Moving On

Chapter 25

Epilogue

Haiku Gardens

1. Romantic Chapel or Garden Ceremony Site

2. Officiant

3. Duo Ceremony Musicians

4. Premium Style Hand Tied Bridal Bouquet + Maid of Honor Bouquet

5. Groom's Boutonniere or Maile Lei + Best Man's Boutonniere or Kukui Mock Orange Lei

6. Aisle Chair Flowers + 2 Large Floral Arrangements + Mixed Rose Petals

7. 4 Leis to Honor the Parents

8. 30 Ceremony Chair Sashes + Sweetheart Table Linen

9. Bridal Hair and Make-up + In Studio Trial Session + Hair and Make-up for 2 Others

10. 6 hours of Duo Professional Photographers

11. Pre / Post Wedding 1 Hour Photo Shoot

12. Ceremony Videography

13. Round Trip Limousine Transportation

14. Professional DJ & Emcee Services

15. Wedding Planner + Day of Event Coordination

16. Bridal Room + Electric Garden Shuttle

17. Wedding Rehearsal in the Gardens

"Does it say what it's costing them?" Jenny was more than curious. All Olga and Kate were asking for was $2,000 to add them to their wedding ceremony and location. Interisland flights were actually rather inexpensive so getting from Maui to Honolulu wasn't all that much.

"No, but this can't be that cheap." Ryan opened the brochure that Kate had sent along with this as well as when so he could get a couple of days off to get married.

Jenny took the brochure from him and looked it over. She had to admit that it was nice. It was going to be outside but it was in a covered patio area that looked amazing. Just in case there was a sudden shower which they had learned Hawaii and even Maui was prone to have. When it rained here it rained. Though it didn't always rain that long.

"This has to cost thousands." It was the one part Jenny was having the most trouble with.

"It's only two grand for us and we get this." He tapped the brochure. "So what do I tell Kate? We say no and she's going to be hurt," Kevin pointed out.

"I know, Kev. It's just…" It did look lovely and they were getting a lot for their two grand.

"We fly in, get ready, get married, have food, and fly back really late in the day. We might even be asleep by then," Kevin said. That way they didn't have to get a hotel room in Honolulu somewhere that they couldn't afford. They had spent enough already.

"Tell her yes and thank her for me." Kate and Olga were doing them a big favor and they were going to owe them for this.

[)(] o [)(] o [)(] o [)(] o [)(]

"When are your parents arriving again?" Kate asked yet again.

"Same as the rest of us. Just after lunch. I got them rooms in The Royal Hawaiian. Hopefully they'll like it. They're here five days. With any luck I can talk them into going to one or two of the other islands for a day trip," Olga told her as they looked it all over while sitting in the dining room with everything spread out on the table.

"I have three days off so I can go with you," Kate reminded her. "And show them an apartment where they could move to." Kate's smile was wide.

"My evil thought exactly. Now we just need a place they can't resist at a price they can't resist. Though just which island do we place all our cards on?" Olga really didn't know.

"Honolulu's out. Too expensive. So that leaves one of the other three islands. Not sure we can talk them into getting a place next to an active volcano." Kate was thinking that left off the Big Island.

"So Kauai or Maui? Condo, townhouse, or single family home with a yard? Ocean view, or mountain view, or right on the beach?" Olga still didn't know.

"You use your laptop and take Kauai and I'll use mine and take Maui. Then we pick our best and compare," Kate suggested.

"Good plan." Olga opened her laptop and initiated a search as Kate did the same.

[)(] o [)(] o [)(] o [)(] o [)(]

Thanks to their little car Kate had driven Olga to an Alamo Rent a Car so they could rent something bigger for all four of them while Olga's parents were here. They had parked it and were going inside their hotel to find them. Olga spotted them easily as they sat in pink chairs surrounded by pink almost everything.

"Mom, Dad!" She hadn't seen them in what felt like forever and was very happy to see them.

Kate watched as Olga kissed both cheeks of both of them. "Mom, Dad, this is Kate."

"Maxim and Lena Shishkov." Olga was used to calling them Mom and Dad.

Lena looked Kate over and realized she was similar to her own daughter. Save that Kate had much longer hair that for the moment was very curly. She was incredibly lovely.

