ALL'S NOT FAIR IN LOVE
Chapter 9 - Goose and Gander
About two weeks after her split with Josh, Kate finally told The Boys the truth her breakup with Josh. The Boys had seen the flower bouquet incident that Josh had initiated to try and win her back, so they knew something was up. When Javi kept questioning Lanie for details, Lanie had suggested to Kate that the truth on the matter should come from her and no one else. The two were her trusted partners and deserved to know what Castle already knew, as Kate had told Castle details of that breakup. The two detectives were outraged when they learned what happened and were not happy that Kate did not bring charges on Josh.
"So you won't press charges on Dr. MotorcycleBoy? What are you thinking, he may try it again!", Javi had told Kate.
"I don't want to wreck his career and in the end, Josh did not finish what he started", Kate justifies.
"Kate what if he does it again? Think of the victim who you will save."
"It's a weak case Espo, there is no evidence of physical assault. Despite what I told Josh about having evidence on him, the forensics support his claim that nothing happened. I was hoping to bluff him into stopping his predatory ways, when I mentioned Lanie's examination. But there is nothing, physical evidence makes it my word against his."
"What about attempted sexual assault?"
"Again, what's the evidence? No bruising in areas of my anatomy that indicate assault, no presence of his sperm on me or my clothes, where is the proof of assault or attempted assault?"
"You got him on drug charges!"
"Possession for sure and drugging me, maybe."
"Drugging you for sure! Lanie found roofies in your system. That might establish his intent at assault, maybe attempted assault if the actual assault charge is weak. It's a date rape drug he used", Javi reasons to Kate.
"And here's an argument he will use, Josh let it out of the bag when I had my breakup talk with him. Roofies can be used as an aphrodisiac with the right dose, it has been already documented. He'll say he administered that dose to me an aphrodisiac, no assault intended. He will point out I was his girlfriend and had talked about sleeping together but had not yet done so. The drug was to create a mood for us, but I had an atypical reaction to what should have been an enhanced mood for intimacy. So he took me to his place to sleep it off."
"But you woke up naked and in his bed with him beside you, that's intent?"
"Anyone there to corroborate that? No!... so again 'he said, she said'. He can easily argue when I got to his apartment, I undressed, was so out of it, that I fell asleep naked in his bed. He can claim he never touched me but slept on his couch. Josh will explain that when I woke up, I accused him of undressing me and then assaulting me, even though I had no memory of that night. This is an argument that again reduces my story to a 'he said, she said'. There are so many ways a defense lawyer can spin this to make the case devolve and become against me. The trial proceedings then degrade to a legal drama ripe for media exploitation. Such a public court hearing will embarrass and damage the NYPD and the 12th", Kate pauses waiting for The Boys to see the possible adverse impacts of her bringing charges on Josh.
Kate continues, "Also Josh's reputation as a doctor will be damaged and he could lose his MD license. Balance the good that Josh has done as a doctor with all his DWB missions against this one unfortunate mistake. Both of us will lose out on this if the case becomes a courtroom comedy! There can be significant personal damage for both sides."
"I see where you are coming from Kate, but Josh can't just get away with this. He needs to be accountable! He needs to stop this bad behavior on vulnerable women."
"I have looked at this from many angles, none come out win-win. At best it's win-lose, but the lose could go primarily to me, and at its worst, it's lose-lose...(long pause)...both sides losing with significant liability. I am at loss here so I am open to suggestions."
Kevin Ryan had been listening and had remained silent.
Ryan finally speaks out, "That man needs to have his butt kicked. Espo and I are just the cops to make it happen."
"What are you thinking Ryan?", asks Kate.
"Ever hear of 'scared straight'? What if we do that! Put Josh into a similar situation like he did to you Kate. We do it with someone who bats for the other side, if you catch my drift? What's good for the goose is good for the gander."
"Okay, goose, gander, I understand, but need details", says Kate.
"Same here Kev", Ryan had gotten Javi's curiosity and his attention.
"What say we bring in Josh for questioning, that allows us to keep him overnight to continue further questioning the next day. We give Josh a cell mate, that one big burly confidential informant that Espo and I have, who owes us a favor," Ryan says, devious smile on his face.
"You mean Monroe the looks like an NFL linebacker CI? He is a switch hitter and would enjoy taking part in this", Espo responds, already seeing where Ryan is going.
"Yes, just the person we need for our scheme. We let Monroe come on to Josh like he wants to make him his cell bitch for the night. But before that happens, we stop it and then separate the two, but in adjoining cells. Then we question Josh again the next morning and release him."
"How will you bring Josh in for questioning?", asks Kate.
Ryan had an ace up his sleeve. About a month back, a SVU detective friend from came to him on a matter affecting Kate. Seems the SVU unit was looking into a sexual harassment claim from Josh's hospital. The claim pointed to a Dr. George Saunders as making continued sexual innuendo's to the female hospital staff creating a hostile environment. The Doctor when he was questioned, claimed it was innocent joking and listed fellow doctors who could vouch for his impeccable character. Josh was one of those references. Ryan's SVU friend recognized the name as Det. Kate Beckett's boyfriend.
