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 11

Previously

"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.

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12th Precinct

Friday 6:15 AM, Second Week of Becketts Return

Kate entered the precinct greeting the officers almost ready to leave for their day, midnight shifts were rough, on the body and family life, but there isn't an off and on switch for crime. It had been a good week, now that she had a full week back in the field with her team, and had made great efforts to apologize for her behavior.

She still needed to talk to Lanie, she had her letter in her purse, so maybe she would send it inter-office mail to her, then try to call her later. Paula had sent her an email acknowledging that she received her email and the scanned document of her letter to Rick that was attached, all she said was "Good Luck, see what I can do, but again, it's not for you, just remember."

Kate thought she was lucky Paula was willing to do as much as she was, considering how and why Rick left and now knowing that Paula was in love with him and Alexis as much as she was. She thought, honestly, she wouldn't be able to put someone else first if they had hurt Rick, well now that she was working with Doctor Burke, perhaps she could if it would bring him closure.

She had her large to go coffee in her hand, trying not to remember it was the same cup, same coffee that a certain writer had kept her supplied with, as she viewed the new entries on the Holloway murder board. Ryan had neatly added the alibi for the ex-spouse, they were on a cruise in the Bahama's and had been beginning two days before the victim was shot.

Well, one of her hypotheses was out the window, the alibi was not air tight, but water tight for the ex-spouse. Maybe the surveillance tapes would reveal more, the boys would be in shortly, she would catch up then. As she buried her head in paperwork, she caught a glimpse of Gates entering her office from the corner of her eye, "Great, now my day is complete she thought" as she sunk lower in her chair.

It was barely out of her thoughts when she heard "Detective Beckett, a moment please" come from the She-Beast office as she silently referred to her new boss.

"Yes Sir, be right there, Sir" she answered as politically correct as the hour of the day would allow her to do,

As soon as she made her way to the office, Gates looked up over her glasses, and said in her normal, (arrogant, and condescending) tone,

"Close the door and have a seat Detective,"

Kate's thoughts raced back, now what the hell was she on her pedestal about, nothing she could recall unless something happened last evening with the boys.

"Yes Sir, you wanted to see me Sir"

"Yes, when was the last time you spoke to your team about the Holloway case Detective?"

"Last evening before I left at 6:22 PM Sir, is there a problem? They had just received the surveillance tapes and were going to review them before they left for the evening. "

"Yes Detective, but nothing we can control, it seems your victim Mr. Holloway was a Confidential Informant for the FBI Special Task Force, unfortunately some of the Intel he passed along was traced back to him and he paid the price.

"I received a call from the District Director last evening, Agents had just left with the tapes, and information you and your team had gathered, and were assuming responsibility for the case, I'm sorry."

"Thank You Sir, it's where it belongs Sir, if they were acting on Intel he supplied, I'm sure this case would have spun us in several directions, so Thank You for letting me know Sir, I'll mark the case Transferred to Confidential Source."

"Exactly Detective, I don't have to tell you how fussy the Federal Agents are with their information, even when they didn't do a damn thing to collect it, so let's keep them out of here if we can. Thanks Detective, Dismissed"

Kate turned and left Gates office to see the boys waiting by her desk.

"She tell you Boss?" Ryan asked,

"Yes, she did Kevin, let's get the paperwork all collected and follow the routine to the letter, no need to piss anyone off because we missed something"

"Kate, you're not upset, the Feds stealing our case?" Javi asked,

"NO WAY on this one Javi, they would have jacked us around at every turn just to keep their sources clean, even if they were dead. They are welcome to this one" Kate said sincerely

"I started to call you last night, but Kevin wouldn't let me, told me it would keep till today and I'm glad, I didn't know."

"Thanks Kevin, you would have ruined a great bath and relaxation period had you called, the next case will be here so let's get this board put away,"

The boys looked at each other, this wasn't the Beckett they remembered, one who would have cussed, kicked and screamed about the Feds, she even did it when she lived with one. Something had happened to mellow Kate out, perhaps she was trying to turn over a new leaf after all.

Just as Kate returned to her desk, her desk phone rang, "Beckett" was her reply as always, and all she heard was a crying voice, "Kate, I'm sorry, so sorry, I know you went through Hell and I shouldn't have been so mean to you."

"Lanes, it's OK, really, stop crying, tell you what, let's do lunch today, I take it you got my letter"

"Yeah, and I'm going to smack you, you made me cry,"

Kate started laughing, her friend was back, maybe she could get through this mess after all,

"See you at lunch Lanes," as she hung up the phone, feeling much better than when she had walked into the precinct a few hours ago.

