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 3
5:17 PM
Outside Madison Square Garden
/_/
Rick and Jordy hadn't left each other's company since meeting at lunch. He laughed easily with her, and she was a no Bull Shit type of woman who spoke her mind, sometimes getting her into trouble in a world where women were not supposed to be so assertive.
She liked the fact that inside this hulk of a man, well compared to her petite frame, he was well built, showing that he worked out regularly, was a kind sensitive side to him. She noticed a tear in his eye when she spoke of losing her mother after a long battle with a terminal illness. She reached over and took his hand as they sat on the grass under the same tree, he had frequented the last several weeks.
"Hey Rick, it's OK, I know Mom is in a better place and God forgive me, somedays I prayed that he would take her. If all she had left in this world was the pain and misery, I couldn't be selfish and want her to stay in a world like that." Jordy said with a hint of a tear, as she patted his hand.
"You're incredibly strong Jordy, well, I've been called a Momma's boy before but growing up it was just the two of us, I mean we were all we had. I don't know if I could be that strong if, God forbid, I'm ever faced with something like that. I admire your courage, but most of all I admire your depth of love, willing to let go, if it were best, that's tough" he said his eyes still misty,
"Yeah, but you know Rick, you did it too, look, I'm not going to pretend. I've seen you on Campus the last three years, always with Kyra, and wondered, what would it take for me to find someone like you for myself.
"When my uncle called me and asked for a favor for a friend, someone would need help in some classes. I immediately thought it was a tutoring job. Professor Keyon called me and told me the whole story; with the promise, I wouldn't say anything to anyone. I was shocked that the big, handsome man I had watched from across campus the last three years was a published author. (She watched as he blushed)
"Uncle pulled some strings, and well, I got one of the advance copies of the book for the critics, my God, I went through a box of tissues and couldn't put the book down until I finished it, Rick. You write with such heart, you touch people" she said a smile on her face and a glimmer in her eyes. God those eyes, he was going to be a goner if he kept looking into them.
"Wow, thanks Jordy, I had a lot of help with the editing, I have to admit, it wasn't just my work. In fact, if you saw the raw copy, I'm sure you would wonder are you sure that book came from this?" he laughed again, as he smiled.
"Rick, why do you do that? I'm sorry I'm so bold, but when someone pays you a compliment, you reply with a comment knocking yourself down. PLEASE, stop, you're sensitive, you're obviously very intelligent, you're kind, and you're really fun to be with. You should see you from the way I see you" she gripped his hand a bit tighter,
"I'm sorry Jordy, I guess it's a habit, one I've had started back in middle school. I either made jokes or got into fights, and Mother was running out of schools that would take the little 'hooligan' that would fight at the drop of a hat.
"Mother told me then, that life wasn't fair, get used to it kiddo, she said, but the only thing you can do is your best and not listen to anyone else. You know your truth, no one else does, so no need to beat them up, OK?"
"So instead of fighting with fists, you started fighting back with words, making jokes, mostly about yourself. IF they laughed at what you said, they would move to the next poor kid on their hit list. Sound about how it went?" she asked, her eyes once again locked on his,
"Yeah, pretty much, you're good, your uncle must have you targeted for the FBI after school." Rick smiled,
"Yeah, it's funny you say that he does, I've been practicing profiling skills since High School. I really got interested in that aspect of law enforcement when they caught the Unabomber based on a profile along with the tips that came in, and of course, his manuscript that his brother recognized." She squeezed his hand again, almost like she wasn't going to let go.
"So, how bad was it for you in high school Jordy? You know the scenario too well to not be a player in that part of school life. We all get bullied, picked on because, hell who knows why we're not exactly like someone else so they choose to pick on us." Rick said, his eyes glazing,
"Well, let's just say that I was in about as many schools as you, always preached at that ladies don't hit other ladies. My comment was always if she had been a lady, I wouldn't have hit the bitch" she broke out in laughter,
Rick loved her laugh, it came from her soul, "Well we better make it out of here, you want to stop at Remy's to get a burger before the concert Jordy?" he asked, locked on her eyes once again as he gently helped her up from the sitting position under their tree, well he hoped it would become theirs.
"Now you're talking Rick, I'll have to run an extra mile or so tomorrow, first pasta, now burgers, you better be including fries and a shake with that Mr." he laughed from his soul, for the first time in over a month.
"Whatever you want, hey do you have a running partner, I mean, I,"
"Rick, I would love for you to join me in running if that's what you were getting to, I hope I'm not too presumptuous", she said with a smile,
"What time Jordy, and where do I meet you?" Rick smiled,
"How about 6:00 AM, outside my dorm, we can use the bike trail if it's not crowded, and still get back in time to shower for an early class." She said,
"Perfect, it's a date, well, I, eh, hey let's go eat, I know the concert is going to be fantastic" Rick blushed again, making him that much more adorable to Jordy.
