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.
Author's Note to Reviewers: I have received more than usual the number of Guest Reviews who disagree or send hateful messages about why, or how I dare do something to their character. Many are deleted, but if you look, you will see those who go off on a tirade, disagree, and keep it civil and professional are published. I know my stories are going to provoke emotions, some good, some bad, and the only thing, I or any other Fan Fic writer asks if you post a review, even if you disagree totally and think we missed the mark, just keep it respectful.
I enjoy hearing from all readers even those I delete, I don't translate reviews from other languages, since my bio reads, if you read it in English, review it in the same or don't waste your time. I am just trying to keep the stories fresh, if you want results as it was on TV, watch the DVD, this is for those who are looking to keep our show alive with POTENTIAL alternative outcomes that are only limited to the writer's imagination.
If you see my story marked AU, then don't tell me about the flings Rick had in Canon if I didn't write it, it didn't happen in this story. Again, for those who read multiple chapters before they post something nasty in a review are those I laugh at, it took you 15 chapters to figure out you didn't like the story? Also, NONE of my stories will GUARANTEE a Caskett ending, it is what I try to do, but sometimes readers like the other alternative and I change my initial plans, I along with all writer's reserve that right to write the story as WE see fit. Thanks to all who read, even more to those who review, and for the guests who posted respectful dissenting opinions, I'm glad you're still with me and Thank You for your read and review. Tim
Previously
"We already booked the Plaza; it's been good luck for us for the last three releases. Is there anyone you want to be sure is at the Launch Party, or leave the invite list to Paul, Alexis and I?" Gina asked hesitantly,
"Gina, if you're asking should you invite Beckett, the answer is no, send her the advanced copy of the book, but only Captain Montgomery and the ones that joined us in the Hampton should be invited, including LT." Rick actually smiled as he was talking,
"OK Smart Ass, you always knew when I was fishing so we'll take care of it." She laughed back
"Alexis, before you ask, yes I read Beckett's letter. It was nothing new or unexpected so I kept my promise to you" he laughed,
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Chapter 14
NYPD 12th Precinct
2 Days Later
Kate's POV
Kate had met with the department Psychologist, Doctor Carter Burke earlier, and instead of feeling better she actually felt even more guilt, more shame. Dr. Burke was patient as she read what she had written to Rick, and was still waiting for a response, each day her hopes grew slimmer.
"Why would Mr. Castle respond to your letter Kate? Did you ask him a specific question, I hear a lot of reasoning and forgive me excuses, but I have heard only glimmers of what you said you wanted to do, apologize.
"You told me you tried to apologize in person before he walked away on his last day at the precinct. How did that go?"
"Doctor, I disagree, I wasn't making excuses I mean I was trying to explain my point of view for all of the actions," her voice trailed as she saw the stern look over his glasses from the good doctor.
"Kate, you may want to try that again, and let's move on to the second part of the question, what happened during your last face to face."
"Well, I realized that I had really hurt Rick the day before, he sprung it on me right after Tom came out of nowhere to confirm our plans for Monday, Memorial Day, and I had lied to Rick telling him I had to work."
"Wait, Mr. Castle was actually your FIRST invitation for the weekend, and at this time you and Mr. Deming were NOT in a relationship? Is that correct?"
"Yes, Tom and I had dated, but we weren't exclusive, but he didn't ask me to go to the Hamptons till two days after Rick did, and I lied. Well when Rick heard Tom, his whole demeanor changed, it wasn't anger, more disappointment, or perhaps disgust. I tried to explain why I lied, but he just told me not to worry about it, it made the news he had easier to give and that this was our last case."
"Did he elaborate as to why Kate,"
"He said something about he was behind on his book and I must be tired of him following me around so he was just going to stay in the Hamptons for the summer to finish his book. I had never seen him look that way, then we got interrupted with the other detectives, and he left to host his card game.
"I tried to text him that night, but he didn't answer for twenty minutes then asked me if I was in danger or was something wrong when I told him no, I just needed to talk to him, he replied it's late talk, tomorrow Detective"
"Please continue, so what happened the next morning, I believe this is the last day Mr. Castle worked with you if I'm correct."
"Yes, that's correct. I couldn't sleep so I went into work early and waited for Tom to come up, when he did, I broke up with him, and then waited for Castle. It was well after 10:00 AM when I saw him come out of the Captain's office with only one coffee mug, and he was very hesitant to talk to me.
"When he did it was all about the case, then he arrived at the same conclusion I did, told me Tom and I should be able to handle it, he had appointments at his real job and was leaving for the break.
"I pleaded with him not to go, I confessed that I had tried to use Tom and that I had broken up with him, but he told me it was 'far too little and way too late detective" as he walked away.
"Was he angry Kate, or how did he seem?" Dr. Burke asked
"Not angry, sad, he seemed very sad, a look I had never seen on Castle no matter how tough the case."
"How did you feel then Kate?" Doctor Burke probed,
"What? How do you think I felt, I was sad, I was hurt, I mean he ups and walks away after two years with a few days' notice, and he always took my calls, what changed?"
