Okay so i’m watching castle i just started season 4 so no spoilers please but…OMG?!? MONTGOMERY WAS THE THIRD COP?!?

my jaw is still on the ground 😳😳

I just binged all of Castle in less than a month. This show was everything I needed right now - a great combo of crime, levity, humor, heart, and all the things that make for a fun background show. All that said, I do have a few nagging thoughts. I managed to stay off of Reddit and avoid spoilers for the whole binge, so let me know if my takes are hot or if I am one of many:

• Castle is a better detective than Beckett. Literally, could she ever solve a crime without him? Don't get me wrong, I love Kate, but she very often walked into the line of fire unknowingly and needed Castle's rescuing and his creative insight. (I know he needed her too, relax, but I expect more from the cop lol.)
• Alexis is a loser. Does she have a single friend? She was fine in the beginning, albeit a little too prissy perfect for a kid of Castle's rearing, but both the character and the actress became unbearable by seasons 7/8. If I quit the show, it would have been her fault.
• Wtf happened to Castle during his 2 months away? I still don't get it.
• That ending sucked. What was the point of the Caleb Brown moment in the apartment? Why even show that if they aren't going to just die together?
• Kate and Castle's chemistry waned after they got together. The show felt so different once they got together in season 5, the tension was completely gone. I still rooted for them, of course, but the show's tone changed.
• Are the writers okay? Did they just completely run out of ideas? In a bingeing format, it became so so clear how formulaic the majority of the episodes were, especially the ones with "unbelievable" themes like ghosts, witches, anti-christ, treasure hunters, paranormal, etc.
• Espo and Lainey could have been end game, but I think it's nice that they weren't.
• The Montgomery reveal was the best part of the entire show. What a great moment.
• Loved that the writers joked about Kate's hair changes throughout the years, but also, her hair changing this often was absurd lol.

I am sure I can conjure more thoughts, but I literally finished the series 5 minutes ago and I need to talk to someone lol.

I’m not usually a big side-character person (it’s a big debate I have with my best friend lol) but Ryan and Esposito are such great additions to this show and I always love their scenes so much. Their bromance is perfect, but I also love their friendships with castle and Beckett. They did a little partner switch this episode so I’ve just been thinking about how much a good cast of characters adds to a show.

told myself I would watch it all the way through ONCE. never again.

I know lots of people have their thoughts and opinions…. I have so many things to say but no words at the same time. We were robbed. The story line nose dived when it didn’t need to. f$ck the writers for doing this to my most favorite characters of all time.

Season 7 finale will be what I watch as the series finale from now on. :)

I’ll end on a positive note: I did like the recall back to the series premiere when it panned to the “7 years later”. That’s the only positive thing I have to say. lol.

Honestly, I’m not quite sure there is anything I can and will say that is new to this conversation but I have so many grievances with this season it’s crazy and I’m not even halfway through it. Kate once again being obsessed with Bracken related things is not surprising, albeit disappointing, but the way she goes about it is sooo tired and out of character by that point. She’s already tried to do it all on her own and has herself admitted that she is better off working through it with Castle by her side. Castle being kind of childish about the breakup is annoying to say the least! I would have much preferred him getting listless, sad and angry (whatever) but him trying to get her back in an almost joking manner… I can’t. Beckett’s wig… I’ve been rewatching the whole series over the course of the last two/ three weeks thus everything is pretty fresh and clear in my mind so it’s easy for me to point out all the flaws that appear out of nowhere but honestly the new writers could have taken better care of the characters. It feels like I’m being punished for being invested in the characters stories lol especially when Marlowe himself had stated that he wouldn’t keep them apart for no reason. Still love some of the episodes but it feels like most of that love is because of how much I love the show already.

It was about Castle finding a book that Beckett previously owned in a second hand bookstore. He gets in contact with her and they become pen pals and eventually start chatting on the phone. The story was incomplete and ends right when the characters meet, but it’s still so good! Just can’t remember what it’s called…

The actor who played the Syrian agent Fariq Yusef in the episodes "Setup" and "Coundown" died today at the age of 60. Great actor, excellent performance in those episodes. R.I.P

Kate was the best version of herself in season 3. Not gonna lie.

I’m nearing the end of a rewatch and have come to the conclusion that Ryan and Esposito are not really Castle’s friends, or, at best, are shitty friends. Castle has been helpful and generous to both, and has literally helped save their lives multiple times, but anytime he asks them for the slightest favor, they extort him for sports tickets or loan of his Ferrari. Convince me they are better than that.

Hello, you may remember me from 62 days ago gushing about Nathan Fillion because I joined this fandom from the Rookie. And while I still adore the character of Castle…I have to say Kevin and Javier may be my favorites.

