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

A/N Next Update Next Monday or Tuesday: To Guest asking about name change, in Canon Rick said it sounded fake, and received the response it is.

Chapter 15

Previously

Rick had made it a point NOT to refer to the man as his father or dad, but rather by birth parent, was identified as Hunter Jackson, age 69, occupation, all information was redacted.

As Rick scanned the reports from the FBI, apparently someone owed Allison's Grandpa a favor, and had ran a background check on not only Hunter, but Martha, and Rick as well. It was apparent by the information that had been redacted Jackson was definitely CIA and not Domestic USA Operations.

"Babe, you may want to look at this, before I go any further" Kate said with fear in her eyes and heartbreak in her voice.

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Castle's Loft

Later Same Day

Rick and Kate had taken a break once they found that not only did Martha know of Hunter Jackson, AKA Jackson Hunt, AKA Keith Jackson and a host of other aliases, but also that both were aware of Rick's paternity of Allison, the location of the mother June Allyson Maxwell, Ricks daughter Allison Grant Maxwell and the father of June, Sterling K Maxwell II. Jackson had known since the daughter was born, and Martha had known for at least 5 years according to the dates and correspondence intercepted.

Somehow the private investigators had been able to track written correspondence from the two, planning next course of action after they had met. It was Martha who refused to allow Hunter to drop any information, anonymously or not about Allison. Kate watched the tears pool in Rick's eyes when he read the passage that she had found, and her heart broke for her husband to be.

"Babe, you know this information may not be accurate, I mean it's notes from investigators and you know from working our cases how many times wrong information is recorded."

"Kate, Thank You, I thought that as well till this", as he handed her a photo copy of a handwritten note, even Kate recognized the handwriting as Martha's. It was on stationary that appeared to be the loud flowery type Martha sent out personal notes, her handwriting was distinctive, and Rick was correct, it did come from Martha Rogers.

"I'm not so keen on knowing much more about the man who provided the donation to Mother to give me life, what I am interested in is WHY my own mother knew I had a daughter and chose to keep the fact from me as if I were a child or something."

"That's a tough question Rick, and the only way you're going to find the truth is to speak with Martha. She may have had good reasons, God, I don't know what they could be, but I'm just saying I can't see Martha doing something so hurtful to you,"

Kates tears burst open and he pulls her into him, "I'm sorry, I didn't want you to see me cry, but Babe my heart is breaking for you and there's nothing I can do to fix this, not a damn thing"

"Hey, I'm OK Kate, really, please don't cry. I can take about anything but seeing you or one of the girls crying, I just can't take that."

"I'm sorry Rick, I just feel so damn helpless, I love you, I know you are hurting more than you ever have in your life, what can I do Babe? How can I help?"

Rick pulls her into a hug, kissing her sweetly, drying her tears with his hankie, and locks eyes on her eyes, "You already are, I know I couldn't take this if I didn't have you." He hold her, and she weeps silently on his shoulder for a few minutes before composing herself.

"I'm here, and I ALWAYS will be, just lean on me when you need to Rick, promise me that? OK?"

"I promise you Love. I think I have all I need to know before I hear the other side of the story, and I WANT you with me when we do, Please?"

"Of course, if you're sure Rick, do you want me to make the call to her, or would you rather handle that"

"Let's do it together," as he pulls his phone, and hits a speed dial number.

The phone rings once, twice, and on the third ring,

"Hello Richard, I'm glad you called, I have so much to say, yo*"

"Mother if you want an opportunity to present your side of the story, be at the loft tomorrow at 10:00 AM, Sober and on time"

"Richard, I taught you better ma*"

"Just tell me are you going to be there or not?"

Martha became more contrite "I'll be there, and all I ask is that you hear the entire story, not just the pieces you've managed to put together."

"See you at Ten tomorrow Mother, Good Bye"

Rick looked upset, he certainly wasn't used to treating any woman in this manner, especially his Mother, but he knew she would excuse the hell out of everything and nothing would get done, UNLESS she thought she stood a good chance of losing Alexis, Rick and Kate.

"Any thoughts Rick? I mean she did sound like she was willing to tell you the entire story."

