Chapter 50 - KB goes to the jail to show the photos to her contact

It was snowing with blustery winds the day Kate took a trip to the prison to interview an inmate. She waved Castle through the car door and smiled at his cheeky grin. It would be over and done with faster if he didn't come inside with her because of the delays getting him through security. She lifted her gaze to the dark snow filled clouds above her. Her eyes could feel the wind chill factor. The weather front approached from Canada and would be dismal for a few days to come. Normally, in weather like this she would sometimes send the boys on jobs like this but today she needed to be the one here.

With her coat buttoned right up high, a warm wool scarf secured about her neck and with her hands gloved, she hurried over the car park, careful not to slip on the ice. She had her black leather file that contained her cast notes and a large manila envelope, pressed against her waist. She had patiently waited for the day she had a legitimate case related reason to interrogate a criminal she had caught a few years ago and the day had come a lot sooner than she had anticipated. He liked her and helped out with information when he could. A body had dropped that had given her an excuse to visit the prison to investigate someone who may have insider information.

She sat across from him at desk in a private room, casually assessing how he had aged since she had last visited him about which she figured was about fifteen months ago. He was probably doing the same thing she guessed.

"Detective Beckett." He greeted calmly.

"Mr Lucas. How are you? Are they looking after you?" She was as calm as him on the surface but underneath she was terrified she was about to make a huge mistake. Her right knee jiggled which she ceased to do the second she realised she was doing it.

"I'm good. I'm looked after." He replied his hand rubbing his two days growth of whiskers.

Kate could see he was wondering why she was visiting. She laid the yellow envelope on the table her hands resting over it. "I came here about a murder, officially." She began, her eyes staying on his. She swallowed nervously then decided then decided she needed to behave more like Detective Kate Beckett and get on with her job.

"Continue." He quietly said noting where the guards stood. He knew the detective was aware of their locations by the tone of her voice. He was very aware something was bothering her.

"Briefly. I have a open case of a murdered male in his mid thirties with connections to your old gang." She paused and stopped herself from making any body language, "but unfortunately you have just told me you don't know anything about him and can't really be of any assistance." She quietly stated and waited for him to process what she had told him.

"I understand." He responded neutrally and waited for her to continue.

"Unofficially, I have something to show you." Her eyes remained on Lucas till he nodded. She then opened the envelope and slid out the photographs. She separated them into two piles, the ones she used that she knew the guards might check and the ones she wanted Lucas to see. She held them a second face down. "Are you ok to proceed?" She asked softly so the guards would not hear her.

"Go ahead Detective." He urged. Detective Beckett turned the first photo over and laid it on the table facing Lucas. He slowly picked it up at an angle no one else would see it. He studied the grainy image of the woman severely bashed. The quality was good enough for him to see what had happened. Kate laid out the next image, this one of her body, mentally telling herself it was another person. He took that and studied it equally as he had the first. She saw his expression alter to anger, not a lot but enough to know she had done the right thing. She laid out the third photograph, a feeling of vulnerability rising within her that she was showing a criminal these images of herself, but she pushed the emotions down.

Sam Lucas picked up the third photograph trying to work out where the detective was going with this. She was showing him photographs of a dead woman severely beaten and abused. He returned to the first photograph of her face and picked it up. The woman was horrifically beaten. As he was about to put it down, he recognised the beauty spot on the woman's left cheek. He glanced up to the woman before him, to her distinctive beauty spot at the precisely the same location as the woman's in the photograph. He wobbled the photo a little.

"Who was this?" He asked wanting the answer from her. He didn't move in his physical position so the guards weren't alerted to the disgust he was feeling. He waited several seconds and saw the Detective nervously swallow. "Detective?" He prodded and waited for her reply. She looked directly to him, her lips parting as she sucked in a breath of nervous air.

"Who is this, it should be. She's still alive." She meekly corrected then with a stronger voice said, "It's me at the end of November two thousand twelve." She gave him the fourth photograph which showed the grazes, burns and bites. She waited trying her hardest not to get upset. She had mentally played this out a thousand times over so she would remain calm and in control of her emotions throughout the meeting. She had to control it just a bit longer. She was fighting herself to stay there because most of her consciousness was telling her she had made a fatal mistake.

"Animals did this," he commented quietly. "You survived all that?"

"I survived," she whispered, "Somewhat."

Lucas laid the photos face down looking back to Beckett. He found it difficult to comprehend why somebody would do that, "I can see that."

"So do they survive," She continued and spread four photographs across the table of the men who had hurt her and who were co-inmates with Lucas. She couldn't look at them but kept her eyes levelled on Lucas who was still looked at her face.

"You still have scars." He observed a couple on her forehead, evidence it was her in the photographs.

"Many." She replied.

Lucas cast his eyes down to the images of the men, picking up each and holding them for several seconds each. Kate remained silent conscious he knew what she was asking him to organise for her. He pushed the photographs back to her and she returned them to the envelope, sealing it once more.

"They thought you were dead." He quietly stated.

"Yes."

"They also made sure you were conscious when they did what they did."

"Yes." Kate replied. "I should also let you know that they will be moved from here by the end of next month." It gave him almost eight weeks. She knew she was cutting it fine but it was the only opportunity she'd had to come out.

"Understand. I'm sorry I can't help you with your murder investigation Detective."

"I understand." Kate stood and waved a guard over. With one final look at Lucas, Kate said, "No luck today Mr Lucas, but I'm sure I will see you again. Thank you for your time." She smiled at him then turned to exit the interview area escorted by the guard back to the administration office. There her personal belongings were given back to her and she left the prison. Outside, she carefully made her way over the snow, shielding her eyes against the cold wind most of the way to the car. She climbed in and dropped her belongings on the back seat.

Castle grinned to her. "Did he have any information?"

