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 use the characters for amusement purposes only
Chapter 19
Previously
"Now are you still OK with that Jess? I know we talked about this briefly about 6 months ago, but if this hurts you, knowing I still Love Rick and probably will till the day I die, I'll walk away from you both rather than hurt you." Kate whispers as tears pool in her eyes
FAP Grand Hall
5 weeks Later
Rick looked so sharp in his tuxedo, and Jess was rocking out the latest Vera Wang designer pant suit as they entered First American Publishing for the book launch party for Alex Richards, and the book everyone had been clamoring about, "Lost Innocence". As they entered the ball room, Kelly nodded towards the back of the room, and there in here low cut to there, 5inch high heels, and big hair was none other than Gina Cowell.
Rick was turning to escape but too late, "
"Richard and Janice how nice to see you" she cooed in a fake tone,
"My name is Jess, Gina I'm sure you remember it, but if not, we'll make sure you will after tonight" Rick just smiled, he had learned to let Jess go when she got riled, people could get hurt.
"Really I doubt I have anything to worry about, I'm here to lure this hot new author away from this excuse of a publishing house, and I ALWAYS get what I want, just ask Ricky" as Rick just winces trying to remember what had made him marry this she beast.
Kelly finally caught up with them and howled as Jess explained what happened with Gina, and her threat to sign this new author away from FAP right under their noses. "Well I'll alert security because we are about to begin, and something tells me she is going to be thrown out on her ass again."
Rick and Jess spot Kate, as she comes through the door, followed by her Dad, Captain Montgomery, Martha and about 10 minutes later Mike dressed in a suit arrives. Martha leans in and hugs Kate, whispering "You look beautiful, so glad you came"
"Thanks Martha wouldn't miss this for the world. Just about that time Kelly Nunez takes the stage and begins his speech, welcoming all of the guests, highlighting some of the more famous authors and socialites, but not calling out Rick.
"Tonight, we have a bit of a different format, we'd like to present the following media presentation, and the deep rich baritone voice you will hear is our own Richard Castle who gave his time to narrate this presentation, Thank You Rick" If we could let's dim the lights and begin the show.
About 20 minutes later the lights come back up revealing most of the ladies and even some of the guys with red puffy eyes, it was truly a moving presentation and Rick was a natural as he outlined the plight of one victim, once a Corporate Bank Vice President all the way to seeking shelter in the local homeless shelters, it could happen to anyone, was the message.
What they need most is a helping hand and kind word, not advise about how to change their lifestyles, and there but by the grace of God walks anyone of us. The final 3 minutes was Rick speaking from the heart, about how to help, then a list of shelters and places to donate time and or money followed. They had also been printed out and placed on the tables to insure maximum coverage.
Kelly returned to center stage and podium and stated now was the time to meet the hottest author on the best-selling list in over 50 years, "Please welcome Mr. Alex Richards" as the crowd clapped, lights were lowered with a single spotlight marking the path to the stage, Then the crowd erupted as there standing at the stage introduced as Alex Richards was Rick.
As he received a standing ovation the books lined up outside of the hall began flying off the shelves as additional sales support people were added to handle the rush. Finally, Rick held his arms up to quiet the crowd, and stated, "Hello New York, thanks for welcoming the new guy" The crowd erupted again, and by now Gina was beginning to scream about Castle would be nothing without her, she made his ass, only a few heard as security quietly carried a kicking screaming lady out the door into a police car.
Rick then addressed the crowd, "Many are asking why the mystery and secrecy, well I just severed a business relationship with Black Pawn after 14 years, and we didn't want any negative press to distinguish the importance of the book, sorry if that upset anyone. We are now at FAP and very happy to be part of their family. Kelly turns and embraces Rick in a man hug, "how about a round of applause for Rick Castle, all future book for Innocence project will still be penned by his alter ego, just to keep everything straight." Kelly speaks into his hand-held microphone.
Rick returned to the microphone asked for his staff to join them and introduced the Lost Innocence project, Jess, as the Executive VP RCE, Kate as Special Consultant for legal affairs, Mike as Chief Security and Enforcement Director.
Finally, in a moving tribute he introduced Martha Rogers, not the actress so many knew, but the MOTHER she was to him. Martha was visibly touched and acted like the award-winning actress she was but was caught on Rick's tie microphone when she hugged him, "You are grounded for life buster" which caused the entire hall to laugh.
Kelly thanked everyone for coming and urged them to match their pledge for the project as Rick sat with Jess and Kate, each one with their head on each of his shoulders. It had been the most successful launch he had ever had, and he had yet to sign one book.
As the limos pulled away taking each of the guests home the Steely Dan 4 piled into their car, all returning to the loft. Mike left as soon as they arrived home begging off for an early call rather than join Rick, Jess and Kate for a night cap. Rick knew his friend, and something was up, he needed to give Jess a heads up, and soon.
Kate and Jess each had one arm around Rick and had locked hands in a solidarity chain as they entered the loft, fatigue was beginning to set in. "How about you just stay the night Kate, you have sleep clothes left that are washed in the drawer, it's late" Jess asked Kate.
"Yea Kate, that's a good idea, we need to do the walkthrough at MRR tomorrow at 10:00 AM to see if anything else is needed that would save the travel time" Rick Added.
