Enough is Enough
by Castlefan6
Authors Note: This is AU; A different scenario after Rick returns to the Precinct in Episodes 3-1. Based on a few quotes I live by,
"Castle, go home! Go back to your ex-wife, your Hamptons, your book parties, okay? I've got work to do." This is what prompted this story
I don't own Castle; I only use the characters for amusement purposes, except the ones I create.
Also, we take liberties with the timeline from Canon and use events to make this more believable fiction, thanks. Remember This IS AU. Timelines, Events, and Outcomes may vary from the Original Script.
WARNING! THIS MAY NOT END AS A CASKETT FIC. If that disturbs you, please delay reading until I decide which ending, I will choose.
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Chapter 6
Four Seasons Hotel
Later Same Evening
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The book launch had gone off as smoothly as they always did, Gina was a stickler for the details, and it showed with each party, launch, or event she planned. Rick had heard about the changes at the 12th Precinct, and Roy took him up on his offer to use his beach home in the Hamptons during his first week of retirement.
He never said WHY and Rick never asked what prompted him to finally give it up, his reputation of retiring and unretiring had become somewhat of a joke at the department. Lanie and her husband made an appearance, late, but her husband had been tied up at the hospital, it was good to see and meet the man she chose to spend her life with. He was a great sport, and Rick suddenly changed the subject when a conversation steered towards Javi. "Rick, it's OK, I know Lanie had a life before me, there's no need to tiptoe around the good times you all seemed to have had while working." He smiled, as Lanie leaned in and whispered something in his ear, causing him to blush.
"Great, I didn't want to offend you, and I know sometimes people are intent on bringing up the past they are clueless about how it will impact those in the present time" Rick smiled,
"We invited Javi to the wedding, but he is stationed out of the country and couldn't make it, although he did send a very nice video recording wishing us the best." Dr. Ted Wilson replied, "So no offense taken."
Lanie kidded, "See Rick, you and Gina don't have an exclusive on treating ex-partners with respect, it makes the whole thing so much easier when you're not fighting over trivial crap." She laughed but there was a dig in there for Beckett for anyone who knew the entire story.
"You never did say what you are doing now, and I saw a blur in the paper's business section quite some time ago about Gina changing companies and jobs. I know that Heatwave is being made into a movie, but did you have to leave New York permanently because of that?" She asked,
"No, Lanie, not just that. I have a bucket list, and I thought, hell, if you want to get some of these things crossed off, you better stop sweating the small stuff and take time for yourself. That's what I've been up to, a lot of travel, for pleasure.
"I am still fooling around with a new character for a book if I ever want to go back to that routine. For now, I'm having too much fun to start writing or working again." He said it was the cover story, Cambridge Books had provided, even first-class tickets to Australia, and other parts of the country, to sell the story.
The only person remotely considering that the new Bond novels were works of Rick's was Kate Beckett. She knew him better than anyone, and whoever was now writing the Bond series was so close to Rick. He had visited Alexis a few times when he was spotted in Cambridge, a quick cover story in the local paper defused any further questions.
It was just before 11:00 PM when Rick turned and almost ran directly into Beckett, she was coming to say goodnight,
"Rick, thanks for the invitation, I'm so sorry but Josh just got paged into the hospital and had to leave. He wanted me to thank you for him as well," She said, all professional, nothing resembling the old banter between the former partners,
"Can I have one of the drivers drive you home, I mean it's late, and yes I do remember you carry a gun and can take care of yourself, but it's for my peace of mind" He replied, not waiting for her to approve, he was already on the phone.
"Carl will pick you up from the main lobby and drive you home, and Beckett, they walk everyone to their door, male and female, it's just protocol." He laughed, knowing she would pitch a fit.
Surprisingly, she just said, "Thanks Rick, that's thoughtful of you, I appreciate it" and turned and left. IF there were any lingering feelings, they certainly weren't shown by either one.
"So, Rick, have you gotten her out of your system? That's what you needed to find out wasn't it?" Gina asked as she hugged him and led him to the dance floor.
"You really do know me too well, Gina. I don't want to hurt anyone, not the way, I, eh,"
"Rick, stop blaming yourself, like I said, we didn't work out for several reasons, not just you. I'm glad you're the type of person who wants to be sure. Whoever she is, she's a lucky girl," Gina whispered as she laid her head on his shoulder, reminiscing of days from an earlier time.
"Maybe, we both are the lucky ones, and what about Carl, why are you here with me when you know he would cut off his arm to dance with you? Give him a chance, I think you'll be impressed" Rick smiled, and kissed her gently, as the song ended.
