Coming Out or Going In

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: From a fan prompt (Castle was lent out to Robbery temporarily to work cold cases while Demming is on suspension. Lead Detective Joy Park, a woman with a big secret causes friction between our couple. COMPLETELY AU, Some Scenes and events used to enhance the story,

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

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

Chapter 8

NYPD 12th Precinct

10:00 AM

/_/

Roy had called the meeting to order and was beginning to pass out his observations for each team, some good, some not so well received. Beckett was holding her breath until he announced her team's standing, but he skipped her in his regular rotation. She didn't know whether to be relieved or worried even more. Finally, he ended the meeting, saying "That is all Dismissed"

She thought she had evaded a horrible fate and was just about to breathe when she heard his voice,

"Beckett, my office Now" Roy boomed,

Just when she thought she was in the clear for another month, Damn it, she thought,

"Sir you wanted to see me," she asked standing in the door,

"Come in Beckett and close the door, we have things to discuss". Roy barked,

Kate walked in, closing the door gently behind her, as she tried to read her boss's face. He was upset, not usual for Roy, he usually could let things roll off his back so this had to be bad."

"OK Sir, you want to discuss something?" she played the coy role,

"In a minute Detective, in a minute as he was working on a file that seemed to be causing him the pain and anger, he was displaying. A few minutes later he looked up, lowered his reading glasses, and began.

"I don't know how he got wind of it, but Rick Castle found out about your troubles, he called Mr. Mayor, who called the Commissioner who I can tell you is not a fan of yours in the least, and they have rolled back your quota for case closure to the original one.

"That's why I didn't call your name this morning, with the case you just closed put you 2 percentage points above the requirement," Roy said as he looked at her with almost a look of sorrow,

"Sir, I don't understand I haven't spoken to Castle since he was transferred, I mean I tried, but he was tied up with Detective Park, then he went out of town. Why would he go to bat for me and my team when he's even had his chair moved to her desk?" Kate asked still upset and hurt that the patrolman moved Castle's chair, their chair, a reminder that he would be back. Now she wasn't sure anymore.

"Well he got wind of it, you know you're not the only one who has worked with him, except the others hold him in much higher regard than you do. I don't know, and I don't really care, all I know is you caught a break, so don't blow it."

"Yes Sir, I won't sir," Kate responded, Roy wasn't her friend at this moment, he was her CO, and that's how she was going to play the game from now on out "Anything else sir?" She asked as she started to rise from her chair,

"Yes, sit back down. You now have an open requisition for a detective on your team, Detective Javier Esposito is no longer with the NYPD effective as of yesterday. Damn fool applied to just about every police department with more than 100 cops from Athens Georgia, to Dunedin Florida, many of the Police Chiefs are personal friends with Commissioner Boyle.

"He gave him a good recommendation to get rid of him, so Esposito has relocated to Florida or is in the process of doing so. If you care to have a send-off party, please do so off police property, as I said Commissioner Boyle lied and gave him glowing marks just to get rid of him and he wouldn't take it well if he heard of him coming back here for a party.

"When he returns, he will be escorted to his desk by the Desk Sargent, since his badge, ID, and security has been disabled, then to HR, to complete his paperwork. I have his shield and gun already, so there is no need for me to see him unless he wishes outside of work. That decision is totally up to him, but I took a chance on him when he first came to homicide, a chance that has come back to haunt me.

"Here is the list of uniformed officers who have passed the exam and qualify for the promotion, you may consider anyone from that list, except Anne Hastings. When you have made your selection of three candidates, then you and I will interview them individually and then your decision must be approved by me. Is that clear Detective?" Roy asked

Kate was in shock, she was waiting for Javi to be back Monday, to get the team back together and kick some ass on the cold cases, and now he was gone, or would be soon. What the hell did Castle know, and why did he go to bat for her? Her mind was going a million miles a minute it seemed when she heard Roy's voice again,

"Detective, DETECTIVE," he was much louder,

"Sorry Sir, my mind was racing, I apologize, sir," She said,

"Are you back now Detective?" Roy asked,

"Sir, yes sir" she replied, once again keeping this formal,

"Good, what I said was confidential, you may tell Ryan, BUT not on grounds, go to lunch, get a drink, just don't repeat it in my house, is that clear?"

