A Deadly Game and a Secret

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: This is one story I've seen requested but never read a completed fic before. Rick has been recalled to active duty; the Hamptons are just his guise to hide the true story. The only ones who know the truth are Gina and Roy. Based loosely off 2-24, A Deadly Game, for the beginning then completely AU.

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 6

Beckett's Apartment

6 Weeks Later

/_/

Kate made her way home; some progress had been made at work. At least the boys weren't pissed off at her anymore, or if they were, they weren't openly showing it as they had been. Lanie was talking to her after she chewed her ass out for a full hour. She shared news that had totally devastated her, making anything past work, a moot point.

FLASHBACK TWO WEEKS EARLIER

Kate called Lanie for results on their latest victim and had gotten a strange request. Lanie just told her to meet her at the lab in one hour and hung up on her. She needed the results, and Esposito had burned his last bridge with Lanie, she refused to talk to him, on or off the job.

Kate made her way to the lab, and she wasn't used to seeing the office of Lanie closed, binds down, and her people all gone out of the building for other assignments. Lanie heard the door chime, opened her office door, and just nodded for her to come in. Kate thought it was strange, even as pissed as she was, she always would talk about work in a professional manner, today seemed like she wanted to clear her conscience of something.

She walked through and Lanie said, "Take a seat Detective," once again still the ice treatment, using her title instead of her name as it had been since Rick had left.

"What's going on Dr. Parrish? I asked for the toxicology and autopsy results of our victim, what's so different it requires a visit to your lab?" Kate asked throwing the title back at her, what was good for the goose was good for the gander.

"Well, before we get to that, I'm going to speak my mind, and if you interrupt me one time, you'll receive any and all communication from this office via your email, do you understand? That means I speak you listen, and keep your mouth shut." Lanie waited a few minutes to judge the reaction from Kate, who was pissed but kept her mouth shut.

When she saw, Kate was going to listen, she began, "Look, you're not stupid, and by now you have to know that when you hurt Rick, literally chasing him away from the precinct, you didn't just impact your life, no stop thinking about poor me, you hurt every single person that loved him here. I'm sure you've felt the warm response from everyone since then, but do you know why?

"Of course, you don't, you have no idea of what that man did for people when he was here. Your nine-year-old on a sugar rush has paid for hospital bills, arranged visits from relatives who couldn't afford the airfare, in some cases he sent his private jet to bring them to see their family. He paid for the funerals of that bombing that killed 12 two weeks before you forced him out."

"Well, here's the story, I don't know why you hate Rick, and now I really don't give a damn. I'm telling you that when he gets home if he gets home, I'm going to let him know how I feel about him, how I've always felt. I held back thinking that something would hit that hard head of yours and make you see the man tried everything to show his love to you, without any success.

"Well, I've decided if you don't want him, he's fair game, and believe me, I'm going to go after him with all I've got, he's a hell of a catch. I know you bought that shit story that he left for the Hamptons with Gina, but that's not the real story. I'm telling you this, so you can prepare yourself IF something happens, that's all. Kate, I'm serious, when he gets home, I'm going after him.

"I see your finger in the air, so put it down and listen. Rick's been recalled to active duty and is in Afghanistan or will be on his way any day now. Yeah, I see the look of shock on your face, but did you ever wonder how he got so good around guns, hell he even out shot the Queen of the precinct if I remember.

"I went to the loft yesterday to wish him a happy birthday, or at least leave his card, did you even remember his day, Kate? Never mind, the look on your face tells me the true story, after all, he and his family did for him you couldn't even be bothered to remember the man's birthday, you disgust me.

"Anyway, as I was saying, I stopped by the loft and Eduardo told me that Rick wasn't home but I could leave the card with Miss Gina who was staying there for the next several months. Yeah, I know surprised the hell out of me too. Anyway, I knocked on the door, and I was surprised to see Gina open the door and welcome me in.

"I could tell she had been crying, so I asked her if anything was wrong, she couldn't hold the secret any longer. Rick was on his way to Afghanistan with other reinforcements. He's a Colonel in the Marine Reserve Kate, he served with Roy Montgomery, and Mayor Weldon, 8 years ago, but he stayed in and active as a reservist.

"Gina showed me a case of his medals, including his purple heart as she cried, she was with him as he recovered the first time, and they were married six weeks after he was discharged from the hospital in Germany. That's why all your searches on him keep coming up empty, it was under his real name Rogers, and was while he was in the Military with a Top-Secret Clearance.

"I asked her the question you're wondering but not asking, what about the two of them? She told me they both loved each other, and would always be there for the other, but after spending a week in the Hamptons, they realized there had to be more to marriage than just making love.

"She described their relationship as ex-wife with benefits, anytime, any place he wanted her. She's acting as Alexis's mother and in fact, is on a plane as we speak to Europe to spend time with her, making her feel less lonely, and holding on to a part of Rick, just in case, her words Kate, not mine.

