Stand by Me

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: By Request. Picks up where Better Part of Valor ends. Please read that before beginning this fic. We see the changes to the lives of a number of our favorite characters, including a few weddings, and other life events. This is for Kim, AKA txgal2015, another of my loyal readers I appreciate so much.

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 7

Castle's Loft

8:00 PM Same Day

/_/

Jordan returned to the living room about 15 minutes later, and asked,

"Rick, could we talk, I mean just the two of us?" she had the serious face on,

"Sure Jordy, is Kate OK, are you OK? What's wrong you only look like that when someone or something is wrong" he babbled

"Slow down Rick, Kate is soaking in a bath, I told her I wanted to talk to you, just the two of us, and she knows why, so please stop worrying."

"OK, let's go to the office" as he walked ahead of her, opened the door, then offered her a drink, she just shook her head no.

He poured his three fingers, well more like 5 ½ but Jordy wasn't going to judge him, he'd been through a lot lately. He had been the strong one, holding things together, hell thinking of scenarios she was sure that kept him awake at night.

"OK Rick, I'm flying back to Chicago, we have a break as we wait for the change in judges, I think I need to spend some one-on-one time with Tom, and I know you do with Kate. She's afraid Rick, so afraid that when all of this distraction is over, you'll look at her and not need the chaos in your life."

"Jordy, I hope you told her, I mean"

"Rick, I can tell her till I am blue in the face, the only one that matters is you. Why don't you and Kate go to the Hamptons, just the two of you, away from everything? I'll page you if anything changes but we all need a few days to step aside from this, I saw it in Mr. Beckett's face when we dropped him off. Thank God he called his sponsor, and baseball is his choice of stress relievers now." Jordan said sadly,

"You're right Jordy, as usual, I mean I thought she'd see everything as tokens of my love, but I can see where, she's feeling alone, I mean"

"Rick, she's not feeling alone, she's in love, she's aching for your touch, I can relate to that. We had our days but I know that hurting feeling, it's so very hard to take. She also knows how much we loved each other, and there's some hurt there that some days old habits come back, without either of us thinking.

"Tom mentioned it to me, on our call, when we talked earlier. I told her I was sorry, that yes, I loved you, I always would, but I was in love with my husband as she was with hers. She needs to hear that from you Rick, I mean, she's your wife, and I know you love her more than you ever did me. It's OK, really it is, it's the way it should be" as Rick saw the hurt on her face,

"OK Jordy, here's Janice's number call her to arrange your flights back home then back to New York, I don't trust commercial airlines and anything Bracken can touch. I may be paranoid but I mean, you all, Tom, Brianna, and you, of course, you are all our loved ones now." He said with a tear in his voice,

"I know, Rick, I know, now go see your wife, and get out of here just you two. Make up for lost time, please? I plan on it with Tom" she smiled, as he made the eeewwww why did you have to tell me that face, then she laughed,

"Thanks, Jordy, I'll call you in a few days, or have Kate call you, maybe that would be better," he opened the door to see his wife's face with a smile, from ear to ear,

"I love you, Richard Castle, I'm sorry I came to apologize to you and Jordan but I overheard the conversation, I should have walked away." She frowned,

"No, no you shouldn't you're my wife, no lies, no secrets, and I'm sorry if Jordy, I mean Jordan and I fell into old habits that hurt you. You're the love of my life, my everything, and always will be" she pulled him down into a kiss.

"I know my way out, you guys get out of here, you need some time, alone time, so make good use of it." Jordan closed his office door and shoved him out, to take his wife on a getaway, badly needed by all.

XxX

Kate was sitting right beside her husband, not that he was complaining, but she normally didn't like any sign of PDA, anywhere. Today she had her arm around him and her head on his shoulder as he drove out of the city to some much-needed private time between husband and wife. Not much was said on the drive, but then, nothing had to be said. He felt the love with her caressing his thigh, with her free hand, turning her head deep into his neck and inhaling, then purring, yes, Kate Beckett Castle was actually purring.

They arrived at the beach house about two hours later, the security team had already been activated and the house swept for any bugs, or worse. Rick's faithful housekeeper was just about to leave from putting away the food and completing the opening of the house duties.

"Hilda, I'm glad I caught you, I'm sorry we brought you out here on such short notice, how have you been?" Rick said as he hugged the portly little woman who appeared to be in her 50s or early 60s.

"Rick, once you married Miss Kate, I was wondering how long it would take you to bring her out to meet us. She looked beautiful in the pictures we've seen in the papers." She said,

"Hi Hilda, I'm Kate, it's good to meet you, and again, thank you so very much for this spur of the moment trip, "Kate said as she went to shake her hand and was engulfed in a hug,

"Miss Kate, you were an answer to our prayers, believe me, Rick would come out here, walk for miles, then run, then walk, all trying to kill the time, when you weren't around. He loves you, Miss Kate, more than anyone else in this world, so please take care of him for us.

