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 10
Somewhere in Afghanistan
15 Months Later
/_/
FLASHBACK 13 Months
Rick had spent many nights thinking what the hell did he get himself into, first basic training, that wasn't too bad once he removed the motor mouth bug, he called his drill Sargent. Juan Rodriquez Garcia now was Sargent Garcia and lived to make the recruit's lives hell, or so it seemed. The physical exercises and marches wouldn't have been bad if he could just have shut the little fucker's mouth.
Standing barely 5 feet, 7 inches tall, he took delight in embarrassing soldiers taller than him, which was just about everyone. Even Weldon caught his wrath and found out quickly this was one place his negotiating skills wouldn't do him any good at all.
He and Rick were in the same unit, luck they thought, but it was just part of the plan laid out for each of the two. The plan wouldn't work without either so Garcia had to push, but not kill or convince Rogers or Weldon to seek an out.
The normal Army physical routines were waved, instead, their company used the same as the U.S. Marines, since many of the soldiers were going on to Ranger school. It was grueling, Rick had worked out more than Weldon but even he found the physical part difficult.
In addition to morning calisthenics, they also had to pass a timed three-mile run, two minutes of abdominal crunches, and pull-ups or pushups. In addition, all members had to pass a Combat Fitness Test (CFT). Intended to keep soldiers ready for the physical rigors of contemporary combat operations, the CFT consists of a timed 880-yard sprint, counted 30-pound ammo can lifts, and a 300-yard maneuver-under-fire event.
Weldon leaned on Rick heavily during the CFT's and without him wouldn't have made it. Rick wouldn't let his friend fall behind, even if he had to carry him when the exercise was over, he felt guilty that he was even there.
They finally made it through basic, then on to three weeks of special training before OCS. The one caveat they both held onto, they planned on spending at least one day of their leave before shipping out to return to Ft. Benning, seeking out Garcia, and forcing the little bastard to salute them both. They had to make it through school first,
When they arrived on base for OCS, they could tell that things were about to get real. If they thought Garcia was a Bastard, they hadn't seen anything yet. As one Colonel said in a mass briefing, "for those of you who live, and survive, and past the criteria will be commissioned as Second Lieutenants, responsible for U.S. Troops. We don't take that lightly, neither should you if you expect to graduate."
Rick and Weldon were in separate companies, but were going through the same training regiment,
Military subjects, including military history, weapons, military inspections, and military law
Stress management
Leadership skills, including how to issue orders
Physical training, including running programs and High-Intensity Tactical Training (HITT)
They increased the amount of physical training for those designated for Ranger School or in Rick and Weldon's case pre-determined orders upon graduation.
They knew they were going abroad, just not where, well Weldon had no clue. Rick relived his conversations with Hunt and Grey many nights wondering how Jordy was doing if she and Tom had made up and was she happy. He thought of Aziza, the last time he had seen her at the airport, how she stole a kiss, totally out of character, but the love in her eyes as well.
Finally, they were nearing the end of OCS, and instead of the typical 30-day R&R he and Weldon would report directly to their duty posts, due to national security. God he was beginning to hate those fucking words. Anytime they, the superiors, didn't want to follow the norm, they claimed matters of national security, and there was no recourse. Weldon had surprised Rick, with his maturity, he was taking decision-making and strategic leadership seriously, but he still blabbed too much. They were counting on him keeping that trait to ensure the mission was successful.
Finally, they had their last dry run, full maneuvers with the complete units.
Three or four squads made up a platoon, which had 20 to 50 soldiers and was commanded by a lieutenant. Two or more platoons made up a company, which had 100 to 250 soldiers and was commanded by a captain or a major.
Rick and Weldon opposed each other in the war games, and both fared well enough to earn passing grades. Their ordeal was now over, they purchased their dress uniforms, and prepared to have their bars pinned on them in a graduation ceremony next week.
"Well Rick, I'm surprised they're still giving you your bars, the ass-kicking I gave you out there clearly shows who has the better leadership skills," Weldon ribbed Rick,
"Sure, Bob, whatever you say, I really don't care. I just want to get over there do our job and get home. I know we have no idea of what we're walking into, but I hope this training is enough" Rick wouldn't engage his friend in the war of words,
"You're no fun, Rick, I used to be able to get a rise out of you, what the hell happened?" Weldon asked, with a huge smile.
"I wasn't about to lead 30 -50 soldiers into possibly their last few moments on earth, that's what happened, Bob. Hell, I'm not afraid for me, what the hell do I have at home but a lot of these kids are just out of high school, they haven't even had a chance to live and now they face possible death. I'm responsible for them Bob if that doesn't bother you maybe you better rethink our purpose here." Rick said, the gravity of his responsibility starting to sink in.
