Fate's Surprises

Chapter 12 - Rick's Doubts

Rick Castle is aware of the date that Kate has with fellow police officer Tom Demming. Rick was fine with that, or so he had thought. On the night of the date Kate had with Tom, Rick could not help but imagine how the date was going. As much as he had encouraged her to see other men, subconsciously he worried that another man might steal her from himself. Not that they had become a couple, Kate was still not committing, either to him or to Demming. She had kept both of them in the 'just friends' zone, at least for the present.

Still, Rick Castle was conflicted, on one hand he did not want to become a couple with Kate solely because she had a child with him or because she settles for him out of default. He wanted this 'thing' between them to be real and lasting. No, he needed Kate to make a very conscious choice on him because he is her one and done.

So dating Demming gave Kate that chance to choose, him or Demming, that other man interested in capturing her affections. Thus Kate gained a larger perspective on what she wanted with a man. Not just any man, but her man, her one, the one she truly wanted to be with for a lifetime. But that larger opportunity for Kate to choose might just cause her to select Demming over Rick and there lay his dilemma... giving Kate a chance to choose risked losing her.

After having failed at his first marriage, Rick wanted to make sure what he had with Kate was genuine. Rick would not have another failed marriage so he knew what he wanted, but was not so sure as to what Kate wanted from them. At least that is what Rick Castle thought. Despite the connection both felt that one night they were together, it is hard to predict the outcome for a lifetime relationship based on one night. Unless however it was love at first sight! Rick had decided it was exactly that for him, but he was not as confident that Kate felt the same way. If she did not, then she certainly had the right to seek another, and Rick was allowing her to do so.

Rick had seduced other women in the past for one night stands before meeting Kate. She was not alone in that category, but it had been different for Rick that night with Kate. Yes, they did have a one night stand, but it had not started out that way. It had began with Rick wanting to know Kate's story behind her sad eyes, which he noticed that night when he met her at his book signing. Once he had discovered her story and the reason for the turmoil in her life, he was intrigued. She was a mystery he needed to know and as they talked on into that night, he had become infatuated with her.

Rick saw in his presence the figure of a young woman, molded by an unfortunate life experience. A tragic woman barely twenty years in age but had gone thru much. So much more so than most woman of her age. Kate had a life changing event at so young an age. From it she was robbed of her spontanuity and joy for life that she once had. Kate had learned about life and loss and gave her determination to prevail over her loss and make sense of it. She become an old soul in a young body, hardened by life beyond her years. Rick had learned so much about this remarkable young women in one night than in any other woman that he had met prior. He was hooked!

But after their one night of carnal bliss and comfort, they lost contact with each other from circumstances that each did not control. Fate's many twists had conspired to keep then apart despite each of their attempts to find the other. But again Fate had worked its surprises, six years later they found each other once again. Kate, now NYPD, a goal she had told him of, had brought him in for questioning on a current case she was working. Fate had provided even more wrinkles for them when Rick learned their one night together had resulted in a daughter.

That daughter had remained unknown to him for those six years apart. Rick had unintentionally added to Kate's burdens by giving her a child. A child Kate could have aborted but instead kept. So for six years with no Rick in her life, Kate had struggled as a single mom; raising a love child, from that one night they'd shared. Rick's goal had always been to find her and convince her to let him into her life. Rick wanted that with Kate. If Rick were to make that happen it would now included a daughter, their daughter.

Kate was not stopping him from seeing his daughter and being an influence on her. So Rick was a parent again. Except this time, Rick became a parent with a partner. This was a situation new to Rick. His desire to be with Kate is even more significant now. But he did not want his daughter to be the sole reason for them becoming a couple. It was different this time for Rick and he was learning as he went. This would be far more difficult than raising his first daughter.

When Rick sued for sole custody of his other daughter, Alexis, his ex, Meredith, had fought it; but for more financial support from him, rather than for love of her child. So Rick had raised his first daughter as a single parent and knew full well of those struggles. He knew what Kate had gone thru for six years. Yet, she had achieved her goal of being an NYPD officer, and now homicide detective. Rick realized in Kate he had an extraordinary woman who he had been infatuated with since first they met.

