Hello ladies and gentlemen, welcome
I'm glad everybody is enjoying this fic thus far. I have a feeling this will be a pleasant one, given that Gates will find out what happens when steel comes down on iron.
Frankly surprised me a little how many people agreed with me on the Gates problem.
Loft Bedroom
Richard and Kate lay naked in the bed, among the silk sheets while the brunette-haired detective casually moves the deerstalker hat around on her finger until giggling tosses it onto a nearby nightstand. Castle reaches out laying an arm over her sweaty stomach, well everything is sweaty and aching in various places, the good kind for both of them Kate notes.
"I think the hat stayed on for as long as it was going to," Richard says jokingly.
Running a finger along his arm "Really kind of surprised the hat didn't end up getting damaged" Kate says.
"Hmm" Richard says enjoying the feeling of her hand on his arm sending light sparks of pleasure while running his hand along his wife's stomach does the same for Beckett "I should give Joe and Vera, they would probably find it amusing given my current job, alongside us."
"They would. And I'm thinking we should change the name, it's too long" Kate says.
"We?" Richard inquiries.
"Yeah us, you wouldn't mind if I joined you in the PI business, do you Castle?" Kate asks smiling "I'm sure I can make it worth our time."
"You know I love for us being partners, so in all respect… what have you done?" Richard asks curiously and uneasily
"Not much, I just told Gates for going to screw herself and turned in my badge for good, yet again," Kate says firmly.
Applying a kiss behind her ear resulting in a gasp "Oh honey, not that I'm not thrilled for us working together again. Maybe slightly less dangerous cases constantly and such. Yet… why?" Richard replies.
Turning to kiss her husband's lips "Because Gates was unhappy, I had you around when arresting Nicole Morris, and I just couldn't handle one more second of the judgmental crap she throws at you. Throws at us, we are partners. There is no Detective Beckett without you Rick, not anymore" Kate says warmly.
"Being a cop is too much of who you are. I can handle Gates. It's hard to imagine the first time somebody in authority has enjoyed lording it over me. I got used to the bullying years back," Richard says.
"I know, babe, and I know how they treated you growing up or in college. The actress's son having no father getting by on luck while their parents pay for everything despite living as stuck-up, spoiled brats. I may not have been around to help you then, but I can now" Kate replies tenderly "And being only a cop was who I was."
Gently kissing her lips "Okay, if you are happy then so am I. That's all I ever wanted" Richard says, "And thank you."
"Always" Kate replies "Now the name change was not the only idea I had in mind."
"Hmm, what else my muse?" Richard asks.
Rolling her eyes playfully "You'll never not call me that, will you?" Kate wonders.
"You are my muse, not from being a detective but from being you," Richard says.
"Hmm, I can live with that, and the other idea is we should run it for more than just a private investigator service. A bit more precise" Kate says.
"Well getting rid of following lost dogs, cats, or crazy fans, sure," Richard says.
"Good beginning, but I was more of thinking of something rather unique. A direct consulting for the NYPD or anybody else who needs us" Kate answers.
Eyes widening "So giving me the Sherlock Holmes hat wasn't just for fun?" Richard inquiries.
"No, it was, more… fitting. I had the idea regardless of the hat and spyglass" Kate says.
"Detective Beckett, are you telling me you believe in fate?" Richard asks in amusement.
"I believe in us," Kate says.
"That's good enough" Richard replies "But in all seriousness how exactly are we thinking of doing this Castle Consulting? Since what Sherlock Holmes does has never been done before, not really."
"Um, what exactly is it you've been doing since shadowing me for years now?" Kate asks rhetorically.
"Okay, good point. But to do this officially well first I really want to know what Bob was thinking. Although it's crossed my mind this was more Gates using this chance to force me out for good" Richard says, "Honestly there's times I've wondered if Gates was a plant by Bracken."
Kate sucks in a breath for a second as Castle brushes a finger over her stomach in worry and guilt.
"Sorry," Rick says.
"No just makes pieces fit I'd rather not consider. The first thing she does is shut down the entire investigation into my shooting happening at a police funeral no less. Like nobody ever expected all hands on deck forever, but didn't even try finding new clues. Never mind kicking you out all on the same day as somebody identified how dangerous the four of us can be. Or repeated attempts to keep you and me apart" Kate says, "Leaves me with way less guilt for not inviting her to the wedding."
"That aside, we know a lot of people in various government organizations who would vouch for us, including a recent Spaulding Elliott that told me is rather happy I proved his innocence, when I met up with the guy to apologize for the cat attack. Spaulding brushed it off given the outcome, and I'm sure can help lock down certain legal details. Yet I can't believe it didn't occur to me until now" Richard says.
