117. Chapter 117

Chapter 117

During the few days left before Christmas, Beckett worked hard to organize everything for the new captain who would take over at the end of the month. She was making lists again to help her line things up for somebody other than herself. Chief Dawson made one of his visits while she was in one of her list making frenzies.

"Good morning, Lieutenant," he said, and laughed when she looked startled.

She stood and answered, "Sorry, Sir. I guess I fell a little too deep in the pool of paper."

"Sit," he told her. "I will, too." He sat in a chair across from her desk and asked with a smile, "What had so much of your attention?"

"I'm trying to be sure that I have everything prepared for the new captain. I'd like to leave everything in order."

"I'm sure you will. You've done a fine job here, Beckett. We spoke to Captain Bronson's replacement yesterday, Douglas O'Conner, and he's anxious to start his command. I understand the two of you were at the academy together.

"The O'Conner I remember from the academy will be a perfect fit for this precinct," she said with a smile. "I'm happy to know he'll be here."

"You do realize we've had requests from people here to leave you in command? I wish I could, but O'Conner was… Of the two we felt we had to instate in a command before you, he seemed closest to the values and temperament that will follow the excellent job you've done here. You had quite a clean-up challenge when Captain Bronson and his cronies were removed; and you've accomplished as much as any established captain could have, more than some, in a very short time. I can't guarantee when a new positions will open, but you've certainly proven your ability to handle it.

"I'm not disappointed, Sir. I knew this was a temporary position, and I fully expected to be back at the twelfth at the end of this month. I'll enjoy being in the field with my team again. When a command opportunity does open for me, I'll regard the last two months as good preparation for it."

"Good," he said as he rose from the chair. "Dress uniform on the thirty-first. O'Conner will be here on the afternoon of the thirtieth to start taking advantage of all your preparations, and I'm sure he'll appreciate them. He'll be here all day on the thirty-first. I'm going to go and take care of my last day of interviews here. See you on New Year's Eve."

"Yes, Sir."

The next time she appeared in the bullpen, Tran was coming back from the copy room. "Are we still getting a new captain?" he asked.

"Yes," she answered. "But I know who it is now. We had a good natured competition going at the academy. He's a good man, and I doubt much will change here. This was never supposed to have been more than temporary for me. We all knew that."

He nodded, looking disappointed, and continued to his desk.

Later in the afternoon, Beckett went back to her list making and started taking items from the lists and writing synopses of various concerns connected to the files and situations the new captain should be aware of. After working about an hour later than usual, she went home to her men.

Jamie's standard enthusiastic greeting and a slightly more enthusiastic than usual kiss from her husband welcomed her home. She sat down at the breakfast bar with her son and snuggled with him for a few minutes before he was down and back to playing with his cars.

"I found out today who the new captain will be. He's somebody I knew from the academy, a friend…frenemy? We were constantly trying to outdo each other. He was my best competition…and a really good guy. I feel okay about leaving the precinct in his hands."

"You feel protective of the folks at the fifty-first, don't you?"

"They were handed to me as my responsibility, and I got to know them. They were 'my people' for a while." She did her air quotes, being a little silly about it, but Castle could see through her silliness. "I like them, and I want the best for them. There are a lot of good people there."

As Castle put dinner on the table, he answered, "You've done impressive work. In spite of Bronson, you're leaving them feeling good about themselves and having some pride in the progress their precinct has made. I know it's been taxing for you, but you've given them what they needed. I'm so proud of you."

xxxxx

Tuesday was very much like the day before; but the work she was trying to do, in addition to the final reports and evaluations she needed to turn by Friday, was at least beginning to look like they might reach an end by the time they were needed.

That night she and Lanie had a girls' night and talked about Kate's anniversary weekend with Rick and Lanie's June wedding to Frank.

"My mother is driving me insane," Lanie told her. "The wedding isn't until June, and it isn't even Christmas yet. Can't she leave me alone long enough to enjoy Christmas? Would that be too much to ask?" The frustration showed in her face and voice. "She's already made me pick out colors so she could start looking at flowers and linens and…whatever," she said with a hand flourish worthy of Martha Rogers. "You and Castle had that magic man. What was his name? He had your wedding put together in no time, but he probably costs a fortune."