"Ricky, look, we're prepared, they've kicked our ass as much as possible, look I'm not saying that everything we do will be perfect, but I'm sure our Captain there will keep us on a short leash until he thinks we're ready. Buddy, it's not all going to be on you, we're all in this together." He said
"I guess you're right Bob, sorry, it's just sobering, I mean I just completed the third book, even writing part-time with a fucking pencil and paper, the ideas just roll out of my head. On paper, the characters die, but I can bring them back to life with an eraser, over there well, (he paused as he looked out into the distance) I have to find a place to type it all out, before we ship out" Rick said, feeling a bit better,
Present Time
Afghanistan
Rick had sent Walter Austin Storm Front, Wild Storm, and Heat Storm, his third, fourth, and fifth books in the series, and held them to the contract one release every six months. Now all he had to do was concentrate on the mission at hand. They were finally going to a village near where Aziza was last reported tomorrow.
"Rogers" Snapped Captain Roy Montgomery, a decorated Captain that had been brought back to run this mission, a middle-aged African-American man who took no shit,
"Sir, Lieutenant Rogers reporting as ordered sir" Rick stared to salute but the look in the Captain's eye made him freeze. You didn't salute officers here, it was almost like a pointer for any snipers that may be in the area, and they were everywhere.
"Take your buddy and two squads, and do a perimeter check, we're receiving intel of leakage," he ordered, leakage was the enemy was sneaking past the centuries and starting to flank the company.
"My buddy sir?" Rick asked,
"Lieutenant Fuck Up of not only this company but of the whole God Damn Army, Weldon, now get out of here and Rogers, be careful, and keep his mouth shut."
"Yes Sir" as Rick grabbed his gear and went searching for Weldon, Montgomery didn't like him one bit and let him have it every chance he got.
New York City
Same Time Frame
Jordan had forbidden Tom to contact her for two weeks, then she would talk to him. She wanted that time to get over the hurt from Rick, he was right and she knew it. She did love him, but Tom was her soul mate, he had been since their third date, and Rick was also correct, she never would have accepted his proposal had she not been sure.
That was the part that hurt when she thought of Rick, he had willingly left to let her and Tom get back on the same page. Where did he go, she had searched every domestic database without her Dad screaming at her, or worse firing her, under both names Rogers and Castle without luck. Each day Tom tried to make up for his words, she could understand his hurt, his anger once he had apologized.
It took a few months but they were finally getting back into the groove they had before Rick. Tom surprised her, and proposed once again, this time the ring was bigger, and she knew her answer would always be the same, yes. She loved him and was so proud he had been accepted at GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences, a full scholarship, which would allow her to work out of the DC office for her Dad and the FBI.
They graduated, both missing the presence of Richard Rogers as his name was called, and a stand-in strode across the stage to accept his degree. They were married in a small ceremony two months later before his first term of school and moved to DC to begin their lives together.
It was at the combination Graduation and Engagement party that Tom had too many drinks, and let it slip that Rick had enlisted and was in Afghanistan, he could only remember one of the code words of the operation he was headed for, Persian something, but he couldn't remember the last word.
Jordan searched everywhere, even getting into trouble for breaching classified documents, until her father told her to let it go, or he would let her go, along with her salary and benefits. With Tom going to school full time, she needed her job, so she reluctantly stopped her search.
No one knew how, but Walter Austin, Rick's attorney provided a new novel of Derrick Storm, every six months, he still had one left to release at this point. All of the books had hit the bestseller list, making Black Pawn, Rick, and now Paula a great deal of money. Jordan, that was the name she went by now, was on the early bird list and received a copy of the book weeks before it went on sale. If Tom objected, he didn't say a word, he too owed Rick his life.
Georgette had taken Rick's advice; she had quit sleeping around and married a professor of English Literature and moved to Ireland just after Jordan and Tom were married. Her replacement at Black Pawn was none other than her younger sister, Gina Cowell, almost a carbon copy of Georgette, perhaps a little less wild.
It had only been fifteen months, three months more than one year in the US, and so many changes had occurred. Georgie was married and living in Ireland. Her sister Gina replaced her at Black Pawn, and immediately hated Paula Haas, but was helpless to do anything about Rick's deal, especially since the books were more popular than ever.
Tom and Jordan were married and had moved to Washington DC, Tom for school, Jordan for her bureau assignment at the FBI office. Jordan had almost gotten fired, searching for Rick, once Tom's liquored lips let it slip that he had enlisted, no other information. She finally had to give the search up, higher powers were not fooling around and would fire her and her Dad if she hadn't stopped. Yeah, things had changed drastically, but she thought of Rick often, praying for his safety silently each night.
XxX
Somewhere in Afghanistan
Next Evening
Captain Montgomery had ordered Rick's squad to be prepared for full contact, including moving in an APC, or Armored Personnel Carrier, along with positioning the balance of his company to be on full alert and maintain BSB or Base Support Battalion status, ready to move in if needed.
As they moved through the desert, Rick observed just how physically fit the Captain was. He was in as good or better shape than men half his age, as they stole across the sand, the moon almost a spotlight of their movement.
Rick was next to the Captain when they came upon what appeared to be a shack, weathered and beaten on the outskirts of a larger town they could see in the distance.
