Fate's Surprises
Chapter 6 - The War For Kate's Heart
Every chance Tom got now with Kate, he tried to bring up Castle, pointing out Rick's faults. Tom did so, not in a harsh manner that could be taken as a jealous put down, but more as a remark in passing. One day on a joint crime scene for a robbery-homicide, where both of them were present as uni's, he brought up Rick's past failed marriage.
"So Lily has a older sister with Castle, understand he has a past marriage?"
Kate made a glare at Tom when she heard this, and then said, "Rick's eldest daughter is such a good big sister for Lily. I am glad she is Lily's sister."
Tom realized the deflection and the attempt to spin Castle's failed marriage in a good light. He sensed from her talk that she could be defensive when talks turned to Castle's negatives but also he felt that the remark got under Kate's skin. For Demming, this was a indication that he had hit a nerve with her, and it stung. He was pleased, seems his approach with Kate might be showing some results.
Another instance for him was when they found time for lunch together during a work break, he told her, "So I heard that Castle has a record for disorderly conduct. He was arrested for a charge of lewd appearance and theft, riding a stolen police horse, naked, and thru Central Park when he was picked up."
"Well, boys will be boys. Rick admits to his bad behavior and the case was dropped when he volunteered for some community work to make up for it. He also made a hefty contribution to the Police Widow's fund."
Still again Tom saw the disturbed look on Kate's face and could not help but dig the knife in deeper, "How will you explain that to Lily if she ever finds out later?"
"Hopefully she never knows, but as she will be older if she learns of this, she will by then be old enough to understand that we all do things we regret. The point is we take responsibility for it and pay our dues. That is what her father did. That is a good lesson for Lily that I will stress to her even if she does not find out about this past incident of her father's and it does not come up."
Again the deflection and the positive spin.
Tom felt a tinge of disappointment in Kate. She was still coming to Rick's side. Tom wondered if Rick made disparaging remarks about him and if Kate also defended him with Castle. On the other hand, he wondered if Rick ever said anything negative about him. From what he gleaned from Kate, Castle was always cordial and respectful of her and Tom's friendship; if it could be called that. Seems Castle was taking the high road when it came to Tom's active competition for Kate's affections.
So Tom knew then that he needed patience and time here to make his efforts for Kate work to his advantage. Tom had even called upon his 'Team Demming' to get feedback. They had given that feedback to him and also a Pep Talk that he was making head way and that he should not become discouraged. He was the better man they told him. Castle was just a playboy out to sample the flavor of the month in Kate. So Tom steeled himself once again and revisited the reason why he was pursuing Kate. Kate is a woman of substance, and Tom knew that about her. That quality made Kate a good potential mate for him. Tom reminds himself of that and that it is worth all his efforts in pursuing her. He tried to erase any doubts that he might not reel her into a more serious union, one where they would become exclusive. He'd hoped eventually to marry Kate.
Castle's Thoughts
Rick Castle had learned of Tom Demming during their first time reunited after some six years apart from Kate. He had asked Kate if there was anyone in her life after their many years of lost contact with one another. Rick knew that he had felt a connection to Kate the one night they had been carnal together. It was a strong connection that he had never had with any past love interest. True, he is a loser in marriage, but that just made him all the wiser as he had learned from that failure. What he did not know was if Kate wanted the same thing from their one night of intimacy. He sensed she also felt a connection but did that connection mean that Kate desired also to discover what they could become as a serious and committed couple.
They had decided simply to continue to 'see' each other but not exclusively. They mutually agreed to 'date' other people in their lives. Otherwise, how would they know if anything that developed between them would be the real thing? It would not be the case with them that they became a couple for lack of not having been with others . It would not to be a case of 'settling for' what they had as no other opportunities arose otherwise. They did not want it to be a union of default convenience. Both needed to know what they had is real and not motivated with the need to be together because they had a child together. They would not be ruled by social standards of making Kate a "respectable" woman by marrying to 'validate' her pregnancy out of wedlock. Rick had made that mistake with Meredith and that union had failed. It would not be the equivalent of a 'modern day shot gun' wedding for the two.
