Unexpected Detour

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: Thisis my AU version to a different outcome from the RISE episode in Canon. Kate left to deal with her demons, perhaps she wasn't the only one needing to come to terms with what life brought them all. This is a LONG Road but initial plan is to wind up CASKETT, don't push too hard it will take some time to develop plot points.

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

Chapter 10

Previously

"Rick, this may be none of my business, if so please say so, but do you want to FORGET Kate, or if she magically appeared and made every wrong right, do you love her enough to forgive, and think about that before you answer, It's not as easy as you think."

There was an extended silence on the line, Mandy waited for almost five minutes till she said, "It's OK Rick, we don't have to talk about it, *"

"NO, I do want to talk about it, but to be honest I don't know how to answer the question. Somedays I hurt so bad I would take anything, bear any humiliation just to be with her, and other days, well the hurt opens up a deep hole and pulls me in until I almost hate her, I don't know if that's normal or not, I never felt that deeply for anyone before" His voice cracked as he answered

**************************************************************************/

Beckett's Apartment

Later Same Night

Kate was still shaking from the dream, no sense even trying to go back to sleep, she would never be able to rest now. "Well, Doctor Burke said three journals so might as well get them done, what else am I going to do for the next three hours" she asked herself.

She began;

Dear Alexis,

PLEASE don't throw this out before you read it, PLEASE. I know you hate me, and you have the right, I hate myself for what I did to you, your Dad and all those who loved him. I won't offer any excuses, there are none, I told your Dad I would call, and I didn't, it hurt you all so deeply and for that I apologize.

Alexis, I know that my action caused you to do things a young lady your age should never have to do, especially worry about you Dad drinking, and if he would hurt himself, all because I broke his heart. Lanie let me know the details, so forgive her for sharing, but she let me know in no certain terms, how badly I had hurt you as well as your Dad.

I can only offer that I am now seeing a Therapist, yes as in Psychiatrist, to attempt to make amends to everyone I hurt. Part of that was to write a journal or letter to each of you, I'm not even certain if you'll see this or not, but I am writing it from the heart, not just to satisfy an assignment from my doctor.

I remember when your family took me in after my apartment was bombed, how kind each of you were, and I remember our Girl Talks, they meant so very much to me to have you look up to me. I know I have disappointed you, hurt you, even angered you, all because I hurt your Dad.

I remember one talk we had, perhaps you do as well, we were discussing what offenses were forgivable and you looked me in the eye and said "Kate, I could forgive you for anything EXCEPT, if you ever hurt my Dad, I promise you, I'll devote my life to make yours hell."

I remember that talk so well because, the gentle young lady was gone and there stood a warrior ready to throw down with anyone, it was then that I realized that the love your Dad had for you was a two-way street between you and he.

I am so very sorry to have robbed you of those special times I know you both looked forward to and enjoyed. Laser tag games, movie nights, and your Dad going over the bridge to bring you the special pizza, just some of those times I stole, so please understand I ask you to forgive me. I know now, just what a price tag my actions bore on so many.

I have written your Dad to beg his forgiveness, not that I expect or deserve it, but you have to know I am sincere in this apology. I never apologized to anyone before, even when I knew I was wrong so this is new to me, and I ask you please just consider it.

Alexis, if I could turn back time, I would please believe me. I would take that gunshot all over again, and the pain that came with it, IF I could see that girl I thought of as my daughter, just once more. As I said, I'm not sure if you will even see this, but I wanted you to know how badly I feel, and I never told you, I'm so very proud of you as well, quite an accomplishment made even more difficult by me.

I hope someday I can sit down face to face with you and your Dad, I'm not expecting that day to come, but I hold on to the hope. If anything, I can leave you with, please know I love your father more than anything in this world. I know it's probably far too little too late, but please know, he is loved and will be Always,

Kate

As she had with Rick's letter, she blotted the tear drops that had somehow escaped her eyes and folded the letter to mail. A thought hit her as she looked for an envelope, there was her Stanford Orientation file, still pristine as it was the day she received. The only changes were the passwords she had tried to cleverly hide as book titles.

It was a long shot but, so was writing the letter so she fired up her laptop, and tried her sign in and log on credentials at the Stanford home page. In a moment she was directed to a directory, where she did a student search, all she really needed to know was what dorm Alexis was housed at. Unless the rules had changed all freshmen would be required to stay on campus.

She searched under Rogers, without any results, then she remembered Rick was Castle when Alexis had been born, so she repeated the search using Castle. Her suspicions were confirmed, although just a minimum amount of information was returned but A Castle, NYC was enrolled and indeed a resident of the Freshmen Dorm.

She addressed the envelope, then let it sit on her table as she walked away consumed with doubt and fear. Was this such a good idea, I mean really writing his daughter, what if he perceived that as trying to sneak in the backdoor.

