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, 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.

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Chapter 2

The Castle

Beverly Hills, CA

FLASHBACK ONE WEEK IN NEW YORK

Kate Beckett couldn't believe the changes in her life over the last two months. Joy had helped her navigate the tricky conversations with Rick, not too strong but not being a pushover either. They had made love more than she had ever hoped for and were working on ALL of their issues, hers and his.

For her, it started with a phone call to Mike Royce when they returned to New York, letting him know that she knew what he had done. How he had used her, both for an attempt at recovering millions of dollars in jewels, but also a quick romp in the sack. She didn't know but Rick had entered the suite, just as she began her call, he heard everything.

"Mike, you knew I was in love with you, and you used me. First to steal evidence, then to get your quick piece of ass. You betrayed me, I hope it was worth it Mike, someday you will realize what you threw away was worth a hell of a lot more than money, and your 7 minutes of pitiful performance in bed.

"I can't believe you called me to ask to fly out to help you after that, which like a fool I did. I thought your life was in danger, your words were "It's life or death kid". Life or Death Mike, really? Being evicted is not life and death, I could have wired you the fucking money, but now, since Rick kept your name out of the details you will receive the 3% reward for recovery of jewels you were attempting to steal. "

"You won't need money now Mike, but when I hang up the phone, you're going to need another friend, you just lost the only one who trusted you enough to hurt the man she loved to help you.

"You knew Rick loved me, but you used me anyway, knowing I would risk all, because I was infatuated with the greatest cop I ever knew, what a bunch of bullshit. I know he found out that I flew out there, and based on the mistake I made with you in New York probably thinks it was for another romp in the sack, I know that hurt him so deeply, even though I was only there long enough to pay your rent and return to the airport.

"I thought for years that no man could ever be like you, I was wrong. You are just like most of the scum out here, use, abuse, then toss away. If I hadn't had blinders on, you wouldn't have been able to pull your stunt.

"I would never have caught on, but Rick loved me enough, even knowing what I had done that hurt him so deeply. He loved me enough to protect me, and by protecting me it protected you

"You know, I could probably forgive you if you had only hurt me, but Mike, by helping you, after you lied to me, I hurt the man I love more than anything or anyone in the world. I can't forgive you for that. I screwed up in New York the first time, remembering the old times when I thought you were the man who walked on water, that's on me and I have to beg Rick's forgiveness for being such a blind fool.

"You used me and played me for a fool. One more point before I hang up, and Mike, when I do, you are dead to me. Don't ever contact me again, you've burned the bridge and friendship we once had. As I said, enjoy your reward, I hope the money made it all worth it.

"Goodbye Mike, I feel sorry for you, but you opened my eyes to who really loves me, and it's not you. Good Luck, you're going to need it." She clicked off the phone as her tears fell. The tears weren't for Royce, they were for the hurt she had caused Rick.

She remembered when she was young her Mom would always tell her, "Katie, be careful what you dream and wish for, sometimes things are better staying in our dreams. Dreams don't disappoint or hurt you, real life does."

She had nailed that, her living legend, the man she thought walked on water turned out to be just an ordinary man, nothing special, just after what he wanted. Rick was the special man; she was so angry that it took her so long to realize who her hero truly was.

As her tears fell, she vowed to show Rick the love, and respect he deserved, and to allow him to work out his hurt, the hurt that was caused by her, and her alone. She knew this was her priority, nothing in life would ever be more important than to prove to him she loved him more than life.

She felt a weight sit down on the bed beside her, and she jumped, opened her eyes, and then threw her arms around Rick.

"How much did you hear Babe? I was going to tell you about the call as soon as I got some things off my mind. I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to hide anything," her tears fell harder now.

"I believe you, I didn't mean to snoop Kate, but I heard most of it." He pulled her into his chest, gently kissed the top of her head, and rubbed her back gently, as she cried, "Shh, I know Babe, I know. It's hard to see our heroes fall, even harder when they do things we never would have thought possible. It seems the hurt is much deeper when it comes from a person we had placed in a place of honor in our hearts and mind. It's OK, shh, "her tears continued to fall.

"Rick, how do you know the exact thing to say at the right time and even more, how can you love me, after all the hurt I caused you? I don't know how you can still stand the sight of me" Her tears fell even harder, as he pulled her in close, held her for a few minutes, then gently lifted her head and looked into the brown eyes, filled with tears.

"How can I love you, Kate? How could I not? Babe, I love you just as you are, when you love someone, you know they are going to hurt you, even if they don't mean to, but hurting me doesn't mean you don't love me. You were duped by someone who came into your life at a very vulnerable time.

