Disclaimer: I do not own the characters featured on the show Castle, they belong to the creator of the show, ABC and the others who do own them.
A/N #1: The lyrics in this chapter are from the songs Feel It Still written by the band Portugal. The Man along with John Hill and Asa Taccone, from the band's album Woodstock, Downhearted Blues written by Alberta Hunter and My Melancholy Blues written by Freddie Mercury, from the Queen album News of the World.
A/N #2: Great getting the feedback for the last chapter that I did so I'll go ahead and get started on my thank yous for that! TORONTOSUN (I was glad to read you liked the build up to the story with this chapter!) and
Mb (It was nice to see you thought the first half of the chapter was wonderfully written! And I'm glad that I was able to surprise you with the mother in law being the killer, lol, since that was my aim, though who you thought the killer might be works too. And I wasn't surprised you mentioned the mother in law in denial and ruining her life with the murder. I also wasn't surprised you mentioned perhaps the new killing might be connected to the Lindt family, you'll have to see, along with the librarian and her connection to everything. I wasn't surprised you were saying Skye was going to have her hands full with the house now but of course you'll read that soon, lol. You're welcome for the first half of the chapter! It was nice seeing you through the second half was interesting too. And I wasn't surprised you mentioned there maybe being other paranormal investigators. I'm glad that you thought Skye and Beckett with the holy water and sage in the house made sense since they were attacked, it needed to be done that way I thought. And yeah, I did need to have Fox there since she was attacked as well. And sage is supposed to be really good to take care of something like that so I wasn't surprised you noted that they were feeling better quickly after that. Great to see you thought the second half was nicely done! And you're welcome for the second half too!).
Thanks for the reviews, I loved reading them and appreciate the time taken to write them out and send them my way!
A/N #3: The title of this chapter is a lyric from the song Downhearted Blues, the information is above. (I've used this title already in this story but that was done intentionally if any reader is wondering).
It's Coming Home To You
Throwing her keys into the bowl next to the door, Harrington kicked off her low heels as fast as she could before she was running through the house. Passing the kitchen she made her way up the stairs off the living room before she was nearly bursting into the main bedroom.
"Mia what-" Fox started to say while she was sitting up in their bed.
"I got a text from Skye that I needed to get home as soon as possible," Harrington replied, staring at the towel her girlfriend was holding to her stomach. "What happened?" When she saw that the officer was hesitating she said a little sternly, "Tell me, I know something's wrong."
Sighing Fox explained what had happened when they'd gone back to the manor and said, "It's not a lot of bruising to be honest."
"Let me see," Harrington replied as she made her girlfriend lay back down. She pulled up her shirt and said, "I don't think it matters if this wasn't a lot… it looks terrible."
"Thank you," Fox said jokingly. "Sorry," she then said when the director gave her a look. "I've been… purified I guess Skye was calling it, so I feel a lot better."
Sighing herself that time, Harrington gently brushed her fingertips to her girlfriend's stomach, watching the skin flinch in reaction. "You're serious?" she asked.
"Yeah, I think Skye texted you since I needed… to be honest she didn't tell me what," Fox replied. "Though since she asked if you could be there when we were using the sage on ourselves… I guess just to be there for me."
"I wish you would have texted me then," Harrington said, letting Fox sit up. "I would have raced over you know." She wasn't surprised when the officer hesitated and she wrapped her arms around her gently saying, "I hate your ex," smiling when her girlfriend laughed.
"It's not that," Fox replied. "I didn't want you to feel like you needed to drop everything and race to me."
"When you've been hurt?" Harrington pointed out. She felt her girlfriend shrug she then said, "Next time don't hesitate okay?"
"I won't," Fox said, pulling back enough to look at her the director. "Vice versa?"
"You better believe it," Harrington said, smiling at the officer's laughter. She let her go and then said, "I'll take the ice pack-"
"Wait," Fox told her hurriedly before she could get up. When Harrington turned back to her she leaned in and was kissing her lightly before her girlfriend was grabbing her and pulling her into another. They were a little harder that time and parting her lips for the director's tongue, she was clutching at her tightly though she was soon pulling away after the ice pack fell onto her leg. "Sorry, I better get rid of this, I'm freezing," she said while she was picking it back up. Looking at her girlfriend she saw she was shaking and she glanced down at her shoes. "You didn't put your slippers on," she stated.
"I was in a hurry to check on you," Harrington said. "You're going downstairs right?"
"Right now, do you want me to carry you?" Fox said. She smiled when her girlfriend gave her a look and said, "Just checking, because I could you know."
"I know," Harrington said. "And you don't need to but let me change first."
"Pjs?" Fox asked immediately. When her girlfriend nodded she hurried to get off of the bed and she brushed her lips to Harrington's saying, "Great, I feel like vegging out."
