Dinner Date

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: Thisis my AU version to the events when Demming has dinner catered by Hung's China Sea, complete with the candlelight. Sometimes, a candle provides the light that is needed to get you out of the dark. Based on a prompt and request from mbeckettcastle or JC. This is for you; I hope I do it justice. There will be ANGST, Tons of it, if this is not your story, Thanks, hope you find what you're looking for.

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

Chapter 35

Previously

She turned to look deep into his eyes, "For the first time in I can't remember when, I feel comfortable telling you this, Call her Rick, talk to her and tell her she's forgiven. If she discovered she truly loved you too late, she has a big enough heart ache to carry around without adding your and our hurt and anger.

Hell, if need be go see her, BUT only in a public place and no touching, no hugs, no kisses on the cheek, just kind gentle talk, does that make me sound like a Bitch? I'm sorry but I love you and I would fight anyone that tries to take you"

"It makes you sound like a woman who loves me with all of her heart, and would do anything to see me at peace, I love you Gina, Thanks I don't know when I will but I agree, letters can only do so much and I need to be clear headed when we return to work."

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

Hamptons Beach House

Three Hours Later

Rick and Gina managed to get in some meaningful conversation as well as him reassuring her that she was his ONE, and she shouldn't worry. The gift of his new birthstone ring brought tears to his eye; he thought the ring was somewhere at the bottom of the Hudson River. He recalled one of their worst fights shortly after she served Divorce Papers, to say it was ugly was putting it mildly.

FLASHBACK

"Gina, What the hell are these? Divorce Papers, you want a divorce? Why, aren't you getting enough of the credit for Richard Castle's success now that we're married? I just don't know what else I can give you, if this is how you feel, then get out, I never want to see you again."

"Rick, it has nothing to do with our work, we just happen to work together but I can't take it any longer, you won't let me in to your inner world. It's you and Alexis and will always be, I'll always be just the woman you married, not your wife who you share your deepest thoughts with."

"Gina, you've read too many soap opera scripts, how dare you bring my daughter into this"

"You see Rick, you just did it again, when we got married, I accepted your daughter and hoped to be more than just a woman living in her Dad's house. You let me get so close then you slam the door, it hurts, and I can't do it anymore."

Rick took his ring off and tossed it in the direction of her,

"Here, consider it done, I'll have Gregg file the papers to get your freedom today."

"Really Rick, your ring? What am I supposed to do with this?"

"Throw the damn thing into the Hudson for all I care,"

"Rick, please don't be that way, I wanted to try counseling, you flat out refused. Please let me step away for a few days so both of us can rethink this."

"What's to think, you want out, you're out. I guess I'll see you at Black Pawn. Text me when you're out of here as he slams the door and exits the loft and the marriage.

PRESENT DAY

Gina spots the tear in his eye, and quickly shuts it down,

"Hey, there was enough blame for us both, don't be going back there with your what ifs, I had plenty as well" she reaches up and kisses him gently below his tear-filled eye.

"It's hard not to, God, some of the things I said, even worse some of the tactics I allowed the Lawyer to pull on you, there was no excuse for it, and I'm so sorry I*"

"No More, remember Love means never having to say you're sorry," as she kissed him sweetly and took his hand and led him to the porch.

I was thinking Rick, and this is just me talking, but I need to visit the office soon to pick up some work, and if you want maybe we could drive in to the city together, give you time to have lunch or coffee with Kate, and have your discussion. I mean if you want to it's up to you Sweetie."

"No I like that idea, I was trying to think how could I see her but not be so far away from you, I mean I hope it stays like the last letter but you never know how things will go till you talk face to face. I'm not looking for a bunch of tears, or any more apologies, I just want to tell her to move on, I'm happy go find her happiness and let us be."

"Rick, are you sure? I mean that's a huge step and as much as I love to hear it, I don't want anything that isn't right for or with you and your inner voice."

"I'm sure Genes, even though she hurt me more than anyone ever did, I have no desire to hurt her, so I'm going to offer her what you and Dr. Schwartz have suggested, closure. Thanks again for coming with me yesterday, the session went well, and Dr. said I was handling this stress very well, so Thank You, you're the reason for that."

"Rick don't credit someone else for YOUR hard work, I am so very proud of you, I haven't seen you take a drink since you and Cricket have come home. I was so worried, and I'm sorry Sweetie, Alexis was as well that she would find you dead slumped over your desk one evening."

Rick hung his head and his reaction was all that Gina needed to reassure him,

"Oh Sweetie, I'm sorry, I was so afraid, and I tried to be strong for Alexis, it was all I could do to stay away and not smother you, I'm sorry."

"For what Genes, telling the truth? For loving me enough to care about me this much even after I was an Ass to you? For loving our daughter enough to hide her fears by taking them on yourself. God, I'm such a lucky fool, Thank You as tears pool in his eyes.

"Hey, we're a pair of lucky fools, OK?" she kissed him quickly and flashed her smile that made him smile as well.

