Love's Journey 2
by Castlefan6
Authors Note This is the continuation of Love's Journey, originally authored by The Muse of Apollo, chapters 1-7 all following are work of Castlefan6' IF you haven't read the original Love's Journey please do so before proceeding with this,
I don't own Castle, I only use the characters for amusement purposes only
Chapter 3
Previously
"I don't know how you do it, you must be related to Mother Theresa, but Thank You Jess, I know you don't have to share that part of his life with me, but you do, I really can't say that I would be near as gracious as you."
Castle's Loft
One Month Later
Rick and Jess are both quiet, each working on their separate projects, Jess the actual housing units to assist the homeless, and Rick the book based on the tragic life of childhood hero and friend Rae, to fund the housing.
"Rick just got great news, the planning commission just approved plans for Alpha Phase 1, and the attorneys are ready to purchase the properties at about half of what we budgeted, all we need it the Boss's approval," she grins,
"Well have you talked to her yet Jess? Rick asked in a very serious tone, leaving Jess looking like WTH,
"Jess, YOU are the boss, you are the Executive VP or RCE and have signing limits up to $15 million, remember Sweetie we talked about this" he smiles as it suddenly dawns on Jess that she is second in command.
"Gosh Rick, I guess it just hit me, just how much you trust me not only in your life but also in your business, I know how important this project is to you and why, I promise I won't screw it up,"
"I know you won't, just don't put too much pressure on yourself, this is going to be a long project and I can't have the love of my life burning out at work, can I?"
Jess answers him with a sweet kiss, mumbling "Won't happen, I have someone that I love to take care of that is Priority one, nothing else comes before him, want to guess who that would be Mr. Castle?"
"Jess, I knew you liked Eduardo but had no clue it was this serious" Rick laughs and starts to run as Jess begins chase with a rolled-up magazine.
"You better run after saying something like that Rick Castle," Jess is laughing and playfully slapping at Rick when he turns and just draws her into a kiss that catches her completely off guard, almost like their first kiss, wait what was that one year ago today. WOW one year and more in love each day,
Jess decides to keep the memory of their one-year anniversary quiet, Rick has had so much going on, and after all it was just an anniversary of their first official date, not a wedding or engagement, and what guy remembers details like that.
As the kiss breaks, Jess's phone rings "This is Jess how can I help you, Oh Hi Bob, yeah I got the figures in front of me for both sites," a pause to listen to the voice on the other end as Jess turns the speaker on, "Well have you run the numbers by the boss and any idea of when we can move on this, we expect the market to go back up significantly soon"
"Hi Bob, this is Rick, you must not have received, or knowing you haven't read the Company newsletter announcing Jess as the Executive VP with complete control of this project, so you are talking to the boss when you talk to her," "Oh and in the future, be sure you are up to date with RCE news before you call, I'm not happy that we have to tell you what is going on when you should be all over this billing us the rates you do."
"I'm sorry Rick and you're right, I have been busy, but you and I have spoken, and I know just how important this project is, so it won't happen again, and Jess I apologize for not recognizing your well-deserved promotion, Congratulations. Do you have some time to review the figures this week?
"I have to confer with someone, but I'm pretty sure we can make it happen, when are you open, Thursday is good for me, say 10:00 AM at the Loft?"
"That works for us Jess, I may have my Jr. Partner with me, I can see we are going to need to be on top of this if that's OK.
"Sure, we'll see you Thursday at 10:00 AM, have a great day, bye"
Rick is smiling the smile saved just for her, "See, you are a natural, you don't need my help you're going to be great, we are going to be great." "Just curious, who do you want to confer with Hun?"
Jess smiles "Oh you caught that did you Mr. CEO, I thought I would have lunch with Kate and compare notes on which of these properties she thinks would bring the greatest impact the fastest, they're both in the 12th District and who knows that area better."
