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
Rick looked at her with the love in his eyes, she felt warm all over, "I'll be right back, I promise. You're right, Agent Shaw has news about her shooting, hopefully, they caught the bastard." As he kissed her back, she held his hand, and said "Rick?"
"Yes, Beth?"
"You know it's OK to still love her some, don't you? I mean she held your heart for a few years, you can't just turn that off like a light switch. I mean by love her, I mean it's OK to care and to help her, but no touching," she smiled,
Rick looked at her with a smile on his face, "Thanks Beth, I would never do anything to hurt you, so thanks for being so understanding." He kissed her gently, but it was she that turned it into a long, passionate one,
***************************************************************************/
Chapter 22
NYPD 12th Precinct
New York,
ONE YEAR LATER
Kate had rehabbed and returned to the department just in time to take over the Captain's position. She had scored high on the exam when she had taken it over a year ago, on a fluke, never expecting the turn of events that had occurred to open the door for her. Things had certainly changed since her shooting and the loss of Roy.
She was nearing the twenty-year mark of her career, and now had less than a year left of her law degree. She had already worked out the clerking duties and would be able to take the Bar Exam as soon as she graduated if she cared to. She remained as private about her life as she always had been, Lanie suspected something but could never get enough wine in her to spill the story.
Kate planned on retiring with the twenty years, the new position certainly provided the income increase and retirement benefit, even taking it at twenty years combined with her inheritance, she would never worry about money. She wasn't sure what specialty in Law she wanted to practice, but she was sure she never wanted to be a criminal defense attorney, not after twenty years of seeing the best and mostly the worst of the law profession.
Lanie had met someone who wasn't afraid of commitment as Javi was, needless to say, the relationship grew quickly, much to the disdain of Esposito. Even when he was given an ultimatum, he stubbornly stood by his position of no commitment. He lost Lanie who married the Research Scientist and was now expecting her first child in a few months.
Esposito had retired, taking his twenty years pension and moving to a small town outside of Miami. He accepted the position of Police Chief's job for Hallandale Beach Florida, a small town where he could try to forget New York while working on his new past time, MMA or Mixed Martial Arts. His macho attitude remained in tack even if his heart had been broken.
Lanie remained a close friend to both Rick and Kate, which now also included Beth in the circle of friends. Rick would be coming to New York soon for the Book Launch of the final Heat book, the other two had been released between the second and third Bond books Rick had written which were huge global successes. Gina was overwhelmed with the success of the Heat series, everyone had been aware of Rick's separation from NYPD for well over a year, it hadn't mattered they had to go to press for additional copies from the initial order.
Rick and Beth had been in New York for the abbreviated tour last year, but Kate had been out of town and missed the two-day window of his signings. She had received her pre-production copy as always for both books, he signed a personal message to her, in each novel.
She loved Rising Heat, it was full of the promise, innuendo, and banter that had once been her and Rick. When she received Exploding Heat, she cried for a week, it was the mark of things to come, she knew it, and as Rick had pointed out in the book, a silly attraction to another Detective had ruined everything.
She had received, Hell, admit it, she had perused the web site daily until she received news of the final Heat book, guaranteed to be a sellout, and demanded an extended tour. Gina had issued a statement that when the book was released, the tour schedule would be announced, and they were visiting as many cities as possible.
One week later the title was released and Kate's heart fell, Extinguished Heat, or meaning the fire was gone. Somehow, she felt a connection to him, as long as he had been writing about them, but this was the final book, the final time she would have the excuse to see or talk to him, not that he even remembered she was alive. He and Beth had been together over a year, although no official announcement had been made, the press had started calling her the next Mrs. Castle.
She was happy that he was doing well, the Bond books were the hottest thing on the market, knocking Patterson of the best selling list in both London and New York, something he grumbled about on a late-night talk show, "the guys' fucking dead, and he still kicks my ass, Castle picked a hell of a time to get serious about writing, I just bought the new house", he laughed. Kate wondered how much was true and how much was to gig his old friend.
Kevin and Jenny had gotten married, she was able to attend the wedding but not the reception, where Rick and Beth made a surprise visit, so perhaps it was for the best. She wasn't back to work when the wedding was held, but received special permission to attend, then come right back to the rehab facility. She saw the pictures, and later the video, Beth looked as lovely as always, and Rick, well the smiles weren't faked, she knew her old partner and he was happy. She had blown it, but at least he had found happiness, she was glad for that.
