Love's Journey 2
by Castlefan6
Authors Note This is the continuation of Love's Journey, originally authored by The Muse of Apollo, chapters 1-7 all following are work of Castlefan6' IF you haven't read the original Love's Journey please do so before proceeding with this,
I don't own Castle, I use the characters for amusement purposes only
Chapter 21
Previously
Outside the loft Kate immediately asks Jess, "Seriously did I cause that because Mike wanted what I didn't want to give? ""I felt so helpless when Rick told him he would bury him before he left the loft if he said what he started to." "I just cost Rick his best friend and set the project back because he left"
Jess interrupts her, "The project is fine, if Mike was really a friend like Rick is, he wouldn't have even considered hitting on you, and if he had the first no would have meant no, and you never screw anyone that you don't want too, no matter the cost, OK?"
12th Precinct
Monday 7:00 AM
Kate is up and headed to the precinct in hopes of catching Montgomery before something pisses him off and he refuses the request for assistance on transport, her timing was perfect catching him as he is just coming out of the break room.
"Sir, do you have a minute, I have something to discuss with you and I think you will like the positive press we can garner"
Roy motions to his office as Kate completes her coffee, and as they walk together he says, "Mother in Law is on a plane to HER own home, Thank God," maybe today will be better after all."
Kate smiles as she enters his office and lays out the change in personnel, and the revised plan and staged process of working the staff up to speed to avoid major problems.
"Can't say I am surprised about Mike, he had the hots for you pretty bad, and after Rick had to threaten him a month ago, I knew it was only a matter of time"
"I'm sorry sir, did you say that Rick threatened him a month ago?"
"Yea, it seems he thought you were really into him and was going to as he put it Ride the Wave all night long, when Rick reminded him you had said no thanks to his advances he accused Rick of having something on the side with you, as the reason he didn't want him in the picture"
"Sir, where did this occur, and why, how did I not know about it?"
"Kate are you going to stand there and tell me that there are things you and Jess have discussed, that have never been revealed", Kate just blushes knowing no response was needed.
"We were at Ricks for a poker game and Jess called me aside and said she only heard the tail end of the conversation, but it wasn't pretty and perhaps I could smooth some of the ruffled feathers out.
"I got Rick to talk about it after about the third drink, and we were left alone after he had cleaned out the other players, he was ready to kill Mike just because of what he was going to try with you". Finally, I got him to understand that you could kick Mike's ass if needed and wouldn't put yourself into any compromising situations ever again.
I think Jess talked him down as well, anyway, we could all tell that Mike had crossed a line there was no going back from with Rick. "I do know he started looking for overseas gigs the very next day, he listed me as a reference, and of course I could not say a word to Rick, Thank God I didn't have too, he seems to have known him all too well."
"Getting back to your plan, I like it a lot, I think we could shoot for Thursday if permits are all granted, knowing Rick he could have them in an hour if he wanted with his connections. I'll contact PR for coverage, and Kate Great Idea. This is going to go along way with the brass.
NYC Bldg. Dept
9:00 AM same Monday
Jess is in a meeting with the head of the Inspection and Enforcement for Department of Housing, and has presented every document, drawings, and inspections asked for in the initial request from one week ago. The clerk looks up, no emotions, pulls out an Occupancy Permit, Stamps the copies and initials next to her Notary seal. Congratulations, you are all set to begin operations, Good Luck, NEXT she calls over Jess's shoulder indicating that the meeting was over, and she had already moved to her next client.
Jess is so excited, she steps outside the building, grabbing a coffee (that extra activities at home delayed her so she did not have time to stop for one on the way in), then called Rick's cellphone. "Good morning Angel, calling this quickly either means we have terrific news or terrible, which one?
"It's terrific, Rick, I have all the permits and instructions in a packet in my hand, I can't believe it, I just can't believe that we are this close." I've got to call Kate and see if we have plan A in force for transfer or I need to hire security forces from Plan B and what day, I'm just so excited."
