Falling Down

Chapter 23

They decided the hotel would be quiet and they could rest and just call for room service. Beckett had Monday off and the flight was set the next day for 5pm. She'd be at LaGuardia by 6:45 with Castle's driver at the curb to whisk her home.

After a quick bite they flopped on the bed. Laying side by side in silence, he let out a weary groan.

She laughed, "Castle are you trying to kill us? What was that?"

He huffed, "I have no idea." He rolled over on his side and looked at her for a few beats. She had untucked her blouse, he put his hand at the bottom of the fabric and started playing with her stomach, his hand creeping northward. She whacked him.

"Seriously...if you even think about that...I'll break your hand."

He started laughing and couldn't stop. Finally he calmed down, "Wow my love, ten minutes with the public and the girl goes postal."

"Ten minutes? Ten minutes, you do know we were there for over three hours?"

He just smiled, "Do they love you or what?"

XX

The evening signing event was more subdued, but still verged on chaos. The crowd was again delighted to have both of them present. They jointly signed nearly two hundred books. The prevailing compliment was the surprise at having both the author and his inspiration to sign the fan's books. One customer bought two copies of Heat Wave and two of Naked Heat, and would have bought more but the owner said she had to limit purchases since they'd already run out once.

At 8 pm the greeting and signing was to end, but the crowd was not done. Beckett and Castle remained to until closing at 9PM. Once the store was locked Monica again had arranged for her daughter Kim to drive them back.

Castle sat quietly in the back seat and listened, Kate had taken shotgun to chat with Kim. When they arrived at the hotel he hopped out and came around to Beckett's door, when he swung it open, she said quietly, "Wait for me in the lobby."

Kim started, "I won't take but a minute or two. I know we wore you guys out. Honestly we had no idea that things would play out like they did."

Beckett chuckled, "Yeah it's been was a surprise for us too."

"I just…," she paused, "I just wanted to tell you...I know this is not what you do...and you're down here to see your fiancee...but you being here, and talking to me to and my friends, has really made a difference. Everyone runs off to college like it's a cure-all to all of life questions. The path to the all things good. But I thought that quote you offered of, speaking for the dead…" she paused, "That is really heavy."

"Kim, I believe my job is very important...families suffer terribly when someone takes a loved one from them. If I can work hard, if my team can sort through all the evidence… we can find the offenders, and if we do it right, by the book, we can help put them away for a long time."

"I Googled you…" she went dead silent, then in a whisper, "I'm so sorry about your Mom...I can't imagine not having mine." Another long pause, Beckett sat in quiet, unable speak, struggling to breathe, "When you say your job is important, you're not like the rest…you have paid the highest price...suffered...I'm just sorry, but I still want to be like you."

Beckett struggled and finally touched the girls shoulder, "Thank you Kim, for...for everything."

When she walked into the lobby, she saw his face go from a smile to concern. He hurried over to her, and wrapped her in a hug, "Everything OK?"

She pressed into his neck, "Yes."

"You're crying."

"Yes."

"Why?"

In halting speech, "She told me she was sorry about my mom..." she took a couple of deep breaths, "but she wanted to be like me."

"I understand Kate. Your difficult life has shaped you into...and I've always meant this...an extraordinary person." He kissed the top of her head, "I am so lucky to have you with me."

XX

On Monday morning her dad called. "Hey Dad, what's up?"

"Just checking on you Katie. How are things?"

"Good, I'm in North Carolina with Rick."

"Yeah I saw that."

"Saw? How did you know?"

He laughed, "I saw you on the news this morning...well saw you and Rick. Your book store visits and the story of all the people that showed up have ran a couple times. Sounds like you guys are taking North Carolina by storm."

"Well...not really."

"Huh! Seems that way, I'm delighted when my daughter is the talk of the town."

She shook her head, "I'm going to let you tell Rick," she handed Castle the phone.

"Hey Jim, how's it going?" He listened for a bit, then, "She is incredible, isn't she?"

She shook her head, "Both of you are hopeless...give me that phone."

XX

There were many people who saw the short video clip on the late news. Richard Castle was a writer who lived in New York City. Detective Kate Beckett was a promising detective. So often people landed on the news because of bad behavior, and their fellow New Yorker's would just shake their heads and mumble obscenities. That was not the case for this story.

