If Only
by Castlefan6
Authors Note: Thisis my AU version of an alternate ending to Love and Die in LA. Some Angst, some canon but mostly AU. All things are the same till the Gantz ending, Previously notes courtesy of Dust Jackets dot com.
I don't own Castle, I use the characters for amusement purposes only
Chapter 5
Previously
"Hey Rick, I know something has changed between us, you're far too serious, I want to finish that talk we started in Los Angeles, I should never have walked away, and if you're reading between the lines you're right, I want to talk to you face to face, Please, Don't shut me out, I am SO SORRY, for hurting you, I know I have, and now I am feeling what you have for years, Please Rick, Call Me, Please
Always
Kate XoXo"
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Kate Beckett's Apartment
3 hours Later, Same Day
Kate has cried just about every tear her body could produce, realizing when she read Rick's text that it was over, they were over to borrow one of her earlier lines. Just as her kettle whistled the water was hot for her tea, coffee is out of the question, she gagged at the mere thought of the beverage, her phone rang.
"Beckett" she answered trying to disguise the emotion in her voice,
"Hey Girl, What's the matter," came Lanie's loud voice over the line,
"Oh Lanie, it's over for real now"
"What's over for real, what are you talking about Kate, it's two weeks suspension, Captain could have fired or demoted you in rank and pay"
"No, No not that, I mean I know he could have, It's Castle he's gone and it's all my fault, I'm too late"
"Hey Kate, hang on now, do you have proof of that or are you jumping to conclusions again,"
"Lanes come see for yourself, you tell me if I'm jumping to conclusions or if I'm right, he has had enough and is gone for good."
"I'll be there in an hour, don't do anything stupid,"
Exactly 54 minutes later Kate heard her door opening and knows it's Lanie using her spare key for in case of emergencies.
"KATE, Where are you girl, you better be OK or I'm going to really hurt you, KATE?"
From a dark corner of the living room, sitting on the floor Lanie spots her legs, and hears, "Over here Lanes, I'm fine, no I'm not but I didn't do anything, to myself if that's what you're worried about."
Lanie rushed to her hugging her "Girlfriend, let's step back and take this one step at a time. Richard Castle loves you, everyone could see that, what is it that has gotten you so set that he's done with you?"
Kate hands her cell phone to Lanie with Rick's last text to her, still open, the screen damp from tears.
Lanie reads the text, and takes a few deep breaths, "Honey, I don't know what went on between you two in LA but apparently Rick was on one page and you on another, or you were on the same page and you ran"
"We were having a moment, an innocent moment as Rick let me reminisce about Mike, and he told me that he thought I was a puzzle he was never going to solve when he first met me. I looked into his eyes and saw love, and the gentleness of someone who wanted to be my everything.
After more than a few seconds, I just said, it was late and I had to go and retreated towards my room, he called my name and I just said Good Night Castle and closed the door.
I stood behind the door debating should I start things up with him, I knew I loved him for a long time, but was I ready to commit to him, when I finally opened the door again, he was gone from the couch and his door was just closing."
"What happened then, you just didn't stay in your room without telling that man something did you? You Did and you wonder why you got this text from him Kate? Read the words self-preservation, the man has gone through hell to prove his worth to you!"
"Lanes, I should have walked across the hall and told him then how I felt, but I was a coward, and the next morning, everything was different between us. He was polite, too polite, almost like I was a stranger and he was trying to be the gracious host. When we got to the airport, we entered security, and went to the gate, then all of a sudden Rick turns to me and said,
I'm sorry to bail on you now, but I have some pressing business I need to attend to out here on the west coast, have a safe flight, and turned to leave. I stopped him and tried to find out what the hell was going on but nothing, he told me nothing, and shrugged off the goodbye hug I tried to give him."
"You wonder why Kate? What's it going to take for you to see what even a blind man in New York see's, that man is crazy, head over heels in love with you, or at least he was. His text to you means is he has crossed the breaking point, and he is moving on.
Honey you did it to yourself, and now you have to be the one to be the aggressor, don't take no for an answer, IF you truly want him back. Don't play games with him Kate, it's either all in or let him walk away to find some kind of happiness, you owe that much to him."
