Course Correction

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: This is 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

Chapter 4

Previously

Gina and I talked for a long time, then I talked to Dad. It was Dad who told me it was love, and not to fight it, not to put up walls but embrace it. He told me. "when you honestly want your partner to be happy more than your own happiness, then well that's love. Go for it, I can't believe I'm saying this to my baby girl, but I love you that much too. If you're happy, Dad will be happy."

Then he cried Kate, he won't admit it, claiming allergies which by the way he doesn't have, but I let it slide and just held him. I know how tough that was for him to say, and if you make him as happy as Shane makes me, it doesn't matter what happened in the past, just never hurt him like that again, or I doubt you will live to see the next day. Lanie, Mandy, Gina, and myself will see to that." Alexis said in a tone Kate had never heard the young lady use before.

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Castle's Loft

Friday December 12th

9:45 AM

Rick and Kate had been busy the entire week, Kate with a case that was proving to be more challenging than anyone could have thought. A City Councilman had been shot miles away from his normal route home or to his office and the clues were few.

Gates was on everyone's ass since it was a high-profile case, and as she put it, "He's one of us" yeah right thought Kate, and I'm fucking window dressing as she recalled how easily her case had been moved to Cold Case status.

She had attempted to have lunch or dinner with Rick on several occasions but always had to cancel last minute because something came up with the case. Rick wasn't in the best of moods by the 4th cancellation, to him she was slipping right back into the old habits that had created the divide in the first place. He recalled the last call, and his response,

"Rick, it's me, look Babe, I'm sorry, I have to cancel dinner tonight, again. I know, I know it's seems like every time we plan to get together something comes up to block us, I am so sorry" She said quietly and sadly, she had to still be at the precinct.

"Sure, of course, I understand, no problem. Do what you have to do and so will I, Goodbye Kate" Rick cut the call, he hadn't spoken in anger, but he was getting more than fed up.

Kate looked at her phone, knowing once again she had put the man who had always put her FIRST, behind work, he had a right to be upset, or God forbid worse she thought just as Gates screamed for her once again requesting an update for Mr. Mayor. She fought back the tears that had begun to form, and did what she always did, her job.

Rick had started working on a project that he thought would be a great tribute to his future son-in-law, although nothing had been announced, everyone knew it was all but official now. Rick was meeting with Veterans Groups to discuss what resources returning Veterans had for PTSD, and was shocked to find them lacking, to say the least.

He was shocked to learn the resource addressing the entire problem was not one from the government or Veterans Department, but The Gary Sinise Foundation. Mr. Sinise and his band, named aptly, The LT. Dan Band, performed at several events to raise funds and awareness, not limited to the military, but also First Responders. The more Rick dug, the more he knew what he had to do, now to put the plan in place. He would need some help, and some luck to get it off the ground.

He grabbed his phone, hit a number on speed dial, and waited as it rang.

"Hi Rick, what's up Everything's OK with the kids and Mandy, right?" she asked quickly, worry showing through her voice

"Yeah, they're fine, I have an idea I need to run by you, are you free for lunch today?" He asked,

"Yes, I am Rick, but what about Kate, I mean you two haven't split again have you? I don't want to come between you and her, so what's going on, can't we discuss this over the phone?" Gina asked, a bit puzzled

"OK, multiple questions, first answer, NO we haven't split, Gina, we're working on something, but it hasn't gotten past the dating stage, well to me anyway. Second question we could discuss it over the phone, but it's an idea for a new book, that used to get you excited as hell, but if you would rather have the conference call, it's up to you.

You aren't coming between Kate and I, she has to realize, you are my publisher, Alexis's Mom, part of this family and someone I trust and that's never going to change. We have history, and yes we love each other, but we've both went the extra mile to explain it to her she doesn't need to worry." Rick said just a bit to professionally for Gina

"OK Rick, it's me, I know you, what the hell is going on between you two? Don't say nothing, because I just sense a whole lot of hurt coming through your last part of the conversation" Gina called him out

Rick blushed, knowing how well his ex-wife had nailed him, "OK, I'm not sure she's really in this as much as she said she was, I mean she just cancelled lunch for the fourth time in the last two weeks, all because of work." Rick stated, a touch of anger seeping through.

"What's the problem Rick, do you think she's lying, and it's not work? I mean I would never think that Kate would do anything to hurt you, or us, especially after the warning she got from our daughter. Alexis had one two many wine coolers when she was over last week, and fessed up, she threatened Kate if she ever hurt you again." Gina breathed, a sense of pride for the young lady showing in her voice.

"No, No, nothing like that, and look I get it, she's got a job to do, but just once she's going to have to push back and say NO, I have a personal life. After repeated 60-80 hour weeks who can expect her to keep up the pace, without some relief.

