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 9
Hotel Restaurant
Portland OR 7:23 AM Next Day
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Rick had given up on sleep, between the time zone changes, events from Paula's call yesterday then the shocker, the life-changing facts he had to face after talking to Grey, there was no sleep to be had. He showered, dressed, not entirely sure what the schedule was for today, he thought he had one early afternoon signing, then travel to Seattle for the last day of the tour then home.
Home, how he had longed for it just days ago, now, what the hell was going to happen? Whatever it was, his life would be changed forever, for that matter Jordan and Tom's as well. He took a seat at a table the hostess, still fighting sleep had directed him to before he heard her voice. God that shrilly, nasal New York tone, this early in the morning, went through him like chalk squeaking on a blackboard.
"Rick, Ricky, over her darling" she was talking loud enough for the lobby to hear. He couldn't avoid her, so he turned and relocated to the booth she was occupying, grateful for the coffee the server had brought just before he left.
"Good Morning Paula, what's got you so happy and up so early this morning?" he asked,
"Well, I would say you look good, but you look like you've been up all night Ricky? Is everything OK?" she showed genuine concern,
"No, I've been up most of the night, I had an idea then got started and kept going. Before I knew it, I had over 100 thousand pages with just z's across them, I guess I fell asleep typing. The good news is the next in the series is about 60% completed, ready for edits." He said, never giving anyone an exact status, he might decide to change the entire book, who knew.
"God Ricky, I'm impressed, that makes the call I got even better news. I spoke to Paul Cowell himself this morning, I told him, I wouldn't negotiate with Martina anymore, and I guess they've reluctantly agreed to sign you to a five-book deal, agreeing to our terms.
"The more that the book sells, the higher your royalties go, so you could be a millionaire if the series sells anywhere near what your first book is doing. Is this the second book in that series Ricky? If it is, hell you can take the next year off, we promised at least one completed book every six months. They balked, but I told them you don't rush genius" She gushed, a smile so big it even made Rick smile.
"Yeah, it's the second, in the series, I think there will be at least 4 possibly six, in total, so you earned your fee with this contract. What lawyer looked the contract over before I sign anything?" Rick was new in the business but not life,
"Walt Austin, he's the best, in fact, he's agreed to take you on exclusively since he retired, but he enjoys screwing Paul Cowell about as much as he does fishing. If anyone will squeeze the last dime out of Black Pawn it would be Walt." Paula said,
"What's the agenda today anyway Paula, I've been in kind of a fog the last few days," Rick said,
"Well Georgie is leaving to go back to Denver shortly, she should be joining us shortly. That's why she kissed you goodbye yesterday, she didn't think she would see you again before she left.
Just then a blonde turned Rick's head and kissed him gently and softly then slid into the booth on his side, "Good morning Luv, you look like shit, what did you do stay up all night and write another book?" she laughed, as Paula smiled,
"That's exactly what he did, Georgie, your Uncle caved, we got the deal we wanted so with the first book and now the one Rick wrote, well almost completed, we're well ahead of schedule.
"As soon as Walt reviews the contract, Rick can sign it and send you what he has for editing. Remember, one book every six months, we don't want to turn these out like dime-store novels." Paula laughed,
"Rick, that's great, I mean, if it's close to what I read, did you continue on with the same storyline and characters?" She asked as the waitress poured coffee around.
"Yeah, for some reason they just seem to flow, I got the idea last night, before I knew it, I woke up with thousands of pages of z's and a book at least 60% complete. I don't know, I guess I got in the zone,"
"Well, do me a favor, I'm going to have to leave for the airport soon, but go get some sleep, you have one signing this afternoon, and the last one tomorrow then you're on your way home to Jordy. I know you've been missing her terribly, it's almost over." She said, watching his eyes, it wasn't the same, something was wrong.
"Sounds like a good idea, you're right, I know I haven't gotten much sleep this entire trip, damn time zones," he tried to laugh it off,
"Rick, if you need me, you know how to reach me, I mean it. Call me Luv, I still care deeply about you, so I'll be on the next flight to New York, just say the word, OK?" she pulled his head to her, and kissed his brow, much like she had done, the first time after Kyra,
She held him for a few minutes, "You know Rick, I kicked my ass for the first month that I left you, I think we could have, but then you found Jordy, and well I was glad for you. I never stopped caring, so I'll always be here for you, I promise" she said as she glanced at her watch,
"I know, I know, you have to leave, thanks Georgie, for everything. I'll call you I promise" he whispered as she stole one last gentle short kiss and then she turned and started her walk out of his life again. This time it hit him, everyone, he loved, or could love had left, or soon would. Maybe he'd be better off taking care of his old friend Aziza, who did he have left here.
XxX
Three Days Later
Meeting with Tom Shaw
Rick had arrived home very late at night from his book tour and Jordan's schedule had kept them from anything more than a few kisses while passing in the hall the last two days. It was for the best, he thought, not looking forward to meeting his old dorm mate.
What was he going to say, "Hi Tom, remember your fiancé, yeah well, I've been living with her and sleeping with her for the last four months, but no harm no foul, since I'm leaving?" He was sure he would get his ass kicked starting off the meeting with words to that effect, but he had to get Tom to see she was going to need him, more than ever.
