A/N: A bit quicker update than usual, but I had to post on Halloween! This story is far from finished, and I have no clue how long it's going to be. I hope you stick with me, and I hope you enjoy this chapter. :)

XXXXXX

Chapter 6

Bright and early the next morning, Rick bounded up the stairs – stopping to make coffee first – laptop in hand.

Good, you're here…oh, coffee.

"Do you…Do you not like coffee? I can…" he stammered, turning to either find a place to dump it out or take it back downstairs.

To his surprise, he heard a derisive snort. Johanna materialized beside him.

Does Katie not like coffee? It's more like she never met a coffee she didn't like.

Mom…

Oh, relax Katie. It's true and you know it.

Rick was struck by the banter. It gave him insight into the mother/ daughter relationship and made him wistful that he hadn't known them before.

"Seriously, Kate, if this bothers you, I can get rid of it."

No, Castle. She took a deep breath(?) and closed her eyes.

I can almost smell it. I'll just sit here and look longingly at it. And you… she glared good naturedly at her mother.

Why, whatever do you mean, Katie?

The younger ghost rolled her eyes.

So to work?

Rick jumped.

"Right. Let me get this set up."

He put the laptop on the small table, then realized he needed something.

"I need to grab a chair," he told the women. "Oh, and I forgot, I never got the whiteboard."

We can make do with your computer for now. Kate replied. It's not as if Mom and I can write anything on the board anyway. It's just that it'll be easier for me to suss things out like I did when I was a cop when you do get it.

Rick looked at his watch.

"Let me run down and get that chair. Mother should be up in about an hour or so and I know she'll want to discuss the information I gave her last night."

What information? Did you ask if she wanted to meet us?

"I gave her a file of all my research on you and your mother. And I did ask her," he frowned. "She as much as accused me of 'setting it up', as in projectors, fake smoke and the like."

Is that something you would do? Johanna asked.

"That's beside the point." Rick was a little indignant. "This is real, and it is freaking her out and as I told her, if I was joking, I'd stop if it got to be too much. And she knows that. I'm hoping once she reads the file she'll change her mind about meeting you."

Johanna smiled as Rick went back downstairs in a put upon huff – taking his coffee with him.

He's good for you, Katie. Johanna said with a smile.

Kate looked up in surprise.

Who, Castle? Well, yeah, I guess so, especially if he can find the proof we need to put that bastard away forever – or at the very least ruin his political aspirations.

Have you told Rick about your father?

Kate looked up at the change of subject.

Mom, I told you…

Yes you did. And you said he pulled out of it.

And I'd like to remember him that way.

You're afraid he fell again.

Yes, I am. You died, I died – both of us in horrible ways. That would send anyone off. And I don't know if he's even still alive. He didn't show up here if he isn't which hurts because that means he's moved on without us.

Well, Katie, did it ever occur to you that I might want news of him? That good or bad, any news of Jim would be a gift?

I'm sorry, Mom. I was thinking I was protecting you from any more pain.

I'm a big girl, Katie, I can live with it – so to speak. What you need to be thinking about is letting Rick come closer.

Mom…

Is it permanent? Johanna barreled on. With luck, no. Will it hurt when we leave? Of course it will. But I don't think that's a good reason to not take it when you can. And I've seen the look on Rick's face. He's trying to tamp it down because he knows it can't last, but it's there. He wants it too.

Mom, that's not fair to him…

None of this is fair to any of us, Katie. Not Rick, not you, not me, not your father. It doesn't mean I don't want to hear about him, even if it hurts. And it doesn't mean you should deprive yourself of any semblance of happiness – even if it's temporary.

I'll think about it.

You do that. Rick, you're back.

Rick was staring at the two ghosts in some confusion. They were clearly communicating with each other, but he couldn't hear any of it. He'd actually been standing here for a few minutes, but he didn't want to interrupt.

"Uh, yeah. I'm back. Brought a chair – and more coffee," he said lamely.

Kate smiled. He was cute, even if nothing real could ever come of it.

Damn, she really hated being dead.

Throwing off the awkwardness, Rick carried the dining room chair to the tv tray where he'd left his laptop.

"I figure this will be good to begin with,' he said. Placing the mug of coffee next to the computer. I'll bring up my office chair when I get the whiteboard. That'll be a bit more comfortable."

"Richard?"

It was Martha, calling from the bottom of the stairs.

Go, Castle. See what your mom has to say about your research.

Maybe you can convince her to come upstairs. I'd like to meet the woman who took a chance on a haunted house – even though she never knew about the ghosts.

Rick nodded. He was itching to get more of the story, but he needed to hear his mother's thoughts.

"Be right there, Mother," he called and turned back to the ghosts. "I'll be back in a bit, hopefully with her in tow."

XXXXXX

Rick found Martha perusing the file with a mug of coffee sitting beside the folder.

"Mother," he sat down next to her.

"This is quite the research you've got going here, Richard," Martha said by way of greeting. "Have you thought about what the family would or will say about it?"

Rick deflated.

"You still don't believe me…"

"Now Richard, I didn't say that. I will admit that I'm still having a difficult time getting my head around it. Ghosts? Really?"

