I'll Still be Loving You
by Castlefan6
Authors Note: Thisis my AU version SEQUEL to Dinner Date, Please read that before starting this. This story picks up without any time lapse and continues with Kate and Rick as they forge ahead as a Couple and concludes the story arc started when Rick left suddenly.
I don't own Castle; I use the characters for amusement purposes only
Chapter 10
Previously
Are you throwing me out Kate, I heard that Javi may need medical care so I thought I would stick around in case he needs a ride to the hospital," as she turned towards Rick she whispered, "take his ass down a few pegs Rick, I don't know what is wrong with Mr. Macho lately"
Just as she finished speaking Esposito appeared in the doorway,
"You ready for your ass kicking Rick, or you gonna wimp out"
"Why don't you go down to the gym second level and get ready, but Espo, this is your last chance to apologize before I make you bleed,"
Espo laughed, "We'll see who bleeds" as he headed to the gym.
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Summer House, Lower Level
Same Day
Kate had no idea what type of training Rick had if any, all she knew was that Espo had managed to push a button that this gentle man had never let show before. He was filled with a quiet rage, controlled, but pure anger and looking to take it out on someone. In his sites was one cocky prick of a Detective that had made his life miserable the last few weeks he was at the precinct.
When Rick left to go get his gear, Kate approached Kevin.
"Hey Kev, I don't know what's going to go down, I'm not worried about Rick, but keep an eye open for them both, the last thing we need is a manslaughter charge. I know how angry Rick is, and you know how stubborn and stupid Javi can be, especially if his pride gets wounded"
"I know Kate, I was thinking the same thing, but I sure hope Rick has more than anger, Javi may be a smart ass, but he's pretty damn tough as well"
"I'm not worried Kev, just keep them from killing each other, and if you want to wager, I'll put $100 on Rick," she smiled,
"I'll take that bet Kate, hate to take your money, but Javi chose MMA rules, meaning just about anything goes and they're using 4-ounce gloves."
"Care to double it Kev? IF you're so sure," Kate goaded the Irishman,
"I'd love to, but if I lost $200 Ginny would put me in the hospital" he laughed,
As they take seats in the gym, right, who knew their summer house would come with a complete gym, Javi is circling and talking to Rick. Rick is quiet, just completed putting on the gloves, then slips the tape guards over the laces, then looks up to Kate. She blew him a kiss, of course Javi had to comment about that, but it would only be minutes before he would be paying for everything.
As the round starts Javi comes out throwing punches like a madman, which Rick easily side stepped, but with each punch Javi threw he ate a hard jab in return. Soon his nose was bleeding, his eyes swelling shut, and his legs red and sore from the kicks, fully legal in MMA that Rick had laid on him.
Just before the first five minutes were up, he shot for a take down, big mistake, as Rick sprawled, reversed him and had his back in a choke hold. Javi was expected to tap, meaning he gave up, but Rick was playing with him, letting him breathe just enough to stay awake then reapplying the force, finally the timer sounded end of the first round.
It was clear that Rick wasn't content to defeat Espo, he wanted to humiliate and punish him, and had gotten off to a great start in the first round.
"Say the word Zitto, and I'll ease up, or keep going and I'll make you wish you were dead" Rick said in a tone that no one in the room had ever heard before. Javi's answer was to try to surprise attack a few moments before the next round was to begin, but Rick sidestepped, and he crashed into the wall.
The buzzer sounded, and Rick resumed his beat down, one move at a time, including an arm-bar that he could have easily broken Javi's arm but applied just enough pressure to dislocate it, causing extreme pain. All the time, Rick was talking to him, the more he talked the more furious Espo became, till he tried to hit Rick with a bucket used in his corner.
Rick just ducked and waved his finger at him in a No, No fashion as you would a child. Once again Espo shot for a take-down, this time he was met with an up kick and Rick's knee squarely on his jaw, surely breaking it. Still he wouldn't stop, trying desperately to find some way to inflict some pain, some type of punishment on Rick, but by now, it was far too little and way too late.
Rick continued playing with him, trying not to kill the crazy Son of a Bitch, but if he was hell bent of dying so be it, till finally Lanie jumped in and pushed Espo back. It didn't take much, and it wasn't a surprise when he fell flat on his back, beat, humiliated and in tremendous pain all over his body.
Rick walked over to the phone, said something quietly and hung up, then took off his gloves as two paramedics arrived with a stretcher to attend to Esposito. He then crossed the room, and said to Javi,
"You're a stupid Son of a Bitch, you could have saved yourself this ass beating with a simple apology, but you had to be the macho man. Well those days are over, if you EVER say anything out of line, put your nose where it doesn't belong, or interfere with anyone of my family, this will look like child's play. Oh, by the way, half of that was for Demming since you two are asshole tight buddies, you can share if you wish."
The medics had him on the cart and ready to leave as Kate reached over to Kevin and snatched her winnings, "Thanks for your contribution Kevin, I think you are going to need to start a fund me page for you partner, doesn't look like he is going to able to work for a while."
"Where the hell did Castle learn to do that, and why didn't you tell me, Kate?"
"Where he learned it, I have no idea, so that's why I didn't tell you, I didn't know. I bet on my fiancé because I believe in him, and he's never let me down. Give me a call when you find out how bad Espo is, I'm sure Lanie didn't want him to be this stupid, but it's the only way he will learn."
"I know Kate, lately, especially since you left, he's gotten worse, maybe this will burst his Ego bubble a bit."
