All In The Genes
by Castlefan6
A/N: This is the sequel to "Only Just Begun ((from a READER'S PROMPT)." Please read that first. This picks up immediately after that story ends, and it will be a casket ending revealing some family secrets and events. It is a love story between Caskett and the next generations of castles and how they deal with their grandparents' history. The story is TOTALLY AU, and PLEASE DO NOT refer to actual episodes for events. For Kenny, Thanks for the prompt.
***********************************************************************/
I don't own Castle; I use the characters for amusement purposes only.
Chapter 4
NYPD Police, 12th Precinct
Next Day, 6:00 AM
The following morning, the twins found themselves in their usual spot when meeting for any event, Remmy's, for a quick breakfast before starting their day. Lunch was never guaranteed in their line of work, so others may think a double cheeseburger platter with a milkshake, chocolate for Kevin, and strawberry for Kyle was unusual, but not to the brothers.
"So, what did you think of the meeting yesterday, Kyle? I know we didn't get a chance to talk about it before you had your commitment last night, but I was curious about your thoughts." Kevin asked his brother as he stole some of his French fries.
"Do you mean you picked up on me letting the Mayor have it when she insinuated that Mamaw and Grandpa were to be kept out of the information loop? Yeah, she pissed me off big time, but Director Curry was present, remotely, but still could make our lives miserable when this case is closed, so I tried to keep it civil but firm," Kyle replied, "Touch my food again, and I'll break your hand little brother" he laughed,
"You wish. You did keep it civil, I'll give you that, but there was no misunderstanding that neither you nor I were happy with the implications that our Grandparents were old and senile. Hell, that comment about Mamaw being younger than the Mayor really got to her," Kevin laughed.
"If anyone knows Richard Castle at all, they will know that by now, he and Mamaw are planning on how to keep us safe as we attempt to take down the third generation of SCUM that killed our great-grandmother. My biggest concern is how much and when to tell Grandpa; I don't think I could live with myself if something happened to either of them." Kyle said, as serious as his twin had ever seen him,
"I agree, Kyle, but remember what Grandpa always told us. I know you got the same speech before you deployed as I did. You can only control what's in your control; you have to let go of all the rest and figure it out as you go. Plans are just that: plans and real-life most often will never follow a script." Kevin said, in a serious tone,
"You memorized Grandpa's speech?" Kyle asked,
"Yeah, but not when we were in the Army. Remember how we had that big fight about moving in with Mamaw and Grandpa when Grandma Gina got so sick that Mom had to move in with her?" Kevin asked,
"Yeah, I remember, those were some tough days, on Mom, us, and Mamaw and Grandpa. I remember you and I got into a fight about it, and Grandpa took you aside to talk about it. I never asked, but was that when he gave you that sermon?" Kyle asked,
"Yep, that and how I should be nicer to my Mom and my brother, that you two were the only ones I was ever going to have. He reminded me that his father wasn't in his childhood at all, that he was jokingly known as famously fatherless once he had made it in the publishing business." Kevin said,
"I never asked; I figured it was something special and personal between you and Grandpa. Usually, he would talk to us both unless it was just you that screwed up," Kyle laughed, then added, "We better get going. I'd like to have a quick call with Director Curry to gauge his reaction to my comments yesterday."
"That's not a bad idea; you never know what he is thinking. It's best to get it out in the open now than face repercussions from it when we return to our normal positions." Kevin added, as Kyle was reaching for his wallet, he gave him a look,
"Oh, don't tell me, you already paid the tab. Did you get her phone number as well?" Kyle kidded as they headed out for the short walk to the Precinct.
*******************************************************************/
A shadow cast itself over New York City as two figures, the spitting images of their famous grandparents, stepped into the familiar yet changed halls of the 12th Precinct. Kevin and Kyle Castle, grandsons of the legendary Richard Castle and Kate Beckett, had returned. No longer civilians, they had forged their own paths within the Army and the FBI, earning the respect and renown their family name demanded. Their mission: infiltrate and dismantle the nefarious plot orchestrated by Senator William Bracken's Grandson.
