619. Chapter 619

After Suicide Squeeze

Episode 2.15

By

UCSbdad

Disclaimer: Who's on first, but neither he nor I own Castle. Rating: K Time: See above.

Detective Kate Beckett was determined to change Captain Montgomery's mind. "Sir, they can't do this to us."

Roy shook his head and smiled. "One PP does this sort of thing to us all the time, Beckett. It's just that you people in the trenches never notice it because your captain keeps it all away from you, noble sort that he is."

Kate smiled. "And we appreciate it so much, sir, but couldn't you just…"

"No." Roy said firmly. "Deputy Chief Callan did this personally. No way am I going head to head with him over this."

"Sir, it isn't fair."

"No one said life is fair, Beckett. As a cop, you should know that better than anyone."

"But Castle isn't even a real cop."

"Then perhaps you shouldn't have gone around introducing him as your partner. And as far as Callan and the rest of One PP are concerned, Castle is a cop. His name is on the list and it stays on the list." Kate opened her mouth, but Montgomery beat her to it. "And his name stays right where it is on the list as well. Anything else?"

Kate glared at Montgomery, but that did not good. "No, sir." She mumbled and left his office.

"Well?" Esposito asked as she came out.

"No joy. Montgomery says Castle is on the list and right where he is now. He bats cleanup and plays first base on the team."

All of the police who had gathered around Espo's desk groaned in unison.

Castle frowned. "What's the big deal? Isn't this a charity game? Isn't his about helping people and not about winning?"

Espo glared at him, doing an almost Beckett-like job. "This is us and the One Eight against the clowns in the Five Four and the Six Two. They've beaten us four straight years and they're insufferable about it."

Beckett explained it to Castle. "Last year things got out of hand. A sergeant from the One Eight got hit by a pitch and then someone from the Twelfth spiked the other side's first baseman. One thing led to another and there was a real, live bench clearing brawl. It was very embarrassing for the NYPD. The chief wanted to cancel the games all together, but the charities we play for made a stink. So, this year Deputy Chief Callan personally selected the players by pulling names out of a hat and assigning them a place in the batting order and on the field. There are nine starting players, two relief pitchers and three utility men. "

"That sounds fair." Castle said, still a bit mystified.

"Sure." Ryan grumped. "Who do they have? Dorsey who played college ball. Hintz who played two years in the minor leagues. Pautzik who played while he was in the Marines. And Sweet Lou…."

"Sergeant Lou Billings, if you don't mind detective." Said an unfamiliar female voice.

Castle turned to look. Lou Billings was sweet indeed, at least in looks. Tall, toned but not heavily muscled, long legs, small waist, big boobs and a gorgeous face surrounded by long, golden hair.

"I see you're assembling your usual set of losers, Beckett. "Billings said.

Kate gritted her teeth. "We have some good players."

Billings laughed, which made her boobs bounce nicely. "You're the starting pitcher? And Karpowski's catching? Some battery. Pretty boy at first base? Well, he looks the part. Play much ball, Castle?"

"Some." Castle said with a confidence he didn't feel.

Billings went through the rest of the roster, which Castle had to admit didn't sound all that impressive. Only Ryan at third base, Esposito who was a relief pitcher and LT as a utility infielder looked to be any good.

Billings wished them an insincere sounding "good luck" and left. Beckett walked rapidly back to the break room and began making coffee. Castle followed her.

"Beckett? You okay?"

"Yes." She snapped at him.

He nodded. "You're acting normally with me, anyway."

Kate tensed up and then slowly relaxed. "My fault. I shouldn't take this out on you."

"Take what out?"

"Billings and I have a history."

Castle's mind was filled with various salacious images which he quickly got rid of. "A history?"

Kate nodded slowly, wishing she hadn't mentioned it. "We were in the same class in the academy, and for some reason she hated me from the first day. Every time I made a mistake, she made sure everyone knew it. Even if I wasn't the one who screwed up, she made sure it sounded like I had. We were also assigned to the same precinct as rookies." Kate looked around. "Don't ever tell anyone this, Castle, but I'm sure she started the rumor I was sleeping with my training officer. And…."Kate stopped for a moment. "I'm also sure that she's slept with people to get where she is."

"She's still a uniform sergeant and you're the youngest detective in the NYPD's history. I'd say you've done well."

Kate nodded. "It's just that she's super competitive…."

"Unlike a certain pitching detective I know who's super-duper extra competitive?" He teased.

Beckett smiled and then nodded at Castle. "And I want to beat her so badly."

That afternoon the team went to a local baseball field for practice. Espo began by hitting some ground balls to Castle at first base. Castle missed the first one, the second one, the third one until they stopped counting after fifteen in a row. Eventually, Castle snagged a ball and stood there smiling while the rest of the team screamed at him to touch first base. Finally he did. "Sorry." He called. "I was just caught up in the moment."

