Collection of Memories by Castlefan6

Authors Note: This is a continuation of Down for the Count, my AU version of events immediately following the end scene of Countdown where Kate is in the arms of Josh watching Castle walk away after several near-death experiences. Please read that before continuing with this. I had severe anxiety when Beckett just watched as Castle walked away watching her in the arms of Dr. Motorcycle Boy, and once things were back to Caskett, how could we get Rick back to the precinct? NO Doctor MB, but some old characters, owned by both Marlowe and me will pay a visit in this story.

I don't own Castle, I use the characters for amusement purposes only

Chapter 1

Previously

"Kate, as he gently stops her kiss, we have one more thing to talk about, Ja***"

"Jacinda Rick? Pulling out her phone she shows Rick the call log, and there is Jacinda's number, we talked, and although it hurt like hell to know that she shared parts of you that are mine now, she explained that I was always the one, and to be forgiving of you.

She explained how you defined loving one as opposed to being in love and her heart belonged to Ray, just as your heart belonged to me.

"She also threatened to come back and kick my ass if I ever broke it again, so if you don't mind, I would like to finish what I started."

Castle's Loft

1 week later (from conclusion of Down for the Count)

Rick and Kate had spent the week together almost every minute of the day, almost like they were tying to make up for all the time they had wasted. Kate had listened, even though she had the conversation with Jacinda, she wanted to hear it from Rick, who confirmed that yes, he loved her, but was never In Love with anyone but Kate.

The words hurt, she had chased him into the arms of another woman, BUT also gave her hope that in time, she could reduce his time with Jacinda, or any other woman into just a collection of memories stored away like an old souvenir.

"Rick, are you almost done? The car service will be here in 20 minutes to take us to your jet."

"Just one thing left to do Babe," as he gently picks her up bridal style and kisses her deeply. You know you don't have to come, I mean if it's too hard, I'm sure they would understand."

"You, going to California, to see the woman you love, without me? Never going to happen Mister, I screwed up once, but she isn't getting another chance."

"Kate, you do know that she is with Ray, all the time away she never left him, just like you owned my heart and never knew it.

I could never go back to that time, now that you and I are together, my life is like new again."

"Babe, I know, it's not you, it's just if I hadn't been so stupid we wou***"

"Kate, the time wasn't right, we could have crashed and burned if we went into this too early. We both needed to see that no matter what, our lives were better together than apart, stop reliving the past, they're memories we can't change." Rick gently interrupted.

The doorman buzzes just as he sets Kate down, and Rick answered,

"Good Morning Eduardo, I take it the car service is here,"

"Yes sir, and we have sent Jason to retrieve your bags, he should be there any minute"

Thanks Eduardo, remember no one other than those approved on the list get's access to the loft, and the first Mrs. Castle is definitely not on it, regardless of her threats. Ms. Rogers and Alexis are both away, so it should be a quiet week here."

"Yes Sir, we understand, and Miss Meredith will never pull that stunt again sir, I am still truly sorry it happened."

"I understand she is a persistent woman, but she had a party here for her Actor friends and left the place in shambles as well as drinking the entire bar dry. If you see her call the police, there is a warrant for her if she steps within 30 feet of here."

"Yes Mr. Castle, you and Detective Beckett have a wonderful trip, we will lock the loft down tight sir."

"Rick, you know it's a retraining order, not a warrant, right?"

"Sure, but Eduardo knows what a warrant is, not sure he understands the restraining portion and I'm not taking any chances."

Jason collects their bags and they are seated in the limo on their way to Rick's private jet, not wanting to risk any delays that always seemed to happen using Commercial Airlines. That's the reason Rick stated but truth was Kate didn't want any of the good-looking females Flight Attendants within shooting distance of Rick. She knew just how lucky she had been with Jacinda being an honest, open woman, not all others would have played the game with such regards to other's feelings.

"Kate, it'll be OK, you have talked to Jacinda, you know everything so there are no surprises, and you are going to love Beth, and her Aunt Courtney."

"I know Rick, I just keep thinking, if only, and don't get me wrong, I am so very thankful that she was open and honest with me, it still hurts, I'm sorry but I just keep thinking what if I had lost you forever," the tears she had done so well to hold back now flooded out.

"Hey there, I'm right here, I have a ton of regrets as well, I know some of the things I did just opened the door to other men, but the important thing is that you are here, and I'm not letting you go. You better buckle your seatbelt, we are taking off in more ways than one" he smiles and leans over to kiss her sweetly.