"A true pleasure." This woman had her daughter's heart and certainly knew everything by now if not long before now. She took Kate in her arms and kissed both of her cheeks. Really kissed them and not just one of those fake kisses. "Olga beams when she talks about you."

Maxim was next though his kisses were fake kisses.

"How is your room?" Olga had selected it based on their preferences.

"It's lovely." Lena loved it.

"It's pink." Maxim not so much.

"We have plans for today. We'd like to show you some of Hawaii before the wedding which is in four days," Olga said.

"We would be happy to see what you call home and you must show us this boat you are getting," Lena enthused.

"Oops, we left pictures at home. But you can see that later, too," Kate offered. "I hope you brought all light clothing and swim suits. It never really gets hot here but it also never gets cold. Oh, and sunscreen, lots and lots of sunscreen."

"We were warned," Maxim assured her. He was in shorts and a partially open shirt for today. Lena was in what could be called a sundress.

They walked to the car. "Has it snowed yet?" Olga hadn't looked it up.

"Yes, just as we were taking off. Right into a snow storm. We missed it." Lena liked the first snow fall of the season.

Her parents saw that it was a white four door hard top Jeep Wrangler. They knew her car was this tiny two seater so both of them knew that this was a rental.

[)(] o [)(] o [)(] o [)(] o [)(]

They were driven next to Waikiki Beach on the way to Diamond Head. Then they spent several hours at the Pear Harbor Memorial. On the way back to their hotel they stopped for a moment at Kate's work to show them the Police Department.

"Homicide detective," Maxim commented. "Sounds dangerous, have you been shot?" He ignored the look his wife gave him for that question.

"Once, it was nothing serious and neither was the time I was stabbed. Not everyone wants to go to prison for killing someone. However, I feel a sense of fulfillment telling loved ones that the person that killed him or her has been caught. It's the best I can do to help them," Kate explained.

They dropped them off at the hotel to shower if they wanted and change clothes for going out to dinner. That allowed Olga and Kate to go home and do the same.

Kate had the day off but Lanie didn't so it was just them.

[)(] o [)(] o [)(] o [)(] o [)(]

Today was going to be a trip to Maui just for Olga's parents. They had arranged for Ryan to meet her parents at the airport then drive them to the pick-up point. They were going on a 9-hour tour that was going to be Drive the Hana Highway.

Kate had given them a picture of Ryan using her phone to text it to their phone. They had the ticket for the tour, a warning to wear mostly just their swimsuits, to take a towel, and to wear sunscreen. Ryan would pick them up and take them back to the airport where they would collect them and take them back to the hotel.

[)(] o [)(] o [)(] o [)(] o [)(]

"Your friend Kevin Ryan, is also a homicide detective." Maxim was a little surprised at this.

"Yes, we worked together at the 12th precinct in New York City. He and his fiancée chose to follow me here. I found him a job to apply for but he got the job under his own merit," Kate informed them as they drove from the airport to their hotel.

"They will be the other couple at your wedding." Lena had been happy to meet them before the wedding.

"Yes, some of their friends and family will also be attending." Kate was happy for them both.

"We're going to the big island tomorrow. Even Kate and I haven't been to that island yet," Olga said, looking forward to the trip.

"The one with the active volcano," Maxim noted.

"That's the one though the volcano is at the very far end and we won't be anywhere near it unless you want to attend a tour to see it." Olga hadn't dared presume.

"Yes, very much." Maxim had a wide smile and was obviously looking forward to it.

"Max!" Lena wasn't interested in being burnt to ashes by an active volcano.

"It's an active volcano. It's a tour so it has to be safe or they wouldn't have them. When are you going to get a chance to see an active volcano?" Max was going and his wife could stay behind somewhere.

"After I'm dead, of course," Lena countered. "But I'll go," she sighed. She was sure she wasn't going to enjoy it but she would do it for her husband.

[)(] o [)(] o [)(] o [)(] o [)(]

"Your dad is far more brave than your mom," Kate commented.

"Yeah, Dad's quite willing to do things than Mom has ever been. Dad would likely have lost an arm or something by now if it wasn't for Mom. She manages to talk him out of a lot of things," Olga admitted.

"That explains him asking if I had ever been shot." Kate figured that out easily enough.