"What didn't?" Kate inquires.
"Gates loves to play PR games yet when it comes to me never even once considered the amount of trouble I could cause for a disaster if I tried," Richard says.
"Maybe because you're not that kind of man," Kate says only remembering what her husband is like for protecting loved ones "Normally."
"True but might be the only way to play this" Richard says.
"What are you thinking?" Kate inquires.
"Later given for right now, I'm thinking differently," Richard says.
"Hmm, will I like this thought?" Kate inquires lightly, smirking.
"Yes, because I'm going to show you, wife" Richard replies.
"Then for once just be quiet husband," Kate says.
Leaning in Castle and Beckett kissing run their hands all over the other's body electing moans.
Following day, inside an office
Commissioner Marlowe looks up from his desk upon seeing two women Paula Haas, and Kate Beckett, both wearing business outfits causally walk through the door. Paula has an aura of sheer annoyance simply of other people existing in general, combined with a dislike of excuses. Kate is carrying herself with like about to make a suspect plead for mercy, and yet a sense of power. A combination of embracing being Richard Castle's wife legally, plus being the daughter of two lawyers. While Paula stands behind a chair Kate sits in one remaining completely calm and meeting the man's eyes.
"I was not aware I had an appointment with you both, Detective Beckett," Marlowe says.
"You didn't, we invited ourselves" Paula replies.
"And the reason for this is?" Marlowe asks.
"Quite simple. Your 12th police captain who acts like the rejected prom queen that nobody likes since she rats on her friends for ridiculous actions then creates fake proof to destroy the boy who refused to go to said dance. I would have just created a media nightmare for you, the DA, Gates, and every other individual involved. Only these two decided on showing you mercy so pay attention" Paula says.
Marlowe glances nervously from the writer's agent to his wife only to see not even a blink. Suddenly the man has to give some serious credit to Richard Castle for still alive with these kind of women in his life.
What the Commissioner doesn't know is despite Kate disliking the difficulties brought about by being Richard Castle's wife given his influence, and wealth does not mean is unable to handle it. After all, put into the life following Niki Heat novels, and this past summer despite the horrible months grew more comfortable in that role when searching for her husband.
"I am not returning to the NYPD and certainly not the 12th with Gates there. However, I'm not here demanding that she be fired, but rather presenting you with a choice" Kate says.
"Is this blackmail?" Marlowe inquires unhappily.
Rolling her eyes "Oh please don't act like some saint of moral virtue that you're so outraged. You people play dirty politics every day and don't seem to care about it then" Paula notes.
"You've got two choices. First option is I go through with letting the news outlets know exactly how Gates has treated a civilian. How do you think this will impact the NYPD? I mean you guys certainly had zero problem using good publicity as a reason to let Rick shadow me in the first place. Now, after some mob hit which, my husband had nothing to do with, especially given used those connections as an informant, and wanted the killer arrested, you people threw him out?" Kate asks frostily.
Opening his mouth Marlowe closes it once more knowing that was more rhetorical.
"Mr. and Mrs. Castle have arrested countless killers, drug dealers, terrorists, and maybe even this country by arresting Senator Bracken from becoming President. Just think for a second how this would look in the press" Paula adds.
"Your other option is simple, rein Gates in. Not anything less than respect, or the public probably won't like seeing a tax-paying citizen who has risked his life getting treated like yesterday's trash. All because of one person's vendetta. The reason I am bringing this up is because my husband and I are going to be running Castle Consulting, we expect our work will bring us into contact with the 12th homicide team alongside further precincts. Neither one of us has time for dealing with somebody like her" Kate explains "Those are your two options."
"Not much of a choice is there?" Marlowe inquires pointlessly.
"Oh, there is no such thing as choices, not really. Just consequences, this is yours" Paula says.
"Mine?" Marlowe repeats.
Glancing off Paula exhales slowly before looking back over toward the Commissioner far too calmly
"Why we have come here and not the DA's, although Rick is making visits to both that office alongside the Mayor because you are supposed to be in charge of your people. If Gates can do this to him, what other supervisors are doing to actual employees? Misusing government resources to harass innocents? Frame people just because they are insecure about their lover's ex? As a tax-paying citizen myself I'm rather concerned about how my money is being spent" Paula says harshly.
"Now what is it going to be?" Kate inquires nonchalantly more as if interrogating a suspect, not playing politics with NYC's police commissioner.
"I'll tell Gates to rein it in. Would you ever consider rejoining the NYPD?" Marlowe inquires.