"He's a good man, no he's a great man always thinking of others", as she opened her palm and showed Kate a $500 bill Rick had palmed her just for opening the house. "He pays me a salary even though no other homeowner treats their staff this way, he always makes sure we have what we need, so he's special to my family," she said, a tear in her eye,

"Well, thank you, Hilda, I'll do my best to make him happy. I promise I'll try every day, and you're right he's a great man and a great husband." Kate whispered as she broke the hug,

"Rick, I ordered your food, it should be here in ten minutes or so, you have a good evening. Text me when you leave and I'll take care of everything" she said as she waved and walked away.

Kate put her arm around Rick's waist, turned into him, and kissed him sweetly. "Do I have to worry about every woman from 21 to 90, they all love my husband" she smiled,

"Oh, Hilda, she's been with us since we bought the house, she's like family and her family is all very sweet," Rick said,

"Well, I'll let this one pass, but let it be known, you're mine, I carry a gun, and I don't share." She laughed as they made their way to the house.

Rick put the bags away as the doorbell rang, it was the local pizza shop delivering the food Hilda ordered for them, it was very thoughtful of her since they both were starving. As they ate Kate knew something was bothering Rick, he had his tell, a crease between his nose on his forehead when he had something to say.

"Babe, you might as well tell me what's on your mind, I can tell something is bothering you" Kate hugged him, kissed his cheek, as his face looked surprised,

"I, eh, I mean, how do you know? I mean, there is something I want to talk to you about, but"

"Babe, just tell me, I won't break, and I won't run. I'm here for the long haul, so tell me, what has got you so worried." Kate asked softly, ending the question with a sweet soft kiss on his lips,

He led her to the couch, laid down, and positioned her in the V of his legs, she reached back and he held her hand,

"I'm sorry that I hurt you talking to Jordy, eh Jordan the way we have been. Tom told her that we had fallen back into old habits, and it was hurtful, so I'm sorry, I never meant to cause you one moment of pain" he said,

She leaned back and kissed him, "I know, you're forgiven. I guess I have to realize that just because we're married, you can't undo the past, and sometimes that is going to hurt. I mean, I shouldn't be so sensitive, but I've never loved like this before. I'm so afraid of waking up and it all being a dream, stupid I know,"

"Not stupid Babe, human, I feel the same way so many days. I never thought I would ever find true love, then into my life came a Detective. She's a hard ass, and rough around the edges, but I fell in love with her before I knew it, and I wouldn't change a thing," He said,

"I know the trial has taken so much time, you working at the precinct and me being with Jordan and your Dad during the day, I'm sure it's been hard for you. I'm trying to protect all those I love Kate; we know Bracken is an SOB and would do anything on his way to the pen."

"I know Rick, I really do, but when you two come back to the office and brief me, you don't even realize that you complete each other's sentences like we do building theory by the murder board. I'm sorry, I got jealous, but that's precious to me, petty, right?" she blushed and lowered her head,

He gently turned her over to face him, nose to nose, his hands on her hips, "No, it's not petty, it was inconsiderate of me. Hell, if you had Sorensen or that detective staying anywhere near me, case or no case, I don't think I would have been as gracious as you have been.

"I love Jordan, true, BUT, I'm in love with just one lady, my lady, you Babe, always you" he kissed her, gently at first, she had other ideas, and took control. They silently made their way to their bedroom to 'converse' more.

A few hours, and sessions later she lay on his chest, feeling more in love than she had in weeks.

"Kate, I'm sorry, this is one part of our relationship I promise, I won't let go by for so long without making love. When I hold you in my arms, when your nose twitches, every little sound you make is a reminder that my wife loves me. I'm sorry, I let you down, it won't happen again, Babe."

"I know it won't, I could have, and I will in the future exercise my right to haul your butt to our bed and send you over the edge as you do me, every time. I'm sorry I didn't bring it up or take my own action, I do love you, Rick, more than anything." She kissed him sweetly,

They talked for a few hours, Rick opening up to her about the hurt he felt with Kyra, then how he and Jordan had gone from friends to a couple, only to find out she belonged to Tom, a friend. He explained why he left, the connection with his father, and finally with Roy and Bob Weldon as he promised. What brought tears to her eyes were his words that he had nothing to come home to, and his time spent in the hospital in Germany then Walter Reid.

She interrupted him with that thought and bared her soul. First that she had been dumped by a guy named Brad Decker, well worse than dumped, cheated on by him and her best friend Maddie. A relationship that took years to repair enough to even talk to her. Then why she loved his books, she even confessed that she had stood in line for hours, Royce had covered for her, to get his autograph after her mom was gone.

