thebestseller | Chapter 38. Vampire Weekend

[This entry is forward-dated slightly to midday tomorrow. The writing is still recognizable as Castle's, but the hand trembles a little.]

Promise ----> Alexis
Nikki ----> Detective Kate Beckett

I'm a mystery writer. Nikki- Kate- ~~wasn't~~ isn't my wife, but she's a homicide detective, and we're partners. I shadow her and help her solve cases because she's the inspiration for my new series of books. I live in a loft apartment with my daugher, Alexis, and my mom, Martha. I'm famous, too. REALLY famous.

Alexis is waiting for me. I [There's a long pause here, and the writing becomes steadier, but slower as he carefully considers each word and phrase.]

I've made a lot of friends here. All of you have helped me through some tough times and been the best friends... and everything else... a guy could ask for. "Thank you" doesn't seem like enough at this point, not nearly. I'm never going to forget any of you.

But my daughter is back home. She needs me. And I'll keep having adventures. Not without saying goodbye in person, not without making arrangements first, but... I'm going home.

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Well!

[Castle was a little surprised that Genius' answer came so easily- then realized he probably shouldn't be, since Genius knew what kind of fate awaited him back home. If he had the chance to just- disappear, why not?]

It's settled, then. If... if we really have been gone for two years, it's going to take some explaining, but... I have connections. You'd be surprised the kind of contacts I've picked up over the years. ... There's also the teensy-weensy fact that I don't know who my father is, so there you go! Built-in long-lost half-sibling excuse.

[He put an arm around his brother, giving him another hug.]

And no, I don't mind. I couldn't live with myself if I abandoned you to that kind of fate.

[There was no way the wide, slightly crazed smile on Genius' face was going away any time soon. For the first time since his kidnapping, Topher felt the tiny ball of dread that seemed permanently lodged in his chest loosen. This was it. They were actually talking about a future--talking about life beyond Edensphere. It was impossible to wrap his mind around and yet he couldn't help but bounce slightly on his toes.]

Connections? What do you know the Mob? Alexis has been here before maybe she's told everywhere where you've been. And Kate! I could totally be your long lost half brother! We have the same eyes!

[They totally didn't but he laughed anyways and glomped onto Rick. The laughter made Tribble bark and bounce next to him and that made him pause and pull back slightly.]

Shoot. Rick! What about Tribble! We can't leave him here.

[Feeling more at ease now, Castle laughed along with him.]

Well, I write mysteries. Crime books. So it's more along the lines of forensic investigators, CIA people... and mobsters, of course. Someone will know someone who can help. I just have this feeling.

[He then frowned at the question and reached down to pat Tribble.]

People are inventing all kinds of new breeds of dog, aren't they? We can call him a fancy designer puppy. A cross between a Pomeranian and a dust bunny. Something like that.

Crime books huh? That's one genre I can't say I ever read as a kid. I was into fantasy and scifi. You know. Isaac Asimov and the like. But I guess the best place to hide an ah...illegal immigrant? Is with a guy who rides with cops.

Huh. I'm gonna be one of those people the Republicans bitch about. Sweet.

[The comment about designer dogs gets a laugh out of him]

More like a science experiment gone wrong. But people are trusting and never see the things that are right in front of him, so I guess it'll work.

[He's speaking from personal experience of course.]

We're really gonna do this, aren't we? Gonna leave the Sphere and--well. You get your life back. I get to create a whole new one.

[He smiled hesitantly]

I'm excited and scared.

... Me, too.

[Castle hugged Genius tightly yet again. There were so many ways this could go wrong, but... it's not like he hadn't engaged in risky behavior before, right?]

But we're going to do this, no matter how hard it looks. With our designer puppy and everything. I'm filthy rich, so we'll find a way to... take care of all the potential problems that could arise. And hey, you never know- if I ever get bored of writing crime, I could write futuristic crime. With Jedi and Gundams and ninjas in it. It'd be sure to be a hit.

No more deaths. No more kidnappings or evil twins or zombie or giant ants. Or unicorns. I don't--God we're gonna need so much therapy.

[He leaned into the hug and laughed.]

Filthy rich huh? So was I--damn it. I never did get to dive into my piles and piles of cash like Scrooge McDuck from Duck Tales.

Dude. That sounds like the worst fanfic ever.

Chapter 38. Vampire Weekend

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i'm switching between genius and topher mostly because I can't decide which to use >|

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