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 21

Castle's Residence

Pismo Beach, California

/_/

Gina had walked into the room, stood and watched her little granddaughter spill the beans about how she and Alexis were worried about him, especially his broken heart. He had been very private about his activity with the Detective, and Marcy. She knew that both had professed feelings for him, perhaps that was what was confusing him, causing him to delay his decision, which one would he rather be with. One or the other were going to get hurt, and Gina knew that was killing Rick.

"Rick, can we talk sweetie, I mean Peter will be here tomorrow, and maybe when she lies down for her nap, we can talk, I never, meant to butt into your life. Alexis and I are worried about you, I mean you have this mansion yet no one to share it with. We just want you to be happy,"

He turned and looked at her sadly and just said, "I know you two mean well, but yeah, we can talk later"

FLASHBACK Continued

NYPD 12th Precinct

Captain Iron Gates Office

Jordan had the floor, and every time Gates would ask a specific question about the task force that the Commissioner had already approved Beckett joining, she was shut down with, "that's not something within your scope of the need to know". Each time it was said it made the Captain angrier than the time before.

Pretty soon it was clear to everyone, perhaps but the Captain, she was only there as a matter of courtesy, and nothing she had to offer or inquire would be considered worthwhile. The meeting was about to end when Commissioner Boyle reminded Captain Gates, that during the next few weeks, or for how long this task force was together, Detective Beckett would be reporting directly and EXCLUSIVELY to Special Agent Jordan Shaw.

She wasn't required to check-in, file reports, complete timesheets, or be placed on-call rotation until he approved the change back. She was not to be questioned, or give responses to any question she felt would compromise her assignment. His tone let Gates know there was no slack in the conditions, his word was absolute and final.

"Detective Beckett, may I have a word with you please," Gates asked,

"Excuse me, Captain, we have a meeting to get to, we'll be in touch as Jordan took Kate's arm and exited the office. The look on Gate's face was priceless, made even more so when Commissioner Boyle's voice could be heard, "Gates, what part of exclusive don't you understand? One more attempt to circumvent my orders will have you paying a very extreme price, do I make my self clear?" He spat out, as Gates shrunk into her chair, clearly defeated on this matter.

Kate turned to Jordan who just said low, "Not a word, not here, not yet" and kept walking. They were in her car headed to her New York office before she spoke,

"OK, you've got questions I'm sure, so ask, if I can tell you I will," Jordan said, in a very business tone,

"Well, first of all, WHY ME? Why a task force, and what's the deal with Gates? I know everyone hates her but you did a number on her ass." Kate asked

"Do you remember our last conversation, Beckett? I told you I still hated you, but I was doing this for Rick, well nothing has changed, this is his request for you to be part of.

"As for Gates, well let's just say she is in far deeper than some IA cop playing inept Police Captain doing everything by the book. Rick's case, excuse me the case with you, and Rick was moved to cold by orders of someone holding her leash.

"So, what's the story Jordan, your car is about as safe as any place I can think of, tell me what the hell is going on, what's Rick's role in this, and is he safe?" Kate pleaded,

"First thing, do you think for one minute I would risk Rick's life or anyone that he loved, including you? I may not have married him, but I still love him, almost as much as my husband, but definitely enough to put my life on the line for him as he did you." Jordan snapped,

"He told me he was just trying to knock me out of the way, he wasn't trying to be a hero," which earned her a look of disgust from Jordan, "you could write a book about all the things you DON'T know about the man you supposedly love more than life, Detective" She snapped,

"What I mean he's not trained in police work, or" she stopped with a look from Jordan,

"Somethings you're going to have to find out from him Beckett, I'm not telling you things that you should know if you truly, really do love him," Jordan wasn't the kind FBI agent she remembered, she was angry, "let's stick to the business at hand."

"Before Captain Montgomery died, he wrote Rick a letter, attached to a file of evidence that incriminates a who's who list of political leaders, and police brass, along with some thugs you will know by their names. As we speak task forces are rounding up the rats, the low life's, such as Vulcan Simmons and others." Jordan paused,

Kate gasped, what? "Who else Jordan, how far up does this go and why was I included in the task force?" She was answered with a look,

"Beckett, do some thinking, who closed your and Rick's case after four weeks? Who does she report to? I don't expect you to know the political players, but my God Beckett, these people are in your own backyard. Are you that fucking stupid, or just naive? Jordan wasn't mincing words,

"You mean Gates, and the Commissioner are in on this?" she asked,

"Well you got one out of two, Gates reports to the chief of police, who is going down right about now, in a quiet sting, we're headed for a news conference where you can arrest the man who killed your mother, we have the proof, rock-solid, thanks to Roy and Rick." She said, waiting for Beckett to respond,

"We're going to a news conference where the man, the Dragon as he's been referred to is speaking? The only news conference is, oh my God, you mean Senator William Bracken, is that where we're going?" Kate suddenly came alive,

"Rick wanted you to be the one to slap the cuffs on him, your team is meeting us there, now that Gates is in jail, isolation so she can't try to make deals", as Jordan parked her cruiser. "Come on Beckett, you have an arrest to make."

