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.

Previously

"Well, how do you feel about telling Rick the highlights of why he left, and if he wants to remember or not? Don't think for a minute I won't be with you, but I want Rick to make this decision" Gina replied, no angry, but forceful enough to let everyone know she meant business.

"I understand, I agree, I'll even draft out what I want to say to let you all review it before if that's the best way. I just want Rick to get well, come back to New York, and maybe, just maybe in time I will get a chance to start as friends, then we'll have to see. Gina, I'm sorry, I know you love him, but I won't go behind your back, I love him as well, and if I have to change, then change I will to have a chance with him,"

"Fair enough Katherine, draft the response, we'll meet again to review before we talk to Richard about it," Martha said, ending the discussion,

*********************************************************************************/

Chapter 23

Later That Day

Walter Reid Hospital

Kate's POV

Kate had returned to her room to work on the draft she had promised the family, the last thing she wanted was to be the reason Rick had a setback or chose to undergo the treatments under false pretenses. She really didn't know how to start, she knew he would be curious who she was, why she was there, and how he fit into her life. He had pieced together or recalled as the Doctor said, the piecework of his personal life, with a few errors.

He knew he was a writer, could tell you all about the adventures of Derrick Storm, knew all of Alexis and Marth's history including her last ex-husband who swindled her out of her life savings and was last seen in Costa Rica. He even mentioned, much to Marth's horror, his father Jackson, and his service to the country. It seemed the only piece he didn't remember was is an association with the police, particularly their partnership and cases he had worked with her.

She decided that, unless she had a script, she would go to pieces, and become a blubbering mess, not helping anyone, so she decided to write it out in the form of a letter. It was going to be difficult, but well, if it meant Rick wanted to regain those memories, then he would choose to go through therapy.

If not, he would be monitored at home, and allowed to leave the two-year time gap a void, since he did remember Alexis's first date with Owen, the house in the Hamptons and his big party with a bunch of people the thought he remembered, but wasn't sure of who was all there.

FLASHBACK TO EARLIER

Rick had woken up and was full of questions, so the doctors suggested the family gather for a short visitation until he felt tired and wanted to return to sleep. As the doctor had described it was the Swiss Cheese impact, where he remembered in great detail everything about those he loved, even Gina. He asked about his agent, Paula, the big mouth who talked with the nasal twang, surprising almost everyone. Gina laughed and kissed him,

"Yes Rick, Paula Haas is your agent, and she loves you if you know what I mean." Gina had her arm around him as Kate stood in the background

"Dad, what Mom means is Paula would jump your bones, make love to you, or anything in between anytime you wanted, anywhere," Alexis said as Gina smiled, and Rick blushed,

"Now that is something no guy should forget," as he laughed and made a joke out of it.

"Gina, when did we get married, and why did we get divorced? I mean I think I know but, "

"Sweetie, just tell me what you think, you won't hurt my feelings, I promise your" Gina kissed his temple and pulled him in a little tighter,

"Well, I think Alexis was 6 ½ or 7 years old, we got married at St. Georges, on August 30th and we got divorced three years ago, I don't know why but it had to be my fault. You've been the Mom and stayed in my house while I've been off with Jackson the last several months"

Gina's tears fell, and Rick saw and felt the water droplets on his shirt, "Oh gee, I said something that hurt you, Gina, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, I swear."

She cupped his face gently, and turned to look deep into his eyes, "You didn't hurt me, Rick, you remembered the church, the day, and the time period, the only thing wrong was the divorce was my fault, not yours. We can talk about that in a more private setting but sweetheart, you remembered it all." She kissed his lips, and this time he kissed her back.

He was growing tired, and Gina was able to convince him to lie back down, promising she would be there when he woke up, that no one was leaving him alone, so he could sleep in peace. Alexis kissed his forehead and whispered something into his ear, he smiled,

"Monkey Bunkie, that I will never forget as he hugged his daughter and agreed to lie down if Gina stayed. Two minutes later he was sleeping peacefully, as Gina kissed his forehead, and covered him and gently took his hand in hers. She wouldn't leave now for anything, Rick needed her and asked her to stay.

Xx

PRESENT TIME KATE'S ROOM

Kate looked over to the fancy desk in her room and there was a pad of stationery and pen, well she promised to outline what she was going to say to Rick, might as well write it as a letter that he could keep if he wished.

"Dear Rick,

"It's odd writing you a letter now, you're awake and doing so much better than when we all arrived here, but I promised the family I would outline the period of time you seemed to have successfully repressed, or have lost because of your injuries. I don't know, and neither do the doctors which it is, repressed or lost memories, so this letter will just highlight activities, not try to recreate the entire two years we worked together.