"I think I'll call her and see if she would like to meet for coffee, I don't want to wait for a meal or visit one of her memories, so it will be at the Java Hut down from the precinct if she's even free. I'll make it for 1:00 PM to give us plenty of time to take care of Black Pawn business first, I don't want to rush you but I do want to get back here before too late in the evening"

"Well I think we have about an hour before the girls get home and you and I head out for dinner so I'm going for a quick dip in the pool, I'm here if you need me, but Rick, you'll be fine, just call her."

Kate Beckett's Apartment

5:45 PM Same Day

Kate had made it through the day without tipping anyone off that she was still a mess. Writing the letter, reading and finally accepting the outcome had perhaps been therapeutic after all. She still felt like someone had ripped her heart out and stomped on it, and tears appeared at some of the secret remnants of Rick that appeared during the day.

A post it note, his chair, the start of a paper clip chain, small things, but items that were all that remained of perhaps the best thing that had ever happened to her, and possibly the biggest fuck up she would ever commit in her time on earth. She thought just for a moment, what had been Rick and Gina's reaction to her letter, she received acknowledgment yesterday that Rick himself signed for it.

Rick is fumbling with the burner cell phone, trying to get Kate's contact information entered, he wasn't about to give out his new cell number to anyone new just yet. He finally got it all setup except a picture, he uploaded a logo for the NYPD in place of a picture he would normally add. Contact information entered, now all he needed was some nerve, so taking a deep breath, he dialed the number.

In her apartment Kate is filled with a feeling of anticipation, she can't explain it, but definitely something was about to happen. Her cell phone rang as she jumped nearly knocking the end table over. She only had time to glance at the number, one she didn't recognize,

"Beckett" came her normal professional greeting.

"Kate, hi, it's Rick I hope I caught you at a good time, if not I can call back"

"NO, NOOOO, it's fine Rick, I'm just getting into the apartment from work, it's good to hear your voice" as she reached for he bottle of water and took a sip, then splashed a few drops on her forehead, hardly believing her ears.

"Well, I got your letter, and I think we need to talk, I don't think either of us can put what needs to be said in a letter, without causing someone more pain, that's not or ever was my intent"

"I agree, I understand Rick, so what do you want to do?" she breathed, hardly able to contain herself,

"Are you free for coffee tomorrow say at 1:00 PM at the Java Hut a few stores down from Remy's, We have to come into the city for business and I thought you and I could talk before we had to head back out, well if you have time or even want to"

"We?" she asked, forgetting momentarily that Gina and he were now a couple. God she was so stupid, of course Gina was coming, what the hell did you think he was running back to you, she chastised herself mentally.

"Yeah, Gina needs to visit her office for a few hours, Look if you can't make it or would rather not its o*"

"NO", comes out more forcibly than she intended, "I mean I can make it Rick, and I agree we do need to talk, I'm glad that Gina doesn't feel threatened."

"Why would she feel threatened? We're just going to talk like two adults who were at one time friendly, which by the way I do want to tell you that there are some ground rules for the meeting, if you don't agree, we don't meet" Rick said, not cruel but his voice lacked that enthusiasm, the little boy excitement she was accustomed to. Then it dawned on her, he's not looking forward to this, he's trying to resolve the issue, so I go away and leave them alone.

"OK Rick, what are the ground rules?" she asked quietly, still trying to wrap her mind around the fact that this was the proof she had succeeded in chasing him away for good.

"Well, and forgive me, again this isn't meant to hurt you, I just don't want anything implied as so often happened between the two of us. We lived in a world of subtext and I more often than not misunderstood the message that was being sent. The easiest way to avoid misunderstanding, by you or I is just to come out and say what needs to be said.

No touching, no hugs, no kisses even on the cheek, just kind, respectful conversation, AND if you ask or bring up what my new project is the meeting is over. My hope is that we both leave with the same results. I know things have been very tough between us, but this is not meant to add to your pain, if anything I'm hoping it will bring closure to us both for that period of time in our lives."

"OK Rick, I understand, for the record, I'm sor*"

"Kate, that's what tomorrow is for, I'm sorry but I have to go, I'll see you at one o'clock tomorrow" and the line goes dead.

Kate sat down and lowered her head, he was right, they had lived in a world of subtext and suggestive thoughts and language, too often he understood exactly what she meant, then she had a change of heart. Just like always, Rick took the blame for the misunderstanding. The meeting was for "Closure", just thinking of the word, one she had used thousands of times in her profession, now brought the tears she had managed to hold back till now.

She glanced up at the clock, ticking away, it was a little past six o'clock meaning she had about nineteen more hours before "Closure" would begin, God she felt so weak, so sad and for the first time since her Mother was killed, she actually thought about how empty her life truly is, and now would be for the rest of her days.

She quietly took her Castle Always box, and laid down on the bed, weeping for the past, but now even more for the future she had to face without her partner. It was going to be a long painful night, as the tears fell even harder.