Before The Story Chapter 1, a castle fanfic

Before The Story

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: This is the cumulative backstories for Castle Characters, BEFORE the TV Series, beginning with Gina C. First 2 chapters of A lesson in leaving are re-posted. Subsequent backstories will be chapters of this fiction. I will delete the extra chapters in few weeks, New content begins in Chapter 3. TOTALLY AU, No Canon

I don't own Castle, I use the characters for amusement purposes only

A/N I am combining all of my character backstories into one story, each will have their own title but will be posted under the Master Title Before The Story, meaning this all occurred before Castle debuted on TV, so there is no Canon, this is ALL AU, Alternate Universe Please don't post reviews telling me I'm not following the script,

Chapter PROLOGUE

I have often wondered about many characters that appeared on Castle with little if any back story. I think we could have appreciated some of them, Bracken, Gina, Paula, Meredith, and who better than Gina Cowell. I chose to do an AU story of what her life was before meeting Rick, becoming Mrs. Castle, then how she handled the split, what really happened in the marriage, how they could continue to work together? This is completely out of my wheel house and comfort zone, so I thought I would end the year on a challenge. If it Sucks, Blame Dreamwriter08, Cece, and Pen 2 Paper who suggested it last night and started me thinking, they were right. I hope some of you enjoy it, it will not be a normal writing genre for me.

A Lesson in Leaving

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: Gina Cowell Castle Cowell played a huge role in the lives of Caskett, but who is she, what do we know about her, was she really wicked, or just not on the same page with Rick for marriage? We'll add our take on a character that was central to our couple. TOTALLY AU. NOTE: AU not canon If you don't know the difference, then don't comment about what I left out of the story you saw on TV.

I don't own Castle, I use the characters for amusement purposes only

A/N For the purpose of this story, Rick is 23, Gina 22, Beckett 22, Kyra 21 and dates are based on current year and date (present day December 2018), it's easier to keep straight. No Alexis, No Meredith. No Martha. Rick has just purchased the loft from the Royalties from A Rose Forever, and lives alone.

Chapter 1

Gina Cowell Griffin was born into a family of prominent parents, aunts and uncles all involved with the publishing business in some manner, so it was only natural when she chose English and Journalism at Columbia University for her College degree. She had chosen the advanced program and graduated in 3 years with a double major and although not Suma Cum Laude, she had a very respectful GPA.

She took a summer off and toured Paris with her fiancé, to celebrate after putting their love life on hold for the sake of studies, well at least she had. It soon was revealed that the man she was engaged to had been a CAD, and seen all around town with multiple females, and caught in displays of very intense affection.

Heartbroken, she had been with Mike since Junior High School, there had been no one else, at least for her, she called off the engagement and sent him packing to wherever. Adding insult to injury, she even had to pay for his return flight to New York, it seemed he had been scammed by the latest flavor of the months he so readily enjoyed, and karma proved to be a bitch.

Humiliated, and heartbroken, she extended her stay in Paris for another two weeks, just to regain some stability so she could talk without crying. Her conversation with her parents went just about like she expected, her Father brushing it off as if it were a casual fling, and her Mother giving her the same speech she had heard since a little girl, "You can be a Stand By Your Man girl all you want, but if you do they're going to walk all over you. Be brave, be strong, don't let them see you cry no matter how bad it hurts", and the final line which always pissed her off more than anything, "take a good look at what you did to make him shop in another store, a woman who satisfies her man, keeps him."

It was during those additional two weeks, she met an interesting young lady in one of the coffee shops. She had been listening to music on her iPod and apparently humming and singing along to Sara Evans "A Little Bit Stronger" really getting into the lyrics, as she cried.

A Little Bit Stronger

Sara Evans

Woke up late today and I still feel the sting of the pain
But I brushed my teeth anyway
I got dressed through the mess and put a smile on my face
I got a little bit stronger

Riding in the car to work and I'm
Trying to ignore the hurt so I
Turned on the radio,
Stupid song made me think of you
I listened to it for minute
But then I changed it
I'm getting a little bit stronger,
Just a little bit stronger

And I'm done hoping
That we could work it out
I'm done with how it feels,
Spinning my wheels
Letting you drag my heart around
And, oh, I'm done thinking
You could ever change
I know my heart will never be the same
But I'm telling myself I'll be okay
Even on my weakest days
I get a little bit stronger

It doesn't happen overnight but you
Turn around and a month's gone by
And you realize you haven't cried
I'm not giving you a hour or a second or another minute longer
I'm busy getting stronger