"I know that you have been hurt by me, Joy chewed me out a few times for being an ass to you. It's OK, as long as we talk like this, we'll get through anything," he whispered as he held her and kissed her head gently,

"Rick, promise me that we'll always do this, sit and talk, not scream, or worse ignore the elephant in the room. I promised you that I would do anything, and I will, but please don't shut me out, tell me what I need to do or when I hurt you, Babe, PLEASE," she was beginning to regain her composure,

"I will, IF, you promise to do the same for me. Listening to your call with Royce, I realized that much of my hurt was self-inflicted, I knew you had flown to L.A. because he needed help, but I didn't ask you for the details.

"I substituted what my mind raced to, that was unfair to you, and I'm so sorry. I guess you know where it went, and, eh, please forgive me. I don't appear to be jealous on the outside, but I am. I am very jealous of you, and, well, it's a hang-up that I have to get over.

"Royce was before my time; you can't undo things that happened in the past." He said softly, she leaned in and captured his lips in a sweet, soft kiss that neither wanted to break, but finally had to for air.

"Rick, would you do one thing for me, and please don't take this the wrong way, talk to me if it hurts you, please? Will you do that please?" She waited as he nodded slowly, not knowing what she was about to say.

"Babe, I love you, I don't know what or where I would be if I had lost you, but please you have to stop giving me the breaks for my screwups. Royce was before your time, agreed, BUT the lunch that hurt you wasn't, and I cry every time I see the look on your face as we were leaving.

"If I could take that day back, I would. Don't give me an out, make me work for our relationship, make me work as hard as you have, OK? I don't ever want to get lazy and take this for granted," she looked into his eyes, tears still filling her beautiful eyes, one leaking down the side of her face, then said, "Rick, don't ever stop being jealous, it just means I mean more to you than anything else."

He locked onto her eyes, and said softly, "I will, but Kate, make sure we are in a safe spot when we talk about it like our bed holding each other. I know when we are there, most of the things that I let hurt me were, well, let's agree to that spot. I know you always relax when I'm holding you, and you don't realize just how much strength I draw from you, knowing that you really do love me, only me."

She turned and kissed him, then whispered, "Did you lock the door? I need some of your special medicine" She blushed,

"It's locked," he began to unbutton her blouse before she ripped it off and rolled him over. That was the beginning of the most passionate love-making session he had ever had.

When they lay spent in each other's arms, the I love you from each seemed like a breath of air. "Rick, I don't know why I was so stupid, but I can and will say I love you anywhere I feel like." She smiled,

He kissed her, "That's the three words I've longed to hear from you, and now, say them as much and anywhere you want. I love you as well. One unfinished piece of business you may want to address if you can before we return home, can you have a one-on-one discussion with Ann?" Rick asked shyly,

"I'm meeting her for lunch tomorrow, I wrote her a letter and she called and accepted my apology and invitation. I know, just because we're together, I still have to make the workplace as friendly as you have. I wanted to meet with her, woman to woman, and explain, or answer any questions. It was as much of a shock to me as it was to her." She said,

He smiled, "OK, that's the last of micromanaging I will do, I promise. It's your division to run as you see fit. I know you will knock it out of the park."

PRESENT TIME

The Book Launch was more successful than anyone could have imagined, and it provided a great venue for Kate to clear the air with anyone she felt she had hurt by her behavior. As she spoke to each, she crossed the names off one list, then added them to another. Forgiveness she had learned is not a one-dose medicine cure-all. She entered her action plan into her daily journal, a reminder to keep on course daily.

Words didn't mean a thing unless they were backed up by actions, and not just for a month, quarter, or even year. She knew that she had a lot of work to do with Rick, more than most couples would ever have to work through, but she had challenged him to test her.

She was determined to prove to him that the only thing she wanted in life was to be his, whatever he wanted, girlfriend, lover, partner, she would take him in any role, she wasn't going to let him go. The first step in defining what role he wanted her for was executed the moment they returned home.

She had gone to her room to slip into something more comfortable and discovered her clothes were missing. She checked the bathroom; all of her toiletries were missing as well. She had a terrible thought come over her like a blanket of smog, "Oh God, he doesn't want me to live here, he wants me to work for him, not" Then she saw his shadow and heard the sweetest words she had ever heard,

"Babe don't rush to conclusions, your belongings have been moved to where they belong, OUR room. I'm sorry I was going to tell you, but" he didn't finish, she was locked onto his lips kissing him, and crying at the same time. "Rick, I thought I had misunderstood, and you didn't want me for your, well, girlfriend, lover, hell I don't care what the label is as long as I'm in your arms." Her tears fell once again,

"Kate, listen to me and hear this, please. You are the woman I love, and when, notice I said WHEN and not IF, we work our issues out I want to make my wife". He dropped to one knee and pulled out the ring, Babe, I hope this isn't rushing you, please tell me the truth, we will take this at your pace,"

"Shut up and propose to me so I can wear my ring" she cried and laughed at the same time.

