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 2
Prologue Providing Back Stories for each Rick Chapter 1, Kate Chapter 2
Kate Beckett is surrounded by friends, as the commencement exercises have just concluded, and the parents are making their way backstage to greet their loved ones. Maddie Queller is surrounded by a lot of common friends with Kate, including Brent Edwards, the subject of their biggest fight ever.
"Katie, I'd like to talk to you please," Maddie says pleadingly,
"What's to talk about Maddie, you saw, you wanted, you took, as always, who cares if Brent and I were in a relationship, certainly it didn't bother you or him for that matter."
Brent steps forward and says "About that Katie, I think there was some mis-understanding I mean we weren't in a relationship, so I'm not sure why you are so out of shape with Maddie or me, it's not like she broke us up, we weren't going together."
"Misunderstanding? Yeah maybe you're right Brent, maybe I imagined you slipping your class ring on my finger as you coped a feel, and then maybe I imagined you telling me to come on, you could get the goods from my friend Maddie without even having to work for it," as Kate took a class ring off her neck and tossed it to Maddie.
"Katie, you have to believe me, I didn't know you guys were going together seriously, I mean I would have never let him get into my pants if I knew you were his girl and making him work for it, Honestly"
"Save it Maddie you two deserve each other," as she turns to see her parents standing in front of her.
"Jim, we'll talk at home, right now just congratulate your daughter and then let her enjoy her night with her friends." Johanna said as she gave Brent a look that would kill.
"Katie, Congratulations, honey, we're proud of you, so we wanted to get you something you could use no matter where you go, here's the keys."
"Dad, I have the keys, remember Mom let me use her car to get here for rehearsals, *"
"Not these Honey, these are to your new Mustang you picked out on your wish list two weeks ago," Jim smiled and Kate went nuts with her friends, minus Maddie and Brent who sat alone at the end of the bench.
"Come on let's try it out" Kate yells to her friends, and ignores Maddie and Brent as they pile out to the car"
Fast Forward
Stanford University
3 Years Later
Kate had settled in to being lonely, it was part of the price to go so far away from home and even though she talked to her parents every week, flew home when she could she was still lonely. Her grades were top of the class or close to it in every course she took.
She had tried to date, but the boys in California were totally different than in New York, or perhaps it was her, regardless, she had earned the moniker of one date, Kate. Go on one date and never again.
She became more and more homesick, and even if it meant giving up a full scholarship for the last year, she finally decided to move back to New York, after the last disaster with a boyfriend. Once again, she had been faithful, and once again the Romeo couldn't keep it in his pants, wanting one to girl to take home and one to take to bed.
She had enough of this and even if things in New York were the same, at least she had her confidant and mother there to lean on, here she was totally alone. She thought back to the times she had told her parents that she could handle it, she was an adult, what a crock of shit that was turning out to be, When she left campus for Christmas break, she wouldn't be coming back, she would be back home in New York.
Christmas Eve
Times Square
Kate had missed the lights, the sounds the smells of the city so she went to Times Square to reacquaint herself with the sights and sounds of her home town. She hadn't meant to pry or eavesdrop, but as she approached the clock voices carried louder and she heard a woman say,
"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,"
Then the male responded in a tone that was so sad,
"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"
She couldn't believe it, the girl turned and walked away from the young Marine Officer in his dress blues, she watched as the girl half turned and spoke over her shoulder
"I do love you Rick, but I can't compromise on this"
The young Marine, struggled for his composure, took a few breaths then placed his hat on his head and hailed a cab, obviously leaving not only the girl, but a huge part of his heart as the cab pulled away.
Kate saw as the girl broke down in tears, and finally as an older woman come up to her and console her, they were carrying a suitcase apparently one of them was headed for a trip.
"Have a great time in London, don't worry about Rick, Kyra, he could have chosen you, but he chose his own career, so go, be free and find someone new"
"I'll call when I arrive Mom," the girl manages through her tears and then the cab pulls away.
