Something Old, Something New
by Castlefan6
A/N: By Request, PRE-Series Hookup, SEQUEL to Diminished Recall. Picks up exactly where that ends. COMPLETELY AU except for the conversation that prompted this and the use of some character's names. For CeCe, Friend, and Co-Writer with Pen2Paper.
I don't own Castle; I use the characters for amusement purposes only
I hope it's close to what you wanted.
A/N: Laurie's occupation was a songwriter, she said she had been lucky a few times. For the sake of this fiction, please assume the songs written by Diane Warren were her work, under her pen name of DW. Thx
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Chapter 11
Hartwell Lake
Hartwell Georgia
One Week Later
7:00 PM
Kate had been on her bike since before dawn this morning, almost 15 hours since she roared out of her garage and onto the interstate. She had made good time, except for in West Virginia where a hailstorm forced her to take cover under an overpass for almost an hour. Her legs welcomed the opportunity to stretch out, even though she had to duck softball size balls of ice.
She soon had company, as other bikers sought cover, and it turned into more of a social gathering, each sharing some of their travel foods with the others. The last 'Guest' to show up was a West Virginia State Patrolman riding a three-wheeler, that served as an off-road vehicle to serve summons to some of the more remote citizens. He had just served an elderly gentleman his summons when the rain turned into hail and knew better than to ask if he could seek shelter there. Even with his rain gear, he was still soaked and turned a blind eye as one of the bikers started a small campfire just off the edge of the underpass, sheltered by the bridge overhang.
Who had brought the coffee, she didn't know, but it was surely welcomed by everyone. The weather began to let up about 40 minutes later, and Kate decided to get back on the road. She only stopped for fuel, coffee, and potty stops. She grabbed sandwiches that she could eat while still traveling and enjoying the ride down Interstate 77 after she had driven out of the rain and bad weather.
She almost missed the turn-off for Highway 21 South, but as she exited the freeway, she was presented with a front-row seat to as Mike had described it, "God's Country", it was truly beautiful. She was riding trying to read the scribbled directions without ditching her bike when another rider rode up beside her, raised his visor, and said, "What took you so long Kid? Follow me".
He cut in front of her leading them down a series of paved but winding roads. Then she saw it, Hartwell Dam, what a beautiful structure. Mike turned down another side road, and about three miles later he pulled into a driveway of what looked like anything but a beach cabin. It was an authentic Log Cabin, with a garage hidden in the back of the home. She pulled her bike in, and stood up, her legs feeling like jello, for a moment.
"You ready kid? That's the door to the house", he pointed. He closed the garage door, wiped his boots, and walked into what could only be described as a beautiful, simple home. So neat, and compact, complete with two bathrooms, three bedrooms, and all the necessities any single person or couple would need. It was laid out so efficiently.
"This is beautiful Mike, where did you get the idea for this?" Kate asked, as she hugged him, it was good to see him again. He looked good, in fact, he looked better than he had the last time she saw him.
"Well, Marie wanted to build the home, so we did, and when I was talking to our neighbors they decided the house was too big, so they sold for a hell of a profit. There I was, sitting in 2,000 plus square feet home, all by myself, so I sold it and looked into the idea Bob, my neighbor left me with.
"I made a killing on the house when I sold it, so I figured what the hell, I added some extras but it's big enough for me, for Marie's son and his family to stay when they visit." He said,
"Marie had a son. I never knew that you were a Dad, Mike" she said,
"I wasn't Kid, he was her son, and hated me for as he called it, replacing his real father. Marie was married for 8 years to my partner, he was killed in the line of duty, and that's when I shifted to being a TO, to keep one more cop alive, hopefully.
"We didn't even go out for coffee for five years, even then it was odd, I mean, Jerry was my best friend, and here I am with his wife. Well, Jerry Jr. made sure it was tough on us, almost split us up, but then Marie told him he could live with us or leave.
"He told her to choose between me or him, she chose me. He straightened up, but never accepted me, or us. Then when she died, he was so sorry, I mean what am I gonna do, it's her kid." He said, almost as a plea
"Of course, you will forgive him, Mike, that's what Marie would have wanted. She must have been a hell of a woman to go through all of that, and still stand by your side. I mean, it makes your devotion to her that much sweeter, I know what you said, but I'm glad you were the strong one. I can talk about her now without guilt or shame." She said, quietly,
"Yeah he's married, got one son, and they live in Tennessee. He's an engineer for some big boat company, and some days he spends all day out on the boat, "WORKING" to redesign something, Mike laughed, They try to visit at least once every other month, if they can."
