Course Correction

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: Thisis my SEQUEL to AU version to a different outcome from the RISE episode in Canon UNEXPECTED DETOUR, you will need to read that one first to understand this work. This picks up exactly where we left off, no time jumps longer than a few months.

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

A/N I am humbled and grateful for all of the new readers and followers, To you, and all of my LOYAL and Faithful Thank Each of you for investing your time to read the ramblings of this mind.

Chapter 2

Previously

"Well, that's part of the reason I called, have you had dinner yet? Dad wants to try out another one of his recipes for leftover turkey, and really, I just can't have it again.

I was hoping you could join us for burgers and shakes at Remy's. I know Dad won't say no if I tell him we're meeting you there. It's late enough now that Dad's general disguise will keep most of the fans away." She rushed her words, trying not to giggle

"Of course, can I meet you there say in twenty minutes? Would that be OK?" Kate asked with hopeful breath held,

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Remy's

25 minutes Later

Kate observed a tall muscular man with a younger female companion, both had sun glasses and leather motor cycle jackets on, as they made their way back to the booth. She finally realized it was Alexis and Rick, as she stood after a firm hug let Alexis scoot into the booth, so she would be between the two.

She turned to Rick, who hugged her tightly, rubbing little circles just above her bra strap, and started to flood her mind with memories. He stopped, and she quickly kissed his cheek as he slid in next to her. She took his hand and if he objected, he didn't show it. His eyes were the bright shade of blue she remembered them when he was happy.

"Thanks for meeting us Kate, I don't think I want to see anything with Turkey in it for at least a year, which leads me to Daddy, Christmas is coming in a few weeks, so NO MORE TURKEY." She scrunched her nose to make her point.

Kate laughed at the face Alexis made and the pouting face Rick responded with.

"Pumpkin, you know how much I love tradition, and Christmas Turkey is our tradition, along with the glogg, it wouldn't be Christmas without our traditions."

"Dad, I'm sorry but I won't be home for our Christmas Eve tradition, Shane will be home the day before, I only have two weeks with him so we're having out first Christmas together, alone." Alexis can see the disappointment in her Dad's eyes,

"WHAT?" Your Grams is not coming home, now you are cutting out on our tradition, when are we going to exchange our presents?" Rick whined,

"Daddy, a lot of families do it Christmas Day, Shane and I will be with you some of the day, but Dad, please don't make this harder than it is, OK? I feel guilty but also I feel independent, that's what you raised me to be isn't it?" Alexis played her trump card.

Kate looked on, remembering the first Christmas she chose to be away from home, little did she know that she would only have two left with her Mom, but Alexis was correct. She had to live her life and if Shane was going to be it, then she deserved to spend every minute she could with him. She knew just how much she missed Rick, and he was still in the city.

"Christmas Day, we've always opened presents Christmas Eve, it's tradition" Rick pleaded his case,

"Well Dad, it's time for new Traditions, I mean Kate will be with you, it's not like you'll be alone on Christmas Eve" Alexis said,

"Well, about that, IF I don't have to work, but I typically work the Christmas Eve shift, it's been sort of my tradition, to allow those with families to spend some time with them." Kate tried to break the news gently, but without luck.

"WHAT, you have all that seniority and Gates is scheduling you for Christmas Eve, it's not fair Kate, you should get that entire week off." Rick had gone from whining to depressed.

"Rick, Gates isn't scheduling me, I have done this every year since my Mom was killed. It's my tradition. Dad goes up to the cabin, and I work, it's been that way so others can enjoy some time with theirs.

I mean I don't have kids, or family, well I didn't till Alexis and you, but my traditions are just as important to me as much as yours are to you Rick. I know you don't understand; I'm not asking you to, just to accept it." Kate said sadly almost in tears,

"It's OK Kate, I understand, I mean I guess it's time for some new traditions anyway." Rick said, trying to believe it himself, but a sense of doom had settled over the table.

"Dad, Mandy and Gary will be in town, why don't you invite them to stay at the Loft, I mean we'll have plenty of room, Shane is taking one Guest Room, Mandy and Gary, and Kate, if you want to, rather than be alone when you're off shift, spend the time with us. You're family now, and I understand about your tradition, but it's no reason to spend the entire time alone." Alexis tried to encourage her Dad.

"Well Thanks Alexis, I'm not sure if your Dad is ready for that yet, I mean I don't want to push our relationship since there's still things I, well both of us are working on." Kate said sadly,

"Of Course, I'm ready for it, I just didn't want to pressure you or I would have asked you" Rick said with a sparkle in his eye again,

"YOU TWO, For God's Sake stop being concerned about if the other one says no, go for it, you love each other, quit acting like junior high school students. One no is not going to cause you two to split, you've come too far for that." Alexis wasn't pulling punches this time,

"You're right Alexis, I'm so afraid of doing something to hurt your Dad, I'm afraid to act on my instincts, and as you say go for it. I can't ever remember being this fearful in any relationship I've ever had before." Kate said softly,

"It's because for the first time in your life, you're in love Kate, truly in love where it doesn't matter what you want for yourself, you want what your partner does more. I know it scared the hell out of me, till finally, Dad and I talked, you two should try it sometime." She added to soften the lecture the teen was giving the adults but she was right.

