The Heart Won't Lie
by Castlefan6
Authors Note: This is Totally AU; Beckett has left for D.C and the Feds. This describes the activity of each, during the time away from each other, NO PROPOSAL, before she left, but plenty of ANGST. Can they find their way back to each other, or do they even want to? It blends some Canon dialog, courtesy of Dust Jackets Dot Com, then goes quickly and completely AU. What were each up to during this time, Taking Literary License to fill in the blanks.
A/N: CASKETT ENDING IS NOT GUARANTEED. : CASKETT ENDING IS NOT GUARANTEED.
I don't own Castle; I use the characters for amusement purposes only, except the ones I create.
Also, we take liberties with the timeline from Canon and use events to make this a more believable fiction, thanks.
Thanks to reader pmt0622 for the prompt:
A CASKETT ENDING IS NOT GURANTEED. **************************************************************************/
Chapter 3
Castle's Home,
Buena Vista Ave, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Abby was so relaxed around Rick, it seemed like they had just been together yesterday. The conversation flowed from both sides, Rick was so open and honest with her. He knew that anything he said to her would go no farther. She changed into her swimsuit, well bikini, and for the first time, Rick's mouth fell open.
"What's the matter Rick, you've never seen me with my bathing suit on, I know I need to lose a few pounds." She smiled as her embarrassment showed,
"No, no, Abby. It's not that, you're right I never saw you in your bathing suit, but you're perfect to me. I guess I was so locked in the friend zone, well, I never realized just what a fantastic shape you had." It was Rick's turn to be embarrassed.
"Really Rick, I mean you're not just saying that? I can guarantee every part is original, nothing plastic or aftermarket," she giggled, as she struck a pose, and Rick noticed the large, natural breasts she had on display. The bikini hid some but more was out than in, and he needed to move to the massage, or he would embarrass himself. He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his suit, under the watchful eye of Abby. She knew what she had done, and well, it was the first step out of the friend zone.
They were laying on massage tables next to each other, very close, so they could talk as the massages took place. The female masseuse took Rick and the male Abby, and for the next forty-five minutes the most common noise or sound was ooh, and aaahs as the kinks were worked out of each. It seemed like each one knew exactly where and how much pressure to apply. After the massage was over, and so few words said, they headed to his sauna.
The heat, steam, and the relaxation it brought was the reason there was a timer, twenty minutes the lights flashed indicating for them to leave the room.
"What's that Rick? Did we break it?" Abby asked, as Rick grinned,
"No, not at all Abby, when I first got this, well to keep Alexis and Gina happy I had the timer installed so I wouldn't stay in longer than I should and suffer dehydration." He smiled,
"They worry about you Rick, you mentioned Gina, things still going well between you two?" She asked a roundabout way of asking are you sleeping with her.
"Abby, you know better than that, ask what you want to know. I'm not sleeping with her, in fact, I encouraged her to put herself out there and find someone." He said as she blushed not from the heat. She donned the robe, but once again a view of the side boob let Rick know this lady was beautiful as well as his friend.
"You always could read me, I mean, well, once I told you the truth. You were so blind I could have walked in front of you naked and you wouldn't have noticed. You were so attentive to your dates. I know a lot of girls were jealous, not so much of you, but the manner in which you treated each one like they were special." Abby said,
"Well, you've seen the impact your body in a bikini had on me earlier, well still, so I don't know if you're entirely accurate with the naked part of your scenario. I don't have many friends, well counting you and Gina, I have two. Paula would be half friend half employee and pain in the ass, so, not much to say for a man in my position.
Rick had silently taken her hand and led her up the elevator to the deck and the pool, as the door opened, he heard her gasp. "God Rick, this is huge. When you said pool, I didn't think you had a full Olympic size, complete with diving board." She smiled,
"Well, you know me, why do it halfway, in anything." He took her hand and led her gently into the shallow end of the pool, allowing her to get used to the change of temps.
"There was a time, you would have tossed me, robe and all into the deep end Rick, are you softening?" Abby asked,
"No, not exactly, just re-evaluating some things, it's OK to be the jackass sometimes, but there comes a time in your life when, well"
Abby swam over to him, she kissed him gently, "take it easy Rick, we know what we have, you don't have to change to prove anything to me." Then she swam to the other end of the pool, leaving Rick to think, should he, or shouldn't he. He could screw up a lifetime friendship, he had to think hard on this one.
XxX
New York
Limo to Etsy Hotel
Kate was more than a little pissed at the treatment she was receiving from Agent McCord, who the hell did she think she was anyway. She was just an Agent like herself, so where did she get this all-bossy attitude. That suddenly changed when she read her emails on her phone, one from Carl, naming Senior Special Agent McCord in charge of the case in New York. The ride to the hotel was silent until the driver arrived, retrieved Rachel's luggage and accepted the tip from Kate then drove off.