"Jess, I love you, and I am so very proud of you. Love, you took a vision from my past and because of you, it's a reality that is happening. I know Rae is watching over us both, she would have loved you Jess, and I know you would have loved her"
"I already do Rick, she saved you and I believe it was just for me, that might sound weird, but I truly believe that we have a purpose on this earth, and Rae's was to save you for me, I love you so much too Sweetie." Let me call Kate then I'll be on my way home, Talk Soon, maybe even get that second shower when I get home, Love you Rick"
"Love you too Jess" they have made it a habit to never disconnect a call without saying I love you to each.
12th Precinct 9:00 AM
Same Day
Kate is going on the assumption that Jess, (Rick's pull if needed) would secure the permits, so she begins outlining the names of the residents being moved in order of need. She is just about complete when her phone ringing with Jess's tone interrupts her,
"Good Morning Jess tell me you have all good news, I would hate to have to re-do all of this morning's work" she laughs,
"OK it's all Good Kate, got the permits sitting right here, how are the plans coming on your end"
"Roy loves it we are all in for Thursday complete with a formal NYPD Press Conference and coverage by all major networks," "We are using unmarked vehicles with deep tinted windows so those being moved remain anonymous" "Anything remaining on your checklists?"
"No, I actually hired Mike's replacement this morning, recommended by Roy, seems Ryan's Brother in Law has come on some hard times, and needed a job, he passed all the screenings, so just keep it between us for now, you know how proud Kevin is"
"No Problem Jess, so what's on your schedule the rest of the day, want to meet for lunch,"
"Kate I'd love to, but I have got a Doctor's appointment, ohhh and don't say a word to Rick, he gets all freaked out the first time I mention Doctor, OK?"
"Jess tell me the truth, you're OK aren't you and there is nothing serious I need to worry about is there, be honest, I have to know, or I will go to pieces and Rick will know something's wrong?"
"It's all precautionary Kate, I'm just having some test to insure the genetics that my Mom fought and lost are still absent. I had it done right before I moved from Boston to NY and joined Rick's firm, so relax." "Rick has plenty on him and I don't want him to worry about this, I shouldn't have told you, I'm sorry"
"What do you mean you shouldn't have told me, I have never threatened you Jessica Hawthorne but try to hide something like this from me and I will kick your ass, with my heels on" she half laughs half cries
"It's just some repeat tests, I promise I will let you know, the results take a few weeks so all today I just get to be poked, prodded, and asked the same questions a thousand times, I'll be home later, call me then OK?"
"OK, just so we are straight, what story did you give Rick?"
"That I was stopping by the hospital to see if we could arrange some free initial medical checkups, which I am, between my appointments, so it's not a total lie"
"OK I'll let you go, but Jess (long pause) Rick's not the only one that loves and needs you just, so you know, OK?
"I know, and you never will know what a God send you have been to me, I love you too, Kate, Gotta run, bye"
Castle's Loft
6:30 PM Thursday Evening
The entire group had just watched the tapes of the NYPD Police assisting transporting 10 homeless individuals off city streets to their new home, Martha Rae Rogers Building for Lost Innocence. The newscast had also repeated the Mayor's, Commissioner's and finally Rick's speech thanking all who had a part in making this facility possibility.
Early Sales of Rick's Lost Innocence were topping both his past two best sellers by double digit percentage points. If projections held true the next phase would be double the size of the first one, all from revenue from the book, not including pledges, great night to celebrate.
Kate caught Jess for just a brief moment just between girl moments, and asked "How'd you make out Jess?"
"Not as well as last time, but not a death sentence, but I am going to have to tell Rick something soon, and I'm afraid."
"Of what Jess, He loves you, nothing would change that!"
"We'll have to see Kate, and I hope you're right, I really pray that your right friend", as she broke down in tears
A/N That closes out Part 2, as fiction imitates life not all chapters are going to be the edge of your seat exciting, it's required for me to build the story, sorry for those guests who thought the story was boring. Just a question why did it take you 56 chapters to figure that out? Hope most of you are still with me, Reviews are way down so if you have something constructive to add, please do so. Thanks for the reads, follows and favorites. Tim