REALM OF THE FAERY: CHAPTER THREE

MAN, OF TWO WORLDS

Author's note: Since this is an AU, I am altering some of the backgrounds from canon. If I recall correctly, Alexis was fifteen, in season one. In this story she is twelve. Kyra still dumped Rick but Rick didn't meet Meredith right away. Rick took ROTC in college and spent four years in the Air Force as an Air Police officer, released from active duty as a first lieutenant. For reasons of his own, none of the detectives know of his military background. The mayor, the police commissioner and Captain Montgomery know. He met Meredith shortly after his return to civilian life. The rest is as in canon up to the point of the start of this story. (Yes, I know that Culloden is a place in Scotland and site of a battle, in this story it is also the name for the land of the Sidhe)

Richard Castle looked around and took a deep breath. Even on the Scottish moors, the air as fresh as it was, still held the faint taint chemical pollution. Richard Castle of two months ago would not have noticed it. Ruiseart MacNeil did. He shook his head. He was still Richard Castle, the author, the lover of words, the creator of stories, both realistic and fanciful. But he was also Ruiseart MacNeil, warrior, bard and chieftain. His training in the Sidhe world, combined with his military service, brought the warrior to the surface. He still loved Kate Beckett. He wasn't able to change that. But the days of following her, or any woman, around, like a lost puppy were over. He'd thoroughly enjoyed the sex with the faery women and did in fact, care for them but didn't love any of them. Not even the queen, although she was better in bed than any of the others. He walked to Meghan's shop, entering by the back door. She greeted him with a curtsy and a kiss, but no apology.

"Ah, how I wish I were a lass, again, I'd even risk Moira's anger for a night with you, but things are afoot in this world and you have much to do. You must go boldly, Ruiseart, but not rashly. All the things that you had with you, are with the police. We switched your suitcase, however, and it is filled with new clothes in your size. Now you must go deal with the authorities. Just repeat the story as rehearsed. You have committed no crime, so they cannot hold you."

"To make a better story go ahead and tell the police that Moria and two men abducted you from the moors. Since she is an adult, I will claim no prior knowledge of her action. It really won't matter, she'll not come back here again. In about a year, I'll sell the shop and move to Culloden myself.

"Very well Meghan, I need to ne going I want to get home as soon as possible."

Meghan drove Rick to the local police station, in her old Morris Minor. It was a bit of a struggle for such a big man to get out of the small car. He walked into the station and up to the desk.

"My name is Richard Castle. I would like to speak to the station commander, please."

A short, wiry man came out of an office.

"I am Chief Inspector Colin Ferguson. How may I be of assistance?"

"My name is Richard Castle I was abducted two months ago, by a woman calling herself Moira MacLeod and two men. I was drugged and transported to an unknown, to me, location."

Ferguson Interrupted.

"Mister Castle, first, let me express my deepest apologies that this happened to you on Scottish soil and on my watch. Needless to say, it has caused an international uproar. May I offer you lunch before taking your statement, and will you allow us to video record it?"

"I'm agreeable to that."

"Would you also allow a doctor to examine you to ensure that it is safe for you to travel?"

"That is also acceptable and I'd like to now contact my family."

"Thank you Mister Castle and I can promise you that this will be concealed from the British media until you have arrived back in New York."

Castle endures a thorough medical examination, far more intense than a routine physical. The doctors find nothing wrong. In fact, he is a splendid physical. A couple of strange enzymes in his blood are explained by his cover story of medical experimentation. Since the enzymes are neither bacteria nor viruses or steroids, they are deemed to be harmless, which, in fact, they are. Released from the clinic, he calls Alexis on Skype and tells her that he will be home, tomorrow and to tell no one except his mother. Her squeal of glee could probably be heard ten feet away.

Castle arranges a seat on an aircraft that's part of a small airline that operates as sort of a semi-charter basis. As promised Inspector Ferguson gets him through customs and to his flight without any problems. There are only twenty other passengers. The aircraft lands at the charter section of La Guardia. Even if any paparazzi had seen him, they wouldn't have recognized him. Besides the hat and dark glasses, he was taller and broader than before and his hair was darker.

He called the loft and told Alexis that he was on the way home and should be there in about an hour. The driver got Castle home in just under an hour. He received a hefty tip for his efforts. Alexis was waiting and as soon as she heard the click of the tumblers turning in the lock, she was on her feet and rushing to the door. Castle was barely through the door, when Alexis threw herself into his arms, laughing and crying at the same time.

'Daddy, your home, safe, Thank God, your home. I missed you, so much." Castle kissed her forehead.

"I missed you too, Pumpkin, but I am here, so, you can stop worrying." Martha was right behind Alexis. Alexis stepped aside and Martha was enveloped in a hug, Martha kissed Castle's cheek.

"What she said." She stepped back and looked at him, a look of surprise, yet approval on her face.

"My stars, whatever they did to you was extraordinary. You look ten years younger, and you've grown, at least two inches."

"Yes, I have, Mother. Let me get a shower and into some fresh clothes and I'll tell you all about it. Pumpkin, will you please make a pot of coffee?"

