Coming Out or Going In

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: From a fan prompt (Castle was lent out to Robbery temporarily to work cold cases while Demming is on suspension. Lead Detective Joy Park, a woman with a big secret causes friction between our couple. COMPLETELY AU, Some Scenes and events used to enhance the story,

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 1

NYPD Captain Montgomery's office

Monday, 1:10 PM

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Roy Montgomery didn't lose his temper often, he normally was able to control his emotions, no matter what the situation. That's what made this day so memorable to all those in the precinct. Kate, Rick, and the boys had just returned from lunch when they heard Montgomery slam his phone down, scream,

"Yea and people in Hell want ice water as well Mr. Commissioner, how the hell can I get 20% more closures with 35% reduction in my workforce," he realized his door was open so the next sound you heard was the slamming of it closing and his blinds being closed.

Kate knew that it was coming, she had heard from a friend at One PP that all the Captains were going to get hammered on closure rates, particularly cold cases. She knew Roy had lost two detectives in the robbery division in the last month, one scheduled, the other due to health, and hadn't given any notice. One day he was the lead detective on a robbery, the next day he called in and said he retired.

She felt even more guilty since it was her breakup with the robbery detective, Tom Demming that caused him to go off the rails with shouting and screaming, earning him a thirty-day suspension. Rumor had it that he had already re-applied to the 54th and wouldn't be coming back leaving the precinct once his suspension was up, and now that Castle had returned from the Hamptons.

Rick had no idea of any of the going on since he had left for the summer. He may have left the station with Gina, but Martha had let her know that she was dropped off at home, he had spent the summer alone. It would account for him finishing the book, and his return the day after Labor Day, rather than the following week. It all made sense now, except for Rick's behavior since his return, he was still polite, but he observed far more than talked, even when asked for his theory.

They were working a case, where a psychic had been murdered in her office, and Kate thought this would be the case that would bring him back, she was wrong.

"What do you think Rick, I mean you've dealt with these types of individuals before, is there anything about them that would make them more a target for murder," Kate asked sincerely,

"My dealings with individuals with this skillset have been more limited than you might believe Detective, I really have no basis to answer that. I'm looking at it from the writer's perspective since I'm not, or am I qualified to offer an opinion as to if I were the cop." His tone was polite, even too polite, but the words could not be lost, I'm not a cop. Words directly from the beatdown he had taken from Demming, Esposito, and sadly even her on the last two cases he worked before he left for the summer.

She started to follow up with him just as his phone rang, and he walked away. That was unusual, Rick never walked away before, he always discussed his business as if they were in his home. He started towards the break room, then saw Espo and Ryan shadowing him so he ducked into an interview room, and locked the door. He faced the wall so no one could read his lips, and he spoke in soft even tones.

Kate stood looking on in amazement, but Esposito made it quite clear that he wanted to know what was going on. He knocked on the window, only to be greeted with the blinds closed in his face

"Did you see that Beckett? Who the hell does he think he is? I mean I was only"

"You were sticking your nose into his personal business Javi, didn't you catch his last comment, he's not the cop, where the hell did that come from? Two guesses, last year before he left that seemed to be a common criticism of Rick by Demming, you, and sadly me as well. Shut your mouth, if he's taking a personal call, give him privacy like he does when he knows you are trying to talk to Lanie on the side," Kate didn't hold back on him.

Rick hung up from the call, opened the door, raised the blinds, and went directly to Montgomery's office. He knocked, Roy opened the door, Kate was waiting for the explosion, but he patted him on the back as Rick strode into his office, once again the door was slammed shut. If anyone had any thoughts of approaching the Captain, the sound of the door slamming ended those quickly.

Kevin turned to Kate, "What's that all about? First thing Captain goes off about closure rates, I checked Kate, we're ahead of target in homicide, Robbery is almost half of where they should be, so that's probably why the Captain lost it this morning. I just can't figure out what's up with Castle, it was almost like Roy had asked for him." Kevin said,

"Well, it doesn't matter, it isn't our business, we have a murder to solve so where are those phones and financials at?" she barked, but deep inside she had the same questions, what was going on?

Roy was pissed off, discouraged, and ready to hand in his papers, this bullshit of closure rates when they knew damn well, he was down 2.5 detectives, figuring Oakley, the Detective who retired hadn't done much once he put in for his retirement. He was really at his wit's end when he got the call.

RICK'S CALL A FEW MINUTES EARLIER

Rick had just hung up with a good friend, he had known for years, she was the lead inspector at a precinct in Lawrenceville New Jersey, but due to some personal circumstances needed to transfer not only to a different precinct but out of New Jersey altogether. She and her fiancé had split and found working in the same precinct impossible, plus the fact that it was not a traditional relationship and had to be kept quiet didn't help when she needed to talk.

Joy Park had met Rick during college, he made the mistake of hitting on her, not realizing the girl standing to her left was her date at one of the parties. Joy had just a trace of her Asian genes showing in her beautiful almond eyes, the ones that Rick couldn't take his off of.

