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 15
Previously
Jess politely opened the privacy shields over the bookshelves in the office assuring her of privacy as she showered and prepped to go into the Precinct. 25 minutes later Kate emerged completely different than she looked on the ride, ready to assume the Bad Ass Cop role. She said her goodbyes, shaking Mike's hand kissing Rick and Jess both on the cheeks and hugging then both tight. Jess pulled her into one quick hug and told her to call her later, and she would let her know if anything developed. Now it is official, today is the birthday of the Martha Rae Roger Building for Homeless, New York City.
Beckett's Apartment
8:00 PM Same Day
Kate had just walked through the door, takeout Chinese balancing on one arm and her keys and purse balanced on the other when she heard Jess's tone for a new text come from her phone in her purse. They had been exchanging texts all day, including screen grabs taken from the surveillance cameras and it seemed almost too good to be true. By 7:00 PM the entire 2 blocks of property had been leveled, and moved into piles of rubble, waiting for trucks to come and haul away.
The Big Equipment needed to destroy the streets and sewer lines were already in place, and demolition lines marked. The owner of Pasco Construction may have been a jerk, but he had some fantastic workers.
Jess had made sure the city had tied off the sewer line from the main line connector as condition of sale, an exterminator had taken care of the rats and rodents too stubborn to move when the initial destruction started, and now the area was completely free of vermin. The EPA had also jumped on Federal Funding and was in the process of digging and removing all of the Earth, and material effected by the illegal runoff of the meth lab, so things were moving ahead of schedule.
Kate makes her way to the counter, deposits her packages, and then goes through her ritual she does each night, removes her gun and places in the gun safe, removes the chain containing her Mom's ring, kisses it gently and places in her jewelry chest, then heads to the bathroom to cleanup for her dinner. Once she is settled and has her comfy clothes on, feet propped on the coffee table with her food and a cold bottle of water within reach, she opens the text from Jess.
Kate, thanks for all of your help today, Rick did something to mark the occasion, I didn't even know he did it, but go to this site, .com and check out the beautiful certificates. Each of us has one so please download yours and we will get you the Printed copy from the site in about two weeks, call me if you get a minute, XoXO J&R
Kate clicks on the link and there it is, in the form of a Birth Certificate with the Name of Martha Rae Rogers Building 1, being officially born today, Proud Parents are;
Then Rick has listed each of their names, Jess is first then Kates, followed by Mike and lastly his. The statement at the bottom of the certificate brings a tear to her eye as she reads, "In hopes of returning some of the innocence lost by our cities forgotten we dedicate this building and our efforts and pledge we will continue this effort until all needs have been met" Finally a picture of the architects color drawing of the building is in the middle of the bottom row, large enough to make out, "Martha Rae Rogers Building 1",
RIP our silent angel is written slightly smaller in beautiful cursive script below it.
Kate tears up completely now, remembering the talk she had with Rick as he described Rae's last days on earth, and the raw hurt that eked from inside his soul. After a few tears, deep breaths and mental exercise's she is ready to talk. She hits Jess's speed dial and hears that bubbly happy voice respond before the second ring begins. "Kate, I'm so glad you called, did you get my text? Did you see what he did? That Man, I swear" all comes rushing out in one breath.
"Slow down Jess breathe deep OK? good now Yes I got your text, or I wouldn't be calling you, Yes I saw what he did, and I know how you feel, just when you think you have seen the depths of his sweetness he goes and does something like this. I'm visually picking a spot to hang my certificate as we speak"
"The architect has some drawings and photos, including the before and after each stage that are captured so we can decorate the walls as the building comes to life,preserving the history forever, I never thought of that but I'm glad Rick did." Jess continues
"That's so neat Jess, we can see why he is the author, paying that close to detail, he is so much more sensitive than I or others gave him credit for" almost in tears Kate whispers.
"Oh, I'm sorry to make you cry Kate, I really am, but Rick wanted me to ask your permission before he did something, and I know this is sensitive so please wait till I finish before you answer, OK?"