The stakes were higher than ever. Senator William Bracken's lineage continued to carry the dark legacy of corruption and power abuse, and his Grandson had emerged as a formidable adversary. Kevin and Kyle had been specially chosen for this mission not only due to their exceptional credentials but also for their intrinsic connection to the Precinct and its history.
They were approaching the steps leading to the Precinct when they both stopped simultaneously, Kevin turned to Kyle,
"This is it, brother. This is as if not more important than anything we have ever done in our lives. I remember just how much Mamaw and Grandpa gave to us, even though they didn't need to. They did it out of love, so we have to protect them at all costs." Kevin said in a serious tone; he was usually the brother more versed in comedy than something this serious.
"I know, and we will. We got this, Kev; I wouldn't trust anyone else with this assignment other than us. We know how much they have given not only to New York but to their country as well. We won't let them down, Bro, I promise you.
"It wasn't said explicitly, but if the Granddad of Bracken was gunning for Mamaw and Grandpa, it stands to reason that Scumbag's grandson will be doing the same," Kyle said as they exchanged the hand gesture they developed as young boys, meaning I got your back.
"Ready?" Kevin asked, to which his brother replied, "Let's F'ing do this." They bolted up the stairs, two steps at a time.
Returning to the 12th Precinct was a sentimental experience for the twins. They had heard stories of how "Caskett" had come to be and even saw some pictures of a very young pair of Grandparents. Their favorite story was when Mamaw was promoted to Captain shortly after Grandpa left for England to replace Captain Gates, who demanded to be called Sir.
Not only was she weird, but she was also incompetent. It had taken Mamaw almost an entire year to straighten out the monthly reports Gates had forged and filed as authentic. She was a mole in the NYPD's leak to the Original Senator's corruption ring and was now serving time in Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women. She had been denied parole three times and was now in declining health.
The Precinct had seen as well as undergone many other changes as well, but there were a few familiar faces who remained. Captain Kevin Ryan, a stalwart ally from their grandparents' time, now commanded the Precinct.
He approached the job with the same integrity and tenacity that he had learned when working for their Mamaw, Captain Kate Beckett. The transition from detective to Captain had not dulled his sharp instincts or his unwavering sense of justice.
The twins remembered LT, who had been a frequent guest with his wife and daughter at their home in Albany. Grandpa had lobbied his friend and Mayor at that time, Uncle Bob well Bob Weldon, to promote LT to Detective. It was a favor never forgotten.
His was the first face they saw as they stepped off of the elevator. The moment he saw them, his face broke open in a wide smile. "You guys looking for something? How can I help?" he asked in his booming voice.
The twins turned around and simultaneously said, "LT. Is that you?" Then they looked at each other and smiled. The mind-melting thing was about to start for real at the Precinct.
"It's me; I know you're used to seeing me in Patrol Blues, but now that I'm a Lieutenant Detective, Captain Kevin won't allow me to wear anything that resembles a Patrol Officer; he said I had waited far too long to become a detective.
"Mamaw and Grandpa agree with that," Kyle said, and then Kevin added, "Grandpa was so pissed when he found out your scores were higher than the last three new detectives, he yelled at Uncle Bob. We were small, but I remember that it was the first time he ever said, God Damn it, in front of us" They laughed together about a fond memory from their childhood.
"Guys, we will have to catch up some more, but I know you are due for a high-level meeting. Let me show you to the new private conference room," he said as he turned to walk down a small hall.
A few minutes later, they were ushered into a large conference room, where Captain Ryan and Mayor Karpowski were already present. They were greeted warmly, "Guys, there is coffee and doughnuts on the desk over there, but if my intel is correct, you already had a Cheeseburger platter for breakfast," Roz said, then laughed as the twins blushed.
"Your intel is accurate, Madam Mayor, but, then again, in unison, "We always have room for a good cup of coffee," and once again, Kevin Ryan just shook his head. It was almost like a young Rick Castle had been cloned and returned to the Precinct.