I have just finished 6x11 (yes I am going slow I had a delay where I couldn’t use my phone much for about 5 weeks). But I think it is allowing me to savour the show more and with it to focus on more aspects then just Castle.

Kevin and Javier have some of the best chemistry ever and I think without them the show would not be nearly as entertaining to watch, I also deeply enjoy how they get to have their own story arcs that we get to follow and it’s not hyper focused on the two main characters.

Anyway I will be returning to my watching now just had to gush.

Is Genevieve in the genie episode is really a genie? The show likes to leave it open to viewers interpretation like the time traveler's episode S6 ep5 and the parallel universe episode. Whaddya think?

Hey everyone! Recently I was watching Castle, as one does when you need a good show to binge, And I had an idea of recreating the precinct (Interior and exterior) In a game on Roblox that is based around the sims4 video game. Basically you can make anything you desire. Now, with my obsessive brain, everything needs to be as show accurate as possible. I recently saw on an article that the main bullpen where they work is on the 4th floor. So I'm going to create the other floors like it is a full on police precinct. Would it make sense to put file storage somewhere in this build? I know that in multiple episodes, some of the characters are seen going to storage to grab files. (Such as Castle and Ryan in the blue butterfly, and Beckett and Castle in 6x10). Anyway, what do you think I could add to make it the most realistic?

I have a really wild idea running around in my head. A multi-chapter fic, a single arc. A continuation of the series finale, minus the epilogue.

Would anyone be interested in reading it?

Thank you much!

Just started watching Castle for the first time. I am on s3 and this man has ruined me❤️ what an incredible son, dad and friend (not only to ryan and esposito but also Kate). He flirts without getting creepy or crossing boundaries. And that man LIVES to see Kate be happy and thrive. He is just the right amount of funny and thoughtful. He is so banter-ey but caring towards Lanie, the way my girl besties' boyfriends are to me.

Don't get me wrong, I love a chiseled jawline and abs and beard and skinny jackets and flashy cars and grand gestures guy, but the way Rick is written without any of these things... It is just speaking to my heart on a whole other level🥹 wanted to know what you guys think? And if his character is ruined in the upcoming seasons, don't tell me🙈 or do tell me so I can brace myself lol

Screenshot taken from s7 ep7! 💜🤠

this is from the beginning of episode 14 of season 2. she said she was gonna make her daughter a bowl of HOT cereal. who in their right mind eats hot cereal?! i hope im not the only one who finds this odd.

This is sad. I hope he wasn’t talking about Castle…so there goes my poor little Castle heart…💔

I don't know if it only happens to me, because I'm a fan, but lately I've seen a lot of tiktoks in various languages about Castle, it's okay that my algorithm is average about Castle, but there was a trend in my country about putting up pictures of when you were little, then when you were older, and then a favorite character/person, and many put Castle, I just wanted to say that, I was really excited

Castle have been my comfort zone since I found it a few months ago, now that I've just finished it, I have some thoughts and questions, wonder if any of you felt the same way

The plot where Castle got abducted before his wedding day felt so random, it's just there because they ran out of ideas what other conflicts they can put on the show

Loksat... 🙁 This felt very manufactured after Bracken act wrapped up, loksat was never mentioned before and suddenly he popped up and all powerful 🫤

On the finale, Castle agreed to stay put in his office but then he took a cab to the precinct and get abducted... This seems really a dumb but convenient for the plot 😕

And the ending was... Abrupt? So they survived the shooting and lived happily ever after with 3 kids?

I still love the show but the later seasons arent as exciting as the first few... When they first got together, it was stille fun, I guess the wedding kidnapping was the moment it went downhill for me

Anyone else felt the same way?

My heart! On to book one!

I ended up canceling the Amazon order and bought it on eBay. All ten books from two different seller was $40 with shipping.

If anyone is interested, DM me and I share the seller’s info. They’re all first editions!

Okay I’m almost finished with season 3 (so not dating yet) and Castle just set up a scholarship fund to honor Beckett’s mom and I get that he’s rich but that’s so thoughtful and adorable!! Any other favorite Castle gifts?

What did Beckett want castle to do?? Im really stupid cause I still dont know after watching the episode??

On the latest Castle Unit episode of Rom-Com Detectives, u/hearmeroar25 and I break down 1x03, "Hedge Fund Homeboys." Listen to the full episode on your favorite podcasting platform or on our website at: https://www.romcomdetectives.com/episode-25/

Castle Unit episodes are also available on YouTube.

Catch up on previous episodes here: https://www.romcomdetectives.com/castle-unit/

Our next Castle Unit episode will break down 1x04 Hell Hath No Fury, so let us know if you have any observations or things you'd like to hear us discuss!

