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

Chapter 7

Previously

"Rick, it's me, Look Babe, I'm so sorry about this last week, I really am, but I don't want to do this over the phone or with an audience, can you come over, or tell me somewhere I can meet you? I want to talk, but I know I put us back to square one. Call me Rick, PLEASE!"

Rick sat at his desk as he heard the voice mail, debating should he call her back or make her wait at least a day, what the hell this wasn't high school, but he did want to gather his thoughts before he talked to her, she would have to wait that long.

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Beckett's Apartment

Friday December 12th

8:12 PM

Kate had paced, cried, started and scrapped three letters, entered the events into her journal God she was going to need Dr. Burke's help going forward, especially with the new book and her and Rick. She was working on her latest attempt of a letter to Rick when her phone rang with the most beautiful sound she could have heard, Rick's ring tone.

"Hi Babe, I'm so sorry, Thanks for calling me back, God, I'm a fucking mess Rick, I love you, please forgive me." Kate rambled as soon as she answered the phone.

"Hey, Hey, I'm pissed, it doesn't mean I don't love you; it just means we need to work on somethings that are deal breakers for us both. I have no idea what yours are, or you mine, so I'm sending a car for you, as soon as you get here, we'll take the Escalade out for a ride.

That will give us the privacy, plus we have the freedom to go wherever the urge hits us. Kate, I can live with a lot of things, but not this, not anymore. Before you weren't mine, well you still aren't bu*"

"Like Hell I'm not Richard Castle, I'm yours, as long as you'll have me, and you're mine. I got so jealous today when Gina closed the door and I was on the outside looking in, God, that's what you felt isn't it, for years," then the tears fall and she sobs. All Rick could make out was Sorry, Babe, love you so much, never again, and a full ten minutes of sobbing, not crying, sobbing.

Then he hears her door buzz and her say, "Down in one minute" and then she was out her door, the door slamming as she still cried. Once got situated in the limo, she began to calm down,

"Sweetheart, stop, please, no more tears. We're working it out, see, Rick and Kate actually talking through a problem without subtext, se it can be done. Just get here, I need to hold you so badly Kate." Rick was opening up, the hell with the kid games of get you last.

The limo pulled into the underground garage about 9 minutes later, and Kate didn't even wait for the car to come to a complete stop, she was out, running full speed and jumped into Ricks open arms.

Kissing went on for at least 10 more minutes before he took his handkerchief and wiped her eyes, "No More Babe, it over OK?" She looked into those blue eyes, and knew, he was OK, so she just kissed him one more time, pouring every ounce of love into it she could.

"OK Rick, let's go for our ride now, OK? Wherever you want to go, oh in case I haven't told you, I'm madly in love with you, and I'll be beside you for everything, including this book. You and I will kick PTSD's ass for me, and through your talent for many others." She said with more confidence than Rick had ever heard.

"Babe, are you sure, I know this is huge for you, I never wanted to bring a relapse back, I love you and I wo*"

"Babe, the three words I love you, that's all I need to hear, that's what I'll fight the triggers with, and if need be I or we, up to you can talk to Dr. Burke." Kate interrupted him.

"You know having Dr. Burke, even as an advisor so I don't publish a can of corn and do more harm than good is a great idea, can you ask if he'll see me with you on your next visit, I mean if you want to." Rick is thinking out loud, but Kate loved it,

"Of course, Rick, will you come with me, I mean, I want you to know EVERYTHING about me, I know we're compatible in the Bedroom, God I get horny just thinking about that weekend," Kate blushed when she realized what she's said,

"I'll be there or anywhere you need me Kate, now we can take care of that other desire if you want to, I reserved a suite at the Four Seasons, so we could, well, ahem Talk, you know." Rick is actually blushing,

"Well, I agree, but Rick, we do need to talk, I mean T A L K about what you and I each expect from each other in this relationship, and yes Damn It, it's a relationship so you're off the market, is that point very clear Mr. Castle? Remember before you answer I have a gun, and I know how to use it" she laughs but Rick wondered how much was actual fact.