They made it through the news cameras broadcasting Senator Bracken's news conference where he had just announced he was running for President in the next primary election. His face turned ash white when the FBI Agents in his protection detail took a step backward as Kate approached him. Fighting to keep her voice, she addressed the Senator.

"Senator Bracken, you are under arrest for conspiracy, fraud, and the murder of my mother, Johanna Beckett. Turn around, place your hands on your head", as she cuffed him in front of a National Audience, and proceeded to read him his rights. Jordan stepped in and handed him over to Esposito and Ryan who were part of the transport to the Federal Prison where he was to be held and booked for security reasons.

Beckett was visibly shaken, the ordeal, the search for justice, the pain and suffering are all done now, finally, her Mom can get justice. She is helped into a private section of the building by Jordan, who gives her time to collect herself, then she said softly,

"Now you know why Rick couldn't talk to you, his room had been compromised with bugs, and it would have led to you, your Dad, or your team getting killed if he leaked any details. He played the part of a bungling writer all smitten with love for the cop, so well the goons monitoring him bought the act, and actually led us to Bracken himself."

"You mean he will talk to me now Jordan, that was all an act in the hospital, about not calling him, he needed time?" Kate asked hopefully,

"No, sadly Kate that part was true, you can't press him, if he asked for time, give it to him. If you don't or can't wait to get your freak on tell him that, because one more lie, well, I don't have to tell you what your chances of speaking to him again."

"Jordan, now that this is all over, can you tell me, is he still in the states? Did he go back to California?" Kate asked with tears in her eyes,

"No, Kate, he couldn't get clearance to fly, believe me, he wanted out of New York in the worst way, but they wouldn't let him fly for three weeks, so he's in the Hamptons with his nurse and her teenage twins," Jordan said reluctantly,

"The Hamptons? He's that close to me?" Kate burst out,

"Easy Kate, you won't get within 100 yards of him, the security is that tight, and sadly you're on the do not admit list, he was serious when he said he needed time. Don't push it, or you will blow it for sure, give him space, take it from someone who knows" she said as she looked off in the distance sadly,

XxX

Marcy and Rick had remained in the double love seat, the girls returned, said goodbye, and received their last-minute instructions from a nervous Mom, and then they were off. Rick had hit the remote to turn on the TV, mainly for some noise, to camouflage the sounds of lips and groans as they kissed, until they heard, "Breaking News, we go to our reporter at the Capitol for the latest, Rod?"

"Thanks, Ernie, I'm Rod Lungren, outside the Capitol building where minutes ago, U.S. Senator William Bracken was arrested by a task force which included Detective Kate Beckett, the police officer wounded at the funeral of her Captain Roy Montgomery.

"You may remember she, along with noted author Richard Castle who tried to save her from the sniper's gunshot but was wounded severely in the process. We're showing footage now as Detective Beckett was the officer who actually read Senator Bracken his rights, and placed the handcuffs on him before he was led away.

"We have it from credible sources this is one of many arrests, including Captain Victoria Gates, formerly of IAD and most recently in charge of the precinct of the slain Captain Roy Montgomery. Chief of Police Matt Wallace as well as three other Congressional members and aides are also in custody.

"Vulcan Simmons was served the warrant and foolishly tried to evade arrest and perished on the scene, along with two bodyguards. More arrests are being made even as we speak as this corruption appears to have been widespread. Head of the task force, Special Agent Jordan Shaw replied no comment when asked where else this investigation was heading.

"That's it from here on the scene, once again Senator William Bracken is under arrest and is being protected by a special guard for a host of charges including murder, and attempted murder of a police officer, we'll bring you developments as they occur but for now, back to you in the studio,"

Marcy hadn't said a word, simply put her arm around Rick as the news was playing and the tears came to his eyes. She pulled him gently into her, kissing his forehead, just letting him know she was there for him to lean on. Finally, she took the remote and turned the TV off, never letting him go. They sat there in silence for a long time until he finally breathed,

"It's over, it's finally over. Johanna, Roy, and God knows how many more are now getting justice,"

"Was that the file you held on to so firmly Rick, the one you gave Jordan when she showed up as Nancy?" Marcy asked gently

"Yeah, it was the one Roy died to get to me, I had to get it to someone I trusted who would do the right thing. I knew Jordy, she's as honest as the day is long and wouldn't take no from some politician asking her to kill any investigation." He sighed softly,

"Should I be jealous of your high school girlfriend Rick? She looked beautiful, and everyone in the room knew who was in charge. How does this affect your relationship with Kate, I mean, you know, I, eh"?