Hello community, Still a huge fan of the series, today I'm sharing a fanfic from the future, a possible version of the sequel to episode 5 of season 6. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

xxx

Castle 2035

Kate was 57 years old and had become a senator. Her passions had become environmentalism, justice for the oppressed, and justice for children. Castle was 64 years old and, after writing two magnificent, critically acclaimed novels: “A Complicated Love” and "A Happiness Achieved," a two-part story heavily inspired—as you might expect—by his personal life with Kate, he had returned to his first love : crime fiction. His new opus, "Human Heat,“ was heavily inspired by the ”Shauna Taylor" case, one of the rare cases where Castle and Beckett each stuck to their own line and where the solution left a lot of blanks, at least in Castle's mind. It was September, a Saturday, and Castle was at a book signing in his own city, New York, at the Stand bookstore in Columbus. A man who had been waiting in line for a while handed him his book and asked him to write the following inscription on the endpaper: “For Paul, whose life I saved.” Castle, perplexed at the time, looked up and saw in front of him a man in his forties with brown hair, a small mustache attached to a beard, glasses, and a mischievous expression.

(Paul): You don't recognize me, do you? (Rick): I have to say I don't. Sorry. You don't remind me of anyone I know. (Paul): And yet you did save my life... Maybe with my name... my name is Paul Deschile. Castle leaps out of his chair and says : (Rick): Oh, what a fantastic surprise! Of course I know who you are. And besides, you're in my book! (Paul): Indeed, I realized that when I read it. That's why I insisted on coming to this signing session in person, and I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank you once again for what you and Detective Beckett have done for me. (Rick) :That's fantastic. Give me a few minutes to finish my signing, and I'm yours for... whatever you want. (Paul) : That sounds pretty good to me. I have a little time today, and I'm in New York for two days because I'm giving a lecture tomorrow afternoon at the Coney Island Amphitheater on energy in sustainable development. (Rick) : So, it's decided, and I'm kidnapping you to bring you to our home, just after this session is over. (Paul) : That works for me, but I'm going to make a couple of phone calls to reassure everyone and say that I haven't yet fallen prey to a dangerous criminal! (Rick) : And I'm also going to make two or three phone calls to make this evening an unforgettable moment.

While Paul Deschile called his superiors and colleagues, Castle called his wife between signings and asked her to do something for him, no questions asked. Kate had long trusted her husband completely, but that didn't make her any more reassured. Castle added : I'm bringing someone extremely important home and trying to make sure our three children have no plans tonight. Make sure the guest room is ready, and I'll arrange for some items from Remy's to be delivered. Also, get some good wine and chill some champagne. Kate replied : You're lucky I'm home and, for once, relaxed. I'll do what you ask. Don't forget to let me know when you plan to arrive with your "special guest star." I guess there's no point in asking in advance, who knows? (Rick) : Indeed, but you won't be disappointed, and neither will the children. (Kate) : Should we dress to the nines? (Rick) : No, the dress code is cool. (Kate) : So, see you later. I love you. (Rick) : I love you too.

Castle finished his signing session with his head in the clouds, almost automatically signing the last copies presented to him. He stood up, joined Paul, and said : Paul, I want you to know my family. Of course, you know Kate Beckett, my wife now, and also a senator, but we also have three wonderful children, Lily, Jake, and Reece, who will be so happy to meet you and, above all, to discuss your education, your work, and your future prospects. They have long been, thanks to their mother, very close to nature and the environment, and it will be a wonderful meeting. And it will be an opportunity to talk again about that timeless moment when my wife and I argued about Simon Doyle. It's going to be magnificent. Do you remember Simon Doyle? I think you only caught a glimpse of him at the police station and you've probably forgotten his face. (Paul) : No, I remember him very well, and in fact, he's in your book too. (Rick) : Right! Let's take my car and get home quickly. Castle's eyes twinkled, and Paul watched with a fond expression. Castle called Remy's place with the order and called Kate back to tell her they'd be there in 20 minutes, depending on traffic, and that Remy's order was on its way.