Shaking her head, the director said while she allowed Fox to take her to their closet, "I hope that's not all you want to do." When her girlfriend froze and turned back to her she said with a slight smirk, "I'm serious."
"Where do you want to eat?" Fox asked, relieved she could do so.
"Downstairs, but we have to eventually make our way back up here," Harrington replied, tugging her the rest of the way in.
"Sounds good," Fox said, getting her clothes after they had let each other go.
"So you solved that crime?" Harrington asked after they had changed and were stepping back out into the bathroom.
"Not me," Fox said. She smiled when her girlfriend glanced at her and then said, "Yeah, all it needs is the DNA test but considering she kept that handkerchief…"
"Sad," Harrington said. She then studded her girlfriend and said, "And you're fine now."
"Yeah, I feel a lot better," Fox said with a smile. They made their way down to the kitchen and she leaned against the island to watch as her girlfriend was going to where her slippers were. She then noticed the director's heels and said, "Nice kicks."
Laughing, Harrington said, "I was in a hurry."
"I thanked you for that, right," Fox said, frowning and then suddenly turning. "I forgot the ice pack," she said slightly laughingly. Once she had put it away in the freezer she turned her attention to the fridge saying, "Have you thought of dinner?"
"Wasn't it your turn tonight?" Harrington asked in amusement.
"Just seeing if you had any different ideas," Fox said.
"Get the pizzas," Harrington said in a mock stern tone of voice. She smiled at the officer's laughter and watched her getting the two frozen pizzas from the freezer. "I'll take care of the salad," she then said, moving to get the lettuce they had already cut. Since Fox was soon after finished, she was looking at her standing next to her and said, "You don't want to sit?"
"I was laying for about twenty minutes," Fox explained, going to the fridge for dressing. "So I'd like to walk around." She handed the bottle to her girlfriend and then asked, "Mind if we eat in the pool room?"
"I was going to suggest that," Harrington said. She wasn't surprised when Fox moved to hug her from behind and she said, "You're obstructing me."
"No I'm not," the officer said firmly, kissing the side of her girlfriend's head. "I missed you."
"After today?" Harrington asked, mixing the vegetables in the bowl with the dressing.
"Extra," Fox said, nuzzling her nose into the director's hair. "I always miss you of course… when it's quiet and lunch too." She smiled as she felt Harrington shaking in front of her and said, "But after what happened at the manor too." The oven timer went off then and she sighed, letting her girlfriend go telling her, "But I'm fine."
"I didn't say anything," Harrington replied easily, smiling at her before she followed her to the oven in time to see her girlfriend opening the door and speaking exaggeratedly.
"I told you I get it perfect every time," Fox said. "Cheese is bubbling, smoke is coming off…"
"I got it," Harrington said, making a playful face at her before she gave her the oven mitts she'd grabbed.
After she had both pizzas set on the island, Fox was cutting them before they grabbed their slices and took everything they needed to the couch in the pool room. "Do you want to watch anything?" she asked her girlfriend since the TV was in front of them.
"Not really," Harrington replied. She took a bite of one of her slices and then asked, "Who ran the sage over you?"
"Mary, Skye was insistent on that," Fox replied, scooting closer to her girlfriend and wrapping her arm around her waist. "Since you couldn't come." She then said, "I just remembered she told me she hoped you'd get back home soon."
"Which is why she texted me," Harrington said with a nod. "So… she thought I would do that for you…"
"I know, I'm not sure what you'd call what Mary does for Skye," Fox said. "I'd have to ask her tomorrow if I have the chance." She then looked back at the director and said, "Yeah she… I told her and Mary we've started to say I love you to each other."
"Oh yeah?" Harrington asked.
"You don't mind?" Fox immediately responded with her own question.
"No," Harrington told her firmly. "That's probably why she asked you about me."
"Probably," Fox said, taking Harrington's hand.
"Wait," the director said in slight embarrassment. "My fingers are a little greasy from the pizza."
"Oh, then let me," Fox said, reaching for the fork in the bowl her girlfriend had. She gathered some lettuce and veggies before feeding it to Harrington, saying with a smile, "I'm glad you don't mind," not surprised when she was responding immediately.
"How could I? No one's ever done that for me before," Harrington replied. She wasn't surprised when her girlfriend leaned into her and was kissing her deeply. She raced to respond as quickly as she could until they were slowly parting some time later and she said, "We should… keep eating."
"Yeah," Fox said quickly before she was turning to the table in front of them. After she'd eaten another bite of pizza she said, "Tell me about your day."
"You want to know?" Harrington asked with a smile before the officer was leaning into her. She accepted her kiss and then said, "Alright, but it wasn't as exciting as yours was."
"Believe me, that's very welcome right now," Fox replied. She smiled when Harrington leaned over and kissed her lightly before she said, "Go ahead." She was then settling on the couch as her girlfriend began relating her day at the museum once she'd arrived that morning, feeling cozy in the moment and pleased she was home.
