ALL IN

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: SEQUEL TO Coming Out Going In, From a fan prompt (Castle was lent out to Robbery temporarily to work cold cases while Demming is on suspension. YOU WILL NEED TO READ that FIRST, Lead Detective Joy Park, a woman with a big secret causes friction between our couple. COMPLETELY AU, Some Scenes and events are used to enhance the story,

I don't own Castle; I use the characters for amusement purposes only, except the ones I create.

Also, we take MANY liberties with the timeline from Canon and use events from other Canon episodes to make this more believable fiction, thanks.

A/N: This is the NEXT chapter in the lives of Rick and Kate, together, but not always smooth sailing as in real life. To the Guest who prompted this, months ago, I hope you're still reading and enjoying this story as much as you did your first two prompts.

Chapter 1 (This is the last chapter from Coming Out, new developments in Chapter 2)

Rick's Home,

Wallingford Drive

Beverly Hills, CA

PREVIOUSLY FROM COMING OUT

Chapter 32

New York

7 WEEKS LATER

/_/

Joy had been in contact with Rick, it seemed like Anne had found a client for the firm, a huge client that would require executive attention. After several meetings, that included lunches, dinners, and some weekend planning sessions the contract was signed, with one condition. Joy had to move back to New York and be on-site with the firm to handle all phases of their security.

It seems there was also another reason that caused the condition, Joy and the CEO had begun to date, and things were heating up quickly. Joy knew that this was her shot, she could tell that Rick and Kate were well on their way, and she needed to protect her heart, well, let it go instead of holding back as she had been.

FLASHBACK 5 WEEKS TO JOY'S CALL

"Good Morning Stud, how are things with you and Kate, this morning" she greeted Rick with a smile,

"They're great Joy, but you know that already, I know you've made a few trips home to arrange your move back to New York, is this what this is about?" Rick asked,

"Well, Rick, it is, our new client, Foremost Research and Development, well you know the CEO Helen Waters is a lesbian. Helen and I went to lunch a few times, I didn't expense them, you can check, (she heard Rick laugh) and we really hit it off, I mean I haven't felt this way since Cathy Rick. I'm just afraid I'm moving too fast, and it will all implode on me." She said,

"Joy, your heart wants something, listen to your heart and you will never go too far wrong. It's when we try to fight those feelings, we muck everything up, I know from experience about that." He said,

"Well, she wanted me to quit RCE and go to work for her full time, but I said no, never going to happen, but I would talk to you and relocate back to New York if you could get my replacement lined up. In case you don't have any ideas, I have a wonderful candidate in mind" she laughed,

"Joy is New York where you want to be, not just for Helen, but you have other family and friends there and the stench from the New Jersey deal should long be gone now. Do you want to move back home?" Rick asked sincerely, never mentioning her ex by name

"Yes Rick, I do, but I don't want to leave you in the lurch, or shorthanded. I can handle about 60% of the work remotely until you name a replacement, so I mean"

"Joy, you're free to go anywhere that will make you happy, and this time, put your heart and soul into your relationship. We both are getting another chance, so we need to make the most of them." He said softly,

"Well, I need to know Rick, are you going to be OK, and don't lie to me, I think I know, but I want to hear it from your lips, tell me the truth, how are you and Kate doing?" She asked,

"Well, the first week was very tough, mainly because I made it so, she finally had enough after a couple of meeting sessions where I walked away and came to my room and, well there wasn't as much talking but we did communicate, I don't have to say anything more. She's going back to New York for six weeks, to work out her notice as a courtesy to the Commissioner, and Mr. Mayor, then she's coming back here.

"We still have a lot to work on, both of us hurt the other, but we have our system worked out, and well it's working. I'm coming back to New York for the book launch, then a short three-week tour of the northeast, which will put me back home about a week before she returns." Rick said softly,

"You don't have to pretend with me, I know you're going to hate that three-week tour, why don't you have Kate join you on weekends? Hell, you have to know the press is going to learn about it sooner or later, why not control the news and release what you want to? Helen and I are planning a Coming Out party in a month if all things stay the same as they are now." She said with a smile in her voice,

"So, you're really doing it this time, Coming Out in front of the world, that tells me you're serious Joy, and I'm happy for you. You know you're right; I'll talk to Kate to see what she thinks, we could time it to coincide with your announcement since you've been tied to me for so long. It could be our Coming Out and Going All in for Kate and my party, what do you think?" Rick asked,

"I love it, but let me talk to Helen, she knows about us Rick, and just like you made it clear with Kate, I did so with her. No one will ever come between us, and yes, we had some physical history, but our love for each other started far earlier than any sexual contact was made.