"Knew nothing about it," she replied, "Not his style of ammunition and he didn't know the guy." She smiled at him and gave him the quick kiss he waited for.

"Another dead end, but it was a long shot." He replied. "Better get going Beckett or we'll be snowed in for the night."

"I'd rather die than stay here the night." She roared the police car into life and threw the heating to its highest level. She was freezing. "We'll go back to the precinct and call it a day."

"Sounds like a plan." Castle replied. "I spoke to Alexis." He began.

"And?"

"She said she is finger painting with Mason. She said she has his hands and feet prints on butcher paper." He smiled.

"That's cute." Kate replied thinking about the size of her baby's tiny hands and feet blotted forever on a piece of paper.

"It is. When she was a little girl I used to do it with her. I have a collection of paper cut outs of her hands and feet at the various times we did it. Jotted down her age, the dates we did it. She remembers me doing it with her and now she's doing it with Mason." He said with pride in his tone. He sniffed and wiped each eye quickly.

Kate who had peripherally seen everything glanced to Rick also hearing the heartfelt emotion he was experiencing. "Castle, are you choking up over that?" She asked in disbelief and amusement.

He nodded and reached out to Kate's right thigh he lovingly caressed almost the entire length of, "I am. It reminds me of when Alexis was a baby, which wasn't all that long ago." He looked to Kate whose mood had changed since she had been inside the prison. Since she had sat her very nice ass in the driver's seat, she been behaving as though a weight had been lifted off her shoulders but at the same time there had been something put there in its place. "So, it went okay in there?" He inquired.

"We had a general catch up. He likes me in spite of the fact it was me that put him in there," she replied shrugging it off, "But he didn't have any useful leads, so a waste of time."

"Easy to say in hindsight, but it ties up loose ends in the case." Castle watched the road ahead as Kate drove the Crown Vic forward out of the car park and onto the service road.

"True."

"What do you say we order in tonight? Alexis has Mason occupied and she said she will stay for dinner."

"Sounds like a plan. I have to visit Dad tomorrow with Mason. Are you coming?

"Maybe I will let you have time with your Dad, and I will spend some with Alexis." He answered swiping over his iPhone.

"Good idea." Kate said, hearing in his tone that his attention had been drawn to his iPhone. Like a kid, he was easily amused by things.

Richard fell silent because he was reading off his phone as Kate continued to drive back to the precinct. He was only distracted once she was driving in the city with repeated stops and starts. When she drove into the garage beneath the Precinct, Castle closed the phone and placed it in his coat pocket. "Do you still frequent the fanfiction sites Ms Beckett? Some of the Nikki Heat stories are really good reads," he seriously commented waiting for her to look at him. She did with that are you for real expression she was so good at. He nodded. She made that sound of … well it ranged from disgust to disbelief. He figured it was disbelief on this occasion. "They're good!" He implored.

"For fanfiction they are." Kate responded, shaking her head in disbelief he read it particularly when he gave her so much grief with teasing whenever she did, "Is that what you're reading?"

"Yes! Seriously. Some of them are good," he emphasised.

Kate pulled into a park and killed the engine. She glared at Castle amused. "I can't believe you are reading fanfiction after all the things you say to me whenever you catch me reading it."

"Why not? You read it, so why can't I? And baby, you gave yourself away. I know you're secretly writing Heat and Rook fanfiction." He chortled at his own humour.

Kate narrowed her eyes momentarily at him, and her voice went high as she replied, "How do you know, Castle? Huh?"

Rick laughed, quite pleased with himself that he had revved her engine so quickly. "Oh yeah! You wrote something in one of these stories that only you do and I'm the only one who knows about it." He grinned devilishly at her then leaned over and kissed her lips.

"I don't write fanfiction." She hotly denied.

"Oh yes you do. But don't worry. I won't tell anyone." He smiled, then murmured, "Kitten zero-one-two," with a smart ass grin.

"Maybe Castle, I am sleeping with another writer." She suggested with a seductive glare.

He chortled at her humour, "No." He firmly said, "You wouldn't do that and you don't have time for extracurricular activities my girl." He grinned, "In fact, I'm wondering when you get time to write."

"Yeah yeah, Castle." She smiled. "I'm not always reviewing your writing," she stated, "I need a few drinks with you like this." She teased, knowing that if he stayed in the playful mood he was in, she was going to be his playmate tonight. He wouldn't leave her alone, unless he decided to play online games.

"Taxi home?" Castle queried.

"Yep. It's so cold out there, Castle."

"Not as cold a Montreal."

"True, Mr Optimistic."

"We could go back there." He threatened, "The apartment is vacant," he said peering out at the bleak winter weather.

"No no. I'm okay.

"I thought you might say that."

"Uh huh. I like being with our family. We were so alone up there." Kate commented more seriously as she collected her stuff from the back seat.

"I agree. Okay, let's do it," he said and they climbed out the car. Kate locked it. She met Castle at the trunk and took his hand, both then headed in the direction of the street. It was already getting dark and was very cold, so cold Kate was finding it hurt her lungs to breathe. It was even harder to hail down a taxi. Castle tried for a few minutes then pushed Kate out to the curb well aware she would fetch a cab faster as she was a woman and pretty.

"Flash those legs." Castle called out. Kate turned back and stared him right down. He shrugged his shoulders, pulling a face that changed to joy. He rapidly pointed behind her. A taxi had pulled over. "See?" He declared and followed her into the car. They gave the driver directions to their home. In the taxi, Castle was back on his phone, reading on. He kept showing Kate little snippets of the storyline, to prove his point that Kate had written the story he was reading. He held her like he had done to no one else and decently kissed her. She playfully pushed him away and kept up the game against him all the way.

