Love's Journey

Originally by The Muse of Apollo, now carried forward from Chapter 8 by Castlefan6 with permission from author

Authors Note This is set before the end of season 2, but after Tick Tick/Boom. Chapters 1-7 are the work of the original author The Muse of Apollo, following chapters are work of Castlefan6

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

A/N The next few chapters are going to be rough for the Caskett Shippers, I ask you to be patient as this as the tittle indicates is a Journey, not a sprint

A/N 2 We didn't get as far into the journey as planned last chapter, BUT we will, sometimes they just get carried away.

A/N to the guest reviewer that wasn't happy with the pace, thanks but find someone else to troll, your reviews are marked for auto delete To all other guests thanks for the positive feedback and suggestions

Chapter 14

Previously

"I'm sorry Detective Beckett, Dad is with Jess in her new apartment, and anyway he told Gram and I we were not to tell you where he is or what he is doing, I'm sorry Detective can I help you with anything else?"

Kate almost chokes up with emotion but manages to squeak out "No Alexis, I don't want you to get into trouble with your father so thanks and let's pretend this call never happened, OK?"

"OK Detective, I hope you are feeling better Dad said you were a train wreck waiting to happen, not sure what he meant by that, but I when I asked he just said you weren't feeling like yourself, Good Bye Detective."

Kate is in a state of shock, Castle, Blocking her from his life, Why? She thinks to herself, Why Not, what did you ever offer him besides telling him how much you didn't want him. Then when you got the physical need, he was good enough, and boy was he good in bed, but you opted for the cute boy toy, Kate you are an idiot. She is weeping again now, finally facing the fact that probably Castle is never going to speak to her again, and he had moved on, with Jess or whatever Miss Priss's name was. She knows that isn't fair, but she needs someone to blame as she pours herself a half glass of vodka and grabs a book by Pattison, and heads to bed. Another long and sleepless night awaits her and now she doesn't even have work to buffer her hurt, what a mess she has made.

Jess has booked an early flight to Boston the next day and as she prepares to check out of the Embassy Suites for the last time, her phone rings with her favorite ring tone, Rick's. "Good Morning Jess, if you look out the front doors you will see a Grey Mercedes with some fool waving, do you see us?"

Jess is laughing hysterically at the site of Rick in a chauffer's cap waving his cap and smiling from ear to ear, "I see you Mr. Castle, is that really you or did you hire a double to come to my hotel, I know 5:30 AM is not a time you see very often."

Rick begins that deep throat laugh that Jess loves so well as he responds, "Jess I assure you it is I, Rick, I don't trust my most treasured friends with just anyone, especially not cabs at this hour. Please allow me to accompany you to the airport, Please?" as the little boy whine comes out.

Jess feels that warm glow flood through her body when she thinks about the words Rick just used, Most Treasured, wow, "Rick you know I can't resist you little boy begging routine, so yes I will be right out as soon as I check out and settle my account here."

"Jess, it's already been taken care of, and PLEASE don't be angry I just like doing things for people I care about, OK?"

Jess thinks for a second, then responds "Rick, I'll accept this time, but you have to stop, I need to take care of my finances, and as much as I appreciate all your kindness, I don't want anyone to think I took this job to take advantage of your wealth."

"I'm sorry Jess, I never thought how it would look from your end, and you are right, forgive me?"

"I will if you let me get out of here before I miss my plane you goof" as they both break out in laughter.

The actual driver retrieves his cap from Rick and places Jess's bags in the trunk as Rick assists Jess into the back of the private limo. Jess looks deep into his eyes and purrs, "Rick, you are spoiling me, being so sweet and doing everything in your power to make my life a pure joy."

"Is that so bad Jess, did I do something wrong or offend you in anyway?"

"No, not at all Rick, it's just that, well I mean, uh,"

"Jess, please just tell me, I can't bear to think I hurt you when you are going to be gone for such a long time"

"Rick, it's 10 days, and I will miss you too, it's just that I am getting used to you treating me like this and I don't know if I can stand it should it ever stop, you are ruining me for any other man" she rushes out as the blush creeps fully into her face.

Rick takes the initiative this time, reaching down slowly, he turns Jess to face him, gently cups her cheeks in his hands, and places a very soft sweet kiss slowly on her perfect lips. "I never thought things moved this fast, but Jess, I don't want to be away from you at all, that might be stupid, and I may be rushing things, but I think you like me a little anyway."

"Rick, I like you more than a little bit, but we need to take things slow, you are coming off something I don't even know what, but I know your heart was broken, and I would rather die than to cause you that pain again. Am I being stupid or does that make sense, please be honest, we need honesty in everything" she rushes out in one breath.

Rick smiles that special smile she swears he saves just for her, and whispers "It's not stupid at all, you're right, we still need to discuss what has happened in my past, it's not fair to you to enter into anything beyond this. I feel the same way, I would never hurt you, and I agree we need to be honest with each other in everything, lies nearly destroyed me and I am not sure I can go through that again, OK?" "Just know that taking it slow means I still get to kiss you from time to time, after all you started it."