"How's your Dad doing Kid, Is he still sticking to it?" Mike asked, Mike had been the one to take her to different precincts to bail her dad out of jail, the drunk tanks, then rehabs several times, and finally, when she told him she couldn't do it anymore, she was through with him, Mike was the one she went to, he held her and talked her into formulating a plan.
"He's 7 years clean Mike, I know hard to believe, but he gave me his 5-year chip formed into a beautiful necklace. I still wear his watch," she said and stopped.
"You still wear your mom's ring too, don't you, look, it's no shame. That case will get solved, maybe we won't be here to see it, but it will." He said,
"Well, I hung on to my job by a thread, you were right, Espo is gone, and I agree he deserved it. When I go back I'm going to have to start, not only at the bottom but three feet deeper than the bottom to prove myself. Hey, enough of that, I've cried on your shoulders for weeks now, I'm here to see my best friend and maybe spend some time out on the lake." She said,
"Then she noticed the boat deck, and the building, Mike, is that your boat house?" she asked,
He laughed, "For a detective it took you long enough, yeah it's mine. I'll show you around tomorrow, there are jet skis, kayaks, and all sorts of watercraft, I'm sure you won't be bored, at least for a while."
"You never change, you know that" she laughed
"Neither do you, your coffee's on the stove, and your Big Cup is in the cupboard," he said, she walked over and looked, it was the Cup she had gotten him when she went off of probation, as a thank you gift. He didn't drink coffee as much as most cops, so he kept it and told her when she came to see him, she could get a big cup of coffee.
"You still have it, Mike, Thank you, for being here for me, I mean, after."
He took her into his arms, not as a lover, more like a dad or uncle, "Look kid, everyone needs to know someone has their back, I got yours, you're the best friend, hell, probably the only friend I have" he said and laughed,
She just hugged him, happy to be with the man who still seemed to know how to make everything better, and it had nothing to do with sex, he was just there for her.
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Los Angeles California
Lion Gate Studios
Three Weeks Later
FLASHBACK
Rick and Laurie had just finished showering, (again,) and dressing for breakfast when the door buzzed. Eduardo hadn't buzzed him, so it had to be someone on his approved visitor list, as he opened the door, he heard, "Ricky, sweetheart have we got an opportunity, I mean, it's up to you, but I pulled some strings, and"
It was his agent Paula Haas, talking a mile a minute as usual, without telling him what the hell she was talking about. "Paula, why don't you get a cup of coffee, or help yourself to some breakfast and join Laurie and me at the table, we can talk as we eat." He gave her a look like, this isn't an option,
"Sure, I can spare a piece of toast and a cup of tea," she replied as she helped herself, she had been at his home so many times she wasn't considered a guest, but a part, the loud, nosy part of the family.
"OK, why don't you start at the beginning, and let us hear about this sweetheart deal, I remind you I'm not touring anytime soon, not until I get a new character, and book launched." He said, holding Laurie's hand as he finished his coffee,
"Lion Gate Studios wants to make your Derrick Storm character into action movies, based on your books. They want you as the Executive Producer because they know you won't allow anyone to turn the stories into something not resembling the original story. I have the contracts in front of Walter to look at once you approve the initial review." Paula said, noticing that Laurie was whispering something in Rick's ear, and he broke out into a huge smile.
"OK. Paula, have Walt review the contracts, and by the way, I would like for you to act as Laurie's publicist for the Lion Gate Studio project. She just told me she received an offer to submit original songs for the movie soundtracks, including the initial one, Storm Front they want to start filming next month." He laughed,
"You're kidding me, they have already reached out to you for the musical scores, damn they are serious," Paula said, as Laurie smiled.
"Well, I got lucky, I guess Celine Dion is a Derrick Storm fan and told someone they should have me write the music for the movies. They asked her what movies, and she replied the one's you're going to make, or I'll make them" she laughed.
"WOW, Rick, this girl doesn't play, I like her," Paula said,
"Yeah, well, I like her too. Alexis is going to be trying out that new study abroad program for 8 weeks, before she commits to Oxford so it will be perfect timing, Laurie and I can be in Los Angeles, working on the film, and music score together. She's the only one that I know understands the character as much or more than I do." Rick said,
"So, it's a go, should I go ahead and book your reservations, starting with the day after Alexis flies to her study program?" Paula asked, sounding almost as excited as he and Laurie felt.
They looked at each other, Rick nodded, and Laurie said, "Please do Paula, and since you know Rick's travel requests far better than I do, please just book us together for everything, OK?" She smiled,
"Laurie, with that look in the boss's eye, there was no way I was doing anything but that" she smiled, "I got to go, I'll call you later when Walt gets back to me with the contract reviews." And she was out of the door.
