A Box Full of Memories
by Castlefan6
Authors Note: AU Story for Rick and Jordan Shaw by request, prior to meeting Kate. This is TOTALLY AU, PRE-SERIES, with some fragments from Canon used, picks up where Rick has been dumped by Kyra and finds love with Jordan. THIS IS NOT CASKETT, THIS IS NOT CASKETT, THIS IS NOT CASKETT
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 6
Monday, 11:00 AM Local Time
LAX Airport
/_/
The moment the wheels touched down Rick was on his phone texting, Jordy,
"Hey, we just arrived, I mean JUST, still on the runway, headed to the gate, I'll call you soon, don't forget I left my heart with you, love and miss, Rick"
It wasn't a moment later his phone pinged with two emojis, a heart, and a kiss, and a few words, "In class, glad you're there safe Love You, Jordy"
Georgette was at the gate waiting for them, you could hear her shrieks throughout all of LAX when she saw Rick.
"Ricky, over here Luv, God you look so good, you're a sight for my sore eyes," as she rushed him and threw her arms around him. He dropped his carry-on and hugged her back, it was good to see her and to feel her hugs again.
She had saved him, he knew he loved Jordy, but also that without Georgie taking an interest in him, professionally and well physically, he would still be stuck in the why did this happen to me rut.
"It's great to see you again Georgie, even though I'm promised, I still missed you terribly. I never got the chance to say thank you for getting me out of my depression." He smiled shyly as he kissed her on the cheek. That had been Jordy's restrictions, hugs and kisses on the cheek were OK, nothing further as he remembered the fire in her eyes when they discussed the trip and his past history.
Paula had caught up to them by now and looked at the young lady, "Good to see you again Georgette, I'm sure you were the one to recommend me to Rick, so thanks" she said, with the European hug and kiss on each cheek as a greeting.
"You're welcome, I just told him you were a great agent but not to sleep with you" Georgette replied with her same smile, never changing,
"Why would you say that Georgette?" Paula asked,
"Because at the time he was sleeping with me, but I messed that up and well, it worked out well. Jordy is a great lady, pretty and sexy as well as being there for him" she smiled,
"How do you know this Georgette?" Rick asked his face showing puzzlement
"You don't think I would let just any lady move in on you, not without doing a full check to be sure they weren't another Kyra do you? Look I may have moved, but I still care for you, and well I understand your situation now." She smiled as she put her arm around Rick's waist, "Come on I have the limo waiting,"
Rick walked with her, knowing that Georgette didn't mean anything at all with her arm around him, they had made it halfway to baggage claim, where the limo waited when she yelled back at a younger man who had been following them.
"For God's sake Conrad, keep up, help Paula up the ramp, do I have to tell you how to do everything" so that explained who the man was. Apparently, she had gone very young this time and Conrad was her new friend with benefits, although he looked like he was still in high school.
Rick smiled, knowing that what he had waiting for him was someone who loved and admired him for more than his ability to please her in the bedroom, although that had grown to a fever pitch as well lately. Things just kept getting better.
"Well Ricky, the first stop is the hotel to check-in, then we have wardrobe and makeup then the Barnes and Noble on Vine street." She said as if she had just talked to him yesterday,
"Yeah, about that Georgie, I was a little surprised, when Paula mentioned makeup, I mean"
"Ricky, that's my idea to save your identity, if you want to have any kind of normal life with Jordy after again, I mean"
"I know, I know, but, oh OK," he saw the look on her face as they arrived at the hotel, then were shown to a group of private suites. As the bellmen were taking care of luggage, Georgie took Rick by the hand, "This way stud, you aren't getting out of this, at least give it a try, OK?" she looked at him with her eyes, and he was putty
Two hours later, Rick emerged from the chair with implants, well on the makeup build-up, as well as a new hairstyle, a pair of dark glasses, brown-colored contact lenses, and a very expensive sport coat, it was nice but it was something his uncles would wear.