And I'm done hoping
That we can work it out
I'm done with how it feels,
Spinning my wheels
Letting you drag my heart around
And, oh, I'm done thinking,
You could ever change
I know my heart will never be the same
But I'm telling myself I'll be okay
Even on my weakest days,
I get a little bit stronger
I get a little bit stronger

Getting along without you baby
I'm better off without you baby
How does it feel without me baby?
I'm getting stronger without you baby

And I'm done hoping we could work it out
I'm done with how it feels,
Spinning my wheels
Letting you drag my heart around
And, oh, I'm done thinking
That you could ever change
I know my heart will never be the same
But I'm telling myself I'll be okay
Even on my weakest days
I get a little bit stronger
I get a little bit stronger

And just a little bit stronger
A little bit,
A little bit,
A little bit stronger
Get a little bit stronger

Songwriters: Hillary Lindsey / Hillary Scott / Luke Laird

She was approached by a young lady slightly younger than herself, inquiring,

"Excuse me, are you OK, I heard the song through your ear buds, and it's one of my favorite break up songs as well, Anything I can do?"

"Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't know it was that loud or I was making a fool of myself, I apologize."

"Oh No, it wasn't that loud, but I love that song, could be my theme song, you see I just left a 3 year relationship and walked away to come over here for a fantastic opportunity to work with the top designers,"

"You walked away? How could you just walk away from three years, I mean it's none of my business, but I had three years with my ex, then found he was cheating, so I sent him packing. It was the right thing to do, but still hurts like hell."

"I'm sorry, oh by the way I'm Kyra, Kyra Blane" as she stuck out her hand to shake hands.

"I'm Gina Cowell Gr, just Cowell now the hell with that I'm going to make a new start, it begins today, and he didn't deserve a true love when he was out galivanting. Was that why you broke up with your Boyfriend Kyra, was he running around?"

"Oh no, Rick was faithful as the day is long, he came from humble beginnings, and wanted to be a famous author, My Mom thought he was just out for financial backing from us, but honestly he didn't have a clue about our wealth."

"Then why did you dump a guy who was faithful for three years, even knowing that your Mom didn't like him? Seems to me he would be a keeper, I'm sorry that was rude you didn't ask nor need my opinion."

"No, No that's OK, you know I'm asking myself the same question, I know I hurt him badly, and I loved him, yet Mother held the power so if I didn't go, she would have cut me off, and I would be out on my own."

"So, you let your Mother stand in your way of your love for a man who had stayed faithful to you for three years, and was so ambitious worked all kinds of part time jobs and still completed a novel? Kyra, he wasn't looking for a handout, he was looking for support, and now, God I hope he keeps writing. It would be a shame to end a dream because of a broken heart."

"I know Gina, I feel terrible, but he changed his phone number, and won't answer my letters so I guess he is done with me, really I can't blame him. I think he was going to propose that night under the stars at the Clock at Times Square, so I had to rush the breakup on him, he looked so shattered, I'll never forget that look."

"God Kyra, he was about to propose, and you rushed the I can't see you anymore on him, no wonder he was crushed."

"Well I told him, I didn't believe in marriage, I mean look at my mother and father, their secretaries arrange meetings between the two of them, if that's marriage I don't want it."

"Well, I had my whole life mapped out, I was going to work for a few years, so Mike and I had our own nest egg, then buy a house, and settle down with kids and live the dream, well that dream turned into a nightmare when my fiancé proved to be nothing more than a horny bastard with no morals. I would have given anything if he were like your boyfriend, what's his name again?"

"It's Rick, and he's my ex now, I did a great job on destroying any chance to ever even being friends with him, and what's funny, he always knew what I needed before I did and took care of me, God I miss that."

"Well, sounds like we both need a lesson in leaving the past behind, not letting it consume us with the memories, good or bad and just move ahead with our lives the best we can."

"Good advice from the chic who's crying to Sara Evans A little Bit Stronger, but I agree, we both need to move on, I mean you got cheated on, and I let my mother influence me to leave the one man who has loved me for myself, not my parents social status, God Love Sucks."

Gina and Kyra both laughed and spent the remainder of their time seeing each other at least once a day, some days their sessions went all day, other days it was for a quick lunch, but a friendship had been borne out of common hurt, one self-inflicted, the other through no fault of her, just the horny bastard she had chosen.