"I will, we're going to lunch tomorrow, he didn't want to rain on your day, so he's working tonight." She said,
All too soon the evening was over, and Nikki Heat Novels book launches were now just part of history. There had been a surge in advance orders, not that either Gina or Rick paid that much attention to the figures. Gina was concentrating on the movie adaptation, and Rick was preparing to leave for the UK early the next morning.
Rick reflected on the changes as he prepared to leave, it was no sense in trying to sleep tonight. Ryan, Espo, and Lanie were all close as a family at one time to Beckett, and now, all gone their own way. He didn't know what prompted the move for Ryan, but he did know that Javi never felt comfortable as a cop, once Beckett wasn't there to cover for him, he decided to re-enlist. A decision that would not only cost him his job but also any hope for a future with Lanie.
Rick wondered if she was truly happy, it had been years of the off-and-on relationship with Espo, and now she was married. To a doctor? He thought of his situation and then dismissed the thoughts of others. No one would believe the events that had occurred to align his stars and planets, yet they had, and he couldn't be happier.
Gina was right, it was a test to see Beckett again, especially with a new beau, and not feel any pangs or regrets. That's when he knew he was ready to turn it up a notch when he got back to his lady, he was ready and knew she had been for the longest time. He finished packing and headed to the airport, he camped in the First-Class Lounge, and a kindly attendant woke him just in time to get to his gate and board with the other First-Class passengers.
It was a long flight, and all he wanted now was a few hours of sleep, he would eat later. Alexis would remain in California for four weeks, then spend 2 weeks with her Grams and Gina before returning so for the next six weeks he had privacy. Perhaps he could convince her to slip away and take a small vacation, it was worth a try. He closed his eyes and was asleep before his first drink arrived.
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London, England
Three Days Later
He had arrived back at his rental home just as the sun was rising and took the day to reacclimate himself to the time zones, the watch changed automatically, but the body took a little longer. He had just showered and dressed preparing to go back to Cambridge Book Office, when his phone rang with her tone.
"Good Morning Beautiful," he said sweetly,
"Good Morning Rick, I hope I didn't wake you, did I?" She said sweetly,
"No, I have been up for a few hours I'm just about to leave for the office, so what's on your agenda today? How was your trip? Your text told me you weren't having the best of times, I'm so sorry." He said with a smile on his face,
"Well, I didn't, I missed you like crazy, it rained almost every day, and the buyers I hired were so amateurish, I fired 3 of the 5 and had to hire their replacements. I swear, it's not that difficult to follow the written procedure is it, Sweetie? I mean I get visions of me being the boss from hell, tell me the truth, I'm not that bad, am I?" She asked with tears in her voice,
"You know you're not, you've been doing this for a long time, why do you have self-doubts now, I mean, you're successful in three countries for God's sake." He said sweetly trying to boost her self-confidence
"What time will you be home tonight, Rick, I wanted to show you just how much I missed you, with an intimate dinner in, unless you would rather go out?" she asked,
"Mmmmmmm, let me see, my choices are to either go out, sit in a crowded restaurant or dine in my lovely home with my lady, tough choice but I have to go with the intimate dinner in. I'll be home by 5:00 PM. What time do you want to come over?" He asked, smiling so wide, he was sure she could feel it over the phone.
"I thought I would get there a little earlier, say around 3:00 PM, I want everything to be right for tonight if that's OK?" she asked, shades of doubt creeping into her voice,
"I gave you a key for a good reason, my home is your home, I know, I know we're not getting into those discussions yet, but what I mean is to treat it as you would your home. You know I don't mind how much time you are here. If you'll be here at 3:00 that just gives me the incentive to get out of work on time or early tonight" he laughed,
"OK Sweetheart, I'll see you in a few hours, and Rick, I missed you more this time than ever. I'll show you tonight" she said seductively and hung up.
Rick smiled and thought, hell or high water he was coming home early tonight. He had to meet with the art and design folks, then his managing editor for some revisions he thought might work better for the UK Edition of the book he was working on.
That was what made this so much fun, his editor knew he was writing for both the US and UK audiences and didn't try to force one size to fit all it was his idea to have separate publishing runs, more expensive, but it proved to be a success story in both countries.
Gina handled the US audience, just as she had for years, and Sir Henry the UK audience. He began to whistle as he double-checked that he had turned the tea kettle off and then made his way out for the three-block walk to the office. Was he Happy? No, he wasn't happy, he was over the moon, and feeling the best he had in a decade.