Kevin was now a Lieutenant, and she knew she would soon lose him to another precinct, since 4 Captains were retiring within the next 18 months, not counting her, which no one knew of. She would love to see him stick it out at the 12th to succeed her, but she didn't dare open her mouth, the secret had been so well kept so far.
Xx
1649 Highway A-309
London, England, SW1W0NZ
United Kingdom
Two Months Later
The day had finally arrived, this was it, the final Heat Book, the series was over and so was a time in his life, filled with a lot of good memories scattered throughout a world of hurt. He wouldn't trade what he and Beth had for anything in the world, but he also was glad he got to experience.
The book launch was being held Saturday in New York, to a sell-out crowd, and he would be in the US for 6 weeks for an extended tour, the tour for the UK would follow once he and Beth returned from a two week holiday when the hell did he start referring to vacation as holiday, he smiled to himself as he saw her, as beautiful as always.
"Well, any mixed feelings Rick, I mean you could write more Heat books if you want, at least you didn't kill one of them off," she laughed,
"Ha, Ha, how was I to know that Derrick Storm was your favorite when I offed him in the book, besides, you have me, you don't need Derrick or anyone else" he smiled,
She took his face brought it down to hers, and kissed him, "And don't think for one minute I don't count my blessings every day, I love you, Richard Castle"
"I love you too, Beth, more than you know" He held her close, just her in his arms made his heart flutter,
"I know Sweetheart, I know, believe me. You talk in your sleep," She smiled,
"You're smiling, that means I say the right things, or do I?"
"If you asking if you mention Kate, at first you did, but it's been months, now its Sweetie, or Bethanie, where the heck you got that I have no idea," she laughed
He smiled and took her in his arms, "it's time to leave, and I'm glad you're coming with me, I know it's going to be hell once the tour starts."
"I'm right here Rick, as long as you need me, I'll be right here, I promise"
Xx
The flight from London to JFK was smooth, and it was Rick who fell asleep as Beth kissed his forehead gently, and held his hand. He had looked forward and dreaded this tour for months, she knew why, even if he wouldn't talk about it. He still would never hurt anyone, yet he knew that Kate would be hurt, somehow, that the end was finally on paper. From what Gina had told her, it was an accurate account of Kate's activities in real life that had broken his heart.
He captured the emotions so well, she even cried, knowing it was fiction, she still cried for Kate, and for Rick for having to go through that without her there for him. It shed a lot of light of why Rick was so skittish about love when they first met, she knew he was attracted to her, but wondered why the hell wasn't he asking her out for a cup of tea, or coffee, or something, what was wrong with her?
They approached the loft to see a familiar face there to greet them, Gina had picked Alexis up a few days earlier and was at the loft to open it and be sure it was ready for use. No one came there much, now that Martha had passed, it was more or less just kept for convenience when they had to come to the states.
Gina and Alexis were in the lobby, and the moment she saw her Dad the little girl she fought so hard to keep hidden ran and jumped into her Dad's arms.
"Hi Dad, so glad you and Beth are home. How was the flight?"
"Hi Sweetie, well, you'll have to ask Beth, I'm afraid I crashed and slept for most of the way, she made me feel so comfortable I was out like a light"
"He's been keeping really long hours between both books, and writing, I'm not surprised he crashed, he needs some more sleep," Beth said sweetly, as she kissed his cheek, then hugged Alexis and Gina.
"Come on Dad, let's get you upstairs, we have pizza and burgers from Remy's in the warmer, then you can take a long nap," His little girl was taking charge, Gina and Beth both noticed just how much more mature she was, it wouldn't be long until Rick would lose her to another man, but no one dared mention that,
Xx
The next few days flew by, connecting with old acquaintances. Bob Weldon, who now was a private citizen, his wife Mary, Lanie and her new husband along with Kevin, Jenny, Gina, and her new beau Rich Risotto joined them for a welcome home party, on Friday. Gina looked happy, which made Rick and Beth happy throughout their meeting she had always kept it professional, and Beth would never forget her for the encouragement to take it slowly.