Ryan's detective friend was worried as to Kate's reaction if Josh was brought in for questioning on the matter. The detective would have to ask about Josh's possible knowledge of the harassment charge and if Josh also engage in it with his close friend. The questioning would get tough. The SVU detective did not want to garner ill feelings for this from Beckett. Nor did the SVU detective want it to appear in the opposite manner, as being lenient on Josh due to Kate's status with him.
Either way SVU did not want to get on the wrong side of Det. Beckett. The detective had even asked Ryan if he would do the questioning. As a partner of Beckett, she could then be assured of Josh's even treatment in his interview. Beckett would also have more trust on the outcome of the interview if it put Josh in a bad light.
Ryan had not answered his friend's request on the matter. Ryan wanted to judge Kate's reaction when he told her of the request. But knowing Kate's very professional manner, Ryan expected Kate would tell him that his friend could just conduct interview in person with no bad feelings from her. The split between Kate and Josh happened before Ryan could get to her. Now Ryan will do this questioning.
When Josh was brought in for his interview, his reaction to the questioning was predictable. He refused to say anything against his friend. He even asked for a lawyer.
"Josh, you are not being arrested, just questioned, no Miranda rights apply here."
Still Josh refused to answer questions.
"Josh we cannot compel you to answer, but we can hold you overnight to permit you to consider your situation here", he was told.
"Is this really necessary", asked Josh when he was told they would put him in holding overnight.
"The stay gives you time to rethink your refusal to answer questions. It also ensures that you do not talk to your friend on those questions before the follow-up interrogation. If later it is found that you knew something important , but withheld that info, or lied on the case, that will bring about charges of Obstruction of Justice against you. So Josh use this time to consider your situation. This is what the overnight allows", Ryan's final word to Josh before placing Josh in holding.
Josh remained silent when they took him to the holding cell. He is thinking hard about what has been said to him. The guard on duty by design is LT another close associate of The Boys recruited for this ploy. LT places Josh in the cell. Josh then hears his cell mate say as Josh enters, "So why are you in here? You don't look like anyone who belongs here".
It is Monroe's voice that Josh hears. Monroe says this playing his part in the plot now playing out.
When LT leaves them, Monroe once again addresses Josh.
"A handsome man like you doesn't belong here, you are too good for this place."
As Monroe spoke he steps up to Josh and placed his hand on Josh's shoulder.
Josh recoiled at Monroe's touch, "Leave me be or I will defend myself!"
"You're joking, right? I have twenty pounds over you and height advantage. Go ahead, I enjoy a fight. A good fight is foreplay, before I make you my cell wife!"
Josh is terrified by Monroe's comment and throws a punch. Monroe dodges and Josh misses him completely. The punch threw Josh completely around exposing his back side to Monroe, who then gave him a quick kick to his ass. The kick's force sends Josh crashing into the cell wall face first. Josh is dazed and slow to recover from the hit but soon finds himself facing Monroe once again.
"Stop or I will call the guard. Guard, help me please. Get me out of here!"
"Awh honey", replies Monroe to Josh's pleas, "we are just starting to enjoy ourselves tonight."
Josh looked like he was going to pass out from fright. Josh knows he is in trouble here and he loudly calls for help once again. But Monroe is an intimidating figure for any man. Josh's mind is racing, he can't flee and is not a match for Monroe in a fight. Josh's heart is pounding thinking about what could be the outcome of this encounter with his now cell mate. Josh bravely puts up his fists in a fighting stance. Just then LT re-enters the holding area.
"Stop it Monroe or I will taser you!", LT says showing the weapon.
Monroe heeds the warning and stops, all part of their con here. LT separates the two by placing Josh in the adjacent cell. When LT leaves the holding area, Monroe once again speaks to Josh.
"You think you escaped me tonight. But I will look for you when I am out. I will find you and finish what we started here." Seeing the horror in Josh's face, Monroe is enjoying all of this.
Josh goes to the far end of his cell putting more distance between him and Monroe. Monroe however continues the verbal harassment thru-out the night. He tells Josh what he will do to the doctor when he gets hold of him. What Monroe tells Josh is explicit and despicable. Josh tried to ignore Monroe so intimidating was he. Josh was scared senseless! Despite the fact Monroe was in the other cell. Josh trys to stay awake fearful some how that Monroe might gain access to Josh's cell. Finally Jose nods out due to lack of sleep.
When Josh is awaken for requestioning the next morning, a look of terror is on Josh's face. Josh is taken out of his cell for a second interview. Monroe added the cherry on top for the scam. Monroe calls out from his cell as Josh is leaving, "Hey man, I know who you are and this is not over."
