webnovel

285. Chapter 285

After The Time of Our Lives, Again

By

UCSBdad

Disclaimer: I'm having the time of my life writing these, but I still don't own Castle. Rating: K Time: See above.

Kate Castle checked her watch as she poured herself another cup of coffee. Only a newlywed for ten days, she definitely resented her brand new husband having to traipse off to Black Pawn for a business meeting. She smiled to herself and hoped that Gina was truly apoplectic over their sudden wedding.

She heard the light tapping at their door. Who could that be? She thought. Rick wasn't due back at the loft for hours. She shrugged and walked to the door and opened it. She froze as soon as the door was opened, words on her lips died. This can't be happening.

The woman smiled shyly at her. "You must be Detective Kate Beckett?"

Kate managed a nod.

"I'm Captain Kate Beckett. Can I come in?"

Kate stood back and let herself in. She finally found her voice. "Actually, I'm Kate Castle. Rick and I have been married for ten days."

The other woman, Kate couldn't manage to think of her as the other Kate Beckett, nodded sadly. "I knew he was very deeply in love with you. But he did get back safely?"

Kate nodded. "Back? Safely?'

"From wherever we were." She looked at Kate. "He did tell you what happened?"

Kate nodded. "I thought it was his head injury. But it was…real?"

"Obviously. The…other Mr. Castle wasn't so lucky. He died. I tried to stop the bleeding…." The other woman stopped and her eyes began to tear up. "I'm sorry. I'm just realizing how completely stupid I've been for the past several days. You must think I'm insane."

Kate managed to shake her head. "No. I think you're me. Actually, I'd prefer insane. How did you get…here?"

The other woman held out a golden medallion in a clear evidence bag. "I took this out of the evidence room. I'm probably in a lot of trouble…at home." She shook her head. "I'm so stupid. Could you put this away someplace safe? I don't want to wish for something without thinking and disappear in a puff of smoke."

Kate nodded and took the bag. She walked into Castle's office, opened his safe, put the medallion inside and locked it safely up.

She found the other woman standing in the loft, looking around. "It looks a lot different."

Kate just shook her head, trying to clear it. "Would you like some coffee? I'd love some." She blurted out.

Kate poured out her now cold coffee and poured another two cups. "Please, sit."

The other woman sat at the kitchen island and thanked Kate for the coffee.

"You've told me how you got here, but why did you come?"

"My detectives were investigating the theft of the medallion…"

"I know. We, my team, were investigating the same theft and murder."

The other woman nodded. "Mr. Castle showed up at my precinct. I can't explain his effect on me. We didn't know each other, but at times it seemed like we were old friends. We stood in front of the murder board and…"

"Completed each other's sentences." Kate finished for her.

"Yes. When I was ready to close the case with what we had, without finding out who had orchestrated the theft and murders, he called me on it. I'm afraid I've become too mired in paperwork and politics. He was right. I needed to find out everything. I needed…"

"The story." Kate said with a smile.

"Yes. Of course. You already know that." The other woman shook her head, sadly. "Mr. Castle threw himself in front of me to save my life. He was shot. I asked him why he did that. He said it was because he loved me. In that moment I knew he loved me as no one has ever loved me. I knew that I could have loved him. I should have loved him and I felt an enormous sense of loss."

Kate nodded. "I can imagine."

The Captain went on. "I talked to his mother and his daughter and pieced together what had happened. An alternate world. One, a world where we had never met, and the other a world where we were lovers. I had to try to find…" She shook her head. "Of course you two are married. I am such a fool. I'll be lucky to have a job at all when I get back. Please, give me the medallion back. I should leave."

Kate was about to refuse when the door opened.

"Hi, Kate. I'm home. So what's…?" Castle stopped and stared at the two identical women in his kitchen. "You're Captain Beckett."

"And you're alive, Mr. Castle. And married. I should be going." She turned to Kate. "If I could have the medallion back, I'll get out of your hair."

"No! No!" Rick cried. "You can't leave. Not after coming all this way. You have to tell me what happened. Why are you here, anyway? There's so much I have to ask you. So much I have to tell you. Hey! I never told you why I killed off Derrick Storm. You have to stay."

Captain Beckett looked at Kate. "Please stay, Captain Beckett. For a while anyway. Please. For both of us."

Captain Beckett sat back down. "Mr. Castle, I hope I don't sound too foolish." She took a deep breath and told her story again of how and why she had arrived in this universe.

"So, you're looking for your Rick?" Castle asked when she was done.

She laughed. "Silly. Of course I'd find you with the woman you love." She nervously took out her mother's ring.

"You still wear Mom's ring." Kate said.

"Do you still wear it?"

"No. I put it away after we arrested…" Kate stopped, not sure if she should tell this Beckett what had happened.

"You found the man who killed Mom? Please! Tell me. I have to know. "

Rick put his hand on her shoulder. "You need to be careful, Kate. You almost got killed in this world. I'd hate to have anything happen to you."

The other woman put her hand over his. "I have to know. Please. I'm begging you."

