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 2
3:17 PM
The Old Haunt
/_/
He made his way into the Haunt, slowly, giving his eyes, time to adjust from the bright sunlight to the neon lights in the bar slash restaurant. He'd been here a few times, usually, when Kyra was not available for whatever, he loved the old piano and the live music that played on the weekends. He heard a female voice, and turned,
"Hey Rick, over here Luv, it's more private and well, we need to talk business after we eat." She flashed her smile; guys still couldn't believe that they were just friends. Georgette was built like a brick outhouse, beautiful smile, and legs that seemed to go forever. Rick had always been a one-woman man, and when he was with Kyra, he looked in admiration, not in idolization.
"Hi Georgie, thanks for proofreading it so fast, so what did you think?" Rick asked as he took her hand and escorted her to the seat next to his.
"We have plenty of time for that, how are you doing, spare me the details, I just want to make sure you're OK. Let's eat then you tell me if I should send the goon squad out to kick her ass for hurting my Luv." She smiled as she pulled his head to her breasts, God were they all hers he wondered for the first time." She kissed his cheek and then said
"I'm getting the mushroom burger, it'll add 2 pounds but I don't care, I love them the way they make them here." She laughed,
"That sounds good to me as well," Rick said,
They exchanged small talk for a few minutes, Georgette was set to graduate this term and had already been working for her Uncle at Black Pawn. He was excited to bring in fresh new authors, especially the ones that would attract their target audience of females age 18 and up.
"How do you know he liked it, Georgie, I mean, he hasn't read it, so"
"I sent him some excerpts, we have to talk about some of the changes, it's not smut Rick, but you have to loosen up, even women that exist only on paper want to get laid more than just on national holidays" she laughed as he blushed,
"OK, let's eat then we'll go over the changes you want, I agree, I'm not opposed to writing lovemaking scenes, I just don't want to start, or ever write smut. What goes on in detail behind closed doors should be between the man and the woman, not used to sell cheap smut novels" he said,
"When I tell my friends how I met you, they don't believe that a man with your morals exists. They swear you only wanted me for yourself, that's why you protected me." She smiled,
"Sure, I wanted to carry a passed out beautiful lady up the stairs to my apartment, trying to think of what the hell I could ever say to my girlfriend that would make my actions ok, and at the same time trying to avoid the snitches who would report you for being in my room.
"Then came phase two when you got ill, and you laid on my bathroom floor with me wiping your face with cold compresses as you tried to blow the bottom of my toilet out with your heaves. Then as you began to sober up, you thinking I was the jerk who had slipped you the drug, you kept checking your clothes like I was going to take them off of you." She flushed with embarrassment,
"I know that there were at least three of them Ricky, and I know I wouldn't be the same as I am today without your help, so thanks again for all you did. I'm sorry Kyra got pissed at you, but that was just a sign, she didn't deserve you." She kissed his cheek and spread the napkin on her lap as the food approached.
They ate passing small talk, until Georgette asked him, "So what's your plan to get out there again? I have girlfriends that will shake your foundation, just say the word, or if you want to take a tamer approach, my little sister Gina, is just a couple of years younger than you. Mind-blowing sex without calling her back is off the table with her, she is my sister even if she is a bitch." Georgette laughed,
"Georgie, why is everyone trying to rush me back onto the scene, like if I'm not in a new relationship in six weeks, I'm going to wind up lonely and alone? I don't understand the rush, I mean it was three years, I just don't get over that in a few weeks." He said, showing some of his frustration, and sadness,
"I'm sorry Ricky, you're right, you need time to heal, but let's just say this, I don't know nor do I want to about your sex life with Kyra, but if you are looking for relief, call me. If not me, then you would love my girlfriends, I have them in a variety of spices." She laughed this time she French kissed Rick, deep and hard. She mumbled, "You're a hell of a kisser Luv" as he tried to regain his composure.
"I think we better look at the book Georgette, thank you, you're a hell of a kisser too," he said,
"Oh my God, did I say that out loud, I thought I was just thinking it," she said, this time her turn to blush, as Rick laughed,
Rick started looking at some of the tame love scenes he had written, some from previous experiences, before Kyra, he wasn't ready to release any of their special moments. Georgette had used a green felt tip pen and added additions and corrections, and to say the least, even he was getting hot reading the scenes.
She laughed, "I take it you like the changes Rick, it's not smut, Uncle wouldn't go for that, but you have to lose your altar boy image. Hell, I know you're a man and want what most men want, the difference you treat a lady like a lady, even when she's drunk and vulnerable." Georgette was sweet, beautiful, and made no qualms she enjoyed the physical portion of love, but he knew she just wasn't his type.
"Georgie, do you think we need to go this deep into detail?" he asked, with her eyes looking at him with that penetrating look,
"Rick, newsflash, woman want to be turned on as well as men, the way you wrote the original scene was almost like you were ashamed or trying to hide the fact that a woman could reach the same pleasure as a man. Look, trust me, I ran this by my girlfriends, their comments were "if he's single, hell if he's got an afternoon free, I'd love to do some more research for him for his next book" as Rick blushed.
