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 8

Previously

"Hi Howie, I understand and thanks for looking out for us all, Rick's worked hard, and I don't want anyone but his rightful heirs to benefit from his sacrifices. We're free the rest of this afternoon, if it's important, Rick would that work?"

"Yeah that works, what do you say Howie?

"Tell you what, I'll see you in a couple of hours, and I am going to ask Paula to join us just in case there is anything we need clarified on her end, any problem with that?"

Kate takes the lead which Rick is so happy, "No problem Howie, we'll be here, say around 4:00 PM?"

"That sounds good Kate, Thanks Rick we'll see you then" and then the phone disconnects

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Castle's Loft

Two hours Later

Howie and Paul arrived exactly two hours later, Kate and Rick just escaping the bedroom in the nick of time, Kate had managed to escape and use the guest shower, or they would still be, well tied up. She never knew life could be so good, wrapped in the arms of a man she loved more than she thought she ever could.

When the buzzer and Paula's annoying knock to accompany it was heard, they rose, as they always did, holding hands and opened the door to greet their guests. Coffee, Tea and a variety of soft drinks were on ice, and when each had settled on a beverage, Rick directed everyone to the large Dining Room Table.

"OK Howie, you bill by the hour, so let's have it, what's so important"

"Rick, I'll give you some privacy, so*" Kate tries to say

"Absolutely Not, you're in this too, and whatever is going on, I want you to hear it the same time I do"

Kate looks up, and see's Paula nodding in agreement, and Howie adds,

"Well Kate, actually, what we are going to discuss greatly impacts you, and hopefully you and Rick have had discussions about this before."

"I don't understand Howie, what are you talking about, any discussion Rick and I have had has been confidential between the two of us, there are no secrets, I am positive of that."

"Great, that will make this go much easier, *"

"OK Howie spit it out, this is beginning to irritate me, and worry Kate."

"Well when you were a Freshman at Wake Forrest you attended a party, met a girl, *"

"Danced, made love all night and when he awoke in the morning she was gone. He searched for her for over a year, Allison I think was her name" Kate interrupted, yeah Howie we talked about it between us what has this got to do with anything"

A look of relief spread over both Howie and Paula's faces, Rick had never been that open with anyone, not even his wives, but Kate knew the story.

"Well it seems there was a child born from activity that night, that we have just found out and verified. Rick, she is definitely your child, 14 Paternity Tests, and documentation to back up her mother's locations from the time the Grandpa found out and hired a private nurse to take care of her during the pregnancy."

Kate looks like she has been slapped, Rick looks like he has been kicked in the family jewels, too afraid to look up, waiting for Kate to bolt, to run, to make this day the absolute worst in his life. He's sitting on the double recliner, they love to share, when he feels her crawl in beside him putting her arms around his neck, kissing him gently, whispering,

"Hey Babe, it's OK, we'll deal with this, it's OK, I'm right here, together, forever Right? "

Rick looked up at her, through tears in his eyes,

"You're not going to leave? I mean I have no idea what this is going to do to us, but I'm sure we are all going to be changed"

"Rick, Look at me, Look at me, as she takes her two hand cups his face, and kisses him deeply, leaving no doubt in his mind, this Kate is truly in it for the distance. "I love you, this doesn't change that. I'm so glad you made us take the time to talk about things like this, so no Rick, I'm not going anywhere, I'm here Always."

They had almost forgotten that Howie and Paula were in the room, each locked on the other's eyes in a look that could only be described as the look of love, pure love. Paula gently clears her throat and brings things back to focus.

"Kate, for what it's worth, I'm so damn happy for you two, you have really matured him, God I was so afraid it would be the end of you two."

"Howie, Rick, made me, yes made me sit and talk about everything that he thought that could ever come back to haunt him, or me, it was his persistence that prepared us for this, Hell for anything.

Thank You for being here to tell me with Rick present, I'm so glad he didn't have to take that on by himself. This man would cut off his arm before he would hurt me, he loves me that much and the most beautiful thing is that I feel the same". This time the kiss did carry a lot longer.

Paula discreetly gets up and motions for Howie to join her at the bar, to allow Kate and Rick some alone time. Howie has a beer, and Paula a glass of wine, until the whispers, kisses, more whispers, Kate holding him as he sobbed, then more whispers die down in the living room,

"We're sorry Paula, Howie, I got carried away, I just have to be sure he is OK, I mean really OK."

"We understand Kate, and Thank You, for the first time in my friends life, he is happy and satisfied, you are his life, so thank you for staying with him through this. I promise it isn't as bad as it seems at first."