"OK, so what's the plan Special Agent McCord?" Kate got out between closed teeth,
"Look Beckett, don't cop an attitude with me, it wasn't me that fucked up the arrangement with your boss's boss, that would be you. For your information, I just finished round one of getting laid for the first time in months when he called and I had to answer. You don't like me being here, newsflash sweet pea, I don't like being here any more than you do.
"For the remainder of this operation you refer to me ONLY as Rachel, I will respond to you with KATE, is that clear?" She paused as if Kate were stupid, awaiting confirmation,
"Perfectly" Kate gritted between her teeth,
"Very well, I'm going to check-in, then I'm going to grab some dinner, you're welcome to join me if you wish, then tomorrow we meet for breakfast at 6:30 AM SHARP" She had to throw that last barb in,
"OK, why don't you ring my room, when you're ready for dinner, I haven't eaten yet either. Maybe we could discuss tomorrow"
"HELL NO, what part of classified don't you understand Beckett, we discuss it when and where I feel we aren't compromised, that includes the police station where you used to call your work home, is that clear?"
"It's clear," Kate said as she headed to her room, awaiting Rachel's call for dinner,
"What room are you in?" She called out to Kate,
Kate pulled her own classified trick, and pulled her cell phone and just pointed to it, meaning call my cell, and walked to the elevators. Her first impression with the senior agent in charge of this case was off to a rousing start, not the one she would have hoped for.
Fifteen minutes later Kate's phone rang, "Beckett," she answered,
"O'Leary's Restaurant, off the main lobby, they serve for another 45 minutes, you coming or not?" Rachel didn't waste words so neither did Kate in her reply, "On my way" and she hung up. It was sinking into her head that not only was she disliked because she was the new rising star, according to the hype that preceded her, sleeping with her boss so quickly got her the reputation she would have placed on any woman that behaved in that manner herself.
She walked into the restaurant and easily spotted Rachel, she was still dressed in uniform, or to the standards of the agency. She walked over and she suddenly ended a call quickly, "Yeah, I gotta go, me to, talk soon," and hung up.
"Sorry about intruding on your call Rachel thought I told you I was on my way," Beckett said,
"Well, if your on-time performance was like the airport, I figured I had another five minutes, it's not a big deal anyway. Order your food, then plan on being back here for breakfast at 6:00 AM, Gates doesn't arrive until 7:05 AM, so we don't want to get there before she does."
"Fine," was all she said, turned to the waiter, ordered a salad and iced tea, and handed him her menu, and turned back to face the McCord. She wasn't going to say anything until she did, she was tired of getting her ass handed to her on a platter.
"I'm surprised at you Beckett, I read your file, when Stack said he was going to recruit you, I figured he was wasting his time, I mean you had that thing with the writer. I thought if anyone could see a line of bullshit it would be you," She said,
"Yeah, well everyone's a fool sometimes in their life. Besides, don't think you know my life by reading a file, and certainly not by reading what was printed in a newspaper." Kate bit back, pushing her salad from one side of the bowl to the other, suddenly losing what little appetite she had.
"Touche, I won't bring it up again, but that doesn't mean you aren't going to go through hell from others, just be prepared. A lot of the female agents are huge fans of Rick Castle, and hate Carl for the pig that he really is. You'll learn, the only reason he's still where he is, well you'll find out" McCord said. She waved to the waiter for the check, they signed for charges to be applied to their respective rooms, and took separate routes to their rooms.
Kate didn't sleep and was in the gym when it opened at 4:00 AM the next morning, then took a shower and was drinking her third cup of coffee when McCord walked in and sat down. She was a toast and coffee breakfast type, so they were on their way to the 12th precinct with plenty of time.
As the cab pulled up, Kate fought back the memories, some good, very good in fact. Others well, not so much, but she steadied her Federal Agent face, tossed some bills at the driver, waiting for her receipt, the fucking receipts, everything needed a receipt. No receipt no reimbursement, it was in the GAO (Government Accounting Office) procedure for expense report processing. Everything with the Feds, so black and white, never any grey.
McCord walked around and noticed her staring at one place on the steps leading to the precinct. It was the place she had first felt the touch of his hand as he gently guided her down the stairs as they went to Remy's for one of their first lunches.
"Suck it up Beckett, this isn't a trip down memory lane, we have work to do." Rachel said, ever the romantic, Kate thought. She wondered how big of a bitch she had been before she had gotten laid once, then shuddered with the thought.
They walked up the stairs, and greeted the desk Sargent, and was told not to announce them, after verifying that Gates had arrived and was in her office. They took the stairs, and walked through a mostly empty bullpen, if anyone recognized Kate, nothing was said. She hadn't left a lot of friends on the midnight shit, hell any shift, but well, time to break the news to Gates.