"Would you like us to give you Bradford's services as a wedding gift like we did for Dad and Meagan? He'd become your mother's best friend, long distance of course. He'd keep her stocked with samples for her to decide on, after clearing them with you so she doesn't choose anything you can't live with. He has an air of calm about him that eases everybody's ruffled feathers and focuses on the wedding."

"I can't ask you to do that."

"I don't recall hearing you ask. I recall offering. Your little intervention a few years ago is the reason Castle and I are together. We came so close to losing what we both wanted…and needed. We owe you big, Lanie Parish.

"Damn," she said, flopping back in her chair and leveling a teasing gaze at her friend. "You really do, don't you?"

Kate grinned at her friend's response. "I think I can speak for Castle when I say whatever you want for this wedding is yours."

"I want Bradford." She leaned across the table in a pleading posture. "Pleeeeeeease, please, please, please, please, I want Bradford. My mother needs a best friend, and I need a buffer zone. She's mailed me enough pages she's torn out of magazines that I could paper all my walls with them."

Kate laughed at Lanie's shenanigans and said, "My mother would probably have done the same thing, but I'd give anything to have had her here to do it. Let your mom enjoy it. She's been waiting for this a long time, and she's excited for you. But we'll talk to Bradford tomorrow. Maybe you can get her to put things on hold until after Christmas. You could ask her to come and visit for a few days in January and help you look for dresses. She'd love that, and she could meet her new best friend face to face. He can lay on the charm, prove his excellent taste, and you can send her home feeling good about working with him. If you don't find a dress while she's here, you and I can go shopping later and text her pictures so she still feels like she was part of finding it."

"Why didn't I talk to you a couple of weeks ago? We've been slammed at work, and Mom still can't understand why I haven't looked through the ream of magazine pages she sent last week and answered all her questions. You really mean it about hiring Bradford to help?"

"Absolutely. If he's already booked for the date you chose, would you be open to something else close to that date?"

"Yes. We don't have a venue yet. That's the next thing on our list." There was a short pause and a sudden look of epiphany on Lanie's face. "But Bradford can help with that, too, right?" She grinned and did a little drum roll of excitement on the edge of the tabletop.

Kate laughed again. "He has a wealth of ideas for everything, so relax. You have to stay calm enough not to pick out a maid of honor dress that I'll refuse to wear."

"Hey. You just told me how big you owe me. If I decide on chartreuse with big, zigzag fuchsia stripes, you're wearing it."

They were comparing ugly bridesmaid's dresses they had seen at weddings and giggling like teenagers when their dinner arrived. When they left the restaurant, Lanie hugged Kate tight and said, "I don't know how to thank you for this wedding gift. With all the stuff we both have, I can't think of much Frank and I really need. Peace of mind is the best gift you could give us. Frank is going to be just as excited as I am. I have to put up with my mother, and then he has to put up with me ranting about it."

"Come on. I'll give you a ride home. You can tell me what kind of dress you want."

They talked about dresses and tuxes and venues on the way to Lanie's place and Kate went home to tell Castle to call Bradford again the next day.

"Looks like we're at that stage people always get to eventually where everybody we know is getting married," he answered. "But you were right to offer. Hell, with what she did for us, I'd be willing to pay for Bradford, the entire wedding, and the honeymoon; and I'd still feel like we owe her."

"She was happy with hiring Bradford."

"One more wedding after this, and we might as well adopt him, too. Or maybe we should just put him on retainer."

xxxxx

Wednesday was a half day of actual work for those who weren't called out to crime scenes. Beckett had okayed a holiday snackfest/Christmas Eve party starting early in the afternoon before the day off on Christmas, and most of those who were covering Christmas Eve duty were there to partake of the party and to relieve those who had Christmas off and wanted to get home. After taking time to thank the ones who had either volunteered or agreed to take holiday duty, she left a little before the normal end of shift. Outside the precinct, she got in her car, breathed a sigh of relief, and went home.