The elevator ride to the top floor was done alone. Kate spent the trip fending off Castle who was using the opportunity to get fresh with her. He had this thing for hitting on her elevators. As usual she found herself pinned to the wall by his body, his hands flat against the wall to each side of her head. He had her where he wanted her and playfully kissed her lips both of them breathing heavily from their minor tussle. Playful became a little more serious. Kate, who had decided to play along with his game, suddenly gave him a firm shove in his chest then used that momentum to push him to the other side of the elevator until his back was against the wall. His expression showed initial surprise then sheer pleasure that she was participating in a bit of rough play with him. It had been awhile since he'd seen Kate sexually assertive.

"Alright!" He exclaimed and drew her in for another kiss. The second he felt her weakening under his advances, he once again half carried her back to her side of the elevator, a symbolic indication in their game that he was the superior seducer. He paused and smiled at her face touching her cheek. "You know what I really like about you sleeping with me every night?"

Kate made a girlie sound then moistened her lips and smiled, "No. But go on," she replied anticipating a totally crazy reply in light of his mood. His adam's apple jumped up and down his throat. He wanted her.

He too licked his lips, smiled than whispered in an excited and animated manner, "It's like having a slumber party with my best friend every night. She never has to go home!" His eyes widened.

Kate giggled and grinned at him, loving his whole boyish demeanour. He was in a sick mood today. "But not like a deep fried twinkie?"

"Oh! You don't forget anything!" He declared. The elevator doors opened and he instantly stepped away from Kate, clutched her hands and playfully pulled her with him from the box. Using his size and strength he propelled Kate by her upper arms towards the front door of their home kissing her mouth ardently. He wanted her so much. The clunk of her heeled boots against the door stopped him from moving but he leaned his body right into hers and had a good crack at sharing a serious kiss with her. Kate responded as keenly, her fingers letting go of her hand bag that fell to the floor with a soft thump. She needed her hands on him.

When they eventually entered the loft, they opted to tone down their behaviour with mutual promises to resume later that evening. They found a quiet home with baby toys scattered about the living room. It was quite obvious Alexis had been having fun with her baby brother. The loft was also very warm. Both of them peeled off their coats and dropped them over the chair by the front door. The dogs ran to greet them as usual. Rick greeted them and excitedly asked the dogs where everyone was.

"Looks like the dogs have been included in the paint work too." He noted touching the bits of paint in both the dogs coats. It looked like small hands had been busy on Abby's coat as she was spotted in various colours.

"Look at their paws, Rick," Kate laughed pointing at Abby's front feet that had pink paint showing around the edges of her paws. She laughed when she saw Toby's blue paws. They soon heard Alexis talking to Mason.

Castle and Beckett glanced to each other then followed the voice and baby sounds. The dogs also showed them where their kids were. The floor boards had a few pink and blue paw marks but it would be easily removed with a wet cloth.

They stopped near the dining table when they found Alexis sitting on a plastic drop sheet on the floor in her underwear. Mason was sitting between her legs facing her in only his nappy. He was chewing on a teething toy. The two of them were covered in paint.

"Oh my God!" Kate squawked and squealed with spontaneous laughter at the sight of them. She covered her mouth to conceal her giggles.

"What's going on here?" Rick asked glancing between his family members, quite surprised that Kate thought it was funny. Mason looked up at his parents, his face painted with some sort of animal face, whiskers and all, his large blue eyes glistening. The baby was having a terrific time. He made noises and waved his arms. He was obviously having a fantastic time. A baby bottle lay on the floor near him that only had a couple of mouthfuls of milk left in it.

"Dad?" Alexis spun her head about and looked up at him and Kate with a big grin. Her hair was recklessly tied up on top of her head. Their nudity explained the high heating. Mason's body was covered with various coloured paints. Alexis had painted a cat's face on his face and it looked as though he had painted the rest of his body. She had painted on her own face and by the looks of the quality of painting on her body Mason had done that for her. "Is he hilarious or what?" Alexis asked, "He loves it."

Kate clapped her hands in delight, "This is awesome!"

"And you did this without telling me?" Rick squawked, "I'm so jealous!"

"Castle, how old are you?" Kate inquired in a tone that continued on with their previous stirring session with each other.

"Does it matter? Look how much fun they had. Like the day I painted you when you were pregnant!" He gleamed at Kate then said to Alexis, "Did I show you those photographs, Sweetie?"

"No Dad, you didn't. Where is your camera BTW? I searched for it before."

"I'll go get it now." He grinned to his fiancé and walked to the study. He was back in no time carrying his camera. Kate sat on the edge of her chair to watch her little family continue to play with paint. She took a few photographs with her iPhone. It could be argued that Rick took a hundred photographs with his digital camera from all different angles.

All the while she watched her son, her stepdaughter and her fiancé Kate's began to think again about what she wanted from of her life going forward. For some time now figuring out what she wanted had been a recurring theme in her thought processes. All the thinking and justifying she had done wasn't necessary. Everything she wanted from life was right in front of her and as clear as a summer's day. She loved having Alexis in her life. With the baby they had become closer. They shopped together, took the baby to the park or wasted time in the loft doing girl things. They spent a lot of time with the baby and a lot of time with Martha. Then there was Mason. With the exception of Rick, Mason was the best thing that had ever come into her life. His birth had completely changed her and her life. She couldn't imagine life without him anymore and she wanted to be there for him. She also missed Rick not being at work with her so often. Once upon a time she had thought she was immortal, but she didn't want to risk her life anymore and feared she may not come home from work to them one night.

"Kate?" Rick called again and finally caught Kate's attention. She looked to him and smiled, back to reality. "Where did you go, Baby?" He leaned over and touched the side of her face, his smile huge.

She smiled right back at him, "Castle?" She kissed him. "I have to talk with you later."

"Good talk?"

She nodded. "You will love it."

