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
Chapter 37
Previously
Jess slides next to Rick as they all stand and slowly reaches down for his hand to take into hers, "Kate, one thing I have learned over the last several months is that holding on to anger and hurt, only damage us, it does nothing to the party who inflicted the pain. I'm willing to accept your friendship and apology, PROVIDED, you never do anything to hurt Jess or anyone else I love, and the next time you need a friend, don't try to go it alone, Call Jess or me, we're here for you."
Kate can't stop the tears from falling and grabs Jess, then Rick into a group hug, all the time mumbling, "Thank You Thank You I'm so sorry, "Jess reaches up with a tissue and wipes the tears from Kate's eyes. "Kate, guess you can add me to your friends list now," as she laughs and pulls Kate into a hug.
Beckett's Apartment
Next Morning
Kate rolled over and looked at the clock, she couldn't believe it, she had slept through two alarms and three calls from the precinct. She decided at this point, she would just take a sick day and immediately called Montgomery,
"Sir, I had a very tough night last night and I really don't feel up to coming in today, I'd like to use one of my sick days if that is permissible?
"Well Detective, normally one would call in before or at the start of their shift, not 4 hours into it, but, Sick Day Granted. Oh, by the way I had a great call with Rick, and Detective, it was the right thing to do, he is a good man"
"Yes, Sir he is, I'm just sorry it took the actions it did for me to realize it, but he has offered to help with cases from time to time as his schedule allows, and we are friends again, No one will ever know what I threw away better than I"
"Well Detective speaking of that Demming was sentenced this morning, He got 5 years on the Voyeurism, 15 years on the Distribution of Pornographic material and the DA had a special surprise waiting on him, an additional 30 years for disruption of a City Service and it's officers for causing your time off. All are to be served fully no parole, but the life expectancy of a Cop in Rikers is less than a year. I'm sorry Kate."
"Thanks Sir, but I forgave him, now he pays his penance to someone else and I feel free, not wishing anything bad on anyone but just asking for KARMA to be served" "I can't say I will shed a tear one way or the other, I have other priorities now."
"Kate, take it easy today and when we see you tomorrow I need to ask you to forgive me as well, we need to be back the way it was, OK?"
"You're already forgiven Captain, If Rick can forgive me, I can forgive others and we are good from my end, are you good?
"I'm Good Detective, feel better see you tomorrow, and no more slacking off" he jokes as he hangs up the phone.
Kate walks over to the table, glances at the pad where she had listed here Forgiveness List, and crosses off the last 3 names, Jess, Montgomery, and Castle with two ** by his name. As the pen slashed through the last name, it seemed a weight oh so heavy was lifted off of her and she smiled, for the first time in what seemed forever life was good.
Castle's Loft
Same Morning
Jess rolls over to see two blue eyes staring at her with such a tender look of love she was almost brought to tears, "Rick, are you OK? I love you looking at me, but Sweetie I am getting worried."
"No need to worry Love, just thinking how you have changed not only my life, but all those you have met, Alexis, Kate, the boys, Lanie, and I could go on and on. No one ever loved me enough to get past the houses, bank accounts or black AMEX till you came into our lives. I don't know what I did to deserve you, but God don't change your mind now, I couldn't live without you", as he gently kisses each eye, then sweetly on her lips.
"You know I feel the same about you don't you Rick? A few months ago, it seems I was a lonely lady sitting in a hotel room, totally alone and wondering why I had accepted the job offer, Hell I was so scared of meeting you I thought for sure you would fire me the first week" Rick laughs, as he pulls her on to him and gently rubs her back,
"Never going to happen Jess, you are stuck with me and all the crazy people associated with me" she laughs then reaches up to gently kiss him, something about Jess's kisses she could pour more passion in one kiss, than Rick had felt in the total act from others, guess it was love.
"Are you sure about that Rick, totally positive, you want me in your life?" Rick is wondering where this is going perhaps to when am I going to move in officially or where is my ring, "Sweetie, calm down I'm not looking for a commitment of moving in or engagement ring, not yet anyway," she smiles "You need time to let your heart heal, I mean fully heal and be ready before we head that direction"
"Rick, I have a confession to make, it's a big one so please let me get through this without any questions then I will answer anything you want OK?" Rick is absolutely panic stricken and all he can do is nod his head yes,
"Remember early on in our relationship when I told you about my ex-boyfriend cheating on me with my best friend, and how if I had followed my Mom' advice it would have saved me tons of money?" Rick still in panic Nods again, "Well I left something out, something I didn't feel comfortable sharing then, but now I do, so please I am just going to say this and then we'll talk.
I wrote Guide to Forgiveness under a pen name of J Sebastian Gold as part of my thesis. I never in a million years thought anyone would print it, much less it being the success that it was. When Kate told me, she was using the book, it was too close to US to tell you then, I'm sorry Rick, so Sorry, but I hope you understand" Rick's panic turns into to sheer glee,
"You are the author of the NY Times Best Seller that is used in AA and other agencies nationwide? Jess Why didn't you say something, and why did you apply for the Sr. Project Director's job, you are way overqualified.
Jess is tense then as she see's her smile on Rick's face let's herself relax "You are the author in this relationship Rick, I only wrote it because my shrink forced me to keep a journal and I needed material for a Thesis, so I thought I could kill two birds with one stone. Irony is that the more I wrote the more I could see the techniques were sincere and helping me."
"So how did you come up with the unique pen name you wrote under?" Jess laughs, "You really think it is unique?"