The family, Castles, Becketts, Farnsworths, and a Rodgers, had their Christmas Eve dinner at the loft, watched Rudolph before Jamie was tucked in, and enjoyed another classic Christmas movie before everyone went home. The loft was big enough to hold all of them comfortably, so they were all back for a lunch of leftovers and the exchange of gifts on Christmas day. Jamie now understood gift packages and opened them with enthusiasm. There were stockings for everyone with gifts encompassing serious to downright silly; and there was laughter, gratitude, and everything in between.

xxxxx

By the thirtieth, Beckett had all her ducks in a row. When Douglas O'Conner arrived mid-afternoon, she was ready. The desk sergeant let her know he was there; and before long, he appeared at her door smiling.

"Beckett, it's been a long time."

"Hey, O'Conner. It's good to see you again. Congratulations."

When she stood, he reached out to shake her hand. "Thanks. I didn't get the feeling Cortez at the desk was congratulating me, though. It feels like we're still in competition. When you walk in and are immediately told, rather solemnly, that you have big shoes to fill, it doesn't resonate with welcome," he said good naturedly.

"They'll come around. I'm sure I was given the temporary job because of the circumstances of Bronson's leaving and the fact that people here already knew me. They haven't tried to kick me out yet."

"I'm aware they tried to keep you, and that you've paved the path for me really well. I feel a little guilty about pushing you out after all that success. But I have a family now, and I can't afford to turn down captain's pay.

"You're not pushing me out. I was told at the beginning that I'd be leaving at the first of the year, or whenever Bronson's case was determined. The evidence is all in and overwhelming, so the new captain is here. Exactly what I expected. I'm happy for you. Want to try out the new desk?"

"No," he said, closing the door so they could discuss precinct business privately. "It's yours until tomorrow. I'll sit here." He dropped into a chair across from her.

"So you're a family man now?" she asked. "Do you have children?"

"Yeah, a little girl, Crystal…three years old." He was already pulling his wallet from his back pocket to show her a family picture.

"She's beautiful, so is your wife."

He took his wallet back and asked as he returned it to his pocket, "What about you? I know you're married now. I saw you and your husband in the paper not long ago. Do you have kids?"

"A little boy who just turned twenty-two months…Jamie, and a twenty-one year old, recently married stepdaughter, Alexis, who feels a lot like mine."

"Well, I showed you mine, you gonna show me yours?" he joked.

Beckett chuckled and opened the bottom desk drawer to find pictures in her purse. There was one with Martha, Castle, Beckett, and both children, one of Jamie at full charming smile, and one of Alexis's wedding pictures with JD.

"Geez, Beckett. Is anybody in your family not model worthy?" O'Conner asked with a smile. "Wait a minute. Is that Martha Rodgers?"

"Mother-in-law," Beckett explained. "Son-in-law," she pointed out JD. "We love him like he was always ours."

Handing the pictures back, he said, "You look different…happier. You'd always go out with us at the academy, but you always seemed to have a little bit of a shield around you. You never let anybody get too close."

"Rick has been a big help with that. He and Jamie will be here tomorrow if you want to meet them."

"I'd like that."

"I have the office mostly cleared of my things. The rest I'll take home tonight. They're already boxed." There was a little pause before she said, "Well, let me show you what's here. I'll start with this. The folder she handed him was input from three community groups she had met with over the last couple of months, their ideas and concerns. "I told them that I was here only temporarily, didn't know who would permanently replace Captain Bronson, and could make no promises on how the information would be followed up. But I did tell them I could promise that their concerns would be presented to the new captain, so this is me keeping my promises." She handed him the folder.

"We used to talk about things like this at lunches at the academy…and then go back to trying to beat each other's butts at whatever afterward," he said with a smile. "Thanks. As soon as I settle into the job, I'll follow up with them. I still think it's important, too."

