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 9
RCE ENTERPRISES
Same Time Frame
Rick had a lot of things to get done, and meeting with his investigators, primarily Roy M the third was at the top of his list. His nickname of Number three wasn't lost on Roy the third, and he responded, at least to Rick, good-naturedly. The investigators working for him always addressed him with his proper name or heard the fire similar to his Dad's erupt.
Rick arrived early for the meeting to review where they were at, and to lay out what objectives they hoped to accomplish at the ball MADT was putting on. Roy had laid out a few of the high rollers, or unknown to them, potential targets of whoever was committing these heinous crimes.
"Hey, Rick, right on time. I just got off the phone with the National Mutual Insurance Company and they are sending the investigator over to meet with us in about thirty minutes. I think they are more motivated than the NYPD seem to be, sad to say" he said.
"Does that surprise your Roy? NYPD didn't payout millions of dollars for lost jewels, so where is the motivation, even with a murder, they're taking their own sweet time getting a dedicated team on it. That would never have happened under your old man's watch, I can tell you that." He sounded pissed as he replied,
"Yeah, I heard Dad was a cop's cop, and he didn't let the dust settle before he was kicking ass, not bothering to take names. I miss him, I miss the fact that I really only got to know him for a few years. Sure, he was Dad, but hell, I had no idea what he did, not until just a few years before, before we lost him.
"Anything come of what I asked you to check out?" Rick changed the subject,
"You mean about the DNA for Karl Nadir, AKA Carl Nady, AKA Carl Nadler, not yet, I had them run a sister profile since it wouldn't be the same, but we may get lucky with a marker from a distant relative. I don't think he ever had kids, but this would include cousins, and distant relatives, it just takes a bit longer." Roy answered,
"That's a great idea, Roy, it has all the markings of the original monster, so even though the sister didn't even claim the body, doesn't mean there wasn't someone who thought he was the cat's meow," Rick said, as there was a knock on the door,
"I got it, Roy, I'm up, it's probably the guy from the insurance company" Rick called out as Roy was getting his cup of coffee,
Rick opened the door and almost fainted. He stammered, and stumbled "Serena, Serena Kaye, are you the insurance investigator assigned to this case?" he finally go out as she hugged him tightly,
"God Rick, I never knew RCE was your investigation agency, and to answer your question, yes, I'm the guy your team has been expecting." She laughed, then looked at him, God he looked good, trim, fit, and his smile was so bright.
"So how have you been, I mean if that's not asking too personal a question?" Serena blushed, not typical for her, but she was still holding on to Rick's hand when Roy walked out.
"Roy Montgomery the Third, meet Serena Kaye, the Insurance Investigator assigned to this case, Serena, you only heard stories about the infamous Roy Montgomery, the predecessor to Captain Victoria Gates at the 12th precinct," Rick said,
"I'm pleased to meet you Miss Kaye, and I'm sorry about the male references in our emails, I never knew," he said, his mouth still open.
"Roy, it's Serena, please, and Rick and I go back away, at least for one case anyway. We worked on the Art Thief case when he was working with Detective Kate Beckett, both were convinced it was I was the thief, especially Beckett," She laughed, "How is she Rick, I heard later you two finally got together, can't say I was surprised." She said,
"I really don't know, it's been about a year now, she moved to DC to become a Special Agent for the Attorney General's office, we haven't spoken since," Rick said,
Rick could tell something was bothering Serena, he felt her tense up when he was talking, she still hadn't released his hand.
"OK Serena, let's get it out, what do you want to say? I know she was in New York last week we ran into her at Remy's but we didn't really speak, I just figured she was home for Christmas." Rick said,
"I guess you haven't been in contact with any of her boys and friends then, I mean you would have no reason to, I guess. Rick, Beckett is back full-time with the NYPD, Gates held her spot open for her, and she's been back about three or four months now. She's actually the team that is working the homicide case, connected to the robberies. I'm sorry to be the one to tell you." Serena, said, as she sat on the corner of his desk, making no effort to shield her beautiful legs, from his full view.
