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
"Ah, I see"
"What, what does that mean, I see. Do you think Castle isn't my friend anymore? Do you think I screwed up so badly there's no hope? Just tell me"
"Well Kate, none of us know, but let's put it this way, he's not knocking down your door to rescue from a burning fire so let's talk more about this during our next session. I would like you to start the journal daily of things you think about Mr. Castle what happened, what you would do differently, how you think your actions made him feel, and how you could change those. I'll see you next week, but call me if you need me before."
Kate was only a few minutes late getting back from lunch, trying to be on her best behavior, and made it through the rest of the day, somehow, it was like a fog had eclipsed her world, when Dr. Burke had said, 'Ah, I see', innocent enough, but Kate was almost positive what his thoughts were, and it hurt to have them vocalized.
***************************************************************************/
Chapter 15
Thursday 7:00 AM
1649 Highway A-309
London, England, SW1W0NZ
United Kingdom
FLASHBACK ONE WEEK
Beth had pulled off the miracle of miracles, she had not been seen around the hotel much, after getting Rick setup with the beginning templates and allowable topics to use for his book. She had been coming back to the hotel later and later each night, with only two nights left before she flew out on Saturday, Gina desperately wanted to speak with her one on one. Finally, on Wednesday evening, she texted Rick and Gina to meet her at the hotel restaurant at 8:00 PM for dinner or at least a cocktail if they had already dined.
Rick and Gina were on time, and the set your clock by Miss Prompt Beth was late, she finally showed at 8:11 PM looking nothing like her usual self.
"I'm so sorry for being tardy, but I had one last detail to work out, and it took a trite longer than expected" she exclaimed,
"What are you talking about Beth? We have hardly seen you this week, I mean, I would like to talk to you, and I think Rick has narrowed his selection down for the topic and length of his novel."
"Again, I apologize Gina, but I think you will forgive me, I have to return tonight, but as of tomorrow, Rick, you, and all the family are moving to your new home. It was a bit of work, but we pulled it off. I have to go back this evening starting at 11:00 PM they will be there to stage the furniture and I need to direct where we want it to go."
"How can we help Beth?" Rick asked, still shocked that anyone could pull off this that quickly.
"Well, can you bring me breakfast and a good cup of tea when you arrive in the morning, your limo is scheduled for 6:45 AM, I would greatly appreciate it."
"You did all this work, you are working all night tonight, and all you want is a breakfast sandwich and tea?" Gina scolded
"Yes, Gina, that's my job, to remove all the obstacles so that Rick can write and you can develop a new operations center in the USA, that's plenty of work for us all." She said shyly
"Beth, you are remarkable but don't kill yourself like that. I know why you did it, you wanted me to be assured of the house before I left, but I didn't expect you to work like a machine to pull it off," then Gina saw the grin on Beth's face,
"Do you mean like you and Rick work to meet a deadline, or to rework something someone screwed up last minute like your Uncle did on the last Storm book?" Gina just shook her head,
"I won't ask where you got that information, I am afraid to know, I might get shot" she laughed.
Present Day
Rick and Gina arrived promptly at 7:00 AM, with a full carryout breakfast in a carrying case to keep it warm and a thermos of hot water and a variety of teas. They walked in the front entrance and there was Beth, in jeans and a Richard Castle T-Shirt, with white sneakers, hair up in a bun and giving orders to an army of men moving furniture everywhere. Gina had to admit, the T-shirt showed off what God had given her, and he had not been cheap, the girl was built and looked hot, even dressed down.
Rick got her attention, and she squealed with delight when the workers came out and said all complete.
She ran to Gina, hugged her, then hugged Rick, come on, I want to show you, as she walked into what looked like the Loft in New York, into another room which was Gina's townhouse complete with her office, and their bedrooms exactly, down to the pillow covers matching their homes in the US.
"Beth, you have to eat, the water is hot so please make your tea, while we take this all in. Genes, it looks like my Loft", as Gina came out of her side of the split floor plan, "Rick this is my townhouse exactly it looks just like home" they looked over and a very exhausted Beth couldn't wipe the smile from her face.
"Do you like it Gina, Rick, I hope I got most of it right, some items I could only come close to, like your desk Rick, but*"
"Beth, this is FANTASTIC, but where are your quarters?" Rick asked
She led them to the very rear of the home as far away from Rick's bedroom as the house would allow, but with an intercom, if he needed her, to ensure his privacy.
"Why so far away from Rick Beth?" Gina asked,
Beth blushed, "well we'll be spending a lot of time together on the book and I'm sure he will want to be rid of me some time, just for his private time, so I didn't want to invade his space."
"I'm sure you don't have to worry about that Beth, I'm here to write, and to make Lord Barrow proud of the decision to choose me, nowhere near ready for any kind of social life, even if I knew where to begin over here" he laughed.