"Agreed, where do you want to start Kate, I mean talking is something new to us both. I can say this past week was the worst since well, eh"

"You mean the worst since you found out I love you, and I heard you. You can say it Rick, I lied, and that's probably the first ground rule we set down, Honesty Always, I know that sounds strange coming from me, but I promise you no more lies." Kate looks into his eyes trying to measure his degree of hurt remaining.

"Agreed, no lies, I can't take them anymore, even if you think something, we talk about it, no more subtext." Rick added, "Kate, you're forgiven, so forgive yourself, it's the only way we can move past this."

"Agreed Rick, I know I hang on to baggage as Dr. Burke calls it, far too long."

"Speaking of the good Doctor, we meet either him or someone for couples counseling, I know you are seeing him as an individual, and I have Dr. Schwartz, but I really think we would benefit from one Doctor who knows the entire story, both sides, or perspectives. I'm sure Dr. Schwartz would transfer my notes to Dr. Burke so you wouldn't have to start all over again." Rick smiled,

"Babe, you can't give up everything for me, I understand it's in your personality to take care of those you love, but sometimes you have to put Rick first. Call me out, don't let me get away with my crap Rick, I love you too much to fail in this relationship.

Will I get angry? Will I pout with you? Will I act like a bitch at times? Yes, to all, BUT Babe, the more you make me accountable, the less it will happen. Thank you though for allowing me to stay with Doctor Burke.

Now the next compromise goes to your side, see how this can work?" Kate smiles into him before pulling him into a kiss, something new as well. She isn't or rather hasn't been the one to publicly display affection or hell, even initiate it in private, well till now.

"OK, I need space from time to time Kate, it's not that I'm angry or upset, I just need some me time to think and plan. I've been this way all my life, and it's always caused problems in the past. I'm putting this out now, just letting you know I'm too old to change so what do you think?" He looked with doubt in his eyes.

"Like I said, I may pout, I may bitch, but Rick, remind me, that you love me, and this was part of our Terms of Loving and Living we came up with." Kate exclaimed holding her breath to see what he thought of her title of the issue list.

"Terms of Loving and Living? You can tell you are from parents who are attorneys, but I love it, let's spell out the details, I think I want my woman in that special way, but that's another rule, we make love, not have sex, if you're not into it all the way, just don't go through the motions OK?" Rick looked at her with his puppy dog eyes,

"I don't think it will ever come to that Babe, BUT if it does, well I will tell you. Sex with you was great, making love now is even better, but I see my Mom and Dad holding hands still just as much in love after all those years, it doesn't require sex to stay in love Rick." She smiled and lowered her head onto his shoulder, never letting go of his free hand.

They continued talking all the way to the hotel, and for the first two hours they were in their suite, till, finally, both had voiced every worry, every concern, and then nature took its course, and again, and again. It was a night that truly marked the first night of two individuals who were working hard to become one entity.

Castle's Loft

Wednesday December 23rd

8:17 PM

Rick and Kate were in the Loft putting the finishing touches on the Christmas decorations, this was the first in a long time for Kate, and she was remembering fond memories, not the seasons of hurt. Rick, ever vigilant, watching for any sign, any crack in her exterior, till finally,

"Babe, I love you, I love that you worry about me so much you are watching to see if I get sad, or revert back to Bitch Kate, Thank You, but if you're going to stare that hard at me, God at least make it my ass or legs." She laughed and Rick grabbed her off the three-step ladder and embraced her, kissing her like they had been for the last week or so. Each kiss had more passion than either ever remembered from anyone else, and it came so natural to them.

"I love you Rick, I can't thank you enough for being so patient, so kind, and so forgiving to me, God I came so close to losing you not once but three times." A tear forms in her eye

"Hey, Hey, we've been through this, I'm invoking our terms of loving and living, no crying or rehashing or old history." He kissed her gently, then kissed each eye, finally whispering,

"Kate, you have no idea how you complete me, all the money in the world couldn't give me what you do with just one look. I just wish we could have the entire weekend together, I understand your tradition, but God I'm going to miss you so badly."