"I guess that would make sense, we spotted her at Remy's the other day, but I couldn't figure out what she was doing with Tom Demming and his new wife. Then I remembered she's a robbery detective, the same as he is, what do you want to bet Beckett is going to try to get Tom to go to the MADT ball with her to get intel?" he laughed,
"That doesn't bother you, Rick?" Serena asked, locking her blue eyes upon his,
"No, should it Serena?
"I mean there was a time when it would have," she said as she gently opened her legs a little more to show Rick what she was wearing underneath.
"Serena, could we talk, I mean in private before we get into the general meeting. Let's get a cup of coffee, just for old times sake, OK?" he asked,
"Sure Rick, whatever you want, you know that" she purred as she slid off his desk, revealing the lavender-colored lace underwear she was wearing, or what there was of it. "Look I know there is a she in your life, I just need to know how serious this one is, so yeah, let's talk." She smiled.
They walked downstairs and across the street to the coffee shop, Rick always the gentleman, guiding her with his hand in the small of her back, sending shockwaves up her spine. If he only knew what he did, every time he touched her.
He had called and apologized to her several times after the infamous kiss, he said he enjoyed it, but it was done out of panic. Whatever reason, it surely had gotten under Beckett's skin, and that was worth it, even the disappointment that came later.
He was one of the honorable men, who would tell you the truth, did she turn him on, Hell yes, would he like to pursue things farther IF he wasn't so hung up on the Detective? He asked her not to hate him, hate him? Hell, she was attracted to him, all of him including his boyish charms that seemed to bother the detective. She swore if the lane was ever clear she was going after him.
"Serena, I have to say, seeing you as the investigator was eh"
"Shocking Rick? I know, I felt the same way when I saw you and your team. I never put it together that RCE stood for Rick Castle, what's the E for anyway?" She smiled,
"It stands for Enterprises, meaning I'm well divested. Most don't have a clue, the majority of people just know me as a writer, but I had a very astute financial adviser who divested my earnings. We had the opportunity to purchase a private investigation firm once it fell on hard times. I took a course, got my PE license, and the rest is history." He smiled,
"Really, what else are you involved in? Oh, never mind, I can find that on Google, so what's so important you can't talk to me in the privacy of your own office? I know there must be a SHE, you said WE saw Beckett at Remy's. Just tell me, Rick, is it serious? How should I play this, that is if there is any interest in me from you at all," she watched his face blush, and he look down.
"Abby is my former college friend, my former therapist, one of my very best friends, and right now that includes with benefits, tons of benefits. I don't know if you knew but I don't actually live in New York anymore. I moved to Los Angeles to work on the Nikki Heat Films and loved it so much I made the move permanent. I sealed the loft, until a few weeks ago, to come back to work this case as a favor to my friend his honor, the mayor, Bob Weldon.
"Does she live with you, Rick?" Serena asked,
"No, not officially, we often spend weeks together at my place or hers, but no, she still has her condo and I still have my place. She IS staying with me at the Loft, and I have to talk to her, I know she deserves more than just being a bedmate to an old flame. I don't think she will actively look unless I push the issue, and I don't want her to hate me someday when she looks back on her life and her options." Rick said softly,
"Rick, answer me honestly, is that what you are worried about, is it for her, or is that how you feel? You can never move forward as long as you're living in the past, and you know you have to move on to get over Kate. I know you; I know you wouldn't lead anyone on, you're just not that type of guy. She must really care about you to be in that arrangement, never knowing if it's her or Kate you're making love to" Serena said, as Rick lowered his head, and blushed,
"Serena, you said you know me, okay if you really do, you know that's something I could never do. I know Abby knows what she signed up for, we just have the agreement that we would talk to each other BEFORE we allowed our actions to take us to a different level with someone else." Rick said,
"Rick, are you implying that there's a possibility that we could pick up where we, check that, where I thought we were heading? Don't play with my emotions, please Rick. Everyone looks at me and says there goes that tough broad, must have ice water in her veins. I don't Rick, I feel, I hurt, I desire, and I want what every woman wants." She said, a tear appearing in her eye, quickly wiped away.
