Faded Memory
by Castlefan6
Authors Note: This is my AU version of what could have happened following Rick's discussion with Alexis about the night he danced, fell in love, and lost contact with a girl in college, sometimes memories come back at the worse time. COMPLETELY AU except for the conversation that prompted this and use of some characters names. THIS IS A CASKETT ENDING, EVENTUALLY
I don't own Castle, I use the characters for amusement purposes only
Chapter 1
Previously (Courtesy of Dust Jackets Dot Com Suicide Squeeze Episode 2-15)
(CASTLE To Alexis)
"My first year of college, I, uh, went to a party, met this girl- Allison. In the space of six hours, we met, we talked, we danced, we fell in love. The next morning, she was gone. I spent a year trying to find her, but I never learned her last name. There's not a week that goes by I don't think about her. Your gram told me that she loved a lifetime the night she met him."
Flashback Rick's Freshmen Year at College
"Really Damian, you don't have to keep doing this, I mean you have all the girls you want, you don't have to try to find some poor girl who feels sorry for the writer wanabee. I mean you go have fun, I'll just mingle. If you, well make that after you're done with the touchdown, I'll see you back at the house."
Rick Rogers and Damian Westlake were best friends, even though Rick was a Freshman, and Damian a Junior in College, they shared memories of their time at a boarding school together. Rick entered the school feeling lost, and very much needed a friend, Damian was always kind and reached out, and provided the friendship so badly needed. When Rick decided to attend Fresno State University on a scholarship, his old friend was elated he would be joining him.
Rick was still on a very tight budget, Damian was from very well to do parents, so when Damian invited him to move into the apartment, well house he was renting, he jumped at it. For a College Kid, it was way over the normal cramped one-bedroom flats in endless walk ups of building all looking the same. Rick's only expense was the Utilities, far less than on site campus housing would cost, plus the home was beautiful.
Rick became used to the several different females in various stages of undress he might encounter as he got ready for class in the mornings. Damian's wealth and good looks had privileges that was the envy of many of his classmates, but to Rick, he was focused on his goal, becoming a successful author.
It wasn't unusual for Rick to be approached by a lovely coed from time to time, most often paid or rewarded by his friend to keep him company, so when Allison approached him at this party, it wasn't a surprise. She was very attractive, and way out of his league, so red flag number one, Why is she coming over to me? She was also intelligent which was out of character for many of the "friends" Damian would coerce to spend time with his lonely friend.
"Hi, you're Rick Rogers, a friend of Damian Westlake's, aren't you?" she purred,
"Yes, I am, and you might be?"
"Oh, forgive my manners, I'm Allison, I've seen you around Campus mostly near the library, so what's your Major?"
"Well I'm shooting for a degree in journalism, with a Major in Creative Writing, I would like to be a successful author someday, and what is yours? It must be a tough one if you have seen me by the library, most students don't know we even have one"
Allison laughs, "How True Rick, How True, to answer your question I'm gong back and forth between Biochemistry, and Psychology, I know miles apart in the choices, but I love both, any suggestions?"
"Follow your heart, Follow your heart and you can't go too far wrong."
"Thanks Rick, that's so sensible, and you know what, Psychology it is, I keep pushing it back worrying about what my family would want, screw it, I'm following my heart" as she reached up and kissed him on the cheek surprising Rick."
"You're very welcome, we have to live with the choices we make so I always wanted to be a writer, so even if I fail, I am still following my heart"
"Rick, this may sound bold, and please don't take it the wrong way, I mean I hope to God you're not some serial murderer or criminal, but would you like to get out of here, party's really aren't my thing"
Rick began laughing with his deep baritone voice and finally, answered,
"Allison, I can guarantee I am not on America's Most Wanted nor any Most Wanted list, so you are safe, and Yes, lets get out of here, I'm not into party's much either."
As they walked around campus on a beautiful September night, sparks flew from both. It was almost as if a page had been turned to old time America, they stopped at the Ice Cream Shop, shared one milkshake, held hands, and finally danced to the music still audible from the house, under the stars. Their first kiss, instigated by Allison, was one for all the Romance novels, and it was soon that Rick invited her back to his room.