"Since when does Rick ask permission," Kate blurts out, then realizes just how hard he had tried to be respectful of her wishes,
"I'm sorry Jess, truly sorry, he and you both have been really great, I don't know why I just open my mouth and vocalize every rude remark about Rick that comes to mind, I owe him my career and my life, forgive me please Jess?"
Jess is quiet for a few seconds, then Kate can tell the change in her tone ever so slightly "Apology accepted Kate, BUT just going forward, I won't be as forgiving when you continue to slam the man I love, the man who put his ass on the line for you countless times, it ends here and now."
Kate had heard Jess be business like in conversations but had never heard her in full blown Defense mode towards an attacker of Rick. "Jess, I truly am sorry and you're right, I have no right to say anything bad about Rick, I just don't know why I do"
"Its because you still love him," comes soft and low from Jess's voice, "You love him and know you can never have what he offered you so freely, and you display your inward anger of yourself on to him."
Kate is speechless, it's almost like Jess has used a mind probing tool to reach every hidden thought, every repressed emotion, and vocalize it back to her. After a few seconds of silence, Jess asks "I'm right aren't I Kate?"
"You're not wrong Jess, I try really I do, I know he is yours and I will never do anything to harm your relationship, but I just can't stop loving him, and wondering If Only?"
Kate is surprised at the tone change back to bubbly Jess when she responds, "You never will be able to love anyone the way you should including Rick, until you learn to love yourself, truly love yourself and accept your faults and build them into strengths" "It's a process Kate, you just don't take a Broken Heart pill and poof you are all better,"
"Please though remember when you say hurtful things about Rick, you hurt me, and Girl, we love you, we really do and will always have your back. It's been over a year now for you, so we have to stop the barbs, OK?"
"OK Jess, I promise, no more slams, even in jest" Kate promises,
"Hey, you said Rick wanted to know if I was OK with something before I derailed our conversation what is it Jess?"
"Rick and I were talking and reviewing our design concept pictures, just at the front of the entrance we plan to have a small green space with a tree or two, and some bushes, just something to break up all the concrete. Out of the blue Rick said, you know what would go great under one of those trees? A memorial bench to Johanna Beckett and her co-workers who were the first to attempt to take back the heights"
Jess hears the sobbing, getting louder and louder, "Kate, hey Kate are you OK? Come on girl Breathe Deep," **silence on the line as the sobs slowly subside and finally Kate croaks
"Only Rick would have been so thoughtful to remember my Mom, she died as a result of the take back the heights campaign and some corrupt politicians we haven't been able to prove yet, but we will someday"
"Kate, there is one more piece sorry", Jess is almost afraid to bring it up, but she promised she would have an answer, "He also wants a smaller bench placed on the other side, dedicated to your Mom's co-workers, as well"
Kate sniffles, but the outbursts are gone, "Jess, tell Rick Thank You, I know my Mom would have loved it, and what you are doing to the neighborhood."
"My dad mentioned what a great idea it was the other day and he will be deeply moved by the gesture, so tell Rick thank you from us both and Jess when you kiss him, give him just a small one from me if you don't mind"
"I got to go Kate, have some calls to make yet and I really don't want to leave Rick alone anymore time than I have to, and the answer to your question about the kiss, Well, OK, Yes, but NO TOUNGUE from you girl," causing them both to fall back into comfortable laughter. Good Night Kate, I'll keep you posted, we DO love you so don't forget that, OK?"
"Nite Jess, I don't know where I would be without you guys, love you both as well, talk tomorrow,"
Kate turns to record in her journal today's activities, and prints out the pictures from the texts, she has started a memory book, to record the transformation, she silently looks up, and mouths "Its happening Mom, for you and for all those who started this" then turns to head to bed, completely exhausted.
A/N Sometimes even the most patient people lose it, especially when someone speaks ill of a loved one, but the Girls are all patched up, just part of life. Some reviewers have said that there is no way this could happen in real life, again some experiences are from my personal past. We will get to the next phase next chapter and see what is going on at the 12th. Thanks for reading and reviewing, following and all the favors Appreciate them all, Tim