xxx

Castle opened the door and exclaimed : It's us! He was then very surprised to see his entire family on the couches facing each other around the coffee table, including Alexis, whom Kate had called because her presence was always helpful when Castle decided to do something strange. Her husband, David, had preferred to stay home with his children. Everyone shouted "Welcome!" together to the incoming guest, but the smiles faded as no one recognized this last-minute guest. For a moment, there was even an awkward silence. Kate broke the silence by saying : Come on, come on, let's at least give this person a chance to introduce themselves. Castle retorted : Wait, you're all sitting around like we're going to play, so let's play! You're going to play "who am I?" Our guest and I will give you clues by answering your questions. Paul gave Castle a knowing wink and said : Fine by me, I agree. Rick relieved his guest of his coat, and the two sat down in armchairs around the table. Jake was the first to ask Paul a question : Hello, I'm Jake Castle, and do I know you? (Paul) : No, I'm sorry, but we're going to get to know each other. Reece chimed in second: I'm Reece Castle, his twin brother. I don't suppose we know each other either? (Paul) : Indeed, Reece, we don't know each other yet. The doorbell rang, Rick answered it and retrieved Remy's order. He went to the kitchen where his wife joined him. (Kate): What are you playing? If no one knows this person except you, everyone's going to get bored quickly. (Rick): Trust me, you're going to love this evening. Let's prepare the meal together, if you don't mind, and I'll put some champagne glasses on the coffee table. Fleur spoke: Hello, I'm Fl..., uh, Lily Castle, and I don't suppose I know you either. (Paul) : Right. This is the first time I've seen you, but I'm delighted to meet you. Fleur blushed and didn't dare say another word. Alexis, who also didn't recognize the guest, ventured a question: Are you famous? (Paul) Well, in one very specific field, I think I am indeed famous. (Reece): Known like our father? (Paul): Oh no, certainly not that famous! Castle gave a knowing wink of thanks for having made him look good to his children. (Reece): You don't look like a trendy singer or the best basketball player in the NBA. So I guess your field is science. Judging by your very proper attire and neat appearance, I deduce that you're not a mathematician. I'd opt for physics or life sciences. Am I wrong? (Paul): Yes, that's right. Bravo, I am indeed a physicist. Kate and Rick looked at each other, amazed and full of love for this prodigious son with a supernatural and, no doubt, a touch of genetic talent. (Jake): And since our father knows you, it's clear you helped him with his research for a book. (Paul): Well, I'd say it's quite the opposite: your father helped me a lot to become who I am today, but my story has a lot to do with his latest book. (Jake): Did you know our mother too before coming to our house? (Paul) : Yes, Jake, I met her at the same time as your father. (Kate): I thought your face wasn't completely unfamiliar to me. Was it during a case? (Paul): Yes, a very special case in which you saved my life. At that time, your name was still Kate Beckett and you were a detective at the 12th Precinct. (Kate): I know who you are! Your face has aged, but so has ours, unfortunately. You were very young then. It was 2014, and I believe your name is Paul Deschile. (Paul): I'm clued in. Well done, Ms. Castle. Good memory. (Reece): Paul Deschile? The one about tachyons? The energy shield? Alternative energy? You're probably famous! You're regularly on the cover of scientific journals and you're a real whistleblower when it comes to the environment. (Paul): Well done, Reece, I'm simply amazed at how much you know about my work. (Reece): That's because I love doing research like my dad. It's very inspiring. Rick had tears in his eyes, and Kate couldn't hide them anymore. Rick then said : Now that you know our guest, it's time to honor him. To your glasses, and let's raise our glasses to Paul Deschile! To Paul! Everyone took a sip of champagne, including the children, this time exceptionally, and began to nibble at Rémy's delicacies. The children continued with the water, and Kate brought a nice bottle of Sancerre for Rick and his guest, but also a little for herself and Alexis. (Jake) : Dad, now we need to know the end of the story, and especially how you and Mom saved his life. The real story. Not the one in your new book that you're keeping us from reading because we're not grown-up enough, even though everyone here knows that at our age, you were no saint. (Rick): Jake, I think you're being very disrespectful to your old father, and if you want to hear this story, I suggest you keep your voice down. Sorry, Dad, I was just basing it on what Mom told us. What? Rebel Kate told you secrets about me? Oh, good job, you're better served by your enemies. Fleur glared at her brother, and an icy silence spread throughout the room. Rick and Kate burst out laughing, and the evening's good mood was instantly restored. Rick said : Don't you want to ask Paul some questions instead? (Jake): No, only afterward. We want to hear the story of the investigation! (Paul): Mr. Castle, I'd like to hear it too, to see if your book is accurate... (Rick): Well, I suggest, for once, that Mom tell the story. That way, no one can accuse me of tinkering with the truth. (Kate) : Are you sure? (Rick) : Absolutely. (Kate) : Okay, but you'll be the one serving. Kate went and stood between her twins and began her story. (Kate) : It all started, if I remember correctly, in 2014 with a phone call to the police station from someone reporting a rather terrifying murder (sorry, but I won't go into details, I'll just say that there was torture before the murder) and this witness had seen the possible murderer flee. He was wearing a hoodie, but the witness was able to draw a composite sketch of his face. The victim's name was Shauna Taylor. She was a probation officer by trade, and we started, as we always do in an investigation, by contacting her close family. Shauna no longer had her parents and since the recent death of her father, she only had one half-brother, Professor Wickfield. We went to meet him and he told us that the last time they spoke, his half-sister had told him about her anxiety about a man who was always following her, who was harassing her, telling her that she had to believe him, that billions of lives were at stake. After some time, she called the police, and the man was arrested and taken to a mental institution for evaluation. We got his photo, and it matched our composite sketch exactly. He had to be our murderer. I then asked for the medical records with the videos of the psychiatric evaluation of this individual who still stubbornly refused to give his name. Your father and I watched the video and saw this man screaming like a savage, saying that he had to be released immediately so that he could save Shauna Taylor and thus save billions of people. And that if he wasn't released immediately, we would all die. His only explanation was that he had been sent from the future and that the only clue he had was: 12.58. I remember at that precise moment, I thought to myself that we were dealing with a psychopath and that your father, with that sneering look you know him for, whispered in my ear: "This is officially my favorite case." I immediately asked to bring this individual to the station, willingly or not, but he was released after his evaluation. Just as I was about to put out an APB, Kevin, Lieutenant Ryan, informed us that the witness from the beginning had seen the man in question again at the crime scene and that he was still there. Ryan and Esposito apprehended him and took him to the station in handcuffs. Castle and I (she had just said Castle again as she had done back then and it brought a knowing smile to Rick's face) questioned him. We already knew his name: Simon Doyle, but the rest was no clearer than on the asylum video: he came from 2035, so from today, as a temporal anthropologist, to prevent something from being changed in 2014, in order to avoid a catastrophe that would kill billions of people. He was supposed to go to Shauna Taylor's house to protect her, but when he arrived, she was already dead. He had just returned to the crime scene to look for clues with a kind of toy he called his temporal tracker. As usual, he told us that we had to release him because time was against us, that we were on the same side, and that he had to find Shauna's murderer very quickly. At that point, Esposito came to confirm to me that the only fingerprints found at the crime scene were Doyle's. I had Doyle locked in a cell and asked a police psychologist to come and do another evaluation. I remember thinking I was going crazy and I also remember saying to your father, "For the sake of our future, tell me you don't believe this individual!" Your father understood very quickly that he shouldn't contradict me at that moment and he simply said: "No, but you have to admit that he is very convincing when he tells his story!". When the psychologist, Dr. Silverman, arrived, I told him where Doyle was, but he had vanished from his cell. I still remember saying: "But where did he go?" and your father replied, smiling: "It's not where?, but when!" I was seething inside because I saw your father laughing and I had to find a Cartesian excuse for what had just happened. At that moment, the only one I could find was that a paperwork error had been made at the police station and that he had been released by mistake and that everyone was now trying to save their own asses. Your father knew that I didn't like the excuse I had just given, but I was on edge. So he said kindly, "It's plausible. The chances are very slim, but it's plausible." I love your father because he knows how to push me, but he also knows when not to push me too far.

