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 11
Castle's Loft
New York City
3 Hours Later
/_/
Rick and Joy were enjoying a quiet night alone, Martha had just left for her three-week tour and Alexis was staying at Paige's for two days to work on their final senior science project. They both were so far ahead of anyone else in their school, but both had the drive to never be satisfied.
"Rick, want another beer while I'm up?" Joy asked as she took another piece of pizza, Rick had gone over the bridge to get the pizza from her favorite pizza parlor, he never ceased to amaze her with his thoughtfulness.
"Yes please, that would be great," he said as he tried to hide getting caught checking her out as she walked, God her legs were hot, long tan, and beautiful.
They had just settled down on the couch to watch a movie, when the door buzzer rang, Rick, took the remote,
"Yes, Eduardo, how can I help you?" Rick asked,
"Sir, a Detective Kevin Ryan, and his wife are here requesting to see you, sir," Eduardo said,
"Great, please escort them up Eduardo, and Thank You! Rick replied,
Joy began straightening her clothes although only a few long kisses had been exchanged, Rick had gotten her bra undone, when the hell had he done that, she smiled to herself.
The door buzzer rang and they walked to the door, Joy standing a step or so back, as Rick opened the door. He was immediately in the arms of a blonde hurricane, hugging him and kissing his cheek, as Kevin Ryan stood behind her with a smile on his face. He glanced at Joy and mouthed "I'm so sorry" as Joy smiled and gave him the thumbs-up sign.
Jenny was crying and holding Rick in a bear hug, kissing his cheek, for a good five minutes until Kevin, stepped in,
"Jenny, sweetie, don't we have something to tell Rick and Joy? We can't talk till you calm down, OK?"
It dawned on Jenny how she had literally attacked Rick from the time he opened the door,
"Oh My God, I'm so sorry Rick, I'm sorry Joy, I just got so excited, when Kevin came home and told me, I had to read the letter over and over at least ten times. How did you know about Dr. Carrion Rick? I mean we didn't advertise it; I mean I'm not ashamed of it, but how did you know?"
Rick looked at Kevin, then replied with Kevin saying the exact same thing, "I know a guy, it's my job to know when my friends are in need" Jenny looked at her husband,
"How did you do that Kevin?" She asked,
"It's the same thing he always says when he helps someone and won't let you try to pay him back; he does all the time," Kevin said as he fist-bumped Rick
"Jenny, Kevin, please come in, can I get you anything to drink, Rick and I were just enjoying a glass of wine" Joy smiled as she hugged the young bride.
"That sounds great Joy", thank you, Jenny, said and turned to Kevin, "the doctor said until we get a positive result, I could have a glass of wine, it might even mean you get lucky tonight just for fun" she laughed, as Kevin blushed,
Joy was back in a moment with two glasses of the wine Rick had turned her on to, well if she was being honest, not only did he turn it on to the wine, the wine turned her on, a feeling she had never gotten before.
They sat in the living room for a few minutes, enjoying their company until Kevin broke the silence,
"Rick, I guess you could tell by the reaction you received from my wife, I am going to accept your offer if you'll give us enough time to transition from the 12th. I know you mentioned not leaving Roy short, and well even if I don't understand her a lot of times, Beckett has been like another sister to me. I know this is going to knock her for a loop, first Javi, now me leaving" Kevin said,
Rick's eyes went wide "Javi leaving? When did that happen?" he asked
"Well, he was trying to find out what was going on when Joy had her first meeting with Robbery and stationed himself in the stairwell, Montgomery caught him, and one thing led to another until he was suspended for two weeks. He applied for jobs all up and down the east coast.
"Unfortunately, many of the chiefs are friends with Commissioner Boyle and the news got back to him. Long story short, Boyle lied to Dunedin Florida Department so I guess Javi is going down as Police Chief of a two-man department, and three part-time cops." Kevin said sadly,
"I'm sorry about that Kevin, I know he's been your partner for a long time," Rick said,
"Well, he just wanted to come in drop off his property, sign his exit papers, and leave, he didn't even say goodbye to any of us, so I guess that friendship is over." Kevin sighed,
"Well, he may come around Kevin, keep the door open, at least for a little while then if nothing happens or if he continues on his path to self-destruction, let it go," Rick said,
"Rick, you may want to go into your office to settle the final details, I know we all know what's going on, but I want to give Kevin the privacy he needs to ask any questions, it's a big move changing careers" as she kissed his cheek and returned to her chair across from Jenny
"Thanks, Joy, you're right, I wasn't thinking. Come into the office Kevin, Jenny do you have any questions for me before we make this official?" Rick asked
"No questions Rick, just a whole lot of thanks for providing us a secure future, we'll never let you down, I promise you," She said, tears coming to her eyes,
"Never doubted it for a second Jenny, he's a great cop, a great manager and from looking at the two of you, a great husband, so glad we could help. Now would you excuse Kev and me for a few minutes, this shouldn't take long:" Rick smiled,
The two men rose and walked into Rick's office, smiling and joking as the two women sat and watched.