One more thing I don't want to forget. Here's Mason's file. He and Bronson were friends…go all the way back to the academy together; but none of the men who were removed even hinted that he was ever involved with anything illegal. A few even firmly declared that he wasn't. He's a good man. She went on to explain his injury and its residual effect on his mobility, as well as Ryan's assessment of his tech abilities. I approached Bronson about the possibility of tech training for him to give him a job that didn't require his team covering for his difficulty with field work, and Bronson actually spoke to HR about it. Mason is a good detective, and he's conscientious. Not the kind of personnel we want to lose. And he wants to work. He hates the idea of leaving on disability. I've followed up with HR and looked into available programs for retraining. There are classes available. They're all full right now, but I was given several options for classes the department would accept for tech training. They're willing to work with him on paid time to take the classes if he's willing to pay for them himself. I'd like to think you'll do whatever you can to help facilitate that."

"I'll do whatever I need to. Does he have the finances to take the classes?"

Beckett sighed. "There's a scholarship. The thing is, it isn't exactly a scholarship, but Mason needs to believe it is. He's a proud man who would balk at anything that smacks of charity. My husband has met him, has a lot of respect for him, and has heard me talk about him. Castle has already paid for the classes. He sees it as supporting a man who gave a lot to the city and deserves having someone give back to him."

"Then I'll toe the line about the 'scholarship'. That's generous of your husband."

"It's who he is. He has a good heart. They're both good men."

From there they discussed personnel matters, a couple of difficult cases that were close to being closed for lack of evidence, residual problems from Bronson's sins, administrative concerns, etc.

Near the end of the day, O'Conner sighed. "First command. It's a little overwhelming. How did you do all this in just a couple of months?"

"Captain Gates is a good mentor. And check lists helped me to remember things that shouldn't be forgotten. Several different ones. You can have copies if you want them. They kept my head above water."

"Oh, god, yes! Would it help if I beg?"

She grinned. "I left copies in the top desk drawer. I thought I could quietly remove them if you'd rather figure it out yourself. I'm glad you're going to be here. Our personalities, work ethics, and values are close enough it won't seem like that much of a change. This precinct has already had enough upheaval."

"So tomorrow morning, you can tell me how you've worked with that. I know from the academy that you were always thinking a step ahead. I'm willing to use your ideas, but you know I'm always willing to give credit where it's due, too. And I have the feeling that, especially around here, somebody would find a way to rat me out if I didn't."

"Tomorrow morning we'll tour the precinct, and then we'll talk," she said. "Right now, going home to our families sounds good to me."

"Me, too."

Beckett picked up the small box that held the last of the personal items that would go home with her, and they made their way to the elevator.

When they stepped inside, he teased, "I can't decide whether to be a gentleman and offer to carry that for you or to let you take it so it doesn't look like I can't get rid of you fast enough."

"It's a little bitty box, O'Conner. I think I can handle it," she answered playfully.

"Still Ms. Independent, I see."

"It's really good to see you again. We pushed each other hard, but it got the best out of both of us. You're more than good test results and a guide for getting things done efficiently. I think you'll have everybody here on your side in no time."

"As soon as I can convince them to forgive me for not being you."

As they reached the street, Beckett said "See you tomorrow," and O'Conner lifted his hand in a half wave as they parted.

xxxxx

"Hey. How did it go today? Was O'Conner the same as you remembered him?" Castle asked as he turned off the oven.

"Mommy!" their son's voice called out as he ran for her.

"Just the same," she answered. "He's going to be a good fit there." Then she picked Jamie up and lavished attention on him for a couple of minutes. He was quiet and snuggly that day, so she held him close with a hand at the back of his head and swayed back and forth slightly, dropping little kisses on his head as she talked to Castle. "Are you still coming to the change of command tomorrow?"

"Of course. Afterward, I'll take you to lunch. Do you still want me to bring Jamie?"

"Yeah. Griffith and Washington would never forgive me if they didn't see him one more time…maybe Mason, too. And O'Conner's little girl is only three. She and his wife will be there tomorrow, too. Our little guy is usually pretty well behaved in public."

