Another Chance

Chapter 17

Kate is doing the best she can to massage the knots out of Castle's shoulders, but they keep reforming under her fingertips as he recounts his experience that afternoon. "Kate, I was so close to killing a scraggly looking guy with a gun. I'd started squeezing the trigger before I saw the badge dangling from his belt. Is that what it's been like for you, having to make those decisions, day in and day out?"

Kate presses a kiss to the back of his neck. "Not usually, Babe. At least not where real cops are concerned. We know each other, not because of a badge or a uniform but because of the way we hold ourselves and are alert to everything around us. Telling a civilian from a terrorist - I don't know. You can't see into people's souls. I understand what you went through today, and you did better than a lot of cops do, better than I did my first time.

"It wasn't called a 'Street Party,' then, it was "the Gauntlet," and the figures weren't as realistic, but they were just as fast and as confusing. I shot at someone I thought had a gun. He didn't. It was a radio, but all I saw was a flash of black. They made me take the test with different figures three times more until they were sure - and I was sure- that I had enough awareness to get through it with no doubts. And the street is unpredictable. You know that as well as I do. It's not just guns, it's knives, baseball bats and cars, and it may even be a baby that's not a baby. You just have to keep honing your instincts and pray that you can stay sharp."

"Kate, you're scaring the hell out of me."

"I think the 'Street Party' did that. It was meant to. To help you understand that a gun isn't a cool toy, it's a heavy responsibility."

"Yeah, I get that, and I understand why you and Roy Montgomery didn't want to put it on me. So why now?"

"Because the commissioner may be officially calling you a consultant, but you're my partner, more than any cop has ever been, even Mike, and if you're going to do the job, you're at a dangerous disadvantage without the tools. I almost lost you in DC. I can't let it happen again."

Castle swivels around in his chair to face her. "The tools, huh? Does that mean that I get handcuffs too?"

"Castle, I believe that you already have handcuffs. I remember that night…"

"Oh come on, Beckett. Those weren't real. They were padded inside - and pink."

Kate brushes her fingertip down his lips. "They were fun, though."

"That they were," Castle agrees. "I think I still have them. I shoved them in the back of my closet where Alexis wouldn't see them. There are some things she doesn't need to know. Hey, I've been so distracted by this whole gun training thing that I just realized we haven't seen her for at least a week. Usually, she'll pop in, at least to use the washer and dryer for free, and to eat whatever ice cream I was saving. Damn! She just got rid of Pi, but I think she must have another boyfriend."

"Is that so bad?"

"I don't know. Hopefully, after Fruit Boy, her discernment concerning members of my gender has improved."

"Castle, I'm kind of interested in your gender myself, or at least one particular member of your gender. She strokes the front of his slacks. "That is if you're feeling up for it."

"With you doing what you're doing, I'm getting more up by the second."

"Glad to hear it, because I thought we could have a party of our own - in someplace cleaner and better smelling than New York City streets. And we did change the sheets this morning, didn't we?"

"We did indeed. One thousand thread count. Can't let that much luxury go to waste."

Kate extends her hand to pull him out of his seat. "No, we can't."

"You want to learn how to crochet," Martha reiterates, more for effect than out of surprise, Alexis has that nesting look about her, one that had been entirely absent in her last weeks with Pi. "So who is he? If you wanted to learn how to make something for yourself, or me or your father, you would have asked long before now. And can he meet your father over a meal of anything but fruit?"

"Honestly, Gram, if I never see another papaya again, it will be too soon. Yes, Micah eats like a normal person - if I eat like a normal person. We like most of the same things except that he enjoys sauerkraut on his hot dogs and I prefer relish. But neither one of us likes onions on our hamburgers."

Martha nods. "That's convenient - and much more pleasant. So this Micah, how tall is he?"

"Six-two, like Dad. Why?"

Martha's eyes narrow. Like Richard. So she's fallen for someone like her father. That could be wonderful or disastrous, depending on exactly what characteristics they share. None of her other boyfriends had remotely the air of Castle about them, so this could be a positive change. She'll have to see what develops, but she can answer Alexis' question somewhat honestly. "Nothing looks sillier than a long scarf on a short man, especially if he has to wrap it around, so he looks like a mummy. But if he's tall, you can make it any length you like. Do you know his favorite color?"

"He likes blue. He says that one of the first things he noticed about me was my eyes."

"Sounds like the poor boy has it as bad as you do. Fine, we'll need a pattern. No doubt you can find one on your computer like you find everything else. Then we can get some blue wool. That's the warmest thing this time of year - unless he's allergic."

"He's not. He has a wool jacket that looks great on him, especially across the shoulders."

"Oh brother," Martha mutters to herself. The last time she noticed the shoulders on a man, they were love interests for two years on and off the stage. Too bad he got that play in the West End at the same time she got a movie in L.A. It was pretty heart-rending. They really could have… She shakes herself out of it. It's time to concentrate on what her granddaughter needs. And the sooner she meets this Micah, the better. Preferably before Richard does. If there's going to be another explosion, like there was when her son found the refrigerator looking like a fruit stand and realized that his last razor blade had been used, it's best to be prepared.

Alexis has already pulled her laptop out of her leather messenger bag and started to do whatever she does when she searches for something. She turns the computer so that Martha can see the screen, A picture of a scarf is alongside a pattern for one. It's all single crochet. That should be simple enough for Alexis to learn immediately. They might as well go to Knit Up the Raveled Sleave of Care for Alexis' supplies. One can rarely go wrong with Shakespeare - even if the quote is from the Scottish play.