Reborn as Richard Castle in Criminal Minds

Castle knew when to stop. He had successfully met Zeus, so there was no need to rush things and try to increase Zeus's favorability in one day. After all, there were still ten days before the official plot began, giving him plenty of opportunities to appear before Zeus again.

Not to mention, he also needed to get to know the NYPD's biggest troublemaker, Officer John McClane, who was known for causing explosions left and right. Given his current friendly relationship with the NYPD, it shouldn't be too difficult to meet the infamous John McClane.

If he asked the NYPD chief for this favor, the chief, who had gained significant political benefits from Castle's new book that positively portrayed the NYPD and made it onto the New York bestseller list, might personally order McClane to be brought to him.

Castle was also curious if Officer John McClane, who in his father's colleague Frank Moses from R.E.D., was also played by Bruce Willis, would look the same as Frank Moses. Or would he be a younger version with hair, unlike the bald Frank who became stronger? He seemed to remember that "Die Hard 3" was filmed in 1995, while "R.E.D." was filmed in 2011. Both these characters caused massive destruction wherever they went. Could Frank and Officer McClane be related?

To be honest, both protagonists, the M**F**er and the retired but still incredibly badass Frank Moses, perfectly embodied the saying "bald is strong." Seeing their performances after they lost all their hair in the following years proved that "bald is strong" wasn't just a saying.

Facing the younger version of the M**F**er, who wasn't bald or blind yet, Castle always felt a bit out of character. The M**F**er, wearing glasses and casual clothes, really seemed like an ordinary person. Only when he donned his signature black leather trench coat, even in summer, and lost all his hair would the imposing M**F**er truly appear.

Speaking of which, without S.H.I.E.L.D., the M**F**er wouldn't exist. Would Darius Kincaid from "The Hitman's Bodyguard," the cunning and ruthless character played by Samuel L. Jackson, appear?

That guy was also an advanced version of the bald and strong M**F**er. Should he ask John Wick, who was currently in Italy with Gianna, if he knew a bald black hitman named Kincaid?

Castle remembered that Kincaid was forced to cooperate with Interpol because his wife was captured and imprisoned in the Netherlands, planning to testify against the dictator Dukhovich in The Hague.

If this world also had Kincaid, should he find time to visit the UK to see the collision between this talkative black man and Michael, played by Ryan Reynolds? After all, a M**F**er and Deadpool together would be an incredibly exciting scene. After going home, he should ask John and check if the dictator Dukhovich was being detained and tried by the International Court. If the plot hadn't started yet, he could seize the opportunity to go to the UK and watch the excitement in person. Recently, aside from helping Beckett with investigations and the side mission in ten days, he had no pressing matters.

When Zeus asked what tools he needed, Castle, already having a mental list, smoothly listed the small tools he planned to buy, like electric screwdrivers and small welding equipment. These were items Zeus's store would surely have. As Zeus gathered these items and packed them for him, Castle called his friend, the black driver Belle, to pick him up at Zeus's store. Belle, a local who knew everyone, would have no problem coming to this black neighborhood.

Zeus's efficiency was impressive. In just a few minutes, he had gathered and packed the dozen or so small tools Castle requested. While Zeus was packing, Castle chatted with Belle on the phone, who was delighted to hear from him. Since helping Castle and Beckett catch the bank robber Vanessa, she hadn't seen Castle. She assured him that picking him up in Brooklyn was no problem and even knew the address of Zeus's hardware store, surprising Castle as she also knew Zeus!

It seemed that the young M**F**er wasn't as unknown as his humble appearance suggested.

Belle, as usual, arrived quickly. Just a few minutes after Zeus finished packing the tools and Castle chatted with him, Belle's cab, number 313, screeched to a halt outside Zeus's store.

Having achieved his goal of getting to know Zeus to have a reason to intervene in the upcoming plot involving Zeus and McClane being toyed with by Simon, Castle decided not to linger. He would meet Zeus again in the future. Belle had arrived, so it was time to go home and ask John about his idea of visiting the UK.

After Belle greeted the surprised Zeus, she cheerfully approached her wealthy client Castle, who was carrying several bags. She loaded the tools into the trunk, then turned to the still-dazed Zeus and scolded, "I can't believe you know Mr. Castle. Even more surprising, Mr. Castle came to your store in this dangerous neighborhood? Don't you know how risky it is for a white man to be here at this time?"

Zeus, caught off guard by Belle's scolding, forgot to defend himself. It wasn't him who invited Castle here; it was Castle who walked into this dangerous neighborhood alone near dusk!

Luckily, Castle stepped in to clear Zeus's name: "Alright, Belle, it's not Zeus's fault. I came here on my own, taking a shortcut from the dock area. And I needed some tools, so I decided to visit his store. You misunderstood him."

Hearing Castle's defense, Belle showed no sign of apologizing to the wronged Zeus. She rolled her eyes at him and then turned back to Castle with a bright smile: "Alright, writer, get in the car. I'll take you home. As for this guy, let's just ignore him."

Castle, noticing Zeus's awkwardness and blushing like a schoolboy in front of his crush, nodded thoughtfully. He bid farewell to Zeus and got into the cab. Belle, before getting into the car, scoffed at the bewildered Zeus, calling him a "coward" before driving off, leaving Zeus standing at the store entrance, dumbfounded.

Castle, a keen observer, had already noticed the odd tension between Belle and Zeus. After Belle drove away from the black neighborhood, Castle, sitting in the back seat, asked with a mischievous grin, "You and Zeus..."

Belle, as straightforward and outspoken as ever, interrupted him before he could finish: "Yes, we grew up together. Our families were neighbors. That coward has always liked me but never had the guts to say it. He even got involved in the streets for a while. I thought he'd come to me after making a name for himself, but I'm almost thirty-five, and he still hasn't made a move. You saw how he turns into a shy boy whenever I'm around! I've had enough. I just want him to say he wants us to be together. Is that too much to ask?"

Castle was amused to learn that the young version of the M**F**er was a shy boy who got tongue-tied around Belle. It was hilarious!

Trying not to laugh out loud, Castle asked, "Why don't you take the initiative then?"

Belle pouted: "I'm a woman. Don't I deserve some pride?"

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