A Long Way Home

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: Another What If based on the episode, COUNTDOWN, what happened if Rick didn't return to the precinct after leaving after seeing Kate in Josh's arms? It starts with Canon dialog, courtesy of Dust Jackets Dot Com, then goes quickly and completely AU. The journey continues with a new Kate and Rick, hope you enjoy!

I don't own Castle; I use the characters for amusement purposes only, except the ones I create.

A/N This may or may not end up as a Caskett fic, if that bothers you, please wait for updates to see which direction the story goes. Respectful comments are always welcome, trolls will be deleted.

Also, we may take liberties with the timeline from Canon and use events to make this a more believable fiction, thanks.

Previously

Kate had returned to work last week and had kept her head low, and mouth shut. The boys had said hello, but she could tell, the strain she had put on their relationship was present, and had not gone away. The only break she had caught, was Montgomery was on vacation for two weeks, (probably trying to recover after almost having his career ended by his lack of control of his precinct) until the following Monday. Roz Karpowski was the senior Detective, and acting Captain, a role Kate had filled numerous times in the past, but for now, she was glad to be just a worker bee.

By Wednesday it was apparent to everyone in the precinct, the team that used to be so close was now a dysfunctional group of individuals, going through the motions of being a team. They all knew it, each of them, but either didn't know how or have the strength to face the facts. It was Karpowski that called a meeting on Wednesday before lunch,

"Kate, Javi Kevin, Look I know I am just filling in for Roy, trying to keep the paperwork down to a minimum when he comes back Monday, but he calls daily, and wanted to know how you three were getting on.

"I couldn't lie, so last night he told me to get and I quote, "get those assholes in a room and tell them to figure it out, I have enough to deal with when I come back. If they won't or can't I will, and that team won't exist anymore their choice."

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Chapter 13

12th Precinct NYPD

The Following Monday (6:00 AM NY Time, 11:00 AM London time)

The remainder of last week had gone much better for Kate and her crew, there was still a slight hesitation on thoughts, some awkwardness, but it got better each day. Kate only hoped it would be enough for Captain Montgomery, no longer calling him Roy, he was every bit a superior officer and she wouldn't lose sight of that again.

FLASHBACK to Saturday

Lanie had joined Javi, Kevin, and Jenny with Kate for a night out, it happened to be at the Old Haunt, Javi's favorite choice, since even during all of the turmoil, they never paid a tab at the bar. Bryan, the General Manager who actually ran the operations for Rick, had told them, he would get fired if they ever paid a bill, regardless of what was going on in their lives. Javi had no shame, taking Rick's generosity even during periods of not talking to or ganging upon him to protect something that Kate could have said or done. Kevin was often embarrassed, but Kate cleared the air,

"Guys, we're here to celebrate still being together, well at least till I talk to Roy on Monday, and I wanted you all to know how much I appreciate everything you have, and still do day in and day out for me. Here's to partnership" as she lifted her glass in a toast.

The remainder of the table joined in the toast and then Javi turned serious,

"You really don't think the Cap will split us up do you, Kate? I mean look at our results, we've had the best solve rate for the last three years straight."

"Javi, I don't know, I wish I did. I know he was angrier with me than he's ever been, throw in that pressure from Mayor Weldon, and I just can't guess what he's going to do. I know I can't use the solve rate, it's not lost on him or Mr. Mayor that the rate went up when Rick joined the team, and before you say it, they're right. Rick did force us to think out of the box, he made us all better cops, so let's just celebrate our friendship tonight, that's not changing regardless of what happens at work."

"You're right Kate, so here's to Rick, wherever you are, whatever you're doing Thanks for all the help," as Kevin raised his glass, for yet another toast. Lanie noticed how hard her friend fought to stay the Bad Ass cop she was, but the tears were in her eyes just waiting to fall.

The night progressed with the boys telling embarrassing stories on each other, Jenny's laugh was contagious and it wasn't lost that she was drinking Virgin drinks, water, or ginger ale with the excuse that her husband was Irish, and one of them had to stay sober. About three rounds later, her cover was blown as Kevin whispered something to her, and she nodded.

"Well we weren't going to say anything but we're pregnant, Jenny's been having a tough time, so that's why we've been keeping it on the down-low. Well, that is till we were referred to a specialist, who specializes in difficult pregnancies, what a difference. She started the shots, and it was less than a week she was back to herself"

Jenny had been holding Kevin's arm, smiling, then she spoke, "Well, I don't know how but Rick found out, everything and the specialist Kevin mentioned is at John Hopkins, is extremely expensive and is booked months if not years in advance, guess who pulled strings? Yep and get this, we can't even pay for parking Rick has it all covered, so we owe him a great deal, as a person and a friend." She gushed, "we'll never be able to repay his kindness"

Lanie spoke up, "Oh Sweetie, he doesn't do it for paybacks, or for recognition, he does it because he cares about people, all people. You guys probably don't know this, but last Thanksgiving our Church took the day to serve the poor in a hunger kitchen, guess who was there and made me promise not to say anything?