"Kate, was there also some anger, because when you recall your conversation the anger is very plain to hear, were you angry at Mr. Castle?"
"Yes, of course, I wasn't angry, I was pissed, what kind of partner doesn't accept their partner's apology?"
"Perhaps one who was tired of being played the fool while his partner dipped her wares in someone else's pool to put it as delicately as I can. Kate, any man would be as you say, pissed, even I would have been and I think Mr. Castle showed great restraint if the only emotion you could identify was sadness.
"I think you need to re-evaluate the facts leading up to this, for our next visit, for now, we're out of time," he said, as he had reached a breaking point with her self-pity evaluation of who was to blame.
"Doctor, we never got to the nightmares, what should I do,"
"Start with being honest with yourself, and me, then we can begin treatment. I can't and won't treat you as long as you stay locked in your world of everyone is out to get me, so record them, what triggered them, and get serious about who owns fault, or get another Therapist," Good Day
Xx
Walking back to the precinct, she was still in shock, what started off with her doing the right thing, turned into another fucking nightmare. Even her therapist is on Rick's side and he doesn't even know him she thought. Just as she turned the corner by Lexington and 18th she saw the new signs being placed in the windows of Barnes and Noble. WAIT! WHAT THE FUCK? ANOTHER HEAT BOOK?
She turned the corner, stopped and got a coffee at Java Hut to allow the signs to be completed at B&N. She hadn't heard a word about another Heat Book, she had assumed, that well, why would he write, how could he write it without her? Was Esposito right when he said he had enough material for fifty books? Apparently so.
She finished her coffee then strolled by Barnes and Noble, already a small group of females had gathered and were entering the dates into their calendars.
"Richard Castle coming soon, new release, "Raging Heat" second in the series of Nikki Heat mysteries. Enter to win a free ticket and VIP pass to the book launch in two weeks. Limited seating and signings are available. Advance Orders are taken now"
Then they moved out the new life-sized cardboard cutouts of Castle, then a poster with her and Rick, but Rick's new image was there, they had just photoshopped her old picture in next to him. Rick did look good, very hot in fact, as the females were all talking, she hurried past them on her way back to work.
Great, just great, another fucking Heat Book, I'm going to get grief about, he could at least given me the courtesy of a heads up. What if I had plans for that day for the book launch, he was awful presumptuous that I would come running to him, without asking if I were free that night she thought.
As she entered the precinct, Desk Sargent Oliver called her name, "Detective Beckett, we had a delivery for you while you were out, I signed for it due to security protocol," he said as he handed her a package.
"Thanks, Sargent, yes I understand I appreciate you signing for it," as she took it and proceeded to the elevator. She glanced down, it was from Black Pawn Publishing, so it probably contained her advance copy and a VIP ticket to the book launch. She hurried to her desk and gently opened the package.
The bold ink jumped off the cover, Raging Heat, it was a shadowy figure of a demon, and had nothing to do with her on the cover. The demon appeared to be fighting off the fire that was shooting upward, thus the title of ravishing heat, she thought, clever.
She turned to the dedication page, she was shocked when she read, "This book is dedicated to my friend, my former wife, my love, and the Mom to our Daughter, Gina Castle Cowell. God only knows how you put up with me Genes, Thank You for everything you have and continue to do for me, Love You, Rick"
He dedicated their book to Gina, what the fuck was he doing, was he out of his mind. That was just the first shock she was in for. She turned the book over and gently fanned the pages, that's where the VIP Passes were always placed. She tried it again, and then gently thumbed through the pages, no tickets. Something was really wrong, now.
She slipped into the conference room, closed the door and blinds, and dialed Paula Haas number. Her secretary answered on the second ring,
"Ms. Hass Office, Jessie speaking how may I help you"
"Jessie, this is Detective Kate Beckett from the 12th precinct NYPD, may I speak to Paula Haas please?"
"She's in meetings, and advised me to take care of any questions you may have if you called, I trust you received the signed package with your advance copy of Raging Heat," she said, far too happy
"Yes, yes I did and thank you for that, but there were no VIP passes to the book launch, in the past Paula or Rick would always include them with the book," Kate said, obviously this was a mistake,
"Yes Detective, I see here on the list you are approved for the pre-production copy, but have not been approved for an invitation, much less VIP pass to the book launch, is there anything else I can help you with."
"Wait, wait, you mean to tell me, I was the muse for the book, and I'm not on the invite list, much less the VIP list for the book launch, under whose authority, this has to be a mistake" Kate practically screamed at the young lady
"No, no mistake Detective, it's the list in Mr. Castle's handwriting, your name is on the NO TICKET list, I'm sorry, is there anything else I can do for you?"
"Yeah, have your boss call me, the minute she's out of her meetings" Kate almost cursed,
"She told me you would say that, and her reply was, don't waste your breath, Kate, Rick finalized the list and you were specifically left off by him, sorry." Kate slammed the phone down. Steam coming from her ears,
That ungrateful son of a bitch, without her there wouldn't be Nikki Heat, he had said so himself, when, then she stopped to think when she hadn't treated him the way she did when she hadn't lied and gotten caught. This was another embarrassment she deserved, so get ready for it she thought.