"Perfect Georgie, he looks 10 years older, and I love the new hairstyle, I don't think anyone will be looking for him with just the twinge of grey in his sideburns," Paula said,
"You gave me grey hair? What"
"Relax Rick, we have two signings then we have the rest of the day to get you out of that costume and let you enjoy Los Angeles," Georgie said, as she snapped a picture of him with her phone then sent a group text to Rick, Paula, and Jordy,
"Your boyfriend misses you so much he's aged ten years" was the text, and the reply came back quickly,
"OMG, just give me back my BF when the tour is over, but if that's what I have to look forward to, I'm not worried about getting old now" then a row of smiley emojis.
They had a quick lunch, and Georgie was pumping Rick up, telling him "Rick, they can spot a phony, I know they wrote a script for you, but hell be yourself, well the same sweet man I met, and be authentic. They can spot a phony a mile away."
Finally, it was time, as Georgette led him out to the main floor of Barnes and Noble, he looked up to see women, mostly women in a line that stretched out the door. He started by asking the first lady in line,
"Hi, thanks for coming out today, what's your name," then writing something personal to each person, it took a little longer but the reactions were instant. Georgie filmed the girls going crazy over the simple message like,
"Thanks for sharing your smile with me today, keep smiling Sarah, Rick Castle" in his flair and bold sharpie he used to sign.
Everyone in line got a different message, short but personal so they felt he had come to the signing just for them. Word spread, and the line grew until Georgie had to cut it off. She added one additional signing scheduled for the day after tomorrow, with Rick's permission, hell he was having fun now that the nerves were gone.
He was still shocked that this was happening to him, he wasn't anything special, just Rick Rogers who grew up the tough way, but hey, he wasn't knocking his good fortune. He had noticed a large homeless population near the neighborhood they were in, and inquired about any shelters or soup kitchens to provide food for them and their location. Two were very close, so he pulled Georgie aside,
"Hey, do you realize that there are people starving and within two blocks there are shelters to help them?" he asked,
"Yes Ricky, I mean I feel bad, for them but what can we do?" Georgie asked,
"Ask the manager if I stay another hour tonight would they donate the profits from that hour, along with my royalties split between the two facilities, at least they can get some help once we're gone," he said,
The owner agreed and it was announced to the crowd that from 2:00 PM till 6:00 PM the store and Rick Castle were donating all royalties and profits to the two centers for the homeless. He hadn't done it for the publicity, but they raised badly needed funds the remainder of the day.
"Paula, I want you to investigate every city we go to, give me a list of deserving charities, regardless of race, religion, just those that deserve the money and are having a hard time. We'll arrange the same deal with those stores, we have to give back, we just have to" Rick said, and the ladies knew, this wasn't for the publicity, it was his heart speaking.
He took a short break, went into the back, grabbed a sandwich, and called Jordan, quickly.
"Hey Rick how did the first day go, Hon?" She answered on the first ring,
"Great, it's still going, I added an hour" he explained why and the details, and heard her sniffling,
"Jordy, why are you crying? I'll facetime you when I get to my room, OK? Please don't cry," his voice soother her,
"I'm just crying about how sweet you are, even to people you will never know, that makes me love you, even more, Richard Rogers Castle, call me when I can kiss your face, at least on the screen, promise?"
"I promise, I have to get back the lines have been nuts but Georgie said her Uncle was really happy, so that's good."
He returned to the floor just in time to see Paula wrapping up an interview with a local TV station, he let the cameras clear then approached her.
"What was that all about Paula? We didn't do this for the publicity, you didn't call them did you?" He asked,
"What? NO, but the owner did, and they couldn't believe that this new writer would care so much, I think they ordered twice the number of books for the next two days, so Paul is going crazy with happiness in New York." She said
The rest of the day sped by, Rick had found his groove, every signature was different, and the fans were delighted, well more than delighted. They finally left at 6:50 PM, Rick shot Jordy a text letting her know he ran over and would call her as soon as they had dinner.
The hotel restaurant was close, good and they were tired so they had a private room, and enjoyed the best service.