Josh could not get out of holding fast enough! When re-inteviewed, Josh still did not answer questions on his friend George. So Josh is released with warnings of obstruction once again being given him. But afterward Josh came to realize that the path he was currently on needed to change. So affected was he by his one night experience in holding. Josh thinks to contact George, but Espo had told Josh that legally Josh could not speak to George about the interview or disclose the questions asked.
Josh considers that he might be investigated next, just like George. Josh now realized that he could be brought in for his attempt on Kate, now his ex because of what he did. Kate had warned him about that likely hood when they broke up. If he were to be found guilty of those acts against Kate, he'd surely be sent to jail. There would be all sorts of Monroes there in prison. That very thought so haunted Josh that he vows then to change his life style drastically. He needs to get off this road that he is on. Continuing to take this path could be a fate of living your worst nightmare. Josh is now determined to change that outcome!
Months Later - A New Path
It was more than a couple months since her breakup with Josh. Kate and Rick now had a new future ahead of them since their circumstances had changed. Both were now free to explore where they wanted to go with each other. Each day was learning something new about the other. Rick, she found out, was a far more caring and loving man than she had even thought he could be. She had seen from their work partnership how well he treated his one daughter and his mother. This side of him initially attracted her to Rick. Rick was so much more when it was just the two of them. Rick absolutely worshipped her and made her feel wanted. After almost two months of steady dating, Rick had asked her one night at Remy's, after a case, if they could be exclusive.
She said yes.
"Rick, to be totally transparent, I have not dated another man since we started our dating."
"Nice to know, but I guess this makes me officially your significant other, Kate."
"I guess it does, significant other, boyfriend, and all the other names for it, unless you don't want to be."
"Of course I want to be, I have waited for this day since I decided I had feelings for you?"
Rick liked what she had said. Was she now thinking that it could go further; now that they officially declared themselves an item? They had yet to sleep together, but Rick was not pushing it. After learning how Josh had tried to force himself on her, Rick knew that Kate had to make up her own mind and in her own time. Kate would not jump into physical intimacy without some serious thought.
Rick knew they would get there. They just needed to be patient with each other and to enjoy each day together. He had been denied Kate for so long that Rick appreciated being with her every day as her boyfriend. He cherished his time with her.
The cardinal sin that Josh had committed with Kate was that he had not been patient and could not wait for her. Otherwise, Josh would have still had her. But, Josh's mistake was Rick's big opportunity and Rick took it. This time around it would not be like it had been when she broke up with Demming. There would be no Josh around to blind side Rick. He was going to make this one count.
Even people not from the Homicide Division had noticed the change in their partnership. It had grown deeper, more familiar and caring in the last couple months. People were now wondering when the two would make it permanent, as in an engagement or a marriage. The two of them however were not rushing it. After several months, people knew something was up. Six months was about the time it took for Kate to breakup, but there were no signs of that happening.
For Kate, she always knew how to push Rick's buttons. When she did, it was to tease him affectionately and it always ended in humor. It was Kate's way of flirting with him and letting him know that his moods were know to her and she could change them with a word, a look, a gesture on her part. She loved that she could do that to Rick.
They continued to work cases, and Alpha team held their position as top homicide squad. Montgomery was pleased, his lead detective was no longer all work, her happier side had come out and it had improved her in all aspects professional and private.
Difficult Case
Then they caught a tough case. A dirty bomb was loose in the city and terrorists were threatening to explode it. After days of looking and following leads, some of which lead no where, they found the bomb. But it already had been set off and the timer was counting down. They tried to disarm it, but even the agent from Homeland Security could not guide them through disarming the bomb. Even as they had him on line using the phone camera to show him the wiring configuration to the bomb, the agent could not help them. They were down to one of a couple wires, but the agent on line could not say which one to disconnect.
Minutes ticked off on the timer until there were only seconds left to disarm the bomb. Finally out of sheer desperation, Rick pull all the remaining wires to the bomb, and it had worked! He had defused the bomb with only seconds left on the clock. Startled when the bomb did not explode, they looked at each other in sheer shock.
"Oh! Castle! Argh!", Beckett says stunned.
They hug each other and laugh in relief.
"YES!", Rick says pumping his fist in a victory dance that would rival any NFL end zone touchdown celebration.
Montgomery was elated, but sadly, because the event was classified, no one, except them, would ever know how Rick had saved the city that day.
"It is a shame no one will ever know of this but us", was Montgomery's take, "so to make up for that, take two weeks off, you all have earned it."
As Montgomery left them there in the conference room where a celebration had been done for stopping the bomb, Rick turns to Kate.
"I was thinking...", he says.
"What are you thinking Rick?"
"That we should get away, just the two of us, to calm down and get back to our normal selves."
"What do you have in mind?"
"Road trip, come with me to the Hamptons Kate!"
"Only if this time you won't trade me in for Gina", she says in humor, but at the same time with some seriousness in her tone of voice.
"Never again, Kate."
It only took them about an hour to get back to their homes and pack. Then they were headed to the Hamptons.