They, whoever "they" are, say write what you know. Well, I have collected comic books for over 40 years, so I know something about comics. With Castle's cast appearing at the San Diego Comic Con, I thought wrapping a mystery around this event. This is my second story and when I drift off to sleep at night, the next chapter develops. Thanks to Tanya Reed who "beta's" for me. Please review

Season 3 "Fortress of Solitude"

Chapter 1 "In the Batcave"

Rick Castle looked up from his laptop when he heard the raucous giggling coming from Alexis's room. Alexis had her friend, Amber, over and they were supposed to be studying for a calculus test. He did a quick "save" of the outline for the next Nikki Heat novel and walked quietly to the door of her room. Doing his best detective impression, he carefully put his ear to the door and heard the girls shrieking.

"Your dad was such a dork! Cute but a dork", said Amber.

Surprised by the remark, Rick knocked on the door and invited himself into the room. "Hi, girls! I was in the neighborhood and thought I would check to see if you needed anything. What's up?"

Alexis smiled at her dad letting him know she knew he was not telling the complete truth. "We were just looking at some old photos that I have been scanning. I I'm trying to finish the video project for school. Amber found a picture of you dressed as some superhero when you were 8 years old."

"Let me see that picture.", Rick said. He smiled wistfully looking at the picture. There he was; a scrawny eight year old kid dressed in red briefs with two garish red belts crisscrossed against his chest and swinging a sword over his head. His face was grimacing with dramatic energy and his mouth open yelling.

"Who were you pretending to be, Dad?"

"I was He-Man, The Master of the Universe. He tipped his head back and bellowed in a deep bass voice, "By the power of Grayskull, I have the power!". Rick posed in the standard heroic position, head thrown back, chest out and arms akimbo. Alexis rolled her eyes and Amber, her friend, blushed as her not so subtle crush on Castle bloomed.

"Where did you get the sword, Mr. Castle?, asked Amber sweetly.

"Cardboard, duct tape and one of my socks for the handle. Creativity runs deep in this family." Alexis' grandmother was being considered for a part as Prince Adam's mother in one of the Masters of the Universe movie scripts being kicked around in the 80's. She brought home some of the comic books and toys so she could prepare. I enjoyed reading them wanted to be the hero. I thought it was great fun to run around with a sword."

"And in your underwear, Dad?"

"Well, that was an added benefit. Underroos were big back then. I think I'll just take that picture so you won't be more emotionally scarred than you already are."

"You are a little late, Dad. I have already scanned it and I think it would be a perfect addition to your website. I might even put it on my Facebook page." Alexis smirked.

Both Rick and Alexis knew she was kidding; they enjoyed the good natured sparring. Alexis would be going to college soon and Rick knew he would miss times like these.

"Now you sound like your grandmother! How about if I order some pizza and you delete that image?"

"Sounds like a deal to me, but that picture will be burned in my mind for all eternity. Alexis teased.

"Now keep in mind, my dear, I do have pictures of you that I could always bring out."

"Okay. Okay.", Alexis relented. "How about the sausage, ricotta and banana pepper?"

"I'll get the large. And a proscuitto and pineapple as well for me."

Castle's iPhone played "Life's a Bowl of Cherries" and Beckett's face appeared on the faceplate. "Hmm. It's Detective Beckett. Might be a case.". Beneath Beckett's name was an image of her looking annoyed. He smiled knowing he did something that

"What's up, Detective?"

"We have a murder to investigate, Castle. This one is pretty gruesome."

"I do gruesome on a daily basis, Detective," he joked.

"Castle, a body was found behind the liquor store at the corner of Siegel and Shuster. The body was dressed in tights and was wearing a cape."

"You have a dead superhero!", Castle exclaimed giddily. "What super villain are we chasing, Lex Luthor or the Joker?"

Her voice choked,"Castle, it's a kid."

His eyes narrowed as anger crossed his face. "I am on my way."