She flipped through the pages.

"This is different from your research for your books," she continued thoughtfully. "It's more comprehensive."

She looked up at him.

"You once told me you did that deliberately – leaving certain things out. 'Leave room for the story' is what I believe you said."

"Yes, I did say that, but…"

"This is different." She held up the file. There's no 'room for the story' here. It is the story. Are you thinking of changing genres? Are you trying your hand at true crime? Because if you are, that's what I mean about talking to the family – you need to get permission. Specifically…" she shuffled through the pages and picked one up. "Jim Beckett. I believe that's your ghost's father?"

"And Johanna's husband," he replied, smiling a little at the 'your' comment – he didn't think that would ever describe Kate, living or not, she 'belonged' to no one. "I'm not changing genres, no," he continued. "I told you I was asked to help find Johanna and Kate's killer. I know the supernatural aspect is hard to swallow. But if you'd just come upstairs…"

"Why? Why do you want me to 'meet' them so badly?"

Rick closed his eyes and sighed.

"So that you believe I'm telling you the truth," he replied. "Johanna just now told me she wanted to meet you. They both want to show you that they mean no harm."

"Mean no harm?" Martha asked incredulously. "May I remind you that – Kate is it? – tossed you out on your ear – nearly toppling you over the railing – and sent me to the hospital? That 'mean no harm'?"

Rick nodded, conceding her point.

"That's fair, Mother. But Kate does know she went too far, and she wants to apologize to you face to face. You deserve that. And Johanna really would like to meet you. You took a chance on the house without knowing what was upstairs, and I think she thinks that was brave."

Martha snorted.

"Brave? Brave? More like stupid."

"Now, Mother, I'm not going to let you do that to yourself. Growing up backstage wasn't the best place for a kid – especially one who was beginning to discover girls."

He grinned.

"You wanted more stability for me and you took a chance. A chance that has worked out well until now. And the only reason anything has changed at all is that Kate and Johanna have asked for help."

Martha opened her mouth to speak, but Rick held up a hand.

"And no, I'll be the first to admit it hasn't started out well, we all got off on the wrong foot."

"That's one way of putting it," Martha muttered.

Ignoring that, Rick continued.

"So we – that is Kate and I – have started over. Are we still going to argue? Probably. Even as a ghost she's got a strong personality, and you've always told me that I do too. But neither you nor I are going to get a shock when we try to open the door again. They'd probably lock it again if we had guests; but when was the last time we had people over? You've never even invited your theatre friends even though you've had nothing to be ashamed of – ever – in buying this house. We've never been close to the neighbors, but who cares? That's their loss. It does make me wonder how much – say – the Barker's next door knew or know about what happened. They've been in the neighborhood longer than we have."

Martha's face darkened. The Barker's were the biggest gossips on the street. If they'd known about this all this time…

"I'm not suggesting we confront them, Mother. In fact I think we should leave well enough alone. What matters is we know what's going on now, and we have an opportunity to end it."

"By helping the 'ghosts'?"

Rick heard the airquotes, but ignored the sarcasm in Martha's voice.

"Yes," he said simply. There was nothing more to say.

"All right, Richard." She sighed in resignation. "I'll come upstairs and meet your ghosts."

XXXXXX

I don't know, Mom. I wouldn't blame her if she didn't want to meet us. After what I did, I know she can't be happy with me right now.

Johanna laughed.

Not happy with you? Talk about the understatement of the century, Katie.

Point taken. But I wouldn't be surprised if she packed everything up and just left us the house. Hopefully Castle will stay.

He doesn't seem like the type who would renege on an agreement without good reason.

He has one…

Had, Katie. And the two of you worked that out. Rick knows you never meant to hurt his mother, and he still wants to help. Even she told him to help us – even though it wasn't particularly altruistic – she wants us gone. But my point is, she's not looking for another exorcist or 'Ghostbuster'. She's willing to have her son help us in our pursuits.

And that worries me too, Mom. Yes this was my idea to have him help because I've seen how he researches his books. But Castle's not a cop. He can't question people without raising suspicion. I mean, yeah, he's got the whole 'researching for a book' thing going, but still. And if HE gets wind of it, well, Castle might end up making good on his joke/threat about joining us up here as a ghost. And then where will his mother be?

I'm aware of the danger, Katie. But we've got to start somewhere, and Rick's our best bet. You said that yourself. I think I hear them – or at least him coming up. It's time for us to get going on this.

XXXXXX

When they reached the landing, Rick moved immediately to enter the hallway, but Martha stopped at the threshold in trepidation.

"Mother, she won't hurt you again," Rick said, turning back to see the look on her face.

"Are you sure about that?" she asked.

"Look, Mother, the door is wide open," he stepped through the doorway and back out. "The power is gone."

"But what if they don't like that the only reason I want you to help them is to get rid of them?"

Rick stepped closer to Martha.

"I told you that I told Kate that. And she said it doesn't matter. She and Johanna want to leave. There's nothing either of them want more than to be able to go to wherever spirits are supposed to go when they die. As long as you're not hiring an exorcist – and as you saw in my notes, that's been tried – they don't care about your reasoning for helping them. If we can assist them in leaving, it's a great thing for them."

