Alternative Route Taken
by Castlefan6
Authors Note: Another What If based on the episode, A Deadly Game, what happened if Rick didn't return to the precinct after leaving and this was really their last case. What would each other's lives have looked like? The story starts with Canon dialog, courtesy of Dust Jackets Dot Com, then goes quickly and completely AU. The journey continues with a new Kate and Rick, hope you enjoy!
I don't own Castle; I use the characters for amusement purposes only, except the ones I create.
A/N This may or may not end up as a Caskett fic, if that bothers you, please wait for updates to see which direction the story goes. Respectful comments are always welcome, trolls will be deleted.
Also, we may take liberties with the timeline from Canon and use events to make this a more believable fiction, thanks.
Previously
She finally gained her composure, and looked into his eyes, "If I didn't love you so damn much, I would just kill you, as you kill me when you do stuff like this. I worry, I know, it's not my place, maybe I don't have the right, but I do. You want me to help, OK, BUT one condition, and this is not negotiable Rick"
He thinks what the hell could she want, fear coming across his face until she lightened the mood,
"Oh, don't look like that, I'm not going to force you to make love to me, I would love it, but I'm not going to force it. I will force you to tell Alexis the truth, I know she would hate me if she found out I knew and I kept something like this from her, and I want to be present when you do."
His face turns a shade of red she hasn't seen in a long time, she actually made him blush,
"Gina, I'll tell her, and you would never have to force me to do the other, but you'll never move on as long as you keep part of your past, especially something that intimate close to your heart. You deserve someone better, someone who loves as deeply as you do, I hope you find him, but Thank You, I don't know what I would do without you."
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Chapter 4
Friday, May 22nd
Memorial Day Weekend
Castle's Loft 2:00 PM
Rick's POV
Gina couldn't return to work, she was far too upset, just as she and Rick had finally concluded her cryfest and his explanation of his plans, well the explanation he was allowed to give, Alexis returned home. She knew the minute she closed the door something was wrong; Gina had been crying and her Dad looked upset.
"Daddy, Mom, what's going on? Who's sick? Why has Mom been crying, Daddy?" She rolled one question after another as her tears begin to pool in her eyes.
Gina crossed the room, and pulled her into a hug, "No one's hurt or sick baby, it's just your Dad's got some plans that, well I won't see him so much and I guess I let my sadness fall out of my eyes. He'll tell you all about it, and I'll be right here, OK?" She asked, hoping the young lady would accept her back in the loft, she had no idea how she had taken the divorce, but she knew it was mostly her fault.
"Daddy, what did you do now?" she rolled her eyes,
"Well Alexis, and please hear me out, this is important to me, and I'll answer any question you have when I finish, deal?" She nodded and he explained that he needed to get away from everything, that didn't include her or Gina, but he needed a change of scenery.
He spoke of the Mercy Flight™ Southeast, Inc., which was his official cover, courtesy of one Jackson Hunt. His role in delivering supplies and other tasks to help others in need, in all parts of the world, his plans for the Hamptons, getting into shape, and completing his pilot's license.
No one knew it but he had already had his Private Pilots License, this time would be spent to gain his Commercial License in accordance with the FFA FAR 61.129, he would be required to hold multiple certifications during his volunteer agreement for the next two years.
He had just gotten through the hard part about being gone, but Gina had agreed to move back to the Loft to be there for her, and he promised he wouldn't miss her graduation or any important dates like birthdays or her prom.
"Daddy, I know, and I'm sure Mom does as well why you're doing this, and if it's to get away from Detective Beckett, and all the hurt, well I'll miss you, Daddy. I would rather see you doing something you love than holed up in your office fighting off the urge to down a bottle of single malt when she hurts you again.
"Just promise me you'll be safe as possible, I know you will be in danger, but at least it won't be from stupid crime scenes, or chasing after someone who couldn't care less if you're dead or alive. Is that why you're doing this, really, to get her out of your system once and for all? If it is, then as long as you keep your promises, Mom and I will take care of each other, OK?"
Rick let out a deep sigh, he hadn't realized he had been holding his breath, one thing that he loved more than anything in the world was his little girl. She pulled him into a group hug, with Gina, and said,
"Daddy, you know there are more people who really love you, more than she ever will don't you? I know you and Mom are divorced, but I also know you both love each other and me, but you have a lot more people than you know about. So, what are we going to do about this weekend at the Hamptons?"
"Well, I was hoping I could talk Gina into coming with us, there's going to be almost everyone I work with from the 12th coming, and don't look like that Beckett wasn't invited. She was with Deming when Gina sent the invites out, but I think Gina said no because she was afraid, she would show up, and I would leave her for Beckett. Not happening, so please Gina, will you come?"
"Mom, you have to come. I have some friends I want you to meet, please?" Alexis asked Gina, who was just like Rick and crumbled with anything her girl wanted.