He studied her face. His smiled turned into a chuckle. He stood and pointed an index finger at her face, "I've seen that look before," he adamantly stated, then, "Oh my God! You've made a decision!" He noisily stated with a hefty dose of teasing in his voice.

"What?" She laughed at him and glanced to Mason who was excited over the additional noise. The baby loved noise. His father really was in an insane mood.

"Alexis close your ears," Rick loudly said glancing down to his daughter and waving a hand at her to obey his order. Alexis rolled her eyes at Kate then laughed with Mason.

"Castle you're going crazy today." Kate light heartedly scorned. She knew she was gonna be kept busy in the bedroom tonight. She gave him a seductive glare that wasn't wasted on him.

"No, no. Don't distract me." Rick said and peered closer at Kate's expression that retuned to how it had been.

"The last time I saw this expression." He drew a circle in the air framing Kate's face from his view, "We started trying to make him." He looked to Mason and pointed his right hand directly at their baby. He looked back at Kate.

Kate burst into laughter and nodded clapping her hands. Mason copied and cackled. Kate had made up her mind. She wanted to try for another baby. Alexis steadied him before he rolled over. Kate's face looked at Rick questioningly. She stood up and stepped to him smiling, "That's right." She confirmed getting up in his face.

"You want to make another one?" He queried seriously.

"I'm quite good at it," she replied biting her bottom lip and smiling.

"Yes you are." He smiled and grabbed Kate as she leapt to him for a tight hug. He held her tightly wondering what the hell she had let go of on that day. She had been nothing but indecisive and moody about what she wanted for weeks. He murmured, "I agree, but you know what I would like you to do."

She nodded, "I will do it. I promise." She said and squeezed him tightly then turned to watch their children play, with Rick holding her. She needed to sign the contract with the publisher and submit her resignation to the NYPD. Rick and her had talked about it, and had agreed on what they both wanted. She leaned toward his head and closed her eyes when he kissed the side of her head, her arm pulled her closer to him. If they could make another human like the two they had with them she would be more than happy to quit her job.

Alexis stood up then picked up Mason. "I think it's time for us to take a bath."

"Use our bathroom," Kate said. "The baby's stuff is in there."

"Will you come help me please, Kate?"

"Yeah, sure. I'll be there in a minute." She watched their multi coloured children disappear into the master bedroom, then looked to Rick and turned to him staying close. "It might take me awhile to fall pregnant again," she murmured.

"It might not." He pulled her closer, his hip against hers. "You're ready to have another one so soon?"

"Mason will be at least one and a half if I happened to fall pregnant in the next month."

"You don't want to enjoy him a bit longer?"

She shrugged her shoulders, "They can grow up together. I'm ready. I want him to have a sibling to play with."

"Who are you and what have you done to Kate Beckett?"

Kate laughed, "I'm Kate, happy and she's right here."

"Beckett! Come down here quick!" Castle called from downstairs.

Kate paused from applying make-up, stared at her own eyes in the mirror when she heard him call for her and waited for his next hail. It didn't take long.

"Kate! You have to see this!" There was urgency in his tone that caused her heart to quicken. She finished with the mascara, put it down on the vanity and after giving herself a rapid look over she left the bedroom. He called her again, telling her to hurry up.

"I'm coming, Castle, What's the hurry?" She rushed down stairs in bare feet to find him in front of the flat screen watching a live broadcast taken from aerial cameras.

"What's going on?" She stopped beside him. He passed her a coffee that she keenly took a sip of.

"There's been a riot out at the prison. The news reader has said that there has been several deaths of prisoners. It's apparently how the quote riot, unquote, started, but seems to be under control."

Kate stopped breathing, passed her coffee back to Castle no longer able to drink it. There was a sudden weight in the pit of her stomach. She crossed her arms over her chest as a finger unconsciously went to her mouth. "When did it start?" It was almost three weeks ago she had been to the prison. It looked like Lucas had done what he had implied he would, just very obviously. Her stomach somersaulted several times

"Not sure. I just turned on the TV waiting for you." He glanced to her. "You okay? You look pale," he asked touching her upper arm.

"I'm ok." She nodded, with a glance to his eyes, her lips straight trying to hide the turmoil going on inside her suddenly.

Castle saw Kate's concern, "They're out there," he said, and Kate nodded not looking at him this time.

She sighed finally able to breathe again and continued to watch the chopper's view of the prison on the TV. "Yep. They're there." She responded. There wasn't any visual activities and the reporter was a little over the top with excitement, She glanced to Rick to let him know she was okay and acting normally. "The news report is over blowing it."

"As per usual," he replied right as his phone began to ring. Kate's started. They both picked up.

Castle said, "Espo?"

Kate said, "Beckett. Ryan? You got the TV on?"

The two faced each other their eyes locked. Kate noticed Castle's whole expression altered to very straight and worried in a matter of seconds. Whatever Esposito was telling Rick, it was more than Ryan knew and serious. She saw Castle hang up the call and slip his phone in the chest pocket of his shirt.

"Hang up Kate," he said seriously, his brow knotting.

She stared at her phone then said, "I've gotta go Ryan." She disconnected the call, her eyes shifting to Rick's. "Tell me," she encouraged.

"Espo has heard that the prisoners wounded or dead are the ones who hurt you, plus a couple more," Castle stated and swallowed nervously. "Sounds like a flush of friends scenario, but yours." He pulled a worried expression, "Esposito said that IA will investigate you."

"But…" she started. "How? I'm not responsible for a prison fight." She looked over his face, "If any one of those men were harmed, they will question me, Rick. We both know that."

Castle saw the colour had drained from Kate's face. His mind spinning with scenarios given the circumstances he had to hand so far. He wasn't going to ask. He had to trust Kate hadn't organised this. She hadn't really had time to. He decided to think along the lines she was an innocent bystander, "I don't know. I just know you have been at work and at home with me and the baby." He stepped closer to her, "Esposito said you will be detained today by internal affairs. He got a tip off from one of his mates before saying they're coming here to the loft for you."

