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 8

Rick's Suite

Portland OR 3:01 PM Same Day

/_/

Georgie as promised had spoken to Paula who had shopped her writer to other markets, ones where she knew she could leverage figures to drive the bidding up for Rick Castle. It might cost her an afternoon in the sack, but hey none of them were half bad. The only problem they were all married and never going to leave their wives, but hell sex was sex and business was business she thought.

Georgine dialed into the conference call, using Skype and, the familiar faces of Paul Cowell, his attorney in chief Martina McElroy, known for her vicious negotiating skills, and two other gentlemen who appeared to be her reports were on the call. From Rick's end, there was Paula, Georgie, a man behind Paula, he assumed to be an attorney, and Rick, all ready to take notes, Rick playing stupid as to the figures Paul Cowell had thrown out the previous evening to his niece.

"Let's get this meeting started to see where we go, as you know we're happy with the first effort of Mr. Castle, but we wonder is he a one-hit-wonder? How long will it take, if ever, can he duplicate his success with this work?" Paul cut right to the chase,

"Well, if that's how you feel Paul, we're wasting time, yours, your staff, and ours. I've shopped my client to three competitors"

"WHAT, why the hell would you do that Paula? We had a deal" Paul erupted,

"We had a deal for one book, you published it, you're making tons of money off of it, and Rick isn't getting half of what some of the old farts you have on your roster get for publishing Readers Digest articles. You said cut to the chase so let's cut to the chase." Paula said in a tone Rick hadn't heard before,

"You know Paula, I would expect this from someone we hadn't worked with before but"

"But what Martina? Paul is fucking Rick over on his rates more often than he's getting it on with you? You really need a better publicist, both of you, you're the worst kept secret in New York. Paul, I would be looking into a Divorce Attorney, from my sources the Mrs. has the goods on you and is going to sue your pants off.

"The only difference Martina is your sex is consensual, Paul screwing over young, new writers, it's been his MO for years so I took defensive action for my client. It was you, Martina, that rejected the right of first refusal for Rick's future works when I proposed it and a modest increase in his royalties.

Paul looked at his lawyer slash mistress with contempt, "Is that correct Martina?" she nodded her head slowly in the affirmative,

"Paul that modest increase Ms. Haas mentions would have cost you thousands of dollars." Martina tried to defend her position, Paul Cowell always bargained from a position of power, this time the shoe was on the other foot.

"She's correct Paul, it would have cost you about $80 K, now this new book deal is going to cost you millions unless you're serious about negotiating, we're going to move on to my next source, so what do you want to do?" Paula asked,

"How do we know he even has another book in him, if I had a dime for all the one-hit wonders,"

"Uncle Paul, I was allowed to read parts of his next novel, it's at least a three perhaps as much as ten book series, and it's even better than Rose for Ever After, I mean it's that good," Georgie added

"What do you mean next novel, you mean draft copy correct?" Paul fired back

"No, I mean it's done, save some final edits, it's ready for press in less than two weeks" Georgie twisted the knife a bit,

There were some undefinable conversations going on at Black Pawn, finally, Martina spoke up,

"Paula, I think we can tweak the royalty arrangement a bit"

"Sweetheart, the only thing you can tweak are those sagging tits of yours with the pushup bras you wear, I sent over our demand for the scalable royalty scale, and our contract demands. Paul, as a matter of courtesy, I'll give you until tomorrow to get back to me, then I'll call Royal at"

"Stop Paula, Stop," just the mention of his fiercest competitors name brought his blood to a boil,

"Who has Paula's email, and get me the breakdown of cost analysis based on 75%, 85%, and 100% of the same success ratio as his first book. I want those figures in two hours now get the hell out of here."

"Paula, I won't forget this call," Paul Cowell said in a menacing tone,

"I'm sure you won't Paul, it was time for you to change your underwear anyway, you've been too involved in getting it on with MS Irish over there to know that only 5 % of your writers are making you money, the rest are just hanging on, but it's your business, for now" and she hung up.

"Wow Paula, I didn't think you had it in you, is Aunt Linda really going to sue him for divorce?" Georgie asked,

"I have no idea, I didn't even know her first name, but it worked," Paula laughed,

"Well, you've made an enemy for sure now, so watch your back," Georgie said,

"Rick, this gentleman has been waiting to talk to you something about future plans and Bob Weldon, he said you'd understand, as she prepared to leave the suite,

Georgie came over to him kissed his lips softly, "Thanks Rick, keep in touch please?" she said as she turned and walked out of his suite leaving Rick with what he thought was the lawyer,

XxX

"Rick, I'm Grey, your biological father told you to expect someone from the agency, I take it your relationship isn't the best between you two"

"Look, Grey, if that's your real name, I have no idea of what is going on, but yeah, you could say that since there is no relationship between the man whose sperm impregnated my mother. So yeah, whatever title you give the son of a bitch, I couldn't care less.

