Faded Memory

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: Thisis my AU version of what could have happened following Rick's discussion with Alexis about the night he danced, fell in love, and lost contact with a girl in college, sometimes memories come back at the worse time. COMPLETELY AU except for the conversation that prompted this and use of some characters names. THIS IS A CASKETT ENDING, EVENTUALLY

I don't own Castle, I use the characters for amusement purposes only

Chapter 2

Previously

"I'm sorry Pumpkin, I was just thinking,"

"I know Dad, but sometime memories are better left untouched, so let's get washed up for dinner, Thanks for sharing part of your memories with me"

"You bet, that's what old Dad is here for,"

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Rick sat in his office after dinner thinking, had it really been that long since that happened? Alexis was 15 almost 16, he had graduated from college 3 years before he met Meredith, so yeah, it was now 20 years later, and Allison still owned a huge block of memory in his mind. He had his fair share of one-night stands, he never considered her to be one of those, but somehow, he just couldn't get the beautiful girl he met that night out of his mind.

He is jolted from his trip down memory lane by the ringing of his phone.

"Castle, we caught a case, are you up for it, or do you want to sit this one out?" Kate asks, in one of the gentlest tones Rick has her ever use.

"I'm fine, yeah, Up to it. Where is it?"

"Meet me downstairs, I'll pick you up in 15 minutes OK?

"Sure, Kate, I'll see you downstairs in 15 minutes"

"Rick, (long pause), Thanks for always having my back, I do appreciate it"

"Always,"

Not that he's complaining but Kate has been going out of her way to be nice to him, almost like he was infected with a deadly disease and his days on this earth were numbered.

He spots Kate coming around the corner, so he is curbside, so she barely has to stop for him to climb in. As he adjusts his seat belt, he notices something is up with Kate, she's not herself.

"Want to tell me about it Detective, or are you going to make me guess all day till I figure out what's got you upset? I'm guessing it wasn't anything I have done, since you have been really nice to me, so what is it, or who is it?"

Kate looks at him with a look that just confirmed he had nailed her,

"OK Rick but please not a word of this, to anyone, it's embarrassing."

"I swear Kate, I'd never embarrass you, or make you look small, you deserve so much more than that"

A slight blush begins on her neck, spreads to her cheeks before she speaks, "Do you ever go back in time in your mind, or have certain memories that just won't go away? I mean they aren't bad but no matter how many times you think you have them dealt with, here they come again."

"Kate, I think we all deal with our pasts, some memories you don't want to forget, others you can't no matter how hard you try, we all have our pasts, it's normal"

Kate looks over and is concerned now he has withdrawn back into the quiet Rick he was about a month ago when she hurt his feelings, he stares out the window at almost anything to keep from looking at her.

"I'm sorry Rick, I must have triggered a bad memory of something I did to you, I mean I'm sorry if I did, sometimes I just don't think before I say something"

"Hey, What's up Kate seriously, why are you being so nice and what makes you think it was a bad memory of something we had shared that has me quiet?"

"Since my apartment was blown up, you opened your home to me, along with your family and it made me realize that I had just assumed things about you that couldn't be true, I'm sorry Rick, I really am"

"Hey, it's normal, no worries, I don't spread it around because it's easier on Alexis for her to think her Dad's a playboy than her mother a well less than complementary word and we'll leave it there. So, you never said where the case is, you seem really nervous, is there anything wrong?"

"The chef at the new restaurant The Q was found dead, and the restaurant is owned by one of my High School Friends."

"What's so bad about that Kate, it's a terrible way to reconnect, but you get to relive some memories and catch up once the case has been resolved."

Kate looks uncomfortable, and then rushes out "BrentEdwards"

"I'm sorry Kate, did you say Brent Edwards, and what is that or who is he and why is this got you so upset about your past?"

Kate looks at Rick, pulls the car to the curb and turns to him with tears in her eyes,

"Brent Edwards was my Boyfriend in my Senior Year in High School, until Maddie took him away. I guess she was willing to go farther in the negotiations than I was, so he just dumped me. It was so embarrassing when it got around school, I could have just crawled under a rock. Of course, Maddie and I haven't spoken since."

"OK Kate, now I understand," he gently pulls her toward him just to console her, and as he was just kissing the top of her head, and rubbing her back, she leaned back, locked eyes, and kissed him on the lips like he'd never been kissed.

"WOW, Kate, I'm sorry, I mean I don*"

He didn't get to finish his apology, before Kate's lips were on his again, this time with tongue and demanding entry. The kiss lasted till both needed air, and then Rick looked at her,

"Kate, is this because you want to kiss me, or am I playing the role of Brent whatever his name was?"

She looks at him, and kisses him once more, deeper, more passionately than the first two, then pulls back, sniffling through tears, "Because I wanted to, I have wanted to for a long time", and you don't like it as her tears begin again.

"Kate, I never said I didn't like it, Hell I loved it and I have wanted to kiss you since the second day in the conference room, but I thought you would only think I was after you for sex."

"You wanted to kiss me too? Really Rick, I mean I knew your reputation from the paper but when I saw how good a Dad you are, I knew that was bullshit. You really wanted to kiss me? I'm just a cop, you can have just about any woman you want, why me?"

"Same reason you wanted to kiss me, there's something between us, we need to let happen, OK? I know this is happening fast, but you still haven't told me what is really going on that makes you reluctant to meet your old friend?

Kate blushes, for one of the only times Rick has ever really seen her truly embarrassed, she finally gets out

"Truth?"

