Dropped Call

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: Castle missed his going away party because something unexpected came up and the Castle/Gina/Hamptons thing didn't happen etc. Castle assumes Beckett is with Demming and goes off the grid for several months. Would our favorite couple ever reconnect? From a prompt from Kato769. NOTE: AU not canon

I don't own Castle, I use the characters for amusement purposes only

Chapter 10

Previously

"Save it Beckett, and don't interrupt me again, this is coming down on you but has impacted me as your CO as well. Effective immediately, once your suspension is served, you will report back, but as Detective, not Lead Detective, you will report to Detective Ryan for 4 weeks, and then Detective Esposito for an additional 4 weeks.

During that time, you are REQUIRED to seek sensitivity training paid for by the NYPD, conducted by Dr. Carter Burke, NYPD Psychiatrist for a minimum of 3 sessions.

Obrien's Pub and Grille

Lexington at 45th

6:15 PM Same Day

Ryan and Javi are seated at the table in the back, sipping on their beers, and both very sad that their friend was going through these tough times, it was brutal to think how far this latest chain of events had occurred and the fallout from it.

"Javi, I don't know how I'm going to do it, and God knows I need my job, especially now with the wedding planning going on and everything, but how is Beckett going to take being the one receiving the orders, especially with the moods she has been in lately"

"I think that's the point Kev, Montgomery had to do something, sounds like he was getting his chain pulled pretty hard from the Mayor and Commissioner, so what choice did he have"

"Do you think us requesting transfers caused this demotion for Beckett, Javi, and be honest?"

"Well look at it from Montgomery's point of view, the mayor has already chewed his ass out about losing Castle, and now he has to replace two of the detectives that worked with the team, leaving only Beckett from the top performing squad in New York? How the hell is he going to protect her from that? So yes, I think it had something to do with it, BUT I also think that Beckett brought this on herself, she's gotten worse as the years have gone by and this last stunt with Demming, was inexcusable."

"I know she caused it but man I hate that she got herself in this much trouble, I'm just trying to get her the Lead Detective job back, I don't want the damn thing, but I don't want to have my ideas, suggestions and input in cases trashed, like lately when all she would listen to was Demming, who works Robbery for God's sake."

"I feel the same way Kev, I just wish we could talk to her to let her know how we feel. I hope she's not on one of her self-pity parties and is blaming everyone but herself for what happened. By the way I told Lanie she may want to just drop by tonight, that Beckett might need a friend for sure, Kate can tell her what's going on without us getting in trouble."

"That's a good idea Javi, how did Lanie take it?"

"I'm not getting any boy friend of the year votes from her anytime soon, but I think she'll stop by, one she's nosy and two they've been friends for years and have had blowups before, not this big, but still they remained friends."

"Well I hope Beckett is willing to admit she fucked up, because Lanie is not one to put up with excuses, and I never would have thought she would act like that on purpose."

"That's what steamed Lanie so bad, Kate told her she didn't have feelings for Rick, so Lanie was working on hooking him up with Karpowski or Hastings, just so he wouldn't have to be the third wheel, plus if Kate saw what she was doing to Rick, maybe she would wake up.

She told her to go ahead, she had no feelings then when push comes to shove, she dumps Demming to try to go to the Hampton's with Rick and we all know how that worked out. Once again, a Lie that made Lanie look foolish to both Ann and Roz, she was pissed plus she likes Rick and thought he got a shitty deal."

Kevin had just poured the remaining beer into each of their glasses from the pitcher when Javi's phone chirped with a text. Kevin thought oh shit, are we on call tonight and we've been drinking, but Javi stood and held up a finger,

"It's Lanie Kev, why don't you go settle our tab and I'll see what's up", as he placed a $10 Bill on the table.

Kev was making his way to the exit that he saw Javi walk through, to call Lanie after settling the tab and as he approached him, he heard,

"Are you sure Lanie, I don't know if that's a good idea with the moods that Beckett has been in lately, besides I have to check with Kevin to see if he and Jenny got something going tonight. I'll call you right back"

"What was all that about Javi, you know Jenny is out with her sister and girlfriends and I have all night"

"Lanie said that Kate asked to meet with us at her place to talk, she knows this is going to be awkward for everyone and she's trying to make it easier from the start. I didn't know how you felt about it."

"Well Javi, we have to talk to her sooner or later, and at least if she pisses us off, we just get up and leave and there's no one watching it. We can try it but if she comes at us, I'm out of there, you and I both know neither one of us asked for this job, but we can hear her out."

Javi pulled out his phone and texted Lanie, "Kev and I are on the way be there in about twenty, not taking ANY enemy fire as a heads up. JE

"Wouldn't expect you too, I'm in the same boat, see you soon, XoXo Lp is the reply that comes almost instantly

"Come on Kev, let's get this over with and flush out the elephant in the room as they hail a cab.

Beckett's Apartment

8:45 PM Same Day

The knock on the door is answered almost immediately by a very disheveled and contrite Kate Beckett.

"Guys, Thanks for coming, I wasn't sure that you would" as she hugs each of them tightly for a moment longer than usual,

"Kate, I want to say, I'm sorry you're going through this, we both are sorry, but I also understand that Montgomery was having his feet held over a fire to do something" Javi says quietly,

"I know Javi, what happened was all on me, Roy told me my job as Lead was to protect my people, all of them, and I failed miserably and played some stupid high school game to try to impress Castle, it hurt him, and all of us, and Guys, I mean this I am so very sorry, I would take it back if I could.