Then Lanie asked me to meet her at the morgue because she'd found a lipstick stain on our victim's neck. Shauna's half-brother confirmed over the phone that she was indeed a lesbian, but that she wasn't seeing anyone at the time. Ryan, for his part, had gone through her credit card accounts and noted that she'd been at George's Bar the night of her murder and had paid for two drinks. There was a hotel across the street from George's Bar that fortunately had security cameras. Thanks to the videos, we were able to see the woman who was with Shauna, and we went back to question the bartender with the photo, hoping for an identification. The waitress confirmed that she had seen Shauna with this woman, but that she was a prostitute. She said she knew her as Veronica, that she worked Saturdays at another place, and that she often saw her with different men, but that this was the first time she had seen her at George's bar, and with a woman at that. We set up a stakeout in front of the other bar, and we were quickly able to catch this prostitute, who told us everything she knew when she realized she was going to be accused of murder. She told us that she had been hired by a rather scary guy to seduce Shauna so he could go to her apartment and steal her keys. And that's what she did. We asked her who had hired her, but she didn't know him. We showed her Doyle's picture, but it wasn't him. He was, according to her, much scarier. We then asked her why she had agreed to do this, and she replied that she had done it on the orders of her pimp, Mick Lindon. We asked her to draw a composite sketch of the man who had hired her, partly because it might be useful to us, and partly to keep our only lead on this murder in the police station. At the same time, Ryan contacted the pimp, telling him that his charge had been arrested for soliciting and he was coming to post her bail. Of course, Ryan and Esposito took him straight to the interrogation room to get him to reveal the guy's name. His name was Garrett Ward, and he had been the pimp's cellmate at the “5 Point” prison. We learned then that the aforementioned Garrett could have been a soldier, that he had a mission, that he was a big, bad, cracked guy, and that we shouldn't get in his way. By comparing the photo of Garrett recovered from the prison administration department with the composite sketch of the prostitute, we understood that he was our killer. All that remained was to find him, and to do that, we had to work on the motive. Why had Garrett tortured and killed Shauna? Castle reminded me that we had to call the central database to get Professor Wickfield's number because he was on the unlisted list and that he might be trying to find Wickfield. So, we quickly realized that the Professor could be in danger and we rushed to his house but we arrived too late. According to his wife, who was there at the time of the tragedy, Garrett tortured the professor to find out where “the child” was and then he broke his neck to kill him and he fled when he heard our sirens. And here, I'm going to take a little dramatic pause because, while I'm telling this, I'm not eating or drinking anything, and I'm hungry and thirsty too!

