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 7

Previously

Retrieving her cup of tea and the paper she sat at her small dining room table, opening the paper to the entertainment section, there it was. Larger better pictures of Rick and the woman, identified as Darlene Sipos Marzano, with Rick's arm gently guiding her through what appeared to be a group of tables, perhaps at one of the restaurants the TMZ piece mentioned.

One picture had captured them looking into each other's eyes, and Kate knew then that this was not a one-night stand, or some pick up, this woman meant something to him. Another showed the smile for her that used to be, yeah Kate get used to that phrase used to be, hers.

12th Precinct

7:00 AM Same Day

Roy Montgomery liked a routine, in fact Rick had once said you could set your watch to his activities, taking a break always at the same time, going to lunch and breaks. As always, this morning he had arrived at 6:00 AM, sifted through some reports in his inbox, read a few emails then went to get a cup of coffee from the machine Rick had gifted the department. Of all the things he had done since beginning his consulting this was perhaps the most meaningful, good coffee was everything.

The morning edition of the Times was on his visitor chair, so he decided to review it quickly as he enjoyed his coffee while it was still hot. The Entertainment Section was out of place, it had been moved up, so he would see it before he got to the Sports Section that he typically started with. He started to move the section when he saw the pictures and knew immediately, they were of Rick Castle.

The appearance of the paper in his office, the change in location of the section of the paper, these were not accidents, but someone trying to send him a message without identifying themselves. He looked out at the bullpen, but like he thought there was no sign of either Ryan or Esposito, neither were expected for at least another hour.

He opened the section and begin to read, almost word for word the words that had been broadcast earlier on TMZ but embellished with better enhanced photos of Rick entering Darlene's suite.

His first thought was "Rick, this guy is gonna kill you messing with his wife, he has the means to make you disappear under the concrete of one of his new buildings"

As he read deeper, there was a picture not shown on TV, of Rick and Wayne Marzano actually shaking hands, almost like Mr. Marzano was taking his wife's hand and placing it in Rick's, then another of Rick with his arm around the wife, as Mr. Marzano kissed her cheek, hardly a jealous third party from his years of experience in Law Enforcement.

Oh my God, Beckett. She is gonna flip when she see's this, she can deny all she wants she doesn't have feelings for the writer, but he went though a summer where she was referred to as Super Bitch, because Rick had left for the Hamptons with his ex-wife. No one in the Department would deal with her, till he finally had to send her home a few times. He can't have that again, especially this close to her screwup vigilante effort for Royce.

Roy looked up and saw Esposito and Ryan stumble in at 8:05 AM,

"Esposito, Ryan My office NOW" he bellowed half scaring the young Irish cop, and certainly putting the Hispanic Detective on edge.

As they stumble towards the Captain, neither were in a hurry to find out what they were about to get yelled at for, Esposito looked at Ryan and said,

"Bro, you better have kept you mouth shut about the betting pool"

Ryan didn't have time to verbally answer him with anything but a What the Frick look as they entered Montgomery's office.

"Have either of you saw this morning's Times, particularly the Entertainment Section?" Roy looks serious, not joking no good morning just right to it.

"Sir, no Sir," comes from both, almost in unison.

"I thought not, take a look at this, I guess it was on TV last night as well TMZ,"

"This is bad Cap, really bad, Beckett is going to go out of her mind," Ryan says with a deep layer of concern,

"That Bastard, I warned him about hurting her, I'll kick his ass" Espo grits out before he realizes where he is at.

"Detective you lay one hand on Castle, and you'll be back in a Patrol Car working nights in the Heights, IF you get to keep your badge at all, is that understood?"

"Sir, Yes Sir" Esposito gets out between gritted teeth,

"You guys don't know the whole story and it's not my story to tell, BUT I can't have Kate return next week with the same attitude she had when Castle left last summer, she's already on thin ice and a repeat of that attitude would force me to fire her.

What I need you to do, enlist the ME if she can, is go visit her, and be a friend. I can't make that an order since it would infringe on your rights, but if you want to save your friend, I would strongly suggest you go check out that lead in her building, if you get my drift."

"What lead?" Espo said, at the same time Ryan replied "Loud and Clear Captain, Thank you Sir"

"Dismissed" is all Roy said as the two detectives strode from his office with Ryan explaining things to Espo then smacking him on the head.

Espo finally understanding the situation, dials Lanie's extension, and on the third ring, a voice comes on "Lanie Parrish, How can I help you"

"Chica, we have a situation. Captain Montgomery just called Ryan and I into his office and showed us this morning's paper, and Lanie, it's Rick and he's with another woman in Vegas."

"What? I was over at her apartment yesterday, apparently, she had sent him a text asking him to call her, guess something got started in LA but she did her usual Running job. We need to talk with Ryan and form a plan but not over the phone."

"Captain told us to go check out a lead in Beckett's building so he's cutting us some slack, but Lanie, if she comes back acting like she did when Gina showed up last summer, Roy is going to fire her, she's pushed the limit."