She laid her head on his shoulder as soon as they were airborne and clasped his hand tight, closed her eyes, mumbled "I love you Rick" then fell asleep. Rick looked over at her, so thin and fragile, he couldn't imagine life without her, as he gently kissed her head, leaned into her and fell asleep as well.

"Mr. Castle, Sir," as he felt a gentle tap on his arm, "We'll be descending in about 20 minutes so if you would like a drink or anything before we land I'll be happy to get it now" Janice, the Co-pilot who also served as the flight coordinator making sure Rick and his guests had an enjoyable flight. Kate stirs, opens her eyes, the first vision that registers is an attractive female in a flight uniform, now she springs awake.

"Janice, this is Kate, Kate this is Janice one of my pilots, she is serving as co-pilot to Don today and pulling double duty as flight coordinator"

"Hi Janice, it's nice to meet you," as she extends her hand to the attractive lady in uniform.

"And you as well mam, you're all Rick has talked about for years, we began to think you were a character in his mind, it's so good to see you in the flesh," she smiles.

Kate laughs, but asks "How long have you known Rick, Janice?"

"I've known him since college, but we lost contact when I enlisted, I actually answered an ad for a private pilot when I was discharged, and it turned out to be Rick. My partner Liz and I just love him, he so accepting of all people, and don't tell him but he's also a great boss to work for" she laughs

"I'm right here ladies" Rick laughs, "I always hire good people, then let them do their jobs, Janice did a couple of tours flying over Iraq and other countries so when she applied, the job was hers"

Kate breathes a sigh of relief to herself, well Janice wasn't going to be a threat, she had to get hold of herself. Rick loves me, who else would have fought so hard to get me back, I just have to believe that now she thinks.

"I know what you are thinking Kate, and NO not even before I knew she had different tastes, Janice was always just a friend, someone trustworthy, and I didn't have many of those in college.

She was there to kick my ass when I thought about giving up when Kyra left, she's the one that made me promise to keep writing and came to see me whenever she had leave. She talked me through a few tough spots, including when I caught Meredith cheating. She offered to take Alexis and I in with her and her partner, no questions asked, like I said I don't really have many friends"

"Babe, how do you do that? Know my insecurities and know just exactly what to say. I'm sorry I wasn't around for those times, but I'm glad you found a good friend who you trusted." As she is just enjoying being near Rick, head on his shoulder as they begin final decent into Los Angeles, she remembers the dedication in one of Rick's earlier works,

"Rick is she the one you dedicated, **"

"Yeah, (pause) "Yeah, she was, I think I was really getting close to giving up and she flew in and threatened to kick my ass if I even thought about it, and she was serious. Black Pawn signed me to a multiple book deal a week later, forever changing my life, so yeah, I owe her a lot"

"Rick, Kate, prepare for final descent and landing in 4 minutes" comes Janice's voice over the speaker. "Rick, I know you hate the seatbelts but buckle up, it's the law, "she laughs and cuts the speaker.

Kate reaches over, takes Ricks hand in hers, and whispered, "I love you Rick, now let's enjoy this week away from New York, and all the issues there. I can't wait to meet Beth and see how excited she is going to be when you give her the graduation gift"

"I Love you too, and Babe?

"Yes, "

"Although we're staying at the Four Seasons, we are in a new suite, just so you know, we're going to make OUR memories."

Kate smiles at how well her love knows her, that thought had just popped into her head, and he already made her feel like the only woman in the world, yeah, she was so lucky he loved her enough to fight for her.

A/N I got a lot of requests to continue Down for the Count, so this is the first chapter of the sequel. I have a lot of material to work with, so not exactly sure where we are going, but CASKETT is safe, throughout the story, no angst from that end. Thanks to all who read, follow, favorite, and review.

For any new readers, I am not interested in the Punctuation Police, I don't look for reviews that say your story was 100% Grammatically Correct, I do want to hear if you like, hate or disagree with my take on the story.

Guest Comments are constantly monitored, I know many use this as a convenience, some use it because they are cowards, save your time if they are not respectful of all, the delete button is my friend, I write for my enjoyment, if it's not for you, move on. It's sad that Trolls have chased so many good writers away, but at my age, I care less what they think, I'm not going anywhere till I choose to do so.

Thanks Tim