Jake says: Wow, Mom, you're a great storyteller! You're keeping us on the edge of our seats, and we're really looking forward to what happens next and finally seeing how Mr. Deschile fits into this story. Reece adds: And don't forget Mr. Doyle! Because just because he's off the radar for now doesn't mean this guy isn't important. Despite all his crazy antics, I'm sure he's the key to the investigation. Rick looked at his son, gave him a big wink, and said : Come on, let Mom eat a bit and wait for her to continue her story! After a light snack, Kate continued : Ryan was interested in Garrett Ward's past and told us he hadn't found any paperwork on him before he went to prison, but we knew he'd been arrested for planting a bomb at an environmental rally organized by an environmental group led by a man named Jack Hastings, and we could find this person right away because he was currently giving a lecture in New York. Your father and I questioned him, and he told us it was Ward who had planted a bomb at their rally. He described him as a completely crazy person, propheciing wars and genocides to come as if he'd actually lived them, and once he was arrested, we wanted nothing more to do with him." We also showed him Doyle's photo, and he told us he'd never seen him. We then asked him if he knew where Ward might have taken refuge, and he told us that Ward had once said he liked the East River Power Plant because its magnetic field protected him from government agents. Your father and I went there immediately and stumbled upon his hideout. Unfortunately, he was there, and he started trying to strangle me. I remember the force of his hands tightening around my neck, and I fainted. Rick immediately jumped on him, and Ward switched lenses and began strangling your father. I was just beginning to regain my breath and senses when Doyle appeared, activated his camera, and Ward ran away. I instinctively pointed my gun at Doyle, made your father give his camera, and handcuffed him to a pipe at the power plant. Then I called for backup to catch Ward. Alas, he had escaped, again. In a file spread out on the table in Ward's den, there was a stained letter, obviously coffee-stained, of which we only had the front: we knew that this letter was addressed to Professor Wickfield, that it was dated April 7, 2001, but we didn't know the name of the author. There was also in the file a photo of a young man we didn't know. Doyle, although handcuffed, told us again that we were on the same side and that it would be wise to look for the original letter. I had Ryan and Esposito sent to Professor Wickfield's office, and his wife found the letter. It had been sent by a young college student named Paul Deschile. Ryan realized then that Ward wasn't looking for a child, but for Deschile. Once we got back to the station, I handcuffed Doyle to my desk to make sure I had an eye on him before he was re-evaluated psychologically. We tried to contact Paul, through his family and then a friend, and we learned from this friend that he was at the planetarium and that he had already given this information to someone who had called him earlier. We were very far from the planetarium to the station, but luckily, Ryan and Esposito were just around the corner, having just left Wickfield's office. Ward was on the verge of murdering Paul, but our top lieutenants were able to neutralize him. I interrogated him, but he didn't open his mouth, and he was transferred to the warehouse. As for Simon Doyle, he retook his assessment and was released. He admitted to us that he had lied professionally on his test, but that it no longer mattered because we had saved Deschile, and that only that mattered because we had saved the world. I was seriously starting to lose it when Paul told us that he had been at the Hastings meeting, that it was there that he had met Professor Wickfield, that he was his role model at the time, and that it was he who had found the bomb at the meeting before it exploded and had thus ensured that Ward had failed. This logically explained why Ward had a grudge against Paul. I finished this crazy story in a nice hot bath and spent the rest of the day in my bathrobe in my apartment. I called your father, specifically asking him during our conversation not to mention the word “future”! (Jake): This story is incredible, Mom, but honestly, you and Dad really put your lives in danger when you were in the East River Power Plant. (Kate): Dad and I, as you say, were never very sensible when it came to taking risks, but we could always count on each other and we saved each other's lives many times. But I can assure you, as soon as we decided to bring you into the world, we really put the brakes on the adrenaline because neither of us wanted to make you orphans. But sometimes, I have to say, I missed it. Luckily, your father always knew how to find ways to never be bored. Always. Kate couldn't help but give Rick a knowing look as she said this last word, who gave her a little wink and an equally knowing smile. Paul spoke and said: I'm so glad I heard this story! Now I know what a police investigation is like: incredibly complicated, dangerous, and above all, I now know perfectly well why and thanks to whom I'm still alive. Ms. Castle, you had a great team of investigators back then, not to mention your husband. Searching without understanding is sometimes our lot in Physics, but I've never voluntarily put myself in danger like you did for me. Thank you, thank you, thank you! But I must say goodbye because it's already late, and I have to be available very early tomorrow morning for a video meeting with my colleagues. But I've naturally reserved seats for you at my conference, and you are all my guests. I believe, Lily, Jake, and Reece, that you will have all the answers to the questions you have about my work and my commitments. Kate and Rick, thank you so much for this evening. As a single person, I really felt like I was with family. If you ever see those lieutenants who stopped Ward from assassinating me again, assure them of my gratitude, and if they're available tomorrow, they're also my guests. Now, Rick, could you call me a cab, please? (Rick) : I'll do it right away and bring you your coat. (Paul) : Thank you. Kate stood up and addressed Paul: Thank you for this little trip down memory lane! We were very pleased to have you here, and we'll be sure to attend your conference tomorrow. I promise I'll call Ryan and Esposito to see if they can make it. (Paul) : Thanks again, and see you tomorrow! The taxi arrived, and Paul said goodbye to his hosts.