FLASHBACK SENIOR YEAR OF COLLEGE

"Hi, I'm Rick Rodgers, I haven't seen you at any of our parties before, welcome," he said politely

"Thanks, Ricky, I've been here but for the last three years all we could see when we saw you was Kyra Blaine, I won't ask what happened," she said quietly,

"You mentioned we, who would that be?" Rick asked,

"Oh, let me introduce you to my fiancé Cathy Foer, we've been together almost two years now," She said and watched as Rick's face turned red.

"I'm so very sorry Cathy, I didn't know, I mean I saw Joy, she's so beautiful, I mean I should have figured" he was tongue-tied, and the two girls laughed.

"It's fine Rick, usually people tell us all about what we're doing is a sin, and blah blah blah, but you were just worried about offending me, I appreciate that," Cathy said

"For what it's worth, Cathy and I both talked when you got the rotten deal from Kyra, had either of us been straight, we would have gone for you in a heartbeat," Joy said smiling,

That seemed to break the ice, and Rick became friends with Joy and Cathy and held Joy's hand when Cathy was taken too soon after they graduated. She reciprocated when he went through the ordeal with Meredith and had kept in touch at least once or twice a year with visits to the Hamptons. Alexis loved her, and in truth so did Rick, she was just a wonderful person with so much to give.

He had been excited for her when she joined the Lawrenceville Police Department, even getting her to proof some scenes in an early Derrick Storm novel, and was delighted when she found love again, with another cop, Heidi Grassley. He warned her of the repercussions of working together, having just gone through the same ordeal with Gina, which unfortunately did not last.

As civil as his and Gina's divorce was, Joy's and Heidi's was the opposite, it was dirty, with no one winning and both having to move to start over again. He had talked to Mayor Weldon, Bob remembered her from college, reviewed her file and letters of recommendation, and suggested Commissioner Boyle fill an open spot with the 12th if Captain Montgomery agreed. That led to the call and today's meeting with Roy.

PRESENT TIME

About 15 minutes after Rick entered Roy's office, Kate heard the ding of the elevator, as she turned, she saw the desk Sargent accompany a very beautiful lady, her complexion was almost perfect and she looked as if she were a teenager but Kate could tell she was older by her clothes. She was dressed impeccable and could have been a model, as they approached Roy's door and knocked.

Rick opened the door and the smile she hadn't seen in almost a year and a half was beaming at the mystery lady. She hugged him, as he picked her up and twirled her around then kissed her gently as he sat her down, and said something, probably the introduction to Captain Montgomery, then the handshake and the door closed once again.

Kate was pissed, who the hell was this lady, and why was Rick so smitten with her, why did he have to kiss her right there in Roy's office for God's sake, then she thought of her own PDA with Demming and got even angrier.

She was seeing that stockbroker, so why should she care, there would never be anything between her and Rick. No matter how much she told herself how ridiculous it was, she still couldn't shake the feeling of, what was it, anger, perhaps, no jealousy. It finally dawned on her that she was jealous of Rick, even though she was dating Troy Steinberg, a stockbroker, well maybe not dating but having an occasional dinner and romp in the sack with him because of her crazy schedule. He was nice, not that good in bed, but not a jerk, so not much more she could ask for.

"Did you see that boss? What the hell was Castle kissing that little porcelain doll, she's a knockout but looks way too young for him. Probably someone off of his book signing circuit" Esposito said,

"Espo, Castle can kiss anyone he wants, I don't know what's going on, and I really don't care about anything but solving this murder, so get your ass back to work, I would like to get home sometime tonight." She barked, but inside she was seething, kissing another woman, in front of her, in her place of work. Just as she was almost finished vilifying Castle, the Captain's door opened and he barked out,

"Beckett, my office now" and left the door open a crack.

The boys looked at each other, they knew this was not the time you wanted the Captain calling for your presence in his office.

Kate made her way over, and shyly opened the door a little farther to see the woman and Rick talking and smiling as if they were out on a date, her thoughts were interrupted with Roy's voice, "Come in detective, close the door and take a seat"

She looked around and the only seat left was across from Roy, the two to the side were occupied by Mr. and Miss. Smiley Face. She sat down and opened her notebook to take notes,

"You won't need that Beckett, I want you to meet Robbery Divisions new Lead Detective Joy Park, she started about an hour ago," Roy said as the smiling detective stood and held out her hand to Kate.

"It's nice to meet you, Detective Beckett, I've heard only good things about you," she smiled as Kate took her hand,

"It's Kate or Beckett whatever works for you Detective, and welcome aboard. I'm sure Robbery is lucky to get you," she said,

"Please call me Joy or Park, as well. I hope Ricky doesn't call me his names at work" she laughed,

Kate looked at Castle, who hadn't looked her way once since she arrived in the office,

"Beckett, your team is above quota, Karpowski's just hit their number, so I'm pulling Rick from your team, reassigning him to Joy, eh Detective Park. I am getting hammered on closure rates, and homicide is on track, it's robbery that is kicking my ass, so that's why I'm expediting the onboard of Detective Park, and naming her lead. She'll have Rick to lean on, just in case the guys try to pull one of the old boy stunts, which they damn well better not."