"OK Baby, I just need to go home and pack a bag," she smiled, tears still in her eyes,
"No, you don't, your clothes are still in your closet, both here and there Mom, I mean shorts, jeans Mom, you still fit into them, Daddy left everything just the way you had it" Rick blushed, as Gina turned and asked,
"Rick?" Is that right?"
"Yes, it's yours, I had no right to change it, plus, sometimes I could close my eyes and go back to the good old days when things got lonely out there." He confessed, blushing,
"Well, I guess that's settled, so what's next." She laughed,
"I thought the three of us would drive out early, like now, and get settled before the guests start arriving, around 7:00 depending on traffic." Rick said,
"Yeah Mom, let's get out of here" Alexis took her by the hand and out the door, they went.
Xx
Friday, May 22nd
Memorial Day Weekend
NYPD 12th Precinct 4:00 PM
Kate's POV
Kate knew something was up when she saw Captain Montgomery's lights go off, and then he locking his door, not carrying a briefcase for perhaps the third time since she had met him. Instead, he was pulling a rolling suitcase, and headed to the elevator without saying a word.
As she looked around there were so many people already gone, Karpowski, Hastings, LT, and where the hell was Ryan and Esposito. She walked towards the aisle just in time to see an elevator full of her co-workers all chatting and laughing, not even noticing she was looking at them.
She walked down the stairs slowly, just to get a better look and there they were all boarding a Limo Bus, all with suitcases, laughing and joking as they were headed out of town, it had to be Rick's place. She just started to turn around and walk back up the stairs when Desk Sargent Oliver called her name.
"Detective Beckett?"
"Yes Sargent, how can I help you?" she wasn't in the mood but no sense of taking it out on anyone else.
"Can you post this on your bulletin board, Castle's having a party for all of us stuck here in the city this weekend tomorrow at the Old Haunt, everything is free, but it's just for Homicide, and all uniforms, no other Detectives are invited. He's a hell of a guy to remember us, looks like you got the short straw as well, working the weekend." He said as he handed her a flyer to post.
"Yeah, it looks like we both did Sargent, thanks for this. Did he say why no other detectives other than homicide were invited, I know he included all patrol officers which was nice of him."
"Well some dick head in robbery screwed it up for the rest of the detectives, that's all I heard, so enjoy Detective, maybe I'll see you tomorrow,"
"Yeah, maybe you will." As she walked back up the stairs, the limo bus now out of sight headed to the Hamptons and a weekend of fun.
She looked around at the almost empty bullpen, just a few of the patrol officers were shooting the breeze with Detectives Choy, Hernandez, and Lumen, that was it, and herself.
She took out her cell phone and hit a speed dial number,
"Hi Kate, what's up" came the ME's voice after answering it on the first ring.
"Why aren't you on the limo headed to the Hamptons with all the rest? What's keeping you here Lanie, God, I knew he was hurt but I'm the only one he didn't invite from our floor.
"Get this, he's having an open bar party, free booze and food for ALL patrolmen and the four Detectives from Homicide that couldn't make it to the Hamptons, that would be me, Choy, Hernandez, and Lumen. Why didn't you go Lanie?" her voice showed the inner pain,
"Well, eh Kate, I" Lanie stammered,
"Come on Lanes, spit it out, my turn this time give me details, now" she barked,
"Actually, Javi and I are stopping for an errand, but we are on our way there too, I'm sorry Kate, but it wasn't Rick who handled the invitations, it was Alexis and Paula and well, "Lanie tried to cover,
"I know Lanes, I know, well you and Javi have a good time, I have things to do anyway, talk to you next week" she hung up the phone before Lanie heard her voice crack with tears. The next half hour she spent in the ladies' room crying her eyes out, but she wasn't sure if the tears were for her pain of being excluded, or finally realizing the hurt she had, and allowed others to inflict.
She returned to her desk, only a few desk lamps were still burning, and she did have the weekend off, who needed a party anyway, especially with him. She shut her computer down, and headed down the stairs, out of the precinct to her apartment, walking to kill more time, something she had a lot of this long weekend.
Xx
Friday, May 22nd
Memorial Day Weekend
Hampton's Beach House 7:12 PM
Rick's POV
Rick, Alexis, and Gina had arrived shortly after 5:00 PM and all were busy preparing for their guests, Rick had also rented 8 rooms at the Gold Coast Hotel, 10 minutes away in Hamptons proper in case more came than they expected. He watched over every detail from the deli selections for their light dinner when they arrived, to the cuts of meat for the big cookout he was famous for, not just Monday, but the entire weekend.
The refrigerators were stocked full of beer, wine coolers, soft drinks, different brands of water, and the bar was stocked along with two bartenders to make just about any drink the guest would want. Rick always went all out; it seemed this year was his farewell not only to the 12th precinct but to life such as this. He knew big changes were coming for him, he was just hoping he would be up for the task.