"She accepted it, and told me to invite you up, she would love to meet you. Don't tell her I told you, but she's a huge fan and was jealous that I slept with you, only because you have been on her Fab Five list for years." Joy said, knowing Rick couldn't resist the urge to question.

"I'm sorry Joy, either I didn't hear you correctly or I'm getting old, what the hell is a Fab Five list?" Rick bit, hook, line, and sinker.

Joy laughed for a good five minutes before she was able to answer his question, "Well Rick, being in a relationship, even marriage never stops the eye from taking in the beauty, and perhaps wondering what if, but you know it's wrong, so you stop yourself from thinking about another person in bed other than your significant other. EXCEPT when you work out a Fab Five, or Terrific Ten, depending on how stable a relationship you have with your partner.

"That's when you list down the five or ten people that you could have sex with, without violating your oaths to your partner, it's a pre-approval for you to have sex with only those people on the list. It just so happens that YOU are number 4 on Helen's list." Joy laughed,

"WHAT? I never heard of that, and 4. Who the hell is higher than me on her list?" he started laughing

"Relax stud, you're the only stallion on her list, all the rest are females so consider yourself to be held in high esteem, and Rick, if you don't tell Kate about this, I will. You need to share information like this with her, be truthful, even though you know you won't act on it."

"How do you know I won't act on it Joy; I mean I am the only stallion as you say on her list," Rick said messing with her

"You won't because one, it would hurt me, two, Kate would kill you, and three, I would help her hide your carcass someplace in the desert where it would never be found," Joy said, without the humor this time.

"OK, OK, but you have to admit it was"

"Let me stop you there, it wasn't the least bit funny, and if you value the jewels in the family case, you'll reserve them for Kate's use only. I love you, but I will hurt you, Rick"

"Good, you passed the test, Joy, go with Helen, with my blessing. She's the first person you put ahead of me since Cathy, and of course, I would never act on it, hell I can't compete with the love of your life" he said with a smile in his voice.

"Oh, you wait, one of these days, no matter how much I love you, I'm going to beat the hell out of you for putting me through this. You know you're right, Helen is the first person I was willing to fight you over, my God, I guess it's real" she said quietly,

"I'm sorry Joy, I just don't want to see you hurt again, especially now that, well if Kate, I mean"

"What are you trying to say, Rick? Are you planning a lifetime with Kate? If that's it, newsflash, you're the last to know, she loves you and you love her, so make it work. I love you but let go of your fucking memories sometimes, they will only hurt you both. Start fresh, go all in, and begin the romance like you wanted to when you first met her"

"Thanks, Joy, I have to go, I need to work out some details with Gina and Kate on timing, I want the book launch to be held the last week she is in New York working her notice out, then return home together," Rick said with a glow in his voice,

"Thanks, Rick, I love you, and I know Helen will as well, hell she already does, but you know what I mean. We'll see you in New York in a few weeks."

XxX

ONE WEEK AFTER JOY'S CALL, KATE'S LAST WEEK IN CALIFORNIA

The final two weeks of Kate's visit were productive and helped heal a great deal of issues that had never been spoken of before. They had gone through not only Kate's journal but also the one Rick had kept as well. Like Kate, his started as an assignment from his therapist, a woman Kate was still not happy with him seeing since she was so beautiful, especially in Beverly Hills.

That led to a fight, well disagreement and the depth of jealousy and insecurity from Kate surfaced. To Rick's surprise, she was much more jealous of him than he would have ever imagined. They had talked it out and made love, but Rick wasn't convinced Kate was totally satisfied with him seeing a female therapist. He arraigned a couples counseling session and Kate reluctantly went.