His lips were on hers kissing even more passionately than when the girls were home, then he said, "It doesn't change what she did, I still need to talk to the doctor, but that isn't fair to you"

Marcy had risen from the chair, taken him by the hand and led him to his downstairs bedroom,

"Rick, I know the score, I also know that I ache for your touch, I haven't been with anyone in a very long time, but don't hold back because of that, please. Unless I'm blind, I think I still turn you on, and you need or want me as much as I do you.

"I understand things, no strings attached, but Rick I'm a woman with needs, satisfy me, now" her lips brushed his as they sat on the bed, she removed his sling carefully, as he undid her bra with one hand, and began to massage her breasts.

The make-out sessions they had enjoyed previously allowed Rick to slide down and pleasure Marcy several times, then the act itself, and she actually thought she was going to pass out as they both reached a climax at the same time. She laid her head on his chest, kissed him gently working her way up to his lips, and said,

"Before you say anything, if this is the only time, I get to enjoy you like this Rick, it was worth waiting, and I'm not the least bit sorry. I just hope you aren't either, no commitments, just know I care about you. Let's talk to the doctor tomorrow, but for tonight, can I ask you a favor?" She looked deep into his blue eyes,

"Anything Marcy, what do you want baby?"

"You, can I spend the night with you? The girls are old enough to know that you mean more to me than just some pickup from a party or bar, we're pretty open in our discussions and Brianna was the one who told me to sleep with you," She said shyly,

"What? Brianna, the quiet one said that?" Rick asked,

"She did, she told me 'Mom you deserve to be happy, Rick makes you happy and I bet if you sleep with him that will only make it better. Come on Mom, we know the score, we know how lonely you've been. Let Rick hold you, let him make you feel like the beautiful woman you are one more time, even if that's all it is, you'll still have a hell of a memory to keep you happy" she smiled, tears coming to her eyes,

"Your daughter told you to sleep with me because"

"Because she knows I love you, and you love me, and it's not sex, it's making love, well at least that's the way I look at it," Marcy said quietly,

"You know if the doctor asks, we have to tell him the truth don't you, Marcy, I mean he'll be here at 11:00 AM tomorrow, I can't lie to him," Rick said,

"Well, we can say yes, but it's none of his business how many times, now is it, as she crawled on top of him and the lovefest started once again,

Several hours later, they heard the doors close, and the girls come in, safe at home, now Marcy could actually sleep. She was dressed in a sexy but acceptable pajama set as Rick donned his bottoms only and pulled her back to bed. She laid secure in his good arm, thinking about what Brianna had said, even if it were only the one night, she'd always have the memory.

A few hours later, Brittany and Brianna stood shyly outside the bedroom door, listening to Rick moan, thrash and seeing their Mom trying to calm him down, lying next to him, kissing his forehead and whispering to him. The loud crashing sound of the nightstand overturning had woke them, they weren't sure what to do until they heard Marcy say,

"Girls if you want you can talk to him, he's having a panic attack on top of a bad dream. Just talk to him tell him about your day, about how much you enjoy being here, if you want to, OK?"

The girls were kneeling by his bed, talking to him, Brittany was wiping his forehead with a cold washcloth, as Brianna moved everything out of his reach so he couldn't hurt himself.

"Hey Uncle Rick, it's OK, Brianna and I are here with Mom, it's going to be fine," Rick moaned, something about no it'll hurt, "No Uncle Rick, no one can hurt you, we're here we have you."

Marcy had crawled next to him, blowing gently into his face as Brittany continued to wipe his forehead, then Brianna brought a fresh one and they exchanged places, now Brianna was wiping, slowly gently, and kissing his cheek, "Uncle Rick, it's OK, Mom and Brit are here, we got you, as one held his hand until finally, his eyes began to flutter open, then tears flowed out his eyes,

"I'm so sorry girls, I'm so, so sorry you shouldn't have had to see that, Marcy, I'm sorry, I really am" as he fretted,

The twins leaned over kissed his cheek on each side, "Hey Uncle Rick, you rest, we'll be here if you need us, and stop saying I'm sorry, please."

Brianna looked at he Mom, "Please don't leave him, Mom, he needs us, something set him off, so stay with him please Mom," as Marcy looked up to see both her girls crying,

"I will girls, I will" as she pulled his head to her breast and kissed his forehead, saying "shh, shh, I got you Rick, right here Darlin, shh," until she had rocked him to sleep again,

"Mom, yell if you need us, or if you want, we can stay here on the couch, out in the office, I'm worried, "

"I know baby, so am I, so am I"

TBC