The bus turned into the drive, Ann Hastings thought it was another road at first, the sounds of shock and amazement could be heard as the double gates, bearing a huge R on one gate and C on the other swung open to reveal the extra-long driveway to what most described as a mansion, not a house. There at the end of the driveway stood Rick, Alexis, and Gina all smiles.
As each departed Alexis handed them a slip of paper, designating the room they were staying in, after everyone had gotten off, Rick was in the midst of hugs and kisses from the ladies, when Gina got everyone's attention.
"Folks, on behalf of Rick, Alexis, and lastly myself and Paula Haas welcome to Rick's annual memorial cookout and oh hell just tell it like it is she started to laugh, it's a three-day party for the man who never grew up." She laughed,
"That's true, it's a good thing my daughter is here to keep us all in line," he smiled,
"Welcome all, I hope you all have your rooms if you have any problems or difficulty locating them I or Gina will be around to assist. We hope you all have a great time and will let your minds, and emotions just relax and have some fun. One Rule, there are none other than being respectful to everyone, other than that, welcome to Casa Castle"
Roy leaned into Rick, "She's quite the young lady Rick, congrats you did a great job raising her"
He smiled, and pulled Gina in by the hand, "Well, if you must know Gina gets most of the credit, she was there during the teen years where I suddenly went from being my little girl's hero to her zero, but thanks to this one as he pulled her into him, I got her back"
"Rick, I told you, it was just a phase, every girl goes through it before they realize that the man, they will always love more than anyone else is their Dads, it just took some time and patience" she leaned in and kissed his cheek. "I better give Alexis a hand getting everyone settled, can you show Roy and Evelyn their room they're on the first floor in the large guest suite,"
"Sure thing, Evelyn, let me have that bag, it's right down the hall here." He started down the hall and noticed Evelyn was frozen in place with his artwork and library,
"Evelyn, we'll give you a tour if you want to get to your room and freshen up, we have a light meal out by the pool, when you're ready," Rick said softly,
"Wow Rick, this is beautiful, and I'm sorry of course, show us the room and we'll find our way back to the pool for that light meal, I know Roy is hungry and probably wanting a beer."
Ann and Roz had adjoining rooms each with king-size beds since they came unattached to the party. Kevin and Jenny, Javi and Lanie, and LT and his wife were staying at the hotel to allow them all some privacy. Gina had one guest room, and Alexis the other, so the house was full, but still, there was plenty of room at the hotel for any latecomers.
Rick was standing at the head of a long table with what he called a light meal, it was a virtual smorgasbord of deli meats, pasta, desserts, salads, just about anything you would find in a restaurant.
"The beverages are in the four refrigerators, located, to your left, one is soft drinks and various water, one is for beer, one is for the wines and one well it's reserved for the fish the Captain is going to catch when we go fishing this weekend," everyone laughed and started milling around.
Lanie and Javi showed up after checking into the hotel and started to enjoy the party as well. Everyone stayed clear of the elephant in the room, no one dared mention the name of Beckett.
"Rick, this was very nice for you to have us all out here this weekend, thank you so very much," Ann said as she reached for the potato salad.
"You're welcome Ann, I wanted us to have one good time, well we've been through a lot this past year, so thanks to you for helping me get the characters off the ground and into print, I couldn't have done it without you."
Captain Montgomery stood and everyone got quiet, "Guys, Rick is going to be pissed, but I wanted you all to know this isn't just a Memorial Day celebration, this is Rick throwing his own goodbye party, you see he won't be returning to the 12th after this weekend, and I wanted to let you all know. He knows how much I'm going to miss his ugly mug, but Thanks Rick, it's been fun" as he sat down the silence hung over the table for a few minutes,
LT stood and for one time, took the imitative, "Rick we're all going to miss you, you always treated me with class and dignity, never made me feel inferior to anyone and I appreciate it. If you ever need anything, you got my number, I'll be here."
"Thanks, LT, now hey this is a party we have three days to worry about goodbyes, no more, not tonight, it's time to have some fun and blow off some steam. He had just finished speaking when Alexis and Gina had snuck behind him and pushed him into the pool, and the party was on.
He came up from the water chasing them both, squealing as he tossed a bucket of water on Gina, giving her the first Wet T-Shirt, soon it was on for everyone. Evelyn looked at Roy, "If you want to live to see your first retirement check, put your hands back where they belong" as Roy obeyed and the gang laughed. It was a great start to the party.
"I feel bad for those stuck in the city while we're out having fun," Roz said,
"You didn't hear Roz, Rick closed down the Haunt for a private party all patrolmen, and the remaining Homicide Detectives, everything free, but just homicide" Ann replied,
"Well no wonder Kate didn't come, she's so far up that asshole from Robbery"
"Roz, you really have to get better intel, they broke up two days ago, or she dumped him. Anyway, the guy lied to get transferred, he's facing sexual harassment charges back at the 54th, rumor has it, he's been transferred back there already."
"Well Ann, if she's free and Rick is free, why the hell isn't she here?"
"She wasn't invited, enough about that, time to party" as Ann threw a beachball at her head."