"I understand Sir, when is this effective?" Kate asked, glancing at her watch it was 1:35 PM,

"As of 8:00 AM this morning, Rick reports to Joy, and his waivers he signed will still be in effect, is there any open business with him you need to be cleared on Beckett?" Roy asked,

"Eh, no sir. I can call him if I think of something, he's only going to be two floors down." Kate said as an afterthought,

"That's true, that's where his office space will be, but no calls Detective, just as you kept other departments from calling your staff while working a case, it's the same for Detective Joy, show her the same courtesy you demanded for your team, understood?" Roy barked,

"Yes Sir," Kate could see she had lost, no sense pissing Roy off anymore, and if she needed, she could always get in touch with him somehow, whatever the connection between Rick and Joy were.

"Rick, are you still willing to take Joy out while I go do some housekeeping to set the record straight with the Good Ole Boys, it shouldn't take me long," Roy asked,

"Joy, knowing you, I bet you skipped lunch, didn't you?" he smiled, that damn smile belonged to her Kate thought, well it used to. Why did he have to go to lunch again, he just got back, Joy was a big girl, she was getting more irritated by the moment,

Joy lowered her head, and then smiled at Rick, "You know me too well, yes I skipped lunch and something to eat while the Captain sets the table sounds perfect, do you have any suggestions?" Joy said back, as she hooked his arm,

"Well, I'll show you Remy's it's a cop hangout and there's another sandwich shop just a block farther when you don't want to hear the noise of the cops," Rick smiled,

"OK lead the way Rick," Joy said,

"Eh, Rick, is there anything you left at my desk you need to retrieve?" Kate asked for one last-ditch effort to perhaps talk to him,

"Nope, just my sport coat on the back of that chair," he said. Kate thought that chair, not my chair he said ran through her mind, he was already gone, before he even left the floor.

"OK, see you around Rick," Kate said as she started to hug him but pulled back

"Yeah, see you around, stay safe," he said but his eyes had barely left Joy since she arrived,

They walked arm in arm past his old chair, slowing down only slightly as they continued to laugh and talk, almost like a social event as they made their way to the elevators. He had retrieved his jacket with one arm, never breaking stride or losing touch of the beautiful detective on his arm.

Kate stood silently watching him walk away, not even waiting for the elevator, but taking the stairs down and out of her life,

Ryan was the first to speak up, "OK Kate what the hell is going on, where is Castle going and who is that chick, he's with?"

"Well, he's going to his new assignment, he's been reassigned to Robbery Division effective this morning, the chick, as you referred to her, is Detective Frist Class, Lead Detective of the Robbery Division, Joy Park. Castle is taking her to lunch while Roy sets the table with the Robbery division, not only have they never had a female boss, they never even had a female detective down there." Kate said, trying to hold in her disappointment,

"He never said goodbye, go to hell, anything, he just left for his new assignment? That's it? So, all the time we spent with him was for nothing?" Esposito said bitterly,

"Shaking him down for Knicks tickets, his Ferrari for the weekend, and making him the target of most of your putdowns doesn't really warrant anything more than what he's done. It was decided by the Captain, so if you have any problems take it up with him" Kate said, trying to get lost in her work to get through this nightmare.

Rick and Joy continued the walk arm in arm to Remy's where he introduced her to the cheeseburger combo with his strawberry shake.

"You haven't changed a bit, Rick, thanks for putting in the good word with Mr. Mayor, he called me this morning and told me not to accept any offers until he talked to the commissioner and you, he didn't mention the Captain, so I take it the decision was made for Captain Montgomery," Joy said,

"Well, actually Roy has a lot of power, he's just reluctant to use it, but I can tell you now, I wouldn't want to be on the Robbery floor right now, that's why he wanted me to get you out of the precinct until he has laid down the law." Rick smiled

"What about Detective Beckett Rick, she seemed to be jealous of us, do you guys"

"Let me stop you right there Joy, no and it will never happen, that's the gospel from her mouth, not mine. She's seeing some stockbroker now, just another in a list of losing relationships but she's a big girl, and whatever you do, don't insinuate she had feelings for me, she will take your head off." Rick said slowly

"Then she's got the hots for you, Rick, trust me, a gay woman trying to fit in, I see the traits on both sides, she wants something, but is afraid it will appear."

"Well, I could buy that if it were all men, which it's not, she's had her string going, FBI Agent, Robbery Detective here that got suspended and is back at the 54th, a heart surgeon and now a stockbroker, so if she is afraid of something it's not men, it's just this man. Come on, let's get back and get you settled. Alexis insisted you stay with us until you find a place here, so I had your luggage sent to the loft."

She smacked him, "Richard Castle, you may make a straight woman out of me yet, anyway I do love you, and Alexis, it'll be good to catch up with her. Thank you," she kissed his lips gently as they started up the stairs to the precinct just as Kate turned the corner to see the kiss, from a distance they looked like a perfect couple,

TBC

A/N Updates will be sporadic but will be often enough so you won't have to re-read the previous chapters. This is a combination of Guests who asked for and modified the request, I hope you enjoy it.