"Well, Rick, what did you think, by the way, the interview that Paula did is airing tonight at 11:00 PM local and already has people stirring, the book shot up 5 places on the NY Times list," Georgie said,
"Well, I really didn't do it for that, and Paula, from here on out, our donations are anonymous, no more press conferences, I understand today, but really, I just want to help," he said, he glanced at his watch, and excused himself to go to his room, he needed to see and talk to Jordy, it was already almost 11:00 PM back in New York.
XxX
Rick's Suite
He pulled out his laptop and hit the Facetime app, once again, Jordan's face appeared in less than a half of a ring. She was still dressed, her makeup flawless, and Rick knew, she had an early class tomorrow,
"Hey Love, why are you still dressed, you have an early class tomorrow, I mean shouldn't you be ready if not in bed already?" Rick asked,
"Rick, I missed you, yeah, I have an early class, but I didn't want you to see me all lounged out, hell you're in California, near Hollywood, home of the big boobs and small clothes, so I didn't want you looking anywhere else." She said, defensively,
"Jordy, my love, here's a clue, I don't want anyone else, I don't care how big the bosom, real or plastic, I just want you, besides I'm a leg man and yours still turn me on 3,000 miles away, so why don't you go get comfortable and call me back sweetheart," he said,
"You sure Rick, I mean, I just don't want to be that girlfriend who stays in sweat pants" Rick started laughing,
"Jordy, I've been gone one day, Love, please get comfortable and call me back, and don't wear all those clothes all day to look good for me, you could wear a laundry basket and be my beauty queen." He blew her a kiss and hung up.
Ten minutes later, his app lit up and there was Jordy, smiling in her PJ's stretched out on the bed, he noticed she chose the shorties to show off her tanned legs.
"That's my girl, feel better? He asked with a huge smile on his face"
"Yes, but I'd feel better if you were here next to me, I know, I'm sorry that's selfish, it's part of the job." She hung her head,
"if you think I'm going to get upset because my girlfriend tells me she misses me, you're more tired than I thought, oh love the choice of PJ's, I get to see those hot legs," as he heard her laugh, what a beautiful laugh,
"Well, I do, I miss you terribly. Who did your makeup, I saw the news clip on TV tonight on the early news with Paula doing the interview, they only showed a glimpse of you, but God if someone can recognize you in that getup, we're both in trouble" she laughed,
"You saw Paula on the news, I mean I wanted it to be anonymous but the owners used it for their good, not that I care we got money to those two shelters. "he said shyly,
"Well, they interviewed the Directors of the two facilities, I taped it since I wasn't sure you would see it, but Rick, you touched a lot of lives today. I mean I was so proud; it was all I could do to keep from yelling at anyone that was close, HEY that's my boyfriend, see he's special to more than just me" she cried, a small tear fell down her cheek,
"Hey, I'm sorry I miss you so very much Jordy, it's fun, I mean I enjoy making people smile and as long as I'm busy, I'm OK, but the quiet times, our times, I miss you, my beautiful girlfriend, so damn much," he said,
She smiled, "Even with bed hair and in my PJ's and no makeup? God Richard Castle I love you, so very much as well, no one ever told me I looked beautiful, especially looking like this." She half laughed half cried,
"Well, I do, and you're beautiful to me, 19 more nights sweetheart, and I'll be there to hold you until then you have"
She pulled the charm from under her PJ top and "Yeah, I have it, Rick, it'll probably need to be refinished when you get home, but she got me through today, I thought of you every time I rubbed the charm. That was so thoughtful of you, thank you love" she said,
"I'm glad it's working, I miss you too, but I'm staying so busy, it's really at this time, our quiet time together I miss the most. I'll be home soon, and I'll call you tomorrow, Good Night Jody, I love you" he whispered,
"Good night Rick, love you too, was her reply as she blew him a kiss, he saw the light go out before the line was disconnected.
XxX
The remainder of the tour went almost like clockwork, it was flawless until three days before the end of the tour. They were wrapping up in Seattle, after two days in Portland Orgon, since the local New York markets were riding high on the national newscasts. It seemed everywhere he went the press wanted an interview with the 'Writer who Cares' as he had been dubbed.