Gina nudged Rick then whispered something, "Oh, damn, how stupid, I'm sorry Beth, I'm sure you and your boyfriend will want your privacy as well, so I understand now, DUH, see I'm a slow learner", as Gina kissed his cheek, and laughed.
Again, Beth blushed, "No boyfriend Rick, they say this job won't allow anyone to have a personal life and in a sense they are right. I didn't have one before I started so I'm not losing anything."
Gina was amazed at all the work that was done and was busy snapping away all the pictures she could show Alexis the minute she got home Sunday.
"Well, I'll leave you two for some privacy, plus I know I'm in need of a shower, and a few hours of sleep. Please look around and if there is anything that you need, please make a list, I shan't be long, I usually only sleep 3 hours a night anyway. I am taking my breakfast so thank you both, see you in a few hours"
Xx
12th Precinct
NYPD, Friday 7:00 AM
Kate had busied herself with everything but Richard Castle related events. She had gone back to her YOGA classes, began running in earnest, and even arriving at the NYPD Gym early some mornings to get some sparring in. She found when she released her aggression through physical aggression, she was much less likely to get into trouble during working hours.
Things between her and the boys had almost returned to normal, but Roy was still distant, the last few weeks he had looked worried, and not about anything Kate related. She had talked to her Dad, no one knew it, but she had enrolled in Columbia, to re-start her law degree, she was growing tired of the politics of the police force that seemed to only get worse year after year. She reverted back to the private person she had always been, even Lanie threatening to smack her had no influence, she remained more close-lipped than ever.
Most of the cases proved to be run of the mill, Jack shot Bill over Jill or other simple related incidents that would provoke someone into taking another human life, but each was attacked the same manner, close it, close it tight so no loopholes and no perps walked because of police work.
Two Months Later
Ryan got a tip from one of his buddies in Narcotics where they could put some leverage on a local street pharmacist, It seemed the young man was from a privileged family but had a record of manufacture of illegal drugs. The tip proved more valuable than at first thought since it led to not only the manufacturer but also the girlfriend of one of the men suspected in a Cop Killing.
Things were progressing smoothly with the case, until Javi decided to go rogue, and got himself and Kevin captured by the killer. Kate had been tailing them but wasn't part of the initial entry into the building which turned out to be a trap. A heavy, creepy looking guard protected the front of the warehouse where her boys had been taken, tortured for information before they were to be killed.
Times like this made her wish for Castle and his dumb ideas, then she remembered Mike Royce telling Rick about a similar instance, so she got out of the car, pretending to be very drunk, and in various stages of disrobing, her left boob was clearly visible to the creepy guard. She continued toward him, staggering as if playing for an academy award, the guard could not take his eyes off her breast, and as she got closer, made a comment about making her feel good all over, she laughed but when he leaned in to feel, she spun and kicked him in the head, delivering a knockout, even an MMA star would envy.
She crept quietly up the stairs, to see three goons, with Espo with a belt around his neck, and Ryan with his head being forced and held under a trough of water. She knew she only had one chance at saving the boys, so she took out the man giving the orders, then shot the nearest goon in the left knee, the third man tried to make a run for it, but Espo had the presence to trip him and Kate cuffed him to the water pipe coming from the ceiling as she freed the boys.
She walked out to check on the guard, just now realizing she had never fixed her bra and her naked breast had been exposed the entire time, well at least now Royce's story about show them your boobs had some credibility to it. Kate didn't wait to see the boys get a taste of revenge but she did hear some wails coming from the prisoners as she walked toward the guard, still passed out cold.
She adjusted her clothes and called for backup and two ambulances. She heard screams as she turned to see Javi making each of the thugs walk down the stairs to meet the bus, he was showing no mercy, and Kevin was right behind him with the first creep she took out, he had helped him to the stairs, the perp thought he would have assistance down the flight, when Kevin took two steps back and kicked him down the stairs, with him landing in a silent heap near Kate's feet.
Two weeks later, all three were released from the prison ward of the hospital and sent to jail to await trial. Only the ring leader ever made it, the other two were found dead in their cells, highlighting the corruption from within NYPD.
"What do you make of this boss, and oh by the way we think you should dress like you did when you came to help us, lends a whole new light to you," Espo said,
"Well, smartass, it was either show them my boobs or let them shoot the two boobs that work with me, so I figured what the hell, but as far as standard procedure, you two ever pull anything like that again, and I'll have your ass. You could have gotten us all killed,"
"Thanks, Kate, what my partner meant to say was we owe you a huge debt of thanks, for going way past your comfort zone, thanks for saving our asses."
"No Problem Kev, it's what partners do, but what intel did you get back on John Doe #1, the only survivor, we all know someone was afraid of the other two stoolies talking and took them out."
"No one is breathing a word, Kate, whoever is calling the shots is no two-bit crook, but someone that a lot of people fear."
