Interim Mission

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: Another What If based on the episode, When the Bough Breaks, what happened if Rick took the offer for the special British Secret Agent? When the bough breaks by definition is 'when a situation has reached the point of no return similar in meaning to end of your rope'. The story starts with a short backstory of previous episodes, then Canon dialog, courtesy of Dust Jackets Dot Com, then goes quickly and completely AU. The journey continues with a new Kate and Rick, hope you enjoy!

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 a more believable fiction, thanks.

Chapter 1

Castle's Loft

New York

/_/

Rick had a secret, well it had been a secret but now he had to tell Beckett the facts, knowing the consequences she had threatened if he invaded her privacy, more succinctly, her Mother's case.

That was one subject that was completely taboo with her. No matter how he had tried to approach the topic or convince her to allow his resources to investigate the response was the same. "You touch my mother's case Castle, we're through," and she had meant it.

They had just worked the awful kidnapping case, who the hell would pay someone to kidnap your own child to filch revenge on your husband, no matter how big of a deadbeat he was? There had to be a great deal of love gone bad between the two, and the husband had been typical hubby, clueless.

Adding to his misery was the fact that Kate's old boyfriend, a Federal Agent no less had requested her specifically for the case, Montgomery had only sent him along only because he hated the agent's guts and would enjoy a bit of revenge by subjecting him to Castle.

Two weeks later things got even worse, Agent Will Sorenson had been shot transporting a potential witness, now in witness protection program and Kate was right back at his side, spending the entire night in the hospital, and sitting with him till he recovered.

She then had called in her team, Kevin Ryan and Javier Esposito in at 6:00 AM on Saturday to work his case. She was running on fumes, well actually caffeine, to keep pushing to find those responsible for almost killing her former lover.

Now he had to tell her the horrible news, well it was a huge break to the case, but he knew it was the end of any hope of spending time, much less getting to know her better. He had acquired, he wasn't revealing to anyone how, the case file and employed a world-renown Forensic Pathologist to review the pictures, and autopsy. What he had discovered was startling and would change the entire scope of the investigation, as well as killing any hope of speaking to Detective Kate Beckett.

The book launch of his first Nikki Heat novel was occurring in two days, Monday, and should be a joyful occasion. Early reviews were through the roof, and Gina, his ex-wife, and still publisher was pleased with early results and pre-sales. Now, this, he knew he couldn't sit on the information, it involved three other families who needed justice as well, all associates of Johanna Beckett in some form or another.

Will Sorenson would be hospitalized for at least three more days, so he decided to find the right moment at the launch to speak to Kate, uninterrupted. He had tried, God how he had tried, but no matter what, something always interfered, and now that the book launch was over, well it was time to come clean, no more excuses.

He was sitting at his desk, still dressed from the night before when his doorbell rang. He hurried to the door, who the hell would be coming to his loft at, he glanced at his Rolex, 6:47 AM? When he peeked out, it was his agent, Paula Haas, looking as if she had been out partying after the launch.

"Paula, what the hell are you doing here at this early hour? It's not that I don't like seeing you, but you look like you're coming directly from one of the after-parties." Rick said, staring at the deep cleavage that got deeper as Paula saw he was noticing and pulled her dress down to reveal almost her areola.

"Ricky, you should talk, looks like you just got home, you're still dressed, did you get lucky with that chick from accounting that was fawning all over you?" She kissed his cheek and walked in and to the coffee pot.

"No, I didn't, but if I had what business of it would be to you? YOU work for me, not the other way around and you still haven't explained why you're ringing my doorbell this early." Rick replied, not in so kindly tones

"Sorry Rick, but I was working for you, the last three hours straight, I even sent Ken away, he kept wanting to play, even when I told him, I was working on something for you, so yeah, I kicked my opportunity to get laid out of my bed to do my job, not that you would even notice." She replied, a tear coming to her eye,

"Paula, look, I'm sorry, and as for you and Ken, I'm sorry that you thought to work on something for me was more important than you getting your rocks off with him, I mean"

"Rick, I'm your agent, and a damn good one, even if I'm the only one who says it, and yes, I was in the middle of good lovemaking session when I took a call from a weird phone number. It was an inquiry from a publishing house in London England, inquiring about your availability. I stopped Ken, so I could concentrate on you, the details, when he kept distracting me, I kicked him out.

"I'm talking about a three-book deal with an option for potential five more, all graduated in fees, it would make you a very rich man Ricky" Paula breathed

"I'm already a very rich man Paula, and if you don't remember we just launched our own book last evening, why would I even think about taking on a three-book deal in London." Rick was still trying to figure out what the hell was going on.

