Another Second Chance

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: Another What If based on the episode, A Deadly Game, what happened if Rick didn't return to the precinct after leaving and this was really their last case. What would each other's lives have looked like? The story 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.

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

Chapter 19

Castle's Residence

Pismo Beach, California

/_/

Lisa Marie, AKA Princess, led BoomPa to her room and made him sit down while she unpacked her suit case, giving Gina a chance to call Peter and let him know they had arrived safely, then text Alexis and Mike who were finally taking a long weekend for themselves.

"BoomPa, you know you have to take care of yourself, I heard Mommy and Nana talking before we left to come here" the little girl said as she looked into his eyes,

"What do you mean Princess, BoomPa is taking care of himself, I see the doctor, I exercise, I run and swim every day so I can keep up with you when you come to visit me." Rick was sitting on the floor now, watching the light of his life put her clothes away in her own dresser she had picked out.

"Well, Nana and Mommy were talking, they thought I was asleep but I was just westing my eyes, they said they wished you would find a cure for your broken heart. I didn't want to say anything BoomPa, but Nana said it hasn't been the same since you had it broken in New Yawk. Did that hurt, I bet it did?" two little arms wrapped around his neck as she hugged him tightly,

"I wish I could fix it for you BoomPa, Nana said you looked happy but she knew you were sad, she wants you to be happy like she and Papa Peter are. I told Mommy I was going to fix your heart this trip, and she didn't know what I was talking about, then she and Daddy had to leave to catch the airplawne.

"Oh Sweetie, when you come see me, BoomPa never hurts, anywhere, pinky promise, I swear," he hugged his little girl,

Even with his little princess holding him tightly with her two little arms, patting his back as she had seen Nana do several times, his mind kept the movies rolling,

FLASHBACK Continued

Hamptons Beach House Week One

The twins smiled at each other, as they saw the kiss, the love between the two, and then, Rick say quietly,

"You haven't even driven it yet, if you don't like it I can"

"I love it because it came from you, look at you, the girls, and now me, Rick, this is a lot of money to spend, even for you. How can we help, you're supposed to be recuperating not worrying about gifts for us? The vacation here was and is all I need, just some time to talk to my best friend, to make sure he's OK. Don't look at me like that, you know I know you too well when you're ready we'll talk, promise me, please?"

"OK, I promise, and thanks for being so understanding, it's got nothing to do with Kate, well directly anyway, but I'll tell you all I can soon." Rick smiled, "Now how about the pool, who wants to try it out?"

The twins had already changed, and at the mention of the pool, all that was heard was a splash, and the girls giggling. "Hey you two keep an eye out for each other, I'm going to change, Rick, you can dangle your feet, but sorry Darlin, you have to wait a little longer to go into the pool about another week and you should be ready" Marcy smiled as she disappeared up the stairs to her room.

"Uncle Rick, could we ask you a favor?" Brittany approached the shallow end careful not to splash him,

"What do you want me to ask your mother to allow you to do?" Rick laughed, as both twins blushed,

"Well, there's the club, we've checked it out, and it's for kids our age, no hard liquor is served, just dancing, and well meeting other kids. Mom is so protective, we thought maybe if you asked her for us, she might let us check it out, at least for a little while. Don't get us wrong, the beach and this home, God our friends already hate us both, telling us how lucky we are but we figured it might be nice to see the club, I think it's called"

"It's PEACHES, and yes I'll ask your Mom, Alexis and her friends went there from the time she hit age 15. I'll let you in on a secret, if you promise not to tell your mom for at least a half hour, she'll go crazy, until we tell her" Rick smiled, he was enjoying his time with his new nieces, they reminded him of Alexis, sadly far past his little girl, now so grown and about to get married soon.

"What's that Uncle Rick?" Brianna asked,

"The club is owned by my chief of security, Mike, you won't see him few people do, but if your Mom agrees, you have to know that you won't drive, the car service will take you, and be there when you want to leave, and no one else other than you two will be allowed in the car. Don't even try it, Alexis did and Mike scared the hell out of a prospective boyfriend so badly that he would never talk to Alexis again.