Rick looked at his daughter, "Equally parts proud of you for your astute observations, but still want to remind you that adults, deserve respect, even when they are acting like jerks. So, I guess the message to you, is Grade A+ on content C minus on delivery, but still proud of you pum, eh Alexis." He quickly corrected himself.

The burgers and shakes came and were devoured in no time, Alexis hurried home to Skype with Shane, leaving Rick and Kate alone.

"May I see you home Kate? I know Alexis sort of pulled one on you, but well I'm glad she did." Rick said with a smile.

"She's right Rick, I was playing it far to safe, trying to make sure that I didn't mess up, but hell this is us, we are going to disagree, we are going to see things differently. I will NEVER stop Loving you so no matter how angry we make each other, please promise me, we'll talk about it RIGHT away." Tears pool in her lovely eyes,

"Agreed, I was doing the same, playing not to lose you, rather than trying to win you all over again. I know the pain of losing so well, I guess, I reverted back to the old habits. Call me out on that Kate, I don't want to play it safe, I want everyday with you to be an adventure that we tell our grand kids someday." Rick blushed as he realized what he had said, and inferred,

"Yeah Rick, that would be a great story to tell our Grand kids someday Rick" as she collects his arm as they start the walk to her apartment.

"Would you rather take a cab Kate? It's a bit cold out?" Rick looked over at a beaming Kate Beckett.

"Nope, I think I have everything I want right here and I'm enjoying the walk, and the closeness it brings. Thanks for asking, I mean if you're cold*"

Rick turns her to face him, kisses once gently as he stares into her beautiful eyes, "Nope I have everything I want right here as well," as they turn and continue the walk.

Severn, MD

Same Time Frame

Gary and Mandy had driven up to Severn Maryland, a suburb just a few miles from Gary's new work location, although smaller than some of the bigger burbs, Mandy fell in love with the buildings and natural sights. They decided to lease a townhouse, Gary's contract was for two years, but both knew how fickle Government work could be. The beautiful part, it was fully furnished, all they had to do was bring their personal items which would reduce moving costs tremendously.

They had already had their first "Family Call", Alexis, Shane, and them on a large screen on Skype call made being away from both her kids hurt just a little less. Mandy knew that Alexis would be her Daughter-in-Law, she just didn't know when.

She and Rick both encouraged them to complete their studies before they added a new dynamic of marriage to the mix. Young Love is blind, many marriages fail when they don't take the time to really get to know each other, and the true pledge they were making to each other in front of friends, family and God.

"Mandy, there's a call coming in from Rick do you want to put it on the big screen" Gary yelled out.

A few minutes later, there was not only Rick, but Kate as well, both looking happy, but a bit chilled.

"Hey guys, what have you been up to, whatever it was it must have been cold, both your cheeks are red." Mandy laughed,

Rick began the call, "Hey guys, how is the house hunting going?"

"Super Rick, in fact we're moved in to our Townhouse, I have a buddy that is packing my belongings in San Diego, so they will be shipped to us next week. Mandy is having hers packed and put into storage, so we won't incur the big moving cost." Gary smiled as he put his arm around Mandy, who leaned into him.

"Fantastic, looks like you guys got what you were looking for, and it didn't take you months of living out of a suitcase like Mandy feared," Rick added

"Hey Guys, the house looks lovely, from what we can see" Kate said as she held Rick's hand.

"Hey Kate, I would ask you how things are going but I think I know the answer to that already" Mandy laughed

"Well trust our daughter to set us straight, we got the lecture earlier tonight, and she was right, of course, but things are going well, I've never been happier, or felt more alive" as Kate looked up at Rick, and stole a quick kiss on his cheek.

Rick smiled, "Ditto, Mandy. Looks like you and Gary had no problem in picking up where you left off at" Rick kidded,

"Are you kidding, hell we did that the night we were reunited, these are all new memories" Mandy said without a second thought.

"Thank You Rick, without your help, I would never have been able to make up for the most stupid mistake I ever made" Gary said with tears in his eyes

"Well Shane was the driving force to that so thank him, which leads me to the subject of this call. Alexis told me that Shane was coming into New York December 23rd he had two and a half weeks leave to celebrate the holidays, so we want you to join Kate and I here at the Loft for whatever time you can get away," Rick said with a smile in his voice, he pulled Kate just a bit closer when he extended the invitation.

"Thanks Rick, I knew the kids wanted to do their own thing for Christmas Eve, we were going to stay at the Four Seasons for the 10 days, Gary negotiated that in his contract before he started." Mandy said

"You won't stay at a hotel when our family is going to be here. We won't hear of it, right Rick? You're staying here with us, that's final." Kate had been speaking in her Cop voice,

"Well, I guess you heard the boss, so when can we expect you? Shoot us a text, I want to be sure the Housekeepers have your baths stocked again." Rick laughed

"Rick, you're going to give Kate and Gary the wrong impression," she blushed,

"Not I, Mandy I heard the story, but Gary, Rick was observant on a visit to Mandy's and spotted her order page on her laptop so he duplicated her favorite soaps when she first stayed, I know he would drag it out but that's the truth." Kate laughed as Gary just pulled Mandy closer to him,

"It's all good, we'll shoot you a text or call when we know something more about the arrival time, I think Alexis and Shane have something planned as well." Gary said

"Great, look forward to hearing from you", Kate and Rick said together, his arm around her waist, and her holding his hand as they talked, yeah, they were getting there.