"You look lovely Jenny, Kevin simply adores you," Joy said,
"Thank you Joy, so do you, and Rick, I haven't seen that smile on his face in a long time, so do you want to share anything?" Jenny giggled,
"Well, Rick and I have been friends since college, he saw me through the death of my fiancé and I helped him a bit when he brought Alexis home to New York before he could afford a place, they stayed with me a while.
"If you're asking Jenny, yes, I love him, have since college, but things keep us from anything more than physical if you know what I mean." Joy said, answering more than Jenny had asked, so yes, they were sleeping together, but friends, a hell of a benefits package Rick had scored.
"I couldn't believe it when Kev came home today, he said he had some news to tell me. I had heard bits and pieces of what was going on, but when Javi decided to leave, no call, no goodbye, it upset him. I couldn't figure out what would make him smile so big, and when I asked him about his second job, he said he quit.
"That startled me since we were barely making ends meet, now that I'm going for infertility treatments, I thought I was going to have to stop receiving the treatments. He pulled out Rick's offer letter and had me read it, I got halfway through it before I had to stop, the tears were coming so hard, so fast.
"This new job allows him to work a regular shift, spend more time with me, and well, have the energy when it's time to practice making babies" she laughed, "Plus Rick has already paid all of the medical bills so Kevin feels like a ton of pressure has been lifted from him, he was feeling inadequate since he couldn't provide everything I needed," Jenny said,
"Well you look like you are glowing Jenny, and I know when a woman has been made love to, so I take it, that part was cured" she laughed,
"OH YEAH, in a big way, he wanted to stay in bed tonight, but I just had to thank Rick, and have him make it official before the dream burst, it was such a relief to us both. Joy, it was almost like our first time, he couldn't get enough," Jenny blushed,
Both ladies were giggling when Rick and Kevin walked back out of the office,
"I think we're in trouble, one or both of us, Rick," Kevin said softly,
"Nah, they're just comparing notes, all women do it, sounds like Jenny is happy, and I'm glad for you both. Now go home, relax and do what comes naturally, I'm sure without all the added stress plus the exertion from working two jobs, things will be much better if you get what I mean" Rick said,
Kevin blushed, "Loud and clear boss, I only dread telling Kate, but hey I have to do what's right for my family. She's always made it clear to us all that everyone was replaceable, so now she'll have to live up to her words." He said sadly,
"Kev, one thing about life, things ALWAYS change, some we like, some we don't but we can't change it, so we do the best we can and move on" Rick fist bumped him, as the ladies rose to join them.
Jenny put her arm around Kevin without hesitation, and no one said a word or blinked when Rick and Joy both copied the action and showed them out.
XxX
Beckett's Apartment
Earlier the same evening
Kate couldn't believe her ears so she replayed the message,
"Hey Kid, it's me, Royce, sorry to take so long, but look, well I need to talk to you, call me please" as he rattled off his phone number.
The third time she played it back she copied down his number since she had tried to call him last year, but his phone had been disconnected, well that was the message she got. She glanced at the clock and saw it was only a little past 7:00, earlier in Los Angeles, if he was still out there. What the hell, he asked her to call.
Her hands were shaking as she dialed the number, the last time she had seen Mike, well spent the night with him in her bed fulfilling a dream of hers since she first met him. She loved him, he knew it, hell everyone did, but it took them both leaving to connect. Those old feelings were right back in her heart, the moment he kissed her she knew she wasn't stopping this time until she had satisfied her hunger for him that had lasted so many years.
It seemed like fate that brought them back together, but in reality, it was the murder of a bail bondsman, and Mike's previous association with the parties during his police career. She didn't care, fate or not, she got one day, one evening, and one night, oh what a night it was for her. Apparently, it didn't mean as much to him as it had to her,
It wasn't a cheap one-night stand in her eyes, she knew he was going back to L.A. and well, she had other interests here, but she also had that itch from so long ago that had to be satisfied. He had cared for her, love, no that wasn't what he felt. Perhaps attracted, but not in love, yet they made love which surprised her when she thought about it months later.
The next day she went to the precinct to work with her hero on the case, but Montgomery had pulled it from her and assigned it to Karpowski. They didn't get a chance to talk after that day/night, but he had her number and promised to call, but he never did. Why was he calling now?
She heard the phone ringing, and then his voice, "Hi Kid, I was hoping you would call me back" he said, using the name he always had when she was a rookie, and he was her training officer.
"It's been a long time since I was a kid, Mike, what do you need?"
"Well, to start with, I'm sorry, you're right, you're no kid, haven't been one for a long time. I wanted to tell you I'm sorry I didn't call, I mean I wanted to,"
"Sure Mike, no problem, I understand" Kate cut him off, "It was just an easy piece of ass for you, it was my fault to think it meant more to you than that" her hurt could be heard all the way to Los Angeles.
"Kate, you know better than that, you never were that to me. Think, really think, if that's all you were why wouldn't I have slept with you the last four months when Marie was barely alive. You knew my sex life with my wife was over, so if you were just an object for sexual gratification, we would have done the deed years ago.