Paula was a hell of an agent, and yes, he had slept with her once, she wanted more and he knew he couldn't mix work with pleasure, so he gave her a choice. Stay his agent but no more sex, or go to the hotel and convince him why she should be the one woman in his life. She chose the agent, knowing full well he was already falling in love if he wasn't already with that fucking female cop.

"Well this is even better than making you past very rich, it's that Special British Secret Agent and they want you for three-book deal at a minimum" she hugged him,

"You mean J"

"Shhhhh you'll jinx it" Paula replied, holding his lips together

"That Special British Secret Agent is why I became a writer, what did you tell them, Paula, they do know we just launched the Heat series don't they?" Rick asked,

"Rick, I left it open but as a negotiating tool, I told them that Black Pawn had the right to the first refusal of any offer you may get, but believe me, Gina wouldn't come close to the deal they are offering Ricky. As for the Heat series, is there any way you could write both, I mean you would be out of New York and we all know how much you can crank out, once you sit down and put your mind to it." She cooed, suddenly the cleavage was even greater and offered him a clear shot of the assets.

"Paula, as he gently pushed her away, seeing the disappointment in her eyes, "Alexis is upstairs" her smile returned, and no I haven't forgotten, it was a great night. It's just that we can't mix business with"

"Ricky, consider it a going-away present to me, look I know you love the Detective, but I'm just saying I'm here. Go hit that and come back if it doesn't work out, you know what you got here" she cooed,

"Paula, I'm not going to go hit that, did you see her at Launch last night, she acted like she couldn't wait to get out of there and go see her boyfriend FBI Agent Will Sorenson at the hospital, they were dating before he transferred to Boston, and it looks like they have reunited," Rick said sadly,

"Well all the more reason for a change of scenery, talk it over with Alexis, I think she mentioned she could get an entire semester of credit for 6 months of foreign study, what better could it be than with you as you write," Paula asked, she brushed her bust against him, and kissed his lips as she said,

"Think about it Ricky, but don't think too long, we have to respond in 72 hours or before." As she headed out the door,

"Paula, (she turned around slowly) Thank you for giving up your pleasure for me, I do appreciate it, and you are a hell of an agent, I'm sorry I'm just not ready for a repeat, even as fabulous as it was, it wouldn't be fair to you," He said softly,

"Well Ricky, if the itch ever gets too bad, call me, I know the score, OK?" and out she went.

He began to ponder her question, could he write more than one book at a time, he had two partial Nikki Heat manuscripts in rough form, hell, he could pull them out, and change the outcome from a happily ever after for Rook to the FBI agent, the casework had all been cleared by Kevin.

He and Jenny wanted to purchase their home, before the kids came but even with both working extra hours, money was tight. Rick had him clear the cases for the next two books to keep NYPD out of trouble or disclose any private information. It was a big relief for Rick, and a huge financial help for his friend, so it all worked out.

He dusted out the manuscripts and thought, yeah, he could keep his commitment to Black Pawn, and still ghostwrite, if Alexis would go, it wouldn't be so lonely for him. He heard her bounding down the stairs, so no time like now to ask.

"Good Morning Daughter," he said so cheerfully or at least tried,

"Good Morning Father, still dressed in his clothes from last night, should I ask? Do I really want to know the details?" she rolled her eyes at him,

"It wasn't that at all sweetie, I mean I had some issues come up that kept me awake, I was trying to work out the solution, I guess I didn't realize I had stayed up all night," Rick said sincerely

"Well, I heard a female voice so I waited to come down the stairs, I thought I taught you better, remember only your bedroom is soundproofed your office is not" she giggled,

"That voice was Paula's apparently she received a call about an offer for well that Special British Agent, a three-book deal for me to write, and couldn't wait to tell me, so she rushed over," Rick said leaving out the non-G rated parts.

"You mean JA"

"Shhhhh, you'll jinx it" Rick quickly cut her off,

"But Dad, you just launched your own book last night, don't you owe Gina two more books on this contract, I mean if I remember you two talking the last time, she was over. We should invite her again, you know you need to tell her, and you'll never get the privacy at her office" Alexis said,

"You're right sweetie, but could this be because you want to see Mom again, not Gina, you know she acts differently at the office and here, right?" Rick asked,

"Of course, she does, she has to Dad, she told me once if she had learned to leave Gina at work and just be Mrs. Castle at home you guys would probably still be together." Rick looked away as Alexis finished speaking

"I have to talk to Beckett, I mean I owe her the results of Doctor Murphy, it's going to end us anyway so it's a good thing I have enough research to finish off the series," Rick said sadly,

"I'm sorry Dad, I know you liked her, I mean more than liked her, I can tell every time you talk about her your eyes sparkle," Alexis said as she watched her Dad's sad expression take over his face,

"Yeah, she had different plans, her former boyfriend from the FBI has just returned from Boston, he was the one shot during our last case, and even though everyone knows he's going to be fine, and make a complete recovery, Beckett hasn't left his side.