That sealed the deal for Rick, what the hell, it was probably going to get rejected and he could add another letter to his growing stack of rejection letter collection. Georgette had also changed the plot; they had just graduated from college and were working in an apprenticeship program at the same large firm. Rick's character known as Ron in the book in Communications, Kyra's character known as Karen, in fashion and design.
They had been assigned to work together on the launch of the new line Karen was putting out, and Ron fell for her then. Enter the mother, Sharon, who hated Ron, no matter how successful he was, and the problems began. As each grew in rank in the company the problems between them escalated, until finally Karen had bid on a foreign affiliate head of design and was rewarded the position.
It was no secret that Karen's mother hated Ron, and did everything in her power to sabotage her daughter's relationship, including sleeping with the CEO, apparently her parents were married in name only, each owning their own discretions.
When the news that Karen was leaving was released through a company announcement, Ron knew that he would never be good enough, and rather than confront the family, accepted a transfer to Los Angeles California branch. The first book ended with Ron just meeting an attractive actress, Karen returning from England seeking him out. She was devastated to know he had moved on, and began her own search for a new love.
Georgette had changed enough so it wouldn't read like an autobiography for Rick and Kyra, as well as adding some salacious sex scenes for Ron as he became more popular in the bachelor ranks. Rick read it through, quickly, it was his book, but Georgie had transformed it from a group of journal entries into a flowing book of events that made even him want to read on to find out what happened next.
"Georgie, it's wonderful, I mean you took the skeleton of my book, and basically re-wrote it, why don't you publish it, you're a better writer than I will ever be." Rick had said sadly,
"Ricky, I can take an idea and manipulate it, change it, but create it, never, I don't have that talent. Look all I did was throw a little of me into a lot of you, and make it something hopefully the women will flock to buy. Hell, you'll have underwear thrown at you soon on your big book tours", she laughed,
"Well, let's go with it, submit, it, and Georgie, how can I ever thank you." He asked,
"When you're ready Rick, we'll find a way" she kissed him, more tongue than he ever expected, but to be honest was getting aroused with her manipulations.
He pulled away embarrassed, he had always been taught not to lead ladies on, and to behave like a gentleman.
"Rick, let me explain something to you, I love you, not that way, but I feel stronger than just like you, plus your lips are the softest I have ever kissed. It's not wrong to make love, not when both know it's a friend with benefits, and we're both still free to look for our lasting loves.
"I love sex, lots of it, I'm going to get laid, it's just that simple, so in fact, you would be acting to help me, if you decide to sleep with me, keeps me from the crazies out there" she laughed as her hand had found his upper thigh, and she repeated her kiss,
Three Hours Later
Georgette's Condo
"Are you OK Rick, because, well, damn she's a fool if she left that. My God, do you make love to all you lovers that way?"
"Was it good for you Georgie? I mean, you made it so easy, it wasn't well, I see what you mean about loving sex, and if your sounds were indicators, I hit the mark a few times." Rick smiled, regaining his confidence, a great deal,
"You hit them, Luv, hell a few you tore down, so when can we meet again?" I'll submit the book but Rick, I was serious about loving sex, and wanting you as a friend with benefits, I promise as long as we're in this, we'll keep it just the two of us. I don't like to use those damn things (pointing to the condom package) and once we get tested for STD's there will be no need for them, I have birth control. Are you free Friday?" She asked,
And so, it started, three, some weeks four nights Rick visited Georgie, never staying the night, but both thoroughly enjoying the physical touch of the other. It had done a lot to bring Rick out of the depression he didn't know he was in. As good as the sex was, he still missed the connection to someone who he could share not just his bed, but his heart as well.
XxX
Three Months Later
Well, today was the day, it was the first official book launch, the day 'A Rose for Ever After' was turned from a journal of entries from a love-struck young college student to the formal release, including huge advance on royalties to him. It was bittersweet, Georgie had moved to Denver Colorado last month to head up the firm's new branch, so he had lost contact with her, other than conference calls. She promised she would fly back as much as she could, but they both knew their last day was just that.
His thoughts turned out correct, she wasn't in Denver for more than three weeks, before she was seeing another young author. This time the hurt wasn't so bad, he knew that it was just a physical arrangement, and as long as he was in that, he hadn't bothered to look for anyone else to date. She had been honest with him, totally honest, what more could he have asked for.
He still thought of Kyra, but none of his friends ever mentioned her, at least when they knew he was within earshot. Each day was getting a little easier, and if he were honest, the physical relationship with Georgette was just what he had needed at that time.
He gained confidence each week, and God she was a terrific lover. Maybe that was the way to go, find the physical relationship leaving your heart out of it so it couldn't be broken, NAH, he never would be satisfied with just sex. He needed someone to love, someone who loved him back, even though he knew another heartbreak was possible.