He accommodated them in each city, always with Paula by his side to field any tricky questions, one interviewer had been warned to keep his questions on the topic, and when he repeated a very personal question about Rick's love life, Paula had security simply escort him out of the building. The rest of the press fell into line, knowing she wouldn't hesitate to take the same action again.
Rick always tried to please, and sometimes was hurt by the actions of the press, it was almost like they were trying to set him up for an embarrassing situation. He mentioned it casually to Paula, and her reply opened his eyes,
"So, everyone thinks it's easy being your Agent, you know, I have your best interests at heart first and always. Then I get flack from the publisher about why we didn't get more press. Then you get pissed off if I do something that is for your good, but I don't take time to explain it, the job is thankless Ricky. Somedays I feel like saying Fuck It, you guys do it, I'm torn between people all wanting something different"
"Gee Paula, I'm sorry, I didn't realize, I guess I should have bu"
"Ricky, it's what you hired me for, it's my job, most days I love it, others, well"
She returned to her suite that evening to find a dozen roses and a card that said," I'm sorry, my future is in your hands, but please talk to me first. Rick"
She smiled, that man, he was so sweet. Sometimes a little headstrong, but nothing like her other clients, and he had a very soft heart. He cared about her, about everyone, and that was rare when you were dealing with someone with his success.
XxX
Rick's Suite
Same Evening
Rick walked into his suite after one of the final days of grueling signings, he had already called Jordan and said good night. He was planning on working on the notes for his next novel, and character, but knew something was off the minute he opened the door.
Even with the lights off, he felt someone's presence, he turned the lights on and was surprised to see the man sitting on his couch. He never even turned around, before he said, "Hi Rick, how's my son doing now that he's the famous writer?"
"How the hell did you get into my room Jackson, I'm not your son, I'm the product of your sperm donation to my mother you son of a bitch. What are you doing here and what do you want?"
"Rick, is that any way to treat your old man who traveled so far to see you? You may not know it, but I was always close by, always taking care of you and your mother" he replied,
"Yeah, I guess that's why we moved so much to beat the landlord out of the rent you were taking care of mother and me. Why she worked three jobs at one time to feed us? Why I learned how to fight after getting bullied because I was a weird kid, not only did I not have a dad, hell, I didn't even know who he was.
"Keep telling yourself that Hunt or whatever the hell your name is, tell me what you want, how much, and get out of my room and my life" Rick was angry,
"I don't want your money Rick, and check with your Mother, ask her to be truthful, a check came every month, what she did with it, well"
"Shut the fuck up" Rick screamed, "You don't come into my room and tell me Mother received money from you for us, if she had she wouldn't have"
"Wouldn't have what Rick, gone to the race track? Ask her how long and how much debt I paid to get her clean with her bookies, go on ask her. I got nothing to hide about you, I did the best I could to take care of you. I can't tell you the details because of my oath, my job, and the safety of others, hopefully someday you'll understand."
"Understand what? The biological sperm donor that impregnated my mother is a spy? Give me a fucking break, I've heard the whispers about you and your supposedly secret life.
"Agent Richard, not spy, Agent"
"So, what do you want from me, how much is it going to cost me to get rid of you, you son of a bitch?" Rick spat,
"If you shut up, I'll tell you why I'm here. I don't want a dime from you, I don't need it." He replied, now turning to face the man he had fathered,
"Then why are you here?" Rick asked,
"Do you know a man named Tom Shaw?" he asked as he saw the color drain from Rick's face, confirming his yes answer.
"Tom's a good friend, has been for three years, he lives in the dormitory that I lived in until just recently, why, what does he have to do with anything?" Rick asked,
Jackson had pulled out a bottle of Highland Park single malt whiskey, and retrieved two glasses from the table,
"You still drink only single malt whiskey, don't you?" as he poured a generous amount in both glasses
"What the hell does that have to do with anything, but yes, yes, I do," Rick said, more confused now than ever,
"Well sit down, it's a long story and you'll want to listen carefully, this impacts your plans to join the FBI." As he watched Rick's face lose all the color,
"How, how?
"Sit, have a drink then we talk. You'll probably need the bottle when we're done" Hunt said softly,
TBC