A Return from the Past
The precinct was unusually quiet when Kate Beckett spotted the familiar figure sauntering through the bullpen. Her breath caught in her chest as Royce entered, wearing his trademark leather jacket and an easy smile that hadn't changed in years.
"Well, Detective Beckett," Royce drawled, stopping short of her desk. "I hear congratulations are in order. You've made quite the name for yourself since I last saw you."
Kate stood, crossing her arms as she gave him a wry look. "And I hear you've taken up bounty hunting. Trading in one badge for another?"
Royce smirked. "You know me, Kate. Always chasing the action."
Castle appeared from behind his desk, his curiosity piqued. "Who's this?" he asked, pointing between Royce and Kate.
Royce extended a hand. "Mike Royce. Her old training officer."
Castle blinked, his expression shifting from polite curiosity to thinly veiled jealousy. "Ah, the famous Royce. I've heard a lot about you."
Royce chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "All good things, I'm sure."
Kate rolled her eyes. "Enough with the introductions. What are you doing here, Royce?"
"I'm in town on a case," he said, pulling out a folded piece of paper and handing it to her.
"Figured I'd stop by, see if the best detective I ever trained could help me track this guy down."
Kate glanced at the paper, a picture of a wiry man staring back at her. "Why am I not surprised?"
"I'll take that as a yes," Royce replied, his grin widening.
Castle cleared his throat, clearly unimpressed. "Well, as much fun as this reunion is, we've got our own cases."
Royce raised an eyebrow, his gaze flicking between Kate and Castle. "Looks like you've got yourself a new partner."
"Something like that," Kate muttered, brushing past him. "Royce, we need to talk."
The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the street as they stepped outside the precinct. Kate led Royce to a bench near the park, her mind racing as she tried to figure out how to start the conversation.
Royce leaned back, crossing his arms. "You've got that look, Beckett. What's on your mind?"
Kate hesitated, then took a deep breath. "There's something I need to tell you."
He tilted his head, his easygoing demeanor slipping slightly. "Sounds serious."
"It is," she said quietly, her hands fidgeting in her lap. "I'm pregnant, Royce."
For a moment, his expression was unreadable. Then, a slow smile spread across his face.
"Well, I'll be damned. Congratulations, Kate."
"It's Tom's," she added, her voice steady. "I found out after he died."
The smile faded, replaced by something softer, almost sad. "Tom was a good guy. I'm sorry, Kate."
"Me too," she admitted, looking down at her hands. "But it's not just about Tom anymore. I've got to figure out how to do this on my own."
Royce shook his head, his voice firm. "You're not alone, Kate. You've got people who care about you. And you've got that stubborn determination I always admired. You'll be a hell of a mom."
A faint smile tugged at her lips. "Thanks, Royce."
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "You're stronger than you think, Kate.
And if you ever need anything—you know where to find me."
She nodded, her throat tightening with emotion. "I appreciate that."
The takedown was messy, and the aftermath was even worse. Kate sat in the precinct's break room, staring at her hands as the betrayal settled in her chest like a weight. Royce had been her mentor, someone she'd admired and trusted. And now, all of that had crumbled into nothing.
Castle appeared in the doorway, holding two cups of coffee. "Hey," he said softly, setting one before her. "How are you holding up?"
She didn't look up. "I trusted Royce, Castle. I thought I knew him."
Castle pulled out a chair and sat across from her, his eyes filled with quiet concern.
"Royce had his own code, Kate. It doesn't excuse what he did, but maybe… maybe he thought he was doing the right thing."
Kate shook her head, her voice hard. "He used me. He lied to me. And for what? To chase some bounty? To make a quick buck?"
Castle reached across the table, his hand brushing hers. "I'm sorry, Kate. I know how much he meant to you."
She finally looked up, her eyes glistening. "I thought Royce believed in me. That he saw something in me no one else had. But now I'm not even sure that was real."
Castle squeezed her hand, his voice steady. "It was real, Kate. He saw how amazing you are, how strong you are. And if he couldn't live up to that… that's on him, not you."
Her lips trembled, but she managed a small nod. "Thanks, Castle."
They sat silently for a moment, the weight of the betrayal hanging heavy in the air. But as Castle's presence steadied her, Kate felt a flicker of something else—hope. Royce might have let her down, but she wasn't alone. She had Castle, and for now, that was enough.