"You say that because you didn't see his meltdown at the grocer's this morning over the fall-apart-the-first-time-a-kid-plays-with-it toy he wanted. I'd thought about taking him to the toy store and getting him a nicer version, but I couldn't reward that behavior. The terrible twos might be closing in soon."

"We can't just close them out?" she asked..

"I know you're a little new at this, Sweetheart, but do you really think it works that way?"

"Well, a Mommy can dream, can't she?" she asked in her Mommy voice, rubbing noses with her son.

"Hey, Buddy," Castle said. "Want to help Daddy put things on the table?"

Jamie wiggled to get down, and Kate put him on the floor so he could go to his father. Castle handed him some napkins, and Jamie stretched to put them on the corner of the dining table before going back for pieces of silverware. They continued, Castle putting the dishes on the table and arranging the napkins and silverware that Jamie brought. Kate got the glasses and started putting dinner on the table while Castle hugged their son, told him what a good helper he had been, and put him in his high chair. Then they let Martha know dinner was ready and enjoyed their family meal.

xxxxx

The next morning, Beckett took O'Conner on a tour of the fifty-first, stopping on each floor to introduce him to the personnel there. They all stood as he was introduced; but he had them seated shortly, smiling and shaking hands with those near where they stood. Beckett also pointed out a couple of repairs due to be made soon and a couple of pieces of office equipment that would soon need replacing. They looked at the gym, the meeting room where things were being set up for the not quite normal change of command going on at the fifty-first, the entrances and exits, security, etc.

The handing over of the precinct was scheduled for eleven. It wasn't fancy. There was a podium and a microphone, and all the officers who were speaking wore their dress uniforms. Alvarez made the initial speech, briefly acknowledging the experimental program and the difficulty for all of them when their last captain and several of their colleagues had to leave the precinct. He presented their solve numbers both before and after the exchange program, factored in the personnel changes at the end of October, and the results for the months of November and December. September didn't show much of a change, but there was definite progress in October and more in November and December. "There were a lot of unexpected factors at play, so determining the reasons for the change in numbers isn't as cut and dried as it was at the other precinct involved in our program, but I believe a good part of the last two months' improvement falls to your interim captain," he told them. "There was no warning that she would have this job dropped in her lap overnight the way it was. However, in my opinion, she quickly rose to the challenge; and based on the random interviews Chief Dawson and I have conducted, it seems that most of you have the same opinion."

At that point, the audience broke into long and substantial applause, and Beckett looked both appreciative and embarrassed. Alvarez added his applause before indicating that they should be silent again. "That said, I believe you will continue to improve under the command of Captain O'Conner. He has proven his abilities and has left every position he has held with the good will of his colleagues, no matter their rank in the department. I will now give the floor to your interim captain, Lieutenant Katherine Beckett." Applause broke out again.

As Beckett approached the microphone, a little voice in the back of the room was heard saying excitedly, "It's Mommy," and was immediately shushed.

"Well, I guess you can tell that my husband brought my son with him today. For those who haven't met them, these are some of the men in my family, my husband, Richard Castle and our son, Jamie. Castle stood and smiled, saying, "Sorry for the interruption," and put his hand over his son's mouth briefly, winning some chuckles.

"I'll make this short." Beckett said, returning to her intended speech. "Captain O'Conner and I constantly vied for position at the academy, constantly in competition; but we also had respect for each other. I can assure you that I'm leaving you in good hands. But, in the spirit of competition …" she paused to look at O'Conner, then back at the assembled police personnel. "He gets to keep you; but he'll always have to remember that I got you first." When the chortling died down, she continued. "Your cooperation, as well as your support of my fledgling efforts in carrying out a captain's duties, have been both greatly valued and greatly appreciated. It made my job easier. Would the detectives from the twelfth stand please?" When they did, she added. "All of us will be leaving today, but I believe I can speak for both teams in saying that we will all take pride and friendships from this precinct in our hearts when we go." She motioned them to be seated. "Working with all of you has been an honor and a privilege, and I will always treasure my time here." Before she turned to stand next to Deputy Chief Alvarez, there was again substantial applause before someone in the front stood and the entire assembly rose in a standing ovation.