He had a problem now, either he would need to take a leave from college, and bet the bank he could follow up with another bestseller, or just take some time away from school to do the book tours. He had been introduced to Paul Cowell, the head of Black Pawn, and told to make up his damn mind, he had more things to do than to wait on his decision.
He bumped into a young lady, perhaps about his age, when he left Paul's office, literally bumped into her knocking her papers out of her hands. She was from New York, and as he introduced himself, to Paula Haas, found out she was a publicist in search of a client.
He forwarded her resume to Georgie who answered with a few words by text, "Great publicist, but watch yourself, she sleeps with her clients, you may like that Ricky, I miss your slow hands, XXOO, Georgie"
He thought what the hell, if he couldn't duplicate the book it would be a waste of time for her so he signed her on for his publicist. She knew Black Pawn and had reduced his dates of book tour after two meetings, now he just had to find someone to take copious notes for him, he still was on scholarship for one last year.
Paula didn't like his pen name, he chose Richard Castle since he always loved the medieval scene of the knights defending the castle, he was defending his heart. He put his foot down,
"Paula the name stays, it's too late to change to books in print, and I like it,"
"Ricky, it"
"It stays, End of conversation" he shot back, and she knew the conversation was over. She did talk him into wearing dark-tinted glasses and photoshopped a two-day growth of beard on his photos so he wouldn't be mugged when he returned to campus. The tour was now for only three weeks, but that meant he would miss 5 classes.
He had arraigned with the professors but still needed someone to help him with the class notes, so many times items on the test were from lectures, not the text. One Professor had a suggestion for him, a young lady who was also majoring in Criminal Justice, minor in Communications just as he was.
She had taken the alternate schedule than he had, meaning she had his afternoon class in the AM and the morning class in the afternoon. That explained why he had never met her, but hey if she were willing to help him out. It was the best he could do, so he arraigned to meet her for lunch, at, well it wasn't Kyra's favorite anymore, but the Spaghetti House in the Common Area of the campus.
All he knew was she was a brunette, his age, and about 5'6" and very smart. Her name he finally remembered to ask was Jordan Baes, a daughter of a leading FBI official, just in case Rick had any ideas, the Prof laughed. He was seated in the restaurant early, making sure he wasn't in their booth, what the hell, their was gone, just like her, get over it Rick, he scolded himself as he watched the patrons file in.
He knew it was her, the moment he laid eyes on her, she was beautiful, dressed professionally, but God she did have a body hidden under that sweater, and her legs were gorgeous. She was looking around, as he stood raised his hand, to be greeted with a huge smile. God, she was hot, where had she been at all the parties for the last three years.
She walked over to his booth, "Rick Rodgers?" she asked, with that same smile on her face,
"Yes, that's me, I can't thank you enough for coming to discuss my situation. I mean I would rely on some of my friends, but I'm on scholarship and can't afford to fail a class and keep my student aide," he laughed,
"I understand, I'm paying my own way as well, and I was lucky to get a partial scholarship, I know what you mean. So, tell me what lies did Professor Keyon tell you about me, he's an old friend of my father's she smiled."
Rick blushed, "Actually he just told me your height, hair color, and that you were very smart if I got out of line there was a chain of command to take care of me" he laughed,
"I'm sorry Rick, all of my adopted uncles, yep friends of my Dad, treat everyone as the foe until they prove otherwise when it comes to me, probably why I don't date that often." She smiled,
"Well, that answered my next question, I don't want to get punched out by a jealous boyfriend, and I really appreciate you doing this for me Jordan," he said sincerely,
She laughed, no, no big burly boyfriend, and you're more than welcome Rick Castle, please call me Jordy." She smiled,
"So, you know the real reason why I need to be gone for three weeks, I mean I would have told you if the publisher wouldn't have killed me" he turned red caught in the fib, Black Pawn had concocted
"Rick, it's going to take more than a pair of dark glasses and some days growth of beard to keep the girls off of you, I mean, I got to read your book, and I was already wanting your next work. I do know about Kyra as well, so sorry, you know how college life is, hard to keep secrets" she took his hand in his and he was lost the moment she locked eyes on him.
"Jordy, most people know or will know thanks to my best friend Bob Weldon, and it's not embarrassing now, I guess everyone gets dumped from time to time, guess it was my time." He said with a sad smile,
"Well, I think she's wrong, and I may be speaking out of turn, but anyone, especially a man who can write like that has a special soul, don't sell yourself short Rick." She was still holding his hand, as he locked on her eyes again, apparently, she was feeling what he felt, he hoped she was.
"Thanks, Jordy, do you have anything planned for this afternoon and evening?" he asked,
"Other than returning to my boring routine of studying and working out, no, why Rick"
"Well, I had tickets to Journey Concert, since you know about Kyra, I don't have to explain her, but they rescheduled the date because of illness. I held on to them, so well, I still have the tickets, would you like to go tonight?"
"Only if you don't get upset when I drool at Steve Perry" she laughed,
"I don't blame you, Jordy, so we can discuss timing after we eat, OK?"
"Sounds good, Rick, and thank you"
TBC