[)(] o [)(] o [)(] o [)(] o [)(]

The flight to the Big Island took longer than the flight to Maui though they had lots of flights every day to choose from.

Despite herself Lena had had a good time during their three hour tour of an active volcano where they actually got to see and even feel the heat of the flowing lava.

"Where are we going now?" Lena was hoping into town to find a restaurant since she was starving.

"We're going to look at something," Kate said as Olga drove using the GPS that told her where to go.

[)(] o [)(] o [)(] o [)(] o [)(]

"What is this?" Lena was getting seriously suspicious and didn't like it.

"It's for sale, Mom." She saw the look her mother was giving her. "Just look at it, please. And yes, you can afford it." Even if she had to help a little.

"Fine." She would humor her daughter and her fiancée.

It was solid white and three stories high with a two car garage under it.

"It comes furnished, Mom, so everything you see will stay," Olga mentioned as they met the real estate agent that was there to let them in.

"Three bedroom, three full baths, two car garage, 2,544 square feet on 2.42 acres. There's also a 3,000 kw solar panel for power. This house like the others is not on any city power or sewage. There are several mango, banana, and starfruit trees on the property and more than enough room for a garden," she told them all.

The furniture was okay, Lena did like all the glass and the view all that glass gave them. The house was big and she didn't mind all the white outside. There was a whole lot of grass for her husband to cut.

"This kitchen is disgusting!" Lena announced and Olga let her head drop to her chest. This house was dead. Her mother had just killed it.

[)(] o [)(] o [)(] o [)(] o [)(]

They thanked the real estate agent for coming out to let them see it.

"Olga, seriously?" Lena was not happy with her. "First, it was not French anything inside or out. Your father and I may have been born in Russia but we're French just like you are. Second, where is the snow?" Lena didn't want to be angry at her daughter. "I know you and Kate mean well and you two like Hawaii, but this is not France or Montreal. Your father and I are not moving. I like Hawaii so far, but for a visit, not to live here." She knew her daughter was different and she was happy for her, but she wasn't moving here.

[)(] o [)(] o [)(] o [)(] o [)(]

Olga's parents were back in their hotel and Kate and Olga were home as was Lanie. "Well that was a bust. Your parents really are stubborn," Kate commented.

Lanie had listened to everything that had happened so far. "You can't make them like some place. Maybe if you find them a French boat to live on they might move. I'm just not sure how you're going to get it to snow, though."

"I knew they both liked Montreal a lot, but I just don't see its allure. It gets really cold there. I'm talking really cold and it doesn't just last a month or so. It isn't just snow, either, there's ice." Olga sighed. New York was almost as cold but it had benefits that Montreal didn't. Hawaii, now that she was retired, was so much better.

"Face it, babe, it's France or Montreal or nothing. Unless it looks French and snows," Kate said and watched as she nodded.

[)(] o [)(] o [)(] o [)(] o [)(]

Today was Kate's last day off and so long as Lanie didn't get a case that needed her so was she. It was a good thing too since this was wedding day.

Everyone that could was now here. Most everyone had flown in today and would be gone again tomorrow.

Kate, Olga, Jenny, and Ryan each had their own area to get ready in. Each had someone to help them. Hair, makeup, and even getting dressed. In the end they looked the best they were ever going to look.

Ryan was standing there alone next to Espo who had flown out for the day to be his best man.

"You're getting married, bro." Espo was glad to be here. He had until late tomorrow to see what he could of Honolulu. He'd even brought a swimsuit to hit a beach in. Any beach so long as it was the Waikiki Beach since this was likely his last chance at it.

Ryan and Espo looked down and it was a sight to behold.

It was an open space and while yes, it was threatening to rain, it hadn't yet. It was open on all four sides. The roof had huge exposed wood beams and what looked like bamboo roof.

The floor was made from recycled rubber. The chairs were metallic gold in color. There was a white walkway between the chairs leading to where the ceremony would take place. The chairs were filled with orange ribbons and flowers while the walkway had orange petals littering both sides.

Jenny was first in her dress. It was a white satin, v-neck, A-line dress with a lace overlay. It has a wide satin belt and cap sleeves of the same lace. The neckline was trimmed with a beautiful scalloped lace. She'd fallen in love with it the moment she saw it. She was being escorted by her father. His wife and her mother was right up front.