Alvarez brought the assembly back to order and introduced Captain O'Conner. The applause wasn't quite as enthusiast, but acceptable, and O'Conner acknowledged that good naturedly when he spoke. "I realize that I'll have to earn my own respect here, but I'll do my best make that happen. And in the spirit of competition…" He looked at Beckett, looked back at his audience, and said, "We'll see who can give the shortest speech." At that point, he took one of the pieces of paper he brought to the podium, tore it in half, and handed it to Beckett. She looked at it, smiled, and held up the two blank pieces of paper, mouthing "Cheating." That brought another round of chortles and a smattering of applause. "Lieutenant Beckett has obviously done an outstanding job here. She's certainly done an outstanding job of preparing what I need to make my own fledgling efforts at a captain's duties. I hope you can find it in your hearts to eventually give me the kind of cooperation, support, and respect you gave her. I, in turn, will make every effort to be worthy of it." He turned to Beckett again, tapped his watch, and grinned.

There was chuckling at that as Alvarez came back to the microphone to shake O'Conner's hand. "Congratulations, Captain O'Conner. We'll look for good things to continue at the fifty-first." Turning back to the assembly, he announced, "Dismissed."

There was hand shaking among the ranking officers in the front of the room and they interacted with the members of the audience who milled about and spoke to Beckett and O'Conner briefly before they went back to their duties. O'Conner introduced Beckett and Alvarez to his wife and daughter, and Castle appeared at Beckett's side just in time for her to introduce O'Conner to Castle and their son.

Alvarez had met Castle, but had never seen Jamie. Looking back and forth between Jamie and Castle, he smiled and said, "Well if there were ten more little brown-haired boys this age in the room, I doubt anybody would have trouble deciding this one is yours."

"Probably not," Castle answered proudly as Beckett turned to him.

"Lieutenant Beckett, close out anything else you need to do, then go home and enjoy your family," Alvarez told her. "Captain Gates won't expect to see you back at the twelfth until Friday."

"Thank you, Sir."

"I should thank you, too," Castle told him. "She's been going non-stop most of the last two weeks."

"Castle," she scolded, looking embarrassed.

"What? You married a man who still worries about you."

Alvarez laughed. "My wife and I have the same argument. I'm going to remove myself from this one and find some lunch. Enjoy your day off, Beckett."

Beckett took time to give Jamie some attention, and she and Castle went to be sure she hadn't left anything in the captain's office. "I'll walk you out, Beckett," O'Conner said. "My wife and daughter just left for lunch with her mother."

"Anxious to get rid of me?" she teased.

"Appreciation. You did a lot of work to help me out."

Reaching the edge of the bullpen, Beckett went to say goodbye to the homicide detectives, but it was empty.

"I wonder what they're up to," she said.

"Maybe something to embarrass you. Wouldn't that be fun?" Castle teased.

He got an eye roll for his trouble.

"She still does that?" O'Conner asked.

"He brings it out in me," she answered as they entered the elevator.

The homicide unit was waiting in the lobby in two rows, one at each side of the lobby, all at parade rest. Mason stepped forward and spoke for them, handing her two cards as he met her. "Captain…and we know you aren't yet, but you sure could pass for one. You were with us in homicide before you were with everybody else. You showed us respect while you made us more effective and then raised morale and a sense of pride in the entire precinct, and we won't forget that. If you ever need us, we'll be there."

"Thank you.' Looking around at the group, she added, "All of you. I'll miss you."

Castle and O'Conner held back to allow Beckett her moment and waited at a slight distance, Castle suspecting there could be more to come.

