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 13

Previously

The phone rings twice then Rick hears, "This is a private number, and no solicitation calls are accepted,"

"Good, because I'm not selling anything, How you doing Roy, don't have long, but I understand we have a situation, as always Cap, no questions and don't try to trace this it will blow up in your face which is why I used the Corporations phone."

"Rick, if this is you, identify"

"Surely, Zebra Alpha, Nellie, 2539547"

"Son of a Bit*"

"No time for that Cap, we need to talk"

Orion Hotel

Rooftop Friday 4:30 PM

"First question are we secure?

"Roger that, in my car sitting in traffic"

"I understand you have a situation that might need some assistance, I can't physically be back for three weeks, but can offer remote assistance if that helps."

"I take it you heard of the shit storm Beckett caused with Boyle and Mr. Mayor, they wanted her fired, and I had the grounds but I lied, if they find it, well I won't have to worry about being the Brett Favre of the NYPD."

"Roy, did my leaving cause this? I mean I can talk to Bob, and Boyle, but if it was something else driving it, then I need to know that."

"Well your leaving started a domino, when you didn't make it back to the party, guess we found out later you were stuck in that 6 hour traffic jam on your way back from dropping Alexis off, but at the time it came down as you had something better to do, and just blew it off."

"Roy, you know me better than that, I thought Beckett did as well, but I guess I really didn't know her as well as I thought I did.

"Anyway, she made a comment that Espo took offense at, and when he defended you, it started a row, then Lanie got in it and it was a shit storm all around, especially when Ryan and Espo found out from Beckett that you knew about the party, and your route, they were steamed she wouldn't have checked on your welfare.

Like I said things escalated, and Demming's captain filed a complaint, I never even presented it to Kate, just suspended her for three days while I tried to figure this shit out. Then out of the blue, right after I get back from a Royal ass chewing from Boyle and Weldon, I find requests for transfers from both Espo and Ryan. I couldn't approve or tell anyone up the chain or Beckett's career is over. "

"So, you ordered her to counseling and kept the boys happy for a while anyway? What happens after she completes the training Roy, or the first time Kate acts like well Kate, what then?"

"I'm hoping I have my confidant back by then Rick. No one knows we served, well I served you were there as part of the CIA, and should have been secured back at the barracks, but Thank God you were a Rebel then as you are now. I know my life would have been over if you hadn't come up when you did,"

"Roy, you know you're talking about things that never happened, you were wounded 2 months later defending your squad against a surprise attack, that's the official record and has to stay that way."

"I understand Rick, but why the protocol now, and I have to admit it's pretty damn smart to use my background, you know damn well I can't attempt to trace this call without disclosing my part, very clever Special Agent,"

"Roy, you were a hell of a Captain, both then and now, but your bluffs never worked, that's why I have half your pension in my poker winnings."

"I won't ask Rick, but knowing you this has to be serious for you to time it out for Martha and Alexis to be away, watch your six, you never know who is out there still"

"Same to you Roy, and discreetly pass this number to Ryan to call me Monday, it has to be before 8:00 AM or after 7:00 PM and that is non-negotiable."

"Well my timer is about to go off, don't do anything stupid Roy, you won't get my location anyway. See you when I can Cap"

Rick looks at his watch, he better hustle if he's going to be on time for Trey and Gregg meeting at 6:00. He slips into the Penthouse, thinking she was still occupied in her quarters but in reality, she had been ready and waiting for his return, things just didn't seem, right between them and she had to try to make it better if she could.

He slips into his room and locks the door, wow, that was unusual, he always left the door unlocked but she couldn't question it, after all she was the one pushing for more individual privacy, she was the one who turned down his offer to know how things were going for him in his treatment. At exactly 5:55 PM Rick emerges looking like he was going to an Awards Ceremony,

"Wow you clean up nice Rick, and in record time," Trey tries to joke to get the conversation started.

"Thanks, you look beautiful, Shall We?" As he extends his arm to escort her, again, he typically has his arm around her waist or guiding her gently with a palm in the small of her back, little things she just now starts to notice, and truthfully miss.

As they head out the door, Trey, turns to kiss him, and he turns his head slightly, so she wound up with lips on his cheek.

