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 21
Wallingford Dr,
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
20 Minutes Later
/_/
Anne is confused as Rick walks over to a phone presses three numbers and spoke soft and low, she could make out a few sentences,
"Good, I was hoping I didn't wake you, would you join Anne and me on the veranda, and bring the album with Cathy, if you don't mind. We have a new development and I want Anne to be comfortable, if you don't mind, I would love to share our story, the entire story"
"You know I love you too, see you in a few minutes, I'll have the wine opened," and hung up,
"Anne, Joy is joining us in a few minutes, would you care for a glass of wine, it's really very good," Rick asked,
"Is that the same wine you furnished at your Halloween party, God that was good stuff," Anne smiled,
"The very same Anne, so I'll take that as a yes," as he pulled three glasses and a bottle and headed for the couch near the fireplace. He took the far seat, Anne joined in the middle, and then she heard Joy walk in,
"Oh, I'm sorry Joy, I didn't know he was disturbing you, this could have waited," Anne said,
"Anne, I wasn't asleep, I was resting, and if Rick calls it isn't something that could wait till tomorrow. May I join you on the couch, please?" as Rick handed her the glass of wine poured for her,
"Of course, it's your house or castle. My god, I'm still in shock to be in this big of a house. It's beautiful." Anne said trying to get her nerves settled,
"Well Anne, you've heard, or probably have heard a lot of stories of Rick and I, so why don't we start by what you've heard and we'll go from there, OK?" Joy said in a comforting tone, "Oh, by the way, no judgments, so just say it as frank as you can," she added with a smile,
"Well, I heard, actually Roz told me that you were one of Rick's closest friends and had been since college. She said, and again, I'm sorry, but this is a quote, 'if she's not fucking him, then she needs to be checked out' and" she stopped when she heard laughter from both Rick and Joy.
"Well, Roz hasn't changed, she has something to say she just says it." Rick laughed,
Anne was between Joy and Rick on the couch in front of the fireplace, Rick adjusted the lights, by voice command of course, and Anne noticed a thick photo album sitting in Joy's lap.
"Anne, I want you to know, well first off, Roz doesn't have to worry about Rick's needs, but before Rick, there was someone else, someone close, very close." Sadness came to her eye just for a moment until she reached up and snagged Rick's hand that was placed behind Anne, and almost touched Joy. She interloped their fingers and then smiled.
"You're probably thinking so what, everyone has had someone and had their heart broken into pieces, but I want you to see a visual of what and how Rick and I became so very close, it's the only way you will ever understand how I can make love to this man."
She turned the page to the first picture of the three of them, the very night that Rick had hit on her for the first time. "This is the first time we met, actually he got the courage to talk to me. We had seen him for months, and knew the story of how his love of three years had just left for England, allowing her mother to break them up." She said as Anne leaned in and looked at the picture,
"Gosh, you all look like kids, I mean you still look great but you all look so young." Anne laughed, then after thinking a moment she said, "Joy you said 'WE' was there someone else in the picture, I just see you, Rick and the pretty girl to your right." Anne said slowly,
"I saw her too at the time, but, well, I'll let Joy tell the story, she does it so much better" Rick smiled,
"Well, as I was saying we had seen Rick come in for months with Kyra Blaine, then for a few months, he was MIA, we learned of his story, and felt really bad for him. The first night he comes back he comes over to me, after a few drinks, and started hitting on me with the cheesiest pickup line you ever heard."
Anne is watching Rick's face just smile and enjoy the touch of Joy's hand on his. She felt his warmth from the part of his arm that was touching her, and it was a calming, warm feeling.
"Well, Casanova here picks the time when my fiancé was standing right next to me to ask me out. She laughed, then continued, "I replied, Rick, allow me to introduce you to my fiancé, Cathy Foer, we've seen you and Kyra come in for the last three years." Joy said with a huge smile, as Anne's mouth flew open,
Joy paused for a second for it to sink it, as Anne holds her hand over her mouth in astonishment.
Once Joy had given her time to regain her senses, they turned through the album, every picture showing the three of them, sometimes it was Joy hugging or kissing Rick, sometimes Cathy, and in a few pictures, he was a sandwich between the two lovely ladies. Joy offered a brief explanation for each photo, and the exact day and date.
"You look like you want to ask me something Anne, so please do. We're an open book as you can see, no pun intended" she smiled,
"You said fiancé Joy, or did I misunderstand? I mean I know you were coming to the 12th off of a bad breakup, but I assumed it was a heterosexual one, God that makes me sound so racist, and homophobic, I'm sorry Joy. I hope you knew what I meant" Anne is truly embarrassed,
Joy reached down with her free hand, "Hey, I understood what you meant, and yes I said fiancé, Cathy was my first true love, but we lost her to cancer a few years after we graduated. Rick was with me every step of the way, he even got me to fall in love with Alexis to help me grieve and come to terms with her death.