"Why did you do that?" Mary asked her wife, setting aside her phone.
"Because I feel she needed Mia there with her," Skye said simply and with a smile. "She would need her."
"You're that certain?" Mary asked.
"Yeah," Skye said simply. She wasn't surprised when her wife looked at her closely and said, "Don't start."
"Oh I won't," Mary replied easily, standing up from the bed where she'd been sitting. "All set?"
"I am," Skye said while she was nodding. "But I was serious about you joining me in the shower."
"And it's a little late for that now," Mary told her wife teasingly.
"Too bad," Skye commented. She laughed and when her wife made a face at her and was about to walk by her before she was taking her hand firmly. Before Mary could say anything she leaned down to her, kissing her tenderly on the lips before she slowly pulled back. "Good?" she asked.
"Yes, but… we need to stop right there grá," Mary told her. When the investigator nodded they were leaving the room, stepping into the hall just as Zak was leaving his room across theirs. "You're alright?" she asked when he turned to them.
"Yeah, just talking with a friend in Vegas," Zak explained. "And I feel a lot more relaxed."
"There's a reason why I suggested that sage," Skye said before she noticed Julia rushing up to the doorway of her room. "Hello," she told the teen.
"Great, I was hoping I could ask you," Julia said. "What happened today?"
"I can't answer that," Skye said, about to continue when there was a voice down the hall speaking.
"She's right sweetie, wait until later okay?" Beckett asked, walking down the hall with her husband.
"Fine, but you will tell me right?" Julia replied with her own question.
"We will," Castle answered before his wife could. "Let's head downstairs, it's getting close to dinner."
"You never said what we were going to do," Skye commented.
"Order out," Beckett said simply.
"Are you going to tell us what that is?" Zak asked.
"Dim sum," Castle said. "Which hopefully you won't mind."
"I don't, you might want to tell the other guys though," Zak suggested as they were making their way down to the bottom of the stairs.
"We were planning on it right now," Beckett said with a smile. When they were in the game room she smiled as Josie hurried to her and she picked the toddler up saying, "Were you waiting for us sweetie?"
"Yeah," Josie said. "I am hungry," she added.
"Don't worry, I'll order dinner right now," Castle said. "We're getting Dim Sum," he then told everyone else. When there wasn't any negative response he said with some laughter, "Alright, I'll head over to the kitchen and order right now."
After he had left, Mari tugged Julia's hand and said, "I hope you'll want to play something now," not surprised at her friend's response.
"Of course I do… did you think I wouldn't?" Julia asked her in surprise. When her friend shrugged she couldn't help laughing briefly and said, "Let's go."
In the kitchen, Castle was finishing up the order and hung up the phone seeing that his wife was walking to him. "I thought-" he started to say.
Beckett couldn't help smiling at that and told him, "My dad wanted to play the skeeball game with her before she played with the two of us."
"Do I want to ask why you came here?" Castle asked jokingly.
Unable to help laughing, Beckett went around the counter to him and cupped his face with her hands telling him, "You don't need to," before he was closing the gap between them. Taking his kiss she was wrapping her arms around him tightly until he was pulling away from her, making her say, "There are way too many people here love."
Groaning briefly under his breath, Castle said, "I knew you were going to say that."
"I have to," Beckett replied simply. "Though what were you going to do now?"
"Go back I guess, they said the food would get here in about forty minutes," Castle replied. He was a little startled when she suddenly grabbed his hand and pulled him to the hall. He couldn't help saying jokingly, "I notice you're going past our office." When she immediately glanced over her shoulder at him he shrugged and said, "I had to try."
"Later," Beckett told him teasingly, continuing until she was at the game room. When they walked inside she saw Zak was talking seriously to Skye at the bar and she frowned for a moment before letting go of her husband's hand. She made her way over to the two and said, "What is it?"
"We were discussing Cobb," Zak said first.
"And helping all three pass on," Skye said. "He asked a good question; would Cobb want me to help him pass on at the manor."
"Would he?" Castle asked, having stepped up behind his wife.
"That I need to see," Skye replied. "Once we find the killer. Though while I was sitting here he told me something about the manor."
"Oh?" Beckett asked, not surprised to see Zak appearing startled.
"Yes, he said there was another tunnel," Skye said.
"Where, you sealed the house," Castle commented.
"Not to the house," Skye said.
"The garage," Beckett, Castle and Zak said at the same time.
"That would explain the problems Billy and I had," Jay said. He smiled briefly when the others were looking at him and said, "I told you," to the lead investigator.
"Right," Zak said after pausing for a moment. "The cameras weren't staying connected inside the house out to nerve center until you moved the table away from the wall of the garage."
"You'll have to tell Brad," Skye commented.
"Believe me, we will," Beckett said.