"It has to be dangerous, she told me that Rick had updated his will, and gone over all of his financial holdings, and had made sure Alexis and Martha would be OK IF he didn't come back. I bet you're thinking that doesn't make sense you saw clippings of him at a book signing, or two in North Carolina, and you'd be right.

"Gina told me how they had planned the release of the book and the four signings with his first week off before he had to teach another class of young pilots on the latest aircraft. The dedication of the book should tell you something Kate, I know you've read it.

"I wanted to tell you this, face to face since I've never been shy about my feelings, so God willing he comes home, I'm going to do my best to show him the love he's shown Gina, you, and so many others. You blew it, Kate, if you have a change of heart, you're going to have to fight me.

"I even got Gina's blessing to go for it, she said, "He needs someone who will give just a fraction of what he does back to him, he's going to be in bad shape when he returns Lanie. The first time it took two years to forget the night terrors, so he's already been through one hell, before you and your boy toy put him through another.

"You couldn't have picked a time when he needed his friends the most to show just how shallow you are. You and Demming who has no idea of what Rick has already given to this country, calling him Nancy Drew, something for you to be very proud of Kate, showed me who you really are.

"I'm done, you can say what you want, but don't label me like you did Maddie, I'm not going behind your back to steal a boyfriend, I'm going to go after a man who you threw away. If you still want to talk after this, fine, if not, then you never were a friend to me, just as you never were one to Rick."

Lanie walked over and poured herself a cup of coffee waiting for whatever would come back from Kate. She was prepared for any and everything, except what she heard.

"You're right Lanes. Everything you said was right, and I feel like the fool I am. I did forget Rick's birthday, and hell he's in the war? Why? Why the hell did he have to go back? He's already served his time, so why did they recall him?" She cried,

"According to Gina, he's been keeping up with the new Aircraft the Marines have replaced the old ones with, and there's a shortage of pilots. Every summer people thought he was off vacationing Rick was going through the training required, class, and in the air. Rick is going to teach two classes,"

"Well, at least he won't have to go overseas" Kate whined, hoping she had heard Lanie wrong,

"Didn't you hear anything I said Kate, he's on his way now, as we speak. This isn't some simulation; this is the real thing. I felt sorry for Gina, she's barely holding it together, and Rick suggested she spend a month with Alexis. After I left the loft, I stopped at church, lit a candle, and said a prayer,"

"Lanie, you haven't gone to church since college and"

"I know, Kate, I know. I don't know how you're going to deal with this, but keep your mouth shut, no one is to know." Lanie barked,

"Who am I going to tell? Who do I talk to? I know, I know, it's my own damn fault, but Roy is the only one I've had a conversation with. I don't"

"Roy knows, he and Gina were the only ones supposed to know." Lanie wiped a tear from her eye

"Well, you've been open and honest with me Lanes, so I'm going to tell you this. I did write a letter to Rick, Memorial Day weekend, and Eduardo hand-delivered it. It's been over six weeks, and I haven't heard a word, I probably won't, so yes if you love him then go for it. I would rather see him with someone who would treat him the way he needs to be treated; God knows I've had enough chances wasted." She said as tears came to her eyes,

Lanie crossed the room to hug her, "I tried to tell you, Kate, God so many times I wanted to rush in and try to fix his hurt, but as long as you had a chance I held back. I won't do that, so if you want to hate me, game on" as she backed out of the hug,

"I don't hate you, Lanie, I love you, you're my only friend in the world right now, and well, I can't say anything about Rick, especially if Gina gave you, her blessing. I know Alexis already adores you, so you have a good track, just take care of him Lanes, like I should have, OK?"

She left Lanie's office forgetting the results of the victim that was her pretense to come. It was in her inbox when she finally remembered,

"You forgot these, so just say they weren't completed and I told you I would email them, and Kate, I'm sorry your hurting, I really am,

Lanes,"

PRESENT-DAY

She was still numb about Rick being in danger and now watched the news each night religiously, on multiple channels, including BBC. They seemed to not pull punches and didn't give a shit if the GOP or the Democrats liked what they said. The battles were intense, each night the report of casualties was the part she dreaded the most.

She had thought about writing another letter BEFORE Lanie set her straight. She wouldn't interfere with Lanie's attempts to win him over. She had been a true friend, caring for Rick, and standing back waiting on her to get her shit together. The lack of any response from Rick either meant he had thrown the letter away the moment Eduardo handed it to him, or he had read it and thought, yeah, right, more lies.

Either way, it was clear she hadn't just broken any chance she might have had with him, hell she bombed it all to pieces. Her behavior was despicable, she realized that now, and she really didn't know what she was thinking. Her only excuse was she hadn't been near a relationship since high school and perhaps that's why she acted as a stupid teenager would have. She thought about Will, hell that wasn't a relationship, it was someone safe to have sex with, who didn't ask too many questions, and who shared a similar occupation.

No, it was time she started a new path, for her own peace of mind. She decided to visit her Dad's cabin next weekend, it was the only place she had ever felt peace when she was younger. She hadn't been back since the summer before her Mom had been killed.