At the end of the news, several different stations wrapped up with two New Yorkers, one a writer, who after signing books, stayed and chatted with would-be writers, long after the books ran out. Near him was his inspiration, partner and wife-to-be, talking with groups of students asking questions about law enforcement, wondering if it was a career for them. It wasn't a big deal, but it was a small good deal and it made the locals feel good about who they were and what New York was really about.

In a poorer section, at a mission soup-kitchen, a group of men sat in a circle in front of a TV, as the clip ran. One called out, "Hey Father Mike, there's your girl."

Mike Bishop turned and saw Detective Kate Beckett, smiling and talking with a group of young people, for just an instant he noticed that she turned and smiled at the guy beside her, he was already staring at her. In that brief instant, the mans face flashed the wonderment he saw in her, the detectives eyes danced back.

Another voice from the circle, "Yo Mike, she looks a lot happier than when she was down here with us."

"Don't be dense Pete, she's in love."

"Yeah I see that."

"And what do I tell you guys?"

In a rout chant, sounding a like a student doing their ABC's, "Love - it's the most powerful thing in the world."

He laughed, "That's good... you lunk-heads are listening." The group offered a round of snorts and chuckles at his comment. He thought about their conversations, about her coming to her end, so she could start anew. She was making progress, it looked like she was moving in a direction she'd never considered, offering herself her to love, and experiencing it's magical power.

XX

The shudder of the plane, brought her back to reality. She looked out the window and saw a section of the wing, angled slightly towards the ground, they were starting their decent into New York. She smiled. It had been a wonderful trip, full, but not of what she had expected.

The whole week-end had veered off course because the initial bookstore owner had read, and remembered, a dedication in Castle's book. She'd guessed that would be the end. She of course was wrong. Within the first ten minutes of greeting and signing books, everything shifted when the fan asked if she would add her initials to Castles note. It turned into a stampede, not only was Rick Castle in town, but so was the real-life version of Nikki Heat.

Then the next shift. The initialing was fun, but then the young women arrived, not really interested in a "KB" scribbled at the front of their book, but full of questions. How did the youngest female detective with the NYPD get there? And why?. Should they consider law enforcement instead of other career paths? One attendee suggested a lot had changed in the last twenty years, but was more change coming? Was she an aberration or was there change real? Could they be a part of that?

The signings morphed into Q&A's about the greatest puzzles in the world. Not rubic cubes, or chess games, but the how and why of one human being raised their hand against another in violence. Why do some kill a children, a lover, mates, friends, and of course foes? Then what follows. A mental battle ground where it's sorted out. Collecting evidence, analyzing what you have, tracking down what you need, and then catching the offender.

The conversation with Kim, Monica Armstrong's daughter, brought the loss of her mom to the surface with new and surprising force. For the last few months she'd been focused on cancer and not homicide. She'd been working hard, but the storm below the surface, was Castle's condition. When Kim expressed her sadness, the vulnerability of losing her mom, Beckett was back at the table with her dad, again hearing the terrible news. She wondered how the mind stored such vivid memories?

XX

It had been such a disappointment to watch the plane lift off, taking her away from him. In just months he had found a rhythm to life that had always alluded him. He'd gotten on well with the previous women in his life, for awhile. Somehow things inevitably unraveled. But not so with her. Days with Kate were just better than all others. He dined on her laughter and wit. It satisfied him. He was happier with his hands on her. She was not a soft thing. She was strong, her muscles taunt, like a well trained athlete.

The week-end had been off the charts for him. It was outside his realm of thinking that she'd be could be drawn into the Nikki Heat PR. But she had. As quick as that began, it shifted to career discussions with young woman, curious and open to positions in law enforcement. They both knew how consuming her work could be, especially the mental demands. It was not gum shoe work, but open-brain surgery on the psyche of a killer. It required relocation into the minds and rational of a person who chose to resolve conflict and disagreement with murder. It was the most difficult job in the world and of course the pay was not great.

