One Last Time

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: This is AU; Kate's mom is alive, still happily married to Jim.! The experiment of Kate and Rick living together, happily ever after is killed when she takes the Fed job only 7 months into their coupling. Only to return to New York 13 months later, BUT Rick isn't there.

I don't own Castle; I only use the characters for amusement purposes, 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. A different outcome from Watershed, at least for now. No Guarantee this will be Caskett Ending, but leaning that way now.

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Chapter 6

Beckett's Apartment

Later That Day

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The Loft, NEW YORK

Current Time, (3 ½ Years Later)

Rick and Cathy were still together, still, no word of commitment was asked for nor desired from either party. She had been with him for the good and bad times of his life, and now he was about to face the toughest. They knew Martha was going fast, hell the doctors had given her months and that was almost three years ago, but the time finally caught up with the grand dame.

Gates had retired, and in a news conference two weeks earlier, Kate Beckett had been named the new Captain of the 12th Precinct, the youngest woman to ever hold that post. Rick had caught part of it on streaming news and thought well, "you got what you always wanted, so you're probably over the moon with joy".

In her apartment, later that evening after the small social and refreshments were served and she was once again alone, she began to once again comprehend as Dr. Burke would say the human cost of wishes. She had the job she wanted since she was a recruit, BUT it wasn't supposed to have happened like this.

Roy was supposed to be the one to pin her new shield on, not Gates. Mike Royce and Rick were supposed to be together at the party, both bragging about how proud they were of her. Her Mom and Dad were in the audience and as much as Johanna tried, everyone could see that being a Cop was the last profession, well maybe not the last, but close to it, she had wanted her daughter to pursue.

She had her law degree for God's sake, all she had to do was pass the bar, and she could have a respectable job with reasonable hours Johanna thought once again. Jim could sense when she was about to go into one of her, "there is still time" monologues to Kate about taking the bar and leaving the force.

"Let it GO JO, I mean it, you've hounded the hell out of her, and she's doing what she wants to do. Be proud of her, at least now we won't have to worry about her getting shot at every day she works. This is her day, so if you can't enjoy it with and for her, fake a phone call and leave." Jim was seldom this forceful, but he was tired of the back and forth between his wife and daughter. Johanna settled down and faked her happiness for her daughter.

Gina and Tom were married and are now the parents of a beautiful baby boy, via surrogate, Thomas Richard Holton was a very happy baby. Auntie Alexis was at their home so much, often after her visits to her Grams that would depress her, just a few minutes with Tommy would bring her back to life. She had never seen Gina happier, and Tom worshiped the ground his wife walked on. She was so very happy for them, and for still being allowed to be part of Gina's new family.

She had returned from England after her graduation, attended by her father and Cathy, about 9 months ago. She decided to stay at the Loft until she finalized her plans about Harvard and her career, besides it was close to Gina and Grams. She had been a daily visitor to her Grams, even though most days, she was just the stranger who sat in her room.

Every once in a while, she would have a lucid day, Alexis treasured those, remembering all the things that had happened since she had moved back with them at the Loft. Grams had taught her to state her opinion, even to her father, but do so respectfully, and in some ways as long as Alexis lived, so would Martha. Alexis shared the pictures of Tommy and Gina and Tom on the days she knew her Grams would remember, and just sat and read to her on the days she had no clue who she was.

The one thing that everyone could smile about was the day before Martha passed the nursing home featured a film montage of her acting scenes in the day room, starting back when she was just over twenty years old. Rick and Cathy had just arrived in time to make the day even more special.

It didn't matter that Martha was perhaps the only one lucid enough to remember the roles, some lines she still spoke in concert with the video. Alexis, Cathy, and Rick were with her, she had grown fond of Cathy, who sat in awe of the lady, remembering lines from almost 50 years ago.

"Richard, when are you going to ask this beautiful lady to be part of our family, everyone knows you love each other" She blurted out the moment she greeted Cathy two days ago. Cathy hugged her tightly, and a tear came to her eye. "Thanks, Martha, we're working on it, I promise you" she covered for Rick.

"I know he's a pain in the ass at times Cathy, but he's a good man, one thing I did in my life was to raise a good man" she had said. It proved to be one of the final lucid moments in her life.

Rick got the call at 1:50 AM that evening, and for some reason, no one had gone to bed, almost anticipating the end, as he walked out of his office, Alexis was lying on the couch with her head in Cathy's lap. She was gently stroking her red locks, in silence, they all knew it was close, and now it was here.