Kate and Rick exchanged a glance. Then they told Captain Beckett about her mom's death. When they were done, Rick spoke to her. "Kate, please don't run straight at Bracken. You have no idea how dangerous he is. I know you're not my Kate, but I couldn't stand to have anything happen to you."

Captain Beckett shook her head. "You have nothing to worry about. My last homicide as a detective was the murder of Dick Coonan. We were positive he was murdered by the Westies, but they stuck together. We never solved it. Senator Bracken was blown up in his car. We arrested a mental patient, but he was framed. We never found his driver, the real killer. He was either killed or paid so well he could disappear forever. I won't get hurt now, Mr. Castle."

Castle frowned. "Okay, without Dr. Murray, she doesn't know your mom's murder is a professional hit and never ties it to Coonan. He's killed by the Westies for taking out his brother, a Westie enforcer. And she never looks at Bracken for the Melanie Rogers murder."

Captain Beckett shook her head. "Both men dead. All those years and I never found them."

"Tell us about yourself." Kate said. "I'd like to know what life without Castle is like."

"Only if you tell me about your lives."

So, they stayed up long into the night, talking about their lives.

The next morning Rick woke up next to his Kate. She was just making coffee when he came out of the bedroom, fully dressed.

"Going somewhere, babe?"

"I have an idea on how to find her Rick. Don't let her leave. I have a plan."

When Captain Beckett come downstairs, she walked over to Kate. "I really need to go home. I need the medallion back. Please get it."

Kate shook her head. "Rick has a plan to find your Rick. He said he'll be back shortly. Have some breakfast."

"Kate, I can't stay here. Not with Rick. Everything I felt for him back home, I feel a thousand times more seeing him now. It was all I could do to keep from throwing myself at him last night." She lowered her voice. "When I went to bed I masturbated for, I don't know how long, wanting Rick so badly. I wanted your husband. I'm not that kind of person. Please."

Before Kate could reply, the door opened and Rick walked in. "Okay. Are we all ready to find Captain Beckett's Rick Castle?"

"Rick, "the Captain said, "please just let me go home." She smiled at Rick. "I love you, Rick and if I stay here, you'll end up hating me. I have to go."

Rick gave her a hug. "I know you're not my Kate, but you are Kate Beckett and I love you, too. And we'll find a Rick for you. Here."

"What is it?" His wife asked.

"A driver's license for your twin sister, Kaitlin Beckett, and twenty thousand dollars apiece. Now get the medallion and let's go."

"I can't go back with you two…" Captain Beckett began.

"We're not going back. You wanted to come to where I was. We'll hold the medallion and wish to come to where there's a Rick with no Kate. Come on."

In two minutes they found themselves in a very different loft.

"Castle!" Both Kates said.

Kate Castle looked around. There were naked women and drugs all over the loft. "We should call the cops. These women are teenagers, if that."

"You two aren't cops here. Let's just go. For all we know this is perfectly legal here."

A bleary eyed young man sat up. "Whoa! You got twins? Wanta trade?"

"We were just leaving." All three said in unison.

Once outside, Castle hailed a cab and told the cabbie to take them to the main public library.

"The library?"

"For research."

Once at the library, they went to the computer room. "You two look up Bracken, Coonan and Pulgatti. I'll look for us." Castle told the two women.

The two were quickly back to Castle. "We found something. Bracken is a city councilman. He's never gotten any higher than that." Kate said. "He's a nobody. He's no danger. Here at least."

Then Kaitlin spoke. "Joe Pulgatti was killed in 2005 in a turf war between the Five Families. He never went to jail for killing mom. We couldn't find anything on Raglan, McCallister, Montgomery, or anyone else Kate said was involved. What did you find?"

"The New York Bar Association lists a James and Johanna Beckett, and their only child, their son, Kenneth. And, Richard Castle lives in LA where he is quite successful as a writer/producer/director of horror movies. Anyone for a trip to LA?"

Later that day they drove up the Richard Castle's house in Beverly Hills. Castle got quite a shock when he saw who was watering the front lawn.

"Afternoon, Mr. Castle. I didn't see you come back."

"Um, just got back, Pi. Uh, good to see you."

"New actresses you're auditioning?" Pi asked with a salacious grin.

"Something like that."

"Who was that?" Kaitlin asked.

"Don't ask." Rick replied.

Kaitlin looked at Kate.

"He's not important." Kate said. "Let's worry about finding your Rick."

The three walked into the large, two story Spanish Colonial style house. This Richard Castle was doing all right for himself. They turned a corner and walked into Castle's office.

"Be right with you, Pi." He began, then turned around. "Jesus Christ! Who are you? Who are they?"

Castle smiled at himself. "I'm you. I brought you the love of your life. I should know. I've already married mine."

Kaitlin walked shyly to Rick and put her hand on his arm. "Hi."

"Would someone explain this to me? Please?" The other Rick asked. And indeed they did.

LA Castle looked suspiciously at them when they were done. "She's the love of my life? A chick I've never met? Be serious."

"It's true. I'm you from an alternate world. I've told you things only I could know. We did our fingerprints with your stamp pad. Ours are identical. So are theirs. I'm you and I'm telling the truth."