"Rick, are you that angry with me, that you won't even let me kiss you?"

"I'm not angry at all Trey, I just don't want to start something that I really don't know how to proceed with. I mean you tell me in one breath that I have to get things with Beckett sorted out, and that I understood.

You also said that things between us would be unclear until you were sure I was over her, and yet you try to kiss me, so yes, I'm confused as to which Rick you want. Let's have a nice dinner with Gregg and if you want to discuss it more, we can do it later, OK?"

"I understand, I guess I am sending you mixed signals, I'm sorry Rick, I care about you, I think it's love, but I don't want to get hurt again, and I can't be a fill in, so you're right let's go to dinner and take it from there."

As they approach the lobby, Gregg stands to greet them, Rick makes the formal introductions, and Trey is surprised when Gregg takes her hand she has offered for a handshake and pulls her into a very gentle hug concluded with a sweet kiss on the cheek.

"I'm sorry Trey if my actions offend you, I'm just a hugger have been my whole life."

"No, you didn't offend me at all, surprise, but not offended at all."

Dinner goes well with lots of conversation, and Gregg spilling the beans on Rick and how they met, his generosity and then their continued friendship throughout the years. Rick seems shy, but Gregg is adamant about how Rick and his Mother had shaped his life, and he wouldn't be where it was today without them.

Rick is the perfect gentleman, throughout the evening and finally when things are winding down, he hugs Gregg, and wishes him safe travels. Gregg hugs Trey, perhaps a tad longer than Rick expected, or was he imagining things, well he had no claim, and she certainly didn't resist so let it go he tells himself.

The ride on the elevator back to the Penthouse was in silence, almost like without Gregg there, the reason to talk was gone. When the door to the suite closed,

"Rick, are you upset with me, I mean did I do something wrong tonight?"

"No, of course not, why would you think that Trey?"

"Well right after Gregg hugged me, I know we kinda took off on our own stories and excluded you, I'm sorry I didn't to mean to be rude, it was just so nice to be so natural and open with someone, I mean someone other than you, oh I'm making a mess of this I'm sorry."

"Trey, don't give it a second thought, Gregg is my best friend, I'm glad you like him he has a lot to offer and has a heart of gold."

"Rick, are you trying to push me away, to Gregg, don't you care for me anymore?"

"Trey, I think we agreed before we went downstairs to have more discussion about the mixed signals you were sending, Get things sorted with Beckett before we can even think of a relationship, then you try to kiss me, and wonder why I turn away, now you accuse me of trying to push you off to Gregg, who you obviously have a connection with and were very open with it.

I felt awkward at first then I remembered, you didn't want to commit to a relationship with me, so you are free to explore, and I have no claim. You know how I feel, you have to know by now, but you're right I do need to get other parts of my life in order. I told you once that if you found happiness with someone else, I would step aside, and that's still true today. I know Gregg, and I can bet you by now I have an email or a text asking me if we are an item or if he can pursue you, he would never go behind my back, nor I his."

Just at that time Rick's phone chirped, and sure enough it was a text from Gregg, first thanking them for a great evening then at the end Rick if you and Trey decide to go separate ways, please let me know, I found her to be extraordinary and would love a chance to talk to her in a different setting.

"Rick, he's nice but right now, I don't know what I want, I'm sorry I am making this so hard for you, but I'm being as honest as I can."

"I know Trey, believe me I know. It'll all work out but for now I think I'm going to turn in, we can decide if and or what you want to do tomorrow when we wake up, it's our first full day off."

"Do you still want to do something with me Rick, I mean I'm a mess, but I care about you, I really do,"

"I know Trey, but you'll have to figure out what Care means in your world, we have different meanings for the same word right now. Of course, I still want to do something, let's see what tomorrow brings, Good Night"

Trey starts toward him to kiss him Good Night, something they have done since the first night, but he's gone, and his door is closing softly behind him.

For the first night in a long time, Trey gives into the tears and cries herself to sleep, she's managed to hurt Rick, and now that is hurting her far more than any hurt, she has ever felt before. Why does Love have to be this complicated? Why do we always hurt the ones we love? She falls asleep as she tries to think of a way to make it up to Rick.

TBC