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 cause's 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 4

The Castle

Wallingford Dr,

Beverly Hills, CA

SUNDAY DINNER

Alexis and Mike had arrived late the evening before and only spoken briefly to Rick and Kate as they made their way to their suite. Rick was still dreading the upcoming meeting, fearing that this was it, his little girl would now be someone else's responsibility, and he would not be needed in her life. As much as Kate tried to get him to relax and not overthink what the upcoming conversation was to be, it was a wasted effort.

Marie was supposed to be off work today, BUT she showed up at 7:00 AM and made breakfast. She called her husband and daughter when she was sure Rick and Kate were awake, and they all were waiting for them in the breakfast room. They couldn't have smiled larger if they tried, and the thank you message they conveyed lifted Rick out of his funk, if only for a few moments.

They couldn't thank their new boss enough, his reply was simple, "All I did was what my HR Department was supposed to do when we took over the house. PLEASE pass the word, if anyone associated with me or my family is not receiving fair pay or benefits, I need to know:"

"Thanks, Mr. Castle, I'll check around, and once again Thank you for your kindness and generosity," Marie said, as she showed her family the door, and went to work serving breakfast.

Finally, Alexis and Mike joined Kate and Rick in the breakfast nook, Kate knew Little Castle as Alexis had been nicknamed had something very troubling on her mind. As they sat down, she began, "Daddy, we've got some news to tell you, PLEASE don't interrupt either Mike or me and when we are done, we'll be happy to answer your questions or discuss your thoughts" she shot a stern look in her dad's direction,

"OK, Alexis, the floor is yours," he said as Kate took his hand in hers. She knew the news, if it was what he was expecting was going to really hit him hard.

Mike cleared his throat, and gently squeezed Alexis' hand, "Mr. Castle, Miss Kate, I wanted to let you know that after I spoke to you Mr. C, I asked, and Alexis said yes to my marriage proposal." Rick started to say something, but Kate placed one finger across his lips, and he stopped, she received a grateful look from both Mike and Alexis.

"We aren't exactly sure of the date; we're still working on those details and trying to coordinate them with the next part of our plans. Alexis, can you take this, please?" He looked exhausted, sweat beads popping out on his forehead.

She patted his hand, and just whispered, "I got this Sweetie, Dad, Kate, we wanted you to know that Mike will be a Rhodes scholar next semester, and I as his wife will be allowed to stay with him, off-campus with a small stipend, as he begins his Ph. D in Global Economics. He has already secured a position with the World Bank once he completes his studies." She said, then nodded to her dad who was about to bust,

"Congratulations Mike, on both the upcoming nuptials as well as your acceptance as a Rhodes Scholar, quite an accomplishment, we are happy and proud of you." Rick got out, "Eh, World Bank, that's quite a first job, and Washington D.C. isn't that far from New York," he seemed to relax a bit,

"I agree Daddy, D.C. isn't that far from us, BUT Singapore is, and that is Mike's first assignment after graduation. You have to earn your way back to work at the Headquarters." She said as she saw all the color drain from his face.

"Singapore? Why? I mean there must be a closer location than that, I mean,"

"Daddy, that's the job, and Mike's already agreed to the contract. I'm sorry, but as his wife, I will be right by his side. I hope we can enjoy today, and well, Kate, if you could help me with the wedding, I don't want anything huge, just a brief ceremony, and then we'll be off for our adventure in life. I was hoping we could use your home, Kate, and Daddy, and have the wedding here. It won't be as large as some of your parties have been," she said,

Rick was stone silent, "Of course Alexis, we'll work out the details and you know this is your home, of course, you can have the ceremony here, I'm sure once your dad gets over the shock, he'll agree." Kate said as she hugged the young lady, shooting Rick a look as to say, 'Get with It, this is your daughter who needs us."

The remainder of the day seemed to pass so quickly, Rick was doing his best to not show his hurt and disappointment, but Alexis knew his tells. She took him by the hand, winked at Kate, and then led him to the beach where they walked. Whatever she said was strictly between them, but when they returned, he was in a better mood, still not happy but at least trying to show his support.