XxX
Inside MSG, the warm-up band was getting the crowd rocking, and as the usher showed them their seats, Jordan gasped, she had never sat front row, center for any concert. Glass Tiger, was just starting their first song, when they were seated
Jordan was spellbound and couldn't take her eyes off the choreography of the members, they sounded just like they did on the radio. Everyone was standing behind them, but being in the front row, certainly had its perks, especially for someone all of 5 ft 6 inches tall. The band whipped the crowd into a frenzy for about 45 minutes, one song after another, as Rick and she rocked out and enjoyed the show.
Finally, Steve Perry's voice could be heard as the stage rose to show all of the members doing their classic, Don't Stop Believing, the crowd went crazy. They entertained the crowd with extended versions of all of their greatest hits, the only downer came when Perry started singing the song, 'Separate Ways', Jordan felt the tense and a jerk in Rick's hand which she had held since the first song.
When he heard the words,
If you must go, I wish you love
You'll never walk alone
Take care, my love
Miss you, love
Someday, love will find you
Break those chains that bind you
One night will remind you
How we touched and went our separate ways
Jordan knew then where his mind was, no matter how hard he fought it. His thoughts were with a love lost, a lady who had tossed him aside like yesterday's garbage, she held his hand tighter. When the song was finally over, she turned, took Rick's face in her hands, and kissed him gently, and sweetly.
"I'm here Rick, it won't hurt forever, I promise you" she whispered in his ear, then they sat back down, she never released his hand.
At that moment, Rick felt the jolt, the gentle touch of her lips on his, ever so brief, sent tingles down his spine. He had to get it together, he couldn't be pining his life away, hell, not when perhaps he had a chance with the beautiful and sensual lady that had captured his hand, well on her way to include his heart as well.
He leaned over to her, "I thought you were going to drool over Steve Perry" he smiled, letting her know he had recovered,
She whispered back, "Changed my mind, kind of stuck on the fella whose hand I've been holding," she smiled again, this time it was Rick who gently turned her head and repaid her kiss, soft, short, and sweet.
"Good because he's kind of stuck on the lady whose hand he's holding as well" she laid her head on his shoulder, and so it began. He finally didn't feel the weight, the hurt, the physical hurt anymore. He felt light like he was floating, hell he was happy, for the first time since, well in a long time.
The remainder of the concert was a smash, what Journey Concert wasn't, and they were treated to three encores. Rick knew that things had changed for him, he only hoped that Jordy felt the same towards him.
Any doubts he had were soon erased, as they exited the Garden, choosing to walk arm in arm for a while, just letting their feet take them towards the campus, Jordan stopped, turned into him, and kissed him long and deep this time. He reciprocated and was once again stuck with the lightness of his heart, almost as if chains were broken from it that had been choking him.
"Rick, I don't know how you feel, I know you're off a terrible breakup just four months ago, and I want you to know, I'm not rushing anything, I just like being with you," Jordan said,
"Well, that makes two of us, I couldn't take my eyes off of you when you first walked into the restaurant today, then I thought no way would I have a chance, you had to have a boyfriend."
"Well, I do, Rick, at least I think I do if you want" she smiled up at him, as his face turned from shock to glee, he kissed her again, confirming their new status, the walk back was filled with talk, and kisses. The date ended with a kiss goodnight, and a promise to see each other tomorrow, well later this morning. Rick walked home for the first time in what seemed forever, happy, Jordan was busy recording her momentous first date with her new boyfriend in her journal, she wanted to remember this day forever.
XxX
Jordan's Dorm Building
5:45 AM, Next Morning
Rick had set three alarm clocks, no way was he going to be late for his first run date with his girlfriend, God it felt good to say that, his girlfriend. The hurt about Kyra wasn't gone, not completely and he doubted he would ever fully get over her, but it wasn't the crippling grip on his heart, his conscience, his memory, not anymore.
He was warming up when out came the most beautiful thing he had seen, Jordy in a bright yellow running suit, sneakers to match and she was wearing a Richard Castle ball cap on her head. They had just set up the website and agreed to the merchandising agreement two weeks ago. She had to be a fan or a charter member of his website or both.
She jogged over to him, stopped kissed him, "Good morning boyfriend," she bubbled,
"Good morning girlfriend" he replied and returned her kiss, "I love the hat, where, how? Never mind, I'm just glad you like me, because, I couldn't bear it if you didn't' He said, half-joking, but his eyes let Jordan know there was more truth in his words than he wanted to let be known.
"If you only knew how much Mr. Castle, and stop worrying, it's not a recent development but I don't go after men that are taken, and guess what, you're now taken again" she smiled, as he kissed her,
"We better start our run or we'll wind up upstairs kicking my roommate out so I can have my way with you" she laughed, as Rick blushed
"I was thinking the same thing, so I'll follow you," as they started down the bike trail headed in the direction of the park, that lasted about 100 yards until she dropped back to be by his side,
"Running partners mean we get to run together Rick, not just follow checking out my legs and caboose" she laughed, as Rick blushed, caught because that was exactly what he had been doing. She had a great body, but her legs were driving him crazy, and her as she put it caboose was just the right size
"Guilty, Jordy, I'm sorry that was crude, I'm a gentleman" she started laughing,
"Hell, I'd be worried if you weren't checking me out, I'm glad it was me, not some other chick that I would need to punch out," this time it was Rick who laughed,
"Jordy, I know there are a lot of things we need to talk about, but well I guess, I"
"Rick, I promise you, I'll always tell you the truth, I've been lied to and led on before as well, and well it hurts like hell when you discover the betrayal. I have just one request, and I'm serious, IF you ever see someone else you want to try a one-night stand or a meaningful relationship, PLEASE, and I beg you PLEASE tell me first.
