed his position, Admiral Kidd turned to Captain Valkenburgh and spoke before stepping off himself. Captain Valkenburgh came up. "All standing orders remain in place, the crew is dismissed from quarters."

The officers and men of the Arizona broke their formations and started to form a line where Castle was, or move to head below decks to change out of their dress whites. The line moved quickly as the officers and men came up. In 15 minutes, Martha, Alexis and Kate were standing by him as he shook the last hand. Chief Smith walked up to Castle and saluted. "Sir, there is a reception in the wardroom, and your family and Lieutenant Beckett is invited."

"Very well chief carry on." Castle stated. The chief nodded and moved off with the group following close behind. "Well let's see if I can do this now too."

"You'll do wonderful Richard." Martha assured her son.

Alexis nodded. "I agree dad."

"Same here Rick." Kate also added as they climbed through the hatch and proceeded inside.

Pearl City, Territory of Hawaii

Castle had agreed to a few drinks with his friends and some of his fellow officers afterwards as soon as liberty call was sounded on the Arizona. They proceed to a ball room they had rented out for a couple hours to toast the new shoulder boards. By six Castle had returned to the house in a cab, no worse for wear, but definitely feeling the alcohol. "Whew. Those guys from the department really know how to have a good time."

"You do look a little peaked Rick." Kate said chuckling as she brought over a glass of water to him as he sat down on the couch. She gave him a light kiss and came back crinkling her nose. "Oh man, talk about cheap scotch."

"Along with cheap beer and I think whiskey too." Castle remarked as he placed his head on the sofa. He closed his eyes. "Thank god I had the big lunch onboard."

Kate smiled and chuckled. "Yeah or otherwise you wouldn't be able to eat this fabulous meal we put together for you. Lanie tell the man what we are having."

Castle lifted his head and smiled at his friend who came out of the kitchen looking elegant in a black dress and heels. Her hair falling just to her shoulders with top reverse roll. "You look good Lanie."

Lanie smiled. "Thank you Rick. We are having baked chicken, steak, collard greens, salad, dinner rolls, fruit, and for desert my apple pie."

Castle lightly shook his head. "I might not be able to get back aboard early Monday."

Kate looked sad. "Five days out."

"Four and half really. Should be back in sometime Friday morning." Castle reassured her. He slowly got up and turned on the radio. "Maybe some good music is on."

"Again our top story, Japan's takeover of French Indochina is complete as they occupy Saigon, the capital of the French Colony. In a move today, President Roosevelt ordered all oil shipments to Japan stopped, placing an embargo on the island country. In North Africa, Axis forces continue to hammer at the British forces who are entering their fourth month of siege at the port city of Tobruk. In the Soviet Union, German forces continue to chase the Red Army from defensive positons all across the countryside…."

Castle turned off the radio and looked back to where every lady he knew on the island was looking at him. "No news. Alexis put on a record."

Alexis nodded and moved towards the cabinet as Martha came close. "Richard what does this mean?"

"Look, don't worry about it. Japan and the United States are still talking. I'm sure this will all blow over." Castle said with more confidence than he felt. He took Kate's hand and looked at everyone. "Let's eat."

Everyone nodded and moved towards the table as Louis Armstrong began to fill the house.

Additional note: The wording for the letter of commendations was hard to write because of trying not to repeat the same stuff over again, and if I remember correctly a command may have discharged you from your last rank before appointing you to your current rank but I couldn'tremember. Also at the time, Secretaries of the Army and Navy would sign off on promotionwarrant for the President or at least according to the books i read they did. Hope you enjoy the update.