"Not only Rick, but he had Alexis with him, she told me later that her Dad wanted her to know just how fortunate she was in life, and to never treat people based on their income levels. He told her 'I just got lucky, twice, or we would be right there with them' whatever that meant.

"It meant that he had written a best seller in college, yet squandered the money on personal items like trips, girls and partying. He told me once that he was so afraid of having blown his one chance at fame until he hit it with Black Pawn, he was much more prepared for the wealth and fame that came with it." Kate added, looking off in the distance as she remembered one of the few times Rick actually talked about himself in such a sincere way.

"Well all I can say is that man is NOT like your typical rich guy, he gives to almost everyone and anyone, so wherever he is I hope he's happy." Kevin, who had consumed a few drinks slurred, showing the bromance he had for Rick, thus earning the title of Castle Junior. The night was a huge success, Kate had managed to hold the tears in, and hugged each as they left.

Sunday was a very long day for her, it seemed like her thoughts turned to Rick with every song, every picture, she was just hopeless and she needed to let it go, she had put the ball in his court, and from what she had seen so far, that's where it was going to stay.

PRESENT DAY

Roy was a creature of habit, even after vacations he always arrived at 6:10 AM, had his first coffee as his computer booted up, and by 7:00 AM had dealt with the Oh My God's from One PP so he was there and ready for his people, the rank and file. He walked into his office, turned on the light, and then headed to the break room, as he passed Kate he mumbled, "Welcome Back Detective, we need to talk after I get settled in."

"Thank You, Captain, Yes Sir, ready to talk when you are sir." She was keeping it professional, for both their sakes, she didn't know the extent but she did know that Roy had taken a hell of a beating from first the Mayor, then the Commissioner who also had his ass handed to him by Mayor Weldon.

About ten minutes later, Kate had heard his desk drawer open and close, not a good sign, he had poured some liquid courage into his coffee which usually meant he was about to deliver bad news. Finally, after what seemed an eternity, perhaps less than a minute in real-time, she heard him bark, "Beckett, my office now"

"Sir yes Sir" as she appeared at his office door, knocking out of courtesy. He motioned her in, and she resolved herself for perhaps one of the most serious discussions in her life.

She stood until he directed her, "Take a seat Detective, we're going to be here a while" as he walked over and closed and locked his office door. Since he was a man with a female subordinate, the curtains remained open and his lights on high so the office was visible from almost the elevator. She wasn't the only one playing it by the book.

When she sat, she saw the age lines on his face, the worry marks, God where they there the last time they talked, had she just not noticed,

"First, let me say that I apologize for losing my temper with you Detective, your punishment was fair, but I allowed my disappointment in a friend to take over my duty as your CO to administer any punishment in an empathetic manner, for that I apologize.

"I am interested in hearing your side of the story, what made you think you had the power, to force your personal friend, lover, or whatever he was into a secure location, and are you aware of how many regulations you have broken. Let me say this, your actions garnered attention from those higher, much higher than this office, and now they are waiting for you to screw up so they can swoop in and finish you off."

"Yes Sir, I am aware of my actions, I did conduct a complete introspective review and also have sought the counsel of our department psychologist. Unfortunately, my first appointment is not until the end of this week, but I remain committed to regaining not only yours but the trust of your superiors as well. I understand you suffered a hit to your unblemished record, and I apologize for bringing that action to you Sir." He held his hand up

"Let's clear the record, shall we? We both know that Rick has called Mr. Mayor and had the letters of reprimand removed from both our files, but the bigger loss is the loss of his contributions in raising your team to the highest closure rate in the city. Once you reach that goal, it is expected you maintain it, at a minimum, and that doesn't change because you lost a key member, is that understood?

"Sir, yes Sir. We had a team social and meeting Saturday to mend the fences, so to speak and strategize how we could achieve that sir."

"Very well, time will tell if you will be successful, but Detective, I can tell you, your actions earned you two very powerful enemies who would love to see nothing more than your removal from this department, do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal clear Sir."

"Very well, your team and your leadership is on probation for the next 90 days, if I'm not happy with the results, or interactions between the team, I will split your team, and reassign as necessary, is that understood Detective?"

"Understood Sir"

"Very well, Dismissed"

He had already begun to read the report summary from the last two weeks from Roz before she stood, it was truly going to be a new dynamic at work, one she hoped she could hold on to even as pissed off as he still was, she didn't want another leader. She left his office, went to the breakroom for her coffee, then summoned Kevin and Javi to give them the scoop, no room for error now, no games just work.