"What are you saying Lanie, I should give up my Mom's case and chase Castle half way around the country? He knows how important that is to me, and he wouldn't ask me to make that choice"
"You're right Kate, he wouldn't but he took it as long as he could, and now as his friend, let him go. IF you love him, like I think you do, you shouldn't have to think twice about giving up anything for him, if he is your world, make him know and believe it.
You have some serious thinking to do, I'll help you anyway I can, but Kate, you can't keep fricking him around, he's my friend as well as the boys. Take some time let me know what you want to do, and I'm sure all of us will help you all we can."
Lanie grabs her coat and walks quietly out of the apartment, letting the door close quietly behind her as Kate stares out the window, No what was she supposed to do?
Ricks Penthouse
Cosmopolitan Hotel, Las Vegas
8:30 AM Local Time
Rick's phone chirped just as he went to pick it up, with a text notification from Darlene.
"Good Morning Rick, hope this doesn't wake you, just wanted to know if my breakfast date was available this morning. I have to go to court this afternoon, first hearing and it'd be nice to see a friend before I walk into the Lions Den, Let me know,
Dar"
"Great minds think alike, I was just going to text you, where would you like to go my ONLY breakfast date, and not being pushy but I will go with you to court if you want support, as long as it won't make it more difficult for you
Rc"
"Rick, Would You? That would be great, Thank You, you truly are a friend, I'll see you by the elevator in 5 and we can go to the new restaurant that Wolfgang Puck has opened if you don't mind. I mean how bad can you frig up eggs, till we see what's on the menu, it's a safe choice.
Dar"
"Great, See you in five
Rc"
Rick is standing by the elevator doors when they open and there is Darlene, as beautiful as a ray of sunshine, flashing a huge smile to him.
"Good morning Dar, you look nice today."
"Really Rick? I mean I don't want to head to court in an outfit that says I just finished my shift on the Boulevard strolling for Johns" as Rick bursts out laughing.
"I assure you Darling, you don't look anything like that, you look stunning, like the wife of a successful businessman, who is out of his mind to let you go, sorry again none of my business"
"Maybe not, but still nice to hear from a handsome man, Thanks" as she gently kisses his cheek.
"Rick are you sure you want to accompany me to court, I mean if they get your name the press could print some ugly stuff. I don't want my problem to hurt you or your family"
"Dar, I've already spoken to my publicist, Paula Haas, and told my family I was accompanying you to court, and if they should hear something ignore it till confirmed by Paula or me. This isn't new to them, so no worries and yes, I want to be there for you, I think you will need a friend."
"Thank You Rick, I forgot you got manhandled in court twice before, I'm sorry you had such a tough time."
"Well, the first time I was young and stupid, thinking that if I did the right thing so would she, and actually the only thing that mattered then was custody of my daughter. The second time was really my fault. I never let Gina get all the way in and looking back I can see how badly I hurt her. She loved Alexis but I kept her at arm's length from my little girl, and that was really cruel on my part."
"Regardless of fault, or length of time, I think everyone loses, I know of no couple who stand at the altar and when asked if they do, answer, well I'll try it for a while. We all enter with hopes and dreams, sometimes unrealistic, but still praying that our dreams will come true." A tear drops from Darlene's eye as she finishes speaking.
Clark County Court House
Civil Division, Family Court
Las Vegas Nevada
1:00 PM Same Day
Darlene and Rick have signed in at the Clerk's office, that Darlene was present for the hearing, and Rick was her witness, if needed. At exactly One PM, Wayne Marzano, and two very expensive looking Attorneys walk into the court, a moment before the judge appears.
The Bailiff asks all to rise as he announced the honorable Judge Mary L Parson, now presiding over the case Marzano vs. Marzano Case number D509347, docket number 147.
A middle-aged woman with judicial robes gives the order to all "Be Seated"
She begins by asking who is present, Darlene, and her Attorney are introduced, and Rick gets a look at her soon to be ex-husband Wayne and his Attorney across the aisle.
She looks sternly over her glasses and address Wayne and his attorney in a stern voice,
"I have read the settlement that the former Miss Sipos has signed, and Counselor, I am appalled at you for even bringing such a poorly constructed document to my court. This court will be in recess to give you time to make the corrections to this document, and Counselor, .8 % of Mr. Marzano's stated worth is no where near acceptable as fair and equitable. I won't give you a figure, but you have enough history in my court to understand what I expect, Court is in recess for one hour" as the gavel slams down.