"Kevin, Kyle, since we are going to be working together, why don't you just call me Roz?" She asked, trying to smooth over any hurt feelings from the initial meeting.
Kyle looked at Kevin as if to say, you take this, I'm still pissed. "Well, it was our understanding that we would be working most with Captain Ryan, then Commissioner Hastings, so no offense, mam, but we were raised to address you correctly. Even when Uncle Bob was Mayor, we were made to address him as Mr. Mayor in public surroundings.
We will try to remember to use your first name, but old habits are hard to break," Kevin said, not committing to calling her anything other than her title. If she wanted to apologize, she would need to do so formally, not some half-ass, back-of-the-hand call me by my-name comment.
"Understood, Kevin, it's Kevin, isn't it?" she asked
"Yes, Mam, it's Kevin; you can tell if you look closely at us that Kyle has a small scar above his right eye from when he was in the Army. That will help you distinguish which Castle you are speaking to," he said politely, letting her know where she stood. This was Kate Beckett's Grandson's for sure.
"OK. Thanks, and guys, I really am sorry if I offended you yesterday, I wouldn't say anything bad about."
"Can we move on, please?" Kyle interrupted her and looked her straight in the face,
Mayor Roz Karpowski, another name etched in the annals of the Precinct's history, had ascended to the political echelons with a reputation for being tough but fair. Her leadership had transformed the city's approach to law enforcement, combining rigorous policy-making with an empathetic understanding of the city's diverse communities.
She had never forgotten where she had come from; she was a Cop's Mayor. Even with all that going for her, she had managed to piss off both of Kate's grandsons and knew they were like their grandmother; you needed to be explicit when apologizing and do so in private.
Kevin Ryan connected the Video Call, and Commissioner Hastings appeared: "Good Morning, All. I'm looking forward to a productive day today. Director Curry will join us when he has open time slots so that he may be in and out of the call the entire day."
Commissioner Anne Hastings, a younger but just as formidable figure as the Mayor, brought a fresh perspective to the NYPD. Her strategic acumen and ability to navigate the complex political landscape made her an invaluable ally in the fight against corruption.
She had climbed the ladder rather quickly and was a surprise choice to leapfrog Captain Ryan when the Commissioner position had opened due to retirement. If there had been any animosity, it wasn't apparent in the dealings and conversations.
FBI Director Curry had a distinct motivation for involving himself in the operation. His profound respect for the Castle-Beckett legacy saw him see in Kevin and Kyle a chance to honor that legacy while dismantling a significant threat to national security.
He hadn't stated it publicly, but he was also worried that his Grandson would be seeking retribution against the two his Grandfather blamed for his downfall, Kate and Rick Castle. The Castle twins were his best option to mitigate any potential threat, stated or unstated, perceived or not; he had to take all factors into account.
Captain Ryan took control of the meeting and asked, "Is everyone ready to begin?"
A chorus of answers ranging from Sir, yes Sir, again spoken in unison by the twins, to Let's go, ready, and Yes were heard, so he said, "OK, the first order of business is to outline our goal and develop a detailed plan to accomplish it. Does anyone have any input into formulating the goal?" he asked,
Kevin and Kyle exchanged glances, their expressions resolute. The weight of the mission had settled on their shoulders, and they understood the stakes. Mayor Karpowski stepped forward, her voice firm. "Our goal is clear: to capture Senator Bracken's grandson and dismantle his corrupt network."
Commissioner Hastings nodded in agreement. "We need to conduct an undercover sting operation that will not only apprehend him but also gather enough evidence to ensure a solid case. This mission requires precision, coordination, and absolute discretion."
Director Curry added, "The FBI will provide the necessary resources and technology. Kevin and Kyle, your familiarity with the Precinct and your ability to blend in will be critical. We must act swiftly and efficiently to avoid any leaks or missteps."