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

20 Minutes Later

San Diego Hotel

Alexis had never unpacked so quickly in her life; she spent a good 10 minutes in front of the mirror primping to make every detail just right. There was just something about Shane, he was so handsome, but it was more that physical, she was just drawn to him more than she ever had been to any other guy.

She wondered if Mandy had something to do with the housing arrangement, she was in the adjoining suite to hers, and Rick was in the one adjoining to Shane. Either Mandy wanted the logistics to reduce time away, or she had an inkling of the chemistry that would be ignited.

Damn, she forgot to ask, did he have a Girlfriend, because she wouldn't step in any other girl's circle, regardless of how she felt about the man. She knew how she felt when Ashley cheated on her, then the tramp had the gall to tell her she knew he had a girlfriend, she just wanted to see if she could hook him as she put it.

Her phone buzzed, and she answered,

"Hi Shane, you ready?"

"Hi Alexis, sure am, looks like Mom has done her thing again, I'm sorry but she just can't stop being Mom, she arranged the rooms so I'm next to your Dad, and you her, again I apologize"

"Don't be silly Shane, she probably had help from my Dad, I know what you mean about not stopping being a parent, but we're both so lucky to be loved so much. I don't mind it a bit, in fact I think it's sweet of them."

"Thanks Alexis, a lot of others wouldn't be so understanding, I'm glad you are. I know you are probably a lot like your Dad, so I have to ask this so I can manage my expectations tonight and the next few days. Are you seeing anyone, because I'm not, I mean, I don't want to step on any man's interest," he heard Alexis laugh gently on the phone,

"No Shane, no one, but I was struggling to bring the same topic up with you, if you had a girlfriend, we would still be friends, but I would know my boundaries" she could feel the redness creep up her neckline,

Shane smiled into the phone, and said "Great, now I will escort you down for a coke or coffee while Mom and Rick plot out our futures he laughed, be right there as he hung up the phone. He couldn't see the smile that almost broke Alexis face, wow, handsome, smart, and single, she was glad she decided to come for the weekend.

A light knocking on her door shook her from her daydream and wiped the smile off her face, as she answered the door,

"Hi Shane, you changed out of your uniform, but you still look great" was out of her mouth before she even knew it,

"Thanks Alexis, I only wear it when I have too, I enjoy the thanks for your service, and slaps on the back, even the occasional Oorah but not when I'm with family or close friends." His dimples were even more prominent now that Alexis was only a foot or so away from him.

"You look beautiful, you didn't need to change clothes, you'd make anything you wear look better" as they both blush.

Unknown to them, Rick and Mandy were peeking out the door observing Shane as he extended his arm to Alexis, and they walked arm in arm to the elevator. Shane had sent his Mom a text they would meet in the bar area when she and Rick were ready.

"Wow Rick, Alexis is beautiful, she looks so mature for her age, and I can tell Shane is really taken with her. I just hope she doesn't have a boyfriend, that would break my boy's heart I know for sure." Mandy worried,

"Well, no worries there, she had a boyfriend when she first came here, in fact I was a bit worried, but he pulled the I want to fish in another pond while he was still with her, and she caught him. Sent him packing, and to be honest, she really wasn't that upset. I think she said, "Dad, you know what it feels like, but I won't give him another chance to make me look foolish, he's history."

"What about Shane, should I be worried about my little girl getting her heart broke? I mean such a good-looking young man, with all that going for him he has to have his share of girls."

"No, he's been single since High School Prom, Janis wanted to get serious, and he told her that she was too young to be attached to a Marine, it would be better if they waited for a few years. Turns out he was right, she got pregnant by a high school friend of his 4 months later, so he's been single since.

He said it didn't bother him, but he was hurt, I know, well so do you what infidelity will do to a relationship. He doesn't know about Johnny; he must never know I wouldn't want him to think less of his Dad for a moments weakness."

"I understand, and I have no idea about what you are speaking of," Rick said with a smile,

She winked at him, "How long do you think we should hang back before we old folks go down to the bar area, I'm thinking at least a half hour"

"That sounds about right, any longer and I know Alexis would know that we were up to something, an oh get ready for the quiz about the location of the rooms. Just tell her the suites were less expensive, and were the only rooms that the hotel could guarantee we would all be on the same floor, our story so we have to stick to it" as he laughed,

Shane and Alexis had talked so freely, it seemed like they had known each other all their lives, even finishing sentences for the other. They both were happy their parents were talking, Shane confessed that he had really screwed up about 2 years ago and hurt his Mom terribly.