Damian wouldn't be home for hours but just to be safe, Rick locked his side of the house off from the main entrance. Allison was the first woman that Rick had been with that was so loving, so gentle, until she reached her point, then God give her what she wanted or face the consequences. He had never had a lover that pleased him as much, as often and in so many ways as Allison, and he knew he was in love.
Allison was so lost in the moment, was it the third round or fourth, that she didn't notice the condom had broken, she was too high on her physical pleasure to care at the time. She loved the fact that Rick was a cuddlier, it wasn't slam bam thank you mam, but more of a worship service of her body by this man. She awoke in the early hours of the morning, grabbed her clothes, dressed hastily and left him a brief note on the dresser.
"Rick Last night was the highlight of my adult life, I can't thank you enough for your kindness, and the manner in which you honored my love. I'm sorry, I have to go, early class, hope to see you around soon,
Always,
Allison,"
Rick awakened a few hours later, reached for her and found an empty space. He jumped out of bed, found and read the note, and began his futile search for Allison. Minutes turned into hours, into days, into weeks, and finally months. Rick searched every where even crashing Psychology and Biochemistry classes to attempt to locate her, all without luck.
It was nearing the Christmas break, and since one, Martha was on the road with her job, and two, he didn't have the funds, he planned on staying on campus. One of his friends other than Damian was a Computer Geek, and in desperation Rick conned him into hacking and searching the schools photo data base trying to locate the mysterious Allison.
This was his last opportunity to find her, if this didn't work, he would have to accept the possibility of her giving him a fake name and false information, something he wasn't ready to do just yet. Damian worried about him, he had been consumed with this girl, and he worried what would happen if Rick couldn't locate her.
It was almost an obsession now, until one day it came to a head, and Damian called him on it. They had a huge argument, which led to even a few punches being thrown, mostly by Rick, but still the largest disagreement the two friends ever had. Rick left, slept on the sofas of other friends, and in an unlocked car one night, before gathering his pride and going to see Damian to apologize.
It was all forgiven, Damian even secretly hired a Private Detective to track this Allison down, all with no results. Eventually things begin to smooth out, although Rick was heartbroken, and wouldn't even attend a party for almost a year, choosing to concentrate on his novel.
The only bright side of the entire heart break was since he paid such great detail to his book, it was accepted, published and became a best seller all within a few months. His publisher insisted on him using an alias, he chose the new name of Castle, the first image he remembered hanging on the wall of the tiny apartment he shared with his Mother. It had been a hand stitched cloth picture with something about a man's castle may not be his home, a takeoff on the original.
Richard Rogers, AKA Rick Castle, was now torn between a life on the road as an author, and life as a shy College Student. The huge sums of money, fame and attention were almost too much for him, and fostered a spending spree like no other. It wasn't long until the money was gone, completely, a humbling fact, one that shaped Rick to never make that mistake again.
He concentrated on his studies, graduating in a little over 3 years and set off to start his life as an Author. It had been relatively easy as the first success came, Now, defeat replaced it in spades. He was forced to move in with his Mother and continue to send manuscripts to every publishing house in the state, all with the same results, until he resurrected the book he was writing about Kyra Blaine, the only other girl who was able to penetrate his guard, but she too left him with a broken heart.
Finally, a fairly new Publishing company named Black Pawn's editor read the manuscript and was impressed with the young Author's ability to put his emotion on paper. A few weeks later and Rick had a book deal including an advance on A Rose For Ever After, and his life began again.
PRESENT DAY
"Dad, Dad, Earth to Richard Castle"
Rick hears, and suddenly comes back to present day,
"I'm sorry Pumpkin, I was just thinking,"
"I know Dad, but sometime memories are left untouched, so let's get washed up for dinner, Thanks for sharing part of your memories with me"
"You bet, that's what old Dad is here for,"
TBC