All too soon, Alexis and Mike were heading back to their apartment, class schedules and GPAs had to be maintained for a few more months, then it would be off to Oxford. Rick and Kate held hands as they waved goodbye to the source of Rick's heartbreak. Kate tried to comfort him but after the third attempt to kiss him failed, knew he wanted to be alone, she decided to let him work things out.

She saw herself into her room busied herself with next week's schedule and started to do some pre-planning for the wedding. She knew that this wasn't the approach he had promised her just days earlier, but this was Alexis, he would need space, and she would stay in her room until he came to her.

Three Hours Later

Rick sheepishly knocked on her door, which had been closed for the first time since she arrived and became his fiancé. He knocked again, a little more firmly, and waited, until the door finally opened, and there stood Kate, her eyes swollen and red from crying.

"Babe, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry that I hurt you, I know I was wrong. I shut you out, just like I did Gina when we were married, when it came to Alexis it was always her and me. Please forgive me, I think we need to talk, that is when you are ready." He said,

Kate turned to look at him, not accepting the hug he attempted to give her, "You're right Rick, we do need to talk, and you did act like an ass in front of your 21-year-old daughter. Did it ever occur to you that she was seeking your blessing, just like you gave Mike? She is and always will be a Daddy's girl, but Rick, don't put yourself between her and her husband, she loves you, but you will lose that battle,

"I'm not ready to talk now, and I don't think you are either. By the way, Marie called, Dinner will be on the warmers for another half hour, then she is going home. I'm going to get a plate, and then turn in early tonight. I think I need time to think about today's events and get things straight in my mind before I say anything else. Goodnight Rick" she said as she closed the door.

Rick stood looking at the closed door, as Kate listened with her ear against it, hearing his breaths, then a deep sigh, and the faint sound of footsteps as he walked away. He would have to do more than just throw out the words I'm sorry, both would. Hell, they hadn't even started reviewing the journals and she already had used the Time Out Room.

She slipped down, packed a dinner plate, and returned silently to her room. Marie was sad, her eyes filled with tears, but remained quiet as first Kate, and then Rick fixed dinner plates and left to go to their rooms. She ate because she knew she had to, Rick ate to keep from getting into Marie's doghouse, then she would tell Kate, and he would be in trouble for not eating.

Kate opened her journal for Doctor Burke, well now Dr. Wallace since she had moved, but Dr. Burke was still consulted on her case. It was going to be a difficult night for both, she knew Rick was shocked by her telling him she wasn't ready and needed time before they spoke.

She completed her journal entries, then picked up a book to read, before taking a long hot bath and falling into bed. She knew sleep would be difficult if not impossible but there was no way she was going back into the main house, not until they had discussed what happened earlier.

Across the hall and farther down about half the length of the home, Rick sat in his suite, combination office, picking at his dinner, wondering what had gone so terribly wrong so quickly. He knew he hadn't taken the news of the wedding, or his little girl leaving to be with her husband halfway around the world so well, but he thought he had hidden his feelings better than he apparently had.

His thoughts rushed back to an earlier time in his life, he had battled Gina when she was his wife about one major thing, Alexis. He had been so afraid of letting anyone new into her life, that he would lose the closeness that they had since she was barely able to talk or walk. Tonight, it was Kate who had acted in the manner he should have. Alexis was upset and hurt, which also upset Kate when he withdrew from her and the world.

He had promised, just as he had demanded from her, that they share all feelings, good or bad and he was the first to screw that up. He knew that it was going to take some deep discussion, perhaps even opening his previous life up to the ugly side of his actions towards Gina, a side he hoped to never have to revisit.

He sat in front of his computer, knowing that he had to open his heart, it was what he had asked from her, so there wasn't any other choice but to be vulnerable. He sat for a few moments, reviewing the file of pictures of his little red-haired pumpkin, starting with the one where her tiny hand could only grip his pinky finger as they walked down the street.