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12th Precinct
2:05 PM Same Day
Kate couldn't help but think about Rick, the old days when things were normal. Kevin and Javi were at the desks where two strangers now sat, Roz was at the desk at the end of the hall, not in Roy's office. Anne had just been promoted to the Detective role, and she was the shot caller for the 12th. My, how things had changed so quickly,
Roy is now retired, Kevin a Lieutenant in Vice, Javi in parts unknown defending his country, and her best friend Lanie, married, and still not speaking to her. It was a stupid fight, but she should have told her about Javi, she was sure he didn't mean to freeze her out of the information. Lanie told her to ask Javi, it was exactly what he had asked.
The discussion led to hurtful words, and that had been over 7 months ago, and even though she received an invitation to her wedding, she knew things would never be the same. The truly hurtful part was Maddie Queller was her maid of honor, the same Maddie who had busted up Kate's first true romance by sleeping with her boyfriend.
She had attended the wedding without Josh, he was out of the country, again, and she didn't feel right asking a stranger to escort her. She didn't attend the reception, since she knew the icy reception, she received at the church would only get worse once the alcohol started flowing.
It wasn't a coincidence that Javi shipped out just a week before the wedding, and Kate was one of the few who went to see him off. Kevin, Jenny, and his Aunt were the only ones to say goodbye to the man who treated her like a sister, it was the least she could do. He didn't say where he was headed, he didn't have to, many of the mothers of young soldiers on the same plane were crying, some praying that their sons would return home.
She and Josh were in the Comfortable Zone of dating, she stayed a few nights at his place, but mostly he spent the nights at her apartment. He had asked her to move in and sublet her apartment, but she wasn't ready for that yet, she told him she needed more time.
He knew that she was in love with Rick Castle, but he also knew that Rick had chosen to pursue his career and walked away from her and everyone at the precinct. She swore nothing had ever happened other than one kiss during an undercover operation to save the boys, but other than lunches from work, or dinner with his family a few times, she hadn't moved the needle in the relationship department.
It wasn't what she said, it was the look in her eye and the sadness in her voice when she spoke of the old times that convinced Josh he needed to erase her memories of those times. He turned down offers to travel to stay in New York and be close to her and tried everything to woo her, more attention, trips together to romantic places, surprises of flowers and gifts, but nothing could compare to a God Dann cup of coffee and a bear claw delivered almost every morning from a certain writer.
They had fought about it, even going so far as breaking up, only to get back together less than a week later. Even the thought of ending things with her wasn't enough to erase the writer's influence over her. He had two choices, cut his losses and move on, or stick it out. He chose to stick it out, and she was finally beginning to come around, actually surprising him with a romantic getaway for his birthday last month.
Kate's trip down memory lane was shattered when she heard Captain Karpowski yell out, "Anne, Beckett, my office now." She shoved the thoughts of a better time deep into her memory banks and rose to join Anne in the Captain's office.
She could tell that Roz was not happy when they walked into the office and motioned for them to sit down. She took a deep breath, and then said,
"Ladies we need to close 7 cases in the next two weeks, or we will fall short of the requirements from One PP. I don't have to tell either of you what that will mean to the 12th, as far as funding and manpower, we may be faced with having the first layoff, or RIF for this precinct in over 60 years." Roz said, tears in her eyes, anger, and frustration in her voice.
"Kate, here are four cold cases you were working on with Ryan, Espo, Rick, and Anne, here are 4 cases I had to shelve because things just dried up. I need you both to lead a team, hell call old resources if you can Kate, we have to get these closed or, well we just have to" she said.
"Roz, I can reach out to Ryan, but Espo, even the DOD won't advise where I can reach him, and I'm not so sure Rick would bother to answer my call." Kate tried to evade the most uncomfortable task she could think of,
"Well, we won't know until you try, will we? Kate, is there some reason you don't want to reach out to Rick? I saw you at the last Heat book launch and you both were acting very civil towards one another." Roz added,
"Well, we did, but I'm afraid all I get is his voice mail when I dial, he must have changed his number, but if you wish, I can leave a message and see if he responds" Kate saw Roz's face relax.
"I know this will bring back bad memories Kate, and I'm sorry I have to ask you to do it, BUT we are looking at losing some very valuable resources if we don't hit our target. Mayor Weldon is not sympathetic as he was with Roy, so it's all on us now." She added, holding her head.
"OK Roz, I'll see what I can do, no promises, but I will try" Kate responded, thinking God why are you punishing me like this? Not only would she need to reach out to Castle, but also explain the situation to her boyfriend who was not jealous of any many, EXCEPT Richard Castle. What a mess,
TBC
We are not revealing the name of Rick's new love, nor what events brought them together just yet. It will be the first twist coming in the next few chapters. Hope you enjoy it! Tim