Rick is having a lot of thoughts going through his head. Most importantly about all of his choices, he realized that he was neglecting a lot of things in his life. He thought about his writing career, his friends and his daughter. He shouldn't have tried to get close to a certain lead detective; she was much happier with the robbery detective wouldn't interfere in her love life or her career anymore. It would be better then returning to the 12th precinct. His time at the Hampton had given him something to think about. He is going through some pictures looking through every single one of them. He noticed a picture of a young lady. He hadn't seen her for a long time; not since he break her heart a long time ago. He felt very guilty for that one, cause she was a really good friend at the time he needed one the most. Ever one had thought his ex-girlfriend from college was the one who had gotten away. But maybe there was someone else after all. But he pulled out her picture from the album. He hadn't forgotten her name; "Jillian Rose Edwards." That's a name he hadn't have thought of in year's. Then his phone rings; "hello, Castle." His second ex-wife Gina was calling him. "What do you need?" Gina sight and then got it out in one sentence. "We need you to show our new model Rose around town." Rick was done with his playboy lifestyle. "I know you don't wanna be a playboy for the rest of your life. But just go out with this last model and if it doesn't work out then will stop." Rick thought it all over, "very well then I'll do it." Gina told him where and when.
The next few weeks
Rick was getting ready to meet the new model in town. He hadn't gotten any phone calls from the 12th precinct which was nice for a change. He don't have to worry about anyone shooting him or threatening him. Laugh or mock his theories all together. He is looking at himself in the mirror; he could workout more. Since he had been at the precinct more. He had gained more weight which wasn't very healthy at all. Walking over to his closet, so that he could pick a sport coat. He looked through them all and decided on which coat to put on. He gets to the restaurant he says who he is meeting. They show him to a table, he see the young model with white blonde hair. She had on a long gold dress that fit her in the right places. Her hair was over her one shoulder; she is just staring at the menu. He cleared his throat; she looked up at him with her hazel eyes. Rick was staring deep into her eyes. There was something familiar and yet something unfamiliar. "You, must be Rose?! I'm Richard Castle." She looks at him; her face was in total disbelief. "Rick? I don't believe it." He was taking aback, then as he got a good look at her and his mouth dropped opened. "Jillian?! Is that you?" Rick was in totally shocked by then. Rick couldn't find the word's, he had seen her ever since he went off to college. "Maybe, these was a bad idea I should go." She had gotten her purse was getting ready to leave the restaurant. "Wait Jillian; hold up look I know we don't leave on good terms. But, maybe if you want we can start off as friends again if you like
He thought long and hard for a second. "Yes, I'm sure about this." Both of them are having dinner together. Both of them are talking about everything from the past and present. "Can you ever forgive me?" Rick had asked the young lady. Jillian had always had a huge crush on Rick when he was eighteen and she was only thirteen years old. But he break her heart; she was lost since high school. Then she saw that he had gotten married and had a child which broke her even more. She did get married too; but it don't workout between them. She had heard of a Richard Castle. But don't put two and two together. Not realizing that her old childhood friend and crush was the same person. She looked into his eyes; he looked different. But still very handsome for his age. Something most have happened to him; whatever it was more important then a huge crush on her friend. Jillian smiled at him; "of course I forgive you. I missed my best friend and protector. I tried to move on after I heard you were married. But it don't work between me and my husband. He was hitting and cheating on me through our marriage." Rick had his hand over her hand. "Oh, Jillian I'm really sorry you had to go through all of that. I'm sorry, I let you down. If I had been there, I might have protected you better from harm." Jillian hug him tightly with tears in her eyes. "Rick, it wasn't your fault or mine bad things happen all of the time. Please, let it go. It happened a long time ago. It over and done with, so could we move on with our lives."
Jillian and Rick are both talking and having dinner together. He show her some photographs of him; his mother and Alexis. Jillian was taking aback by all of the pictures. That Rick had shown her; "wow, you have a beautiful daughter." Rick had a big smile on his face. The first real smile he had on his face in a while. Rick and Jillian see the time; he helped her up from the booth. "Thanks Rick, you were always the gentleman." He saw that she was getting ready to take a taxi. "How about if I give you a ride home?" He was waiting for her to say no. Then she kissed his cheek and said; "I would love too." Rick had a huge smile on his face. "Good, let's get going then." He had even helped her inside the car. When he had dropped her off at her apartment. He even made sure, that she made it inside safely. He kiss her on the cheek and whispered, "good night, Jillian." Then at the same time, that she replies with; "good night, Rick I'm glad we got to reconnect. I missed you very much." Rick had a big smile on his face. "Me too, I'll see you soon." He watches as the door closes. He gets inside his car and drives home with a huge smile on his face. Who would have thought, that he would run into an old friend much less a childhood friend. He hoped that with time; that all of his wounds and especially Jillian would heal over time.