"Even before that, it became the three of us, you should have heard the rumors about all the wild sex, and threesomes that Rick was having with us, it's hilarious now. He stood by us, when being what we were, had consequences, for us, and for those who cared about or for us. He never backed down, and what we had for three-plus years was the best time of my life." She sniffled, and Rick's hankie appeared as always out of nowhere to dab her eyes.
"Well, that's the beginning" as she sat the huge photo album down, and picked up the next. She began to leaf through the pages and Anne was captivated at the faces of three people who truly loved each other. Rick was with them in the best of times, and with Joy at the brink of her greatest despair.
"Wow, Joy, you have some beautiful memories, of all of you. Rick was there for you after you lost Cathy, so it's obvious that you two share, well keeping it polite, share beds, when did that all come about? I knew you were a mess when you first arrived at the 12th after that divorce and the stigma attached to it." Anne asked,
"Well, when I moved from Jersey, and you're right, Heidi and I fought like hell for years and I was fortunate that they only used her first initial as the defendant listed on public records or the guys would never have accepted me as the lead detective. Rick and I talked, we both made the same mistake, both being so lonely we settled for less than we deserved.
"I mean at least in my case I accepted behavior and thought that it would change once we were married, and as always, the saying was true. Never marry someone hoping to change them or yourself, if the version you are isn't working now, then your future is bleak.
"I moved back in with Rick, I had nowhere to go, and my physical needs caught up with me one day and I basically raped him. I didn't have to work too hard; he was as horny as I was, BUT we made a pact BEFORE we got that far.
"No matter what or who came along, we were both free to pursue the missing piece in our lives, we both know, we love each other, but that doesn't mean we have to get married to enjoy the physical relationship. By the way, I caught him checking you out at the pool, girl you have a body !" Joy whistled, and Anne blushed,
"Oh, lighten up girl, he would never do anything without telling me he was going to attempt it, and he respects your choices, all of them," Joy said and Rick smiled,
"Rick, you haven't said too much, is this the reason you wanted to bring Joy into this, so I could hear it from someone who's walked the path I am walking? I mean I was married but he was pitiful in bed, probably why I went the other direction in sexual orientation. That doesn't mean that there aren't the same assholes in female Josh form, I just know how to spot them better now." Anne said feeling a lot more relieved,
"Anne, RCE is an equal opportunity employer, the only place that doesn't hold true is with Joy and my room, she's the boss" he laughed as Joy leaned around Anne and kissed him.
"You two are really serious, if you found someone you thought would complete you, you would step aside?" Anne asked
"Not exactly sweetie, we would kill the sexual activities but NEVER our friendship and if the other party couldn't live with that they wouldn't be here long." Joy said
Anne laughed, "So I'm not or ever will be a threat, now that you know it, Rick, I mean"
"Well, maybe not for my attention but Joy is a hot young lady that"
Both ladies smacked him and yelled "R I C K" at the same time,
"Only kidding Anne, I just want you to be comfortable being yourself, hopefully, you never have any issues, I know Kevin won't but if anyone gives you a hard time, you let Joy or me know, OK?" Rick asked
"Thanks, Rick, well, I better let you both get some sleep, tomorrow will be here soon, and if I have one more glass of that wine, Rick is even looking good to me" she started laughing hard as Joy picked up on her sly wink, and Rick stood with his mouth open, finally he just said,
"Nicely played, but you know I will get even, now get some sleep, Good Night"
XxX
12th Precinct
Same Time Frame
Kate was surprised at how quickly her first month on the job had flashed past her. She had worked on the month-end reports the entire weekend and found a new appreciation for Roy and his patience, if he put up with her and the other's shenanigans during this time frame, he had the patience of a saint.
She had finally replaced Anne Hastings, with the help of Captain Hawkery of the 54th, Detective Maura Gallagher was growing tired of her time in the Missing Persons Unit and eagerly accepted the transfer to the 12th. It did take Captain Hawkery to talk her into it, Kate never knew just how bad her reputation was and how far it had spread.
She met with Maura a few times off-site and opened herself up to questions, which she never would have done previously. The assignment with Rodriquez had done a great deal for her to truly assess her skills, strengths, and weaknesses and formulate a plan to work on self-improvement. She also continued to teach the skills class for females at the Academy, and they were gaining interest from females already on the force from several precincts.