"Well, Mother is an actress for a reason, it's easy for her to lie, then justify it as being part of a master plan, BUT I'll listen."

"That's all we ask Rick, no one wants you to do any thing that you're not on board with, just give her an opportunity, then make your decision, I'm with you regardless which way you go."

Kate's phone pinged with a text just as she finished speaking,

"Rick, Alexis wants to know if we are up for a surprise tonight, if so, be ready in an hour and a car will be here to pick us up, what should I say?"

"Do you want to? I mean I think we both could stand to get away a bit, so I'm game"

Kate replied, "See the driver in an hour, we're dressed casual, hope that's OK"

It took just a minute till the reply came, "Casual is great, and I'll be with the driver, Glad we can get out tonight, see you soon, Hugs"

True to her word exactly one hour later, Kate and Rick were piling into the back of a limo to join Alexis and a gentleman Rick had never seen before.

"Hi Kate, Hi Daddy, Please meet Matt Monroe, another of Allison's body guards. She wouldn't let anyone pick me up from school till she verified the driver and made sure Matt was with me."

Kate smiled, and whispered, "Like father, like Daughter", it really was uncanny just how many traits that Rick and Allison did share, especially trying to protect everyone they loved, and taking on the blame for everything. God, she loved that man, she just had to get his heart to heal, if this is what he felt when she acted up, it made her feel even worse for being such an Ass.

Less than 30 minutes later they were being escorted into the back of a family restaurant, into a private room, where Allison stood smiling.

"Dad, Kate, I'm so glad you could join me tonight, Lex said you were hard at work on the files when she left for school this morning, and I thought a dinner together would take some of the pressure away."

Kate embraces her, and whispered, "Thanks sweetie, he really needed this tonight"

Alison stepped over and hugged Rick, "Dad, please tell me you didn't spend all day in those files"

"No, well, er, Actually we did make some headway" as she kissed him on the cheek catching him trying to explain.

"You know Dad, I know your tells, because they're the same as mine so don't think you can get anything past me, something is up and since I feel responsible, please tell me how I can help."

"Well, can we sit and have a drink, My God you're not even twenty yet, well you know what I mean," as Kate started laughing,

"I haven't seen him this disjointed sine the day he thought the Micah Indian put a curse on him for one of our cases" and as she caught Rick's eye she saw him begin to relax as she told the story to both Alexis and Allison. By the time it was over the entire table was laughing so hard tears were flowing from the girls eyes.

They enjoyed home made Italian dishes under the careful eye of Matt and Claude, the Body Guards, as well as the owners of the small Italian Restaurant, Mama Raye and her husband know as Joe. Kate and Rick shared a bottle of wine, while the Sisters had sparkling water, and before anyone knew it, 9:30 PM was upon them.

"Hey little Sis, this is what you were fishing for, and by the way, you'd make a terrible lawyer," as Allison laughed and Alexis revealed a list of sizes, colors and stores that Allison liked for her Birthday Gift.

"Was I that obvious, seriously, I thought I did well?"

"Sis, Pre-Law remember", then they both started laughing,

"I was thrilled that you cared enough to try to find out, and really I don't need anything my present came early this year."

"Well maybe so, but we're getting together in between your social dates to celebrate as a family OK Sweetie?" Rick asked

"Smooth Dad, nice way to ask me if I'm seeing anyone special and no I'm not and yes you know I'd love to spend my birthday with my family so Lex and I will talk about what we can do, will that work?"

Rick faked hurt, "Daughter #1 I know not of what you speak"

"Best way to get him out of this is to ignore him Sis, he'll be back normal soon if you do, as once again the laughter rang out. Under her breath she whispered, "You just made his day Sis, he lives for his family and that's what makes him happy" as she hugs her.

Goodbyes were said and as they departed for the evening Allison held Rick a little longer, and hugged him a little tighter, "Dad, none of this is your fault, or mine, just remember that. I love you, so try to relax and treat Kate well, I'll see you soon", as she kissed his cheek.

The ride to the loft was quiet, each lost in their thoughts of the Good evening they had, and two of them dreading the meeting they were going to have in a few hours, it could make or break a Mother Son relationship that had stood so many tests before. Only time would tell, this time the hurt ran deeper, almost cutting his soul into.