On the drive to the appointment, Kate felt foolish for being so insecure,

"Rick, do we need to do this, I mean I know how dumb it sounds, but I'm very jealous of you, I'm sorry." She said as she held his hand on their drive down Canyon Road to the main city.

"Babe, that's exactly why we MUST see Dr. Rasmussen, you need to feel 100% safe in our relationship regardless of whom I am meeting or seeing, just as I must learn to trust you, not to expect the worst. I'm sorry that's going to take me time, and I think we need to talk to someone, as a couple. If you don't like Dr. Vivian after we meet, we'll choose another doctor, OK?" He smiled at her, as he gently gripped her hand before bringing it to his lips for a kiss.

Kate knew he was right, it was to help Rick trust her again as well, "I'm sorry Babe, of course, don't let my petty jealousy get in our way of progress. I told you to test me, and well reading your journal I was really surprised at how far you had gone to try to get over me. I'm glad that Dr. Vivian reeled you back in as you put it, and made you face your disappointments. I'm just sorry that most if not all of them involved me" she said sadly,

"I think we need to stop saying I'm sorry, I know how sorry I am, and I can see how hard you are trying to make things up to me, that you are sincere. I also know that the woman I fell in love with is a strong independent type, and I don't want or expect her to become anything less just to be with me.

"I need, we need to be secure with each other that nothing from the outside will ever be able to break us, and that starts with trust. I trust you, Kate, I really do. I have to remind myself that the woman sitting next to me isn't the same one I worked with for several years, she's a better version of her." He said gently, as tears came to her eyes, just as they arrived at their appointment.

Kate was apprehensive at first, but within the first ten minutes of their appointment, her fears were gone. Doctor Vivian would be more of a threat to Joy than to her, but she was a great therapist. She helped guide the conversation, just as Doctor Burke had done in New York and when the hour was up, Kate was no longer jealous but relieved that they both had someone to talk with.

They admitted that they were only at the beginning of their journey through life together, many mile markers lay ahead that could derail them, but both were confident that their love and newfound trust for each other would see them through.

Kate flew back to New York, not on the commercial flight she had planned, but with Rick on his private plane, he wasn't going to be away from her if he could help it. He rented the suite at the Four Seasons and arranged for transportation and doubles for Kate to be picked up from the precinct. The paparazzi followed the wrong car every time, and Kate blanketed by Roz arrived at the Four Seasons undetected.

The last thing that Rick had to be sure Kate understood was his financials, she took a hard line and wouldn't budge once she knew his wealth. He had to have a pre-nuptial agreement drawn up, even though they would only be living together, she refused to take it one step further until he did.

Finally, he agreed, but only on one condition, that when he asked Kate would say yes to his marriage proposal. They both knew they weren't ready for that step, but both knew it would be a matter of time.

XxX

The Book Launch

New York

Rick and Kate walked the red carpet to the event, not unusual since the press knew she was the muse for Nikki. The launch went off without a hitch, and all questions about Rick's future work, as well as how Kate felt about the ending of the series were fielded and answered by Paula Haas. It would prove to be the best-selling novel of Rick's career. The series ending was fitting since the Kate that had inspired Nikki, was now a much different person.

The book launch also covered two very important announcements, the first was that Joy Parker and Helen were now a couple, and the second was that Kate Beckett had resigned from the NYPD to accept the position of Vice President of RCE, and was relocating to California.

Gina approached them and whispered, "Congratulations, but if he gets the urge to write again, please let me have the first crack at it" She smiled,

"Of course, Gina, you know without you I would still be the struggling writer want to be, so we'll see what the future brings. For now, I'm just ready to start the next chapter of my life." He turned to Kate and asked,

"Babe, you ready to go home, our real home" with a waggle of his eyebrows, and a huge smile that belonged to her,

"I thought you'd never ask, let's go home, I have somewhere I want to take you, I love you, Rick"

"You know you would think I would get tired of hearing that, but" he pulled out a small recorder, and hit play, Out came Kate's voice in a loop of "I love you Rick, Babe, I love you, Love You, see you tonight, I love you Richard Castle" as he smiled, WHAT? I got lonely when you were working your notice, so I never wanted to miss the sound of your voice,

"Let's go home Rick, I want to show you just how much I do love you"

TBC