582. Chapter 582

After Habeas Corpse

Episode 7.19

By

UCSBdad

Disclaimer: Objection! I do not own Castle. Further the deponent sayeth not. Rating: K Time: See above.

Kate snuggled up against her husband and smiled. I love singing with Castle in the shower. I wish I could sing in public with him, but I can't. She thought.

As it so often did just before she fell asleep, Kate's mind went back over the events of the day and the entire case they had just completed. Oddly her mind focused on Castle's question about her possible legal career. It's hard to think about this, but if my mom had never been murdered, I would have finished up at Stanford and gone onto law school and to a career in the law. And I never would have met Castle. As she drifted off to sleep, she had one last thought. Or would I?

"Ms. Beckett, I'd like to congratulate you for graduating at the top of your class here at Harvard Law School. You were the editor of the law review and won every academic prize we offer. I see great things for you, Ms. Beckett."

"Thank you, Dean Smithers. I'm happy to report that fifteen minutes after I graduated, I was offered a partnership at the prestigious New York law firm of Montgomery and Gates. They expect that I'll be the managing general partner in about six months."

A tear formed in Dean Smither's eye. "Congratulations, Ms. Beckett, all of us here wish you the best."

As Kate walked away with her diploma clutched firmly in her hand, she was stopped by a very handsome, one might even say ruggedly handsome man. "Excuse me, Ms. Beckett. I'm Richard Castle and I'm an author. I know that the little mysteries I write can't compare to your amicus curie briefs to the Supreme Court, but I need your help. My wife is suing me for divorce and she wants everything I own or ever will own and she wants custody of our daughter, Alexis. I don't care about the money, but more than anything else, I want little Alexis. Can you help us?"

Normally, Kate would never have taken anything as tawdry as a celebrity divorce, but Mr. Castle's desire to keep custody of their child no matter the financial cost won her over.

Meredith was represented by the well-known firm of Dewey, Cheatum and Howe. Kate already knew that they would lie, cheat and steal to get their share of Richard Castle's wealth. She had Meredith on the stand all day, trying to break her story that she was a faithful, dutiful wife to Richard Castle. Every question she had asked had generated a barrage of objections from the opposition lawyers. The impact of Meredith's half-truths, lies and evasions was lost on the jury under the weight of the constant barrage of legalese. However, Kate Beckett was not done yet. Not by a long shot.

"Your honor, I call Cosmo, the Castle's dog."

Cosmo ran into the courtroom and immediately started growling at three well-dressed gigolos named Demming, Davidson and Vaughn. As Cosmo came toward him, Demming started to scream. "Dammit, Cosmo, get away from me! You know I'm allergic to your fur."

Davidson jumped up on his chair. "You damned dog, you bit my ass when I was in bed with Meredith!"

Vaughn smiled and began whistling to the dog. "Who's a good dog? You're a good dog and so much prettier than Meredith."

Realizing what they had said, the three men headed for the door, only to be stopped by bailiff, and Cosmo who grabbed their legs and held on. All three men limped when put on the stand to be cross examined by Kate.

At the end of the trial, Meredith was led off in handcuffs with her paramours, which included the three men already known to Cosmo, the judge and every member of the jury. Rick was awarded all of the property and full custody of Alexis. The State of New York got custody of Meredith.

Rick offered to buy Kate dinner and as they sat together, little Alexis leaned over and snuggled next to Kate. "Mama." She whispered. Kate was embarrassed, but it proved to be prophetic. Rick and Kate were married a year later and Alexis never thought of anyone else as her mother than Kate.

Kate's rise through the ranks of the legal system was meteoric. She did become the managing general partner of Montgomery and Gates in two months. Then she ran for and was elected District Attorney for New York City where she relentlessly cleaned up crime and corruption. Next was the Federal Courts system. Kate was indeed the first woman Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court. However, she left that job to become the head of the International War Crimes Tribunal.

On her first day on her new job, Rick handed her the usual cup of coffee, (You already know what it is.) and kissed her. "You have war criminals, warlords, tyrants, terrorists and dictators in there from all over the world, Kate. If you succeed in convicting them, great swathes of South America, Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Asia will know peace."

Kate blushed slightly and kissed her husband. "I guess I'd better convict them all then."

As the Court used the continental European examining magistrate system, Kate was more than an impartial referee between to contending parties as she would have been in the US. It was her job to interrogate the witnesses and establish the truth. To everybody's surprise but Rick and Alexis', Kate's relentless interrogation produced guilty plea after guilty pleas, until all were convicted.

Once back in their loft in New York, Kate and Rick were enjoying a quiet evening at home when Alexis came in. "There are some people here that want to see you, Mom."

"What about?" Kate asked.

"They want you to run for the President of the United States,"

"Which party?" Rick asked.

"Both of them."

The Twenty Second Amendment to the Constitution, prohibiting a person from being elected President for more than two terms was repealed just before Kate was elected, allowing her to win six presidential elections in a row.

At her final State of the Union address, Kate looked proudly down at her husband and their daughters and sons. "I'd like to begin by thanking my husband, who's support and love…"

"Thanking me?" Rick said, sitting up in bed. "Why are you thanking me?"

Kate shot up in bed quickly. "Why shouldn't I thank you? You're my husband, aren't you?"

Rick shrugged and checked the alarm clock. "It's forty five minutes until it's time for us to get up anyway. Want to fool around?"

Kate just giggled.