Rick had been with few women since their one night together in carnal intimacy, six years ago. None of those hookups were serious. He had not had sex since divorcing his wife. It had been the same for Kate. She too had been celibate since their one night together. Not that there had not been moments when they could have been others. It was just that they both had been too busy for that. The need and desire to develop a union with another was simply not sought after by either of them. Rick especially after his failed marriage had stopped looking. But their chance reunion had changed their perspectives, and Rick's in particular. They both now wanted to see where they could go with each other. But for now, they were not exclusive, and both were content to just be 'friends'. They were taking in slowly and cautiously.
Rick, however, sensed that Demming was 'all in' for his pursuit of Kate's heart. Castle felt that this was good for his budding new relationship with Kate. Rick had not wanted to be Kate's choice out of her 'settling' for him. Demming had become a test of their now rekindled union. Knowing that others were interested in Kate, it kept Rick, and hopefully them both, on a path of exploration as to where their feelings go for each other.
Rick would not take this renewed friendship with Kate for granted. As confident as Rick is in his abilities to be with Kate, he was not about to take Demming casually. He sensed that Kate could have easily fallen for Demming those years he had been absent from her. But for reasons known only to Kate, she had held back with Demming. This despite the fact that Tom had made it known early on to Kate that he wanted to become serious in a relationship with her. Tom represents a formidable contender for Kate's affections and Rick would not take him for granted.
Despite his caution with Demming in their 'competition' for Kate's heart, Rick was not going to attempt to discredit Demming in any way. He would remain respectful of Demming and what he had with Kate. Castle was not about to character assassinate Demming with Kate. Castle would not in any way become a wedge between Tom and Kate. She deserved to have men pursue her so she could find her 'one' and make the choice on a life partner. Rick was determined to let her have that choice.
In the end, Kate needed to be happy. That's all he wanted for her, but Castle also considered that Kate came as a pair, with a daughter, his daughter. The question on Rick's mind was whether Demming could be a good step father for his daughter if it should become serious between Tom and Kate. Rick did not ignore that there was the possibility that he and Kate would not become a couple, and that there could be another man in Kate's and his daughter's lives. However it ended, Castle just wanted what was best for Kate and his daughter.
This situation was new to Rick. He had raised his eldest daughter as a single parent, but now with Lily, his youngest, he shared joint parenting responsibilities with Kate. His ex with Alexis was never into being a 'mother', although she loved Alexis in her own non-traditional way. Truth of it all was that Meridth was more like a favorite aunt to Alexis than she was a mother. Despite this, Castle marveled at how perfect his eldest daughter is, despite having parents who knew little about raising a child. Or more accurately, a parent, himself, who had raised Alexis on the fly, by learning from doing. Rick Castle had made many mistakes with Alexis, so he was amazed at how good a daughter she became. Rick knew he had made mistakes in his life and was not a role model he wanted any of his daughters to follow. But yet again, learning from one's mistakes is what made one wise, and Rick would not deny this opportunity to his daughters. What he needed was just to be there for them and help them when it is needed. It was then that Rick knew in a similar way, he needed to be there for Kate.
This is how he would show to Kate that he is her one. He would be there for her always. A fixed North Star for Kate to follow. A Lover's Rock so to speak that she could lean on for comfort and support. Someone she could be with and dive into life's problems together. Yes, that is what he would be for Kate. That is how Rick Castle intended to capture Kate's heart. His path ahead was clear and he would stick to it with dogged persistence.
Called On The Carpet
At her work one day, upon returning from patrol just before lunch, Kate is told that Capt Montgomery wanted to see her immediately.
She wonders what is up. Why did Montgomery want to see her so quickly upon her return to the precinct? Whatever it was, it had to be serious. She goes to his office with apprehension and knocks on his door.
"You wanted to see me Captain?"
"Beckett, yes, come in and have a seat."
"What's up sir?"
"I needed to call you in to tell you that you have been reported as being out of uniform."
Kate is a little surprised by this and puzzled. Examining her uniform, all seems in order.
"Beg your pardon Captain, am I missing a uniform item?"
"You are, and as your Captain, I should write you up for it?"