Kate dropped her arms, staring at Rick in disbelief. She snapped out of it. "Let's go to the Precinct. I can't organise a prison riot. That's ridiculous!" She stated.

"Finish getting ready. Coffee." He reminded and passed the mug back to her. He had a gut feeling she did have something to do with the prison deaths, not the riot, but he wasn't going to let on. "We need to get you to the Precinct. I will go speak to my Mother."

"Ok." Kate downed most of her coffee as fast as she was able to with it being hot, then hurried up the stairs to finish up the make-up and find shoes. She was back down inside two minutes, drank what remained of her coffee. She scuffled hastily to the study to check on Mason who was awake and playing with his toys in the cot. Martha followed her into the room.

"You leave, Darling. I will take care of him."

Kate looked to Martha then hugged her. "I will see you later." She said and ran from the study back to Rick who was at the door. He handed Kate her handbag, phone, coat and beanie then shuffled her out of the loft. As Castle locked the door he slapped a sticky note on the wood. His mother was not going to answer the front door, or the intercom.

In the hallway, they saw the elevator light come on and heard the cables in action.

"Stairs Castle, Let's go." Kate hurried ahead of him and the two fled the floor taking the stairs that would lead them to the fire escape and out the back exit. They took the stairs quickly and silently and were in the alley shortly after. They scurried down the alley to a crossing. They looked around. All clear. The pair hurried to the end of the street trying not to slip on the rainwater on the side walk. Once they were on the main road, they blended in with other pedestrians most of which were wearing black coats and beanies. They were safe for now so they relaxed and continued their journey to the Precinct not rushing to avoid attracting attention.

At the Precinct in the elevator, Kate checked her cell phone that had been constantly vibrating during the journey. Captain Gates had been constantly phoning her. Twenty three missed calls.

"I have to see Gates." She told Castle and showed him her iPhone.

He pulled a face, "I think she knows, Kate. That many missed calls from her. Wow!" He checked Kate's expression as she pulled off her woollen beanie. She was pale. "You ok?" He asked, "You kind of look guilty, Kate," he carefully said then held up a hand as she shot him a look, "I'm just saying, Baby! Don't shoot the messenger."

She softened her expression and looked to his eyes, "I have nothing to do with what happened."

"Then don't look so guilty." He replied, looking at the elevator door to avoid her death stare. He heard her grunt in response.

The elevator doors opened and the two walked out. As they walked, Kate took off her coat and passed it to Castle along with her bag, without a word. They silently glanced to each other, then Castle continued to Kate's desk where he would wait. Kate walked using her serious business gait directly to Gate's office and knocked on the door. Gates waved her in and stood up from behind her desk. "Captain, you wanted to see me." Kate started. "Sorry I missed your calls. Phone was in my pocket on silent."

"I take it you've seen the news Detective." She started seriously.

"You're referring to the riot out at the prison, Sir?

"I am."

"Yes, Sir. Saw it whilst I was having my coffee." Kate replied, and remained standing at the edge of the office by the doorway. The room smelt of the perfume Gates wore.

Gates leaned on her desk, "Detective, I've had IA on my ass since three inmates were shanked out there earlier, even before I'd had my first coffee," Gates advised her calmly. She stood straight and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Sir," Kate swallowed, mentally blocking the nerves from taking over. She stayed silent and tried to imagine how Gates would behave before her first coffee of the day. She also considered that if she acknowledged that Gates was implying she had something to do with it she would only be implicating herself. She kept her eyes on Gates who looked concerned and pissed off at the same time. Gates unfolded her arms and stepped around the desk to close the door. The door closed partially broke the strong tie the Detective had with her team who were anxiously watching on from the bull pen. ]

Gates stayed closer to the detective monitoring the younger woman who was obviously stressed to the maximum but was controlling her emotions quite well. "Kate." Gates softened. "The men shanked this morning are connected directly to you for the same event. There are those connected to you and there are a couple of others have nothing to do with you." She stared at Kate's eyes. "Detective, tell me you had nothing to do with the events at the prison this morning."

Kate swallowed, maintaining the stare. "I had nothing to do with the events at the prison." She stated strongly and seriously.

Gates crossed her arms over her chest again, "When were you last out at the prison?"

Kate blinked and looked about the room thinking about her question, "Arrr… three weeks ago. It was a Thursday." She replied immediately.

"Name of who you saw."

"Sam Lucas. A member of his old gang was murdered, so we took a drive out to visit him up to see if he had any information." She offered.

"And?"

"He had nothing. I documented the interview in my file notes."

"I hope your notes are detailed."

"Always," Kate replied honestly. She took pride in taking good notes, unlike Castle, who hated the paperwork. He would read her final version and insert anything she might have missed. "I will bring you the file."

"How long were you there?"

"Ten minutes tops," Kate said, "About twenty by the time I got through the security gates and left the gates."

Gates sighed and returned to her office chair. She beckoned Kate to sit. Kate did so, trying to appear relaxed. "Who else knows you were there?"

"Ummm … Castle was with me. He waited outside, well, in the car, because it's difficult and time consuming to get him through security with him being a civilian. Esposito and Ryan knew I was there, and that Castle was with me." Kate breathed deeply, waiting for the next onslaught of questions.

"No other visits?"

"No Sir." She replied, then held up her finger when she recalled another time, "There was a visit maybe a month prior to that. There was a follow up on a case that did have good information."

"Who was with you that time?"

"Esposito and I saw Jose Mendezna. Esposito was the investigating officer and the interview was all in Spanish. I tried to take notes based upon the little Spanish I know. Castle was at home that day with the baby."