CURRENT TIME
The Studio wasn't sparring any expense when it came to housing, especially since they had both Rick and Laurie together on sight. They had leased the Executive Suite at the Belair Hotel; one Rick was very familiar with for their lodging and would be using the conference room for the kickoff meeting.
The screenplay had undergone major changes since Rick took over control of the content, and had fired some of the tenured, I'll do it my way, Producers, and writers. Word quickly spread that there was a new sheriff in town, and he wasn't shy about showing anyone to the door. Laurie was thrilled with the opportunity to not only work with but also spend every night with Rick, away from all of the distractions in New York.
Both of them had been to LA several times, but neither had enjoyed the sites that it had to offer before, there had been no one they could attend them with. Rick marveled at how Laurie stayed so positive, and upbeat, regardless of how long the days were, she was his ray of sunshine. He asked her after a very long and grueling day for them both, including replacing some studio musicians who wanted to do their interpretation of the musical score.
"Sweetie, please believe me, this is not a complaint, in fact, it's the opposite. I just need to know how the heck you keep smiling when you go through a day like today" he asked as he took her hand, and helped her into the care the studio had provided.
When he sat in his seat, she leaned over, took his face gently, and kissed him sweetly, "This is how I stay smiling Rick, no matter what happens I'm going home with the man I love" She smiled, "Nothing else matters, not after I waited, and thought this dream would never come true, so I'm enjoying every minute of every day with you, we never know how many any of us have." She said softly,
He looked at her, tears in her eyes, "You never cease to amaze me, the depth of your love, and your gratefulness for all the good things we've been granted, Thank You, you make me a better man." He returned the kiss, a little longer, until she whispered,
"We have an air-conditioned suite waiting for us sweetie, "he didn't have to be told twice.
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Mike Royce's Cabin
Lake Hartwell Georgia
Same Time Frame.
Kate was thrilled she had decided to visit Mike, not only had he taken her mind off of her suspension, but now in its fourth week, she had finally begun to relax. Mike would rise about the same time she did, somedays they shared the breakfast one or the other made, but the coffee pot was always hot and full.
She enjoyed kayaking down the lake or riding the jet ski, some days she even ventured to accompany Mile on his fishing trips, especially after he had invited her, then commented on being a girl.
"What did you say, Mike, I'm just a girl. I have you know I can probably outfish you, any day. Remember I was the boy my Dad always wanted so we used to go fishing a lot when I was younger." She laughed,
"Oh, so you're issuing me a challenge, you really think you're ready to take on the old man Kid?" he laughed,
"Yeah, I do, so you want to put your money where your tackle box is?" Kate laughed,
"OK, you got it, say, Twenty Bucks, since you aren't working?" he said with a smile,
"Make it fifty bucks and the loser has to clean all the fish" she laughed
"You sure Kid?" he looked at her,
"Mike, you're not an old man, and I'm not the kid I was, but yes I'm sure so prepare to lose" she laughed, after correcting his self-deprecating comment
"No, I guess you're right, you aren't that kid anymore. Ahh, well, When do you want to get humiliated? Is tomorrow soon enough?" he laughed
"I'll be ready, just don't complain when you have a ton of fish to clean." She laughed, "I'll be ready by 5:00 AM, so I'm turning in, Good night," she said. And walked to the guest room that had become her home away from home.
She was still attracted to him, but she wasn't about to make any move, not after how she had been so wrong so long ago it seemed now.
"Good Night Ki, eh Kate, see you in the morning." He said, as he went out on the deck, his nightly ritual, just to sit for a few minutes and as he had put it, give thanks for all of his blessings.
The next morning came and when she appeared at the breakfast table at 4:00 AM, Mike was just finishing up cooking the bacon.
"Grab a plate Kate, either we land a boatload of fish, or we'll heat the pot roast when we get back," He said,
"Oh, where is the confidence now, after all, I'm just a girl, we should have a boatload of fish" She laughed,
"Well, you have to remember, that some of your old techniques won't work down here, these are southern fish" he laughed,
"Mike, there is no such thing as a southern fish, and what techniques won't work that I have used in the past?" she asked, walking right into his trap,
"Well, if the fish don't bite, even if you DO show them your boobs, it's not going to change anything, The Southern fish aren't like the Yankee fish," he could hardly finish his sentence before she was chasing him around the table, laughing like teenagers.
They laughed a lot, they always did, and then after packing some water, and snacks, Kate's idea, they were off to crown the new king of fisherman for a day, that and talk. She wanted to ask his advice about her next move, and she couldn't hide in his cabin forever, as nice as that sounded. The talk was definitely needed.
TBC