He stood there for a moment just watching until both lady's eyes turned to him, and he just nodded yes and went back to his office to compose himself. Cathy had her arms around him before he got the door shut, just holding him.

It was time to plan on saying goodbye to the lady who did it her way, she once said that the song was written about her, right or wrong it was close. Martha had always done things her way, even leaving explicit instructions for her funeral arrangements. She didn't want to be gawked at by just anyone, so she chose the funeral to be private, with only close friends, and a few people who surprised Rick on her list.

She had listed the few friends in her inner circle that she went out with, Gina and her family, Paula, Detective Karpowski, Detective Hastings, Detective Ryan and family, and Detective Esposito, with Lanie, if Lanie was with someone else, then only invite her, and finally, she added the shocker.

"Richard, I want you to ask Cathy if she would be uncomfortable with Katherine coming, if so, then don't invite her. If she is TRULY comfortable then please pass along the invitation to her, don't look that way, no one says you have to be more than civil to her. This is my wake, you get to plan your own", showing that she had been the old Martha went she wrote the letter, full of fight, and going to have it My Way. He smiled, as he handed the letter to Cathy to read.

Cathy read it, and tried to fight her tears but lost, it was Rick's turn to just hold her, soon joined by Alexis in a group hug.

"Grams told me she was going to have you ask Cathy about inviting Beckett, she didn't want to hurt her," Alexis said, smiling looking at Cathy who was shocked. "Grams didn't usually care who got in her way when she wanted something it was usually full speed ahead with the Martha torpedo, so to have her consider your feelings Cathy, says how she felt about you." Alexis hugged her a bit tighter,

"Well, I don't know what to say, I mean, we can't change our pasts, we all have them, so Rick, would it bother you if she was there? As for me, I haven't fooled myself for the last three years thinking you had purged her memories, plus you talk in your sleep sweetheart." She smiled, as Rick panicked

"Cathy, I'm sorry if I said anything or called out a name," She placed a finger across his lips to silence him.

"Alexis, did your father ever tell you the story of how we met, how I practically was in his lap on the flight home? She smiled,

"He did, you were all he talked about for weeks until he saw you again, then he got all nervous like he was going on a first date, it was cute." Alexis said, "Especially because I was in London and could only pick out his ties remotely, I never saw him act so giddy" she laughed as Rick turned red.

"Rick, I care about you, perhaps I even love you, we are good together, but I told you on our first serious dinner that all you needed to do was tell me, you wanted someone else and I would be gone, taking nothing but some fabulous memories. I think you need to face her; we can never move past this point in our relationship until YOU are sure sweetie.

"I understand, and it sucks to have to see her for the first time at your mom's wake, but as you said, Martha probably saw what I see, you need to resolve old feelings one way or the other. Martha wasn't anyone's fool, wise, especially about matters of the heart and her love for you and Alexis. She never wanted to see you get hurt, or hurt anyone else, but we know in life it happens.

"I won't lie and say seeing your ex is high on my list for Christmas presents, but in a way, three-plus years have gone by. If you still have feelings for her, then it was meant to be, if not, then I'll know that I will never have that worry again. Rick, whatever makes you happy, how did you put it, oh the heart wants what the heart wants. Now is the time for your heart to decide what, rather than who you want.

"Whatever you decide, I think you owe her a phone call, or someone from your staff, if you're not ready to speak to her, she shouldn't find out about this on the news or hearsay, Rick. You aren't cruel, you can have Paula call all on the list with a prepared statement, if that helps," Cathy said, holding his hands locked on his eyes as if there wasn't another soul in the world.

"You're right Cathy, as always. I'll call Paula and give her the list of names and a short-prepared notification, more details will be released once we meet with Walter and the doctors at the home, in a few hours, " Rick said, trying to stay strong, but this was his mother, the woman who gave the world the middle finger when she had him as a young unwed mother. She hustled, she raised, as she said, a good man, often it had been just she and him against the world it seemed.

"That sounds like my Rick, take your time, Alexis and I will make some coffee for us and tea for her, I don't think any of us will get any sleep even if we tried. I know you work best in your office," she had walked him to the door, and kissed him sweetly. "Here if you need us, both of us, so take your time." She said softly, turned, and walked back to Alexis at the Kitchen counter.