"Rogers, your contact is in that shack, be careful it may be a trap, if they didn't buy all the bull shit that Weldon has been spewing the last three weeks, or if the lady isn't as sweet on you as HQ (headquarters) thinks," Roy said silently,
"What are my orders, Sir? Interrogate or extract and return?" Rick asked,
"That's what separates you from you Fuck Up buddy, you ask for your orders not assuming anything, investigate, if there are no traps, or IED's, (Improvised Explosive Devise), get her back here, we'll arrange for an airlift for you both tomorrow," Montgomery said,
"Airlift sir?" Rick asked,
"Oh, don't worry, you're coming back, she won't talk unless you are with her," Roy said,
Rick slowly made his way to the shack, he had felt fear before, but nothing like this, was this how it was going to end. He then thought of Aziza, and her strength and bravery to be doing what she was, he couldn't be a coward when she was so brave. He had finally worked his way to the front door, he circled around back and through the window, he could make out one shape, he strained his eyes to see if the person was alone.
He started towards the window when he felt her hand touch his, and her fingers pressed across his lips. She crawled through the window, and he knew her eyes the minute the moon shined upon her face. He held his M-4 with one hand and hugged her as tightly as he could with the other as she fell into his arms, holding on for dear life. They started the descent back to the remainder of the troops and silently made it back without incident.
Captain Montgomery had taken care of a few of the sneaks from the city, as he had his troops circle and silently dispose of them, Rick didn't look too long, he knew they were dead, and it was either them or Aziza and him. They made it back to camp about two hours later, just about an hour before sunrise, which is when the chopper was coming to take them to an undisclosed location.
They were finally able to talk, Captain Montgomery ordered coffee sent to the tent they were placed in, and then stationed guards around the perimeter, it was a private meeting between Rick and Aziza, a beautiful lady he hadn't seen in years. She was a beautiful young lady the last time they saw each other, she still was. Her hair was a bit longer, but even in the light of the flaps on the tent, Rick could see she had aged well.
She looked at Rick, still holding his hand from the march back, "Hello Rick, how are you, you look well" she said in Dari,
Rick responded, "You look just as beautiful as the last time I saw you, I'm sorry your country remains in so much trouble" again her native tongue, the remainder of their talk was in Dari, time for English later.
"I know they are going to take us somewhere, soon, to talk, I'll tell you what they need to know then, OK? For now, I'd like to just talk to my friend, I missed you so very much, I never forgot you."
"We'll talk about anything you want to talk about Aziza, you're very brave to do this. I never forgot you, or your kiss goodbye either" Rick said, she blushed, even in her attire Rick could tell she was shy.
"It's OK, Aziza, I'm here, I came because you said you needed me, so I'll be here for you, not going away, trust me?" Rick asked
"You're the only one I trust, I'm sorry you had to turn your life upside down to come to help me, I didn't want to cause you that much trouble"
"You were always there for me, I never forgot how you stood up for me when the kids were making fun of me, I never saw a girl hit a guy so hard" he smiled
"Well, it wasn't lady-like, I shouldn't have but I would do it again, you were my, my, eh close friend."
"Aziza, you were more than that to me, I thought I was too young, and that your marriage had all been arraigned so I kept quiet, I should have told you, I should have"
"Rick, I knew, I saw it in your eyes, that's why I took the chance and kissed you, something I would never have dared do, if, if, I"
"If you didn't feel it too? It's OK, it's just us, no one understands what we're saying. I had strong feelings for you, but I didn't want to hurt you. I mean you worried every day If your folks were still alive, I didn't want to give you anything else to worry or feel guilty about." Rick said as he held her hand a little tighter,
She turned into him, her tears wetting his uniform, as she held him tightly, "that's why I couldn't marry the man my parents had arraigned for me, my heart was still in New York, with you Rick. Yes, I loved you, I still love you, but I know it's a love that can never be. You'll pay the price for me in your culture just as you did when I stayed with you, and I won't be accepted into my culture. It's OK, I know where your heart is, perhaps things will change for us both, I pray."
"I do love you, Aziza, and I'll always be here for you, no matter if you are here or back in the states. I know it's been a while but, well let's get to know each other again when I get home, how does that sound?" he said, her smile broke out and for the second time since he knew her, she took the initiative and kissed him, this kiss was better than the first. That's when they heard the roar of the chopper blades landing nearby.
Roy walked into the tent, "Rogers, watch your six, we'll see you when you get back. Mam, thank you for your courage, and for all of your help, I'm sure you're in good hands with Lieutenant Rogers,
They walked to the makeshift helipad, and boarded, off to a destination even Rick had no idea where, hell he had no clue where he was, to begin with. Right now, he didn't care, he had the hand of a beautiful woman in his, and he was her protection until they got to their destination. Their eyes had their own conversation, his dark blue orbits, meeting her deep brown showing the concern and feeling each had. Things would work out, he thought, they had to.
TBC