"Wait, does he know where that tunnel ends up? It's obviously not the one connected to the library," Castle pointed out.
"He doesn't, he's just aware of suddenly being on the property because I purified it," Skye said before Mary was rushing up to them and speaking to her rapidly.
"What're you doing?" the doctor asked.
"I know I promised, but I can't really control what I'm told," Skye said easily, reaching over and taking her wife's hand. "Or when for that matter."
Sighing Mary said, "Sorry but I'm still… being cautious."
"I'm not surprised," Castle said.
Seeing Beckett, Zak and Jay nodding in agreement Mary said, "What were you talking about though?"
Relating what she'd been told and what Jay had said about the monitors, Skye said, "I wish I could remember what was around the house now," when she had finished.
"There's a park across the street," Julia said, smiling when her parents were looking at her. "Sorry, I could hear you. But there was a park and it had that weird building in the corner of it too."
Looking at her husband while he was reaching for his phone, Beckett said, "Do you remember if it was near the manor?"
"Yeah, you could see it," Julia replied.
"She's right," Castle said after looking at a street map of the area. "I have no idea what exactly that's for though."
"Is it currently in use?" Zak asked in surprise. He took the writer's phone and seeing the building he said, "It is. But what exactly would it be used for?"
"We'd have to call the city," Castle replied, taking his phone back after Jay had seen the building as well. "And I'll call Brad really quickly, excuse me."
"Mom-" Julia started to say.
"How the other victim got into the house," Beckett said simply. "And that's all I'm telling you for now."
"Sure," Julia said swiftly before she was moving to leave with Mari for the racing games.
"Hopefully it'll help you guys solve your case," Jay commented.
"It should," Skye said. "Though that might just be me hoping we can get this wrapped up, I have no idea if there are cameras or anything outside the manor."
"He'll ask Brad about it," Beckett said, referencing her husband. "And they'll look into it."
"Is she always like that?" Zak suddenly said. Seeing the way the others were looking at him he said, "Julia."
"About our cases?" Beckett asked. When he nodded she said, "Yeah, does that surprise you?"
"A little," Zak said. "Though I guess she's curious what you're doing."
"Different in this case," Skye said with a smile. She wasn't surprised when the paranormal investigator looked at her in surprise and explained, "She was there, affected like we all were." She paused and then said with a frown, "Weird how often that's happened."
"Was that the mother in law?" Jay asked.
"That may be," Skye replied after thinking that over. She then said, "Since we did what we did at the house that should stop now."
"Are you sure it's the mother in law," Beckett said. She wasn't surprised when Skye appeared startled and said, "Was Anais there at that time?"
"She's right," Skye said after a moment's pause. "She was going around the library remember? And she guided me to that box." An annoyed sound left her mouth and she said, "I can't believe I forgot, the evidence from the library, that-"
"Easy," Beckett said, placing her hand on the investigator's arm. "I thought we'd told you, there was nothing on the cameras and the diary was intact."
"Then I'm really confused," Skye commented.
"You are? How about Brad?" Castle asked since he was walking back to them.
"You told him?" Beckett said to her husband.
"Yeah, he said he'll call David and get permission to look into it," Castle replied. "He didn't know what it was but because it was on the property of a city park he has to ask the mayor."
"Hopefully he'll get permission," Jay said.
"He will," Beckett said. She watched the two paranormal investigators leave them for games and said to Skye, "Are you going to play?"
"I'm not sure yet," the investigator said. "I'm enjoying relaxing." She glanced at her wife and said, "Oh don't look at me like that. It was a lot clearing the house."
"I'll stay with you," Mary said.
"Would you like a drink or anything?" Castle offered.
"I'm fine, I'll play more after dinner, believe me," Skye said
Though she wasn't sure about the investigator, Beckett turned with her husband in time to see her father was walking towards them.
"She's tired of waiting," Jim said since Josie was leaning forward already.
"We needed to make sure Skye was alright," Castle said before he was taking the toddler.
"Are you play now?" Josie asked.
"Playing," Castle said. When he saw the way his wife was looking at him he said, "Yes we are sweetheart."
Beckett couldn't help rolling her eyes before they were walking over to the baseball game, watching her husband and their youngest talking together about who would go first with a smile on her face.
"I was wondering if you'd have enough for everyone," Aaron said to Castle and Beckett while he was picking up his food.
"We've had large parties here before," Castle explained.
"He's an expert on that," Beckett added with a smile. She picked up another dumpling and said, "But take as much as you want."
"You're sure?" Aaron asked. "Do your daughters need any for lunch?"
"You're good," Castle said reassuringly. After they were alone in the kitchen he turned to Skye and said, "Please tell me you're alright now."
Giving him a look the investigator said, "I told you I was fine after a little rest."
"She is," Mary said in amusement when the writers were looking at her. "I've been watching her closely."