"Always"

"Well, when I got the call, I knew you would be working the case somehow, even if you didn't want to come to the scene this morning, and Rick, honestly, I know Maddie is going to come on to you. I just can't stand to see you with another woman, not anymore, and especially not with Maddie."

"Kate, why are you worried about that? I mean I thought you wanted nothing to do with me, and I still haven't accepted dates from others, what makes you think I would act on this one?"

"Because she's blond, beautiful, bubbly and rich, all the traits that match yours, and she's a piranha when it comes to men, especially if she knows, well, I mean, that I have feelings for you."

"Wait! What? You have feelings for me? You hid them so well, I thought I was just someone you couldn't wait to get rid of, I never picked up on that"

"Well, Maddie will, she knows me too well, and she'll know the minute we walk in together that I want more than just a work relationship, and she'll try to bust it up and steal you too."

"Kate, we need to get to the crime scene, but can we talk about this more tonight, maybe over a quiet dinner just the two of us? Maddie can't take what is already yours" he smiled his special smile, kissed her quickly then returned to his side of the car.

He continued to hold her hand as Kate smiled and pulled into traffic and back in route to The Q,

"Kate, I know how much you like your privacy, so this, whatever it is, whatever it becomes will stay just between us, until we have time to talk about boundaries, and how you want to handle it, OK?"

She smiled at him, raised his hand to her lips and kissed his knuckles,

"Thank You Rick, you do know me so well, I know we're living in the same house, but I am looking for my new apartment. I don't want it to come off as I am your kept woman, and I'm sorry that is so direct. Truth is, with my own place we will have two options for privacy, plus keep our home life separate from work."

"OK so how do you want me to answer the question is there anyone in your life, I get that all the time, and it bugs the hell out of me."

Kate bites her lower lip, and replies, "Tell them yes there is, but you keep your private life private, and Rick, be prepared, Maddie will use it all, cleavage, rubbing against you, beaver shots without underwear, just be prepared, OK?"

"I've been here before Kate, I never caved before when all I had was a hope of something with you, I'm sure as hell not going to cave now that we, well what are we? I'm thinking we are together even though I haven't had the chance to wine and dine you."

"You would be thinking right Mr. Castle, you're off the market, as of now, she locks eyes with him for a moment before placing the car in park and preparing to enter the crime scene.

Kate takes the lead as usual, as Rick follows trying like hell to keep from shouting to the mountains that his dreams do indeed come true. Just outside the kitchen Espo catches up with then both and gives the update,

"Rocco Dispirito, Executive chef found dead at 5:00 AM when the line and prep cooks showed up for work, no robbery, nothing taken from the restaurant, according to the preliminary report by the owner*"

"Madison Queller" Kate interrupts as she senses someone closing in on her and Rick,

"Kate, do you know the Owner?" Javi asked,

"Yeah, we were classmates in High School, so yeah I knew her, I haven't spoken to her since graduation, so not really classified as a friend"

"Hey Becks" they hear from a blonde busty lady, who was wearing an outfit that left only the illegal parts to a man's imagination.

"Maddie, It's Detective Beckett, now, this is a crime scene not a class reunion, so I expect you to conduct yourself as such."

"Wow no wonder you're still single, what a tight ass, if professional is what you want, that's what you'll get Detective"

"Madison, this is Richard Castle, our Civilian Special Consultant, working with me on this case,"

"Oh, is that what the kids are calling it these days, working a case?"

Rick has heard enough and the fastest way to deflate a woman's ego, especially one who goes to great lengths to put her assets on display is to ignore them and ask direct questions.

"Miss Queller*"

He's interrupted by her, "Why don't you call me Maddie, and I'll call you Rick or Dick, whatever you want"

"As I was saying Miss Queller, what time did you last see our victim alive, and where at?" as he looks anywhere but at her.

Kate fought hard not to laugh, seeing Maddie's face deflate like her blow-up bra she had tried in sophomore year in High School.

The questioning continued as they gathered the notes, Lanie released the body to the morgue, preliminary ruling was Blunt Force Trauma to the head, as Madison continuously tried to get in Rick's line of sight. He was a pro at dodging unwanted advances, she didn't stand a chance and became more agitated with each failed attempt.

"OK I think we're done here, Madison, stay close in case you are needed for further questioning," Kate dismisses her as she turns and walks out of the restaurant matching Rick step for step.

Once they were back in the car, seeing Ryan and Esposito wave as they passed, Kate turned and kissed Rick sweetly. "Thank you, that was worth the cost of admission to a Broadway Premier. She was so pissed when you wouldn't give her the time of day even as hot as she is."

"Not my type, I prefer Brunette Detectives, well just one anyway, so that wasn't even appealing Kate, you give her far too much credit, and you don't give yourself enough. To me you are sexier than Maddie will ever be, so just wanted to say that, you can slap me now if you want"

She leans in and kisses him sweetly, and softly, Locking on his eyes, she whispers, "Never slap you for doing this, I want to kiss you every minute of the day"

As they head back to the office, Rick decided the best way to keep the boys off the scent was to feed them, so they stopped and bought breakfast sandwiches for the team. Several hours later things appeared as they always did, so it worked.

When 5:00 PM came Rick offered to share a cab back to the loft with Kate, and she accepted, not unusual, she was staying with the Castles while she searched for her new place. Rick, ever so diligent about Kate's privacy, held her hand discretely until the cab arrived and they were alone in the elevator, then he couldn't wait any longer.

They locked lips and the passion and love that each poured into the kiss, was like a welcome rain on a hot day. They broke just before the door opened, and now they were alone to talk, really talk about them.