"I will speak to Esposito." Gates paused a moment to look over Kate. She softened and took a breath, "Kate, Internal Affairs are going to interrogate you as soon as they find you," she smiled, "I know you don't completely trust me Detective, but I have your back. I know what those men did to you and I've seen how it's affected you, and these boys. If there was to be a positive come from the event, its brought you all closer. I know those men out there would do anything to protect you." She waved a hand in the general direction of the bullpen.

Kate glanced over to see her three guys anxiously waiting for her to come out. "Captain," Kate leaned forward in her seat, "Nobody knows or understands what those so called men did to me or understands how I continue to live with it day in day out, how I fight on a daily basis to suppress my fears and survival instincts. If they were killed because of what they did to me, then it was prison law that ended them."

"Yes," Gates agreed, "We all know that prisoners get shanked daily because they brought harm to women or children. They were not held in protected areas." She said to Kate who looked her directly in the eyes.

Kate's head went from side to side as she said, "Those men were left in the common detention system like bait on a line. It was only a matter of time before a fish snatched at the bait. It was a hungry fish." Kate sat back trying her hardest not to cry. She stared back at Gates who remained silent for several seconds.

"If..." Gates said then paused, "you did organise this somehow, I don't want to know," she said matter of fact and quietly. She waved an index finger from side to side at Kate, "Absolutely nothing, Detective." She finished with a stern look at Kate who momentarily processed what the Captain had said.

"Yes, Sir," Kate replied and looked down at her fingers.

The Captain sighed heavily, "Kate, I agree with you. They were left unprotected. Your name was brought up because you engaged Senator Bracken."

Kate impatiently rubbed her forehead, tired of having to defend herself. She sat up, "Sir, it has been proven that Bracken invaded my home and shot at me first. I was protecting my life." Kate replied, "He knocked me senseless when he flung the door open."

Gates processed what Beckett said and nodded her head. "Internal affairs will also bring up the fact you have resigned from the NYPD and that you finish with us in several days. They will mention its coincidence and timing with this prison incident."

"I quit two weeks ago so I can be with Castle and our son, Captain Gates. Castle is a wealthy man. I don't need to risk my life for a measly pay check when Castle pays me more to stay at home and proof his writing whenever I feel like it." Kate sat back and stared Gates down unable to believe she had no interest in a career with the police force anymore. It was odd to hear herself say it aloud. At the same time a new sensation of satisfaction began to grow inside her. She was looking forward to being home with Mason every day. She couldn't wait. She wasn't going to tell Gates or internal affairs unless she really had to that they were trying for another baby, that she was quitting the force to concentrate on her family. Similar to when they had started trying to conceive Mason, she had reduced strenuous exercise, both of them were on healthy diets and they were doing everything to conceive. If she failed to fall pregnant by the summer she would start fertility drugs, but her specialist had recommended that they try to conceive naturally to begin with. The doctor was confident Kate would succeed naturally, and not being at work would be less stressful for her. "I don't need to do this anymore, Captain."

"Yes, I can understand that." Gates thought for a few seconds, "They're going to want to know from you who you think was behind it."

"I don't have that information, Sir. I admit I have a lot of friends and acquaintances who work inside the police force, in protective services, the FBI and the prison system. There are also people I have arrested who look out for me, contacts that I have. All these people are out of my control, Sir. My priorities have shifted to take care of my life, my survival, my baby and to keep my relationship with Castle."

Gates nodded once, "Okay. Detective. I understand. I would like to speak to Mr Castle. Would you please request he come in directly."

"Sir," Kate nodded, stood and left the office. Gates watched as Kate told Castle he was wanted in the Captain's office, noting neither one of them touched the other. There was rarely affection shown between them in the workplace. Gates appreciated the fact the pair kept their personal life right out of the Precinct. Gates noticed Castle didn't hesitate to approach the office, but he glanced to the two detectives who anxiously observed the activities.

Castle entered the office, remaining serious. "Captain," Castle greeted and closed the door behind him.

"Take a seat Mr Castle."

"Thank you." He sat, trying to remain relaxed but he was worried, very worried, about Kate's immediate future. He really wanted her at home tonight with him and their son.

"Would you please tell me about the last time Kate and you visited the prison?"

Rick shifted a little and scratched his head, then looked straight at the Captain, "Arr… well, it was about three weeks ago. We decided to follow up a potential gang link with a guy called Lucas who is a resident out there. One of his murdered gang members was our case. He was a dead end."

"Did you go in?"

"The prison? No, Sir, I didn't. It takes way too long for me to get through security and as it was later in the day I opted to wait in the car. It was a cold day and bloody cold in the police unit. Kate was in and out in the time it would have taken to get me in there."

"Mmm. How long was she inside?"

"No more than twenty minutes. She had to get through security, did the interview she said was ten minutes max and then back out. We drove back to the Precinct, left the unit in the garage and we caught a taxi home. When we arrived home we found our kids covered in paint." He smiled clearly remembering that day.

"Has Detective Beckett ever discussed with you plotting a plan to take revenge?"

Castle pulled a face to cover the numerous memories of Kate telling him devious plans about how she would take each of them out. She had promised him Montreal that she would kill them all. He dismissed that as he had dismissed her stories at the time as being just stories to make her feel better. He thought about what Kate had looked like the night he had picked up her off the ground. His face then became quite serious, "Kate wouldn't do that." He almost laughed but remained serious. "It's not a part of Kate's persona to plot revenge. It's in Kate to protect herself, to withdraw within herself to protect herself from harm." He replied honestly.

Gates put her hand to her chin as she absorbed Castle's response, but her eyes stared at him, in deep thought, "You really don't think she would do it?"

Castle sighed and sat forward. He quietly spoke, "Captain, I don't talk about what I'm going to say to anyone and I don't want it to leave this room."