"Though I could use some sustenance so out of my way," Skye said jokingly before Beckett was responding to that laughingly.
"You didn't have to wait you know," she told her.
"I realize that, but I've been here before, they haven't," Skye commented as she was getting a spoon in one of the containers. She paused with it in midair and asked, "You lot aren't tired of us are you?"
"No," Castle said. "I think we would have let you know if we were."
"Nice to hear you're so decisive," Skye said jokingly as she turned her attention to the food.
"What he means is we aren't tired of you," Beckett said.
"That's a relief to hear," Mary said, looking at Castle.
"I was thinking the same," he responded. Seeing their wives were looking at him, Castle couldn't help saying, "The twin thing."
"Get your food grá," Skye said in mock annoyance since she had finished by then. While she was waiting for her wife she said, "That leads me to San Diego."
"We're not staying in the same suite as them," Mary said firmly, getting a bao last.
"That helps," Castle said. "Why did you mention it?" he then directed to the investigator when the three women were looking at him.
"Just thinking of home," Skye said, shaking her head. She then said, "We'll see you at the table."
"Should we urge them to go back?" Castle asked when the women were down the hall.
"I don't think their girls will allow them," Beckett replied as she was smiling. She placed a spring roll on her plate and then said, "She's been through a lot emotionally, I think she needs to take a break after this."
"That's true," Castle said, nodding. "Luckily there's San Diego and then the cruise with the kids."
"I know she's looking forward to that," Beckett replied, finishing and waiting for her husband to do the same. "And yes I am too," she said with a smile while her husband was stepping up to her.
"Great, that saves me some breath," Castle replied. He wasn't surprised when she rolled her eyes before he was taking her free hand and they were walking together down to the dining room.
Once they were seated and starting to eat, Beckett asked Eliza about her day at school before the little girl began to talk eagerly. While she was listening to her, she was making sure Josie was alright with her food and helping her when she needed it.
"Do we… have to say what we did?" Julia asked hesitantly.
"Not this time," Castle told her. "But tomorrow we want to hear about how school went for you."
"How is it going?" Aaron asked. "You're a freshman right?"
"Yeah," Julia said since that had been directed to her. She smiled and said, "It hasn't been that bad, I'm more used to my classes and everything."
"I'm going next year," Mari said quickly when she realized the others were looking at her. "I mean next school year," she corrected herself. "It'll be nice though, since Julia and I will be in the same building again."
"And your dancing?" Zak asked.
Julia laughed and asked, "You really want to know?"
"Yeah, we've watched you," Billy said. "And we did hear you won the competition in England."
"I told them," Skye said laughingly. "You're going this year right?"
"Since we won we have a place already," Julia said with a nod. "But we're not talking about that yet. But it's going really well."
"Ow," Skye said jokingly when her wife had nudged her.
"What is it?" Eliza asked.
"I got a call when we got to our room earlier," Skye said. "And I was going to tell them but you needed to give me a chance," she then directed to her wife, pretending to be annoyed before Julia was speaking slowly.
"Does it have to do with me and Peter?" the teen asked.
"And Mari," Skye said, nodding her head.
"Me?" the girl asked in surprise.
"Yeah, the show called me," Skye began. "Dancing With the Stars if you didn't know," she said swiftly. "They'd like you to come to LA again for a show."
"The trio dance?" Julia asked. When the investigator nodded she said, "Great, I'll tell Ms. Grey tomorrow."
"Why?" Skye asked.
Julia opened her mouth to speak before she paused and then said, "Permission? She made up the dance."
"Not all of it," Mari said swiftly.
Shaking her head, Julia said, "Still."
"Then they likely talked to her already," Skye said. "Ask her." When the teen nodded she said, "Derek's also going to dance with you three."
Julia laughed and said, "I knew it."
"Me too?" Mari said slowly.
"That's what he said," Skye said. "And yes I talked to him too."
"What about Clive?" Mari then said.
"I mentioned him and he said it would depend on Clive's parents," Skye said.
"You're relieved?" Zak asked with a smile.
"It's hard to imagine him not being there," Mari said, looking at Julia. "I'd probably have to dance with Peter and that's kind of weird."
"You've done it before," Julia pointed out.
"I shouldn't have to this time," Mari said, smiling when her friend rolled her eyes. She then thought of something and asked, "Are we going to go after the cruise?"
"That's when they asked," Skye said. "Though of course Julia-"
"She's going," Beckett interrupted her friend. When Skye was looking at her she said with a smile, "I was waiting for you to mention that. And of course we're giving permission for her to go." She turned to Mari and said, "Ask your parents."
"Oh I will," the girl said earnestly. She then said, "Mom and Dad will want to go and see it." She turned to Julia and said, "I'm glad I get to see you dance this time."
"And dance," Julia said, startled when Mari was saying the same at the same time. She squeezed her friend's arm and said, "At least you'll get to be there," she added, jumping briefly when her sister was speaking as soon as she she'd finished speaking.