"OK Howie, you say it's verified, is there any demands from the daughter, do you have any information?"

"Rick, she contacted me first, I had her attorneys contact Howie, but her name is Allison Grant Maxwell, heir to Maxwell House Coffee, so she has no desire in any monetary support whatsoever.

Her request was to meet you, provide her with a list of medical history for you, Martha, and Alexis, she wants the history for when she becomes a mother. She wants to know what diseases to watch for. She was very respectful and knew it would be a shock to you and your family. If Alexis, and you would like, she would like to meet those important in your life, including you Kate.

She understands her mother lied to you Rick, she wasn't a student at Wake Forrest, but was visiting her Cousin Roger Perak, *"

"Wait the same Roger Perak that was friends with Damian Westlake?"

"The same, I guess she stalked you for a few days, but Allison said she took the secrets to her grave almost 4 months ago. Her real name was June Allison Maxwell, but hated her first name and used Allison.

"In fact, Allison visited Damian in prison, and found he had paid for a Private Detective to search for her mother for a year, no results so he gave it up when you moved on. I'm sorry about Damian Rick, I really am, I know he was a good friend to you, when you needed a friend.

"Damian paid for a PI, for a full year. I never knew." Kate had been right beside him through this entire ordeal, now she held his hand, and looked at him,

"Rick, what he did for you at that time, I'll always be grateful for that, but he broke the law, and you know*"

Rick kissed her deeply, "I know Babe, I'm not sorry about his punishment, I'm sorry that he did it" then kissed her again, "Just stay by me Kate, I need you now more than ever"

She looked up at him her own eyes pooling with tears, "Always Rick, Always Babe."

Once again Paula gently cleared her throat and continued,

"The Grandfather had a background check done on you, once she was pregnant, he was afraid of you coming after her money. When you changed your name to Castle, and hit the best seller list, the Grandfather let it go.

That's where it stayed till, she died from a heart attack and Allison was going through her personal effects. She found the write up on you, It seems June Allison wanted children, but wasn't happy with any of her prospect in White Plains New York, so she went scouting. She didn't want the class playboy, but you had a lot of characteristics the candidate had to meet,"

"Seems like I was the original Sperm Donor without ever knowing it" Rick said sadly,

"Rick, she was a desperate woman looking for the best father she could find for her child, don't think of it as just a fling, think of it as someone who thought what you have proved, you are one Fantastic Father. I know it hurts because you were led to believe it could be something more, I'm so sorry Babe, I'm here and I have you."

"She doesn't want a dime. She wants to meet me, Alexis and Kate and for us to provide her the Medical Histories so she could better plan for her future kids medical treatments, is that it?"

"Yes Rick, that's it, she wanted you both to sign agreements that no legal action would be taken by either party, that you work it out as adults." Howie sighs

"How old is she Howie?"

"She's 19, about to turn 20 in three weeks. She's about to graduate with Honors from Harvard, and plans on going on to Law School,"

"Yeah, that would make sense to continue the family business," Rick says softly, Kate still holding him tightly, smoothing his face, kissing him gently reassuringly.

"Actually, she's not Rick, she's going into Family Law to help kids find their parents, I guess she always wondered who her Dad was, and they told her that he was dead. Would you like to see a picture of her?"

Rick looks to Kate, who has already started reaching for the photo,

"Babe, she's got your DNA, it's not going away, I love you, that means I love everyone that is associated with you, including Allison. God, 19 years old, she is one brave young lady" as it dawns on Rick, Kate was the same age when she lost her Mother.

When they view the picture, Rick gasps, and Kate smiles, "there's no DNA even needed, this is my man's child, look at those eyes, up till now I never saw anyone with eyes like yours, now tell me those aren't you?"

Paula can you tell her Thank You for the approach she took, and I am asking for a few days to meet with Alexis, Mother and Kate to see our next steps. I think I speak for Kate, but I want to see this beautiful young lady, I'm just sorry she had to find out the way she did."

"Absolutely Rick, Kate I want to tell you, you removed all doubts from me tonight, you complete him, please take care of each other, and I'll get back to you with our next steps after your family meeting."

"Thanks Paula, I love him, I don't care who knows, and no one is going to hurt him ever again, if I can help it, he's just too sweet for his own good sometimes."

After all were gone Rick sat on the couch, Kate lying with her head on his lap, stretched out, loving how he touched her ever so lovingly, even without words, there were ways to say I love you, Always.