"You Guys, if I weren't so tired, or already had clothes here I would argue or at least go through the motion, but I am exhausted, a good glass of wine and I think I am ready to sleep for hours"
Rick looks over at Jess, with pure love in his eyes and just mouths "Thank You". After Rick poured the wine, and thanked both Jess and Kate again for all they had done, he mentioned he had to check emails before turning in.
"Rick, can you wait just a few minutes before you leave us" Jess asked sweetly, and before he could answer Kate had popped back into the room with a small package.
"Rick, Jess and I decided to get you something just a small gesture to remember this day, we hope you like it," Kate whispers
Rick opens the package clumsily but there is a beautiful framed picture of the book, Lost Innocence, by Richard Castle, they had removed the pen name, and added a note dedicated: To the man who brings love to so many from two who love him deeply signed below the wording was Jess then Kate, in their own handwriting and the date. Rick has to fight back tears as he kisses Kate on the cheek and hugs her with a hearty hug, then turns to Jess and kisses her sweet lips with a gentle I love you kiss and hugs her just as deep.
Rick get's his voice back and says, "you know I can't show this to any of the 12th don't you?" Both Kate and Jess turn and look at him, "Can you imagine the stories Espo would spread about a threesome" and then he starts running with both in chase.
Pillows hammer him from both Jess and Kate and laughs almost like they were teen agers ring through the loft. Finally Jess catches him and pushed him to the couch, "Just so you know Buster, Kate and I got this worked out already, you are loved by both of us, BUT you make love to one of us, and that one is me".** Kate cuts in "Rick, I do Love you but as long as you are with my BFF ain't no way we are going down that route, no matter how hard up I get" then she starts to laugh which triggers Jess and finally Rick.
What caused tensions to run so high a few months before was being talked about and even laughed at, Wow, guess Love does make you secure Rick thinks as he heads to bed.
Martha Rae Rogers Building 1
Next Day 10:00 AM
Jess had taken lead on the arrangements and as she, Kate and Rick entered the limo, she brought out her iPad, with her checklist. As they arrived at JOHANNA Place, and Rae Boulevard, Jess is already typing notes onto her iPad. Kate looks out and sees Mike getting off his Harley, approaching the limo, "Good Morning All, Right on schedule"
They start the walk through the outside, and Rick is not happy with either the size or health of the trees that had been planted, they looked like they were half dead and were less than half the size on the purchase order, Mike noticed a fault on one of the grades where they had tried to hide a lack of dirt by clever grading, "Mike is on his phone in a second, "Joe, what did I tell you about the grade, yeah well that didn't happen get it fixed today, don't make me call you again"
"Sorry about that Jess, Joe and I have an understanding," Jess just humps, "just don't cost us our liability bond being all macho," Mike is taken back, as Rick notices, he's not used to being schooled especially by a woman in public. Rick makes a mental note to speak to Jess then possibly both Jess and Kate soon,
The remainder of the walk through goes on without major incidents, although there is a laundry list of repairs that Jess emails the Contractor, along with the section of the contract where they had agreed all repairs needed on walk through inspection would be complete within 72 hours. She turns to the On-Site project Manager and says, "we will see you in three days, with all repairs complete, call with any questions," then drops her card and turns to leave.
"Wait what if we can't finish these by then, I mean tomorrow is Friday", Jess replies, "Work the weekend or I sue your ass for breach of contract and you get nothing" The Project Manager just goes white and says, "Yes Mam",
Castle's Loft
12:30 PM Same Day
Kate had returned to the loft with Rick and Jess after the walkthrough to review any issues that would impede the final occupancy permits, Jess would be going for early next week. "Hard to believe that in a few short days people who need the safety and comfort of a place to sleep and call home will actually be starting to be moved into MRR" Jess said excitedly
"Jess how are we are security, has Mike completed the installs and all of the checks for the on site as well as electronic surveillance with the monitoring company yet?
"Funny you ask that Rick, he had that done early, and has been acting a little strange the last few days" Jess replied
"Oh God I hope it's not because of me" Kate whined, "We had an argument the last time we were together, and things have been different since"
"Kate, I can assure you it's not you or your argument, I've known Mike most of my life, and this is his MO, fix a problem then move on, he's a literal rolling stone" Rick comforts never asking what the incident was over,
Jess went through her check list and the only area that was 100% Compliant was Mike's and had been for two weeks, "See Rick, this is what I mean, it's like he is here in body but always thinking miles away"
"Well I can tell you this, I fully expect him to resign and be on his next mission by end of day tomorrow, I may be wrong, but I'd bet money on it" Rick adds
"Rick are you sure I didn't cause this, I mean I **" "He told me about your argument Kate, and you're right, it's none of his business" Rick interrupts, "the only people that have to understand the dynamic between us are the three of us, no one else".
"I don't give a damn what people say about me but Jess, and you Kate, no one is going to taint your name, it's not going to happen"
"Mike has always been a brother to me, but I don't think he ever learned how to be a gentleman when it comes to the ladies, he still thinks we are back in the service and all the girls love the Macho Men" Rick just finishes speaking when
Jess's phone pings with an incoming text, from Mike, "Jess need to talk to you today ASAP, better line up some replacements, got a new gig. Let me know when we can talk – MR
A/N We are nearing completion of Part 2, where the Center is opened and the homeless are actually being cared for, maybe one or two more chapters, then on to Part 3,