Next came Olga in her dress. She was perfection in her gown. It was a satin crepe sheath with cowl neckline, crystal straps, and plunging back embellished with an exquisite mirror crystal applique that curved around just to the sides of the gown which had a five foot train. She was being escorted by her father. His wife and her mother was sitting next to Jenny's mother.

Finally Kate came down the aisle in her dress. She was wearing her mother's dress. It was sleeveless, white with embroidered lace around the edges of the arms, the neckline, and just above the top of the bodice which was tulle. From just below her bosom to several inches below her waist was satin covered in the same lace. The skirt was tulle that flowed out from the bodice with a slight train. She felt like an absolute angel. She was being escorted by her father who had tears in his eyes. His wife and her mother wasn't there for her. However, Richard Castle, Martha Rodgers, and Alexis Castle were next to the other two right up front.

It might look different to have a woman in white wedding dress marrying another woman wearing a white wedding dress but no one said a thing.

It was all simple enough and each repeated the words they were told one at a time. Then rings were exchanged until finally it was announced that they were married. He had skipped saying husband and wife since it didn't fit everyone. Though there was still some kissing. Then rice got thrown as they each walked back the way they had come.

Rick was smiling and Alexis and Martha were wiping away tears like the mothers next to them. The rest clapped.

Next came food, really good Hawaiian food including pig and poi and pineapple. Followed by dancing and two different wedding cakes.

"Hi, Castle, …Alexis." She had never met the older women with red hair next to them.

"It was beautiful, Kate." Rick had loved it.

"All three of you were amazing!" Alexis could only hope she looked that beautiful when it was her turn. Though now she was thinking it didn't have to be a guy though she still thought it would be.

"It was all lovely. I still have tears," Martha gushed.

"My mother, Martha." Rick introduced her.

"A pleasure." Kate was happy to see her.

"Honeymoon plans?" Rick asked her.

"We live in Hawaii, Castle." Kate reminded him. "But no, not at this time. Maybe when our boat shows up in two months we'll plan something."

"Boat?" Alexis hadn't been told about this.

"An 80 foot powered Catamaran. We are going to be living on it. We had it built to our specifications," Kate explained.

That had Rick looking for Olga who was with her parents and what looked like other friends. He knew Kate didn't have the money so that meant Olga did. He wondered how she made that kind of money.

"How's the book coming, Castle?" She was looking forward to it.

"All done. It's being printed as we speak. It'll be out by Thanksgiving. You have no need to purchase one." Rick gave her a clue as to one of their wedding gifts.

Several of the guests had already sent in gifts and everyone had opened those though both still had unwrapped gifts to open. In fact most of the gifts were unopened so far.

[)(] o [)(] o [)(] o [)(] o [)(]

"Detective Beckett." She shook her head. "Kate." Neither of them were at work so first names could be used.

"Susan." Kate was happy she could come. "My wife, Olga, this is Susan, she's the Chief of Police." Kate introduced her to Olga who was now standing next to her. "My boss," Kate whispered to Olga softly.

"A pleasure." Olga offered her hand and shook Susan's.

"I thoroughly loved the ceremony. Pretty sure I had tears," Susan confessed.

"I didn't notice; I'm not sure I saw anyone at the ceremony." Kate laughed at herself. Her own tears tended to block out everything.

Susan gets serious and put on her serious face. "One of the staff here found something. Before I launch a full blown investigation I thought I should show it to you first." It involved one of her detectives so she took anything that might affect anyone in the department very seriously.

"They found this." She handed a small card to Kate who looked at it. The color drained from her face and she almost fainted straight away.

"It means something to you?" Susan saw Olga snatch her and was holding her up.

"We'll take care of it. Thank you," Olga told her and Susan, now curious, however she walked away.

Lanie, though, had seen Kate almost collapse and was hurrying over as fast as she could. She was concerned for her friend but she was also the only doctor in the building.

Lanie could see Kate crying and shaking. Kate was holding a card in her hands so she looked. What she saw shouldn't shock her, but why was it affecting Kate now?

"They found this on one of the seats at the wedding," Olga told her knowing that Lanie knew everything. So Lanie looked at the card that Kate had a strangle hold on.