I understood the first three times, but now it seems to get easier to push our plans aside for the job, and well that's not going to work for me. I had three plus years of that, and if that's the number one priority in her life, well I guess I'll plan accordingly." Rick spat out

"Whoa, Rick, I mean have you talked to her about how you feel? Maybe the old habits slipped back and she isn't even aware of the hurt you're feeling, have you ever thought of that?" Gina asked

"Well it's kind of hard to talk when only one of us show up, I mean it's a vicious circle. I get her job is important, some cases more draining than others, but no matter how busy I was, how many book tours, I was always there when I promised to be.

I flew home and back some times just to keep my promise. I don't expect that level of commitment from her, yet, but she mentioned she wanted to talk about our future. She needed to know what she had to do to progress past the girl friend stage, but I guess she has to show up to one of our dates to talk. The ball is back in her corner, and let's leave it at that. That's not why I called you."

"OK Rick why did you call, to invite me to lunch to discuss the new book, seriously?" Gina asked.

"Seriously, it's something I have never done before, and I want to Gage Black Pawn's interest in this subject, or do I need to shop for a new publishing house?" Rick replied

"Where and when do you want to meet? Remember the young girls are still infatuated with the longer hair and beard, so pick a spot where we can actually talk and I'll be there." Gina said.

"Staccato's say 1:00 PM, will that work for you? I already have reservations for two and in the private room Mama S has reserved for me." Rick replied,

"Do you really think it's a good idea for us to meet at a restaurant you had reservations for you and Kate at Rick? Really?"

"She never got to the point of where we were meeting, she cancelled just after I booked it this morning, so yes I'm serious. Look Genes, we're meeting for a business lunch, nothing more, and I'm not about to keep tip toeing through life to keep her jealously in check. This project is important to me, I think once you hear it, you'll think so as well."

"OK Rick, I'll see you at One O'clock but you handle the fall out if any if it comes from Kate, Agreed?"

"Agreed Gina, I will handle that end, just bring and open mind, this isn't something you or I have ever done before, professionally that is," he couldn't help but throw the last line in knowing Gina was turning a beet red from her embarrassment, then he laughed.

"OK Smart ass, yes I am red, you happy now? See you in a few hours Rick" the line goes dead.

12th Precinct

Friday December 12th

1:12 PM

Kate had given Gates her update, not much progress had been made, but still she pushed for quicker results. It seemed like she was more interested in this case, than she had been in any since Kate had returned. Ryan came around the corner to give her the update on the financials, and she chose this opportunity to ask him a personal question.

"Ryan, Conference room now, not you Esposito, you come when you're called, you two aren't joined at the hip" as Javi retreated looking a bit shaken from once again getting dressed down in public.

"OK Kate what the hell is going on?" Ryan was blunt,

"Nothing, I don't know what you're talking about, Kevin" Kate lied,

"Bull shit Kate, the entire bullpen saw you call Castle and cancel once again. Do you think you're the only cop that is qualified to solve murders? I mean we did it for almost 5 months, WHY are you going back to the old Kate, you are about to blow the best thing that ever happened to you." Kevin wasn't holding back in the least.

"Kevin, I'm the lead on this case, it's me giving Gates the updates getting the ass chewing, not you, not Javi, so I think you're out of line with that comment."

"Am I Kate, seriously you're going to go with that lame ass excuse, who the hell do you think ran this team when you were out, when Iron Gates kicked Rick out, when all we had were dead ends, not only on your case but the other 22 we solved while you were gone." Kevin was hot

"What am I supposed to do Kev, how do you pull away for time with Jenny, I mean if you do or how can she understand and Rick get frustrated. Hell, he's been here, he should understand better than any," Kate whined

"He does Kate, that's why he's hurt and pissed. He's seen you go without meals, sleep, and drive yourself into the ground, when you had resources, all you had to do was learn to use them. Not every player on a team in an All Star, but there could never be All Stars without EVERY member on the team.

To answer your question, once Jenny and I have something planned, I fucking leave, plain and simple. The corpse isn't going to get any more dead, and guess what, once you push back on Gates a few times she'll back off, she did for Javi and I and I know she likes you better than she does either of us.

Your problem, you haven't tried it, pushing back on yourself or Gates. I can tell you Kate, Rick, Hell, NO guy is ever going to put up with the crap you pull, and if the situations were reversed neither would you.

Hell, you bitched about Josh and you didn't even love the guy, how fucked up is that? You better get it together Kate, or this time he'll be gone for good. Your I'm sorry is all worn out here, so get your head straight." Keven walked out of the conference room, leaving Kate in shock.

Kate pulled out her phone, hit the speed dial for Rick, expecting to hear his voice, but instead the call went directly to voice mail. She thought it might be a miss-dial, she tried again entering his number on the keypad, same results. She dialed the landline, thinking he had turned it off and forgotten to turn it back on, and was relived when the call was answered on the 3rd ring, but relief was short lived, Rick hadn't answered the phone, it was

TBC