Finally, she thought, what the hell do I have to lose, I'm going for it. She didn't use a return address label disclosing her name, but rather used her Dad's P.O. Box. She knew if Alexis saw Katherine Beckett on any mail where it would be in a matter of seconds, and who could blame the young lady. Grabbing her badge, gun and changing into her running shoes she ran to the Post Office about 2 miles from her apartment. When she returned, it was her normal time to rise and get ready for work, so off to the showers she went.

A/N At this point we are 6 weeks into Kate's stay at the cabin, in 6 more weeks we will be back to one-time frame, give or take a few weeks that Kate has been back to work.

Flashback Ricks Activities during Kate's stay in the Cabin.

3 Weeks Later

Rick and Mandy had talked every night, some just briefly, Rick had gained his certification in Scuba Diving and had taken some side jaunts to explore. His physical condition had never been better, he had dropped 22 pounds, and built up muscles that had began to deteriorate. He actually felt better than he had in a long time, both physically and mentally.

Alexis was doing great in school, she even joined a Skype conference call with Mandy that day, thrilling them both. She had finally concluded that Mandy was exactly what her Dad had described, his best friend, a Very Hot looking best friend, but they acted more like family than lovers. Her Dad could never keep a secret even after she had pried and pried, with the answer always the same.

It was during the Skype Call that Alexis just blurted out,

"Mandy, you know I thought my Dad was lying when he said there was nothing romantically going on between you two, but now I see it's true. Thank you for being the Best Friend he hasn't had in such a long time."

Rick coughed and sputtered, "What Daddy you know it's true, Mandy is beautiful and just your type. I know now she has given you more than anything you've had in years, Confidence in yourself.

I don't hear those little put down jokes on yourself you used to do so much anymore, and again I'm so very proud of you, but Mandy I could just hug you, my Dad, my REAL Dad is back to me"

Even through the Skype screen Rick could see the blush come over Mandy,

"Alexis, your Dad gave me a great gift as well, I thought I was useless, not needed now that Shane is grown. I needed your Dad as much as he needed me. I always used to doubt all those stories of he's just a friend till now, I love your Dad, just in a special friend type of way."

"I see that, and what ever works for you, I know he seems happier than he's been in, well a long time. It's just so nice to hear his laugh, and know it's not forced for his little girl, he still can't believe I'm grown now."

"Hey, you'll always be my little pumpkin*"

"DADDY, I don't mind that when it's us, but I haven't been pumpkin since 4th grade, I remember specifically telling you I had outgrown that name" as both Rick and Mandy both laughed long and hard.

"I can picture that Alexis, even though I've yet to meet you in person, I'm so impressed with your maturity. Your Dad and I have talked about Kate, and the bad days so I understand just how much responsibility you took on, your Dad can't say enough about how proud of you he is."

"Well, I can't remember a moment growing up that my Dad wasn't there for me, he used to charter planes to get home from book signings to make my recitals, he didn't think I knew the huge effort he made but it made me love him even more. That's what hurt so much with Kate, I loved her too, I still don't know how she could do that, but it's over, Daddy's back now."

"OH, I almost forgot, Shane is going to be in San Diego in three weeks just for a long weekend, he wanted to know if Rick and or you Alexis wanted to join us there for dinner and just to get to know each other in person."

Rick thought Alexis would back out and was shocked when she was the first to reply,

"I'll be there, I don't have classes on Friday now, so I could travel Thursday after school and see my Dad, then meet you and your son Shane, would that work Daddy?"

"Of course, Alexis, I could drive up Thursday, grab late lunch then we could travel back to San Diego if that works." Rick could hardly hold the excitement in his voice.

"That works Dad, Mandy, I look forward to hugging you in person, I am so thankful to have him back, so I wouldn't miss this for the world. I guess you and Dad will finalize the details, I'll just plan on seeing Dad on Thursday, let's see three weeks will be the 19th, about 4:00 PM OK Daddy?"

"Sure Pu, eh Alexis, 4:00 PM it is on Thursday the 19th." Rick quickly recovered from his near slip.

"Well I'm going to drop I have a study group in a few minutes, Mandy Thank You, I can't wait to meet you in person, Daddy, be good, talk soon," then her face disappeared from the participants.

"Well, that was a surprise" Rick exclaimed, "I thought for sure she would nix the idea but she must really have fallen in love with you Mandy." Rick smiled

"Well, maybe, but I think she's got some missing Daddy pains as well, regardless of how long and hard she professes to be grown up, I'm a Mom and I know that little girl is still in there, especially when it comes to you. You did a fantastic job raising her Rick, I know it wasn't easy, even if you never wrote another book, she would be your biggest success."

"Thanks Mandy, I know how proud you are of Shane, and he has carried a heavy load for such a time. I'm sure he always tried to live up to his Dad, that's got to be tough when he's a legend and War Hero".

"Well I tried to remind him, Johnny was a man, and he's not supposed to be Johnny 2, one reason why we didn't name him junior, we didn't want him to be anyone but himself whatever that would be. We just didn't realize what an influence the Marines would have upon all our lives at the time."