Rachel, being the senior agent, approached first, knocked, and when Gates looked up, said, "Captain Veronica Gates, I'm Senior Special Agent Rachel McCord, I think you know Agent Kate Beckett, may we enter?" She said in such a professional manner,
"Of course, please come in and close the door Kate, it's good to see you, eh, well, at least I think it is. What's going on, and no bull shit, Agent McCord, just the facts.
Kate noticed Gates had her TV on low, and a female reporter was getting ready to speak to the news anchor, "Can you turn that up Captain, it will help explain why we're here" McCord said.
FEMALE REPORTER ON SCENE:
Breaking News, just in. Police have identified the body we first reported yesterday and are currently investigating the death of Charlie Reynolds. Channel 8 was exclusive to report the body found yesterday morning in our breaking news that we brought you.
Reynolds was an actor, best known as the star of the '90s TV comedy, 2 Cool for School, where he played lovable nerd, Dewey Hancock. When Dewey's catchphrase, "Hubba-hubba," passed as sparkling dialogue.
In a bizarre twist, the body was found hanging from the hook of a construction crane. He was spotted by an employee when he showed up for his assignment yesterday morning at 6:00 AM. The details are sparse, why he would be here at that hour, who would have a reason to murder such a kind soul as he was known on TV.
Police continue to investigate, but aren't releasing any statements other than this is an ongoing investigation and there are no facts to report at this time, they will brief us when conditions warrant, back to you in the studio.
"OK, you can turn it off now please, Captain," McCord said as she handed Captain Gates a letter.
"Agent McCord, this is from the Attorney General," Gates stammered,
"It's Senior Special Agent McCord, and yes sir it is. Please read it, we'll brief your team when they arrive that as of 0700 hours this morning, this is now a Federal Investigation. As for the press, they are to NOT to be informed of the change in jurisdiction, only that NYPD is requesting and receiving specialized aid from federal agencies." Rachel said,
Kate watched Gates burn, first at being corrected, but more with the news the Feds were taking over one of her cases, she had no say in the matter. The AG of the USA had just handed Senior Special Agent McCord, and the agency full control, meaning that anything they asked for Gates would have to accommodate. A very bitter pill to swallow, Kate remembered how much she had resented Jordan Shaw. God, was that just three years ago?
"Which team is handling the case Captain, if I may ask," Kate said trying to keep the temps from boiling over,
"Ironically, your team, or what's left of it. Esposito, Ryan, and the third new member Detective Scully we're trying out, he's still in his probationary period. You know how well this is going to go over with them I'm sure Special Agent Beckett." Gates spat out,
"Yes Sir, but orders are orders. Would you arrange for Senior Special Agent McCord and me to meet with them as soon as they are in and settled sir?" Kate again keeping it professional,
"Very well, I'm not sure of what the reaction is going to be, you know them both better than I, but as you say, orders are orders." Gates replied in a voice signaling defeat, and resignation,
Twenty minutes later….
Gates walked followed by the two special agents out of her office to Ryan's desk where the three men were watching the same broadcast that she had seen earlier, it would repeat on the top of each hour as "Breaking News" and watched as Ryan turned the volume up,
"Who the hell would want to kill Dewey, Hubba-hubba, I mean we have to solve this one Javi, he was one of the actors I watched growing up," Kevin lamented,
"We'll get the bastards, Kev, we'll divide and conquer, it's a high-profile case for us,"
"Not anymore" Captain Gates interrupted the three men,
"Sir?" Javi asked,
"As of 7:00 AM this morning, this is now a Federal Investigation, let me introduce Senior Special Agent Rachel McCord, and of course you know Special Agent Beckett. I expect you to cooperate fully and release any information you may have gathered thus far in your investigation. I don't need to remind you, Detective Esposito, this is not to be shared with ANYONE, inside or outside this precinct." She said, as Kate watched the faces of the men, it was exactly as she had expected. Disgust, and contempt for the Feds, for her.
"Yes, Sir" came the reply as they suddenly got very busy, busy ignoring their old friend and her boss.
XxX
Castle's Home,
Buena Vista Ave, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Abby was careful not to approach him in the pool and after a few quick laps, she donned her robe and walked to where Rick was lost in his thoughts, still just floating on the huge chair, looking at the ceiling, deep in thought.
"Rick, then louder RICK"
He jumped realizing that some of the fantasy he was living in his head wasn't a fantasy, Abby was here, and she was gorgeous. His conscience pulled at him, Don't Do It, she's your therapist, and there are rules about that stuff.
Another voice was dancing on his other shoulder, what's the matter with you, she's hot, she wants you, what's the problem, go for it, unless you've jumped the fence" and then finally Abby was standing in front of where his chair had drifted to the side of the pool.