Tom walked into the gym that was deserted except for Rick and waved as he walked over.
"Hey Rogers, long time, I haven't seen you since you moved out to that fancy apartment. Someone told me you actually have a book deal, way to go. What did you want to talk to me about?" Tom said his easy-going voice still present, as he joined Rick on the stationary bikes, and began pedaling.
"Hi Tom, well, officially I can't say, but unofficially, well let's just say that an alter ego that looks a little like I do actually did, and thanks," Rick said
"What did you want to see me about, do I owe you money? I mean I was hitting the sauce pretty hard there for a while, hell, I don't need to tell you, you carried my ass home one night when my fiancé couldn't, eh" he stopped, a hurt look on his face,
"I just heard you broke up Tom, look man I'm sorry, and well what I want to talk about"
"Thanks, man, I heard about the deal Kyra gave you, so sorry man, it's like heartache was in season for us guys the last quarter," Tom said, still peddling his bike as the sweat beads broke on Rick's head, not all from exercise.
"Yeah, about that Tom, I need to tell you something, I mean I really just put two and two together, I"
"Rick if you're trying to tell me you and Marie, eh AKA Jordan are an item now, I know about it. You find out who your so-called friends are, they can't seem to stop rubbing it in your face when your fiancé cheats on you, then lies to your face." Tom said, hurt and anger in his voice.
"You knew Tom? I mean I just put it together on the trip I was on, I never put it together that Marie was, or is Jordan, but I only saw her a handful of times when you two were together. The last was when I carried you to the dorm room, I mean, man what are you supposed to say at a time like this?" Rick said, clearly bothered that Tom still cared, and was hurting,
"Nothing Rick, I mean it means a lot to me that you'd ask to see me, why the gym, were you thinking it was going to come to fists?" he smiled, well as much as he could.
"Well, if it had, it wouldn't have surprised me as much as the news you just sprang on me. I mean I'm sorry you're hurting, and well, I'm about to make your life even more difficult. It seems like it always comes in waves, and I'm sorry but I have to tell you something."
"Rick, I really appreciate you being the bigger man and approaching me, but it's over, it was over between us, the moment I saw her cheating and she lied"
"But she didn't Tom, I have proof of that, you saw what you saw but you need to put some context to it. It wasn't a date; it wasn't a betrayal it was her doing her job. Think, what does her dad do, think very carefully, then answer." Rick said as he watched the look of Tom's face turn from anger and hurt to disbelief and shame.
"Are you telling me that she was on assignment for her Dad, and the guy she was with was really just a mark, she was getting intel from, Oh God, what an ass, I fucked it up for us both. Once you say the evil cruel things I said, they can't be unsaid. I called her a cheating whore Rick, there's no coming back from that, you know it as well as I do." His face now was showing the pain, and embarrassment he felt,
"How do you know Tom, have you asked her? Sure, she's with me, but I don't want to be her consolation prize, I don't want to be someone any girl settles for." Rick said,
"Rick, how do you know she doesn't love you? Tell me, please." Tom was close to tears,
"I never said she didn't love me, Tom, what I'm saying is that she'll always love you more, you will always own that piece of her heart that I or anyone else will never be able to capture or steal away from you," Rick said, once again realizing the real truth of the situation. Would he and Jordan make it if he ignored this, of course, but she would always have an empty part in her heart he would never be able to fill as he hung his head.
"So, what do we do? Is that why you're here? Look I know you care about her Rick, so what's the deal, no bullshit, two dorm brothers talking brother to brother." Tom said, looking at Rick in his eyes,
"Well, this is going to be the hardest thing I've done in my life, what I say here Tom, Jordy is never to hear, never to know. Let her think I'm a rotten son of a bitch and hate me. I don't want to be a topic you two are discussing on your silver anniversary, is that clear?" Rick said, a little more forceful than he intended,
"I'm not sure what you're saying but anything we talk about today will stay here. I agree with you Rick, I don't want to be talking about another guy she loves either, look she's had something for you for a long time. I thought it was just a crush, but once I found out she was with you, well,"
"Tom, that all came about by accident, you have to believe that, I was reeling from Kyra, she was distraught from you, so if you two were together she wouldn't have looked twice at me. I know how much love she has, and believe me, you're a lucky bastard. I'm only going to say this once if you ever hurt her again, I will make you sorry.
"I have to leave within the next few weeks, I can't say much more than that, but Jordy can't know anything or she'll use her Dad's resources to track me," Rick said, running his hand through his hair,
"I take it you haven't told Jordy as you call her this yet? Why?" Tom asked,
"I need to know someone is going to be here for her, not part-time, but all the time. The apartment is paid for a year, live in it if you can work things out, Tom. Make things right and never let her go again, or you will lose her for sure" Rick said,
"I will Rick, you don't have to say anything, but from what I've heard you're going abroad, my guess is Afghanistan, if so, keep your head down and come back safe," Tom said,
"When are you planning on talking to Jordan? I know that's going to be rough, for you both, how can I help make it better?" Tom asked showing his true love for the girl Rick loved and always would.