LA Rick shook his head. "Okay, let me talk to the love of my life, then. We'll have dinner here and then you two can sleep in one of the guest bedrooms upstairs.

That night as Rick and Kate snuggled in the guest bedroom, looking at the mirror on the ceiling, the black silk sheets and the red, heart shaped pillows, they heard Kaitlin moaning with passion in LA Rick's bedroom.

"They're getting started better than we did." Rick said,

"I hope they stay that way."

The next morning, LA Rick came down to breakfast to find Rick and Kate making coffee.

"Look, other me, I appreciate you bringing "my" Kate to me and all, but I'm not the marrying kind. Not after Meredith, Chelsea and Rita. I know this chick thinks she loves me, but all she was to me was a good time. I'm going to take her to lunch at a little place I know north of Malibu. I'll let her down easy."

"What?" Rick cried. "You can't!"

"He can't what?" Kaitlin asked, coming into the kitchen with a huge smile on her face.

Kate nudged her Rick." Nothing. We were talking about breakfast. What do you want?"

Kaitlin slipped under LA Rick's arm. "Whatever he's having." She stood on her toes and kissed him.

Later that morning, LA Rick and Kaitlin took off.

"I can't believe it." Rick cried. "I'm him, she's you. They're perfect together. How can this happen?"

"It is a different world, babe." Kate said sadly.

By two o'clock Rick was checking his watch every couple of seconds. "They should be back by now. Suppose he just dumped her someplace? She's walking around, alone, hurt. I'll kill him when he gets back here."

Kate tried with little success to calm Rick down.

By four o'clock, Rick was in panic mode. "Why if she's killed herself? Just walked into the ocean? Threw herself under a bus? I never should have let her go with that sleaze ball."

Just after six o'clock Rick found something in LA Rick's bedroom. Photo albums of naked, beautiful young women. Most of the photos were taken in that very bedroom. I don't believe this. I like women, too. But I never treated them like meat. I was always a gentleman. Christ. I can't let Kate see these. He shoved the albums deep into a closet.

By eight o'clock Kate was worried. "We'll find her. If we have to beat what happened out of the other one. And we'll take her back with us."

"What's she going to do with us? Don't you think someone would notice if I start showing up with two Kates? And the cops are probably looking for Captain Kate back home because she took the damned medallion."

"She'll find someone when she's back with us. You can't be the only person that'll make her happy. We'll get her a place. We'll have to support her, but she can't stay here."

"I'm not sure I like the sound of that part about finding someone else. Would you want someone else? Besides, she loves me and…I love her. Kate, I'd never cheat on you, but she's you. And she's a badly hurt you. Worse than when I first met you. I know I'll want to do anything I can for her. Something could happen."

"Rick, I'm not going to share you. Ever. But we have to do something for her. For me. She's me and…"

"Yeah." Rick said, sadly.

At eleven seventeen, just as Rick and Kate had finished plotting the murder of LA Rick, the car pulled up in front. They ran to the front of the house, then came to a complete stop. There, in the driveway, locked in a passionate embrace, were LA Rick and Kaitlin.

"Where have you two been?" Rick said, sounding just like and angry father.

"We got to talking." LA Rick replied. "Then we decided to go to dinner. Then, well, Kate here needed some clothes."

"She needs clothes?" Kate asked.

"I asked her to be my date at HorrorCon. All three days." LA Rick leaned in and whispered. "You know she's…"

"Remarkable." Rick and Kate finished for him.

"Yeah. She sure is. You know I never take a date to HorrorCon. I mean there are literally thousands of horror groupies there. Gorgeous chicks, but Kate is…."

"Remarkable." Kaitlin finished for him.

After HorrorCon was over, it was obvious that LA Rick and Kaitlin were a couple. The four were sitting in the living room. Kaitlin sat on LA Rick's lap as he gently stroked her hair and then kissed her forehead.

"You know, if someone brought this to me as a script, I'd laugh my ass off. But I really just want to be with Kaitlin here."

"Always?" Rick asked.

LA Rick smiled. "Yeah. Always." He kissed his Kate again. "What do you say?"

"Always." LA Kate said softly.

"One thing I've thought about." LA Rick said.

"What?"

"If there are alternate worlds, there must be hundreds, thousands, millions of worlds where the medallion was stolen sending one Rick to a different Kate and they need to get together. Are there millions of Ricks and Kates trying to find each other someplace?"

Rick shrugged. "I'm sure the universe has it all figured out so that every Kate find her very own Rick." He turned to his wife. "Do you think we should go back home?"

Kate looked over at LA Kate. "Will you be okay?"

LA Kate kissed LA Rick. "We'll be spectacular."

They said their goodbyes and grasped the medallion. Rick insisted they click their heels and chant, "There's no place like home."

"We're home!" Kate yelled, finding them back in the loft, hugging her Rick. "We didn't even have to fly back from LA."

Rick put the medallion down. "And we have to get this thing somewhere safe. Quickly."

They were interrupted by a knock at the door. Rick opened the door and froze in shock.

"Detective Castle? My name is Katherine Beckett. I'm a writer. I know this is going to sound insane, but…"

"I know." Rick said. "Come in Kate, and meet my wife Kate."