He remembered the day well, Meredeth had once again broken his little girl's heart by not showing up as promised, hell she hadn't called for over 14 hours later than when she was supposed to arrive. It didn't mean anything to her, that today was her daughter's fourth birthday, and all she had wished for was her Mommy to come to her party. Once again it was left to him to pick up the pieces, a trip to the park, time on the swings, then an ice cream.

He brushed a tear back from his eye, that was then, this was now, and Kate wasn't Meredith, not even close. He knew that she would do anything for Alexis, she had already proved it, long before they had gotten their heads out of their collective asses and decided to act on the feelings that were obvious to all but them.

Alexis had always considered her a role model, even through the tough times they had gone through with their own relationship. Tonight, she had stepped up, even without thinking to support her on perhaps one of, if not the most important decision of her life. He had sat in the chair like a petulant child, thinking only of his own feelings.

He knew if he relied on his memory, he would stumble over his words, so he did what he did best, write. As he opened the word document, a song played in his ear, he always listened to music when he wrote, not only to relax, but also to remember the early days.

Few people knew that before he became the well know Rick Castle, he was the struggling Rick Rogers, and played piano at The Old Haunt to help support his daughter and himself. His love of music was second only to his family, and he was quite good, thanks to his Broadway Actress mother who insisted on him taking piano lessons as a child. A song was just starting, it was an original by a young winner on one of the talent competition shows, and the words just spoke to him. His fingers were flying across the keyboard as he listened to the words, choking up with emotion hearing some parts of the young lady's voice.

Lyrics

Song by Connie Talbot

Never Give Up on Us

I don't think I've ever told you
I wouldn't be me without you, no
And I want you to know
You're my strength and you're my weakness
God knows what could come between us now
To try and break us down, 'cause

Even if the world stopped turning
You'd be in my heart, still burning
Keeping it beating
And as long as I'm breathing
Then I will never give up on us

If you fall then I will catch you
There ain't nothing that I wouldn't do
Do anything for you
Cause you healed me, you made me better
Brick by brick you built me from the ground
Now we're never coming down.

Even if the world stopped turning
You'd be in my heart, still burning
Keeping it beating
And as long as I'm breathing
Then I will never give up on us, oh
Will never give up on us
Oh.

I don't think I've ever told you
I wouldn't be me without you
No, no, no, no
No, no, no

Even if the world stopped turning
You'd be in my heart still burning
Keeping it beating.

And as long as I'm breathing
Then I will never give up on us
Will never give up on us
Never give up on us
Never give up on us.

Rick was as fast a typist as he was a reader, so once the song was over, he captured every word on paper. He added a few lines, once again, apologizing and asking for an opportunity to talk.

"Dear Kate,

"I know you said you weren't ready, and neither was I, you were right, but I'm ready now, when you are. I wrote some thoughts down, before I screwed them up trying to speak, so please know, these are from the heart. I know I pushed you so very hard, and I was the one that let you, well, us down. I'm truly sorry, and when you're ready, I'm here. I'm not going anywhere, I promise. I only ask that you read the words to the song, and promise me, as I promise you, I'll "Never Give Up on Us" and please know, I'm so very sorry. I love you, and I know we can work through anything, if we talk about our feelings. Call me Babe, I'll be waiting until you are ready.

"All my Love,

"Always,"

"Rick"

He quietly made his way to her door, still closed, and slipped the envelope under her door. He returned to his office, and sat on the veranda, just watching the waves beat upon the beach. He was lost in his thoughts, and never heard her walk through the door, he didn't know she was there, until he felt her gentle hands turn his face, and kiss him gently.

"I'm so sorry Babe, I was" she was interrupted, "Shh, shh, no Babe, it was me, this was on me, so please don't take the blame. I won't let you do that, not this time." He whispered as he pulled her into his arms, holding her.

She felt the warm tears falling on her shoulder, it was the first time she had seen him, well felt his tears upon her skin. She knew that she had probably caused a river of them to fall during the years when she fought so hard her love for him. She felt so ashamed now, this man, trying to still take the blame, to console her, even when she tried to make up for all the times, she wouldn't say she was sorry.