So upon being re-united with Kate, he pursued her in earnest. He was with her daily at her job, following her in the name of 'research'. Both were becoming closer and learning more about the other from that 'research'. But both were in a dilemma, Rick was looking for a sign from her that she wanted more, and she was looking likewise for the similar indication from Rick. They were in a loop and needed to get out of it. And with their situation being so complicated, there was also another man involve, making it a complex relational triangle.

With Rick, theirs is version of the movie "Ground Hog Day" where the characters woke up to repeat the same day over and over until they could find a way out of their loop. Both could not see their situation let alone figure a way out. Making matters worse, there was Demming, also pursuing Kate, that man in his own loop with her. Fate again had not relented in giving to Kate more surprises to test her spirit and challenge her resolve to make sense of her life tragedies.

Months Later

Things had continued in this unusual competitive manner for the two men in their 'courtship' of Kate Beckett. It was not truly a courtship, but more of a marathon. A long distance run for Kate's heart. Both men seeking to woo her but she holding back and keeping it friendly. But after months of the pursuit, both men became accustomed to the rivalry for Kate's affections and came to accept the other as a 'friendly' contender to gain Kate's love.

For Rick, his research with Kate had morphed into a partnership that surprisingly worked for her and Alpha. With Castle on the team, he often provided an out of box insight that lead to clues that broke many of their cases wide open. Alpha's case closure rate soared and they quickly had the best such rate for any homicide in the NYPD. Both Royce and Montgomery were pleased with the unexpected results. Castle became accepted as an unpaid civilian consultant and a volunteer position was established for him and other civilians who were interested. Officially he was given status as a consulting civilian investigator on the Police Auxiliary Civilian Volunteer Force.

Demming also continued to 'date' her, if it could be described as such. They continued to be the other's 'companion' at police social functions, case closure celebrations, after work happy hours, promotions, and the like. The two also had 'serious' dates and had gotten to a stage of some passionate making out on some of those dates. But much like Rick Castle, the relationship remained more friendly than romantic.

Then, just as Kate neared completing her probationary year and move into a permanent detective third grade status, Royce accepted a position as Lead Investigator for the City District Attorney. Willis and Johnston became senior squad with commensurate promotions and a probationary third grade slot once again became available. Karpowski was selected for the opening and partnered with Kate and they became the junior squad of the reconstituted 12th Precinct Alpha Team. Rick augmented the new structure as a civilian Consultant and the reconfigured Alpha held strong to their case closure rate, still the highest in the whole NYPD.

Surprisingly, when Karpowski picked up detective, Espo transferred to Drug Enforcement for an undercover assignment that came with a promotion to Detective Third grade. For work as an undercover, there was no probationary period, the grade became permanent, upon acceptance to the undercover assignment. Espo was partnered with a Detective of Irish descent, Kevin Ryan, from the 21st who also transferred to Undercover Drug Enforcement for promotion to a permanent detective third grade position. Two months later, Tom Demming picked up Robbery Detective for his promotion to the status of probationary third grade with the 12th Robbery Division. Tom's promotion celebration was held at The Haunt with Rick footing the bill as his promotion 'gift' to Demming.

At the ceremony, when Kate congratulated Tom, she gave him what she had intended to be a peck to his cheek for his promotion to Detective. But Tom surprised her when he took her in a tight embrace and planted a passionate kiss to her lips, with lots of tongue. When the celebrating crowd saw this, they all cheered. Rick seeing it got a sinking feeling, had Tom and Kate gotten that close without him noticing it? Tom had planned it that way and was encouraged when he saw the look on Castle's face, one of surprise, mixed with envy, or maybe even jealousy.

When the kiss was done, Kate stood there a little embarrassed, but had not objected to the kiss. In fact, to the contrary, she returned it and seemed to enjoy it.

"Quite a congratulatory gift there Kate", Castle had said to her after observing the kiss.

"Well, Tom deserves the promotion, don't you think Castle?"