Rick thought, what am I going to say, I mean, it shouldn't be that hard, for God's sake. He opened his laptop and did more backspacing than typing until he saw one picture of Him, Alexis, Cathy, and Martha, it was taken on Mother's Day, she had a great day and was really popping the zingers. Cathy giggled so much she cried, almost making her mascara run. It was the last full good day they all had together.

She had said something that day that Rick didn't quite understand, but tucked away in his memory. They were coming out of LeCerque restaurant, Cathy was helping her down the small ramp when she said,

"Thank you, my darling, I see that you never forgot your raising, I hope others can say the same about my son. I see him as my hero, now grown up, but still fighting the same battles. Did you know that he took up boxing when he was 11 years old just to bust someone's nose when they said something bad about me?

"He doesn't know I knew that he hid his Golden Gloves Trophies at one of my men's friends who adored Richard. I guess in one way, we both fought the world, just to get the chance to earn what he has. I'm so very proud of him but don't tell him, he'll get a big head" she smiled, not knowing Rick heard every word she confessed to Cathy who couldn't stop beaming at him.

She believed in the old tale, if you want to know how a man is going to treat his wife, just observe how he treats his mother. Jay, her son, was much like Rick, except, he knew his dad and spent time with him, Rick was as the saying said, 'famously fatherless.'

Rick called Paula, who answered on the second ring, "Rick, if you're calling ME at this hour we have problems, how can I help?" her nasal tone came through the phone.

"Thanks, Paula, I'm in New York, I don't even remember if I gave you the heads up about mother in declining health, well, she passed this morning at 1:50 AM," He said, and heard her say, NOO, then heard tears, he had only seen Paula cry once in all the time he worked with her.

"Do you need a statement issued Ricky? I mean, I'll take care of that right away," she said

"Yes, I will but before that, it's going to be a private ceremony, with only friends invited. I just texted you the names and contact numbers, the one conditional guest is if Lanie is with Esposito, he's invited, if not, Lanie and a guest. She said for you to bring that hunk she saw you with at Remy's not long ago, I don't know if that was just gibberish or if it was true." Rick smiled,

"It's true Rick, I took your advice, Harold from Accounting and I have been seeing each other for almost two years now, thank you. I'll call those on the list, then issue a statement. I'm sure the paparazzi will be all over it, those people would sell their own mother" she said,

"OK Paula, let me know if you need anything, if not I'll talk to you when we know more details. Thanks for taking care of this for me."

"You know it, and Rick, I'm here as a friend if you need to talk, I know how close the two of you were," she said softly,

"Thanks, Paula, one of the reasons why I always loved you, I'll be fine, Cathy and Alexis are with me, I'll call you later, and Congrats to you and Harold," he said softly.

"Love you too boss, and thank you. I'll copy you on the statement as a text after I make the calls, I'll talk to you soon," she said as the line went dead.

Rick looked out the window peering into the sky lit by one star that seemed to burn brighter than the rest, it was almost 5:00 AM already, where did the last three hours go, Cathy brought him his coffee as he sat, thinking, well, this time she's went and done it. He smiled; it was one of her favorite sayings about his escapades when he was a youth.

Rick wasn't looking at the sidewalks, if he had been he would have seen the female jogger come to an abrupt stop across the street from his office window. Kate was on her normal early jog, when she approached the loft, every morning she ran by it, always dark, with no signs of life. This morning, Rick's office was bright with light, also the living room was illuminated, so something was going on. What? She wondered as she finished her first leg of the jog.

She bought her coffee from The Bean Coffee Shoppe, the only one that was open this early, and sat with her vision directed at his office as she enjoyed the first cup of her pick-me-up. She could have sworn she saw Rick walk by the window a few times, but she was a long way away, with a deep longing to see the man any way she could.

She took her time, and finally pushed herself to leave the small coffee shop, not seeing anything more, but the thoughts remained in the forefront of her mind. Her pace was quicker on her return home, she stopped at Java Hut, to get her second cup of coffee while she read the paper. She had to force herself to leave later in the morning now that she was Captain, and Roz had been promoted to Lieutenant, responsible for managing case assignment and closure rates.

She knew that Roz, Anne, and many others were still in shock, disappointment, and perhaps angry that she had been promoted, but they had all been professional about the announcement. She was going out of her way to earn Roz's trust, and not meddling in her cases, even as much as she desired to study the murder boards, she kept to her office.

She was just stepping out of the shower, when she heard her phone ring, luckily it was within reach as she wrapped a towel around her, and answered,

"This is Captain Beckett; how can I help you?" a new greeting, for a new job.