"I don't think you will Babe, I really don't" she had that evil look in her eye, Part of your present this year is I'm off till January 4th, so new traditions are going to be made, out here and well*"

She doesn't finish her statement before Rick has her in a lip lock like she hasn't experienced in a long time, the kiss was passionate, gentle, but demanding till finally they both had to break for oxygen,

"I thought you had your tradition, I mean I love it, it's the best present you could give me, but like we talked, are you sure you're not giving up too much for me, I love you so much." Rick is a mess rambling like Kate had never seen.

"Babe, it's what I want, I want to live for you, for our daughter, and maybe our kids if things go well, like I said, I want it all Rick, the whole nine yards. Maddie was right, I do want little Castle babies, WHEN it's right." She blushed, but stayed locked in the gaze of those two blue orbits,

"Well, I guess we'll need to discuss some other things down the road a little bit, but for now, Kate, things are going wonderful, more than wonderful, I want to keep this magic we have going, if I can" He was almost apologetic in his reply,

"Babe, I didn't mean tomorrow, I wanted you to know I'm in it for the long haul, I'm not leaving till you drive me away, I mean it." She had that determined look on her face like she got in the interrogation room.

"OK, then, we'll talk about this part soon, I promise Kate, it won't be years, but like I said, I couldn't stand to lose you, so let me get comfortable Babe, then," The doorbell buzzed and interrupted his statement, but they both knew, they wanted the same things, it was just a matter of when now.

They walked to the door with their arms around each other as had become their custom, and when the door opened, both were speechless. There stood Alexis, Shane, Mandy and Gary, all with huge smiles, yelling Merry Christmas.

"Come in, please come in, you guys are family why didn't you use your key Alexis?" Rick asked

"Well Shane and I were going to spend this evening by ourselves, then well I started saying how I would miss the tradition here, and the next thing I knew he was on the phone to Mandy asking if they could join us for the trip. We had Shane and Mandy's tradition yesterday, Gary and I were allowed to see inside their love a bit. It was very touching, and just made me glad he decided to bring us here, if we're welcome of course." Alexis exclaimed

Kate first smacked her on the arm, and said as she pulled her into a hug, "You're lucky I didn't have my gun, it would have been little Castle getting shot for saying something like that."

As they all greeted and hugged each other a lightbulb went off in Rick's head,

"Alexis you said you and Shane made the trip together with Gary and Mandy, where did they meet up with you at, and how long where you there?" Rick asked as any Dad would do.

"Rick, not now, and it doesn't matter. You missed a very key new addition to our girl's wardrobe", as she shot him the evil eye,

"What do you mean Kate, I mean she's still my litt OH MY GOD, what's on your left-hand Alexis?" He exclaimed

"Well Daddy, Shane asked me to marry him, once I'm done with school and his deployment is done, and I said yes, I love him Daddy, he's my one."

"When did this happen, and how did you keep it a secret?" Rick continued,

"He proposed 3 days ago, he was acting strange, called me and asked me could I come to base to see him before he came home for Christmas, of course I thought the worse and was on the train that night. He asked me under the stars outside the Chapel on the base, and I absolutely am head over heels so don't be mad Daddy, please?" She pleaded like his little girl had done so many times before

Rick broke out in a grin, and hugged his future Son-in-Law, "you did good Son, I almost let it slip a couple of times, but I'm glad it's out now."

"Wait, you knew Daddy, HOW?" Alexis screeched

"Because before I left, I came to your Dad to ask his permission, it was the right thing to do, and I wanted him to know just how serious I was, this isn't a fling, you aren't, you are my life Alexis" Shane said as he held his fiancé when the tears burst open.

Kate, Mandy, and even Rick if he would admit it. had moisture in their eyes, first that the young couple had found each other, secondly because he valued the family structure enough to put himself in the line of a Father's rage, by asking for her hand. The remainder of the evening discussing future and past, and now blending separate families into one, the Magic of Christmas or was it the magic of love, either way, the Castle Loft was the happiest it had been in years.