"I understand. Go on."

Rick saw Gates was going to keep it between them, "In the middle of the night I sometimes still find Kate in wardrobes hiding under the clothes, too afraid to come out. Last time I lifted her out of a closet and carried her back to bed was only two nights ago. It may be over, but she still lives with the memories and the scars. We both do. Some days she struggles to get out of bed or to leave the loft." He added thinking about those mornings she was afraid to leave the apartment. But she would do it. No one saw that side of her but himself and Martha. "Having the baby was the best thing that could have happened and he keeps her progressing. She has now reached a time where she just wants to be with him and she wants another one."

"Sounds like it can be difficult. She's always confident and in control here." Gates glanced out to the bull pen. No one was lingering at the moment.

"She is here." He replied. "But during the night, when sleep turns her brain loose, it can become quite challenging. She's not the source of today. She may be the cause, but she's not the source."

"She hasn't visited anyone else at the prison or made phone contact with any of them?"

"Not to my knowledge, no Captain. I'm also happy to have my phone records checked."

"It's most likely that will occur." Gates replied. "Mr Castle, Detective Beckett will most likely be detained for questioning by IA. I don't really understand why they're not here yet."

Castle smirked to himself recalling the message he'd left on the door to his loft, to Alexis telling her to meet them or breakfast at a café up the other end of the City.

"Oh, they're probably chasing a dead end lead." Castle replied with a smart ass grin.

"Mmm. Can you ask the boys to come in?" She replied dismissing him.

"Certainly." He stood. "Captain Gates." He smiled and walked out. When he met the boys he said, "Your turn guys. Listen, we can't let them put her in cuffs. She will freak out." He quietly said and walked away towards his chair. His Detective was at her desk pretending to be busy. He sat quietly watching what she did and waited for the door to Gates' office to shut.

"Are you ready for this?" He asked. "They will know by now we are not at the café."

"Any moment," Kate replied. "What did Gates ask you?" She looked to him, sitting back in her seat.

"About our trip the other week to the prison."

"Mmm… Same here." Kate chewed the end of a pen. "I may not be home tonight"

"I'll bail you out," Rick replied.

"Mmm. I just have to prove it wasn't my doing."

"Kate, what sex offenders are ever left in the prisons unprotected like those men were?" He asked making it obvious it had been clearly planned.

"Ones that try to kill cops," she replied, "like them."

"Mmm… someone kept them there." Castle had a light bulb moment but he had to maintain a poker face as he thought it through, as he recalled the words spoken to him recently. "Sometimes you need to protect the pawn, not the queen."

"You'll be fine Kate," he reassured, "You'll be at home with Mason and me tonight fighting off my advances on you to practise making more babies," he offered her sweetly so no one else heard them.

Kate smiled. "So a typical evening at home," she replied and looked up as the elevator doors opened down the hall. Her smile faded when the desk phone began to sound, "Here's the call," she said and picked up the phone, "Beckett." She listened, looked at Castle who watched, "Yes, Sir. I will be there." Kate hung up and said to Rick, "I have to be at IA headquarters at 11.00 am."

"Okay. Just go, answer their questions and it will be over," he said.

"Hopefully that's how it will be," she replied as she stood and walked to Gates' office. She stepped inside and closed the door. The three of them were in with Gates for another five minutes.

The IA officers walked into the interrogation room and closed the door behind them, cutting of the visual connection Kate had had with Castle, Esposito and Ryan.

Kate was seated on a chair, legs crossed, casually leaning with an over the back of the chair. She tried to keep her cool as the two IA officers sat on the other side of the table. Her heart pounded and she smelt her own sweat she was that anxious. Kate tried to keep calm and kept her eyes on them as she sat up properly to commence the questioning.

Kate recognised both of them by face, one of them by name, Lieutenant Russell Tolland. They ran through the formalities of introducing themselves. "For the record Detective Beckett," Tolland who was on her left said, "Please advise us of your NYPD badge number."

"Four one three one nine." Kate replied as she produced and laid her badge on the table face up so they could view it. Once both men inspected her badge, nodded their acceptance, then she slid it back over the table to her pocket once again.

The interview proceeded reasonably well. The IA guys asked questions about Kate's last visit to the prison and revolved around that day like wolves. Kate answered honestly without providing too much information. They extended their questions to learn who she knew at the prison whether they were inmates, visitors or on the payroll. They also wanted dates of the last times she had seen individuals. IA had nothing and everyone in the room was well aware of the situation. Internal affairs were fishing because Kate was the single common denominator to the deaths. Kate knew they had nothing.

Forty or so minutes into the questioning she noted they were asking the same questions in alternative ways. Kate, being a seasoned interrogator decided to mess with their heads. She answered the same way she had replied to their question the first time round.

Half way through the interrogation it dawned on Kate that she was alone in room with two men and she wasn't the least bit bothered by it. She wasn't constantly reminding herself to remain calm. Initially she had been anxious about the situation but it wasn't about the men. It caused her to be quite pleased with herself. She placidly stared at the guys from IA wondering when they were going to give up, but at the same time resigned to the fact she might not go home that evening. She focussed on the guy who asked most of the questions. After every question she counted to ten before she began to speak mainly to annoy him. She also thought about her answers so they didn't fool her.

They held Kate at Internal for hours and questioned her as they received new information. She was main left alone in the room. They significantly wore Kate down mentally. Castle, Ryan and Esposito waited for Beckett the whole day. Rick was worried because they didn't see Kate for much more than ten minutes, she hadn't eaten anything nor been given time to go outside for fresh air. He was playing with his phone, contemplating whether to phone her lawyer, well the one hired for her, when he saw one of the IA guys return up the hall. The boys nudge each other and Rick put the phone down to watch Tolland who entered the room and held open the door for Kate.