"Crystal clear Sir, may I ask one question, sir?"

"You can ask, but I'm not guaranteeing I will answer it, ask your question Detective," Roy said, still in that stoic pissed off mood tone of voice.

"Sir you said I could choose three candidates from this list and you and I would interview them together, but you said not Anne Hastings, is there a reason for that Sir?" She asked,

"Do you want the professional answer or the truth Beckett?" Roy asked,

"The truth Sir, why would it be any different?" She asked still confused,

"Officially she is headed to Roz's team next week, someone is going out on extended sick leave, but she also declined to be interviewed if she was slated to come to your team. I quote, 'Thanks for the opportunity Sir, but I would rather remain on patrol than to join the team headed by Detective Beckett, it's personal Sir, but thanks but no thanks' she said to me Roy replied, "so I have no idea what you did to piss her off, but to turn down a lucrative promotion if it was on your team?

"Beckett, get back to being the cop I promoted, not some flighty high school girl trying to make a man jealous, carrying on in the stairwells, and start being the leader you're supposed to be. The leash is short for not only you but for me as well because of your behavior. Dismissed" Roy barked as Kate sat stunned.

She rose to her feet, went directly to the ladies room, splashed cold water on her face, and tried some deep breathing exercises, she finally was collected enough to talk to Ryan.

"Kevin, we need to talk, but not here," Kate said

"So, you know?" Kevin asked,

"Know what, no stop, don't tell me here, let's go to that sandwich shop just down from Remy's and you tell me what I'm supposed to know already."

Kevin started to say something but one look he knew it wasn't an invitation, and he quickly shut down his computer, "Ready when you are Kate,"

They began the walk to the elevator, the walk that Kate had anticipated hearing the footsteps of her writer, somedays she caught the aroma of the coffee, other days it was his cologne that she smelled first. She still remembered the smile she had to hide each time he came to see her, and now, well it was gone.

Not only that but she had to promote a replacement for Javi and Anne Hastings hated her guts for some reason. She wasn't making progress, she was just sealing the fate that Rick was gone, and he wouldn't be the last in her life if she didn't get it together.

XxX

Los Angeles

Next Morning

"Good morning Joy, you look beautiful this morning, hope you slept well," Rick said as he positioned the breakfast carts that room service had just brought up.

"Good Morning Rick, and stop the flattering, you'll get me to do something we aren't ready for yet. My God what did you order for breakfast, and what's this?" she asked pointing to a picnic basket with a small cooler of drinks and beverages.

"Oh, I had Maurice put a picnic together for us, I figured if we got hungry there may not be any place to eat on the drive," Rick said, as he felt her two arms come around him from behind and hug him. He turned and gave her a peck on the lips, and said, "Eat while it's hot, I hope you still like the same things, you used to"

She had tears in her eyes, the man never forgot anything, there on her plate where her two poached eggs on whole-wheat toast, buttered with strawberry jelly without one seed.

He saw the tears pool in her eyes as he poured her coffee, and added the creamer she loved, she looked up and just smiled, she was afraid to say anything or her voice would crack. No one had ever treated her the way Rick did, it hadn't mattered that she and Cathy were together, he just loved them both. When they lost her, he was the one to keep her alive, to keep her eating, breathing, and functioning. He was her best friend, always had been, always would be.