"Yes, Dad. Oh, Dad, four large boxes came for you, this morning. They are in your office."

"Thank you, Pumpkin. I'll open them before I shower." The Sidhe had their own shipping companies, agents and TSA/customs agents, nothing illegal was shipped in and duties were paid on them it was things that might raise an eyebrow, such as functional broadswords and antique firearms. Castle opened the largest box, which held his rifle, shotgun and pistols and accoutrements. The second held his basket hilt sword, dirk and Sgian Dhu, And, to his shock, a second set that were showpieces. Perfectly functional. The sword's basket hilt was gold plated over good steel with a sapphire set in the pommel. A dirk and Sgian Dhu received the sane treatment. The third and fourth boxes held clothes. A hunting and a dress kilt, Balmoral jackets in black and in forest green both trimmed with silver braid, white dress shirts, a black jabot. plaid trews and plain white riding breeches, riding boots and dancing shoes. The crowning touches are the sporran and the flat Scots cap with three eagle feathers held in a silver clasp.

Castle showered, shaved and decided to go for the full visual shock effect. He dressed in the full highland chief mode. Dress kilt, shirt with the jabot, green Balmoral jacket, sporran, plaid hose and shoes. Kilt belt and sword baldric with silver buckles, sword, dirk and Sgian Dhu. Finally, he placed the cap on his head, checked himself in the mirror and made his entrance.

Alexis gasped then said;

"Dad, why are you dressed like that? Martha added;

"Richard you are glittering, but why that outlandish outfit and the weapons?"

"It's part of the explanation. This is all going to sound insane but after I've explained it, I'll show you proof. Pumpkin, please pour me a cup of coffee. Before I get into the full explanation, Mother, I want to tell you one thing. I now know who my father is. He told you that his name was Alex. That's partly true. His full name is Conal Alexander MacNeil. It took two solid hours and four cups of coffee to tell the complete story. Half a bottle of expensive red wine was consumed.

During the explanation, Castle showed them a photograph of the village and one each of Moria, Fiona, Kiera and Caointiorn. Martha commented;

"Talk about complex situations, Richard. Only you could be involved with four stunningly beautiful women at the same time."

"Complex is a massive understatement, Mother. Three of the four hissing and spitting at6 each other like a herd of angry cats. Now, I'm going to show you physical evidence. Give me a few minutes."

He went back into the bedroom and changed into a pair of tight bicycle shorts and a form fitting t-shirt, so that all of his impressive muscular was on display. He carried the two swords unsheathed. First, he had Martha and Alexis sit on a loveseat. He then bent and lifted the seat clear over his head, He set them back own, laid the swords on the floor blades crossed. He performed a perfect sword dance, his feet moving faster than the eye could follow. His final act was to stand the swords up and stand away, the swords did and twirled in the air, not touched by human hands all controlled by mental powers. He couldn't keep it up for long, just long enough.

"It's really hard to believe, Dad, but I can't deny the evidence." Castle smiled.

"We'll hold a press conference to say that I was abducted for tests of experimental medicines that acted like growth hormones."

"You said that you can go back and forth between here and Culloden at will. "

"Yes, I can, but it has to be from Scotland. When school is out for the summer, I can take you there, if you want to see it. I can get you some clothes made for you, in their style/ We can say it's for the Ren Fair. I don't know about the others, but Caointiorn will adore you."

"That sounds cool, Dad. I think it would be fun. What about Grams?"

"If she wants to go, yes. She can go to Scotland with us. Then I take you across, wait a day, then go back across get Grams and bring her. Do you want to go, Mother?"

"Of course, I do. I'm always up for an adventure. Especially if I can get a treatment that makes me look ten years younger."

"On to another subject. Tomorrow It will be released to the media that I'm back in the country, and on Friday we'll hold a press conference."

"What about your police friends and the mayor?" Martha asked.

"Good point Mother, both Roy and Bob are old friends. I'll call them right away. The rest can learn about it, when everybody else does."

"And not your detective?"

"She's not my detective, Mother. If she's anyone's, she's Doctor motorcycle boys."

He left the room, put everything away, took another shower and dressed in dark blue Levi's, a black polo shirt, black leather jacket and Chukka boots. He called Roy, first.

"Roy, it's Rick Castle, can you meet me at the old haunt, At seven o'clock?"

That done, he called Bob Weldon and asked the same question. Both men met Castle at his bar, promptly at seven and went into his office. He obviously couldn't tell them the truth, they'd never believe him, so he'd go with the abduction for experiments story. Castle embraced each of his old friends, in turn'

"God, it's good to see you guys again. We'll have to arrange a poker game ASAP."

"It's good to see you, too, Rick. Bob said. What the hell happened?"

"Apparently, I met a very specific genetic criteria for an experimental drug. The scientists knew that I wouldn't volunteer, since I have a young daughter. They abducted me. Apparently, the drug didn't work as expected, but resulted in acting like a growth hormone. After the experiment was over, I underwent a full physical and a series of tests. No harmful side effects were found. They apologized, paid me fifty thousand dollars and released me. I told the UK authorities all I knew, but couldn't identify the group or its location. Full copies of the report have been forwarded to the FBI, but they have no authority in the UK. I came in on a charter flight and no one knows I'm back, except Mother, Alexis, Bryan the bartender and you two. Paula will release it to the media, tomorrow. A press conference on Friday."