"It's a good thing I wasn't drowning Rick, I mean what has got you so deep in thought, or is it the same predicament I find myself in?"
Rick, looked at her, beautiful even all covered with the robe, but he knew, even before she said it,
"We need to talk, Rick, I mean I think you know that," She said as she extended her arm to assist him out of the floating chair.
"Yeah, we do, I didn't know how to approach it, so thanks Abby," he said,
They walked to the veranda where he made her favorite drink, a Cosmopolitan, and poured his three fingers of single malt over two ice cubes as he assisted her into her chair.
"Well, first thank you, Rick, I'm surprised you remembered but then again when do you forget anything about any woman. That doesn't make me special, you do the same"
"STOP, Abby, you're wrong, I don't remember everything about every woman just the ones that mean something to me. I think I know what you want to say, so let me start. Yes, I'm attracted to you, hell any man would have to be without a pulse not to be, especially once he saw you in your bikini. BUT and this is a big one, what do you want out of this? You're my therapist, and I'm sure you have rules about how close you can get to a patient.
"Leaving that aside, let's suppose you weren't my therapist any longer, tonight was just a reunion of two old friends, who happen to care about each other, and have been friends for almost twenty years. What would you want out of this with that scenario?
"Lastly, I know that you would lose your license if we made love, or perhaps even dated or had contact where you acted as my therapist, not my friend."
"Well Rick, you know exactly what I wanted to talk to you about, and well, the law is pretty plain in my field, the American Psychological Association Code of Ethics, Section 10.05, states that psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with current therapy clients/patients.
"I could have technically been brought up on ethics charges when I took your case, since we were already friends, and you knew I had romantic intentions toward you." She said shyly, as she sipped her drink,
"You mean you couldn't even be my friend and therapist? That's nuts,', he paused, looked at her and they both began laughing,
"Yep, I've been accused of dealing with nuts for my profession," she smiled,
"Well, I mean really, isn't there a time limit or something, Abby? God, it's like you have to choose between your professional duty to help me, or your heart. The heart wants what the heart wants, even you agreed with me on that." He said sadly,
"Rick, do you want to know to satisfy your curiosity, or"
"No Abby, not curiosity. I would never do anything to hurt you, and looking back I shouldn't have put you in a position, I mean,"
"Relax Rick, nothing happened, the only thing they could have said I was filling dual roles, and perhaps censored me, but no harm, no foul, at least back then. What do we do about now? What do you want?" she asked, locked on his eyes,
"Abby, I'm a mess, a total fucked up mess, you know that but when I looked at you in your swimsuit it was the first time I felt desire, not just a little, a lot"
"Is that why you grabbed the towel and wrapped it around your waist. You didn't think with that projection I would have missed it did you?" she smiled as he turned red,
"Rick, sex, is an act committed by two consenting adults to satisfy bodily needs, and by the way, it's also a great way to relieve tension. Newsflash, not every time you make love to a woman, do you need to be in love with her, or she you. The important thing is that the ground rules are clearly defined BEFORE the act or one of the two will be hurt."
"OK, so we're back to square one, you know I desire you, you know I care for you, I love you but not that way, well at least not yet, but I mean. It's been three years since I even talked to you, I mean you recommended a new therapist, who I saw twice by the way, but isn't there a time limit, or am I forever cursed to be only able to witness you from a distance." He sounded more depressed than ever now,
"Rick, if there was a way, to keep me in good steed with the board, and well, the two of us act on our passions, would that make you happy? I mean you have just about the alphabet of women out here falling at your feet, are you sure it's passion? I know how I feel but I need to hear how you feel,"
"Abby, I've talked to you, we've laughed, and for the first time since Beckett walked out on me, I felt alive inside. Was it just me being horny? I don't think so, I've been on a few dates, the women were beautiful, but nothing, I felt empty inside, just as much with them as I did alone.
"I don't feel that tonight, I feel valued, as a friend and, I think I saw some desire in your eyes as well. I may be wrong since I've been out of the game so long," Rick said, again lowering his head,
He saw her face break out into the largest smile, "Well, you're in luck, according to our ethics ruling just last year, "Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with former clients/patients for at least two years after cessation or termination of therapy." That was a quote from our certification exams I have to take to remain, board, certified.
"Wait, you said, TWO YEARS?" Rick said, "It's been over THREE for us, so well, I, eh"
"Shut up and kiss me, Rick, I've waited since middle school for this. Don't say I love you; I know you do, but like you said, not in that way, not yet. Kiss me, and then take me to bed, make my dream come true" She kissed him, and never felt him carry her to his suite. Not until he placed her gently on his bed, and the make a wish for one middle school nerdy girl was granted, over and over.
A/N I know some are going to disagree with Rick and his therapist, forget she was his therapist, but a woman who had loved him from afar, and yes, the two-year rule is true.