Mason went back to his place in line, Lieutenant Stiles gave the command, and the homicide unit along with Sergeant Cortez from the desk, snapped to attention and into a salute. Beckett returned it and walked to the exit only to find that the uniformed officers who weren't on duty elsewhere were standing at attention on either side of the entrance. She walked to the sidewalk, and by the time she turned and returned the new salute she was offered, O'Conner had joined the officers in the honor.

As she and Castle walked to their car, Captain O'Conner dismissed the officers, shook hands with them, and said, "I've heard good things about you, ladies and gentlemen. I guess it's time for me to get busy on earning my place around here. Stay safe. We need you." From there, everybody went their own way.

The entire operation had taken only a few minutes, but it had a definite effect on Beckett.

"I told Ryan and Esposito that we're going to Frenchy's for lunch," Castle told her as he held the car door open for her. He's going to see if Demming's team wants to join us, too. I didn't think you'd mind."

"I have to stop crying first," she answered as he strapped Jamie in his car seat and got behind the wheel of the Mercedes. She hadn't wiped a single tear until Castle closed the car door, and even then she didn't make it obvious. "They'd give me such grief over that. It was kind of like running the gauntlet. And yes, I know. It was the best gauntlet I've ever seen. But even without the tears, the boys will still give me a hard time over it."

Castle grinned and glanced at his wife. "Tears or not, I couldn't be more proud of you."

"Thanks for being there, and for lunch, and being proud of me, and loving me, and worrying about me even if it's embarrassing..."

"They really got to you, didn't they?"

"Yeah," she admitted, new tears running down each cheek. "I'm happy to be going back to the twelfth, but I'll miss them. Four months is long enough to get attached to people."

"So, KB, don't you feel at least a little bit extraordinary today?" he asked mischievously.

She smacked him on the arm, and Castle chuckled; but it raised an echoing chuckle from her, so he felt his job was done.

They walked into Frenchy's to find that Demming's team had somehow arrived first, and someone was already pushing tables together to accommodate all of them. When Ryan and Esposito got there, they both stood behind the empty chairs in front of Beckett, executed a sharp salute, and Esposito said, "Permission to sit, Sir."

"Castle and the rest of the table laughed as Beckett muttered, "Just shut up and sit down,"

Jamie got Esposito's attention by calling out, "Tio Javi," and gave him a twenty-two month old's version of a salute.

"Hey, what about Uncle Kevin?" Ryan asked, showing him another salute, and got one back with a little grin.

"Where did he learn that, Beckett?" One of Demming's team asked. "You have him salute when you tell him to put away his toys?"

"Do you have any memory of how many people he saw do that today?" she asked them. Esposito started to open his mouth; but Beckett said, "Shut up," again and he just laughed and picked up the menu.

All of them had New Year's Eve and New Year's Day off, so they were in no hurry. They talked about leaving the fifty-first, going back to the twelfth, and a variety of other subjects until their plates were clean. Most of them were going out for New Year's Eve, and someone asked what Castle and Beckett were planning.

"We're staying home this year," she told them.

"Didn't you do that last year, too?" Ryan asked.

"We liked it," Castle answered with a shrug.

"Not going near that," Ryan answered as desert arrived.

xxxxx

Castle and Beckett went home and tucked Jamie in for an afternoon nap, and then talked about things changing again, and what Rook and Nikki would be up to next. Rick brought his laptop and showed Kate a section of a chapter he wasn't happy with, they talked through a few options. Suddenly they both said the same thing at the same time, and were both happy with it.

"That was almost as much fun as theorizing," he said, giving her a soft but electric kiss about the time that they heard, "Daaaaaddeeeeee," from upstairs.

"I'll go, Kate told him. I've been wiped out all week. It's time I do my share."

"I'll get him a little snack while you're up there."

They spent time with Jamie, fixed dinner while he played on his own, and tucked him in later. After that they watched a New Year's Eve rom com. Then they went to bed and enjoyed their time together the way they had during the mornings of their anniversary weekend…until the mostly ignored TV they brought into the bedroom started a countdown as the ball dropped in Time's Square.

And at the stroke of twelve, they celebrated the new midnight tradition they had started the year before.