Rick is grinning from ear to ear, "You never cease to amaze me you know that, I know that you want to keep Kate involved with our project, so she doesn't feel like the rejected fool and slip into depression or alcohol use, given what happened to her Dad." "I love you Jess, more with every day"
"Guilty as charged Rick, I hope that doesn't upset you, and I love you more each day as well."
"It doesn't upset me at all, YOU know who I love, and that's not changing. I just think it's so fantastic that you ALWAYS think of others in everything you do, this project is going to be far better with you running it Sweetie."
Jess places a quick call to Kate and arranges lunch with her for that day, seems there was a lull in murders over the weekend and it's the dreaded paperwork and review cold case file days. She showers, twice, the first was interrupted, but she would never complain, and makes her way out the door almost exactly on time to meet Kate.
Rick is reviewing his emails when he sees a new one from Frist American Publishing marked important, and as he opens it he see's it's his welcome letter to the Publishing house, a copy of his signed contract and detailed contact information. There is a request to correct any information listed, so he inserts Jess as Executive VP, Personal Manager as top contact, and moves Paula Haas down a space changing her tittle from Agent to Consultant. He also notices he is now assigned to the VP of Development rather than just an editor or Senior Editor. His new contact will be Mr. Kelly Nunez, official tittle is Senior VP Development and Research, First American Publishing.
This could be interesting, maybe the new publisher is taking this project as serious as Rick and Jess, one thing for sure they are surely greasing the wheels to allow him a smooth transition. Rick is about to empty his Spam folder without looking when he stops to give it a glance, and there it is a new message from Mr. Nunez. He marks the mail as not spam and assigns a rule to it to display first in his Outlook settings.
Returning to the In Box, which has now chimed with a new mail, he sees that indeed the email from Mr. Nunez is on top. He opens it to read,
"Dear Mr. Castle,
Welcome to First American Publishing, we are excited to have you as part of our family and look forward to a long and mutually rewarding relationship for us both. Rick, may I call you that, I'm not big on formalities so please call me Kelly when you call or write, it sets the tone for a partnership that we strive for with all our family.
I have reviewed your contract with Legal, and effective two weeks from today you may legally start presenting material to me, without reprisals from your former publisher. I would love to have lunch, drinks or perhaps Dinner with you and your significant other, at your convenience. I want to know your vision, what drove you to this story, how I can support it, and how we can develop the most effective marketing plan without sending you to 75 cities in 50 days. Please give me a call at the number on my card enclosed, and no I don't have a secretary, so you are stuck talking to me. Looking forward to our chat and visit,
Warm Regards,
Kelly"
Rick is immediately impressed with the candor, and the fact they want his input on how to market the story. Perhaps the most touching part was the sincerity wanting to know the passion behind the story and how they could support, a polar opposite to what he had just faced. A quick call to Kelly, and yes, he did answer his phone himself and they had set up lunch with he, Kelly and Jess for next week.
Jess would have to approve the date and time since she controlled the calendars, which brought on a huge laugh from Kelly, "I couldn't find my way out of a pay toilet with a roll of quarters if left on my own, Thank God my wife takes care of me" he laughs. "I'm happy you have someone in your life taking care of you as well Rick". They exchange pleasantries then end the call with Rick promising to confirm date and time for lunch next week, Kelly was keeping his schedule open for them.
Remy's
Same Time Frame
Jess arrives at Remy's almost 5 minutes early and decides to get seated, she is surprised to see Kate sitting at a back booth as she walks in with Kate waving at her. She is engulfed in a tight embrace as soon as she reaches the table, "Hey Jess, it's so good to see you again, and thanks for thinking of me for lunch today"
"It's great to see you as well Kate, been waiting long How are things, you still doing all right?
