Love's Journey 2
by Castlefan6
Authors Note This is the continuation of Love's Journey, originally authored by The Muse of Apollo, chapters 1-7 following chapters are work of Castlefan6' IF you haven't read the original Love's Story please do so before proceeding with this,
I don't own Castle, I only use the characters for amusement purposes only
Chapter 1
Previously
Kate closed the book, and gently placed the last momentous from earlier in the Forever Box, and gently said "Good Night Rick, I'll always love you, till we meet again, stay safe my love" as she turned and once again cried herself to sleep.
12th Precinct
Two Weeks Later
"Hey Kate, have you seen this mornings Times yet" Ryan asks excitedly, "No but I'm sure you are going to fill me in on the important matter of the day" Kate replied with a half grin, it wasn't lost on the boys and the entire bull pen she had even started to kid back a little since the Castle issue was resolved.
"Look, right here" Kevin is pointing excitedly to the best-selling list for fiction listed in the Times. "Castle hit number one in only two weeks, man that is something!"
"Of course, it is Kevin, look who he had as subjects" Kate kids and draws smiles from Roy, standing in the doorway along with both of the boys. "It's still great press for the NYPD Detectives, so please be sure to express our appreciation" Roy booms from across the room.
"Of course, Sir, Rick and Jess have invited us to dinner Saturday, you are included aren't you sir?"
"Yes, he invited us, but unfortunately I have the honor of hosting my in-laws" Roy grimaces and the detectives smile. "Please pass along my regrets and I do mean regrets" Roy says as he returns to his office.
"Any idea of what we are celebrating or is this just a typical Castle party" Javi inquires, Kate smirks and looks him dead in the eye, "Don't even pretend to not know that Lanie, Jess and I had lunch to plan a congratulatory party for Rick for another best seller" Javi just shrugs and ambles back to his desk.
"So, you knew about this already Kate?" Ryan asks sincerely.
"Yep sure did Kevin, we girls have lunch often, and Jess is so proud of Rick she wants to make sure this is special. It is his 25th Best Seller, quite an accomplishment"
"Wow 25th, I didn't know that, what can we get him to mark the day, that is special, Javi you will kick in as well right?"
Javi replies less than enthusiastically, "Sure, count me in" but all knew he would rather keep his money in his wallet for football pools.
"No need to worry Scrooge Esposito, Jess is asking that any monies be donated to the Lost Innocence Project to house New York's homeless, this is Rick's new passion, so we should support him like he has us." Kate shoots him a disapproving look. "Oh, and Big Mouth keep this under wraps, it's a surprise" Kate shoots Javi a glare.
Castle's Loft
Same Morning
Rick rolls over to find his partner gone and as he listens he hears the sweet sound of her voice singing in the shower, he can't make out the song, but the sweet notes coming from the bathroom just illuminate him from within. He quietly gets out of bed and approaches the bath and then he can make out the song,
I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish, I'll be your fantasy.
I'll be your hope, I'll be your love, be everything that you need.
I'll love you more with every breath, truly madly deeply do
I want to stand with you on a mountain
I want to bathe with you in the sea.
I want to lay like this forever.
Until the sky falls down on me
I want to stand with you on a mountain
I want to bathe with you in the sea.
I want to live like this forever.
Until the sky falls down on me
He searches his memory, oh yea Truly, Madly Deeper, man he always loved that song. He quietly slips into the shower, and startles Jess as he gently hugs her around her waist. She realizes its him and settles into a deep passionate kiss, that leads to more than batting practice but leaves both completely satisfied.
Jess is the first to break the silence, "Are you happy Rick, I mean happier than ever like I am. I would die if I am living in a dream and I am not fulfilling yours"
Rick kisses her deeply and sweetly, "You are more than I ever dreamed of, never in my wildest dreams would I have even allowed myself to be this happy, every time I got close in the past it was met with heartache and misery and left me in fear. I'm not afraid with your Jess, you own my heart and I know you cherish it like I do yours."
"Let's spend the day just to ourselves OK?" Jess asks, "Can you take the time from the book?" "I know my schedule is going to be crazy this week and we have the gang coming over for drinks Saturday, I need some cuddle time and want you to myself, God that makes me sound so needy"
Rick flashes her that smile that she knows now only she gets, "I love you to need me Jess, I thought it was only me needing you so much" "How about a slow walk through the park, then we can take the ferry to the Statue of Liberty if you want, being a weekday it won't be as crowded." "From there we can just take it by ear and do what ever we want, how does that sound?"
"Perfect Sweetheart, as always, you know me so well, but I think we better re-shower, ALONE to get the smell of sex off us before we dress, I can't seem to keep my hands to myself when I am with you" she laughs.
"Kill Joy" Rick laughs, I'll go first and then give you time to get ready while I make us a quick breakfast" as he leans in to kiss her, and it take all her will power to push him back after several minutes,
"Rick, we will never get out of this apartment if we keep that up, I wouldn't mind, but let's save some for tonight before you make me too tired to walk" she laughs.
As soon as she hears the water on, she grabs her phone and hits a group text for Kate, Lanie and Jenny. "Party's still on, PLEASE keep this a surprise, he thinks it's just drinks here, Reservations at Gillette's at 8:00 PM under name of Rook, can't wait to see you all," XoXo Jess
Finally, after a few more rounds of Batting Practice, and ALMOST a spring training game, they get out of the apartment, walking hand in hand just enjoying the day and each other.
12th Precinct
Same Afternoon
Kate hears the distinctive tone she has set for Jess, and recognizes she has a new text. As she opens it, she see's Lanie approaching also reading her phone, and she takes a detour to Javi's desk, and gives him the death glare about keeping his mouth shut or he would wish he had. Kate see's a look she seldom sees from the Army Veteran, perhaps it's fear, anyway Lanie has put the fear of God in him so no worries about him leaking information.
Lanie makes her way to Kate's desk, funny that Castle's chair is still in the same position, and no one is allowed to touch it or sit in it or Kate will go postal on them, "What's up Girl, get Jess's text?"
"Yea I did Lanie, looking forward to seeing all the gang Saturday," **" You mean Rick Kate, you have seen us girls just about every week, and you see those clowns every day. How are you really doing Girl Friend? I know some really cute guys, ****** "LANIE did I ask you to fix me up?" Kate bellows in a harsh tone, then quickly adds "I'm sorry Lanes, Forgive me please?"
Asking for forgiveness has become Kate's new mode of apology and she does it much more frequent than she used to. "No Problem Kate, I'll back off, but you let me know when or if you are ready, you deserve to be happy too, you know"
"I know Lanie, but I am really doing OK, Jess has been so sweet, if she had been like me, I'm sure I would have had a contract put out on her, BUT she makes Rick happy, I had that and threw it out like I would a bag of trash," as she looks sad for just a moment, then adds, "Besides we are going for a celebration, not a pity party".
Their conversation is interrupted by the ringing of Kate's phone, "Beckett, oh hi Jenny yea I think we are all set for Saturday, Lanie is right here and just finished putting the fear of God into Javi so I think there won't be any leaks." "Remember Jess was adamant, no presents only contributions to Lost Innocence Project in honor of Rick, yeah, well I think we will meet a Lanie's then grab a cab from there to Ricks. They are expecting us for drinks at 6:00 so let's be at Lanie's by 5:15PM OK," Lanie is shaking her head in affirmation, "Yea Lanes is good with it, Great See you Saturday Jenny,"
A/N This is a good stopping point for chapter one, the party is coming up, and then the surprise for Rick. Expect a more mature Beckett in this story than was portrayed on TV, Thanks for reading, favoring and mostly for reviewing, Greatly Appreciated Tim