"What happened Shane, I can't picture anything you could do to hurt your Mom, you two are as close as Daddy and I, or at least you seem to be.

"Yes, we are Alexis, but I lost my Dad when I was six, Mom raised me all by herself, well with the help of the guys in Dad's Company in the Marines. It seemed like I had a squad of Dads to choose from whenever I needed one, they were all great to us.

Well about two years ago, Mom started getting interested in one of Dad's old friends, he had since retired from the Corp, and lost his wife almost 3 years earlier so there was no reason for them not to get close, well except me.

I screwed up, and threw a fit, I was just out of Boot Camp, Dad's memory so fresh in my mind, so Mom backed off. It hurt her badly as well as Gary. He was a lot like Dad, maybe that's why, it bothered me so, but Mom had been single for 12 years, sacrificed everything for me, and I cost her a chance to be happy.

I didn't get a chance to make it right before Gary moved, and we lost touch with him, and I cost Mom the opportunity to possibly be happy again, it wasn't my decision to make but Mom sacrificed her happiness to keep this spoiled brat of a child happy.

I would do anything to make it right, and I'm still trying to locate him, on the DL of course. It's probably too late except for me to say I'm sorry."

Shane almost had tears in his eyes when he finished, and she didn't know what possessed her to take his hand in hers, and kiss his cheek as she whispered, "She forgave you Shane, forgive yourself, it'll work out if it's meant to be, at least that's what Dad always says. He's usually right but don't tell him I said that, his head is big enough" she smiled.

Shane smiled, and held her hand firmly, as he looked her in the eyes and kissed her ever so gently on her lips.

"Forgive me Alexis, that was so forward, I'm usually not tha*"

He was interrupted with Alexis returning the kiss, "Don't apologize if you hadn't kissed me, I would have kissed you" and the redness came out on both.

"You're special, you know that don't you? Mom and I talked when she first started talking to Rick, I kind of check to be sure she's not getting scammed, then she told me about you and all you did for your Dad, I mean that's really something." Shane noticed his Mom out of the corner of his eye, and moved ever so slightly to his own side of the booth, "Parent Alert" is all he said.

Alexis smiled, she couldn't help it, she didn't care she just couldn't stop looking at him.

"Hey you two, have you been a gentleman Shane?" Mandy asked, as Alexis slid out of the booth, Mandy added "Come here Sweetie, I owe you a hug a huge one, it's so good to see you and you're even prettier than you were on those calls."

"He's been a complete gentleman Mandy; you should be proud of him. He can carry a conversation on anything from World Peace to how to stimulate the economy," Alexis laughed.

"Well it's easy when you're talking to a smart and beautiful young lady, rarely do you find the two together and I'm sure Alexis is going to take Stanford by storm." Alexis blushed as Shane reached over and gently took her hand to escort her back into the booth. He didn't let go, even after she was comfortably back in her seat.

Rick winked at Mandy, and asked "Shane your Mom said you were only here for the weekend, any special reason for the trip?"

"Yes Sir, I mean Rick, I have been transferred to Quantico, and this is an awards banquet and dance to celebrate our success."

"He's being humble, he finished first in his class for both field and academic topics and exercises so he jumped in rank. Quantico is so far away but it's better than some foreign port." Mandy said with the pride of a mother in her voice and tear in her eye.

"How long can you stay Shane; I mean do you have other obligations or just the banquet and dance?" Alexis asked.

"I have to be in Quantico at 06:00 or 6:00 AM on Wednesday so I have till Tuesday to stay. The banquet is Friday, and the dance is Saturday, I wasn't going to the dance but, eh well, Alexis would you do me the honor of accompanying me to the dance Saturday." He got it out but was as red as the bottle of ketchup on a server's tray.

Alexis looked up, "I'll have to go shopping, but Yes, I would love to, thank you for asking me"

Mandy eased the situation, "Oh Sweetie, I got all A's in shopping we can hit the stores tomorrow if you wouldn't mind me coming along. I'm sure your Dad and Shane will have somethings to talk about as she smiled, and Shane had a look of panic in his eyes.

"Daddy, if you do anything like you usually do, I swear I will call Patterson with all of your plot lines you have stored" Alexis is glaring at her Dad.

Rick swallows hard, as Shane holds Alexis hand just a bit tighter and Mandy laughed, seeing how this young lady could stand her own, even with her Dad.

"I think it's time to eat," was all that Rick could say as they filed out to the restaurant, the young ones still holding hands as their parents looked into each other's eyes and smiled, yeah this could be something special, let them work it out.