"Now if you want to tell me what role I and Bob Weldon are to play in the future plans of your agency we can continue this conversation. If you continue to pattycake around the facts, then you can get the hell out of my room before I throw you out." Rick said, looking down at the man who was giving up at least a foot in height, and 100 pounds in weight.

"Wow, Jackson told me you were a dick, but I didn't think he meant this bad. In the first place, you couldn't throw me out of this room with you and ten of your buddies. Second place, I'll tell you what you need to know, as you need to know it, there are rules Mr. Castle that I and all citizens must follow." He said, as Rick started to approach him, he got as far as laying one hand on his shirt, then all he remembered was he was looking up at the ceiling.

"Did you have a nice nap Castle? I warned you, try that again, and I'll be forced to get rough with you, do you understand?" Grey said as he sipped on the whiskey left by Jackson Hunt, apparently, he had helped himself when Rick was what? Unconscious? His head hurt terribly. The little shit, knocked him out and he didn't even see it coming?

"What the hell, who told you that you were welcome to my alcohol, Grey? You little bastard, how did you knock me out, what weapon did you use?" Rick asked,

Grey looked at him and laughed, "You big guys you always think you're so tough, that was easier than some broad who resisted a few months ago. Listen, Rogers, are you ready to hear what's going on or not? I don't give a shit about if you think this is an episode of Father Knows Best, there's a need for your skills, and your old man trusts you."

"What about Weldon, how does he fit into all this?" Rick asked,

"In time Rogers, in time. First, I know you speak the Dari language, which is the language of 60% of Afghanistan, is that correct? How the hell did you learn that anyway?" Gray asked,

"Yes, I speak Dari, I don't write it, but I learned how to speak it in high school from a Foreign Exchange student that stayed with us for a short while," Rick replied,

"Do you care to correct that Rogers? Remember I know more about you than you care to know, so if you lie to me again, there will be issues, are we clear?" Grey looked over at him, letting him know that he wasn't the country bumkin who just rolled off the turnip truck.

"Ok, Aziza was with us for almost two years, she was only supposed to stay for six months but then war broke out and she had nowhere to go, Jackson Hunt arranged to extend her student visa and she stayed with us. You happy now?" Rick spat out,

"So, she was just a foreign exchange student Rogers? You want me to believe that? Two years in the same small apartment with a beautiful Persian young lady and you want me to think you only learned her language? I'm older than you Rogers, but I remember high school, and the hormones" he said in such a mocking tone, Rick wanted to beat the hell out of him. That hadn't gone so well the first time, so he just held his temper, for now

"Look, Grey, I was 16, Aziza was 17, the first six months I barely saw her, until Mother got the play that went on the road. Then it was just her and I, we were left to fend for ourselves for meals, laundry, and everything. I was dating Erin Boyle at that time, well until her jealousy broke us up after Aziza had to stay because of the turmoil in her country.

"After Erin broke up with me, Aziza and I got close, very close if you're asking for more details than that, fuck you, I won't tell anything about my personal relationships with women." Rick was really getting pissed now,

"I know all about it, Rogers, how she was almost shunned by her family upon her return, her arranged marriage didn't happen, and her striking out on her own, something unheard of in that country. Where the hell do you think she got the support, use your head, who did she know that could make something like that happen?

"Not that you want to know but she's a teacher now, still single, but still beautiful, not that you would care in the least," Grey said,

"You bastards don't care who you use, loyal to the country to the oath, fuck everything else, even your own families. Then you screw up a lovely lady like Aziza, for what, Intel, you son of a bitch." Rick spat at him,

"You may be right Rogers, but if we do what you accuse us of doing who are we doing it for. I'll tell you; we do what we do it so paisley ass smart ass kids like you, have the freedom to protest and march in peace. Spare me the hypocrisy that you don't enjoy the freedoms the scum of the earth as you have called us, make possible for you, who's the hypocrite now Rogers?"

"What do you need from me, this trip down memory lane is touching but I know it's not what you're here for. Why don't you just tell me what you want, then we can both go about our business." Rick said,

"Well, Aziza needs your help, someone she can and will trust, we've tried other operatives but she's not budging. She has details, that, well that are sensitive to our security and we need her help. If she trusts you, and your old man trusts you, well I guess that's the best we can do" Grey said almost like Rick was a door prize not an intricate part of a delicate operation.

"How do you know she trusts me? I haven't seen or talked to her since the day she left, it was tough to say goodbye. OK, you happy now, yeah, I had feelings for her, I think she felt the same but nothing was ever said, we both knew it was temporary." Rick softened his tone,

"She did, and still does, Rogers, so will you help or not?" Grey asked,

"I didn't think I had a choice, but knowing what I know now, what do I have to do, I can't just board a plane headed to Afghanistan," Rick said,

"No, you can't, but if you're in the 101st Airborne you could be there in a few months, it would mean some changes in your personal life as you know it. Are you willing to go through that?"

"You mean I have to leave Jordy, eh Jordan, is that what you're saying?"