"Are we finished?" Eliza asked hopefully.
"You want to play again?" Jim asked.
"Yep," Eliza said with a wide smile. She was giggling when the others were laughing and she went with the them to the kitchen before she was leading the way with Josie to the game room. "We can start now?" she asked their big sister.
"Of course, you don't have to ask me," Julia replied.
"Our guests?" Eliza responded.
Smiling, Julia said, "It's fine," not surprised when she raced away from them and hurried to turn on the skeeball games. "I don't know why she asked," she told Mari while she was taking Josie's hand.
"To make sure probably," Mari told her. She then said with a smile, "Are we going to play anything?"
"Sure, but Josa's going to want to play," Julia said, warning her friend at the end.
"That's fine, though what does that mean we're going to do?" Mari asked.
Julia was about to answer when her sister was suddenly pulling on her hand and she started to laugh before they reached the whack-a-mole game. "I think she wants this one," she told her friend who'd followed them.
"I'm fine with that," Mari assured her before she watched Julia picking up one of the mallets.
"We'll do this together right?" the teen asked her baby sister. When Josie nodded rapidly, she was letting her hold onto the mallet before she pressed the button on the console and they proceeded to play against Mari.
"How are you so good at that?" the girl said with a laugh when they'd finished and the sisters had won.
"Luck," Julia replied. When her friend made a face at her she turned with Mari and Josie as the adults were entering the room. She was about to grab for her sister before she could run off but the toddler was too fast. "I would tell her but…" she said to Mari.
Laughing the girl shook her head and said, "Dani was the same way at the same age. Let's go play foosball."
"I'll follow you," Julia said firmly before they were moving to the game.
"Sweetie," Beckett was telling Josie. "What have your daddy and I told you about running?"
"No," the toddler said with a wide smile.
Shaking her head, Beckett said, "You need to remember that okay?"
"Eh," Josie said, hugging her mother's leg.
Beckett couldn't help laughing and picked her up before she said, "Alright, for now what would you like to do?"
"That's a first," Castle said in amusement when the toddler didn't say anything.
"I think that's her way of saying she wants us to decide," Beckett replied, a little surprised when her husband was taking their youngest.
"Since we're deciding," Castle said to the toddler as she was smiling at him. "I think I'm going to ask your mom if we can play at the pool table."
"You're going to?" Beckett said, smiling herself.
"Sure," Castle said, not surprised when she laughed briefly. "What do you say?"
"Come on," Beckett said, taking his hand and pulling him after her before she heard him talking to Josie.
"I hope you'll let me play with you ceann beag," Castle said. "Or for you."
"Okay," Josie said, smiling at him before she kissed his cheek.
"Great, I just hope your mom doesn't mind," Castle said, speaking jokingly at the end since he was telling his wife as well.
"I don't," Beckett replied. "But is she going to want to watch?"
"If she lets me hold her she will," Martha said while she stepped up to them. "Would you want me to?" she then directed to the toddler.
After he saw Josie nodding, Castle handed her over and said, "I'm playing for her."
"I'm not surprised," Martha said before she settled down on one of the bar chairs Beckett had brought over.
Finishing her turn on the coin dropper game Julia asked, "Want to take this home?"
"Not really, Mom said I should stop taking your candy," Mari replied.
Shaking her head Julia said, "We can get more."
"Why don't you give it to the guys?" Mari asked her.
Pausing in her urge to respond to that immediately, Julia then smiled and said, "Alright, hopefully they'll like it."
"How could they not?" Mari asked her with a wide smile while they were walking together over to the Star Wars games.
"Hey, dessert," Aaron said jokingly since he was watching Billy and Jay playing.
"No, we won these on that coin game," Julia explained with a smile. "But I didn't really want them."
"You're sure?" Zak asked.
"Yeah, I can get them all the time," Julia said.
"Oh, my mom doesn't want me to have these that much," Mari said, a little startled when the men were looking at her. She smiled and then said, "Take them."
"I'm done anyways," Billy said.
"Did you get the second Death Star?" Julia asked him.
"You know it," Billy said jokingly, smiling when the teen laughed before they fist bumped each other. "Thanks for the candy."
"You're welcome," Julia replied easily. "Would you mind if we asked Skye and Mary to sing something for us?"
"To dance?" Zak asked in surprise.
"Yeah… I mean we can't fully because Derek, Peter and Clive aren't here but I'd like to hear the song," Julia said.
"Me too," Mari said swiftly.
"Wait… do you even know the song?" Jay asked them.
"No but they will now," Skye said. She smiled and then said, "It's going to be a departure for you though."
"What's the song?" Castle called from the pool table since he'd just finished sinking the eight ball for his and Beckett's game.