"That sends a deeper message than her normal insults do, so it's time to move on. You haven't said what you think about living in England, I mean that is if you wan" He never finished his statement, Alexis was screaming, jumping up and down and hugging him.

"Are you serious Dad, I mean it would give me a full year of extra credit if I could just do 4 months there, are you sure you want me with you, what about all those hot English ladies that will be throwing themselves at you?" Alexis smiled.

"There won't be anyone throwing themselves at me, remember pumpkin, this is a ghostwriter, it'll all be published as if Sir Ian Fleming was still alive and writing, so no one will know me there," he said,

"Dad, your website, don't look at me like that, someone had to be the Administrator, has a huge UK following, so you're going to need disguise yourself or they will out not only you but who the Ghostwriter for that Special Agent is, I don't think you want that." Alexis smiled,

"We're not finished talking about that website issue yet, but you're right, and it would be an issue if I showed up as me, without being on a book tour. What do you think would be a good disguise, and think of one for you as well, the Castle fanatics know everything about us all?" he said gaining excitement for the first time, even though he had some difficult conversations to have yet.

"Well, we can talk to Mom, but colored contact lenses for sure, your blue eyes give you away, don't get your haircut, longer hair, and trade your shoes into something like loafers and pullover sweaters rather than your sports coats, I think that should do it.

As for me, I have colored contact lenses, and a couple of wigs, one short blonde, and a longer brunette so as long as they don't see the red hair, I think I will be good. When I go to class, I will have to be me, just on a scholarship for the foreign student exchange program." She said excitedly,

"Only one problem pumpkin, you will need to register for school with a guardian and or parent, how do you plan on getting around that in your plan?"

"Why do you think Mom is coming over, maybe she'll go with us, or at least me. I mean you two are getting along so well, would that be a deal-breaker Dad?" Alexis asked,

"Not for me, but I'm not sure Gina will go, I mean we can ask but let's be thinking of plan B, and no not your Grams, there have been enough international scandals already" he laughed,

"Well if I tell Mom it's either her or Paula going with us, she'll be packed in an hour, she knows Paula will do anything, and Dad lets just let it stay at that. I need you to call Mom and invite her to dinner, or pizza and beer, OK?" Alexis smiled,

"You could invite her Pumpkin, I mean"

"That's the point, coming from you she will think something is drastically wrong with you and come to see how she can help you, I know Mom, please just do as I ask" she laughed,

"OK, I guess there's no time like the present, I have to give Paula and answer in 48 hours so I guess as long as we can work it out with Gina, it's a go, then I'll talk to Captain Montgomery, then Beckett. That's going to go over like a lead balloon, but it has to be done.

Alexis had already dialed Gina's office, placed it on speaker, a few moments later they heard Shelly, her administrative assistant answer her phone, "Miss Cowell's office, Shelly speaking how may I help you?"

Alexis prodded Rick, and he replied, "Hey Shelly, it's me Rick Castle is she in?" he asked,

"Sure, thing Rick, let me make sure she's taking calls, she's been catching up since launch day yesterday, quite a kickoff, even if I say so, Rick, hang on she wants me to transfer you to the private office,"

Sure, thing Shelly and thank you"

"Hey Rick, is everything OK? Alexis is OK, isn't she?" the panic in her voice could be heard,

"You're on speaker Mom, and I'm fine, I'm right here. Dad just wants to ask you something." Alexis said as she made hand motions for him to ask,

"Eh, well, I, do you have plans for dinner tonight or tomorrow? IF not Alexis and I would like for you to come over and join us, your choice, pizza, and beer, or an evening at Cereno's?" Rick asked as clumsy as a high schooler would have done,

"Wait, you want me to come to the loft, OR go to my favorite restaurant tonight or tomorrow? Rick level with me, what's wrong something has to be seriously wrong with you or my girl,"

"Mom I promise you, we are both fine, we just have some family business that needs you involved in the discussion, isn't that a good enough reason to come over?" Alexis guilted her

"Sure, it is baby, sure, Tonight say 6:30 PM? Let's go for the pizza and beer, something relaxing, does that work for you?" She asked, relief showing in her voice

"That's perfect Mom, and don't bother stopping to change, you still have clothes here, comfy clothes to eat pizza, and talk in, OK?" Alexis laughed,

"You are a stinker, and I will get you for that, I love you both, see you tonight," she was off on the next call.

"Well, Dad we'll know soon enough what the plan is going to be, want to make a wager she goes with us?" Alexis smiled,

"After hearing the panic in her voice, no way, I'm glad that you two are still so close, it's good for both of you." Rick pulled his daughter into a hug,

TBC