Fate's Surprises
Chapter 14 - Pushing For Advantage
Weeks had passed since that joint robbery-homicide case. Kate and Tom had indeed become closer from that case, where they had been paired as teammates. Their teaming together allowed them more time in each other's company, thus learning more about the other. But that is where it had remained after that pairing. Despite Tom's full court press for Kate's affections during that time shared, things between the three of them remained status quo. Castle was pleased for the completion of their case. He had seen how much more at ease that Kate and Demming had become with each other. How much more familiar and trusting they had been in the other's company.
Castle saw this as a deepening of Kate's feelings for Demming. Still, things between the three seemed to be where they always had been even after this partnering. Kate still had both of them on hold. For Castle, he was willing to settle for this situation, he could be patient and simply trust that Kate would eventually decide what she wanted. Kate had not shown her intentions to the two men, although some time back she had already decided to end it with Demming. But their recent pairing had delayed her intention, not wanting to break up with him as they did a joint case. She rationalized that doing so would hinder their case and create yet more tensions. Now with that case closed, Kate was trying to find a way to end it with Tom but still remain friends. She also was trying to gain courage to do what she had to do with Tom.
Demming on the other hand was becoming more frustrated. He had hoped that Kate would change her mind on the whole matter after they had grown closer, but apparently he was still where he had been before. As much as Demming had committed himself to being in the long game for Kate, he did not know if he could continue. Team Demming realized that Tom needed help to make some progress so as to bolster his resolve and keep his spirit hopeful. A meeting had been called on the matter.
"How far are you willing to push on this", was a question posed to him by his Team.
"I'm open to suggestions", he had answered,
"Well extreme situations call for extreme actions."
"And what exactly are you guys proposing here?"
"Invite her for a weekend away, maybe to Atlantic City, or some other Jersey Shore resort. Then wine and dine her, get her drunk, propose to her and take her to one of those quickie marriage places that are there in those resorts, and marry her."
"Marry Kate, so pop her the question? We're not quite there."
"So, get her drunk, and then seduce her into marrying you?"
"Kate would never fall for that, let alone consent to marry me."
"Not if she has her guard lowered by wine and a heighten libido. You have to set the mood and then spring the trap. Her defenses lowered, you pose it like a dare, ask her if she has the guts to try it. She'll think of it as a challenge and play along. Then next thing she knows she is waking up the following morning in bed with you."
"She'll have the marriage annulled! She'll say it was not her intent to marry me."
"Not if the marriage is consummated. A good lawyer would prove it is a valid marriage. Annulment means the marriage never existed, but if consent was there, and the marriage is consummated, it is legal. Consent is easy as if she signed the marriage license, that is expressed consent and it will be difficult to prove otherwise. She'll have to divorce you then. In the interim, you can work on convincing her not to file."
"What!.. that sounds crazy, won't work."
"That's what happened with Phil and Helen and they are still married. Trust us it can work!"
"And how do you suppose I do that? She has Lily. She would never consent to going on a romantic weekend away and leave her daughter without her presence. This is a wild plan, Kate would never agree to a weekend away with me."
"Possession is nine tenth's of the law, once you're married, it changes the whole playing field."
"And how does it do that?"
"Well, for one thing, it will cause Castle to back off. Once you two are married, Castle has no influence, no leverage."
"Really, what makes you think Castle will back off? Kate will tell him about my subterfuge and he will continue to be there for her?"
"Well, for one thing, he won't want to do anything that will affect his daughter. Once you and Kate are married, any scandal arising from a messy divorce, will cause Kate, and Castle, to consider what to do about it so that the divorce proceedings do not traumatize Lily?"
"I can't do that to Lily. I will not put her thru something like that."
"Exactly, Kate and Castle will think the same way. So they will proceed cautiously here. In the meantime you work on the daughter. From what we know, by your own account, she is already fond of you. Does she not address you as 'Uncle'? Get Lily on your side and Kate will need to consider that, and the divorce won't be so easy. Lily on your side just might keep the marriage going."
"Guys, this plan is truly devious and sinister."
"Precisely Tom, how far are you willing to go and to what extreme?"
"I could lose Kate altogether from this."
"You're in danger of losing her now, you've gotten no where with the long game."
"Let me think on it."
"Sure, but time is not on your side here. Castle may make a similar move and leave you in his dust."
"He wouldn't do that, he respects Kate too much. As do I."