"It was overdue."

"So on that we both agree on, but my congratulatory gift came out more than I intended."

"Really", Rick says, but before Kate can explain to Rick about it, Willis comes up to them.

"We got a body drop", he tells them.

But lead detective from Robbery also got a ring on his cell phone, "Looks like a robbery homicide", Lead Robbery says, "Demming go with Johnston to the crime scene as the Robbery augment to Homicide."

Alpha heads out to the scene in company with their Robbery augment. What luck for Demming, his first major case as Robbery Detective and he augments Kate and her Alpha team. He had just become a detective when he got the augment assignment.

Castle is with Kate as they head to the crime scene. Karpowski had joined in with Robbery augment Demming and they shared a ride with Johnston and Karpowski, under Willis' direction.

In the Beckett's squad car it is an awkward silence, Kate finally breaks it.

"I did not intend that congratulatory kiss to turn out like it did. I was going for a innocent peck to his cheek when Tom turned it into something else completely different.'

"I wasn't asking, Kate!"

"Yes, I know, you were not asking so loudly. Rick, nothing has changed between Tom and me. We are still just good friends, just like you and I."

"Really, you couldn't tell by the kiss."

"Is this you being jealous?"

"No…uh…yes."

"Well, I think it's kinda cute, but know this Rick Castle, if it gets serious with Tom, you will know before that."

"And how is that?"

"Cause I will tell you when I realize it, if it should happen. I will not hide it from you and I have had a similar talk with Tom back when you got permission to research with me."

"I guess we both are touchy when it comes to our status with you."

"If you should want out of our agreement and need to move on, just tell me."

"Won't happen Kate."

"That sure are you?"

"I felt something that night Kate, and you did too, why are you not owning up to it?"

"Because I have someone else to consider if I should get serious with a man."

"She's mine daughter too Kate, or did you forget that?"

"Yes, Lily is that, but she will not be the sole reason we become a couple! I have to know the union is true and lasting. It would break her heart if we got together only to separate later because it was not right. That is the same consideration I have given Tom. It would be the same way even if I was just single and not a parent. I have to know it will last as I'm a one and done kind of girl."

"I will circle the airport for as long as it takes Kate."

"Really, you won't run out of gas?"

"Not with you Kate, if you mean to test my resolve, have at it. I'm in for the long run."

That had been the first time Kate had heard such a strong declaration from Castle. His show of jealousy over the congratulatory kiss with Demming is a sign from him. She had both men circling her field, and she knew that she needed to decide on one of them. One way or the other, before both crashed and burned. How long could either of them continue to be in a holding pattern?

Again the sense of urgency arises in Kate on the matter, but the sign from Castle and his declaration about being there for the long run, had her favoring Castle. These were her first signs from him that it had been more than a one night stand with them. Castle confirmed to her that it was not solely that he had a child with her, and that he was there with her.

Kate comes out of her thoughts just as they get to the crime scene.

Her anxiety on hold for the moment, but still nagging at her as she ignore it for now. They had a case to investigate, but she now had a more keen awareness of Castle's presence. She could feel Rick closeness and gets a warm feeling in her heart. Her body is responding to Castle's revelation to her. The need for him comes back to her, that same need she had when they had been intimate that one night.

She recalls how Rick felt in her. He fit her so perfectly, every inch of him she could sense as he entered her, so hard, so long and so thick. She could not get enough of him. He had her swooning and wanting more of him. She had those feelings for Rick confirmed when she came over the top, calling out his name, asking him for more. Rick had heard her almost breathless pleas, and it drove his libido further as he pounded into her, harder and deeper. Her reaction to his love making driving his desire and want for her even higher.

Kate realizes then that she needs Rick in her life. It was akin to an epiphany and Kate could now see where she must go with Rick. She needed to end it with Tom, but how? She did not want to hurt Tom, but she needed to be honest with him. She prayed to Fate for courage to do the deed, but could she do it? The road ahead was going to be bumpy, for all of them. She asked for courage to do right by Tom and let him know sooner rather than later.