Faded Memory

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: Thisis my AU version of what could have happened following Rick's discussion with Alexis about the night he danced, fell in love, and lost contact with a girl in college, sometimes memories come back at the worse time. COMPLETELY AU except for the conversation that prompted this and use of some characters names. THIS IS A CASKETT ENDING, EVENTUALLY

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

Chapter 7

Previously

Close the door Paula, what is said in this room stays here, if one detail is leaked, I know where it came from and I will ruin and bankrupt you, is that clear?" The look on his face had changed from friend to attorney, and she could tell he was serious,

"Of Course, Howie,"

"Well, we have another development that could blow this all to hell, oh God the fucking timing couldn't be worse,

Well you see ******

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Anderson, Catania, Damiano, and Smith Law Offices

3:40 PM Same Day

Paula was on the edge of her chair waiting for the news Howie was about to share. It almost felt like when you are driving and there's a horrific crash on the other side, you want to Not look but you are pulled in, and then sorry you did.

"OK Howie now that you have my Blood Pressure sky high, tell me what's going on, Rick is a friend as well as my client."

"Paula, you aren't going to like to hear this, Rick's been candid with me about his relationships, I always try to protect him from danger, and I know you two had a hot weekend, years ago, and nothing has come of it since.

He was in the office two days ago, changing his Power of Attorney, Will, and some other documents. He and Katherine Beckett are becoming quite serious, which means that not only do we need to inform Rick, but also Katherine since she is on some of the most touched legal documents."

Paula sat quietly for a moment, not saying a word which was way out of character for her, till she finally cleared her throat, and said,

"It's about time he thought of settling down, none of us stay young forever and I'm glad he found happiness with Kate."

"Paula, it's OK, it's us, and if you want or need a minute, it's OK. One of your worst kept secrets was the fact that you loved Rick, and would do anything for him, sometimes even illegal things but we're not discussing that now. I know it's got to hurt, but maybe this will let you move on, you know Gregg down in Commercial is madly in love with you, maybe you want to look into that now"

She looked up through watery eyes, "Thanks now what's the plan to let Rick and Kate know, if this is even valid"

"It's valid Paula, not one, not two but 14 different DNA tests run by every top lab in the US all confirm that Rick is the father of the young lady identified as Allison Grant Maxwell, Age 19 soon to be 20 years old, in fact her birthday is in three weeks."

Inside the folder is a picture, and even without DNA Paula knew the young lady was Ricks child. She narrowed in on her blue eyes, so dark, just like Rick, and her facial features were close to a young Richard Rogers she had seen when he had written his first novel when he was about her age.

"So how do we want to do this, tell Rick we have news, let him break it to Kate, then we make a house call to finalize all the facts, and respond to her written request for a meeting with Rick, and possibly Alexis."

"I'm not sure that's the best approach Paula, you know Rick when he begins to worry. I thought I would just say we came across something that would require both his and Kate's attention, and then break it to him in person. I think, if we tell him anything at all over the phone, he's crashing for worst case scenario, and then that might impact Kate or their relationship."

"You're right Howie, BUT be sure he has told Kate of the changes he is making, she hates surprises more than I do, so give him a heads up."

"Good Idea, they have been really good about communication, I mean she is reluctant to take anything from him, so that has been the biggest bone of contention so far. She has to realize, that being rich is almost as tough as being broke, except people are constantly harassing you for money, instead of the jabs of Get a Job Freeloader."

FLASHBACK

Two Days Earlier,

Castle's Loft

Rick never considered himself a tough guy, or a WUS either but he did not relish the conversation he was going to have to have with his girlfriend, his life, his love about the changes he had just made to the financial landscape. Kate was fiercely independent, not wanting him to pay for everything, even though he paid more in local tax than she made in 5 years annually.

As he walked past the bakery the smell of Bear Claws fresh from the oven caught his sense of smell, and he was in the shop in a flash. As he exited, a local flower vendor had just set up his cart outside the bakery, a sign from the universe he thought, so he bought her a beautiful bouquet of Daisy's and other fresh flowers.

Oh well here it comes he thought as he opened the door,

"Kate, I'm home, I have goodies"

She came out of the bedroom, smiling a smile that he never tired of, she was beautiful in anything. She had showered and thrown on some sweats and an NYPD Sweatshirt, until they finalized their plans for the day.

"Hey, I see, and I smell" as she reached up both arms around his neck and kissed him,

"Welcome Home, I missed you!"