Paula showed up about an hour into the party, bringing advance copies of the book for each who hadn't received theirs. Rick took a few minutes to sign each, the gesture really touched Kevin,
"You don't know how much you're missed Rick, not a day goes by without someone saying what would Castle say, or what would he do?"
"You mean you guys are that hard up for entertainment, you have to remember my stunts, Thanks Kev, I appreciate your thoughts, but it was a good time but it was time to leave, for everyone."
"Don't think we don't know what you did to solve Roy and Beckett's shooting, we know what the hell went on, and well Thanks Man, I know it took a lot, after the way you were treated."
"Hey, Kevin, Kate and I are good, we talked, all is forgiven, and frankly buddy, I really don't want to talk about her, it's not fair to Beth who put up with me for a long time feeling she was in the shadows, no more, OK? I hope she's happy, but really not my problem, I got a full plate now, and I want to get through this last tour, then close the book on Nikki Heat, and the 12th. A lot of great memories go with me, I've tried to forget the bad, speaking of, how's Espo?"
"Oh you noticed eh, I mean Lanie tried, gave him every chance but the fool wanted to be single, said marriage was for wimps like me, well the day she got married he cried like a baby, and then as soon as his twenty years was in, gave his notice and moved to a small town in Florida to be Police Chief."
"Sounds like Espo, he always was a slow learner, Police Chief? How the hell did he go from Detective to Chief?"
"Rick, there's him and one more full-time cop, plus three-part timers, he thinks none of us know, but it soothed his ego, you know Javi"
As they were talking Jenny walked up and joined her husband, "Javi was a good guy, just dumb as a rock sometimes, thinking he could pull something over someone. Which by the way Rick, when did you find out about Kev and my difficult pregnancy, how did you get us in to see Doctor Sharpe so fast, and why couldn't we even pay for the parking? Thank you" as she hugged him and the tears started to fall,
"Jenny, I have no idea of what you're talking about, really,"
"Oh, so Doctor Sharpe isn't a friend of yours, she just has personal notes from you from college all over her office,"
"OK, OK it really wasn't that big of a deal Jenny, why should you suffer when all it took was the treatment I knew, Sandra had, by the way, how is Sara Grace?"
"She's fine, perfectly normal which they said would have caused a more difficult delivery if my symptoms weren't treated so thank you," this time she leaned in and kissed his cheek,
"I can't leave you for a minute, and you've convinced the pretty lady to kiss you, what am I going to do with you, Rick?" Beth giggled from behind him as she wrapped her arms around him, as he turned, he kissed her as they always did. To those friends who hadn't seen it before, it was proof, this was the lady in Rick's life,
The party broke up around 10:30 since Rick had a full schedule the next day, meetings with Gina, the lawyer, then the book launch party kicked off at 6:00 PM at the Waldorf Astoria, Rick's good luck launch site.
Xx
Kate had seen the posters, including the photoshopped photos of her and Rick together pushing the book launch Saturday. She had received the pre-production copy, and Rick wrote something nice, generic, but nice, they even included two tickets to the launch, so why did she feel so slighted? She had heard about the party, Jenny accidentally mentioned it, and although she understood, it hurt, Rick had a party to celebrate a book about them, and she wasn't invited to the party?
Then she thought, hell why should she have been invited, she wasn't in his life, hadn't been for over a year, she had spoken to him once when she and Lanie ran into him, so why did she even think she should have been invited. He was with Beth, and knowing Rick, wouldn't want to appear to rub her nose in the fact that she fucked up.
She was over him, no really, she was, Like Hell she was. She had been on 5 dates, all disasters since he left. Even Doctor Burke had grown tired of how did he put it, "Kate you whine about your situation, but you fail to put in the effort to change your mindset, so until you do, I cannot help you." Hell, that was a low spot, getting rejected by her therapist.
She decided if this may be her last time to see Rick, she needed to say Goodbye, and accept he was gone. She read the dedication to her books again, he had written more emotional messages to her mother when she was alive, so she decided, she would go. She didn't have to stay, just show up thank him for the help in the case, her Mom's Scholarship fund, they had awarded the first one a few weeks ago, and to say goodbye.
She finally realized her next big goal was to pass the bar exam later this year and start a new career, away from memories. She could do this, he wouldn't know, to him she would be happy just as happy as he was. Now all she had to do was pull off an academy award performance in 7 hours.
TBC