"You never forget anything do you Rick?" she finally asked as he helped her with her chair at the dining table,

"Not when it comes to people who I love, no, I try not to. So, we're headed up the mountains and I thought we would circle back to an exclusive area of Beverly Hills. My attorney wants me to look at some property out here, just in case, Alexis chooses Stanford. I want to be close but not too close, and well, it also fits one of my other plans." Rick said, suddenly turning serious-looking,

"What would that be Rick, you aren't thinking about moving out here are you? I mean New York has always been home hasn't it?" Joy was a little shocked,

"Well, nothing is fixed in stone, but I can't work with you forever, and hanging around New York is just going to allow me to fall back into bad habits, so yes I'm thinking about it, hey, why are you upset Joy?" as he noticed tears falling from her eyes,

"It's stupid Rick, I know I just came back into your life, but it made me realize what I had been missing. I should have never gotten married, hell the only reason I did was because she asked and I was tired of eating alone." She looked up to see Rick laughing,

"I'm sorry Joy, I don't mean to laugh, but I would think hiring an escort just to go out to eat would have been a simpler solution" he ducked as she tossed a pillow at him,

"Yes, it would have, but I still haven't heard why you proposed to Gina, my God Rick, what were you thinking? Never mind I know it's not what you were thinking rather it was where you were thinking from that caused that, Sir Richard the Great was probably tired of no action" She laughed as Rick blushed now,

"Well that and pretty much Alexis needed a mom to talk about girl stuff, so we go along so well, until we were married then not so much" he smiled, "Don't kid yourself, next to our relationship that was the most sexless one I have ever had," he said and blushed.

"Go get your shower, I'll be ready when you are out, and we can take that ride, I think we both need it," Joy said as she kissed his cheek quickly and walked away to the table.

Joy had already filled the thermoses with coffee, packed up some treats for dessert and added to the picnic lunch, and had everything ready to head out the door, she had changed into a short outfit that really showed off her toned legs, she had a great body, but she knew Rick was a leg man, or he had been.

He walked out in soft jeans and a pullover short sleeve shirt, Joy had the light jackets just in case, it did get cold higher up, so she was trying to prepare for everything. Rick's eyes caught sight of her legs, God she still had those beautiful legs, it was going to be tough to keep his mind off things with her looking that hot.

Stop, he thought, six months, that's the time frame she had given him. He was more than skeptical that he and Kate could ever progress far enough in six months to prevent him and Joy, hell look at how little progress they had made in almost three years.

Joy walked over to him, kissed his cheek, "You have plenty of time to worry about that once we get back, now let's enjoy the day, please" her eyes and smile killed him,

"Sure, let's get out of here." He smiled and took her hand.

He let her drive first, it was a real treat to see how excited she got when she got the red convertible out on the road and opened it up. She was so happy, the laughter he heard was music to his aching heart and soul, and to be honest, it was great therapy for Joy as well.

They switched drivers and were enjoying the beautiful scenery, somehow, they wound up in Topanga State Park, and decided to have their picnic lunch. Rick spread the blanket and got the basket and treats from the car, as Joy opened the wine, and poured each a glass. The cheese, finger sandwiches, and pastries were gone in no time, as Joy laid with her head in Rick's lap.

"Careful Joy, this almost got us in trouble the first time we did this" Rick said,

Joy looked at him, and her eyes were so soft when she spoke, "Would you have regretted it then Rick, I know I wouldn't have. I really don't care about me; I just want you to follow your heart. That's why I said six months, if Kate wasn't in the picture, well" She rose to meet the lips that were searching hers, and neither was in a rush to break the kiss. Goosebumps went through her, no one had ever kissed her like that before, male or female.

"Rick, I don't want you to have any regrets, I mean" He kissed her again, then whispered, I know what you mean, but it doesn't mean I have to stop kissing you does it.