What? How can this be? Of all the homicide uni's Kate was the one with the most meticulous and proper official uniform. She had worked for that distinction and had carried herself with much pride and confidence that she was always in proper uniform.
"Sir, please tell me what it is? I really am puzzled, but I will correct whatever this is immediately. Please don't give me a rip here Cap as I have a perfect record. I can make it right. It's a First-Time offense so may I have a chance to make correct it and keep my record spotless?"
"Well, Officer Beckett, this is your first offense. So, I will give you a break and tell you what your deficiency is. You have been noticed by fellow officers as wearing your badge incorrectly when in uniform?"
Looking at her present state of dress, she is even more than clueless. Everything seemed in place and most specifically her badge. As it always is. Kate polished her badge every morning, so it did not appear tarnished. She made sure when it was on her uniform it was properly placed, not cockeyed or misaligned. The badge for Kate was a reflection of her way of expressing professionalism. She knew of other uni's who were envious of her professional appearance and dismissed her as 'gung ho'. The complaint about her improper uniform surely must be some malicious prank by one of them to put her in her place and in bad light with her Captain.
"Sir, I'm really confused here?", says Kate to Montgomery.
"You're wearing the wrong badge Officer Beckett, that makes you out of uniform", Roy Montgomery says facetiously and then throws on his desk in front of her, a gold shield. The badge of a homicide detective and with her badge number on it, "You got it Kate. You are now a homicide detective, probationary third grade. You are the youngest and also fastest female to obtain homicide detective. You beat Jordan Shaw by some thirty days to get to detective and two years younger in age. Now I expect you to be in the proper uniform, so correct the infraction immediately."
Surprised beyond her best expectations for this sudden meeting, Kate takes the gold shield, hands shaking slightly, and removes her silver uni badge, replacing it with the gold badge of a homicide detective. Once donning the correct badge, the Captain speaks.
"You look good in gold Kate. Congratulations."
"Thank you, Captain."
They shake hands vigorously.
"Now let's head out to the bullpen where I can make the announcement for all in the 12th precinct of your promotion to Detective third grade probationary!"
It now appeared that Jordan Shaw had finally made known to the higher ups in the chain of command about her acceptance of the offered FBI position. Her acceptance of that FBI job offer created a junior homicide detective slot for someone. Gossip had been flying around now for months after the FBI offer to Shaw. Rumors were circulating as to when she would go from NYPD to FBI. That left begging the question of who the person might be that would fill the junior homicide slot that would come about once Shaw left. Most of the talk was that Beckett was the one to move up.
The move by Jordan Shaw to FBI was left secret for weeks until the promotion board made the official determination as to who was filling the newly created junior position. Shaw herself had made a recommendation that it should be Beckett. The final announced result lingered and was not known publicly for a while as Shaw had been told by FBI to bide her time on the transition. The incumbent to her job had just recently received the thirty-day notice approving his retirement. The FBI had wanted a two week overlap between departing and arriving agent so a proper turnover could happen.
The timing was thus planned in advanced as to when disclosures would be made known to all the 12th personnel. Montgomery chose to let Beckett know about it in the manner he had done. It was a little bit of the initial hazing that all new homicide detectives endured as a rite of passage from uniform patrol to detective.
"Congratulations, Kate", both Espo and Karpowski say to her upon hearing of Kate's promotion at the impromptu announcement gathering.
"Thanks guys, I wish there were two more slots for the both of you. The two of you deserve it."
"Don't have survivor's guilt Kate", says Karpowski, "Espo and I will get ours in time. But you deserve this! You always were the one ahead of the two of us to become detective. Just enjoy the promotion."
As she looks at the other uni's coming up to congratulate her, she notices Tom Demming.
"I am happy for you Kate", says Demming coming up to her to shake her hand.
"Thanks Tom."
As Kate speaks, a team of other 12th uniforms enters the bull pen carrying drinks and snacks to celebrate the surprise promotion. The congratulatory celebration lasts till well past lunch, and then all return to their work routine.
Montgomery gives the rest of the day off to Kate. She spends that time wisely by making the appropriate notifications to family and friends about her becoming detective.