784. Chapter 784

After One Man's Treasure

Episode 2.10

By

UCSBdad

Disclaimer: I would treasure Castle if I owned it. Rating: K Time: See above.

"How do I look, Mom?"

Kate looked up from her breakfast. She felt pride, elation, sadness and a bit of fear. "You look outstanding, Officer Castle."

Officer Lilly Castle smiled. It wasn't easy being the daughter of the famous Kate Beckett Castle, but she had made it through the police academy with outstanding scores, even if she had never beaten even one of her mother's scores.

Kate rose from the kitchen island and walked over to Lilly, followed closely by Rick. "We are both so proud of you, Lilly." She said.

Lilly blushed.

"Go get 'em, Kiddo." Her father said, his voice breaking.

Lilly kissed first her father and then her mother. "I have to go. I can't be late on my first day." She smiled and ran out the door.

"It was just yesterday she was running outside to ride her big girl bike, wasn't it?" Rick said.

Kate smiled at him. "Now I know how my dad felt. Rick, I'm terrified."

He hugged his wife. "At least she doesn't have some vast conspiracy to face."

"No, just the criminals of New York City. Tell me that isn't bad enough."

"I know. You have no idea how terrified I was for you for all those years."

Kate rested her head on his chest. "Yes I do. Once I finally admitted to myself that I loved you, I was pretty terrified for you an awful lot."

"Finally admitted? You fell in love with me at once. We both know that."

Kate slapped his chest.

Officer Lilly Castle reported to the 12th Precinct, sat through the briefing and was met by her training officer, Officer Peter Rooney. Rooney was tall, heavily built, redheaded like Lilly's sister, and had an artificial hand from the North African War. If she hadn't been told it was the right hand, she wasn't sure she could have told the difference.

"You're Kate Castle's daughter, right?"

"Yes, sir. But I don't expect any favorable treatment because of that, sir."

"You're a cop now. I'm no longer "sir", I'm Pete."

"I'm Lilly."

Rooney smiled. "That's better. You won't get any favorable treatment because of your mom. But there'll be people who think you're getting special treatment and resent you for it. And there are people whose careers were damaged by your mom, but they deserved it. So, if anyone gives you a hard time, other than the usual rookie hazing, just let me know."

"What will you do?"

"Why, what we Irish are famous for. I'll gently remonstrate with the miscreants."

The first week she spent on days and then she and Pete went on the graveyard shift, from midnight to eight AM. The third night, while Pete was scanning into the database some under-aged drinkers they'd found in the park, Lilly heard a noise from the underbrush. Moving closer, she heard a man's voice and some heavy breathing. Moving through the brush and into the trees, she turned on her flashlight only to see a naked young man and….a horse?

"What's going on here?" She asked in her most authoritative voice.

The man turned around. "Ah, good evening officer. How are you this fine evening?" From the slurring of his voice, she could tell he had been drinking and was possibly drunk.

"What are you doing with…That's a police horse. Where did you get him?"

"I found the rascal all alone outside of a drinking establishment. There was some sort of commotion going on inside. The horse practically begged me to take him away. He's a very peaceful horse, you see."

It suddenly occurred to Lilly that the man was totally naked and now facing her. She quickly took off her shirt, revealing her protective vest underneath. She threw the shirt to the man. "Here. Put this on."

The man looked at it. "NYPD blue is not my favorite color, but it is a trifle nippy out tonight. Many thanks." He tied the arms of her shirt around his neck and let the rest of it drape over his back.

"Cover yourself with it." Lilly demanded.

The man slowly looked around. "It's a bit difficult to tell, but I do believe it is covering me."

"Cover your…crotch." Lilly said.

"And if I don't?"

"I have a very large and unfriendly partner who'll be glad to assist you."

The man nodded. "Ah, a large and unfriendly officer. I do know the type." The man managed to get the shirt around his waist and tied it, covering himself.

"I'm sure you do." Lilly said, sure the man had made many an officer unfriendly.

"Castle? Where the hell are you? Need help?" Pete called.

"Over here in the trees. I have a naked man and a police horse here."

"A what?"

"Come and see for yourself."

Arriving, Pete took charge. "Can you tell me your name, sir?"

"Of course." The man sounded offended, but said nothing else.

"Well?" Pete said.

"Well, what?"

"I asked you what your name was."

"No you asked me if I could tell you my name, which I can. You didn't ask me to tell you my name. There is a slight, but important difference there. My uncle taught me that about words. Always be precise. Of course he's not really my uncle, so I'm not sure I should pay any attention to him."

"Tell me your name, sir." Pete growled.

The man bowed. "I am Richard Castle Ryan, at your service."

Lilly shined the light on his face. "You're Captain Kevin Ryan's youngest son?"

"It seems so." The man said glumly.

"And your uncle is my father, Richard Castle."

"Lilly?" He said. "Why, I haven't seen you in ages."

"And you won't be for a while, pal. I'm bringing you in."

Once at the station, the precinct captain called the recently retired Captain Ryan, who came down at once. Ryan had Richard released into his custody and left the station with him.

However, when Lilly came out at the end of her shift, she found Richard standing aimlessly outside the station. "Why are you still here?" She asked, Richard who had been given clothes by his father.

"I had an argument with my father and declined the ride to the family home."

"What did you argue about?"

Ryan shrugged. "The same thing. Why don't I become a cop like my father, my uncle, my older brother and everyone we know?"

"Why don't you?"

"Because I want to paint! That's why!"

Lilly frowned in concentration. "Paint houses or cars?"

Richard looked at her in horror. "Houses or cars? You infidel! How dare you…."He saw her smiling and began to laugh as she did as well. "Okay, I admit you pushed my buttons there."

"Have you had breakfast yet?" Lilly asked.

Richard patted his pockets. "They haven't found my wallet, so I'm afraid I'm skint."

Lilly looked at Richard. "Did you get the idea for the naked police horse ride from my dad?"

Richard blushed. "No, it was entirely original with me."

"Liar."

He shrugged. "I'm a painter not a story teller."

"Well, I'll take you to breakfast, but I want to see your paintings later."

Richard leered at her. "Come up and see my etchings, will you?"

She laughed, but after breakfast they went to his tiny apartment. Lilly looked at his work. "You have talent. Has your family seen these?"

"They aren't much interested. But how about you? I'd love to paint you in the nude."

"Wouldn't you get awful cold?"

"I mean that I'd like to do a painting of you with no clothes on."

"Who ever heard of a painting that had clothes on?" She replied.

Richard laughed. "You're a great deal like your mother. I think I like you."

"I'll let you know if I like you."

"When?"

"Maybe after our first date."