"To answer your first question hell no, I would never have or had regrets making love to you. I just want you to be sure, it's you, not you filling in for someone. That's more important to me than anything, I would never hurt you." His eyes were such a beautiful hue of blue,

Joy initiated the kiss, crawled into his lap, and poured out the love that both had been missing for years. "I should say I'm sorry, but I won't I would do it again, and thank you, Rick, let's take our time, no one wants to be a substitute for someone else,"

A few minutes were spent just being close to each other, small kisses on the forehead, sharing memories, some good, some sad, but through it all, Joy held him tightly, gently massaging his back in such a reassuring way.

"Well, we better head back to see if I can see that house in the daylight if you don't mind. Don't get me wrong, I would love to stay here for as long as you want, but I'm afraid if we do, well, I just don't want that memory soiled in any way, it has to be special, you're special." He kissed her, and then carried her to the car.

A few minutes later they were back on course to the address, Joy had her hand on his leg, patting gently, as they talked, laughed, and then sang along to some songs when the radio would pick up the signal. Joy hadn't enjoyed a day like today since before she hooked up with Cathy, and even back then, it was with Rick.

"What you thinking about Joy, it'll all be OK, someone I trust told me that not too long ago" he turned his head and flashed her that smile,

Rick, didn't you say the street name was Wallingford Drive, because if so, we just passed it" as Rick quickly made a U-Turn and turned onto a street with perhaps 5 houses, a huge cull de sac, as they approached the double iron gates, Rick entered the code, and watched as they swung open. The view of the mountains in the distance was spectacular, almost like from a documentary of nature and how beautiful it was.

They drove to the end of the street and there it was, God what a mansion. "Care to see the home that I might buy Joy?" Rick asked,

"Try to stop me" as she was out of the car and around to his side holding his hand, they entered the door to see the flyers, she picked one up and gasped.

"Oh my God Rick, did you see the price?" Joy asked,

"Yeah, Walt said it's been on the market a while, I think he said they were asking 85." His voice was so nonchalant as if he was spending five bucks

"Rick, that's millions not thousands, you know that don't you" Joy was almost speechless

Rick turned and smiled, "Joy, newsflash, I'm rich, so yes I know and yes I can afford it, IF I like it, come on, let's take the tour."

The pamphlet was still in her hand as she began to read

$85,000,000

12 bedrooms 24 baths 38,000 Square Feet

XXXX Wallingford Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

One of the most private and secured estates in Beverly Hills 90210. The newly rebuilt & expanded Wallingford estate is spread over a 5-acre exclusive promontory. A one-of-a-kind indoor sports complex with basketball, pickleball, gym, boxing ring, sports lounge & bar all celebrates an active lifestyle & the love of sports. Located just 8 minutes from the Beverly Hills Hotel and 20 minutes from Van Nuys private airport, both entrances can only be accessed through private/gated streets. Exquisitely designed and built with impeccable taste, the sophisticated and stylish transitional estate infuses today's technology with magnificently refined rooms and timeless elegance. Totaling approximately 46,000 Square Feet under roof and approximately 38,000 Square Feet under Air Conditioning and boasting 12 bedrooms and 24 baths, approximately 5,000 Square Feet guest penthouse, caretaker house, 2-bedroom guardhouse, 10 car garage, and parking for 80. The biggest zero edge pool in Beverly Hills perfectly frames the extensive grounds and views.

SALE PENDING

"Rick, why are we looking at this house if there is a sale pending on it?" Joy asked,

Rick gave her that grin, and she knew, "You already bought it didn't you? Sight unseen you dropped that kind of money? My God Rick, what if it had been a trailer on a mountain, I mean you have to be more careful; people take advantage of nice guys like you" he silenced her with a kiss.

"My lawyers out here saw it, and sent me the videotape, I think you'll love it, IF well, we can discuss that when"

"Discuss what Rick? You can't leave me hanging like that?" She pleaded,

She kissed his neck all the way up to his ear, tickling him until he said 'OK, I am moving RCE, Rick Castle Enterprises from New York, one of those businesses is my investigation firm, and well I was wondering if you wanted to head it up for me, there's no one I trust more."

TBC