The Guild, Secretive U.S. Intel Operatives

Chapter 15 - The Weight of Leadership

Espo and Ryan had noticed the change in their two team-mates almost immediately. A couple days after the event of that one night (when the two had professed their true feelings for one another), the boys are having a conversation about them.

"Dude, do you think the two of them have done the deal?", ask Ryan of Espo.

"I don't know Bro, but something has definitely change between them. It's different now when in their space. There's an aura about them that wasn't there before, but it's a different kind of vib, as if there's more of a connection now than before", Espo says back.

"Last time I felt this way, Turner and Castle had become an item. So now I am getting that same sense, but from Beckett and Castle this time around. They must have decided to drop their pretenses about their attraction to one another. Which we all have seen but which they were in denial about", replies Kevin Ryan.

"It's going to be better than before, bro. Kate's not like Turner. She is more sensible so won't go 'weird girlfriend' on him like Sophia. Kate's not gonna become that crazy ex girl friend as had Turner."

"Well I for one am glad, Kate's good for Rick, in a way Turner couldn't be."

"Yeah Rick is more assured now in her presence and has a new confidence about himself when she's with him. Rick has gained a better perspective that makes him so much more effective as our team leader."

"So you noticed that also. She's the one that got him like that and I'm happy for Rick. Kate's a good influence on him."

"You think the two realize that we're on to them?"

"As in….?"

"Espo, that we are aware of their changed status!"

"I think they are too busy with their new dynamic to have noticed."

"Well I won't tell if you won't."

"Yeah right, let's keep them clueless. It's more fun that way. We can watch how they act when together. To see if they continue to behave as if nothing is really happening with them."

"How long do you think before they see the light. I'm not saying that we are laughing at them behind their backs, we are just enjoying their new found dynamic."

"Yeah we are!"

Both hold back a loud laugh for a knowing smirk, not wanting to get noticed by the two. They are enjoying that they have not yet been revealed to the couple. The situation made this transit to Cebu all the more enjoyable for the boys.

But Rick does notice the boys talking quietly and sharing a moment with one another. He gives a look to Kate which she sees.

"What's that look for Rick?"

"I was just watching the boys having a very private talk."

"You think they have caught on to us?"

"Nahhh, we would have to practically make out in front of them before they became aware of it."

"Just saying Rick."

"Don't worry your awesome gorgeous self about it, those two don't have a hint about us."

"I'll take your word for it then."

The couple would come to realize many weeks later that the boys had already seen their new status. The two would be astonished how totally ignorant they had been. Both were so engulfed in their new found union that nothing else had crossed their minds as they moved forward in their now growing romance. For the time being, the boys were content to let things just be. All at the expense of leaving the new couple clueless on the matter.

The Shipyards

After they had checked out their assigned shipyard in Thailand, the Guild team confirmed that indeed only production yachts were being made there, no warships. The result was the same for the Vietnam shipyard that LtCOL Kwan and her team had inspected. Those being the results, both teams headed for Cebu, Philippines, to meet up and do a joint probe of that shipyard. So from Thailand it would take about ten days, give or take, cruising at around nine to eleven knots to make their destination. So the Guild Team prepared for the trip by loading up on provisions and fuel for the journey. After a slow start leaving anchorage, the crew fell into a routine as was typical when such a distance is traveled.

While in transit, they all had duties to perform: from piloting their boat, to being the primary cook for the day, to maintaining the boat's equipment, or just performing ordinary housekeeping chores. This was life at sea and was needed to maintain good order and keep their watercraft in operational condition, but it also help pass the time and by keeping them busy. There were also down times for them, like barbecuing food on the boat's grill for a chill session, to just plain alone time activities. Such events always provided good breaks from their work routine. They used those times for reading, writing to folks back home, which Ryan did often with his wife Jenny, or when possible, making a call to love ones when sat phone was available. Kate had made a call to her sister and dad and found them well, but missing her presence. Espo was big on playing computer games and was often joined by Ryan, or on some occasions, by Kate and Rick also.

The bow of their catamaran had large sun pads that were 'popular hangout' places to chill. Kate would read there, Espo on his laptop played games, Ryan wrote emails to Jenny, and Rick took to composing the next chapter to his current novel. He like Espo was often seen with laptop in hand. There were times however when Kate and Rick had the sun pads to themselves. When this occurred, they often shared stories about themselves, talked current events, or just had spirited discussions covering various topics. Rick would often pose a question that led to a revealing talk.

The two were getting to know each other and the more they leaned, the more the relationship flourished.

One day when it was just them on the sun pads, Rick asked Kate this question: "What is it you want most about a relationship?"

She had not hesitated and responded quickly, "I think just having someone to be there for you. To jump with both feet into whatever the two of you want to experience. It's the trip Castle and not the destination that counts."

"I can see where that would be important for you", replies Rick, "but what of marriage and children?"

"Sure, if you find your one and done, why not? Marriage is a lifetime journey and as I said, it's the climb that means more than actually reaching the top. Sharing experiences and making memories is what it is about for me. Children? Really have not thought about it…, but I would leave my options open. Sure, with the right man, why not?"