I told you so

This card looked different. It had a heart in the middle and the words were written over it.

Kate had let her heart talk to her a whole lot of late. The same heart that had gotten her to this point in time in the first place. Kate croaked the word out, "Mom!"

"I'll get some water," Lanie offered and walked away. She hadn't gotten far when she heard Olga.

"Better make it something a lot stronger," Olga suggested instead.

[)(] o [)(] o [)(] o [)(] o [)(]

Kate, Olga, and Lanie were presently sitting next to the seat where the card had been found after leaving the party. "Mom was here." Kate was still shedding tears.

"Where else should she be, love?" Olga questioned gently.

Kate wiped away tears and looked around. She had walked down this aisle and while she hadn't walked right past this chair, she had gone past it to get married. Now she was looking around frantically. If she had been here maybe she was still here.

"Mom, please!?" Except instead of showing herself everything was silent save for Kate crying a little harder. Olga and Lanie had their arms around her.

"She was here, she was actually here." Kate reached out and through her tears she rubbed the seat of the chair the card had been found on. It was the closest she had been to her since before she had been killed. Her mind was still trying to wrap itself around understanding it, but her heart had no such problem.

"Mom!" Olga and Lanie could feel her quaking as she cried. Not that either of them had dry eyes. Each knew what this meant to Kate. "PLEASE!" Kate gave it one last try, but it stayed silent and empty save for her crying and her two best friends.

They had all ruined their makeup so they needed to use the room they had used to get ready for the ceremony.

By then Kate's head was almost back in charge. "You think she was really here?" It was just a stupid card after all.

"I've done a lot in my life. For every trip I've ever made, I prayed and meant it with every fiber of my heart. I may not be religious and go to church, but that doesn't stop me from believing," Olga replied. Olga had to be careful with just what she said with Lanie in attendance.

"Two cards, Kate, in two totally separate locations thousands of miles apart. You got them just when you need them most. What more is there?" Lanie asked. She finished first and stood behind Kate while she fixed her face. "She's your mother. Even my mother, as much as we don't get along, only wants what's best for her children. Yours has simply found a new way to help." Lanie rubbed her shoulders. "Right when you need it most."

"Better keep your eyes open for more cards," Olga added which finally got Kate to chuckle.

[)(] o [)(] o [)(] o [)(] o [)(]

It took Kate almost a month to finally get around to opening the gift that had Rick's name on it. She had opened the ones from Alexis and Martha but she had left the one with his name alone until now.

"Finally, I see," Olga teased her.

"Castle and I have a history. The first time we met he was a complete jackass and I had him arrested every chance I got. One was for sexual harassment," Kate replied defensively.

Finally Kate unwrapped it and saw it was a box. She opened it to find yet another box. Inside that box was still another box. "Really, Castle!" She finally reached the last box and found a book inside. Heat Wave

She opened the first page or two and saw a note written inside it.

Kate,

Thank you for bringing my ability to write back to me.

I will owe you until the day I die.

This is the first book off the press that isn't even out yet.

Maybe we can still debrief each other in private.

Richard Castle

"Jackass." Kate now was sure he was never going to change.

"Sounds sweet to me." Olga was reading over her shoulder and watched as Kate read the inside tease about the plot.

"NIKKI HEAT! What kind of name is Nikki Heat?" Kate was going to kill him if she was ever in New York City again.

"Sounds like a stripper name to me. Guess I know what I'll be reading while you're at work." Olga wanted to read this book really bad now.

"And she's naked on the cover!" Kate dropped it on the table. She had his phone number and was almost ready to call him and give him a piece of her mind. But she didn't.

"Isn't he still following around someone in your old precinct?" Olga questioned her.

"So Javi told me last time we talked. He said Ryan's replacement is some pig named Sully or something. He said he had bits of lunch from weeks past scattered all over his desk," Kate confirmed.

"And the people that replaced you and Lanie?" Olga hadn't heard much.

"My replacement came with the captain from New Orleans. Gabriela or something like that. Espo says she's a beauty and has a really strong accent. As for Lanie's replacement it's a guy that came from the UK of all places. He says he has a pronounced accent too."

"So how do you feel about all that?" Olga inquired since she wanted to make sure Kate was okay with her choices.