Rick walked up to them, "Kev, I'm sorry it had to go down so tough on him, but the crazy SOB wouldn't tap out, instead he threw insults about Kate and my Mother, so that's why the choke, stop, choke process took place.
I want him to know that all the pain he inflicted on me, has been forgiven. BUT if he ever comes near one of my family with anything less than respect, this will be a warm-up to the Ass Beating he will get.
To answer your question, I trained with the premier MMA Gym when researching Desert Storm novels, and yes, I got my ass handed to me many nights. Choking out Connor McGregor was worth every ice pack, every bruise, and every moment in training I spent."
Keven stood there sputtering, "you choked out Connor, the man is the Champ, and you choked him out"
"Don't make too much out of it Kevin it was a spar session, I'm sure he wasn't concentrating, but it still felt good. Almost as good as my fiancé betting on me, thanks for your contribution. Let us know how the jackass is, or if he needs anything" as he put his arm around Kate and walked away.
"Kate, I know you said you understood, but seriously, I didn't want it to go this way for this long, he just wouldn't quit or shut up. He kept saying how much Tom enjoyed making love to you, that's why I wouldn't just end it, I made him suffer. I'm sorry Babe, he hit a nerve, but I'm OK, I*"
"Babe, Espo doesn't know what he's talking about, I never got past a kiss with Tom, I couldn't every time he would try, I saw your face and felt like I was cheating on you. Stupid I know, but"
"No not stupid Kate, Human, and Thank You, you didn't have to tell me, I wasn't asking but I'm glad you did."
"Kate, could I ask you something, I mean it's really none of my business, but something has been bothering me since I first came to the precinct."
"What is it Rick, do you want to know if Javi and I were ever an item or why does he take it on to be my protector?" She asked as Rick blushed, knowing he was busted,
"Like I said Kate, not my business. The main thing is you're with me now."
"Well to answer you thought, and yes you were thinking it very loudly. Javi saw how hurt I was when Royce and I didn't pan out, and he actually served as Mike's fill in for my partner the last 4 months Mike was on the payroll.
It was nothing more Rick, we rode in the same car for work and he felt bad that I was hurting but nothing came of it but a deep friendship. Since then he's taken on the role of my protector, well until today. I think he'll think twice about stepping in again.
Babe, people are going to say a lot of things about me, about you and who we are supposedly with, but I promise you, You're my one and done, and no one else matters. You are my life Rick, I didn't know it till recently, but now that I do, let me be with you all that I can. Were you serious about me going to London with you?"
"Of course, I was, in fact Cricket will be here Tuesday, so I expect Alexis to be around more they're like sisters. To answer what you're thinking NO, Never, it didn't cross my mind, and no matter what you hear, yes, she's beautiful, sweet and kind but Kate, she wasn't you. "
"What, I didn't say anything,"
"No but you were thinking very loud, I picked up on it,"
"OK, so I'm jealous, I have the right now Babe, you're mind and I don't share, I have a gun and I will use it," she smiles before she kisses him deeply,
"Let me get a shower, and I'll meet you in the living room," Rick said as he stole another kiss,
"Got a better idea, how about we shower together, after all there is a water shortage, if not here somewhere in the world," she blushed, but pulled him into a deep embrace.
"I love you Babe, and sometimes my body just aches for you, I've never felt anything like this before. I mean it's more than what Lanie says is horny, I actually have a craving to have you by my side" she blushes as she finished her most intimate confession,
Rick kisses her deeply and passionately, "I love that you can tell me how you feel, even the intimate details, and Babe, I know the feeling, it's the same ache I've had for you for the last year and a half. Now, my ache will be gone the minute I lie down beside you. I love you more than I ever thought I could love."
Two showers and several inspections of Rick's body for injuries, just in case, they finally made it out to their bedroom. Dressed in casual evening clothes, they were in for the evening, a bottle of wine, some music, and just holding each other, made the perfect night for both of them.
Rick turned the music on low, love ballads, he seemed to read her mind, God was he romantic. Just as they were beginning the serious portion of their long, slow make out session, her phone pinged with a text. She started to ignore it, but Rick picked up the phone with his free hand,
"Sweetie, if it's something important you would feel guilty forever, go ahead, I'm right here" as he kissed her one more time,
"It's Lanie, she said Espo has, wow she has them listed like a grocery list
Dislocated shoulder, Right,
Torn ligaments Shoulder, Left
Broken fingers on both hands
Fractured Jaw, now wired shut,
Deep bone bruise on both feet,
Sprained ankle, left
Dislocated knee, Right
Doctor is writing out of work excuse for 3 weeks till he can see him again,
Tell Rick Thanks, Roy called and told him to take it easy, he's out on Sick Leave for three weeks, sorry about the accident in the Hamptons but Rick filled him in, "
"Rick, what did you do, did you call Roy and get him off the hook after all that?"
"Kate, I didn't want to hurt him that bad, it got out of hand, and I don't want him to lose any time at work, so I called Roy and told him he fell into a hole out here while we were remodeling the home, it wasn't his fault, the site wasn't secured or marked."
"Rick, you know what you are," Kate rolls her eyebrows, "You're absolutely the kindest most generous man I've ever met, I love you even more. Espo is going to be really eating crow when he finds out from Lanie what you did."
"Just text her she's welcome, and we're in the middle of something," as he flashed his eyebrows up and down, Kate smacked him but was off the phone and back in action in less than a minute,
She could get used to this, to Rick and now she just was going to make him happy regardless of where or what they were doing, God she fell in love with him again just thinking about it.