"Bet his kids hate he is so overprotective" Brittany said,

Rick laughed, "No not hardly, he doesn't have kids, in fact, he isn't married, never has been. He bought the club to prevent a hard liquor bar that was scheduled to be built, Mike had lost his only niece to an underage drunk driver, so he bought it out from under them, and designed it for his favorite teen ager," Rick said with a smile,

"Who was his favorite teen ager Uncle Rick" Brianna asked,

"My daughter Alexis, she always called him Uncle Mike, and he was in charge of her safety so he just took it to the next level. The club is a nice teen spot, he won't allow the drugs and alcohol to come in the doors and they have enough security to be sure you would be safe there. I know you want to be around kids your own age, and I understand any parent is going to worry, but if you agree to the terms, I'll see what I can do, do we have a deal?" He asked smiling,

Both twins were on each side of him kissing his cheeks as they screamed "It's a deal" as Marcy walked back into the pool area, wearing a light green bikini, not too small but very flattering to her figure, God she had hot legs, Rick thought to himself, then mentally slapped himself, stop it.

"OK, something tells me I'm in trouble what did you two talk your Uncle Rick into now?" Marcy asked

Brittany looked over at Rick who winked and smiled, then she said, "Not much, just that he agreed we should go to the club tonight to listen to some music and dance" Marcy's face went from smile to sheer panic in a heartbeat,

"Wait, what do you mean he agreed, I mean you don't know anyone here, and no, I'm sorry girls I'm putting my foot down, absolutely not. I don't want to have to come to bail you out of jail or worse visit the hospital so no" as she continued her motherly rant for ten minutes listing reason after reason that justified her answer of no. The more she talked the harder it was to hold back the smiles from the three, then she caught Rick.

"Wait a minute, what's up Richard Castle, confess now, remember I control your pain meds and I will make you hurt" she said,

"You better tell her Uncle Rick, she doesn't get this angry often, but she's serious," Brianna said as she sat on one side of him, Brittiany on the other, both with their arms around him just kicking the water gently so he wouldn't get his bandage wet,

"Tell me what, Richard, spill now!" she wasn't faking, mother bear had just woke up to protect her cubs,

"Well, it's my fault, I'm sorry I told the girls to go along with it, it was stupid, I apologize. I can see now I really upset you, and that's the last thing I want to do.

"The club is known as Peaches, it's owned by Mike DeCarlo, chief of my security for almost 18 years now, and was designed and built for his favorite teenager, my daughter Alexis who adored her Uncle Mike.

"Just as he did with Alexis, he will pick the girls up in the town car, provided you give them permission, and they won't be out of security's sight all night. When they are ready to come home the car is waiting for them, and them alone, no additional passengers.

"IF they meet someone they would like to see again, he or she must come to the home here and be vetted by my security staff, then interviewed by you. I had the same arrangement for Alexis, and I'm sorry Marcy,

"I shouldn't have joked, thinking back to when she was just starting out, I would have been worse than you, so please don't take it out on the girls. It was my stupid idea of a joke, and I'm very sorry, please forgive me"

He could see the anger leave Marcy's face as she walked toward him and the girls, she took his face turned it to hers and kissed him gently.

"You're forgiven but Rick, just like Alexis is to you, the girls are my life, I would die before I would let anything happen to them. I'm sorry I over reacted, girls, I think you should go IF you agree with Rick's rules. I didn't expect you to sit around two adults for the entire three weeks, and I trust you.

"I feel better knowing that Rick is treating you, in the same manner, he did Alexis, his daughter. I hope you get to meet her soon, she's a great young lady, and only a year and a half older than you two."

"Really Mom, for real?" they were both out of the pool and jumping up and down Rick couldn't tell who was talking. Marcy smiled at him and just said "Thanks Rick, they're having the best time, one I would never have been able to give them" she noticed his grimace then glanced at her watch,

"God, some nurse I am, you're over an hour late with your pain pill, I'll be right back Darlin" as she turned and Rick had to keep his thoughts on anything but that body that was swaying in the right spots, great legs, fantastic butt, boobs big but not too big.

STOP it Rick, damn it, you'll get little Ricky started. He looked down to realize, it was too late for that, thank God the girls had left to get showered and dressed,

XxX

Repsher & Associates Physical Therapy Center

Albany NY Same Time Frame

Kate Beckett was debating about which she hated more the physical part of her therapy, or the damn journal that she had to keep. Doctor Burke had challenged her to use the sample he had provided. It had detailed instructions on how to state her thoughts and perhaps the part she hated the most, it forced her to be completely truthful about her feelings.