"Just saying Tom. Castle has a reputation for being a playboy. What makes you think he would not do something just as drastic if he sees you are making progress with Kate. He's already slept with her once and gave her a daughter from it. Kate's already been there with him and they had a connection from that. For all you know he is thinking about it again. Maybe Castle is already preparing for the big seduction….maybe that is all Kate needs to be with him. A little romantic persuasion so to speak", the group sees his angst from that comment, the talks ends with these remarks, "…drastic times, Tom. This situation calls for even more drastic measures. Are you up to it?"
"Still the one flaw in the plan is how do I get Kate to be with me for a weekend away. Lily will be a concern for her. She would not go off for a romantic weekend and leave Lily behind even is she wanted it."
"There is one way, the Chief of Detectives is sponsoring a law enforcement seminar for new detectives next month and of all places in Atlantic City…. on a weekend no less! Supposed to be a team building event and motivational seminar for newly minted detectives. It's a perfect set up for you Tom. All departments are to send representatives to this affair."
"And you guys know this how?"
"Baker at 1 PP let it slip out with one of us, when we went to brief the PC on a case. So you will be chosen for Robbery and Beckett from Homicide. It's an official event, so Kate will need to find someone to care for her daughter so she can attend."
"Let me think about it guys."
"Sure Tom, but don't take too long. Take advantage of this event. Everything seems to be working in your favor to make this plan succeed. Thinking too long on this may go against you. Don't let this plan pass you by. Don't put yourself in the situation where you'll be thinking continually about, if only! Time for action here Tom with no hesitation."
The Announcement
Three days later, Capt. Montgomery made known about the upcoming event for fledgling detectives. As Team Demming had predicted! Kate was chosen for the seminar along with Karpowski, as the representatives for homicide. Tom was chosen as the rep for Robbery. Demming had not yet decided on his team's scheme to reel in Beckett, but when the event was announced as his team had told him, he seriously started thinking their plan could succeed. He tells his team of his decision to go along with their plan. The team starts prepping him to execute their scheme.
There was one wrinkle to the plan, it seems Castle was also invited to attend the event, so he would also be there. This was seen as an impediment to the plan. To make matters even worst, Castle had invited Beckett and Karpowski for a ride to and from the happening, using the Castle car service. Karpowski reminded Castle that Demming had been chosen as the robbery rep to the weekend seminar. He is now an associate of Alpha team as he had worked with them on their joint case. Castle then extended the ride offer to Tom. It's seems the four of them would now be making the trip up and back using a limo from Castle's Service Company of which he was a part owner.
When Demming got offered the ride invitation, he called his team for consultation.
"Damn the writer, he is always getting in the way with me and Kate", Tom exclaimed to his team.
"Down boy", his team replied, "you can make this work to your advantage."
"How so?"
"You'll flirt with Kate all the way up and send the message to Castle that you are still there for her and she is yours for the taking."
"Won't that raise a red flag to Castle and cause him to act in kind."
"Yes it will, but if you can cause Castle to react in a jealous manner, that is one for the Team. Kate will see this and it will create a negative view of Castle for her. That will work to your favor so we'll game this scenario to prep you for it. We'll get you prepared for that trip up to the seminar. For the trip back, it should be just the two of you, Kate and you, in your own vehicle, as you will be married by then."
"I like that outcome. You guys are so sure of this outcome, I still have my doubts."
"Come on Tom, think positively here. Things are going your way despite all the roadblocks thrown in your path. You got this one! Still, just in case, here is your Plan B."
He is handed a nickel bag of a white powder.
"What is this, a Club Drug? You want me to drug Kate!?"
"Tom, don't think of it that way. There is not enough in the dose to make her unconscious, just enough to raise her libido. Think of it as an aphrodisiac to use only as a last resort and only if you think things are about to go south. It is a small dosage Tom and will only fuel her desires for you. Just make sure to ply her with lots of wine and then you won't need the aphrodisiac, and it just as a last resort."
"Guys, I won't…"
"ONLY, repeat Only, as a last ditch effort Tom…drastic times….drastic measures. Besides you aren't going to need it, but think of it like a spare tire, used only when a tire blows. But you got this one, so just in case Tom. This is yours to have."
He is again presented the nickel bag. Tom reconsiders and then pockets the nickel bag.
The pep talk from his support team encourages Tom and strengthens his resolve on the matter.
No one is going to rain on his parade here. He will keep an optimistic outlook, and he is bolstered with a backup, if things go wrong, but they won't! Kate will be his by the end of the seminar. Castle is just another bump in the road to Demming's getting to Kate and making her his one. The world looks bright right now for one Tom Demming and he is encouraged by it.