He would never choose to have her away, but this time there was a satisfaction that lingered. The signings, and handshakes had ended, but contacts has been made, questions remained unanswered for the time being. She worked very hard as a cop, but there was so much more to her. In his thinking, and in what he'd seen in the last few days, she had so much to offer and this week-end was only a beginning. The world had caught a glimpse of the what he'd always seen, this extraordinary person and it had proved-up what he has always believed.

XX

It felt like Monday and required the usual effort to get back to the grind. She was in early, which gave her time to review her emails and voice messages. As she focused on the work she was surprised when Castles chair was suddenly occupied. She startled in surprise and looked up, eyes wide with expectation. It was Esposito.

"Damn girl, you got it bad." Shaking his head, he pressed on, "Anyway, saw you on the news...can I get your autograph?"

"What news? I thought my Dad was exaggerating."

"No, no, he was not exaggerating. The story about you guys in Charleston ran on a couple of channels, probably more."

She took a deep breath, "All I want to be is a Detective Javi."

"You are a Detective...and a good one at that. But..." he paused.

"But what?"

"It's more than you. You hooked up with that writer, soon-to-be-husband, and what you do has a broader audience."

"I thought Nikki Heat was enough of that."

"Yeah that, but this isn't Nikki Heat. This is cop lady doing good, making a way for other chicas...that's bigger than a book character...even bigger than you."

She started to speak, but stopped.

"We're good cops Beckett. You're more." He stood, "I'll pass on the autograph," and pointed to the break room, "it's your turn to make coffee."

She shook her head and thought, you might fool the fans, but not the player. Then wondered, who said that?

XX

On Tuesday afternoon he flew to Wilmington NC. It was not a large city, but sales had been good in North Carolina. He enjoyed visiting the smaller areas where people seemed genuinely happy to attend the meet and greets.

The evening went well with only one hitch. The book store manager sheepishly asked, as they set-up for the public's arrival, if the Detective would be attending. He explained, she really was a detective and had work. He too wished she could have been present for the evening.

The flutter of news had peaked the reading community interest and more than expected showed up. The manager was delighted.

At 10:15 he called Beckett.

"Hey Mr. Writer was thinking you'd forgotten about me." She laughed.

Without hesitating, "I've thought about you everyday since we met. Today was no different."

"Whoa, sounds like your serious about this one?"

"You know how serious I am. Why aren't you with me?"

"They call it work here in New York."

"I'm trying to work here in Wilmington, but there were...some problems."

"What kind of problems?"

"It seems that the presence of my smoking-hot muse, Detective and wife-to-be, was...how shall I say it, missed."

"Really?" Sounding incredulous

"Yeah. But, at least they tried to be excited about me...without you."

"Are you jealous Mr. Castle?"

"No. I like the public, would have loved to have you here, and they were not near as disappointed as me."

"You sound like you might be suffering from separation anxiety there."

"You got that right...I didn't fall in love with you ten years ago, then have to wait another three years after working with you, for you to fall for me...and then end up alone."

"Did you bump your head, you didn't know me ten years ago."

"Yeah, well my heart was looking for you."

"Rick," her voice soft and serious, "I miss you too...and I do not like you being away."

"Can't I send the plane for you?"

She laughed, "You're nothing but a rich baby."

XX

He was looking forward to Baltimore. He had spoken with the staff there and sensed their excitement over the event. Barnes and Noble was of the largest store where he did signings. The B&N in Baltimore occupied an old power plant with the stacks as part of the stores rustic decor. It was a stunning building on the water. The Hard Rock Cafe was housed there too. The whole area teemed with energy.

Shannon Canales had been the manager of B&N for three years. She was excited at the visit with Richard Castle. She could not count how many authors she had met over her years in the retail business and had long ago given up on what to expect. She never got it right. After awhile she came up with a personal rules. Do not do an internet search, and do not try to figure out what the person behind the pen is really like. Finally she made sure to have at least read their latest work, time would tell the rest.

She recalled an instance where a writer wanted certain water at the signing desk as well as a location in the store away from a street window or any air conditioning vents. It was the longest day of her life as a store clerk. She surmised at the end the day, the writer had confused herself with the Queen of England.

But things had begun differently with Richard Castle. Before even setting foot in the store, he'd called. Not for hammering out the details, but simply to say hello. It was the bright spot of that day, but what really sold her, was when he asked if he could bring her anything. Without ever imagining such a question, she asked what popped into her head, a note from the writings of one of his Derrick Storm books. He confessed he was a pack rat with that kind of stuff and he'd see what he could find.