She had pushed herself against the advice of her trainer, who after the fourth warning walked away, and today she was paying the price, God she hurt. The saying No Pain No Gain was bullshit, she thought. She thought once she showed up for physical therapy the therapist would see her pain and cut her some slack,

"Beckett, just because you were an ass yesterday and overdid it, doesn't mean you slack today. We have a schedule we need to meet to keep your ass on time and out of here, so don't give me any excuses" Irene, a tough broad and damn good therapist barked at her.

"I was shot, God Damn it, you don't understand what that's like, I wouldn't expect you to know how I feel" Kate cried out in frustration,

Irene gave her the look of death, sat down on the bench, removed her jogger pants to reveal her gym shorts, and then removed her prosthetic leg, as Kate's eyes opened in amazement with each of her actions.

"No crybaby, I don't know what it's like to get a flesh wound because someone jumped in front of me to take the brunt of the damage. I do know what it feels like to have my body blown in the air and my leg fly off my body on my way back down to earth. To add to it they shot at me and got a couple of hits in my shoulder" she rolled her top up to remove three ugly scars,

"So yeah, you're right, I don't know how you feel, I do know I have a job to do and I have never had to ask for more time with any patient, you aren't going to be the first. I'll kill you first, Beckett, you got me straight?" Irene was now in her face only inches apart, and the look on her face let Kate knew she was serious.

"We're clear, I'm sor"

"Don't say it, Beckett, you don't have that right yet, work your way back then apologize, better yet thank me and the countless other Vets who left more than a memory over there, they're the reason crybabies like you have the right to play hero every day.

"You make me sick, you have it all, and you whine, whine, whine. Grow up, work your way back then go get him back or forget him and move on. That's your choices Beckett, but for now, get your ass to work." Irene had reassembled herself by now and walked off, never showing one hint of anything every wrong with her.

That served as a wake-up call for her, she had never had anyone get in her face like that, sure at the academy, the instructors would bark at you, but hell she was number one in her class, she was never treated that way. It pissed her off and motivated her to work through the pain, and work her way back quicker than she was expected.

In the second week of therapy, she was on her bed, relaxing and doing her isometric and deep breathing exercises when she heard a knock on her door. She knew her Dad was in Europe and Lanie had called her the night before, so she didn't know who to expect. When she turned her head she was speechless for a moment,

"Hello Kate, how are you doing, looks like you're coming along great" the voice said,

"Jordan, what are you doing here, I mean thanks for coming, it's nice to see you, but I know you don't have a lot of time to meander all over creation visiting people, what do I owe this occasion to?

"Well, I'm working a related case that brought me nearby so I thought I would stop by and see how you were doing." All the time she was scanning her room and finding the bugs placed in several spots.

"Well, I was just heading outside for my required therapy and sunlight" Kate played along as Jordan placed her finger across her lips to signal silence, don't say anything you wouldn't want to be heard.

"I could go for that, can I get you a water, I know you need a therapist to accompany you so I'll grab a table and see you on the patio,"

"Yeah, cold water would be great" Kate signaled a therapist she was going outside, the young man walked slowly behind her, just spotting her to ensure she didn't fall. It was policy Kate knew, but hell she was being released in a few days, and really was feeling almost back to normal, well physically at least.

She saw Jordan in the daylight now for the first time, she was wearing shorts, a fashionable top and sandals, quite different from the kick ass FBI agent she had met months ago, actually she was quite attractive now that Kate was seeing her in a new light, no wonder Castle talked about her so much.

"OK Kate, you're probably surprised to see me, but I talked to Rick last week and he"

"Wait you talked to Rick? How is he? I mean the last time we spoke was two days before I left the hospital, he asked me not to call him and well, it's been hard but I haven't." Kate mumbled

"Well he's at a rehab location I can't disclose but he has his nurse with him, so he's doing well. He starts back on physical therapy for the shoulder next week, they delayed it a week because it didn't heal as fast as they would have liked. He's running every day, and now in the pool for simple resistance exercises, so he's good." Jordan said without hesitation,

"Have you seen him Jordan, I mean since the hospital? I know he really admired you when we worked that case together with Scott Dunn, you were all he talked about. I swear if you hadn't been married, he would have hit on you." Kate said sadly,

Jordan laughed loudly, and Kate looked more confused than ever. Finally, Jordan got her self back in control, "Kate how much did you ask Rick about us, or did you just make assumptions, that's what I observed you doing most of my visit."