"Feel It Still," Skye said, looking at Julia and Mari while she spoke. A second later she burst into laughter and said, "You already have a dance."
"A simple one," Julia said. Seeing the rest of her family appeared startled she said in mock-defense, "I can't keep using songs from the same people, I'll run out!"
"So are you going to show us?" Beckett asked.
"Yeah," Julia said after she had looked at her friend who was nodding rapidly.
"Alright… I thought I'd get out of singing…" Skye said jokingly before her wife was nudging her side. "I'm still singing," she said in mock annoyance before they were turning to the girls.
"We're ready," Julia said with a nod.
"Wait, how long are you going to dance?" Beckett asked.
"Not the whole dance," Julia told her quickly. "Just half."
"Ah, so I can stop-" Skye started to say.
"Sing the whole thing," Mary told her. When her wife looked at her with wide eyes she couldn't help laughing and said, "Seriously and yes I'll sing with you."
"Good to know," Skye said before she nodded to her wife to start the music, she and Mary singing while Julia and Mari danced the Jive for that.
Can't keep my hands to myself
Think I'll dust 'em off, put 'em back up on the shelf
In case my little baby girl is in need
Am I coming out of left field?
Ooh woo, I'm a rebel just for kicks now
I been feeling it since 1966 now
Might be over now, but I feel it still
Ooh woo, I'm a rebel just for kicks now
Let me kick it like it's 1986 now
Might be over now, but I feel it still
Got another mouth to feed
Leave it with a babysitter, mama, call the gravedigger
Gone with the fallen leaves
Am I coming out of left field?
Ooh woo, I'm a rebel just for kicks now
I been feeling it since 1966 now
Might've had your fill, but you feel it still
Ooh woo, I'm a rebel just for kicks now
Let me kick it like it's 1986 now
Might be over now, but I feel it still
We could fight a war for peace
(Ooh woo, I'm a rebel just for kicks now)
Give in to that easy living
Goodbye to my hopes and dreams
Start flipping for my enemies
Or we could wait until the walls come down
(Ooh woo, I'm a rebel just for kicks now)
It's time to give a little to the kids in the middle
But oh, until it falls, it won't bother me
Is it coming?
Is it coming?
Is it coming?
Is it coming?
Is it coming back?
Ooh woo, I'm a rebel just for kicks, yeah
Your love is and abyss for my heart to eclipse now
Might be over now, but I feel it still
Ooh woo, I'm a rebel just for kicks now
I've been feeling it since 1966 now
Might be over now, but I feel it still
Ooh woo, I'm a rebel just for kicks now
Let me kick it like it's 1986 now
Might be over now, but I feel it still
Might've had your fill, but I feel it still
"You're here already?" Castle asked in surprise.
Julia paused, startled at how quickly her father had spoken, before she started to laugh and then said, "Yeah, I am. I wrote in my diary already."
"How much did you write?' Castle asked.
"I wrote earlier," Julia said simply. "Can I still play?"
"Go ahead," Beckett said with a smile.
"What're you going to do?" Aaron asked. He frowned and then asked, "What's that?" since she'd brought something from around her back.
"It's what Mari and I did earlier," Julia said, hurrying over and giving the paper she had in her hand.
"Martin's family," Skye said, reading over Beckett's shoulder.
"Yeah, I found it online," Julia said. "But… there's no one left." She then pulled out another piece of paper and said, "This is Anais'."
"Cloet is here," Skye told the other men. "And… that's about it."
"Yeah, there wasn't a lot there," Julia said.
"Is Cloet the only surviving person left?" Castle asked.
Nodding Beckett then said, "Thank you for finding that out."
"Who's Cloet?" Julia asked.
"I think it's time to tell her about the case," Skye said.
"Everything?" Zak asked in surprise.
"Not everything," Beckett said first before she looked at her husband. When he nodded to her she then began speaking, Castle helping her until they had gotten to that afternoon.
"Well… I'm glad that you did solve who killed Anais," Julia said after she'd taken a moment to take everything in. "But what about the other murder?"
"That we're doing our best to work on now," Skye said. She paused and then said, "You have a name here," looking at the first paper Julia had given her mother. "Well, I should say the last name. Whitman."
"What about it?" Zak asked her.
"I'm not sure," Skye replied, shaking her head as she studied the name. "It's strange because this family is the one that just ended. Marc Whitman just passed away and he had no children so…"
"You know that one sounds familiar too," Jay said. When the investigator looked at him he nodded and said, "Yeah, I felt the same way when you said it. Now that's going to bother me."
"Could you look it up?" Julia asked her mother.
"At the station," Beckett replied. "And that we'll worry about tomorrow."
"We'll have to ask Brad if there are any Whitmans in the paranormal groups," Castle commented.
"I wouldn't get too excited," Mary said. "Whitman isn't exactly rare."
"I know, but even if just one person with that last name popped up that would be something," Castle said.