They held each other, silent except for the I love you, or kisses on the lips, cheeks, then the eyes, God she could get lost in those blue eyes. She saw the hurt, and fear in them, he was genuinely afraid of something, not angry as she had first thought.

"Babe, what has you so frightened? Please don't say it's nothing, but I can read your eyes, and I see the pain, the hurt, but most of all the fear. What is it Babe, was it something I said, something I did?" She whispered, still holding him tightly. She felt him tense up, then as she kissed him gently and rubbed his back until she felt the tension ease.

"Kate, the only thing I've ever been successful at in my life, I mean truly successful is being a dad. Now Alexis doesn't need me, and with my track record it's just a matter of time before I muck things up, and you will leave me as well," tears pooled in his eyes, as she gently took his face between her two hands.

"Rick, look at me, please? Is that what you think? Honestly? One reason I acted like such an idiot was that I thought what in the world would a man with all your success want or see in me, I'm just a cop. I felt like I would get hurt if I let myself go, and truly love you, until I damn near lost you.

"I decided then, it's better to love and get hurt, because I can't live without you. I love you, Richard Rogers Castle, I'll always love you and I'm not going anywhere, I promise you. I'm finished with running away, I promise you, I'll be here for you, for Alexis, for as long as you want me.

"Your daughter will NEVER not need her dad, it's just in a different manner now Babe, and I'm sorry if I intruded,"

"Kate, please, don't ever apologize for loving our daughter as much as me, please. You stepped in when you knew I wasn't going to be there for her, so as long as one of us is strong, we'll get through anything, together." He whispered as he kissed her,

"Babe, I loved the letter, and the song, it was beautiful, and it showed a side of you I had never seen before. Thank you for being here but allowing me the space I needed.

"I have a confession to make, you see I have a song I lean on when times are tough as well. I think we can forget about reviewing the journals that was yesterday, and I want to be your today, your tomorrow, and your forever, not re-live the past.

"When I was young, I used to hear my mom sing a song to my dad, and I remember the part of it that fits us so well,

Whatever it takes (Whatever it takes)
I'm all in (I'm all in)
Whatever it takes (Whatever it takes)
I'm all in (I'm all in)
I'm fully committed (Whatever it takes)
Yes I'm dedicated (I'm all in)
Whatever it takes (Whatever it takes)
I'm all in (I'm all in)

Yes, I'm all in (I'm all in)
You have my mind (I'm all in)
You have my soul (I'm all in)

You have my will (I'm all in)
Yes I'm all in (I'm all in)
Lord I turn it over (I'm all in)
Yes I turn it over (I'm all in)
Yes I'm all in (I'm all in)

"So, Rick, I guess I'm saying, I'm all in, wherever this journey takes us. I hope I can make you happy, as happy as you have made me. I just have one question" she smiled,

"Really, you're all in, what is the question Babe?" He asked,

"Well, I called Alexis before I came to see you," she saw his eyes get the look of fear, "No, everything is fine, I just had to ask her the same question I need to ask you" she said,

"Kate, you're killing me, Sweetheart, you know whatever you want I will"

"I know Rick, but this has to be something we BOTH want, so"

"Kate, please ask me the question," he smiled but the anxious little boy had returned.

"OK, I called Alexis to ask her if we could have a Double Wedding, I mean if that's OK with you" her answer came nonverbally, and finally she felt as confident as she needed to be to start the next phase of their lives.

"Of Course, Babe, a double wedding it is, I can't wait to start our next phase of life together, I love you.

"I love you too, I'll call Alexis, better yet, come with me, we both will call her" she pulled him from the chair, and it took five minutes to break the embrace, they both were truly, All In.

The End

A/N: This story presented many challenges to me as the writer, first computer meltdowns, not once but three times I had to completely reconstruct the story from memory. Also, we had a week of down time from another medical procedure, I'm back now, but calling this one complete. Thanks for your continued support. Till next time, - Tim