"What do you mean Jordon? What was to ask, you were the FBI, Rick was enamored with you and the toys you brought to the case." Kate said defensively,

"Did you ever ask him how he knew me so well? Do you remember when he bought the entire team lunch and he said, 'this one is yours Jordy', no, I didn't think so? You don't listen well when he talks, often dismissing his words completely" Jordan said, not unkind but firmly,

"What does that mean Jordan, I didn't hear him call you Jordy, and for lunch, we all got the same thing, wait, why did he hand yours to you separately?" Kate asked,

"Because I'm allergic to wheat bread, my sandwich was made using potato bread, and no mayo, I almost died once when we were younger and I didn't know I had developed the allergy." Jordan said, making Kate work for any information she wanted to muster.

"How would he know about that, you mentioned we? When did you find out about your allergy Jordan?" Kate asked, now slightly upset, and her jealousy clearly beginning to show.

"You never asked Rick when he met me? We went together for two years, almost three if you count 8th grade. We were dating like any young couple would do, in 9th and 10th grade then we had a fight and broke up, I don't even remember about what now, but Kyra swooped in and I was history.

Tom, my husband was Rick's friend I started dating after Kyra made her move. I was trying to make him jealous but I guess I cared more about Rick than he ever did me. Don't get me wrong, he was very attentive, even back then when money was tight for us all.

"He used to write me poems for special days when he couldn't afford to buy me a present." Jordan smiled as she looked out in the distance, remembering young love gone bad.

"You and Castle? You dated? For almost three years? How, why didn't I know about this?" Kate acted hurt and infuriated,

"Probably the same reason we don't know about your 9th-grade boyfriend, it's none of our business, it's history that didn't figure into the case," Jordan said firmly,

"So, you married Castle's best friend from High School? How did that go over with Rick, I mean, he and Kyra, well we both know the story on that." Kate said,

"He was Tom's best man, by that time he had already married Meredith, had Alexis, got divorced and was back in New York writing. Tom got transferred to Chicago, I requested a transfer, it worked out and we moved. And no, we didn't keep in touch.

"Like most high school friend's real life for all of us got in the way. I hadn't seen Rick since my wedding that day, until that day in the park. I have to tell you he still took my breath away for a moment, he always did. It didn't take me long to figure out just how much he loved you, and I was happy for him, until" Jordan stopped talking,

"Until what Jordan, you saw how badly I treated him? I know others have pointed it out time and time again, and I would take it all back if I could. I apologized, I told him finally how I felt, I love him Jordan, more than anyone in this world, but he told me he needed time to think. I haven't heard from him since." Kate said, her tears coming back to fill her eyes,

"And you won't at least until he figures out things for himself, God Kate you had to see what you were doing to him. I have to tell you, even though I love my husband I wanted to kick your ass for hurting him, he's someone still special to me, someone I could, and can always count on." Jordan let her anger show,

"Well, I have no choice now Jordan, the ball is in his court. I made him wait for almost three years, I can't rush him now. I can only hope he remembers what I told him" Kate said,

"He remembers Kate, in case you haven't noticed, he remembers every little thing about those he cares for, now the big hurdle for you does he, or can he ever believe you," Jordan said in a firm tone, then, added

"Well, I didn't come here to play Memory Lane game, Rick wanted me to talk to you about something very important, in fact, the most important thing in your life since you were 19 years old. Kate, when you return to work in two weeks, I am requesting you as part of a special task force to take down someone you've chased for a very long time, that's all I can say now.

"Get your ass dismissed and back to work if you want to be part of this. Don't look at me like that, I still don't like you one bit, this is for Rick, who I still love, just differently than my husband. Two weeks Kate, not a minute longer." She rose tossed her water bottle and was gone. Kate sat with her mouth open in shock for a long while, finally returning to her room, thinking God Jordan and Rick?

TBC