"You were part of that kiss, what did it tell you, Serena? I can tell you I felt the passion of all the flirtations we had been experiencing into a lovely desire, and yes, I desired you as much as I think you did me. You're right, I did want you, all of you, but like a kid in a candy store, I had to choose just one. I think I made the wrong choice, at least then." Rick said softly,
"Rick, you said you live in Los Angeles, where?"
"My VP of Real Estate caught wind of this house on Buena Vista Ave, Santa Barbara, that was coming open due to a divorce, so we made an offer, and they accepted it. The move came rather quickly, but I use part of it for an office when Gina flies out to consult on the picture or to visit Alexis." He said,
"Do you know that tan home, inside the gated area, not where you are, but across the canyon, that's my place" she laughed,
"You're kidding me, we're neighbors and didn't even know it?" Rick smiled, "Hell, we had to come all the way back to New York to reconnect, eh, I mean, I,"
"No Rick, stop, I would love to reconnect, but I know you need to tell someone first. Look here's my card, I won't put my number in your phone, I know just how tight you play the game of being faithful. I will be at the ball next week, so I'll see you there if not before." She smiled, "Now shall we get back to our regularly scheduled meeting, I mean we've been rude" she laughed.
"Of course, Sabrena, and it's good to work with you again" he smiled,
"Maybe this time, the date will be for real, not just a ruse to let Beckett rummage my undie drawer" she laughed as Rick turned red, "Oh don't worry about it, she had you under a spell" and walked out of the coffee shop, Rick a short distance behind as they returned to the office.
XxX
Beckett had many meetings where she wasn't sure of the outcome, but to say the one she just had with Heidi and Tom Demming was just about the strangest, it was as far as she could remember. She was surprised that Tom had agreed to it, the last she had talked to him was when she was telling him that she didn't know what she wanted, but it wasn't him, or words to that effect.
No guy likes to get dumped, but especially not so publicly, even after she had accused Castle of living her life on page six, she had done worse. She had brought her private life into the precinct where gossip was often substituted for the facts when the cops didn't know the entire story.
She was surprised at Heidi's comments about how the entire precinct knew of her. Another surprise, and not a good one, since she had given them the info straight from the source, not just a rumor as in Castle's case. What the hell was she thinking about Castle for anyway, what the hell was the matter with her? Wherever he was, he certainly hadn't made any attempts at contacting her, so she knew where she stood.
Therapy had forced the next thoughts, "Kate, you could have contacted him, you knew the official channels, Gina, Paula, hell even Alexis if you really wanted to speak with him" the voice inside of her whispered, as a tear fell.
She knew that it was the truth, but it was easier if she didn't hear his voice tell her to go to hell. Seeing him at Martha's service almost killed her, there was so much she wanted to say, but she never got the opportunity. He was busy greeting guests, you could have waited, the case could have waited, but no, not to me, she thought. It was ironic that the job had caused them to split, and once again, the job killed any chances of her talking to him.
The only thing she needed to do now was to wait for the ball, she wasn't about to purchase a different gown, it was still the most expensive dress she owned, of course, purchased by Rick. She really wasn't trying to impress anyone, not anymore. The one bad decision in DC had all but sealed any hope of reconciliation with Rick, even if she could find him. She knew everyone knew of her activities, and her sexual acts, eventually leading to her coming back to New York.
She was very fortunate that Captain Gates had thought so highly of her to switch out the paperwork from resignation to extended leave of absence, and her being in so big of a hurry that she never bothered to read them. If she had, she hated to think where she might be, she knew it wouldn't be back at the 12th precinct. She had made it through tough times before, she could do this. Demming was just another detective, not a reminder of another one of her colossal fuck ups with the man she loved.
