Forbidden Angel
by Castlefan6
Authors Note: Pre series Castle, Rick has graduated and served time in the USMC, fulfilling his ROTC commitment, Beckett has gone on to become a lawyer, Johanna is alive, BOTH are in relationships when they meet, what will happen, For sake of this story the age difference has been adjusted, GO with it, and also I'm sure many military protocols will be broken again IT'S FICTION. NOTE: AU not canon
I don't own Castle, I use the characters for amusement purposes only
Chapter 1
Prologue Providing Back Stories for each Rick Chapter 1, Kate Chapter 2
Richard Rogers, as his name is called Martha stands and leads a cheering section of one, as he walked across the stage to shake hands with the Director of the Board of Education and receive his High School diploma. Just like their entire life, it had been her and Richard against the world, no help, no recognition, only condemnation from her family for daring to bring a child into this word before she had a husband. Shameful, downright shameful and for her transgression she was shunned by all of her living relatives.
Rick took a moment to flash that million-dollar smile towards Martha, knowing exactly who the lone voice shrieking and where the faint clapping was coming from. He was a very handsome young man, with opportunities with the most popular girls in school, all which he shied away from because he didn't have the means to wine and dine them in the fashion they were accustomed to.
Rick knew that if he had any shot at a college education, it would requires some means of self-funding, Martha or as he lovingly referred to her as Mother, had worked day and night to keep a roof over their heads. She had just recently seen some success with a lead part on a play on Broadway. Finally, after all these years she was making a very good wage and working regularly in a play that critics had acclaimed.
As soon as he reached 17 years old Rick had joined the ROTC Program for the USMC, proud that he was going to be a Marine. Growing up he had learned how to use his fists pretty well, being the new kid, or sometimes as the school jocks referred to him as "Sissy" or "Pretty Boy". Many of them were educated quickly that although he was good looking, he could still kick some ass, 3 Golden Gloves Championships hidden away in his closet to prove it. The fact that he loved music and sang in the Glee Club and acted in school plays disguised his bad ass role perfectly.
Martha would never have approved of him boxing, so he had one of her cast mates sign the permission form saying it was for free lunches at the school. The cast were so busy, he knew she didn't have time to read the agreement and as he had hoped signed his mothers name without reading the document.
Martha, reluctantly agreed to allow him to join the ROTC, knowing he would need a college education, and she lived from paycheck to paycheck, always one critical review away from being unemployed. Now that he had graduated, he would be leaving in two weeks for then entire summer, and now that he was property of the Unites States Government, she had to accept the fact her little boy was indeed a man now.
He had just made the deadline for his age, as a "Junior", so his first two summers had already been completed, now things were getting real. She had thought he looked handsome in his uniform each week, but now she knew, the U.S. Navy training was shifting to that of the U.S. Marines, and he would be heading to Quantico in just a few weeks. She felt the fear that all mothers feel when their children are about to leave home, even more now that his career choice had been a Military man.
Rick had excelled at school and had already taken some college courses to give him a jump start to his career, he knew that ROTC was an opportunity, not a guarantee, and his grades, ethics, and ability to assume a leadership role were paramount in his commission being granted once he graduated. Martha had almost fainted when she opened the mail to find an acceptance letter from John Jay School of Criminal Justice, and along with his scholarship, the ROTC program would provide the funds required.
Rick surprised many, by graduating with honors in three years, with his BA in Criminal Justice. A hobby he had taken up when he entered college was writing and actually had submitted a novel to a publisher, but had not heard anything, assuming it was a wild goose chase, he wrote it off. Until that call in the middle of his senior year, the call that changed his life forever.
Black Pawn was publishing his novel, and offered him a 3-book deal, to be completed within 2 years of his discharge from the USMC. They also assigned him an editor who would work with him, and edit any transcript he submitted, young and lovely Gina Cowell made it no secret that she would work long hours for Rick with or without a book. He was flattered, but Gina was not the type of woman he was typically drawn to, he liked the more reserved type.
Kyra Blaine had attended college with him and was in most of his classes. She like him was on the fast track to graduate early, was quiet and just a bit on the shy side. It took almost half the quarter for Rick to ask her out their first year on campus and was shocked when she agreed on the spot. From the first date, they were almost inseparable, and hardly ever disagreed, except for Kyra was against the War, and knowing Rick may be called to serve made the arguments even more intense.
She had offered to pay back the military for the cost of his education if they would discharge him, through her mother's attorney, which did not sit well with Rick at all. The argument only intensified the closer graduation day came, which would also mean the day that Rick would be commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant USMC and begin his four-year active, 3-year reserve obligation.
Kyra was unwavering in her dislike for the armed services, of any branch, since she was not in favor or violence of any type and hated the fact that Rick had to qualify on several different types of fire arms. He made every attempt to keep them out of her site but when he had to appear for drills sometimes, he had to bring his uniform and firearms along on their outings. Graduation day was one week away, and they still had not reached a compromise, and Rick was really feeling the pull of his heart strings, he would do anything for Kyra, but he couldn't turn his back on his duty and obligation.
Present Day 2 Weeks after Graduation Day.
"Rick, have you made your decision yet, I mean you know how I feel, and how much I love you. I can't in good conscience go along with this."
"Kyra, you act like I have a choice, as I have reminded you often, the only way I was going to get to go to college was with some assistance. ROTC gave me more than that, they gave me a sense of duty, obligation, honor, how important it is for a man to keep his word even without a written contract, so if you're asking me if I'm going to England with you to work on my Master's, you know I can't."
"Well I guess you know what this means, right" as a tear trickles down her cheek,
"Kyra, it doesn't have to be, it really doesn't I mean I don't have any idea where I will be stationed once we leave Camp Pendleton, I may never leave the States, so can't you just wait?"
"I love you Rick, I really do, but I can't. Mother has set this wonderful opportunity that only comes once in your life, and if I don't take it, I'll be sorry for as long as I live,"
"I see, so you Mother has set this up, OK, well Kyra, just know I love you, and I wish you well where ever life takes you, but I have to report to duty, If you want to kiss me goodbye, now's the time"
Kyra turns and walks away, over her shoulder he hears, "I do love you Rick, but I can't compromise on this"
Rick stands his heart in his throat and fighting back tears as he see's her walk out of sight, he takes a few deep breaths, put his military hat on, and proceeds to report for duty. He doesn't see Kyra watch him, silently crying her eyes out, as he enters the cab to take him to the next part of his life.