She watched him walk in the store. He looked, just like his pictures. He carried a binder under his arm and after six steps, stopped. She wondered if he was having second thoughts, but then his face explained what he was doing, simply pausing to take in the old beautiful building. A kid in a candy store, his face painted with a smile. She laughed to herself, he was a book nerd feasting on the surroundings. She waited to see if he was alone. The word had gotten out that he was traveling with his inspiration for Nikki Heat. But not today. She made her way to him.

"Mr. Castle my name is Shannon Canales, we spoke on the phone."

He smiled broadly, "Ah, my favorite call." He stepped closer and shook her hand.

"Great to have you with us."

He did a three hundred and sixty degree turn, and then looked at her, his eyes dancing, "Is all I can say is, wow...what a place...makes my heart beat fast."

She let out laugh, "It is very impressive. I am very fortunate to be the manager of such a facility."

XX

Hours later Castle and Ms. Canales sat in her office, which was on the second floor and over looked the entire store. Things had gone well. The only glitch had been the absence of Beckett. There had been a number of fans who expressed the desire to meet her. He explained his equal disappointment in her not being available, but duty called. He would add that the depth of the character in Nikki Heat was a reflection of Detective Beckett commitment to her job. He had not made up a Marvel like character. Nikki was real.

As he began to leave he pulled an envelope from the binder he'd carried early that day.

"This is for you," passing it over to Shannon. "I found some of my early notes and an outline, from A Raging Storm."

The way she held the envelope made him blush. It was not the Holy Grail, merely scribbled notes, a graphed page. "I can make copies and..."

He cut her off, "No, those are for you. I had great success with that series, I'm happy to pass along what I can...hopefully it will help you to keep at it." He pointed at the things she held, "I wanted you to see how...how shaky the online was. The end result was many drafts down the road. As you know, it's not just telling a story, it's the editing that makes it all come together. Each word is weighed, there are no extras."

"Thank you Mr. Castle."

XX

Later that evening he called, she answered on the second ring, "Hey Castle how was your day.?

"Was good, but...could of been better."

"What happen?

"No it was good, very good, but I didn't have Nikki with me."

"Yeah, well Nikki works for a living."

"I know you do my love, and you do a great job. I just miss having you along."

"I miss you Castle, how many days until your home?"

"Just a few."

"I can hardly wait."

"Anyone kill anyone today?"

She yawned, "Nope not today, but something unexpected happened." She heard him move and huff when he stood up. She knew he was pacing.

"Tell me, what?"

"I got a call from 1PP to schedule some Cop Talks at a few high schools and junior colleges. There's a push for female recruits."

His voice was now excited, words staccato, "Wow...Beckett, that is so cool, just...just so cool."

She laughed at his child like enthusiasm, "Calm down Castle it hasn't happen yet."

But he was off the tracks, "Oh Beckett, you are going to be...amazing."

After she had hung up she shook her head. She loved him. Her heart rushed as she thought about their past, and she reveled in the always evident truth, that even before she loved him, he was in her corner. He wasn't trying to soften her heart with compliments or prove his dedication, he simply had her back.

She studied the wine in her glass and stumbled into her personal grief over the time they had lost because of her. Why had she been so busy? Why had she flaunted love. It sat at the edge of her desk nearly everyday. Brought her offerings of hot coffee and pastries. Love teased and made her laugh. Her thought was interrupted at the burn of a tear on her cheek. And what did she do, she dangled other men in his face.

Finally after the her emotions simmered some, she spoke to the empty room, her voice instantly thick, "He even worried over what I ate." She shook her head.

After her shower she climbed into bed and called.

"Calling me twice in one evening, you must miss me Beckett." He laughed lightly.

She was still for a second and when she spoke she choked out his name.

"Is everything OK?"

She cleared her throat, "Yes I miss you terribly...and I love you so."

"And that makes you cry?"

"They're happy tears Castle, just needed to hear your voice one more time."

"Goodnight love."

"Night babe."

AN: So many wonderful comments and so many followers, thank you all for your interest and time. Madreag