"I'm sure Johnny's friends and fellow Marines made a lasting impression on him, he lost his Dad, but it sounds like he gained a squad of those willing to fill in where they could. I am proud of the job you did, it couldn't have been easy, keeping your personal grief hidden to allow a little boy to grow up so naturally."

"Hey stop that, I don't cry easy, but you almost got me, so let's talk tomorrow, go have some fun Rick, I can't wait to see you again, and meet your daughter in person"

San Diego

Three Weeks Later

Rick had picked Alexis up the previous afternoon and to say he was glad to see his little girl, would be quite the understatement. She was as excited as he, she couldn't get over how good he looked, tan, slim and fit and that smile, it was back. He could fake it for a lot of people and get by, but not his little girl.

After she had broken adult woman code and ran to hug her Dad, she held him for the longest time, then as she broke the hug, she stepped back and gasped,

"Daddy, you look Great, how much weight have you lost, I love your beard, and you should keep your hair longer, it looks good on you."

"Hi Sweetie, I missed you so very much, more than you will ever know. I promised to be good and let you do this on your own, and I'll admit Mandy had to talk me down a few times, he chuckled, but it didn't stop be from missing you every minute of every day."

"Well Mandy is terrific, I know I kept thinking you were lying to me, but now I understand, she's really good for you Daddy, it was exactly what you needed at the exact time. You still didn't answer me, how much did you lose, and how?"

"Well, twenty-two pounds in total, I was up to twenty-nine, but when I started lifting weights again, I added some mass which added the seven pounds. I also went Scuba Diving a great deal, it's so peaceful below the water, you wouldn't believe it."

"Dad, that's dangerous, I mean you don't know anything about diving, or do you?"

Rick smiled and showed her his patch, as RAID Certified Diver, "This is even good in Europe honey so if we ever go on a world cruise, I can dive anywhere."

They talked the entire way to San Diego, and then when they checked into the hotel where Shane was staying, Alexis noticed a tall good looking Marine just completing Check In.

"Dad, is that Mandy's son, I mean we're in San Diego and there are hundreds of Marines around here but he looks so familiar" she smiled

"If it's not he could be Shane's twin" Rick replied as he walked swiftly toward the young Marine.

"Excuse me, would you be Shane Reynolds by any chance?" Rick asked not knowing what to expect,

"Yes Sir, I am. How may I help you sir?" he said politely,

Rick broke out into a grin, and then introduced himself, "Well I'm Rick Castle and this is my daughter Alexis, friends of*"

"Excuse me for interrupting sir, I should have known from the way Mom talks about you, it's a pleasure to meet you Sir, and Miss, you are a very lovely young lady, it's a pleasure to meet you as well." As he shook each of their hands with a firm handshake,

"Shane, may I call you that?"

"Of course, Sir"

"Please relax, no Sirs or Miss, we are here to meet the Shane Reynolds son of my best friend Mandy and to enjoy a long weekend for as much time as you can spare. Let me first say Thank You for your service and sacrifice, we're proud of all our service men and women. Please call me Rick, *"

"And I'm Alexis, like Dad said no formalities, we just want to spend some time with you and your Mom. I haven't met her personally yet, but I owe her a debt of gratitude for taking care of this one", as she thumbs in Ricks direction, Shane breaks out in a huge smile. The first thing Alexis noticed was he was handsome, and the dimples came out when he smiled.

"Well she sent me a text, she's already checked in, so, maybe we could get settled then go for a coffee or soda, then if anyone is hungry, we can decide what to do for dinner," Shane smiled and Alexis seemed to hold on to his every word.

"That sounds great, your Mom has my number, so she can text me,"

"Or Shane can call me when things are settled", as Alexis reached for his phone entering her number into his phone, much to the young man's delight Both were blushing, but it was almost like their parent's chemistry from the moment they met.

"Yes, Let's do that Rick, I'll call Alexis, with your permission of course Sir, and Mom can call you when she's ready. I should be unpacked and changed in about twenty minutes Alexis, so I'll call you, I'm on the fifth floor across from Mom's room."

"It's settled then, I'll be ready in twenty minutes Shane and I can grab a coke while Dad and Mandy talk about us behind our backs" she laughed

"Great, it was a pleasure to meet you Sir, I mean Rick, and Alexis I'll see you in about twenty minutes, "

He turned almost like he was in the middle of a drill, so smartly and marched toward the elevator, as Rick looked down at Alexis. She hadn't taken her eye off of him since she first spotted him.

"Uh Hum, Dad's up here" he joked and saw the red creep into her face in a deep blush. "Only kidding sweetie, he's a real gentleman, looks like you both are off to a good start."

"Yeah, Dad, I think we are, he's, he's like a character in a movie, like the old Officer and a Gentleman, if he's anything like his Mom, he's the total package."

Rick looked on, "Whatever that means" but he knows his little girl is truly a woman now. Where had the time gone so fast.

A/N This brings the timeline for Rick back EQUAL to the time Kate returned to the precinct. Assume she has been back approximately two weeks when this weekend is over and Alexis returns to school.