Xx
Castle's Loft
Two Weeks Later,
Rick's POV
Rick had only had one more undercover assignment, before he returned home, an undercover recovery of an Agent about to sell out. Everything went down smooth and the worst part of the entire mission was having to listen to Garcia gloat over how he took out the guards, both over six feet tall.
After that, they had truly flown actual missions for Mercy Flight and had been recorded for local news stations across the country. There was a very tight control on what was released, and what wasn't, it was all cleared by the man in charge JH was all he was known by to everyone else.
Wednesday night when he arrived back in New York, he took a cab and snuck up the back way to avoid anyone knowing he was home, then tried to slip into the loft, only to be tackled by Gina, and Alexis together. Both kissing him and hugging between Gina's tears and Alexis hugs, Rick finally got them to the couch, one on either side of him.
"God, it's good to be home with my ladies," he said, as he pulled them both tight into him,
Alexis kissed his cheek, then turned her head to allow Gina to plant one on him like she had wanted to do for weeks.
"It's good to have you home Rick, I just wish it could be longer," Gina said as she laid her head on his shoulder
"I know, I do too, but the work is really important there, more so once you see first hand what those poor people are trying to use just to eke out a living. No tools, no power, and in many cases, homes made from scrap lumber and cardboard. My heart goes out to them," Gina and Alexis both knew the look in his eye, he would fix the entire world if he could, he had such a big heart.
"Well Daddy, you're doing as much as you can, that should make you feel some better, a lot of people don't give it a second thought, besides you're home with me and Mom, let's enjoy the time, OK?"
"You're right sweetie, I'm sorry" he replied sneaking a kiss on her forehead, then to Gina's surprise he turned and captured her lips in a sweet kiss.
"Well we're all set for the book launch, pre-sales are through the roof, especially since the article came out showing you flying for Mercy Flights, but I have to tell you someone is really pissed off," Gina said with a smile,
"Let me guess, an NYPD Detective, how do you know that," Rick asked,
"Well, when we sent the pre-production copies of the book, the week before last, we delivered Beckett's by courier just to be sure she received it. I never spoke to her, but Paula's assistant Jackie fielded the call, she went on and on about in the past she had VIP tickets and it had to be a mistake when Jackie told her not only wasn't she NOT on the VIP list, she wasn't on the invite list at all for the launch, which according to Jackie she hung up, well slammed the phone down."
"I have to send Jackie something nice for taking that, she shouldn't have to, I told Paula if she got aggressive to tell her to take it up with me and hang up," Rick said
"Oh, Jackie loved it, she said it helped prepare her for her debate class, to listen to an angry person and keep smiling" Gina laughed,
"Did the rest of the 12th respond, I hope they can come, it'll be good to see them all," Rick said,
"Yes, all replied yes, so Paula suggested they meet in one location, and she arranged the car service for them, since Kevin, and others like the alcohol and we wouldn't have to worry about how they were getting home" she smiled,
"That's a great idea, remind me to thank Paula for doing that. I saw one of the posters at the Airport Barnes and Noble, I didn't realize you were using the new pics of me, how did you convince Beckett to sit for her pictures?" Rick asked,
"We didn't bother to ask Rick, our art department photoshopped her old proofs into your picture and changed the color of her blouse so it wouldn't look so obvious. The way she exploded at Jessie was what we expected if we asked her to sit for photos and if memory serves me right, she canceled the first three appointments the first time. The only reason we got them was you came with her," Gina replied
"Oh boy, I bet she really had a hissy fit when she saw the promo material go up in the windows, I never mentioned another book, so it probably surprised the hell out of her." Rick smiled
"Speaking of surprises, HOW did you pull off the switch in dedications for the book, what I sent to press was thanking the NYPD, my name wasn't even mentioned, so how did it get changed Mr. Castle, another inside job? Not that I don't love it, I don't think you ever dedicated any work to anyone but, well never mind, it doesn't matter, I love it, and thank you" she pulled his head down and kissed him.
"Well, I can't say how it was done, but just say it was long overdue, even Alexis told me, about how much you do for us, and I barely say thank you, I'm sorry about that. Maybe next leave I get we can go to the Alps to that resort you loved so much, that is if you want to" Rick suddenly was the one becoming shy.
Just as they were settling in a buzz came from the front door, Gina and Alexis both looked to each other in shock. Who would be coming over this late? Rick answered the door and returned with three bags of food from Remy's including shakes for each of them.
"Sorry, I wanted a burger so bad, but I didn't want to leave you, ladies, once I got home so John picked the order up and brought it over" he explained,
"You sent the limo and driver to Remy's to pick up burgers? Alexis started to laugh, I bet that surprised some people,"
"Hey, let's just eat and enjoy, we can talk more tomorrow about the launch and business, I just want to enjoy my girls, and my burgers" he smiled,
TBC