"Present company included?"

"You are a work in progress Rick."

"I'll take that as a yes."

With that the couple embrace and share a passionate kiss.

"Oh,…You're so good at this Kate."

"You're not so bad yourself, stud!"

"Tease!"

"Takes one to know one!"

"We'd better stop before we traumatize the boys should they see us."

Just then Ryan appears looking like the proverbial grease monkey; hands and face soiled with oil and grim.

"Well boss, changed the filters and gaskets on engine number one."

"I had not even noticed we were traveling on one engine as you did maintenance on the other."

"Well you should know as you are doing the task tomorrow for engine number two."

"Good thing you reminded me, it slipped my mind."

"Castle, you made all the work schedules as team leader, and forgot your own assignment?"

"Well I'm glad you reminded me as even when tasking's are posted, I forget at times."

Ryan is shaking his head on Rick's reply.

"He's getting senile in his old age", he says directing the comment to Kate.

"Wait a minute, I'm not much older than the two of you."

"Really! That's your story, grandpa? I seem to recall a term 'the old man' is used when the crew talks about their CO. An appropriate label for you, our CO. So, old man, I rest my case", Beckett says with a joking chuckle.

Castle fakes a stern glare back at Kate, then says, "Ganging up on me, huh. Wait till you see the next duty rosters. There may be some extra tasks for the two of you."

"Ouch, Kate, guess I should just leave quietly."

Ryan leaves them with no further comment.

"That is so unlike you Rick."

"Don't test me Kate," his voice teasingly poking fun at Kate

They get a good laugh from their banter and playful interactions. Ryan when he left the couple to themselves noted how much more relaxed and care free Castle had been in the past days. What the two did not know was that the boys often made it a habit to leave the sun pad just for the two of them. Their way of encouraging them to share and become more familiar with one another.

As their mission continued, the couple did spend more time together getting to know each other the way couples so. They had yet to become intimate as the boat was also a work place, so although they had the opportunity, they were waiting for the right time and place. They knew it would happen eventually, but wanted the moment to be right and perfect. Both were content to just enjoy their company and the sharing that had become so normal for them. Besides, their mission always came first so the couple avoided any emotional entanglements that might hinder that.

That evening before she turns in, Kate decides on one last cup of coffee, so goes to the galley.

Rick is there, on the NAV computer, studying charts of the Cebu area. He sees Kate enter.

"Hey Kate, how about filling me up", he says grabbing his cup and raising it.

Kate finishes pouring her cup and then carries the pot to the table where she fills Rick's and then leaves the pot on the table.

"Studying the charts for Cebu, I see", she tells Castle.

"Yeah, thought I'd take a look at what's up ahead."

"Think we'll find what we are looking for?"

"Yes, but the question is what do we do about it?"

"Guidance from HQ?"

"Just to eliminate with prejudice said vessel."

"Any idea on how we are going to do that?"

"Not yet but hoping to come up with one."

"Talk to Kwan yet? Does she have any ideas?"

"We'll have a big meeting when we join up. We'll brain storm this and come up with a plan."

"I'm glad I'm not in charge."

"One day you could be Kate."

"Hopefully not for a while."

"Care to share any thoughts on this."

"Whatever we do, it has to be surgical. Destroy the asset but limit collateral damage."

"That's what I have been picking my brain on. It's hard to make an omelet without breaking some eggs."

"Well Rick you can bet Kwan is doing the same brain work trying to figure this out. I think the two of you with inputs from the crew will come up with a plan."

"Thanks for your vote of confidence."

"Well, I am going to leave you with your thoughts and turn in."

"Rest well, busy day tomorrow."

"When isn't it. Good night Rick."

"Night Kate."

His eyes follow her as she exits. He knew he may have to ask her to risk her life on this op. He knew they are were all under the same threat. He needed a battle plan that would keep them all safe despite. Being a CO meant making some hard decisions. How hard a decision depended on what he could come up with and there was a dread that he feared….losing yet another team member…. maybe even more. He had become even closer to Kate in the last months and her loss would be far more devastating now than that of Turner. Kate had told him if it should come to the decision of her survival or the success of the mission, she trusted him to make the call. Regardless of the loss it meant to the team. It was an obligation all had made to keep the country and the world safe, and they were the ones who made it happen, despite the danger or injury that each could face.

Rick knew full well that this mission was more dangerous in terms of possible human lives lost than past missions. He as CO was responsible for sending them to their deaths if it lead to that scenario. Rick had kept his feelings for Kate in check and Kate likewise did the same. Both knew the mission came first and personal feelings and romantic relationships should not hinder that mission. Rick had to prepare himself to send Kate and the boys to their possible deaths if the need arose. This was the struggle Rick was going thru. He had avoided it with Sophia when he broke up with her, but despite, he realized that had not made the situation better. For Kate, he found a even stronger connection and the sense of lost would be greater should it happen.

The responsibility for this mission was far more difficult to bear than it had ever been for Rick Castle. He asked the universe for a good outcome on this one.