"I'm fine with it all. Just glad Espo sounds happy. Gates was such a…" She didn't want to think ill of the woman. Maybe it was just who she was and she hated all cops from being in Internal Affairs for too long.

"The word you are searching for is BITCH," Olga informed her. "Maybe Castle can debrief her in private." Olga smiled at her which had Kate laughing. Castle was Gabriela's problem now and not hers.

[)(] o [)(] o [)(] o [)(] o [)(]

"Ready you two?" Olga was more than ready. She could call for the pod to finally be delivered and she could at long last, go back to designing dresses and other things to keep herself busy.

Except Kate's phone announced she had a text message. She groaned. She was off work strictly by accident. They'd been notified that their boat was to be delivered today and placed in its mooring since a space had opened up just two days ago.

"It's from Espo, he says we should find the news channel on TV and do it now." Kate went over to the TV and surfed channels until she could find the right one.

"For those of you just joining us, Senator William H. Bracken has been arrested by the FBI this morning. All of his homes and offices have been raided. We're also hearing that other buildings in the New York City area are also being raided by the FBI in conjunction with the local police department. At this time the major charges appear to revolve around a massive illegal drug distribution system. Informed sources are telling us that the amount of money involved is in the billions.

Once again, Senator William H. Bracken who represents the State of New York has been arrested by the FBI."

Kate turned it off and looked at the others. Olga stated what Kate was probably already thinking. "That's one of the names on our list."

"Roy," Kate whispered.

"He used his get out of jail free card," Olga noted. At least now they had a name. It was also far out of Kate's hands.

"They didn't say anything about murder, though." Kate wanted him arrested for that.

"It's early still. Give them a chance, Kate," Olga said in a quiet voice.

Lanie moved over to Kate and rubbed her arm. She knew Kate's life used to revolve around finding out who killed her mother. "You okay?" Was she suddenly wanting to go back to New York and leave her life here behind?

"I'm fine." Kate then straightened up and with a steady voice said, "I'm fine. Let's go see this boat." Kate clutched the plaque she had in her arms tight to her chest and walked to the front door.

The marina was just a two minute walk away. However, it was another fifteen minutes of walking to reach the boat with the crew that had brought it here.

This was going to be the initial walk-through with the manufacturer. The manufacturer would tag anything they found that needed to be fixed no matter how small it was.

[)(] o [)(] o [)(] o [)(] o [)(]

It wasn't hard to spot. It was literally the largest boat here. It was also almost the farthest boat out.

Just like the picture it was a dark silver below, white above with light wood decks, and since it was powered there was no mast.

"How is the new place and new car?" Kate asked Lanie since she hadn't had either for long.

"My little place at Peninsula at Hawaii Kai is just fine," Lanie said as they walked through the Marina.

"A three bedroom and two full bath townhouse with a garage is not little," Kate replied though she was happy for her.

Lanie defended her choice of places to live. "I'm just trying to plan for the future."

Kate wasn't buying it. "Uh-huh, what's his name?"

"No one you know. …Yet. And my little 2004 Honda S2000 is nice," Lanie deflected since she wasn't ready yet. It was used and came with a number of miles on it already, but she could afford it after the house had ate up damn near everything.

"You'll tell me eventually. You can either do it sober or drunk," Kate warned her. "Though I do like your little car. It fits you. I even like the gold color of it and the top is automatic which is even better."

[] *(X)* [] *(X)* [] *(X)* []

Kate and Olga and even Lanie were given a roll of blue tape. Anything they found that they didn't like they put a piece of blue tape either next to the damage or on the item itself.

They did use up a little of the tape but not that much. They even got to look at the two engines since there was one in the aft of each pod.

Then they finally fired it up to make sure it still worked after being towed on a barge though it had sailed from the barge to this space.

The manufacturer would have everything fixed today.

There were two things left to do. Moving down the steps to the water allowed them to see the name of the boat.

OUR FUTURE

Kate cursed. "I forgot a picture hanger and a hammer." She had something that had to go up on a wall in the master bedroom.

"Hold that thought." Olga ran off only to return a few minutes later. "Compliments of the manufacturer and his men. …Though they do want their hammer back."