She took her Harley out, and looked upward, thanking her Grandfather who had taught her all she knew about repairing and keeping the bike in top shape. She had changed the sparkplug, changed the oil and filters, and done the maintenance normally needed. One last check, one many bikers often forgot and paid for dearly.

She took out the battery check tool and found that it was weak, deciding not to chance it she made a trip to the auto parts store and replaced it. Satisfied now that the bike was ready to ride, she turned her attention to shopping for the provisions she would need. Mostly dry goods, only what would fit in the saddlebags, and then she was done.

Time for a shower and prepare for work, anything to keep her mind off of Rick, the news, and the film clips of bombs exploding on the ground. She cried, ashamed at her selfishness, then headed to the shower where no one would know or hear.

She stepped out of the shower to hear her phone ringing; it was Lanie's ring tone. Oh God, no, nothing could have happened, not this quickly, please God no. she mumbled as she dropped the towel and grabbed her phone.

"Lanie, what's going on, please tell me it's not bad news, please" Kate begged,

"Kate, have you watched the news today, at all?" Lanie asked, her voice trembling,

"No, not today, I was going to watch BBC after my shower, which I just finished, what's up?" she asked now her voice shaking,

"Turn on NBC, Kate, they're going to show it again in three minutes when they get out of this commercial break," Lanie said, once again her voice trembling,

Kate grabbed the remote, and when the TV powered on selected the channel, just as the local newscaster returned from the commercial.

"Welcome back to WRLF, NBC news where tonight's top story is an escalation in the bombing in Afghanistan. Spokesmen from the Pentagon, speaking anonymously shared that this was indeed a targeted attack on the Taliban.

"Reading from their statement, U.S. Forces in Afghanistan conducted two kinetic strikes against Taliban leaders and fighters assembled at adjacent compounds in Nawah district, Ghazni province, Afghanistan last evening around midnight local time. The double-structure strike resulted in an estimated 30 Taliban killed.

"We have an exclusive clip taken from the cockpit of the aircraft who participated in this operation. We have also learned that this pilot was involved in a dog fight with an F-15 Jet from the opposition and that footage has been deleted based on National Security protocol. Please watch this, and as always, we warn you that the images may be graphic" the reporter said, as the film clip rolled,

A pilot was shown in his gear making the final checks on his plane, then as he began to climb into the cockpit, Kate exclaimed "Oh my God, that's Rick," as Lanie sniffled, the camera had caught enough of the aircraft to see the name painted on the side, "WRITER-MAN" Colonel Rick Rodgers in script style writing below it. The image was brief, but both Lanie and Kate had seen the pilot walk, it was Rick, then the identification on the plane sealed it.

The clip proceeded to show the buildings below, an aerial view, then the locking screen, the box locked on a target like most kids would on a video game, except this was real. The first target was locked, then a few seconds later, you could see the building crumble and fall beneath the smoke, then the next target experienced the same fate. White flashes headed towards the plane, with surface-to-air missiles as the pilot, Rick, made a series of maneuvers and the clip went dark.

"There you have it, ladies and gentlemen as close as most of us will come to the brave actions of our military forces fighting to preserve liberty, we understand the pilot sustained some type of injuries but completed his mission and returned his plane to headquarters. There is no report on the extent of the injuries, and when asked, official spokesmen, just replied "No Comment" and walked past us.

"Reporting from an undisclosed location in Afghanistan, I'm Farhat Gumede, BBC news, back to you in the studio.

Kate muted the TV, "Lanes, it was Rick, I'd know that walk anywhere, and he was injured" Kate cried out,

"Kate, listen to me, he made it back to the base, and none of us know his injuries, so this is not the time to go all to pieces on me. I had to tell you, I couldn't let you find out by accident watching the clip by yourself" Lanie said, sniffling into the phone,

"I know Lanes, thank you so much, I don't know what I would have done if I saw that when I was by myself. Oh God, Lanes, I'm sorry, you watched it, alone, and I'm so, so, sorry. Look like you told me he made it back to base, that's a good thing, right?" Kate asked trying to find something positive for not only her friend but herself as well.

"Yeah, it is, but they don't tell us if he climbed out of that God Damn plane or had to be lifted out. You saw the clip Kate, that's just what they're showing. How bad was it really? God the missiles were coming right at him, and they even said he had a dogfight with another F-15." Lanie said just as her phone vibrated with another incoming call,

"Kate, I gotta call you back, Gina is calling, I'll let you know what I find out," she said and the phone went dead as Kate knew her tears were falling in sync with her own. God damn war, God Damn Marines, why did he have to go? She never got to tell him face to face she was sorry, now she was praying she would have that opportunity, even though she knew her chance to be more than an associate, a friend in best case scenario, was over.

She turned walked to her room, laid across her bed, and for the first time since she could remember, half prayed and cried. She was praying Lanie would call back with good news, but why would Gina call, she was his Emergency Contact? If things were fine, why would she have been notified,

All questions, no answers as she clutched the stupid little teddy bear he had given her for her last birthday, and wept.

TBC