Captain Ryan, with his deep understanding of the Precinct's dynamics, emphasized, "With all due respect, we need detailed planning and seamless execution. Every member of this team must know their role and be prepared for all contingencies. This is truly one mission where Failure is not an option." He said, his voice cracking a bit, perhaps remembering the old days and the suffering that all had endured during the chase and capture.
"Captain Ryan, Sir?" Kyle addressed Kevin Ryan,
"Yes, Kyle, how can I help you," He replied,
"You can start by checking your inbox of emails, "Came the chorus of both Castle twins.
"Kevin and I formulated this draft of a plan two days ago and were waiting for everyone to have their input. Doesn't anyone read emails except the FBI?" He asked, clearly pissed that he and his brother had worked into the early morning hours to formulate a plan that wasn't even read yet.
"I'm sorry, Kyle, there is no excuse, especially now that I see there are three important flags and two reminder emails," Anne Hastings said, "We will do better in the future." Staring directly at a pissed-off Captain Kevin Ryan, who knew he had not heard the last of this SNAFU.
"Kevin and I are going to grab a coffee down the street. Hopefully, by the time we get back, you will have had time to read and be prepared to contribute to this mission." His words were sharp, biting, and directly to the point. This was a trait from Kate Beckett, and everyone in the room knew it. They had been on the receiving end of similar exchanges with his grandmother. The Castle twins stood, shot a look toward Madam Mayor, and walked out the door.
*************************************************************/
IN THE ROOM
"Well, that was a ClusterFuck, wasn't it, CAPTAIN Ryan? What the hell happened?" Roz wanted to know and know now; she was embarrassed and pissed off that two young FBI Agents could outshine her seasoned department so badly, especially when it came to something so simple as staying up-to-date with written communication.
"Roz, I'll take responsibility for this, I was copied on the emails, and I assumed, I know, I know ass out of you and me, but Ryan has been putting in a ton of hours trying to get budgets prepared for our deadline." Hastings stepped up to take responsibility, but it didn't appease Roz in the least.
"That's right, Anne. You were copied on the emails addressed to Ryan, and I'm sick of the excuses for a lot of hours. How long does it take to glance at your inbox and read only the urgent messages?
"It took less time than it did for him to call his old partner Esposito over at the 54th to keep Nosy Nelly up to speed about the Castles. We'll deal with this later; for now, read the God Damn Plan; I'll be back when I cool off."
OUTSIDE IN ROUTE TO JAVA HUT
"Do you believe that crap, Kyle? We forfeit tickets to see the game, and they can't be bothered to read their damn emails." Kevin was still pissed about missing the game, or was it the meeting he had planned afterward.
"I know, Kev, I know, but we can only control our part and ride their asses to make sure they come prepared. I saw the look on Karpowski's face; I don't think that will happen again if I can judge anything by the look on a woman's face. Ryan looked like he was about to cry." Kyle said, half laughing, trying to calm his twin down.
Just then, they heard a familiar voice behind them, "Excuse me, guys, could I sit with you for just a few minutes? I need to say some things that won't be heard while we're working." Roz appeared over Kyle's shoulder,
"What the hell, did you follow us here too?" Kevin asked, still pissed.
"No, but I figured you would need a cup of coffee, and this was the closest spot. I had to leave the room before I said more things I would be sorry for. Speaking of sorry, Kyle, Kevin, you must understand I meant no disrespect towards your grandparents. Kate was my only friend for years. I would never do anything to hurt her. I'm just worried the whole fucking case is back again.
"I'm sorry you both thought I was disrespecting them; on the contrary, I was and am trying to keep them safe." Roz said, then asked, "Would you please accept my apology, not only for that but also for my department's unprepared status?" She was sincere,
Kyle looked at Kevin and got the OK with the look, "Apology accepted, but Roz, never do that again. We have ways to bury you, and you won't even see it coming," Kyle said in a tone so reminiscent of that of his Grandmother years ago.
"OK, thanks, guys, understood. Can we get back and get this mission planned and in process, please? She asked,
Kyle leaned to the Barista and said, "Make that order to go, please."
TBC