Castle was no better throwing the ball to the second baseman for a double play. The second baseman only caught one of Castle's errant throws and that pulled him so far off the bag, he never would have gotten the out.

"What's Bill Buckner doing these days?" Espo grumped as they walked in for batting practice.

Beckett glared at him. "Castle's feeling bad enough already. He's trying."

"He's useless." Ryan said softly.

The first three batters took their swings and then it was time for Castle, their cleanup hitter. He missed the first three balls pitched to him. Missed badly, in fact.

Beckett walked in from the mound. "Castle, it would help if you kept your eyes open while you bat."

He did, but still missed everything that was thrown to him.

The next day, Castle sat down at Beckett's desk and handed her a cup of coffee and a bear claw. "I'm not doing so well, am I?"

She sighed. "There's no point in sugar coating it for you, Castle. You're terrible."

"Could you sugar coat it just a little then?"

"Castle, it's just a game and it's for charity. Don't worry about it."

"That's what losers always say." Billings said from behind Beckett.

Kate turned around and opened her mouth to speak. What the hell is Billings doing? She thought. The blonde was wearing an almost not there red dress and making it obvious she had nothing on underneath it. "What…?" Beckett began.

"I'm doing a little work with Vice." She looked straight at Castle and bent over so he could look down her dress. "Like it, Castle?"

"It seems appropriate." He managed.

"Care to tag along with me? It could get….interesting."

"I'll dance with who brung me." Castle replied, in a level tone.

She shrugged, causing several men to gasp. "Okay. See you around." She wiggled on out of the bullpen.

"I'm surprised you didn't jump her." Beckett muttered.

"Oh, my tastes have improved since I started following you, Detective Beckett."

Finally, the night of the big game arrived. The stands were full of police and a smattering of celebrities and even some media presence. Everyone on Beckett's Bombers looked at Castle as they sat in the dugout, waiting for the game to start.

Castle went over to Beckett and smiled at her. "Don't worry about a thing. I've been studying up on baseball and I have a plan?"

"A cunning plan?" Beckett said, rolling her eyes.

"My name is Castle, not Blackadder. Don't worry, Beckett."

The Bombers batted first. Ryan, leading off, smacked the first pitch just past the diving third baseman and easily made it to first base. Karpowski, batting second coaxed a walk out of a ten pitch at bat, putting runners on first and second. Then Lowell, from the One Eight tried to bunt, the catcher got the ball in plenty of time to throw out Ryan who was headed for third, but had gotten a bad grip on the ball. By the time he had his grip, his only play was at first and he took the out there. That made it one out, runners on second and third with Castle now batting.

"The only thing we can hope for is that he gets hit by a pitch." Espo moaned. "Otherwise, he'll strike out for sure."

Castle strode to the plate, stopped and pointed to deep center field, then smiled at the pitcher.

"He's calling his shot. Who does he think he is, freaking Babe Ruth?" Espo raged.

"Espo!" Beckett said softly, but with menace.

The pitcher shook off signs until the catcher got to the fast ball. Then he nodded. He smiled at Castle and unloaded a fast ball right down the middle. Castle took a mighty swing….and missed. Then he cried out in pain and fell, grabbing his knee. "My knee." He yelled. "My knee."

Beckett rushed onto the field. "Are you okay?"

"It's just my knee. Damn it. I really wanted to teach those guys a lesson, too."

Castle was helped back to the bench. Beckett looked at LT. "Go in for Castle."

LT hit a double down the first base line, barely fair, scoring both runners. However, he was stranded on second as the following batters struck out.

Kate Beckett walked calmly out to the pitcher's mound and pitched a masterful game, allowing their arch rivals only one run. After the game, she drove Castle back to his loft and helped him into his place. "Are you okay?" She asked. "Will you be able to come in tomorrow? Should I take you to the ER?"

He smiled at her and walked easily to the bar. "I think I'll have a drink. Can I get you one, Beckett?"

She stared at him. "There's nothing wrong with your knee! You're….you're…"

"The son of an actor. I know how to play a part. Pretty good, don't you think? Especially the part where I was so angry that I wouldn't have a chance to park one in the bleachers."

"Castle! That's cheating!"

"Oh? Can you prove that I didn't tweak my knee just a little? Besides you got to beat the woman who told lies about you. Turn about is fair play. I think I'll start a rumor she's sleeping with the whole team."

"You will not!" Beckett said. "I won't act like she did and I won't let you either."

He shrugged. "So how does the win feel, Skipper?"

She smiled. "Pretty good. Thank you."

"My pleasure."