Kate smiled and headed for the bedroom. It even had sheets and a comforter that met their requirements.

Kate picked a wall and lined it up just where she wanted it and nailed in the picture hanger. Then she hung the framed item. She'd had both cards mounted then framed using a very expensive frame and double matting. Now hanging behind UV resistant glass were the two cards that she was now sure her mother had left her.

I told you so

[] *(X)* [] *(X)* [] *(X)* []

It was now three months later and Kate and Olga were all moved in. It had taken three weeks to get not just their pod moved but also Lanie's pod. Their pod was in the parking lot so it was a short walk from the pod across the drive and onto the boat.

Olga was finally happy and was working on her next dress. However, at the moment she was in her office area that wasn't nearly as big as it used to be. She was glad most of what she used to have in paperwork had been shredded.

She had a message that was encrypted. "I'm retired, guys." She had found more than one job offer that she hadn't seen for months and hadn't reacted to since she didn't have the capability to respond properly. Her little laptop wasn't secure enough.

Olga had seen what the job was. "You're shitting me!" She pulled out her cell phone and called Kate.

"Hi, babe, what's up?" They had their boat, they had christened the bed. Though they had yet to take it out onto the water.

"You're not going to believe this. …Are you sitting down? You need to be sitting down, Kate," Olga insisted.

"I am now." Kate had plopped into her chair at her desk.

"The United States of America has a job offer for me. $1,855,000," Olga told her. It was the largest offer she had ever had.

"Jeez! What do they want you to do and have you told them you're retired?" Kate didn't want her taking jobs. Between what she had and what Olga had left they had over one million dollars to live with. Her salary was what they were using to live off of at the moment and it was enough to pay the bills and have a little fun with. At least until Olga finished her dress and started on the next one.

"They want William H. Bracken to be silenced," Olga said. The silence was deafening.

The United States of America wanted William H. Bracken killed before he did any more damage to the country.

"I said no, of course," Olga assured her. Even if she did want him dead, it wasn't up to her or the United States of America. There was only one person who had the authority to tell her who to kill and she was never going to tell her to kill anyone. Let alone William H. Bracken. He was supposed to rot in prison until the day he died.

The only tiny fear she had was that the people she had worked with knew she had secrets and that perhaps one of these days they might decide she knew too much and might talk. But she couldn't stop them if they tried.

If it was her, she would swim using a rebreather so there were no bubbles. Place a mine under the boat that she would never know was there and blow her up along with the boat along with the ones to either side of them. If they wanted her dead, she was dead. Her only real prayer was that Kate wouldn't be around her if that time ever came.

Or maybe Kate's mother could give either of them a warning. A simple little card would do.

Still for now everyone was moving on from the time when Captain Victoria Gates was in anyway involved with their lives. Life was so much better for everyone now. Everyone!

Ten Months Later

Right after hanging up her cell phone it rang yet again. "Beckett." Kate listened for a moment and felt the blood drain from everything. "Thanks." She barely hung up the phone after that call.

She sat there in shocked disbelief. She hadn't been sure so she want to see a doctor who had taken a blood sample and said someone would call her with the results.

Those results were now in. However, it wasn't something to be told to Olga over the phone so she would have to wait. In fact Kate was going to buy two or more items on her way home just to make sure.

Olga had assured her it was damn near impossible and yet apparently it wasn't.

"Pregnant. …I'm pregnant." All those dates before Olga and that one scare that had proven to be nothing. Well, this was not nothing. They were going to have a baby! They were starting a family.

[] *(X)* [] *(X)* [] *(X)* []

For those that question why Gates was so mean you really should go back and watch the first few episodes after Gates was introduced. She threatened to bury Kate the very first day Kate shows up to start her job. Her very first case she literally insults her to her face. Usually when she insults Castle she insults Kate as well.

I don't know of too many people that like their jobs when the boss insults you and demeans the job that you do. Plus even Ryan and Espo questioned what Kate had done now when Gates yells her name.

So did Kate overreact to what Gates was doing? I guess that's up to you to decide. Did she overreact to having Castle forced onto her as well? Again that is up to you to decide. Just think back to what Castle was and how he acted when they first met. He really was an ego driven Jackass at that time. Plus Kate was likely right, he was only following her around in an attempt at getting into her pants.