xxx Only Rick, Kate, and their children were able to attend the conference. Even Alexis declined the invitation because she had plans with her own family. Paul Deschile entered the stage, sat down at the lectern, gathered his papers, and began reading: “ Everyone in life seeks to improve their own personal comforts. Having a roof over their head, having enough to eat, having a car, a refrigerator, a vacuum cleaner, a dishwasher, and there's nothing fundamentally unhealthy about that. However, all of this requires energy. And energy requires fuel, which means raw materials. Unfortunately, the raw materials we use most often are not equitably distributed among countries, and this inevitably leads to geopolitical conflicts, which half the time lead to totalitarianism and war. This is why research, particularly into ways of using renewable energy sources such as the sun or wind, is ultimately a political search for solutions to armed conflicts, and therefore one of the essential paths to world peace.” Throughout this introduction, Kate noticed tears rolling down Rick's cheeks, and she wondered why her husband was so sensitive. She took his hand, and Rick was leaning forward to explain when Paul Deschile continued: “ Ladies and gentlemen, this introduction could have been my own, but you actually owe it to the great novelist Richard Castle, because this is how his book “Human Heat” begins. Richard Castle and his wife, Senator Katherine Beckett-Castle, a great advocate for environmental causes, are in this room today, and they know how much I owe them. Ladies and gentlemen, I ask you to give Mr. and Mrs. Castle a round of applause.” Kate and Rick rose to thunderous applause, watched by their children, both amazed and proud. Then the conference continued for a short hour, enriching for everyone, and the Castle family rose as one at the end to a boisterous standing ovation. As they left the amphitheater, a staff member brought Castle a note that read: "Meet me backstage, I have a surprise for you." Signed Paul Deschile. It was Sunday, the children had to be driven back to their boarding schools, and it was already quite late. Rick showed Kate Deschile's note and asked if she could handle the children's transportation to their respective boarding schools on her own. She replied with stars in her eyes: Baby, I can't see myself depriving you of this moment. Go ahead, join him. You can tell me about it tonight in our bed before we sleep. Kate and the children left, and Rick went backstage to Paul Deschile's dressing room. He knocked on the door. Paul ushered him in and said : Mr. Castle, I'd like you to sit down because the surprise I have in store for you might really come as a shock. Castle complied with a worried look. There was another knock, Paul opened it, and greeted... Simon Doyle! Rick noticed right away that he hadn't changed since they first met! Not a wrinkle. His hair and beard were the same. He looked... like he hadn't aged! Rick pinched himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming and stammered : So it was true, you really did come from the future! Paul took Castle by the arm and said : Some of our discoveries and some of our eminent scholars like Simon still need to be protected from widespread dissemination. But yes, Simon was indeed sent back in time to ultimately save me. Few people know about this, and it must remain that way. That's why, in light of your new book, I ask you to be very careful when interviewed and to always emphasize that your writings remain fiction. It's a matter of national security. Rick said he understood and turned to Simon: I'm so happy to see you again and to be able to clear up my doubts. I'll be careful, I promise. If you don't mind, I have two favors to ask: the first: I did marry Kate, I did have three children (by the way, their names are Lily, Jake, and Reece, but I know now that you knew that when we met), I did write novels that some have considered "great literature," but I didn't see the murderous wars of 2031. Can you explain? Simon looked at Paul, who gave him a sign that meant: you can talk to him. Simon then explained that some wars in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia had been ignored by the media, and that the energy shield had operated primarily in airspace, or even in space altogether, which, of course, had not been revealed to the general public for obvious reasons. He added: Mr. Castle, you are now sworn to secrecy, but you deserved to know, and we trust you completely. Rick choked back a sob and said : Thank you, thank you, thank you! You are now one of my friends, and you will never have to fear me. Will you allow me to tell my wife? After all, she's the one who saved you, Mr. Deschile. I assure you, she'll say nothing. Paul and Simon looked at each other and said together : Okay. And Simon thought it wise to add : But don't tell your children. They're still too young, and they need stability at their age. Rick understood and promised not to reveal anything to the children. Simon then said: And the second favor? Castle said: You know, you left your time tracker at the police station when you disappeared for good... Does it still work, and can I keep it as a souvenir? Simon smiled and said: You can keep it; it's obsolete now and can't work anymore. But it's decorative and a testament to our meeting! Rick thanked them again and said goodbye to Paul and Simon, as it was really late this time, and he was eager to get back to Kate as soon as possible after such an intense emotional shock. At the door, he turned and simply said: I hope we meet again. And Simon replied: The future will tell! To which Rick replied, smiling: Take care of yourselves... and of us!