"OK, I know when not to argue", he reached out and took her hand,

"Kate Beckett, we've been through good times and bad times, the only thing that kept me going was the hope that this day would come true, so would you marry me, and become my life partner, Always." Tears filled his eyes,

"YES, YES, YES," she pulled him up, and locked on his lips, "Rick, I promise you, I will make you happy, for the rest of our lives, so yes I will marry you." He slipped a diamond ring, she didn't know how many carats, nor did she care, but it could be seen from across the room. He had copied her mother's ring and added another band full of diamonds outside the original ring design.

She watched as he placed it gently on her finger, then gasped," Rick, it's beautiful, it's my Mom's ring with another band of diamonds, how? When? I mean," She stammered, crying as she couldn't take her eyes off of it.

"Do you like it, Kate? I chose your mom's ring as the main design when I remembered what you said about your parent's relationship. "It wasn't always perfect, hell they had some terrific fights, but at the end of the day, all I could hear was I'm sorry, and I love you. I only hope someday to be as lucky with my life's partner."

"I know our relationship has already had more storms than most couples see in a lifetime, but I think, no I know without a doubt, WE can and will make it, I love you, Kate Beckett." He said as he kissed her gently,

"Rick, it's absolutely beautiful. The design will remind me of the love you have for me, and how you would move heaven and earth to make me happy. I'm learning Babe, and I will fight for us until my last breath, but please let's never forget the symbolism this ring, hell my parent's love meant to them and now us. I love you with all of my heart, and I pledge to show you that each and every day." Her tears flowed as he pulled her into him, when she was in his arms, she felt safe.

"So, you're not upset that I had your room moved to OURS? I wasn't sure if I should, but I started thinking about what type of relationship you or I wanted when I overheard your call with Royce. I knew I wanted you by my side for the rest of my life, and we didn't need to wait a day longer. I was just praying that you would say yes" he smiled,

She placed her hands gently on each side of his face and kissed him in a way that only lovers can kiss. "Does that answer your question, husband-to-be? I don't care how long it takes, as long as I'm here with you, but Babe, I hope you spoke to Alexis about this. I love her as if she were my own, but I don't want to start with her hating me" She said, a look of panic coming over her,

"Well, why don't you talk to her," he gently turned her to face the large T.V. with Alexis wiping her eyes, and smiling.

"Alexis, you knew about this, I mean I don't"

"Kate, Dad loves you more than anything on this earth, which makes me love you as well. Daddy asked me, and I told him, "What are you waiting for? We're good Kate, all that stuff I was angry about before was really none of my business, I was just"

"Alexis, it was your business. You love your Dad and I'm proud that you would fight anyone that would try to hurt him. I promise you honey, I'm not that Bitch you knew in New York,"

"I know Kate, I heard you talk to Daddy. Welcome to the family, if you guys don't mind, Mike and I would like to come over on Sunday for dinner, is that OK Kate?"

"Honey, you never have to ask to come home, you come anytime you want, I love you as my own, and I can't wait to meet Mike. Call me if you have a change of plans, Oh my God, Rick, you let me take over, without even asking you"

"And that's what I wanted you to do, PARTNERS in life Babe." He kissed her again, and then heard, "Excuse me, Daddy, I'm going to hang up, Congratulations and we'll see you Sunday. I love you both, and then she hung up."

Kate laughed, the beautiful laugh that was music to Rick's ears. "Babe, I want you, take me to OUR bedroom and let's make this official," she took his hand and somewhere over Beverly Hills Shooting Stars could be seen, Cupid had been busy.

TBC

A/N: Obviously this WILL BE CASKETT. I won't break them up, I promise, and no Lock Stuff, but not every chapter will be honey and roses, they will be challenged. I started chapter one with the last chapter of Coming Out or Going In, but you may want to reread the entire story. Updates will be sporadic, based on when I am on painkillers or not,

Thanks for all of the kind messages, the health issues are under control for the most part, although one week I had one or more doctor appointments, or tests for 2 weeks solid. The good news is after many tests, no cancer was found, but three compression fractures of my back, to go along with the fractured ankle were discovered by the MRI.

I'll update as I can, and my loyal readers know I have never left a story unfinished, and I never will as long as I can hit a keyboard, Till the next Chapter, Tim