Kate reaches over and squeezes her hand "Just got seated, and yes I'm doing good. I am working on some therapy sessions to try to determine what causes me to act like a psycho bitch sometimes, "*** Jess starts to laugh and replies
"Let me know when you find the cure, I think we all are like that, it's hormones I think, or at least that's my story" she laughs
"Yea Jess, that's normal but not the extreme that I take it, I wind up destroying good things that come into my life, and I am determined not to lose you or Rick's friendship again." "God knows people think I am crazy when I tell them how sweet you both have been after they have heard the full story, even my Aunt told me she would have put a contract out on me" this brings complete cackles from both ladies
"Jess, Happy first anniversary to you and Rick, it's a year today for your first date isn't it" Kate asks sincerely,
"Yes, yes, it is Kate, and thank you, how did you remember that with all the issues you have faced?"
"I have a calendar I mark with special dates, and after Rick came to the precinct the next morning, I knew he had met someone special, I just didn't realize how special and how kind you would be to me"
"I am really touched Kate, you have so much to offer to others, you really need to let people know just how kind and special you are as well, you don't always have to be Bad Ass Beckett."
"I've been told and I'm working on it Jess, but change takes time, thanks for being patient with me. I think you, Lannie, and Maddie are the only friends I haven't chased away. God knows why, you of all people have every right to tell me to go to hell and never speak to me" *** she just finishes when she find herself in an embrace from Jess
"Shh Shh Kate, we talked about this, Forgiveness is a gift you never return, and besides I need you too Girlfriend,"
"Like how" Kate is almost in tears,
"Well to help out on Lost Innocence Project if you can spare some time, I am sure we can work out some payment plan,"
"Wait, you want me to help on Rick's special project? Jess are you sure and how does Rick feel about this?"
"He's completely onboard and has turned the entire project over to me, oh here is what that crazy man did just a few weeks ago," as she hands her new embossed business card to Kate,
"See what I mean, he just can't stop doing things for the people he loves, and Kate, you are in that group, maybe not the way it could have been, but we know there are different types of love"
Kate looks up with a tearful smile, "Jess you make him happier than I ever did, and if I forget my selfish ways I am happier that you are with him, it's what he deserves" "You will never know just how thankful I am that I still have his friendship, and now yours, so things worked out well"
Jess pulls out the plans and site plot maps, and takes a photograph on her phone, then returns the original maps to her case and secures it. "Kate, I hate this part of my job, but can you read and sign the NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) for RCE, it's required before I can release any information, I'm sorry it's not that I don't trust"*** Kate interrupts and replies "Jess just give me that damn pen, I am getting hungry," which brings laughter to both ladies.
After polishing off one of Remy's famous burgers and sharing a Strawberry Shake to conserve on calories, Jess forwards the site plot maps to Kate's phone. "We need to know which of these sites would assist the homeless the greatest, and part of that is the safety of those homeless living in each area. Can you review and get back to me, I have a lunch date to finalize the purchase of one of these sites and we really would like your input Kate"
"Of course, Jess, I will do this on my own after the boys leave so no loose lips, and get back to you, Thank You for including me on something so special to Rick."
"You're more than welcome Kate, it has become my passion now as well, and I bet by the time we are done you will be just as hooked. Rick didn't have it so good until Martha came into his life, and he's trying to pay it forward as fast as he can."
Kate tears up a bit remembering the conversation with Martha last year when she didn't even know that Rick had been adopted, and how Hurricane Martha had blown in to defend her son, and rightly so.
Jess seems to sense the sadness, and gently pats Kate's hand and says, "It's OK Kate, everything is fine now,"
"Well you are late getting back to work, and I have a couple of stops before I return to see what our Man-child has done now" Jess laughs as Kate motions for the bill, but the waitress says, "It's paid Mam,"
"Jess when did you pull that off, I was with you the whole time,"
Jess just laughs "call me when you can Kate, and Thanks Girlfriend, talk to you soon" as she gathers her into a quick embrace.
Kate walks the few blocks back to the precinct smiling, she's going to work on Rick's special project and things couldn't be better between her and Jess, more importantly Rick was happy, truly happy so now she could be as well.
A/N Going to leave it here, Thanks for your reviews, follows, DM's and messages, It's the fuel we need to keep typing whenever we think of something, Appreciate all the support Tim