"Wow, that's some story, Rick'. Roy said.

You wouldn't believe the real one.

"Yeah, it is, but let's forget the story for right now and have a couple of drinks. I'm sure that your wives want you home."

The next morning Paula Haas released the information, which caused a media feeding frenzy, but armed private security was posted at all entrances to Castle's building, Paula's office and the offices of Black Pawn. All the blinds in the loft's windows were closed and a white noise generator set up to foil shotgun microphones.

Detective Kate Beckett was having her first coffee of the day. It was good coffee, but didn't taste quite right, just as it hadn't in the last two months. Roz Karpowski came over to Beckett's desk.

"Hey Beckett, you better get to the break room and tun on the news. Kate turned on the TV.

A very pretty reporter was on screen.

"Good morning, I am Susan Wong of channel seven news. We were just informed that mystery writer Richard Castle, master of the macabre has just returned to New York after a two- month absence. No details have been released, but a news conference has been scheduled for Friday. We will bring all the details. Until then, Paula Haas, Mr. Castle's agent asks you to ignore any rumors that you may hear, as they will all be false. Back to you, Greg."

Kate was hurt, that Castle hadn't called her and said so to Ryan. Ryan shook his head.

"Well, he just got back into town. But did you really expect him to after you went waltzing off with motorcycle boy? He hasn't called Espo or me either and we're his friends too."

Paula went on New York's Latest, Thursday morning. She said to the hostess;

"Thank you for having me on, this morning, Claire. I will be brief. Mr. Castle will hold a press conference tomorrow morning at ten o'clock. Access will be one reporter from each of the following networks. ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox news. Any stories published by any other outlet without Mr. Castle's express permission will be treated as libel and met with legal action."

Friday morning came, time for the conference. Castle was dressed in a dark blue sportscoat, gray slacks, a crisp white shirt and dark blue tie. More formal than the casual elegance he usually displayed. He eschewe4d the make-up. Susan Wong chaired the interview. Susan was a very pretty Asian-American, dressed as sexily as she could and still appear professional. She wouldn't mind catching the eye of Richard Castle. She opened with;

"Good Morning Mr. Castle I am Susan Wong. May I be among the first to welcome you home."

"Thank you, MS. Wong. I am glad to be here and actually glad to be able to explain my absence. A little over two months ago, while on a book tour in Scotland I was abducted by a group I cannot identify by name. no violence was used in the abduction and I was not harmed in any way. I was actually kept in rather nice accommodations. I got plenty of exercise and was allowed access to any media except communications. You may have noticed that I am larger than I used to be. I was abducted because I met specific genetic qualifications for tests of experimental medicines. The medicines, or drugs, I am not sure which they were, resulted in the growth. Once the group's aims were met, I was released. A series of physicals and tests were completed, after I was released. As far as can be determined there are no harmful after effects of the experiments."

"I have only a couple of questions to ask, Mr. Castle. Susan said. If no violence was used or threatened, how was the abduction accomplished?"

"Drugged wine. And I have nothing more to say on that point."

"After all this trauma, are you going to return to helping the NYPD?'

"That has yet to be determined.".

"Thank you, Mr. Castle."

"That went easier than I expected." Paula said. They got Castle out of the building from an underground garage, in a plain sedan, after the paparazzi were distracted by a limo with a man, similar to Castle in the back seat.

It was a cold case/ paperwork day at the 12th. Precinct. Everyone but the desk sergeant was watching the press conference. Esposito, with his usual insensitivity, said;

"Drugged wine. Well, we all know Castle. There had to be a beautiful woman involved."

Kate turned, quickly and left the break room. Karpowski glared at Him.

"Way to go, asshole."

Kate went to the women's locker room and sat on a bench, barely suppressing her tears. Castle might not be coming back? No! I can't let that happen. I need him. Why was I so stupid? I have to convince him to come back to the precinct, to come back to me. I need another chance with him.

When Castle returned to the loft, Martha poured him a cup of coffee, sat down and said;

"D you have any idea what you are going to do, Richard? I mean about the precinct?"

"Not yet, Mother. I need to put a lot of thought into it. And then, I'll have to talk with Roy and the commissioner."

"And not with Detective Beckett?"

"Why would she care? She's got that motorcycle riding doctor of hers to occupy her time. The other thing is Culloden. What if I really am needed more there than here?"

"I don't know Richard, that has to be your decision. I will say this. I wouldn't dismiss Detective Beckett, out of hand. She came by here after you were abducted. I was not kind to her, and Alexis was very harsh. The poor girl looked devastated when she left. I am not at all sure that the doctor is still in the picture."

"I need some time to think about it, Mother. I will talk to Roy, Bob and the commissioner. I will, if they want me to return, I will go to the precinct and talk to Beckett face to face. We'll see, from there."

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Swordwriter