Kate thought to herself, that was terrible advise unless the Marine Officer had been a real turd, but the way he held himself, the love that was so evident in his eyes, those blue eyes even from her distance, God what she wouldn't have given to have a man look at her that way.
She felt bad, but she didn't know these people and she had suffered enough lonely time on her own she was in route to her parents' home and couldn't wait. The cab had barely stopped moving when out the door came her Father and Mother, showing all the excitement they could legally. Her Dad had paid the cab fare and her Mom had started helping her unload the carry on and luggage, the major items were shipped and were already in her old room.
The hours were filled with laughter, and stories of how each year it got harder and harder to convince little Katie that Santa Claus was real, till finally two lawyers just gave up at age 6. Kate laughed at her Mom's impersonations of her at 6 years old arguing for the defense,
"Was I really that bad Mom?"
"You were worse" her Dad replies, every time you wanted something you would ask your Mom and after she said no, then you went to work on me, and of course I gave in and caught the Hell for it." He smiled as only a Dad could smile. It was almost 4:30 AM and since they had been up this long decided to open the presents and then just sleep in the morning. It was a great family celebration, but somewhere Kate could not get that lonely Marine officer sadly walking away. She just hoped he would be safe and had someone who truly did love him.
Fast Forward
3 Years
Kate had graduated with honors from Columbia, and was contemplating Law School, but wanted to know more about it first before committing the time and money to earn her degree. She had taken a summer and explored Russian, her bucket list provided for by her parents as a Graduation gift, one she was truly grateful for. She loved International Studies and now was considering possibly making her degree in International Law.
As was the custom two weeks before Christmas, Kate, her Mom and Dad would go Ice Skating and walking through Times Square, to see the lights, and holiday wares on display. As they were walking something caught Kate's eye,
"Mom, isn't that the author you like so well, there on the billboard, it looks like he's about to release another in his series of Storm novels, too bad just a picture of the book and not him"
"If you mean Richard Castle yes, it is Dear, and no need I am on the pre-order list complete with his autograph."
"What does he look like Mom, and I mean I have heard all sorts of things that he's in High School, or he's older than Dad, 4 books and no one has seen a real picture of him yet? What's the deal?"
"Well Katie, what you don't know was yes he was in college when he wrote his first best seller, but then he actually enlisted in the Armed Forces, I think the Marines, and according to all the lawyers we could talk to, he's forbidden from showing his face till his time in the Marines is complete, something to do about National Security."
"What your Mother means is she has hounded every entertainment attorney in the city to find that out, although I think he is about to be discharged from active duty, and return home, here in New York."
Just as they turn the corner, Kate can hardly believe her eyes, there are those blue eyes, she wouldn't remember the face but the sad look in those eyes will stay with her till she's gone, and there they are again. A military vehicle has just stopped, and they hear,
"Thanks Guys, I got it from here, Appreciate the lift, figures my first day of leave in two years and the flight is cancelled, but thanks to you I got home." He tosses down his military duffel, and then hops out of a ΒΌ ton Truck with US Marines and the logo all over the doors. He looks up just in time to see Johanna smile, Jim stand and salute him and Kate shyly slink a few steps away.
Jim takes the lead, "Welcome Home Son, just in time for Christmas,"
"Yes Sir, and Thank You Sir, it's been a long 2 years away and I'm glad to be home."
"Well, Thank You and Merry Christmas," Johanna adds, and Kate shyly adds, "Merry Christmas, welcome home"
"Thank You Mam, and Miss Glad to be home."
Kate gets a closer look, and this is her Blue Eyes, the same young man she had seen 3 years earlier and overheard the heartbreaking conversation. He looks tired, and his face full of worry, not the innocent young man who she had seen fight his emotions as the Love of his life walked out.
He hails a cab and with a "Merry Christmas to you all he is off", out of sight again,