"Honestly? My mother alongside other people in the Justice Initiative was murdered for investigating corrupt cops who helped cover everything up, ADA Bracken who ordered the assassinations nearly became President. My husband and my stepdaughter got left out to dry as the FBI had more important things. AG's office cares more for status quo even if letting murder covered up, and our experiences with CIA are more lifeless than a corpse on Lanie's table" Kate replies icily "The lost, and oppressed need someplace to go."
"You mentioned more than just the 12th Precinct?" Marlowe inquiries.
"My husband is at the mayor's office getting things in order including the Firehouse Commissioner. Documents for here alongside the firehouse are being drawn up allowing us to legally investigate the murders, kidnappings, or arson city-wide if needed" Kate says, "Homicides as our priority doesn't change, but we are protecting our bases."
"Is there anything else you need?" Marlowe asks.
"No, we are done here" Kate replies standing up "Thank you for your time, Commissioner."
Beckett and Paula exit the room leaving the Commissioner alone breathing a sigh of relief with making a phone call and being very glad that a nightmare didn't come to pass. Now just time to see how the Mayor wants to handle this.
Captain's 12th Precinct Office
Sitting at her desk Victoria Gates hears the desk phone ringing and noticing the caller ID picks it up nervously.
"Hello," Gates says.
"I think you left out the sir you are always demanding people call you" Robert Weldon replies.
"I suppose you're calling 'cause your friend wants his wife and him back here with a ticker tape parade? Listen Richard Castle might be your friend but" Gates starts only gets cut off.
"Listen, mam, you are going to do two things. Quite simply shut up, and listen. Is that understandable? If you continue with this level of disrespect, I can easily have you terminated, by the end of this phone call" Robert says "Because from everything I've heard about you, and your apprentice Marcus Donovan, seems to me to be two individuals who enjoy the power trip of being IA."
"I am listening" Gates manages to force out, however painful the words are.
"The Commissioner wanted to make this phone call but given our past encounters, I offered. You seemed to let your bias cloud your judgment when I was framed for murder. I figured he deals with you enough during monthly meetings" Robert says, "Your love of going above people's heads when you don't like answers so I'm cutting it off from the top."
Gates goes to speak yet bites down hard enough that makes her cheek hurt.
"Put simply you have failed as a captain; you are supposed to protect your people and have not. Both Castle with Detective Beckett are now running Castle Consulting, taking cases throughout NYC if needed. When they interact with the 12th, I want them shown with nothing but the uttermost respect. If you are unable to do that, or if I hear one possibility of otherwise you will be gone. You're extremely lucky that the Castle's even came to us first. Because had Mr. Castle and his wife gone to the press, we wouldn't even be having this phone call" Robert says.
"Sir, you would have fired me for doing my job? This is unbelievable some rich writer cannot just do whatever the hell he wants. We are cops" Gates replies upset.
"Detective Beckett was a cop, but you pushed until the line snapped. Frankly, their consulting service idea is a good one, helping people out when the red tape, and politics can get too complicated" Robert says, "Regarding being fired it would have been due to a mess you helped create. Now I assume, I will have your full cooperation?"
"Yes sir" Gates replies after a moment.
"Excellent. Have a good day Captain Gates" Robert says.
Upon the phone call ending Gates slams the receiver onto the cradle, and feels an all too familiar migraine coming on from dealing with both Castle's who never seem to stop making her life miserable.
Hope you all enjoyed this fun one.
A coin flip between if it was the mayor or commissioner for calling Gates out. I decided to go with Mayor Bob instead this time.
I wasn't even going to have Gates shown getting put to the fire, and forced to play nice with the Castle's, but due to how many people wanted to see it I figured, sure.
Yeah, saving Gates getting fired over her actions for another time.
Regarding Kate Beckett not wanting to return to NYPD in any form and seeing the work of Castle Consulting as more fulling is something that kind is natural. Like let's Kate have growth from being the hardline detective in 1x01, to now after years of dealing with the system so just no real faith left.
Even more than just her mother's murder, is Castle family that Kate is now a willing part of has been affected by said system. So, Kate's husband getting unfairly kicked out, and truly realizing the years of abuse under Gates was the final straw. Besides Jordan Shaw, their encounters with other organizations rarely ever go well.
After all the show is called Castle, not Beckett's 12th Adventures. Meaning could this have happened in the series, proper? Yes. Given Castle setting up the PI stuff in season 7 went nowhere.
The consulting service idea for being more than just some PI firm into more Sherlock Holmes-like felt fitting.
(I'm aware that RCI began again in season 8 but like most Castle fans do any of us want to even like admitting the seasons exists? Very rhetorical question.)
Until next chapter