You don't know how many times I've heard criminals confess and then utter those same words, and I thought how pathetic, so I guess you know how I feel about my status now."

Kevin speaks up, "I'm sure you and Lanie have talked as well as Montgomery and you know the situation with the team, and the awkwardness it's going to be when you come back, which by the way we didn't say a word, Montgomery will have out nuts if he finds out.

Kate, I did get the approval to reach out to Castle, but not his mother or daughter, so I wasn't sure if you had tried or knew something that could help us get him back."

"Kevin, he's gone, no one knows where, Alexis is in the summer program at Princeton and Martha is doing summer stock in London, the only one who can reach him is Paula Haas, she has burner phones he keeps changing every so often. Wherever he is, he doesn't want to be found.

I left him that terrible voice mail that you got the copy of, and then tried to call and apologize, he blocked me from his landline and his building, I called Gina, and she has to call Paula for everything as well, so I can only tell you that I have reached out through Paula several times, his only response was "Tell her I received her Voice Mail, I am working on a proper response, I'm sorry to have been such a burden on everyone there"

"Wow, that doesn't sound like the Castle we know, he would have taken you back in a minute with just your side comment, sorry, so what ever is bugging him is really big," Javi says,

It's not lost on Kate the contempt in his voice when he talked of a friend who she had hurt badly. "Guys, not my call anymore, and Lord knows should have never been, but here is Paula's number, maybe if you call and tell him what's going on Kevin, you'll get a more positive response."

"Well it's worth a try, God knows things aren't the same without him, plus all the people that he helped, and we never knew about it. Do you know Mary from the sandwich shop we grab lunch at when Remy's is too crowded? Seems her son needed an operation and they had a Go Fund me setup, till Rick just paid for everything, he tried to do it anonymously, but Betty knew, we all did." Kevin replied softly,

Kate slips a piece of paper with Paula's contact information to Kevin,

"Guys, for what it's worth, and I know not much at this point, I'm sorry, so very sorry and I will do whatever I can to make it right. Kevin you're lead when I come back, so I expect you to act like the lead, I'll follow your orders and when old habits sneak in, crack back on me, that's your job and they will be watching us all."

After her friends left, Kate felt a little better, she knew it was going to be a struggle to earn their friendship back, but at least they came to hear her apology, that was something she had to figure out how to get Rick to at least see her for a short while. Javi, was the one she was surprised by the most, how distant and bitter he seemed, but she did hurt two of his friends, Demming and Rick so perhaps he had the right to be double pissed at her, she would need to make it right to all.

University Medical Center

Toronto Ontario

1:45 PM Friday

Rick and Trey had been diligent in all of their exercises, treatment, and diet and this was the day they had looked forward to, their first free time away from the hospital. Treatment had only gone till 12:30 PM today, and now they were waiting to consult with the doctors about their lab work, to see if any signs of the treatment working could be found.

"Richard Gates", called the nurse, and Rick had almost forgotten his alias, as Trey nudged him and he got up to head for the consult area pulling Trey along with him.

"Rick, I don't think they will let me hear how you're doing, I mean I don't have any claim or I'm not*"

He holds his fingers across her lips gently, as he responds to the nurse,

"I'm Rick Gates, and this is Trey Boland my Medical Power of Attorney for this, as well as one of your patients in the trial. Can she come back with me, I mean I think we have HIPPA laws covered,"

"The nurse smiles, Rick, we're in Canada, sign this waiver for Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), and you can have whoever you want with you in front of the doctor."

Trey looks up at him, "Are you sure Rick, I mean this is very private."

"I'm sure, and I'm not expecting you to do the same, just so you know, I mean your brother is here, but I want someone to know where this ship is headed."

"Rick? When did you make me your Medical Power of Attorney?"

"The night you stayed with me at the Orion, and we talked half the night away."

"Please don't get me wrong, I'm honored but Sweetie, you have a Mother, and a Daughter don't you think they would be better choices than me, I mean we know a lot about each other but I'm not sure I'm the one who should be making that big of a decision, God Forbid it comes to that."

"Hey, I know, I'm sorry I should have asked you first, I didn't mean to put you in a bad position, but my Mother is out of the Country, and my Daughter is a minor, so if you notice, I have a backup as well. Gregg DeLeaver, he's my Oncologist from New York, so all you need to do is hold the fort till Gregg gets here if as you say God Forbid it comes to that"

"Rick, I'm not sure I can handle hearing your news, I mean if it's not good, then I'm not sure what I will do, and if yours are good and mine are bad, then, it just raises all sorts of personal issues for me, forgive me but I'll stay out here."

Rick is stunned, but recovers well, "Sure Trey, I never considered what I would be putting you through, I'm sorry. I'll meet you here as soon as we get the results, and you can share or not share whatever you wish."

"Rick, I'm sorry, you've been so sweet to me, and I have deep feelings for you, but I want to make sure they are there because of you, not the cancer and I sure as hell don't want you with me because of the disease, try to understand please?" as she kisses him on the cheek.

"Hey I got it, no problem, division of Church and State, we keep our medical lives separate from our private lives, that way the two won't bleed over and we will be sure of our feelings when this is over, I think that sums it up doesn't it?" As he smiles but Trey knows it's not the genuine smile, she usually gets.

"I'll be back" as he follow the nurse through the door, Trey watches as he rips the waiver into small pieces and deposits it in the trash, Did she just trash any hope of being with the best thing that ever happened to her?

TBC