She was keeping busy so she didn't have to think about dating, Roz had returned from California and never mentioned a word about how things were there. They had gone out to a few nightspots, but Kate's heart really wasn't in it, and finally, Roz just said,
"Kate, don't keep going out just to keep me company, I appreciate it, and you being a true friend. Truth is when you are in your moods, you cramp my style, and I need some physical activity if you know what I mean, so I'm flying solo for a while, just don't be upset" she said,
Kate smiled and breathed a sigh of relief, "Thanks Roz, sorry I was Debbie Downer and cost you a few opportunities, but the memories of what could have been keep kicking my ass. Everywhere I look, every song I hear, makes me think of him, and what might have been." She said sadly,
"So that's it? You're giving up after one failed attempt to get your message across?" I know the academy has changed you, but I didn't think that included becoming a quitter on something so important in your life" Roz was the most vocal she had been in a long time.
"Roz, he has Joy, he's happy with his new life, what am I supposed to do, go riding in and tell everyone, hey give me another chance, I finally figured out my behavior sucked and now I want another shot? I don't think he would listen, and I know for sure Alexis still hates me." Kate said sadly,
"How do you know Kate? Have you asked her? I mean other than the one meeting you had, what have you done to prove to Rick he's worth fighting for. What would he do if the situation was reversed? You used to complain, then be thankful that he never gave up on you, never, so what changed?" Roz continued,
"Well, he didn't waste any time hooking up with Joy, I mean I"
"Kate, you were fresh off your latest conquest, bragging about Troy the stockbroker and all of his physical assets, how he worked his way through school as a model, which was a lie by the way. I ran a background check on him, since you were too blind to do so, and found out he was a male stripper in Dayton Ohio before coming to New York.
"He finished his last four classes for his economics degree at NYU, he never went to Wharton School of Business, just another lie from another liar. What was Rick supposed to do? Just a hint, don't let first appearances fool you, it may not tell the whole story. You would need to be interested enough in finding out the entire truth to do that. I guess your way of giving up, reading your books, and hiding in work is easier, so who am I to say anything" Roz said with a tone Kate hadn't heard in a long time.
"Roz, what are you telling me, without giving away any confidential information? From what you are saying you would think that Rick loves me, and Joy would just magically step away to allow he and I to live happily ever after, have you been drinking this early in the morning?" Kate said sarcastically,
"Well, how will you know if you quit, like it seems you have. Do you love him enough to fight for him, Kate? Do you love him as much as he loved you and wasn't afraid to show you in so many ways?" Roz asked,
"What makes you think I love him, Roz, I mean, I "
"Oh please, you play that song over and over on a loop, sometimes so loud I can hear it from outside your office. I finally downloaded it from iTunes and listened to the entire song. Kate, it's your message to him, the only problem is no matter how loud you play it in New York, he's never going to hear it in California. You need to tell him, be honest with him about everything, and Kate, don't place blame on anyone but yourself, own what you did, that's the only way you stand a chance to get him back." Roz said,
"Song? I have no idea what you're talking about Roz," Kate replied, as Roz closed the door, flipped to the app on her phone and pressed play, out came the words by an artist few knew, but it was Kate's message, word for word. It only took about three words before the tears appeared, and by the end of the first verse, thy were falling from Kate's eyes as the music played on,
Who Am I to Stand in Your Way?
Chester See
Forgive me
I may have said things
That aren't exactly
The way that I feel
I told you I'd be strong
I said that I'd moved on
But it doesn't take long
To realize
That I'm not over you
But if there is somebody that makes you feel happy
Tends to your heart in the ways I'd been lacking
Then who am I who am I to stand in your way...
To stand in your way...
To stand in your way...
I won't stand in your way...
I know it sounds crazy
But I need you to trust me
If it's how it must be
Then I'll fade away
When it finally feels true
Then do what you have to
'Cause I'll never blame you
For not choosing me
But I'm not over you
But If there is somebody that makes you feel happy
Tends to your heart in the ways I'd been lacking
Then who am I who am I to stand in your way
That I feel is no longer your burden
If there is someone that can make you feel perfect
Then who am I who am I to stand in your way...
To stand in your way...
To stand in your way...
I won't stand in your way...
Down the road someone will ask me if I know you
I'll pause for a moment I'll smile and say that I used... to
If there is somebody that makes you feel happy
Tends to your heart in the ways I'd been lacking
Then who am I who am I to stand in your way
That I feel is no longer your burden
If there is someone that can make you feel perfect
Then who am I who am I to stand in your way...
To stand in your way...
To stand in your way...
I won't stand in your way...
I won't stand in your way
I won't stand in your way
When the song finished, Roz walked over to Kate and slid a piece of paper in front of her.
"Just in case you may want to write to him and ask for some time to talk, in person, or on the phone, but as I said, none of my business,"
Roz closed the door quietly, leaving the shades lowered to give Kate some privacy, she knew she was hurting, but was it bad enough to try one more time, time would tell.
TBC