She pretended that she was doing it in honor of her mom, in reality, she had already had a girl crush on the writer but he was married at the time. They shared the same morals about infidelity, it was never forgivable, no matter the circumstances. She never knew about the time in the service, or his tight bond with Roy, and Mr. Mayor. She figured it out very quickly that humor was his defense when he was hurt or felt like he was attacked.

Then she asked him what had been worrying her for weeks, she knew it was irrational, and really now once Bracken was sentenced, she could close that chapter or chapters in her life forever.

"Rick, Jordan picked up on something, I think you know what I'm going to ask, but Babe, I don't know why, it's still bothering me."

"You want to know if I'll still love you the same once the whole Bracken mess is settled, and I've really thought about it," he said softly,

"If I'm being honest, I'd have to say no" he felt her body stiffen almost in fear, he hurriedly finished his statement, "I would love you more, now that I, Alexis, and possibly some little rug rats of our own might come around.

"I know you'd make us the absolute number one priority, and I fall in love with you all over again every day I think about the load you've carried for so long, alone. I'm here Babe, you don't need to do that, I got you, nothing or no one will ever hurt you again, as long as I am alive" he said as he felt her tears fall on his chest,

He held her, there were times when all someone needs to affirm love is just to be held. He had learned that unfortunately too late once in his life. Kate felt as if the weight of the world was lifted off of her shoulders. She knew it was stupid and she was being insecure, but her husband just laid it out as clear as could be, he loved her, Richard Freaking Castle loved her, and she was his wife.

The rest of the week they had talks each night, always between love-making sessions, and he opened his heart to her, not holding back. She asked about Meredith, and if he had loved her. His answer was honest, at the time he thought he did. Then Alexis was coming and he would never allow a child of his to go through life as he had.

The bond between father and daughter suddenly made sense, they only had each other, and Alexis was forced to grow up to take care of her Dad, well at least in her eyes. Rick was having trouble accepting the fact that his little girl was all grown up. She and Kate had talked, shortly after they met, she only asked her to please not hurt her Dad, if she wasn't sure to just walk away. She knew that hurting Rick would kill Alexis, and if she wanted to maintain and grow the relationship, Alexis was going to be a huge part.

She was so very happy that Alexis had started to call her Mom, and well it felt good to be needed, at least a little by her new daughter. All the talks with her Mom rushed back to her, and she had been so right. If only, she could really close the chapter, that would be decided soon.

XxX

U.S. Federal Court

9:54 AM Following Tuesday

The courtroom was filled with anticipation for the arrival of the new judge, Judge Forsythe, known as the hanging judge, as Bracken sat in his glass cage, looking even angrier than he had last week. A few minutes before ten, the bailiff called:

All Rise, the honorable justice Bernard Forsythe now presiding as a skinny man in his late 50s with dark-rimmed glasses, and a frown entered the courtroom.

"You may be seated, first course of action is to rule on the 17 motions you have filed on behalf of your client, the former Senator William Bracken," the judge said,

"Begging your pardon your honor, Senator Bracken is not a former senator, there's been no action by the body to expel him, at least to our knowledge," the lead defense attorney said,

"Well, either, you're stupid, blind, or lazy, Senator Bracken was expelled last week by a vote of 99 to 0. As of that day he became the former senator, not that means anything as we go through these motions." Forsythe said, glaring at the attorney, who quickly sat down, and turned to an aide. She quickly verified it on the internet that indeed the US Senate had met in special session and expelled William H Bracken as the senior senator from New York.

Judge Forsythe denied every motion filed, giving detailed case law, and precedents in such a rapid-fire, even the defense could hardly keep up with him. His final denial came as he glared once again at the defense attorneys seated next to the glass gage.

"Is there any reason I should not hold your entire defense team in contempt of court? These motions have been submitted and rejected prior to my assignment to this case. This qualifies as a frivolous action, not according to the rules set forth by the New York Bar Association" He barked,

After a few moments of silence, "Any further actions will be deemed as such and each of you will be held accountable to the Bar, is that clear" he spat out,

"Yes, your honor" was heard in a chorus.

Closing arguments were brief, 43 minutes by the prosecution, and 14 minutes for the defense. The jury were given their instructions and sent to deliberate.

In the monitoring room, sat Kate, Jim Rick, Tom, and Jordy who had flown down for support.

"Well, there's nothing more we can do now but wait, wait and pray there is still justice in these United States," Rick said, as he walked to the window, checking to see if the limo was below waiting.

They filed out altogether to wait for the jury out in Rick's loft, but they hadn't made it halfway home when Jordan got a call.

"Have the driver turn around Rick, the jury will be returning after taking a 35-minute lunch break, it was already sent in or they would have been there now" Jordan said,

They reached the courthouse with ten minutes to spare, and made the way to the courtroom,

"Has the jury reached a verdict?" Forsythe bellowed,

"We Have your honor" the jury foreman replied,

TBC