"Well J is for Jess, obviously, Sebastian for my only uncle I can remember, *** "And Gold is your favorite color" Rick interrupts.
"Not even close My Sweet, it was the color of the first car that went by when we knew we needed a pen name to publish, I know really original right?" Jess is laughing so hard she gets the hiccups, making Rick to laugh even harder.
About 10 minutes later, laughter subsided and Jess laying across Rick's chest, "I'm sorry Rick, I wasn't completely honest, but I swear that was the only skeleton in my closet, please forgive me?"
Rick looks down at Jess almost in tears, "Technically it was a lie, BUT after hearing Beckett go on and on about the book I can see why you held it in, but Please Always be honest, completely honest with me not matter what, OK?"
Rick is engulfed in a deep passionate kiss, and hears the word, "Of Course" as they break for air. Who would have thought, Jess a bestselling author of a great book that spurred the friendship renewal of Beckett and Castle?
"Rick, please keep this a secret for us, I don't enjoy the public like you do, and I am done writing, it was a fluke, a good one but still a fluke"
"Of course, Jess, could I ask you one more question before we table this?"
"Sure, what is it?"
How did you handle the press tour when the book was released, I mean if I recall it was an older gentlemen posing and signing autographs at the book signings" Jess answers "Hired a Ghost Writer who couldn't write anything but the name" Once again Rick is howling with laughter, "Yea I saw him at a convention and thought something was up, the guy was clueless,"*** "But Cheap" Jess interrupts
The remainder of the day flew by, with Rick working on the draft of Lost Innocence, the book was scheduled to begin as soon as he was completely free of Black Pawn, which would be in about 4 more months, giving him time to do the book justice.
Jess was reviewing final plans for Alpha Phase 1 of the Lost Innocence Project which was to contain housing for 40 men, and 35 women upon completion. Rick insisted on the woman's accommodations being larger to accommodate Cribs, or juvenile beds if needed, God she love that man for always thinking of the little things.
Both were deep in thought when Eduardo rang that they had a visitor, Jess could hear Paula Hass even without a speaker, "I don't need announcing, I'm his freaking agent, let go of me" as Rick replied, "I'm sorry Eduardo, please show her up". A few moments later the buzzer rang, and Rick and Jess joined hands to open the door, to see a slightly pissed off book agent Paula Haas, on the other side of the door.
"Well ain't this cozy what the hell is going on Ricky, you don't call, you don't respond to emails, and I get manhandled when I try to come and see you, what's with you?"
"Well Paula, your emails said call you, your voice mail said call you, and my security force is simply doing their job by vetting all visitors. You know the final draft was submitted, and approved for Final Heat, which brings to an end to my Black Pawn contract, and technically with you,"*** "Wait a minute Ricky, you still need an agent that has your back regardless of who you sign with, who's going to do that better than me, Huh?"
"Well Paula, I would like to introduce you to Ms. Jessica Hawthorne, the new Executive Vice President of Richard Castle Enterprises, and my personal manager." Jess's mouth is about as wide as Paula's with this announcement, "Ricky you can't be serious, who is this bimbo anyway, she could never mange you like I have,"** "For your information she was the manager of all involved with the NY Times Bestseller Guide for Forgiveness, and if memory is correct it's still on the top 100 list of bestsellers, so I would appreciate an apology to Ms. Hawthorne," Rick Interrupts
Paula has dealt with Rick Castle long enough to know when to shut up, "I'm very sorry Ms. Hawthorne and if there is anything I can do to assist you in transition, please reach out" as she hands her a business card. "Rick the real reason for the visit today was this", as she pulls out the first copy of "Final Heat" and also 5 more promotional copies all bound in beautiful boxes suitable for gifts.
"Thanks Paula, I appreciate the professionalism of Gina even though we are ending our business relationship."
"Gina, Professional? My Ass Paula snorts through her nasal twang, I grabbed these from Rob Lowe, the GM after I threatened to pull two more authors from them"
Rick and Jess both let out a laugh, then Rick gathers Paula into a short hug "Thanks for everything Paula, who know what the future will bring so keep in touch, Good Luck"
Paula knows the golden goose has laid his last egg for her, so she gently hugs Rick, kisses him on the cheek, then hugs Jess,
"Take care of the lug, he can be a handful OK? I still don't want anything to happen to him"
"Oh, believe me I got that covered, and Thanks Paula, keep in touch" Jess states.
Then just as soon as she arrived she was gone, leaving Rick and Jess to their thoughts. "How are you really feeling now that it is over Rick, any regrets?" Jess asks sincerely,
"Actually Angel, just the opposite, I feel so light and free, first the Beckett issue is resolved in a cordial way, and I fully expected Paula to really pitch a fit once I let her know her contract was not renewed." "That surprised me"
"Speaking of surprises Rick, Executive Vice President of Richard Castle Enterprises? When did this come about, not that I don't appreciate it but a little heads up would have saved me from almost choking to death" Jess smiles.
"Jess, we both know you are far too qualified for the Project Director job, so fortunately I had an opening that fit your skills,"
"And that was all the way to VP Rick? Please tell me this is because of skill not me loving you or making love to you"
"Jess, I assure you our personal arrangement had nothing to do with it, you are a freaking Best Seller and know this business inside and out, believe me your talent got you there."
She looks at him, trying to pout, as he is doing the same, both failing miserably and wind up on the couch in another batting practice session as Jess would put it. Bed time would come soon, and they could move on to the real game.
TBC