"Well I missed you to, here these are for you, as he pulled out the flowers he had hidden, hope you like them"

"Rick, you keep spoiling me, of course I like them, in fact I love them and thank you for always thinking of me, I love you so much. I'll be right back I want to get these in a vase and some water" she steals a quick kiss and takes the flowers to the kitchen.

"So Rick, what did you have to meet with your attorney about this morning, you've really been acting nervous, and I just want to know you are all right, I mean things are OK, aren't they"

"Kate, we do need to talk, and please promise me you'll listen to me, without judging till I get a chance to explain everything, OK?

"That sounds serious. Are we OK? I mean as a couple?"

Rick takes her by the hand and leads her gently to the sofa, where he begins to explain that during his quarterly meeting with Howard, his General Law Attorney, the subject of their relationship was raised. It wasn't specific, just a checklist for Howie to insure he was protecting Rick, and to note any changes to the household.

Rick was gentle when he explained that she was now the executor of his will, with Alexis as the backup if she were of age, and that she had been added to the deeds of all his real estate. She gasped, and as he gently explained,

"Babe, this was the lawyers way to prevent the state from taxing you and Alexis to death, it's all Transfer on Death now to you, or the Trust of Alexis so you see it wasn't that I was trying to sneak behind you back, it was just I needed to make those changes to protect the ones I love."

She has been quiet but with the words, ones I love a tear falls from her eye, "Rick, I know you would never do anything to hurt me, I'm sorry that I've acted like such a Bitch in the past, to make you so leery of coming to me. My parents were attorneys, remember, and it makes perfect sense that your lawyer is looking out for your well being. I've also come to grips that now that we're together, someday someone is going to print something in the paper about us, I'm fine with that, just as long as it's me they link you to.

I'm sorry Rick, never worry about telling me ANYTHING about you, we talked about our pasts, and like when Will pulled his shenanigans, you understood, and from what I recall of that day, it's in our top ten. The funniest thing though is Will being transferred to Bismarck again, I bet he cusses us both daily."

Rick flashes her that big grin, the one that tells her he's back, "Yeah it was pretty funny seeing Will head for the train station since the budget crunch would not allow air fare for him, and Bismarck is lovely this time of year, NOT" as they both laugh.

"I'm just glad you understand Kate, I mean we pledged to communicate with each other about everything, and I have to tell you, I didn't look forward to this conversation. And just to get your thoughts prepared, Howie did say to me it was only a matter of time before your name would be on anything anyway, so just food for thought. I love what we have, and don't want to rush into anything until you are ready."

PRESENT DAY

Rick is just about to select a movie when his cell phone rings, it answers and places it on speaker,

"Hi Rick, it's Howie, is this a bad time?"

Rick looks over at Kate sitting on the couch, who just shakes her head no, it was fine,

"No Howie, you're on speaker and Kate is right here, we talked about the changes you are making, and she's on board, so what's on your mind"

"Hi Kate, so glad you're OK with everything, I really want to protect Rick, you and Alexis against any potential weakness in his strategy for asset management. I'm glad you're both together, reviewing some of your old files Rick, we will need to meet with both you and Kate, as soon as you can, so I'm just looking to see when that would be possible."

"Hi Howie, I understand and thanks for looking out for us all, Rick's worked hard, and I don't want anyone but his rightful heirs to benefit from his sacrifices. We're free the rest of this afternoon, if it's important Howie, Rick would that work?"

"Yeah that works, what do you say Howie?

"Tell you what, I'll see you in a couple of hours, and I am going to ask Paula to join us just in case there is anything we need clarified on her end, any problem with that?"

Kate takes the lead which Rick is so happy, "No problem Howie, we'll be here, say around 4:00 PM?"

"That sounds good Kate, Thanks Rick we'll see you then" and then the phone disconnects.

"Any idea what that's about Rick?"

"Haven't a clue, if you notice I hire smart people to take care of difficult tasks, whatever it is I'm sure Howie will get it fixed. Are you in the mood for a movie*"

She has already crushed his lips with her answer, "We've got two hours Rick, so let's make them count," as she leads him through the office into his bedroom, insuring the doors were not only closed, but locked. It seems to Martha, closed doors don't mean a thing, so the only way to avoid a repeat of an embarrassing situation is to lock the doors.

Kate had learned very quickly, although it was soundproof, the bedroom wasn't Martha proofed unless it was locked, a special lock that Rick had installed once the incident occurred, yeah, that would never happen again.