Somewhat mollified, Martha took another step toward the doorway, hesitating once more.

"But what if…?"

"There is no 'what if', Mother. If either of them do try anything we'll leave. We'll write the house off as a loss, and leave them to it. I won't let them hurt either of us again."

Martha nodded resolutely and stepped through the door.

XXXXXX

The room was empty when they entered, much to Rick's surprise. He thought both ghosts would be there to greet the two of them. Then he saw a shimmer out of the corner of his eye.

"There, Mother," he turned Martha toward the shimmer, which materialized into Kate.

"Kate, this is my mother, Martha Rodgers. Mother, this is Kate."

Martha smiled warily. She still wasn't quite trusting that she wouldn't be hurt again, but she had to try – for her son's sake if nothing else.

Mrs. Rodgers… Kate began.

"Martha, please," Martha was proud of herself for keeping the shake out of her voice – mostly. Again, Kate wasn't coming across as malicious, but Martha still had a slight headache from the shock.

Martha. I am so sorry. I don't know if Rick told you, but there are things that are extremely draining for me – I know, it's odd that things can be tiring for a ghost, but it's true. Manifesting – appearing in a visible form is one of those things. My only excuse in re-powering the door is habit. It was just something that was easy to put on and I was so exhausted I wasn't thinking. It's not much of an excuse, but I hope that you can accept my apology and know that it will never happen again. The power has been turned off, and won't ever be reactivated. My mother and I need Rick's help – and yours too if you're so inclined – but I wouldn't blame you if you didn't want to. I know I sound like I'm trying too hard, but we are getting desperate.

Martha didn't quite know what to do with this passionate delivery. She was beginning to believe that this was real, and not some projection of Richard's – it was too much of a production for a practical joke, and he was right, he would have stopped if she was too annoyed, which she had been. She wasn't sure she trusted Kate, but maybe if she met the other ghost…

"May…May I meet your mother?" she asked tentatively.

There was a shimmer on the other side of the room and a woman about 20 years younger than Martha appeared.

Hello Martha. I'm Johanna Beckett. I'm very happy to meet you, I've wanted to for a long time.

"Really? Why? Richard told me you thought I was brave for buying a house without seeing the whole thing, but hindsight tells me it wasn't a smart thing to do.

Perhaps not, Martha. But I'm grateful that it was you. Anyone else – even if they didn't insist on knowing what was behind the door before buying – would have tried to remove it after. You accepted that you wouldn't be able to and just got on with living your life.

Martha scoffed. She still couldn't get past the stupidity of not asking why the door was locked, and just accepting that the key was lost.

"I was desperate to get some stability for Richard."

And that desperation saved me – and later Katie. And as Katie said, now we're getting desperate. We know who murdered us…"

That surprised Rick.

"You know? Then why do you need me? Kate said you wanted me to solve your murders. If you know who killed you, aren't they solved?"

Fair question, but we don't have corporeal evidence – something that can be shown in court, and without that, there's nothing that can be done to stop him. Who would believe a ghost – even if either of us could leave the house to testify?

That was a point, and Rick nodded.

"So how do we go about finding proof?" he asked.

Kate jumped in.

We start by getting everything we know in one place. That means, Rick, we need that whiteboard. It sounds a little ridiculous, but seeing everything in one place always worked for me before, and I don't want to get too close to your computer. Mom and I don't seem to have an effect on it, but I don't want to take any chances. It's not just that I don't want to destroy your computer, I don't want to lose all the information that we have or hope to find.

"Okay, I'll go to Staples and get one today. Anything else?"

Kate thought for a moment.

What I wouldn't give to talk to my old partners, Ryan and Esposito. I'm not sure if they're still at the 12th precinct or even if they're still cops. We were as close as siblings, so after my death I don't know if they retired or quit or moved up the ranks. I hope the latter.

Johanna interrupted.

And I would like to hear news of my husband Jim. As much as I'd love to see him again, I don't know how he would feel to have a stranger invite him to his house and spring me on him. Katie said he had problems when I died.

He started drinking and was a pretty serious alcoholic for a few years. He did pull out of it, with a lot of help from AA and his sponsor, but I'm afraid he might have fallen off the wagon after I died.

Any news of him would be welcome – even if it isn't happy news.

Rick made a note on his phone.

"I knew of him through your obituaries, but I didn't know if it was appropriate to look into his whereabouts. Let me get that whiteboard and then I'll do some research on him – As well as your partners at the precinct."

"I have a question," Martha broke in. She'd been watching the back and forth between the ghosts and Richard like it was a tennis match.

What's that, Martha?

"Who killed you? You said you know, though you have no evidence of it."

Kate and Johanna looked at each other. They had almost forgotten that hadn't told their living helpers.

William H. Bracken.

XXXXXX

A/N2: Not a huge surprise, we all knew that was coming, right? :) The next chapter isn't quite finished, so the next update won't be as quick as this one, but I will get there! There will be some new blood in the next chapter, (wiggles eyebrows) so hopefully that'll keep your interest piqued. Happy Halloween everybody!