"You're free to go." He said ensuring they all heard him, "The investigators who are out at the prison have determined that the guy you questioned three weeks ago was not involved in any way with what happened out there this morning. Go home. Your boys are waiting for you, Detective Beckett."

Kate smiled and stood. She walked from the room. She looked from left to right for the guys and when she saw them she hurried across the corridor to them. Rick stood when he saw Kate and he took several steps to her closing the gap between them faster. She hugged him tightly then moved to Ryan and Esposito.

"It over! I can go home." She said flatly. She was weary.

"Good," Rick replied and handed Kate her hand bag. She had been released in possession of her badge and gun at 3.30 pm. Exhausted, the team called it day and parted for home.

Outside of the IA building, Castle and Beckett ran along the side walk to where they could shelter beneath an awning from the pouring rain. They waited patiently for a taxi. They stood there for so long with the cold wind pushing the rain on them that Kate's coat became drenched and she started to shake with cold. The rain was heavy and the wind strong. The day was almost over and darkness was coming early. Rick shielded her from the weather until they gave up the wait for a taxi and decided to take the subway home.

It was warmer underground and easier to move about than up on in the rain. They waited a short time for a train, in silence, but held hands. On the platform, Rick looked at her face under the woollen beanie she wore. She was awfully pale with tired dark eyes. He stayed silent concerned she was going to withdraw within her shell again. He didn't want her going there.

The train pulled in so he led her to a doorway and they boarded. They found a couple of seats they sat on side by side. The entire trip Castle held Kate's hand continually caressing her. His heart thumped with concern about her. His instincts told him she was going to react to the events of the day. He just needed to get her home in time. Once she felt safe again she would brighten up. Giving her time alone with Mason would bring her back to reality. Her hands were bitterly cold. He could feel they were even through the gloves she wore. He felt her cheek, saw her blink. Cold.

"You ok?" he asked putting himself in her line of vision. She focussed on his face and nodded.

"It's very cold." She replied. "And my coat is soaked through." She looked at his to see his was wet but the rain hadn't penetrated the material as it had with hers.

"We'll be home soon. It's warm there." He reminded her. When the train arrived at their station they got off and hurried up the steps out of the station. It was hard work walking through the bitter cold wind over several blocks to their building. When they finally arrived at the building, Castle scanned his security card to access the foyer and virtually pushed Kate inside the building. Heat hit their faces making them glance to each other with relief over their faces.

"Thank God we're home." Kate declared wanting to kiss the floor of the foyer. She hit the elevator button. Doors opened. The elevator was already there. They entered it and hit the top floor. Castle turned to Kate to see she was leaning against the wall. She was shaking so extensively her jaw was trembling. He went to her rubbing her upper arms through her thick coat and tops. The expression her face held stated clearly to Rick what was going on in Kate land. She was better than he had anticipated.

"Take your coat off." He said and undid his. He pulled his off as she did her. He put his over her shoulders and held her wet coat. He saw it was an immediate benefit to her. "Can I ask you something?" He put his hand to each side of her face and came close to her,

"Of course. Anything."

"Kate, this is between you and I, right now."

"Okay, ask me."

"Did you have anything to do with what happened this morning?" He wanted her admission. He bit his bottom lip and studied her face, the slight changes in her facial muscles. She was rapidly thinking. She was so good at poker and he was seeing exactly why right now.

Kate stared at Rick thinking, then seriously asked, "If I say yes, will you hate me?"

"Never, you're my partner, my life and you're the mother of my son," he replied, "and possibly have another one in you." He smiled, "I sure do hope you are pregnant." He glanced to the wall to see what floor they passed.

"Me too." She replied and bit her lip. She followed his eyes. They were two storeys below the loft.

Rick needed to hurry, "We will never discuss it again outside of this box when those doors open. It's between us, right here and right now."

Kate glanced to the light. One storey to go. She looked into Rick's eyes. She nodded. She saw his smile broaden and he stroked the sides of her wet head urgently, his fingers sticking in the knots made by the wind and rain. He asked in disbelief, "You really did it?"

She nodded again, "I did it very simply, but it's over. I showed Lucas photographs of me and then the Russians. That's all. I told you in Montreal I would get them one day and that you would then have all of me back."

"So it's over. I have you back." Rick whispered and pulled her close hugging her so tight. "It's over. It's finally over." He kissed her forehead.

They parted and Kate looked up to his eyes with a smile, "It's over, Castle," she murmured.

The elevator grinded to a halt and the doors opened. "This is the first day of the rest of our lives together." Rick declared as they stepped out of the elevator. Both of them looked over their shoulders back into the elevator. Its doors closed. They looked to each other and smiled.

"Kiss me." Kate requested and went to her tip toes to meet him half way. They parted.

Rick saw the same expression on Kate's face the evening he had stood in the alley with her and asked her on a date. She had been so into him even back then. That expression altered to the smile she now kept for him.

"Hello, I'm Kate Beckett, I'm engaged to Richard Castle and I'm the mother of a beautiful eight month old baby boy."

Rick laughed, "Hello, I'm Rick Castle, the man you're going to marry and the father of that beautiful baby." He confidently stated and gave her another kiss. He unlocked the front door. "Come here." He pulled her close, "Welcome to the first night of your new life, Kate." He said, "Hop up." He requested and Kate instantly jumped up in to his arms, "You really are wet!" He declared as he carried her across the threshold of his loft. He held her there smiling at her eyes.

Perfectly synchronised they said, "We're home."

THE END

Writing this fictional story has brought it to my attention (and astounded me) how many women are sexually attacked and murdered in Australia alone. Since I began to post this story, in New South Wales and Victoria, two women have died and numerous others have been sexually assaulted. It's devastating that this happens.

To those who shared their stories with me, I thank you.