"That said, it was still, I mean I felt guilty like I cheated on Marie, something I never did in the 35 years we were married. I know it's stupid, but I felt guilty after I got back to Los Angeles. It's stupid she's been gone 6 years, but"
"Not stupid Mike, it's human, look I'm sorry. I should have known better than to think that, much less say it. I guess I never got to say goodbye, again, and I took it personally. Look, you knew I loved you, hell everyone did, but I know you were faithful, you're a good man Mike" Kate said, trying to hold back her tears, as she remembered that she had used the very words Castle had spoken to her to comfort her.
"Don't say that Kate, please, you have to stop putting me up here on a pedestal. I have to tell you something, and if you hate me when I'm finished, I wouldn't blame you. Please don't say anything until I finish, please?"
"What are you talking about Mike? It's not making any sense" Kate whined
"Kate, PLEASE, don't make a sound until I am finished then we can talk or you'll hang up on me and I'll never bother you again, but let me say first, I'm sorry, sorrier than you will ever know. Now, please listen, this is important.
"I had a visit last week from NYPD, Detective Park, and Rick Castle, and what I thought was a done deal came back to bite me in the ass big time."
"Mike"
"Kate, you promised, I'll never get through this, if I don't just say it, please." Kate's thoughts came rushing back, what the hell were Park and Castle doing in Los Angeles and what could they possibly want to talk to him about?
"Remember last year, stupid question of course you do, well when we were going to lunch together, I told you I had to see someone really quickly, well actually I swiped the folder from your desk. I went into the men's room and took two pictures and a map that was in your evidence file. I got word that a jewelry heist that was never solved had the map of where the jewels buried in your file.
"Castle figured it out, and I have to tell you I was surprised to see him with Detective Park, I thought for sure you would have found the strength to tell him how you feel about him by now. Anyway, he had checked and found that the marriage between the wife and the murder victim was full of infidelity on both sides, so that wasn't what caused the wife to hire the hitman. You know Castle, he kept digging and put the pieces together, how I never know.
"I was just in my second year when the Sterling Diamond and Pearl company was robbed, it took us three solid months to chase down the leads but we finally caught the robbers, but the loot couldn't be found. The hitman who Detective Karpowski put away was the son of one of the original robbers who was killed in prison.
"He made a cryptic map, of where he had buried the diamonds, you had in your file, I saw it when I first started talking to you when you hugged me, you left the folder open. The drawing you had matched the rough sketch the son told the bondsman about, with me in the room. Unfortunately, the wife heard him trying to cut her out of her share and had him killed, agreeing to split the diamonds between the two of them.
"As usual greed got in the way of the original arrangement so they both went down, so I thought what the hell, why not. I gave twenty-five years for this shitty pension, why not help myself. You have to believe I never meant to hurt you."
"So, you fucked me to keep me from thinking like the cop you trained me to me, was it good for you Mike? "Kate spit out, determined not to cry, angry was not the word for how she felt.
"Kate it wasn't like that, I swear, I really felt something for you, I didn't sleep with you to get anything"
"No, you had already stolen it from the starry-eyed kid you had hanging on your every word coming from your mouth. Someday you are going to realize that what you destroyed that day was worth a hell of a lot more than money. Did you find you fucking treasure Mike, was it worth it?"
"No Kate, we found the grave, followed the map but there was nothing, and I realized I really screwed up, so you see, I couldn't call you." Mike pleaded,
"So why now, trying to get in my pants again?" Kate wasn't giving him any slack "You usually didn't go for the sympathy fucks Mike, are you that hard up?"
"Kate, Castle found the pictures and maps I stole from you, he knew where they came from, and talked Detective Park into not pressing charges, at least not yet. I'm sure you're going to hear about it from your Captain, and well I didn't want you to be surprised." Mike said softly,
"You mean like now, like how the man I thought I knew, the man I thought would never do anything to hurt me, the man I thought had some desire for me, it was all a lie, and what's worse, now the whole precinct is going to know about it. Thanks for the call Mike, Good Luck" Kate hung up and ran to the bathroom to throw up,
She cried for a good half hour until she thought, maybe Castle would talk to her, not that it wasn't bad enough that he knew now that she had fucked her TO, a one night stand to everyone but her, but also how stupid she had been to let him get police property out of the precinct.
She threw water in her face, touched up her makeup and grabbed her phone, badge, and gun, and headed out. She was at his door before she had really thought the entire approach was going to be, and before she knew it she was knocking, well pounding on his door.
A few minutes later a very disheveled looking Rick opened the door with "What the hell do you want Beckett?" she could see behind him Detective Park, buttoning her blouse, and God it was worse than she thought,
"Beckett, I asked you what do you want?" Rick said a little louder,
"Castle, eh, Rick, can we talk?" she squeaked out, and his response floored her,
"No, go home detective we have nothing to talk about" and slammed the door closed in her face.
TBC