Darlene comes to Rick's seat, almost in tears, "I just want this to be over Rick, I don't care about his money"
Wayne Marzano walks over to them, and in a very polite voice, "Darlene, I'm sorry that they offered you so little, I didn't even look at it when they told me to sign it. I hope you know you are worth so much more to me, and I can't say it enough how sorry I am for messing with your confidence, and your mind"
"Wayne, I don't want your money, all it ever did was bring me pain. I just want to be free to do something with my life, hopefully to help others, but thank you, I know how you are with legal affairs, you really shouldn't be so trusting."
"Well, the agreement is going to give you 25% of my net value which is a huge sum, if you want a good cause to put it too, you can perhaps think of a way to help the homeless Veterans, or the young girls who are turned into the prostitution ring here every year."
"Mr. Castle, I'm glad you are with Darlene, she needs good friends she can count on, and I am a fan of your work."
Rick is shocked, of all the things he expected to hear from the husband in a divorce case it never would have been Thank you.
"Thank you, Mr. Marzano, I see you have done a lot for the city and Darlene is a very sweet lady who has become a great friend to me. I think you have some good ideas of how to help those who need it, would it be possible to discuss your ideas in more detail in the near future?"
"Here's my card with my direct cell number, can you give me till after the 12th, and I can discuss it with you and Darlene at a location of your choice, is that OK with you Darlene?"
A nod of her head, as Darlene still is fighting back the tears, no matter why, or who, she is the one who felt like a failure in her marriage.
The judge re-enters the courtroom, and the court is called to order. Wayne had fired one Attorney during the break and made it clear that Darlene was to be taken care of in all financial matters now and in the future. Judge Parson peers over her glasses and asked
"Where is your lead counsel Mr. Marzano?"
"Your honor he was discharged for his poor performance, and for trying to force my wife to sign a document that was clearly unfair, thank you for pointing that out. My co-counsel is now lead and has submitted the revision for your approval."
"Thank you, Mr. Marzano, I did review the document, and it seems to be both fair and equitable, in fact it seems generous, and provided your wife accepts the revised terms we can continue."
Darlene's lawyer stood and said, "No objections with the revisions your honor, my client accepts the document as revised."
Within 15 minutes, Judge Parson gave a closing statement.
"It's rare that I see two parties so agreeable when they come before me, I urge you both to take the compassion you felt for each other into your communities, and learn from this mis-step, it wasn't a mistake, but rather a learning opportunity for you both,
If there are no further arguments, it is my ruling that the matrimony between Darlene Sipos and Wayne Marzano be declared null and void subject to the civil agreement filed and agreed upon this day in Clark County Nevada. Case Dismissed" as the gavel sounds marking the end of the marriage legally.
Wayne walked over and shook Rick's hand, and kissed Darlene with a brief kiss,
"I truly am sorry Darlene, I'll always love you, so be happy. I will be here if you ever need me, just call" as tears fill his eyes he turns and walks back to his entourage of attorneys and bodyguards.
Darlene sat for a moment, as tears filled her eyes, then she stood, took Rick's arm,
"Thank you so much for being here with me, I don't think I could have gotten through this by myself, you ready to leave?" as she lays her head on his shoulder just as flash bulbs go off and questions are being shouted from several directions.
Rick wraps a strong arm around her, escorting her into a private room, and quickly calls Dan Tanaka for a private limo to meet them in the back entrance.
The driver texted his arrival a few minutes later and Rick whisked Darlene out of the Courtroom and away from the vicious crowd of paparazzi. He's sure that they will be in some tabloid, so he took out his phone and hit a number on speed dial,
"Paula, yeah it's Rick, yeah we have a situation you need to get on top off," as he described what happened.
"Got it Rick, may not be able to stop them all but should be able to get the big boys worried about their liability, especially now that they are dealing with two powerhouses, you and the new Miss Sipos."
A few minutes later they are safely back at the Cosmopolitan and headed up the elevator
"Rick, would you stay with me for just a little while please, I don't want to be alone right now, that is if you don't have plans"
Rick kissed her cheek, took her key card and helped her into her suite, without seeing the man watering the plastic plants, and taking photos as quickly and discretely as he could.
Darlene's door closes behind them shutting out the world, but it's just the beginning for the press.
TBC