"I figured as much, give me an hour, and then I'll text you when I am out of here, meet me at my place and we'll get a plan, the three of us,"

"Got it, and Chica, Thanks you're the friend everyone wants"

Ricks Penthouse

Cosmopolitan Hotel, Las Vegas

8:30 AM Local Time Same Day

Rick had had his workout, showered, shaved and even Skyped Alexis and was feeling better about everything, especially now that Darlene had gotten the biggest burden off of her back. Alexis was concerned about her in this morning's call,

"Dad, you know you're going to have to watch out for Darlene, she's not mean enough to cope with all those idiots who are going to be bugging her now. She's just too sweet a lady, and tell her I really appreciate her openness, and honesty, about you two. She's rare, she has morals and sticks to them, so we have to help her."

"You're right Pumpkin, we do. I'm glad you understand that she is a friend, a really good friend that I can talk to about anything with, but for now that's all it is. Will it ever grow into more, it's way too early to tell, she's still in love with her husband and feeling like she failed in her marriage, and I, well I have my own baggage."

"You mean Kate, you still love her, and are trying very hard not to, I know Dad, and for what's it worth, I'm sorry, I was really pulling for you. I really thought you were on track when she got rid of that Doctor boyfriend, but I guess things weren't meant to be the way I had hoped they would be."

"You and me both kiddo, but we can't change what we don't control, and I can't force her to have feelings for me, so it's time to move on, like an adult."

"I'm really proud of you Dad, no sulking, no anger, and no booze, that's one thing I really like about you and Darlene in whatever it is you are in, she brings out the best in you, and I'm happy.

I know you're both hurting, but when I see you smile I don't worry are you drinking yourself to death and tying to hide it from me, I know you hurt, but you're dealing with it like never before. Please give Darlene a big hug for me, she lets me live without worry. I thought I'd never say this, but Daddy, stay as long as you need to heal, take care of and think of yourself for once."

Rick has tears in his eyes as he listens to his much too mature teenage daughter spell out for him what has happened,

"Hey, how'd you get so smart? Thanks Pumpkin, and that's one worry off of me, how this is effecting you."

"Well I got a text from Paula that told me some pics got through, she's still working on that and TMZ aired a piece last night she hopes to have a retraction on air by tonight. She told me she'd text you but looking at the pics and the way you looked at Darlene, the only woman who stood a chance with you now was me," as she laughed and said, "I love you Daddy"

"I love you too Pumpkin, Old Dad will be just fine, like you said, it'll take time but I've got something in the works with believe it or not Darlene's ex-husband, nothing to do with writing."

"Dad, how does Darlene feel about that, I mean she's trying to move on, how is you dealing with her ex going to make her feel?"

"Well it's complicated, especially why the two got divorced, they really do still love each other, which made me so sad, but this is something Darlene wants to do as well, and that's all I can say"

There's a knock at the Rick's door, and his response, Come on in Dar, it's open

"Well Daddy, I'll let you go, but let me say good morning to Darlene first, OK?"

"Hey Dar, Alexis wants to say good morning to you, as he pulls her into him and they share the screen,"

"Good Morning Darlene, I can see by the look on your face and the paper under your arm you saw the lies, No Worries, don't concern yourself about it, Paula is working on it now and will have it taken care of by end of day. You and Dad did nothing wrong, you know that, so does Mr. Marzano, so why concern yourself with the gossips. Relax and have a great day with Dad."

"Alexis, you just took a huge weight off my shoulders, I was so afraid you would see these and believe them, and I swear, we are friends only, and will be till we get over those who own our hearts still"

"Darlene, take your time, if you need to talk I know I'm only a teenager but if you need a woman to talk to, I'm here, Dad tries, but he's still a guy" as Darlene laughs and replies

"Thanks Honey, I may take you up on that someday, thanks for being so sweet,"

"Call me tomorrow Dad, you two have a great day, Gotta Go" as the picture fades to black.

"Well?" Rick is looking at Darlene, as she tears up,

"Well what, Rick Castle, so you were right again, she's a great kid," as she leans in and kisses his cheek, oh, "Good Morning and Thank You"

Rick barely touched her lips as he kissed, her cheek, and replied, "Good Morning, and you're welcome for what I don't know" as he smiles that sincere smile.

"For taking care of things, for taking care of me, making sure I am protected, I never had anyone do that before, so it's new, but makes me feel so special"

"Well, you are special, God knows you have done more for me than I have for you. Alexis even commented that you have changed me. All the times before I would hit the bottle or taken off to the beach and not been heard from for weeks or months, I never considered how much that hurt my little girl"

"Thank You Rick, and Thanks for not pressing our relationship to anything more than it is right now, I know I'm not ready, and I'm pretty sure you aren't either"

"You're welcome and right back at you, Totally correct of both counts, let's just enjoy our friendship and let things come as they may, if they ever do, if not, you're still my best friend."

"Agreed, but can you do one thing for me now?"

"Sure Dar, just name it"

"Take me to breakfast I'm suddenly starving" as she takes Rick's hand and heads to the door,

"Your wish, my command" Rick laughs as the door closes behind them on their way out for another day together.

TBC

Don't Hate on Rick or Darlene, just two adults supporting each other through a tough time, no jumping into bed, no I love you' s let the story develop.