"We met when I visited, unannounced, or invited to the last Desert Storm Book Launch party that Gina had put on for you. Your books were a central clue to two murder cases we were working on, and consequently, you joined me on a daily basis. You actually used your influence with Mayor Weldon to gain entry to my team, and I did treat you horribly at first.

"As time went on, you proved your worth, and our closure rate increased to become the highest not only in our precinct but in the city of New York, largely to your unconventional thoughts and forcing my team of detectives, Javier Esposito and Kevin Ryan to think out of the box. Captain Roy Montgomery was also very pleased and welcomed your presence.

"You spent the entire two years working with my team except for one case you assisted two other female detectives, Roz Karpowski, and Ann Hastings, again your out of the box style closed their case and you returned to my team.

"During this time Rick, you made no secret that you cared for me, in fact, you actually saved my life on multiple occasions, but I didn't treat you with the respect and honor you deserved. I know you had feelings, and I played with them, because of my own personal demons, until finally you had enough when I lied, and you left the NYPD to work on the project that got you injured.

"I did write you a letter, I admitted I loved you in the letter, but I never told you to your face, well not until you were lying in a coma, and I whispered it to you as I took my turn sitting with you each early morning. Gina, Alexis, and your Mother put aside any ill will, they have a right to hate me, I know, just to be sure you would have everyone you cared about by your bed when you woke up. I didn't know that you had been so successful in forgetting me, but that's OK, it's my own fault.

"The treatment the Doctors are talking about would allow you to regain the memories from the time we spent together, and I must warn you, there are hurtful times for you. I paraded other men in front of you trying to make you jealous, I didn't let you into my inner thoughts, I wasn't honest with you about my feelings, and the worst, I deliberately lied to you last Memorial Day. You caught me in the lie and decided you had enough and left the precinct for this project.

"I didn't want to go into too many details Rick, those are personal, between you and I, and this letter will be reviewed by your family before I read it to you, so think carefully, do you want to go back and relive that two year period, or do you want to try to get to know me as I am now, someone who is so sorry and truly does love you.

"Gina knows I love you, she does as well and told me that she would walk away if I made you happy, well if you and Gina can rekindle the love that is so obvious between you, then I will do the same. I would like the opportunity for you to get to know me as a friend, and if you feel up to it, and the doctors agree to meet the wonderful people from the precinct who also care about you. That decision can wait, there's no hurry. I know you are wondering what I'm doing here, around you, and where do I fit in. Hopefully, this letter will fill in the majority of those blanks,

"I'm so glad you're feeling better, and I will be here until you are ready to travel back to New York, again your family has been especially gracious to me, a trait I'm sure that emulates from you. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have, or this may have generated,

Love,

Kate, "

She debated about the signature line, but what the hell, how would he know that she loved him, she had only told him once before he left and from all indication that was part of the memory back that was repressed or lost.

She checked with Gina who hadn't left Rick's bedside since he had fallen back asleep. She suggested that when Rick had woken, eaten, and knew she would be gone for a short while, the family could meet to read and discuss the next actions for Rick. He had asked what a detective from NYPD was doing sitting with him and the family, were we under any threats? He relaxed when Gina assured him that they were not, that Kate would explain soon, it was a personal relationship between her and him.

She was re-reading the letter for the 5th time when Alexis called

"Hi, Alexis, what's up? Is your Dad still OK?

"He's fine Kate, in fact, he woke up for about an hour, Mom convinced him to eat and when they were talking, he fell back asleep. She wants us to meet in the cafeteria to go over your notes about what you're going to tell Dad, I guess he's asking more about why you're here."

"Sure, sure give me 5 minutes and I'll be right down, OK?"

"Great Kate see you then," and the phone was dead.

Five minutes later she was walking up to the table in the rear of the large private cafeteria to a huge table.

"Hi Kate, you may want to grab something to eat, I think they will be closing down food service until dinner in a few minutes" Gina offered,

Her first response was to say she was fine but then thought better, "Sure, thanks Gina, I'll be right back" as she headed to the food line, choosing a salad and Iced Tea to go along with some fruit, she tried to pay, but was waved off by the cashier, apparently, the Castles had covered all expenses. When she returned to the table, she said,

"Gina, thank you, or whoever is paying for everything but seriously, I wasn't expecting this, I can pay my own way." She said softly,

"We know you can Kate, it's just you're here by our request, it's the least we can do. Besides Alexis was right, she said you hardly ate at all, and when you did, it was like a bird." Gina smiled,

"Well it's true Kate, seriously, I think I have seen you finish maybe three meals the entire time I have know you." Alexis smiled,