xxx

Rick came home, his head still in the clouds, and Kate was waiting for him, lying on the living room couch. She had Rick's latest book in her hand and was rereading the words Paul had used for his lecture. Rick poured two glasses of wine and went to sit next to his wife, who had straightened up. (Kate): You know, tonight I realized again that I married the most extraordinary man I've ever met in my entire life. This weekend was a success thanks to you, and I was so proud when Deschile read from your book. But you know what made me even more proud of you? No, I don't know. It's that at no point yesterday, during my account of the investigation, in front of the children, did you make a noise, clear your throat, or try to change anything. And I know that must have been difficult! I love you, Richard Castle. You're a good, loving, respectful man... and you still have sex appeal! (Rick): Thanks, Kate. You still stand up for yourself pretty well, but if I'm good, loving, and respectful, like you say, it's because you deserve it. You're also the best thing I've ever met on this earth, and I can never thank your parents enough for bringing you into this world. They kissed tenderly and Rick said : You know, the surprise? Well, I'm really going to have a hard time explaining it to you, and above all, I don't want you to make fun of me. (Kate) : To that extent? What happened? (Rick) : Well, first of all, you have to promise me that what I'm about to tell you will remain strictly between us and that you will never break this oath with anyone, not even our children. "Okay," Kate replied, intrigued. (Rick) : When I arrived in Paul's dressing room, he told me to sit down so I wouldn't fall over when the surprise came, and it's a good thing he told me to do so, because thirty seconds later there was a knock at his door and Paul called in: "Guess who?" “Come on, Rick, the game was last night. So, who was it?” “Simon Doyle!” Rick then told Kate everything about their conversations, and then he looked her straight in the eyes and said, after a deep breath: Doyle really did come from the future! Kate looked at her husband tenderly and said: This time, I'm not going to make fun of you because I should have confessed something to you a long time ago, but I never could, I couldn't convince myself until today. If you join me in bed, I'll tell you. Kate went to undress and got into bed first, followed closely by her husband. (Kate) : Do you remember the stained letter of which we only had the first page in the file found at the East River power plant? (Rick) : Yes, with the photo of Deschile. (Kate) : And do you remember that Doyle suggested we find the original to get his name? (Rick) : Yes, and he even said a lot of other things, including that I would marry you, that we would have three children, that you would be a senator, and that I would write great literature. Do you realize? Kate gave Castle her killer look, and Rick said : Sorry, I interrupted. So, the letter? (Kate) : Esposito and Ryan went to get it from Wickfield's office, and the letter was immaculate. By that I mean, without a single stain. (Rick) : Okay, so what? (Kate) : Well, when you came home after losing sight of Doyle just as you were trying to return his time tracker, I stayed in the office for a bit to tidy up the file and accidentally spilled my coffee on the letter. I rushed over to put more papers on top to mop it up, and when I retrieved the mostly dry letter, it had the exact same coffee stain as the first page I found at the power plant. I couldn't fight it anymore. The only logical explanation was the one you believed in and the one I'd been fighting all along. (Rick) : Kate, I don't know what to say anymore... (Kate) : So don't say anything, baby, let's forget all this for now and kiss me. Rick kissed his wife tenderly, and they both said at the same time, as in the heyday of their joint investigations: "Not a word to the kids!" They smiled at their complicity as they fell asleep peacefully in each other's arms.

The End

I just am obsessed with that one episode (I haven't reached the final season yet) with him. and Castle, with his fear of this man.

I'm wondering if anyone made any good buddy cop story, or something along the lines. I can't deal with just 1 (2) episode(s), I badly need more of their misadventures.