"I think tonight is the best, I've got all my stuff moved out, except my clothes, she'll suspect something if I wait too long because I can't act like this isn't killing me. I tried for an alternate solution, any solution but there's none. For the record, you're right with your guess, but please never say a word, I'm trusting you." Rick said,
"So, what do you want me to do Rick?" Tom asked,
Well, once I walk out, ring the doorbell and tell her what an asshole you are and apologize from the heart. I mean it Tom, she's hurt, more hurt than you can imagine, so it's not going to be easy, but keep at it."
"What do I do if she doesn't answer the door, Rick? You know her, she likes to hide her hurt away and my guess she'll be in the bathroom crying her eyes out" Tom said,
"Use this," Rick flipped him a key to the apartment, "I'm serious Tom, if you ever hurt her again, you will live to regret it. I plan on talking to her when she gets home around 6:00, so be there by 6:15 PM, and ready to make things right. Tom, let her hate me, I know that's the only emotion she'll use that won't make her look for me." Rick said, almost in tears,
"Rick, I promise, I won't hurt her, I just have to try to make it up to her for all the terrible things I said, I don't know what to do," Tom said
"Tom, just tell her what you told me, tell her the truth how your jealousy took over your mouth and your ass wrote a check you couldn't cash, but it was done because you love her. Give her some time, it may take a while, but don't desert her Tom, you're all I have to count on to take care of her," Rick said as he wiped his eyes, and turned around, "See you tonight, don't be late" he said as he sadly walked away.
XxX
Rick's Apartment
5:54 PM Same Day
Rick had practiced what to say since he had gotten home from his meeting with Tom, he still had no idea of what he really was going to get to come out of his mouth.
"Hey Rick, I'm home love" he heard her cheerful voice, come in the kitchen door, finally they had a chance to talk for the first since he had gotten home.
"In here Jordy, I need to see you," Rick said,
Jordan walked into the dining room to see Rick sitting in a chair, his three fingers in a glass, and her wine poured for her, and her chair pulled out.
"What's going on Rick, what's wrong Luv, please talk to me," she said, tears already in her eyes,
"Jordan, remember when we were talking about our ex loves, and you said you weren't ready to talk about it yet, I answered,"
"You said, you understood and I didn't have to talk about him until I was ready. What has this got to do with anything? Rick, you're scaring the hell out of me, what's going on." She said
"Well, three nights ago I had a very long day and I tried everything to fall asleep, but I kept having this one recurring dream, actually it was a memory, since, it actually happened. I was at a party, Kyra was still with me, and I saw a friend's fiancé trying to get him into her car. Tom Shaw and I have been friends for three years, but you know that don't you?"
"Rick, wait, please I can explain, yes I was with Tom, yes he was my love that I couldn't talk about" she half said, half cried,
"Jordy, you were more than his girlfriend you were engaged. I know you know about my father and his past, well, something has come up and I need to go away, I'm sorry."
"WHAT, What the hell are you talking about? Are you leaving me because I didn't tell you about Tom, I mean yes I loved him,"
"Jordy, you love him, he's been your soulmate for 7 years, I've been in your life for two months. I know you think you hate him, but you don't and he made a mistake, a big one, one he's sorry for. I can't stand in your way any longer to finding your true love,"
"Rick, I love you, I do" her tears were streaming down her face,
"I know you do, and I love you too, but, you're in love, you'll always be in love with Tom. Jordy, forgive him, he's a guy, we're jerks, and I know what I'm doing now is proving that. I'm sorry if I had any other choice"
"Rick you do have a choice, stay with me, we can work this out, I know we can, Rick please?"
"Jordy, please listen to him, he's going to talk to you soon, and listen to him, he's sorry and if I stay, well I'll mess things up, listen to your heart, and you know what you should do. I know you; you would never have said yes to his proposal if you weren't sure. Don't let one fight, one hurtful comment stop you from spending your life with your soul mate. Someday you'll stop hating me, at least I hope you will, and know that I'm right about this."
"Rick, where are you going, how can I contact you, please Rick, don't do this?" her tears, were falling hard now,
"Jordy, I'll always love you, you have to believe that, that's why I'm leaving, Goodbye Jordy" his tears were falling as she went running from the room. He gathered his backpack from behind the chair, took a picture of them together stuffed it in his clothes, and walked out the door. He paused out of sight a few doors down and waited.
Tom was there, as he promised, he rang the bell, and waited patiently, he was almost going to ring it again when the door flung open and Jordan fell into his arms.
Well, one step down, he wondered would he ever get his turn to be happy? He knew that Tom was her missing piece, the moment he heard the full story, not that it hurt any less. Well, time to pick up Weldon and get the hell out of this town and the next steps in his life, not that he cared if he lived or died anymore.
He threw his backpack on to the back seat, fired the engine up as he caught a glimpse of Tom holding Jordy as she cried through the window as he drove slowly by, well it was for the best, yeah keep telling yourself that, someday you'll believe it he thought as he drove out of sight.
TBC