"Kate, this is Paula Hass, Is this a good time to speak to you about something sensitive?

"Yes Paula, how can I help?" Kate was on edge now, the lights on at the loft, of God, was something wrong with Rick?

"I'm afraid I have some bad news to convey, Martha Rogers passed away peacefully at 1:50 AM this morning. Rick and his family are making the arrangements, but he wanted me to call each person on Martha's list of invitees to the service. She wanted her funeral to be private with only the people she designated to be allowed to attend. Her words were, to give them all One Last Time to say goodbye."

Kate's tears were already falling the moment she heard the words passed away, she knew how close the Castle family was, she tried to compose herself, "Thanks Paula do you know anything yet, I mean about the service" Kate asked, just to say something. She wanted to ask WHO is Rick's family, was there another woman in the loft helping him through the worst days of his life?

"Not yet, this is just a call to let everyone she had on her list know before the paparazzi have a field day with it, I'll be issuing a statement when I finish notifying a few more people. I promise you I'll keep you informed," Paula said, nothing like the hard-ass agent she had dealt with so many years ago it seemed.

"Thanks, Paula, I'll be at the precinct, but if there is ANYTHING I can do for Rick, the family, or you, please just ask" she returned the soft tones she had just heard.

"Thanks, Kate, I and I'm sure Rick and the family appreciate that. I'll be in touch." She heard the click, as her mind once again tried to figure out the family. It had always been just Rick, Martha, and Alexis. Was someone new in the mix?

"Was she including Gina, she had read where she had married Tom Holton at Rick's estate in Texas, and then several months later announced the birth of their son. Was that the family?" She wondered, but then she asked herself, "do you really want to know?"

She got dressed on autopilot and proceeded to the precinct, when she walked in, she noticed Anne, and Roz, both with tissues in their hands, eyes red as though they had been crying. There was a voicemail on her desk phone, the light was flashing, so she made her way to her office, and opened her computer as she retrieved her VM. It was from Lanie, who was cry talking, about Martha, and for Kate to call her when she arrived. She wasn't sure if Kate was on the list and she didn't want to tell her the news while she was traveling to the station.

She called her friend on her office phone, and it was as she suspected, Paula had reached Lanie with the terrible news right after Kate heard it. Roz just turned the TV's volume up so the bullpen could hear.

"This just into our newsroom, a press release from Mr. Richard Castle, famed New York City bestselling author, "At 1:50 AM this morning my beloved mother made her final exit stage up. She loved the theater, almost as much as her family. Services will be private, we ask for your thoughts and prayers, and wish to thank you for the support, New York has provided to not only myself but also the actress who truly loved what she did. She will be missed by many, Thank you for your wonderful support, and cooperation. Further details will be provided as they become available," Paula Haas, Sr. Communications Manager, for Richard Castle. Roz muted the volume, as others milled around, in almost disbelief.

Kate watched as several burly cops were wiping their eyes, Rick had touched just about everyone's life he had come into in some form or another. Lanie had collected herself, now, "I got the call just as I got out of the shower this morning Lanie. I went for my jog and saw the loft lit up at 5:00 AM like it was mid-day, I knew something was wrong. Paula called me, upon Rick's request.

"Are you going to attend the service Kate, I know you're on the invite list?" Lanie asked,

"Yeah, yes, I'm going, if he doesn't want to talk, I won't force it. It's as Martha said, One Last Time to see her, and say goodbye. I didn't even know she was in declining health, I kept putting off calling or visiting her.

"Kate, I have to tell you something if you're sure you're going, Rick's not alone, he has a close friend with him. I just didn't want you to be blindsided," Lanie said, softly,

"Thanks, Lanie, it's been over three years, I expected him to be married by now, so it doesn't surprise me. Thanks for looking out for me as you always do," Kate said softly,

Lanie replied with one word that she hadn't heard for almost three and a half years, "Always,"

TBC

A/N: I hadn't planned on cutting Martha this quickly, but I noticed a plot hole I needed to fix, this was the way to move Rick into the same time frame as Kate. Everyone I think would agree that Martha was Kate's largest supporter, at least in Canon, so one more hurdle she would have to face IF she gets the courage to try. People have remarked about it being a long time for her without a man, again, she may have her one-night stands, I just don't record them. I'm surprised I didn't get more feedback on Kate's drunk call to Castle from DC, and his decision to let her try to figure out what she did, I know in Canon that would have really pushed her buttons.