XxX
Castle's Loft
Broome St, New York
A Few Hours Later.
Rick, Serena, and the team held the meeting as scheduled, although Rick wasn't as clear as he had been before the appearance of a certain insurance investigator. It was true, he had felt the passion in her kiss, and he knew that she had acted on good faith, it was he that pulled the ruse, for Beckett. Damn it, she even had power over him with other women, no more he thought. Abby had taught him how to feel again.
Serena may be one for a long-term relationship, or maybe she wouldn't be. He realized that Abby would never even search for her permanent happiness, not as long as she felt he needed her. Now, he had to have the talk with her, the talk that anyone who cares about the other person would rather take a beating than have. It wasn't fair, but leading her on any longer would be even crueler. He felt things for her, but just as he did with Gina, he knew they weren't the feeling you needed to sustain a relationship.
Other men would tell him he was nuts, a firecracker in bed, sex that blew his mind three or more times a week, every week, what the hell was the matter with him? He couldn't do it, no matter how great the sex, how much they had overcome, it wasn't fair, and it wasn't what he promised.
He was dreading the conversation, as he opened the door, he saw Abby sitting on the couch crying softly. She hadn't called him, so it must have been a sad movie, she got like that.
"Abby, I'm home, what's the matter, you're crying," Rick said, as she rushed to him and fell into his arms hugging him tightly,
He held her until she composed herself, then heard the words every man alive dreads, "Rick, we need to talk" as she wiped her eyes,
"Yes, Abby we do." He said wondering how she already knew about Serena, he certainly hadn't told her, at least not yet.
"We do?" She looked at him curiously, wondering how did he find out about Keith Polson.
They sat down on the couch, and he said, "you go first, what's so upsetting that has you crying like this in the middle of the day?"
"Remember when we first got together, what our promise was to each other? I mean concerning other people?" She asked, as he held his head, and said "Abby I can explain, I was coming home to tell you all about it" he said and now it was Abby with the puzzled look on her face.
"Tell me what Rick? She asked, once again tears pooling in her eyes,
"About Serena Kaye, an old associate I met today at my office of investigators. She's the insurance investigator sent to try to recover some of the payouts that National Mutual Insurance Company had to pay.
"I worked with her, actually Beckett was forced to, and I was used to lure her away on one occasion, but there was definitely an attraction on both parts. I told her I couldn't do anything, not even lunch until you and I talked. How did you find out so quickly?" Rick asked,
She smiled, "you just told me, that wasn't what I was going to talk about, but since we're on the subject, I ran into, I literally ran into the back of a man when I was shopping, I almost had a heart attack when he helped me pick my packages up, and turned around it was Keith, Keith Polson.
"I told you about him, I think. I told him the same thing you told your Serena, that I had to talk to you, and we had some upcoming events that I didn't want to hear from him until I called him." As she watched Rick's grin come out in full force.
"So, you don't have witchy powers and know my every move, you wanted to pursue things with Keith, is that what you meant when you said we needed to talk?" Rick asked,
"Exactly, I mean we agreed that we would BEFORE we did anything, and I" she started laughing, "Only the two of us could have this happen on the same day. Do you wish to pursue things with Serena Rick? Did I read that right?" Abby asked,
Rick laughed along with her, "Yes Abby, I was afraid to tell you because I didn't want you to be alone. How about we chase our hearts, but attend the ball together as planned, I know Serena will be there, actually working the case, so it would be a good chance for you to meet her. I know you'll like her; she says exactly what she thinks, which I know you appreciate"
"OK, let me call Keith, he still lives here in New York, so I mean"
"Abby, let it happen, go make your call, I'm fine," he gave her a peck on the lips and dried the remaining tears away as he started whistling, he never whistled before. This one must be a real keeper she thought as she went to make a very happy call.
TBC
At last, Serena appears, should be fun at the gala.