"Well, I guess I need to work on that, I know they yell at me at work because I drink coffee all the time, sometimes even for lunch," she smiled back,

"Katherine darling have you had an opportunity to work on what you want to discuss with Richard?" Martha asked, bringing it back to reality,

"Actually I wrote him a letter, it's the only way I could think of how to tell him what a bitch I was, and why he got hurt, without me breaking down and bawling in front of him, which I know is the last thing he needs or wants to see." Kate slid the letter to Alexis who began to read it with Gina looking over her shoulder,

"I'm sorry Martha I should have made copies, so everyone could read at the same time." Kate apologized,

"Oh, that's OK Darling, whatever Alexis and Gina say, I'm fine with." She said quietly,

"Is that because you don't want to drag out your reading glasses Grams? Everyone knows you have to wear them; I don't know why you try to keep it a secret" Alexis said as she continued to read the letter.

Gina had made a face when she read one part, "Gina your facial expression tells me I didn't write something clearly enough, or I messed up somehow, what section is it?" Kate asked,

"Well Kate, it's the line. I didn't know that you had been so successful in forgetting me, but that's OK, it's my own fault. None of us know if it was lost or suppressed memories of his time with you, and knowing Rick, this will deflect guilt on him, which he of all people have nothing to be guilty about." Gina said, still looking like she had just eaten something very distasteful.

"I'm glad you brought that up Mom, it was bothering me as well, and you're right, somehow Dad would find a way to place that guilt on something he did or failed to do. I agree take that line out, other than that I think it's fine, Mom are you OK with the remainder?" Alexis asked,

"I think it's fine except for that, I know Rick may have questions such as who the people you mention in the letter are, but we'll let him decide if he wants to meet them or not. I think at this point, he has enough information for HIM to make the decision, should he attempt to regain his memory from that missing time, realizing he hasn't forgotten everything, just things from his work with the NYPD." Gina replied,

"I agree Mom, so Kate, when we finish lunch, let's visit Dad, you, Mom, and I and see if he's up to hearing your explanation. If not, we'll wait for his schedule, it's really up to Daddy now, to tell us how much he wants to push himself." Alexis said with some force, she was taking charge now, nothing was going to hurt her Dad.

Thirty minutes later, Martha retired to her room to rest, as Gina, Alexis, and Kate visited the private suite of Rick, he had been sleeping for a few hours now, and true to form he woke, as Gina fixed his covers and kissed his forehead gently.

"Hey there," he said,

"Hey there yourself, I'm sorry I woke you, sweetheart, your covers were all bunched," Gina said, locked on his eyes, showing every ounce of her love for this man,

"No worries, Genes, I was due to wake soon, or I won't sleep during the night. I'm feeling much better now that I can get up and move a little, even with a wheelchair or crutches" he said

"Crutches? Daddy, you aren't cleared for crutches, how did you get them, did you bribe some nurse or something, I swear, when you get well, Mom and I are going to kick your ass, with all due respect, just so you can't ground me." Alexis said, Rick could tell she wasn't happy, as she searched the room and found the walking aide he hadn't been cleared for yet.

She rang the buzzer and when the nurse walked in, Little Castle let her know, that she was young BUT she wasn't one to be messed with.

"I have no idea how or who furnished my father with these, if they had checked his chart, they would see he is only allowed to use the wheelchair with assistance. So spread the word, his bribes to individuals aren't worth us suing the pants off of your hospital, do I make myself clear? IF he had been injured, I have his attorneys on speed dial, and believe me, you would be up to your neck in litigation." She wasn't rude but the nurse nodded and just said, it will be dealt with, our apologies, and sleeked out the door.

"What happened to my little pumpkin? That wasn't her, that was a grown-up woman hiding in my daughter's body. I'm sorry I worried you all, it's my fault and I won't do it again, OK? Just don't stay angry with me, OK?"

"We're not angry with you Rick, we just love you and want you to get home as soon as you can, Alexis said it much nicer than I was going to," Gina said as she sat on the edge of the bed, Kate couldn't help but notice it was Rick who reached for her hand, she took it and brought it to her lips kissing it gently,

"I'm sorry Genes, as usual, a lousy patient" he squeezed her hand.

"Well, speaking of that, I know you've asked questions about the time you spent at the NYPD, and with Kate, she's written you a letter she's going to read to you, and if you have any questions afterward, just ask, OK Sweetie?

"Sounds good Genes, so Kate when you're ready to go ahead and begin, I'll stop you if I want more information." He said without much emotion,

"Sure Rick," she cleared her voice,

TBC