She laughs, grabs his face and plants a kiss on him that is meant to last the ten days they are apart, breaking apart, his eyes are watering, and she is breathless as they both whisper "WOW". Timing was perfect as they look out and see they have arrived at departing flights, Rick frowns, but Jess reaches up and kisses him softly, and says "I'll call you via skype or Facetime every night Rick, we won't be totally apart, OK?"

Rick smiles the sad smile, and replies with his own gentle kiss, and breathes, "you promise?" "text me when you land OK?"

"Promise" she whispers

Rick walks her as far as he can before she goes through security, and being aware of the public environment, they limit their goodbye to a hug and quick peck on the lips. As much as they were aware, behind the plant by the coffee stand is the paparazzi who snaps a series of shots, including the kiss. He thinks to himself, well Rent is paid this month as Rick heads back to the limo unaware of what just happened.

Becketts Apartment 5:30 AM same day

Beckett looks at the clock again, and finally decides to get up, she hasn't slept anyway so just tossing and turning is more frustrating. Making an extra strong cup of coffee, she begins to think about her job, rather than focus on Castle, hell he is gone anyway and there is no coming back from that.

Having a father who is an attorney has its perks, one who is an early riser is even better. She reaches out and grabs her phone from the counter, she presses 2 for Dad on her speed dial, and is surprised when he answers half way through the first ring.

"Katie, what's wrong, are you OK? Should I come over"

"Dad, slow down, how do you know something is wrong and why would you want to come over?"

"Katie it's 5:30 AM and you never call me till after 6:00 PM unless something is drastically wrong, so spill I need to leave for a breakfast meeting in 30 minutes."

Through some tears, anger, from Kate and Jim both she finally gets through the events that got her suspended, including the pictures that were being shown around the locker room. Kate is so embarrassed, and to Jim's credit has handled this mess very well, not saying much till she has worked her way through her story.

"Katie, you know this is not my specialty but let me do some discrete inquires to see if we have a case against your boyfriend,"

"He's not my Damn Boyfriend Dad, hasn't been for a while, I just can't believe I was so foolish to throw my relationship with Castle away for this scum bag."

"What do you mean Katie, Isn't Castle still on your team? That man loved you and it would take heaven and earth to get him to leave your side"

"Well Dad, I managed to do that as well, he is gone and won't even return my calls or texts for me to apologize and I have to live with the awful way I treated and allowed others to treat him, I am such a fool"

"Wow Katie when you make a mess, you don't do it small time do you? Let me check this out and I'll call you, and honey that man loves you so see what you can do to get him back, that's the last time I saw you happy was with him. I'll call you in a day or so, Love you,"

"Love you too Dad, and Thanks. You really think he loves me as much as you said,"

"Katie, I know what he was like when you were together, it's up to you to make it right and I just don't know how, Good Luck, Bye"

Kate completes laundry, shopping, paying bills, and cleaning the entire apartment, twice and it is still only 10:00 AM. She reaches for her phone dreading the next call but knows she must get it over with.

Kate dials and Lanie picks up on the first ring, "Girl what the hell did you do, one minute you are kicking your Boyfriends Ass, the next he is on the way to the hospital and you are suspended, what gives, and girl, you better level with me"

"Lanie, he is not my boyfriend, and had I known when I was sparring with him that he had taken photos when we were intimate I would have killed him, no need for the hospital. Any way IA was present during the alleged beating and are ruling it harassment by a Senior Detective for revenge for the pictures and get this we both are facing a morals charge and I am immediately suspended for 30 days pending a hearing. Montgomery went through the roof, and I'm not sure if he believed me or not when I told him I had no knowledge that Demming was showing pictures around the locker room as well as the boy talk, in fact his comment to me was, Yeah Right, made me fell cheap and foolish. He even asked why I threw Castle away for such a scum bag, seems like everyone knew but me."

"Kate, why do you think that is, it was pretty obvious to us all, but you bit our heads off, especially Castle when anyone would say a word about Pretty Boy. Girl do you even remember some of the remarks you and Boy Toy threw at Rick? If you do then you know I was embarrassed by the way you treated Rick, after all this time you threw him to the curb like yesterday's trash."

"Lanes, I can't stand another lecture now, Please, I need to let Castle know how sorry I am, and beg him to at least take a call from me, I even tried Alexis, and she told me he was with Jess at her new apartment, and that her Dad didn't want her or Grams to let me know what he was doing. That almost killed me Lanie, I didn't know he could be so cruel."

"Kate you are not going to want to hear this, but Rick being Cruel? Girl you better look in the mirror, that man gave you more opportunities to walk all over his heart and it seems you took advantage of everyone of them, and you call him cruel, when he is trying to survive? Get over yourself Kate, you are my friend, I love you, but I don't know who you have become, and you are not the same friend you were two months ago."

"Lanes, what do I do I am drowning here, and the only help I have received is my poor Dad listening to the entire sordid affair and trying to find some legal help that will keep it quiet, God Lanie, what if Dad see's those picture, I just want to die."

"Kate, I have an idea, but I am not telling you anything yet to get your hopes up, it might blow up in my face, and if it does best if you don't know about it. I am at work and I gotta go, call your when I know something."

A/N Bit long for my usual Chapters but could not find a logical stopping point. Any idea what Lanie is up to? Reviews are nice, Thanks to all who have, some I could not respond to.