"Would that work though? I have no idea why that name stands out," Skye told him. "Or why exactly."
"I'll explain the circumstances to him," Beckett said when her husband turned to her.
"And will that work?" Aaron asked.
"It may," Castle said. "He trusts Skye."
"Luckily," the investigator said. She then said, "Aren't we running out of time?"
"I am," Julia said, making a face. "You'll tell me about your case tomorrow?"
"If we can," Castle said reassuringly.
"Good, let me play the pinball machine," Julia said, going over to it. She started the game and was beginning to play before she realized someone was standing next to her. "What?" she asked, seeing it was her father.
"You reacted when we were talking about that name," Castle said.
"It's familiar to me too," Julia said, turning to her father though she had lost her first turn. "But I don't remember why either. I feel like it has something to do with school though… so maybe it doesn't have anything to do with your case."
"I don't know if Brad would think it does," Beckett said carefully when her husband was looking at her. She squeezed his arm and then said, "I'm wondering what exactly you guys are going to do tomorrow."
"I'm free to consult if Brad needs me there at all," Skye said first.
"I'm thinking of going back to the library," Zak said first.
"Are you thinking of making that place a lockdown?" Mary asked.
"I'd like to," Zak said. "But I want to try and make the tunnels the focus of that episode… if we can ever do it."
"We could put in a good word for you," Castle said.
"I'd appreciate that," Zak said.
"What about you gents?" Skye said to the other three.
"No, that's an awesome place," Aaron said. "And we'd all have to stay down there together while we investigate."
"I wouldn't go by yourself there," Julia said suddenly, not surprised when Skye was speaking to her first.
"You think?" the investigator asked.
"Yeah," Julia said before she frowned. "I don't know why I said that."
"Are your grandmothers with you?" Castle said, watching her.
Nodding Julia then said, "They told me… I guess I was hearing them before I spoke."
"We wouldn't let you go by yourself," Zak said, standing at the pool table.
"So that means I can go," Julia said with a smile.
Sighing, since her daughter had been looking at her, Beckett said, "Let's wait and see how things turn out sweetie."
"Thanks," Julia said, turning back to her game. She was just hitting the fins on the bottom and sending the ball shooting back up before she froze and cried, "I remember!" not realizing everyone was jumping in surprise. Though her mother called to her, she was racing out of the room and up the stairs.
"Does anyone know what that was all about?" Skye asked.
"No clue," Castle said. He paused suddenly and turned to look at his wife across the air hockey table from him saying together, "Whitman."
"She must have remembered where she's heard that name," Beckett said before they could hear steps on the stairs. She immediately hurried out to the hall and said chidingly, "Don't fall."
"I'm not," Julia said, going to her and taking her hand. When they were inside the room she told everyone, "I was right, there was someone called Whitman at our school. Ms. Whitman, she used to be one of the librarians at the Academy's big library."
Watching Julia open her yearbook, Skye peered down at the pictures of the faculty before she spotted a familiar face. "Interesting, she looks like Falco's wife," she commented.
"Pretty close," Jay said in agreement. "But they do say everyone has a twin somewhere."
"We've heard that before," Beckett said, trying not to smile at the quick glances everyone was giving her and Skye. "She's not working there anymore," she said to her daughter who was nodding and swiftly responding as Castle took the book from her.
"Do you know why?" Mary asked.
"She got married," Julia said. When she saw the adults were exchanging looks she said slowly, "Does that mean anything?"
"It might be the woman we're talking about," Beckett said though Skye was shortly after scoffing.
"Sorry," the investigator said hurriedly at the look on her friend's face. "It can't be her because this year? That was the year I saw her and Falco."
"Unless she left before the year was over," Zak said. When Skye looked at him he shrugged and said, "I don't know when you saw them."
"It was in January," Skye said.
"If she's in the yearbook I would guess she was still there at the end of the year," Castle commented.
"I have no idea when she left," Julia said.
"I don't think we're going to really get anywhere with this," Beckett said, closing the yearbook. "But we can tell Brad and look into both women." She saw her daughter was reaching for the book and she asked, "Do you mind if we take this with us?"
"No," Julia said, lowering her hands. She then asked, "Think it would help?"
"No idea," Castle said. When his wife turned to him he said, "I have to be honest."
"I know, but you should thank her for this," Beckett said, looking at their second oldest when she suddenly burst into laughter.
"You don't need to say thanks," Julia explained once she had calmed down. "I just remembered a name."
"Still, thanks for telling us and not keeping it to yourself," Castle commented, not surprised when the teen rolled her eyes. He shared a smile with Beckett from across the air hockey table they'd gone to and said, "I guess we should go back to the games."
"We should," she replied, not surprised when Julia was sighing and moving to the skeeball game. Beckett looked at her husband across the table and said, "Your serve," smiling when he was quickly getting the puck to start their game.