Xx

Berkeley Hotel

London England

Monday, 8:00 AM Local Time (3:00 AM NY Time)

Elizabeth Smithers, AKA Beth, had moved into the penthouse across from Rick's, and was busy with not only Rick, but also Gina, Alexis, and even Paula, to ensure they all felt comfortable. She decided to interview each of them separately, then as a group and from her notes, she would conduct the first agenda item, locate, secure and move Rick and his group into permanent housing.

Gina had been jealous of the good-looking young lady, only a few years younger than herself, but still every bit eye candy for any man who had her on his arm. She was different from the majority of women with her natural assets, she was sincere, and loved to laugh. She didn't bat her eyes, or openly flirt with Rick, as Gina had thought she would, but remained professional and friendly as she set about to locate the housing that would work best for the next several months, perhaps years.

She and Gina had their interview first since as Beth said, what woman other than his daughter would know his taste better than a wife, Gina had corrected her to a loving ex-wife. The meeting was set for a neural sight, a garden near the hotel, and as Gina approached the sight, she saw Beth had secured seating with two beverages sitting on the table.

"Hi Beth, I hope I'm not late, I got a bit turned around and actually exited the wrong door."

"No, you're right on time, which door did you go out, the one that dropped you by that awful smelling dry cleaners, I don't know what they use, but it makes my eyes water. I can't tell you how many times I did the same thing when I first moved here" She laughed, easing Gina's concerns,

"Come to think of it, the smell was a bit pungent, now you mention it. Did you move here? I thought you were born and raised here?" Gina said,

Beth smiled, "Born here, raised till I thought I knew everything at age 15, moved in with an older boyfriend, and wound up a mess. I finally got straightened out and went back to school on a grant, still had to wait tables nights to pay the rent."

"Wow, my hat's off to you, great accomplishment to work your way through school after such a rough start. Where did you move from, and are your parents still here?"

"Well, the older boy, actually I wound up marrying him at age 18, miscarriage at age 19, finally restraining order at age 20 when he broke my jaw, and my parents agreed to take me back. I was living in Philadelphia PA; God was that place cold. Mom is still alive, but we lost Dad two years after I got home, just glad we were good when he passed. I know how hurt he had been at me, so glad to receive his forgiveness."

Gina instantly had a new respect for this lady who had seen some hard times in her life, not the polished society chic she had first tagged her as.

"Well, Rick hasn't had an easy life, maybe that's what makes him so damn lovable, he always remembers his roots and helps everyone. I had a hard time understanding that when we first got together, I always had everything I needed, most of what I wanted and gave little thought to those less privileged.

"He's always helping some cause, or someone, it's nothing for him to give a man on the street a few hundred dollars, and when I asked him why, he just told me it made him feel good. I learned what he meant the 7 years we were married."

"I'm sorry about the divorce, I followed his career when I first returned, and I have to say, I had a poster of him on my wall, my Mom is a fan as well. When I told her, I got the job she begged me to meet him, but that wouldn't be appropriate, I'm sure he wouldn't like that."

Gina laughed, "You have to be kidding me, you had a poster of Rick on your wall, I thought I was his biggest fangirl when I was younger. It's good to hear I wasn't the only one, God he was, hell still is a hunk"

"No argument there Gina, so, eh, I noticed you two are still very close, so is there still anything, I'm sorry, I'm completely out of line asking about my boss's personal life."

"Beth, we love each other, a great deal, BUT we both know that we're not the one to spend the rest of our lives together with when I got back into his life, it's been just kissing, nothing more, since I know someone is going to steal his heart, and I can't bear to lose the emotional and physical relationship. Don't get me wrong, we'll always love each other, but not enough to re-marry, that probably sounds crazy."

"Actually, it makes a lot of sense Gina, and thank you for being so open. The man that helped bring me back to my senses, well, I loved him, but as you say, not the marrying kind of love, so unfortunately, he couldn't understand as you and Rick have obviously done. He left, not on the best of terms, I heard later that he had passed away from a car accident, I never got to say goodbye so that haunted me."

"Well, I know you'll get to know Rick very well if you're asking is he still promised to me, the answer is no, BUT, don't start anything with him if you're not certain. One of the reasons he's here is because of a woman who tore his heart to shreds."

"You're referring to the real Nikki Heat or Kate Beckett, Gina, I know it's very early, but I just wanted to be sure I'm not treading in waters where I should stay out of. You've worked with Rick while having a personal relationship, I'm sure you both know just how difficult it is. I promise you, I won't, nor will I allow any female on this side of the continent to hurt him, I hope that helps."

"More than you know, Beth, more than you know."

TBC