Grey for the first time acted human, "Rogers, it's tough, but your dad told you the truth, she was going to marry Shaw, you've had what three, maybe four months with her. What do you think would be best? I mean, what would you do, if things were reversed," he asked,

"What about school? Where does Weldon fit into all of this? I mean those are pieces of the puzzle I have no clue where they fit?"

"Well, let's say that Weldon is going to be our radio station once you get over there if Montgomery doesn't kill him first," Grey said, as Rick looked puzzled,

"We've convinced a former Captain to return to head this mission, Roy Montgomery a highly decorated officer, he's a detective now with NYPD, married with kids. He knows how important this mission is, he's willing to risk his life to make it a success.

"We'll plant information we want the leaks in the division to take back to headquarters of the resistance fighters to Weldon. We know if we put it out there any other way, they'll think things are fishy, but Weldon blabs about everything. We're banking they buy the story that he's just a big-mouthed member of the Airborne division.

"That of course is confidential, the story he's getting is that the operation requires a two-man crew, and to get you, he has to join as well. He admires you, Rogers, so he'll do just about anything to get your respect."

"So, what's the timing on this Grey, how long do I have before I ship out to boot camp?" Rick asked, resigned to the fact that Jordan, once the truth was known would return to Tom, and Kyra would stay in London or Paris. What choice did he have, who would miss one bastard that got lucky writing one book? Truth be told, Georgie should get a lot more credit than she did."

"Three weeks, tops, sooner if possible. For what it's worth, I'm sorry, but hey, you know loyalty and all that crap, sometimes the job sucks, a lot of times the job sucks, but I'd do it again, I think you would too, regardless of what you want me to believe."

"What about the contract with Black Pawn, I mean I'm just getting ready to sign a three-book deal,"

"We got that covered, there's a clause in there that should you be in Military Service, your contract must be frozen and all deadlines begin 60 days after your official discharge. Don't worry, it's a clause no one ever reads, we've used it before. Leave that to me, and well, polish up on your Dari language skills.

"We've arranged a meeting with Tom Shaw two days after you get home from this trip, you can't tell him Jordan is an FBI agent directly, but you can strongly allude to it. It's going to be a tough conversation for all, but I think when all is said and done, Tom and Jordan will patch things up.

"Maybe not right away, but Rick, you have to cut off all contact with her, all contact." He said as he watched the hurt come to Rick's eyes.

He poured out a triple shot into a clean glass, shoved it down the table, "Rogers, it won't solve anything, but it might let you sleep, we'll be in touch," and he was gone

Rick looked at the glass, held it to the light, thinking he was screwed anyway he turned. He loved Jordan, at least that's what he had convinced himself, no he did, he knew he did. She was just months away from walking down the aisle with another man, so in reality, he was the rebound. She kept saying she was Kyra's, but in fact, was she closing her eyes thinking of Tom when she was kissing him?"

Hurt makes you convince yourself of many things, sometimes, even that you never loved him or her anyway. It was a lie, but repeat the lie often enough and you'd start to believe it. Was that what happened between Jordan and Tom? He had to do something to fill the time, once he told Jordan it was over, he knew it was going to be endless sleepless nights for him.

The Derrick Storm novels were easy to write, hell, maybe he could write a couple of sequels to take up his time and meet his contractual dates without invoking the military clause. He knew that he would be heading to OCS, along with Bob upon completion of their nine-week basic and three weeks special training, even though the 101st wasn't airborne, it was now Air Assault. Anyway, you wanted to look at it, he was going to get the hell kicked out of him, for what?

Then the lovely face of Aziza came into his memory, hell she was risking her life, what the hell did he have left here anyway. The booze slid down easily, and he had made his mind up, now he just had to execute. He knew he couldn't tell Jordy where he was going, she would find him, now he knew her background he had to be very secretive if she wasn't so pissed off at him that she turned the love into hate. It wasn't going to be pretty no matter what went down.

He stepped over to the desk, fired his laptop up, sat, drank the remainder of the booze down, and begin to write. He wrote and wrote, until he awoke the next morning, with 123789 pages of ZZZ on it where his head made contact with the keyboard when he fell asleep. He paged up and deleted the extra pages, he had gotten about three-quarters of the way through the sequel, he never gave it a second thought, A Raging Storm, how fitting was the title of this book.

This novel built on the relationship he had just created, teaming up again with FBI agent April Showers, Storm must talk to Ivan Petrov, a secretive millionaire who has ties to the assassination, coordinates for the gold, and a mole leaking information to the Russian government from within his inner circle. And while the CIA mission is getting heated, it's nothing compared to the growing sexual tension between Storm and Showers.

Hell, if he couldn't live it, at least he could write about it he thought as he headed for the showers and one of the last signings, perhaps the last days of normalcy he would see in a long time.

TBC

A/N Please no reviews about military protocol, again it's setting a plot point to tie this story in as the back story for A Better Part of Valor, not to serve as a handbook for the military. The research was done, and advance apologies for any errors, BUT it's just a vehicle to move the story forward, not a critical point in the story.