"You talked about your broken heart, well, I'm sure you're not interested in hearing about my past, but I've been hurt as well Rick, very badly. You know, or probably guessed I'm not a virgin, should be no surprise to you, BUT everyone woman has the right to withhold that information from anyone.
"I'm sorry but sharing that would hurt you as much as you shared your list of conquests with me. I don't think I could stand to picture you with another woman, I understand about Kyra, I mean you're not hiding anything Rick, but please, don't close your eyes when you make love to me, I want to know it's me not her you're intimate with, I'm sorry,"
She was interrupted by a deep kiss from her boyfriend, "You must be a mind reader as well, I promise Jordy, I know how you must feel, but I won't compare her to you, and please, I'm not the guy who hurt you, I'd rather die first." He said in such a solemn tone,
"Rick, what time is your first class," Jordan asked,
"Not until 11:00 AM, how about you?"
"Same, my roommate is gone, take me home I want to show you how I feel if that's not too forward," she said, never losing the lock on his eyes,
"Not at all, I was always awkward when it came to well, hell, shut up and let's get to your dorm" he laughed as they ran much faster the remaining mile back to her dorm. She opened the back door; Rick was up the stairs and in her room in less than three minutes.
"Shower first?" She asked, he countered, "how about together, I mean" she quietly took his hand and led him to the bathroom laid out two clean towels. The hot water was now running cold by the time they finally got out of the shower.
He gently toweled her off, picked her up and laid her on her bed, and worshiped her body, with his eyes open, she turned to her dresser to turn the radio on to muffle some of the noises she was making. God how did he find that spot, oh no, another one, God she loved the way he touched her.
She tried to reciprocate, he gently pushed her back down, "Not today, it's your turn, I want you to think of me when I'm gone and miss me" Hell she forgot, he would be gone for three weeks, Shit, she was going to miss him, hell she was already missing him, then her thoughts went blank as he took her over the top where she saw lights and fireworks.
Finally, he entered her, and this time the lovemaking was gentle, sweet, almost like he was trying to love her hurt away. She opened her eyes, and he was locked on hers, she kept them open as they concluded the last session. She had never had such tender, love-making bring her to such heights, and God she had this to look forward to, he was HER boyfriend now.
One last quick shower, well for her, he had to run to his dorm to shower and change and meet her in the class she was going to take notes for him starting next week. It took him several minutes to finally leave, but when he did, he sprinted to his dorm, showered and dressed, and was back to walk her to class. She smiled as he knocked on his door, two small flowers were placed in a glass of water as they gathered her books, he carried them of course, and finally made their way to class.
After class, they met under their tree and made plans for the remainder of the week. She had the ticket stubs from the concert pressed in her book, she planned on stopping at the book store and having them saved in a plastic seal, this date was the start of the rest of her life she hoped.
XxX
Next Day
After Their Run,
Rick surprised her after their run this morning, he had found off-campus housing, and since Black Pawn had issued him a huge advance in royalties, he had leased a two-bedroom, two-bathroom, apartment just off campus, fully furnished.
"Do you like it, Jordy? I mean it'll give us some privacy, I can't seem to keep my hands off of you when I'm near you" he confessed, as he hugged her from behind, and kissed her neck,
"I love it Rick, but we have to promise each other, our studies, remember why you wanted to meet me in the first place" she reminded him of something he had long forgotten,
"Well, I agree, and check out your bathroom, I tried to do it by memory, I hope I got your stuff and not your roommate" he smiled,
She led him by the hand and gasped as she opened the drawers, neatly put away was all of the same shampoo, conditioner, and other products she used. She blushed a bit when she noticed he had even bought her a box of her feminine products,
She turned and laid her head on his chest and wept, happy tears but his shirt was getting soaked,
"Did I do something wrong Jordy, why the tears?" He asked,
"You didn't do anything wrong, Rick, you did everything right, everything is perfect, even down to these as she pointed to the products. Guys usually have a fit when they're asked to touch the box much less go out and purchase them for us" she laid her head back on his chest after stealing a long sensuous kiss,
"Well, I'm here for you Jordy, we'll take things at whatever speed you want, but here's your key, I want you to know this is ours," he said so sweetly,
She gasped, "Rick, are you sure, I mean"
"As I said Jordy, at your speed no matter how fast or slow, and just so you know, I never ever thought about this with Kyra, so stop thinking you're a substitute please?" he asked, almost as if he were reading her mind,
"OK, I'm sorry, it's just it's been so long since I felt, so, so, loved and respected," she said as she kissed him,
"Me too, Jordy, me too."
TBC