The prisoner, booked as John Doe was sentenced to two life sentences for attempting to kill two NYPD officers, and Kate continued to work hard at both school, and the force. It didn't stop the hurting, but it kept her from going insane every time she saw something about him in the papers. Alexis had just graduated and was preparing to leave for Oxford, the excuse that was given for Rick living on both continents, but Kate knew it was more, much more.
Xx
Fox Run Publishing
London England
Same Time Period.
Rick, Beth, and Gina were all preparing for a big meeting the next day with Lord Barrow, the proposed launch date of the first of five James Bond books written by Richard Castle. Rick had passed all deadlines by miles, once he had the topic, and title approved he was off to the races. Beth was a lifesaver, often supplying the proper English terms for words common to the British.
Using the templates to ensure continuity between the series actually spawned new ideas from Rick, he chose to have Bond work with the CIA to thwart a plot by a Ukrainian National from assassinating the President and Vice President of the US.
The twist came when rather than thank the British, the Americans targeted Bond for masterminding the plot, forcing the agent to flee in not so ceremoniously attractive styles. Lord Barrow loved the originality, it wasn't the rinse repeat, of the last several books written.
The largest discussion came over the title, Lord Barrow wanted it to be a bit splashier, but Rick held firm he wanted it to be Lost Trust, which he thought said it all. Eventually, LB came around and the book's title was Rick's choice. They were meeting soon to layout the dates of pre-publication production efforts, book tours, promotional tours before, and after release.
Flashback
Rick had only been back to New York once since he left, to see Alexis graduate with honors, a full year early. Nothing would stop him from that milestone. Beth had accompanied Rick, her task to keep the work tasks moving, as Rick spent a few days with his family. Gina noticed how comfortable the two had become, but said nothing after all this was what they had talked about before he left.
The four days flew by, and as they were leaving the loft, he thought he saw Kate jogging, but then he thought, no, she doesn't even run this way. He kissed Gina goodbye, then held Alexis for the longest time, then after Beth hugged them both, he helped her into the car. What he hadn't seen was the Detective inside the doorway observing it all, and thinking about days gone by, If Only.
Kate had seen Beth, close enough to see how much she seemed to care about Rick, and Gina, letting him go, what the hell was that? Why didn't she fight for him, hell everyone knew they loved each other? She made her way back to her apartment just in time, the rain began to fall outside, ironic, it matched the rainstorm falling from her eyes from her couch, no matter how hard she fought them.
Current Time
Lord Barrow was overjoyed with the entire process, Gina had guided the American Operations to exceed the project plan laid out as well, so she was ready to take on the publicity and travel in the US with Paula's assistance. It was a tough decision, but Lord Barrow made the call, readers WOULD know that the ghostwriter was Rick Castle, and there would be a tour with Rick, both in the US, headed by Gina, and the UK, headed by Beth.
Rick, Gina, and Beth were given a month to recuperate and reenergize before the final weeks before release. Beth at first had planned to stay in the UK home since her mother couldn't travel, and she really didn't want to impede on Rick and his family.
Gina and she went for a walk, and talk, and then she was coming. Rick wanted to do something for her Mom since he had spoken to her on a few occasions, she was a lovely lady with a cockney accent Rick loved to hear. Gina had an entire series of his books shipped to her home prior to them, (Beth, Gina, and Rick) going to see her before they left. Rick would sign them in front of her, a private book signing if you will.
When they arrived, they smelled fresh baked cookies, and when the door opened stood a carbon copy of Beth, only aged, she was a beautiful lady. As they sat and drank tea, the books were delivered and Rick pulled the surprise of her life, as he sat and signed each book, each with a private message for her.
Beth smiled as she watched her Mom go all fangirl over her boss, and smiled when Gina slipped up and said,
"There's your competition, he's always been a sucker for the older ladies"
Beth blushed, "Gina, thank you but I'm not sure he even knows I am alive, except when we are working, we've had one dinner and gone to one concert in eight weeks, not exactly a hot path to love" she smiled,
"No, but you're playing it right, you're not pressing him, that's what he needs, trust me, he notices. Just be patient, he'll surprise you Beth, and when he does, don't hesitate if you feel about him like I think you do"
"That evident? I'm sorry Gina, I*"
"You have nothing to apologize for, make him happy if you're the one, if not give him room, we all just want him to be happy."
The night flew by, and Gina and Beth reclaimed Rick from his new number one fan, as he left, he leaned in and kissed her on the cheek, "Thank you for all of your support, without readers like you, no one would care what I wrote,"
"Elizabeth, you be sure you take care of Rick, come home safely, and call me when you get there"
"Which one of us Mother, me or Rick?"
Her voice came back just as strong, "Rick, sweetie I love you but I can see you anytime" as she laughed, and they were off for a month in the states.
TBC