The time flew bye, and Kyra actually saw Gina off as she departed to face the next chapter of her life in New York, as a senior editor at Black Pawn Publishing, no one needed to know her great uncle owned the company, and Kyra to work her role as an assistant to France's top fashion designer to the stars. As close as they had become, they would trade calls for a few months till the time slipped away and they drifted apart not to see each other again for several years in the future, BUT they would share one very important item,

TBC

A Lesson in Leaving

by Castlefan6

Chapter 2

I don't own Castle, I use the characters for amusement purposes only

Previously

New York City

Black Pawn Publishing

5 Months from Returning from Paris

Gina returned to New York with a new dedication to her job, who needed men anyway. They all seemed to be the same, lying cheating and looking for a way to get laid, whether they were married or not. One thing she would not condone was fraternizing with any of the authors, if you had any responsibility for their work, you were forbidden from anything more than a business lunch or launch dinner. This wasn't a popular decision but did prove productive as some of the lower performing Authors opted out of their contracts, and the appropriate staffing adjustments were made.

As all new editors, she didn't have her "Own" authors, those that she had cultivated, recruited, or convinced to change publishers so she had to choose her lineup from a list of authors submitted by the other two senior editors. She didn't hold high hopes for any of the Drafted authors if they were producing without issues why would an editor so readily offer them up for the taking.

She found her assumption to be correct when she met with her first "new" author, the meeting was for 9:30 AM, he showed up at 9:50 AM in a wrinkled suit, and had a strong odor of breath mints, but not strong enough to mask the whiskey smell. His last best seller had been over 5 years ago, and he was over 3 months late with the draft of his new work, which a small advance had been issued against. The one thing he did have going for him, he was one of her Uncle's, well in this situation, the owner of the firm's favorite authors.

Bill White who wrote under a pen name of Ben Waite, was apologetic as he approached Gina's assistant, and was a bit taken back when he was told, he was late for his appointment so sit and wait for the first opening, or reschedule for a time he would be there.

"Young lady do you have any idea who I am, I'll be dammed if I wait like a common rookie to see an editor, Hell we make the money for this firm, not them. Get Wallace on the phone, he'll straighten this mess out."

"Sir if you mean Mr. Wallace Mannite, he's already been called and his reply, was and I quote, "Tell that drunk Son of a Bitch to sit down, or we'll sue him for the last advance he owes us for"

White takes a seat, steam rolling off his brow, he began sobering up quick now that the anger had kicked in. It was apparent that Gina was on a conference call and wasn't going to make it easy on him, or anyone that didn't meet her rigid set of rules, the first and most important, NEVER be late, with a manuscript, a meeting, or a public appearance. This became know as Gina's Firing clause, she had let more than one slow performer go for lack of punctuality.

She had also been successful in bringing new talent to the company, her beauty and knowledge of how to show off God given assets went a long way with the men, especially the young up and coming ones. One such author was Richard Rogers, writing now as Rick Castle, he had one book published, A Rose Forever After, that Gina hadn't read yet, her assistant gushed over it, so she skimmed the highlighted parts enough to know this was a talent she would like to bring on.

Rick showed up for his 10:15 AM appointment 5 minutes early, earning him instant favor from Gina and Sandy her assistant, and the hatred of one Bill White still cooling his heals like a rookie pitching his first work. If looks could kill White would have shot Rick, Sandy and Gina with the same bullet, he was angry and getting angrier.

"Hi Mr. Castle, I'm Sandy, Gian Cowell's assistant and I will be your first contact should you have any issues at all with Black Pawn, of course Paula Haas can also contact me directly should you wish."

"Good Morning and Thank You Sandy, very kind of you indeed," as he accepted her business card, "I'll be sure that Paula gets the updated contact information and the order in which she is to reach out to you at Black Pawn."

"Thank You Mr. Castle,"

"Please just call me Rick, Mr. makes me feel so much older than I am already feeling" and there is a flash of a smile.

Truth be told Sandy would drop all of her plans in a heartbeat to spend some time with this new Author, God he was HOT, too bad Gina was so adamant about the fraternizing clause. From the looks of this one, Gina's going to have to face a stiff test herself, well at least she could look from the distance.

"Gina's ready for you Rick, right this way. Gina, this is Rick Castle, Rick, this is Gina Cowell who will now be your editor for any work created under contract for Black Pawn."

"Pleased to meet you Rick, may I call you that, I like to have a close relationship with all the authors I work with," she smiles and flashes a sight of a very lovely pair of legs.

"Hi Gina, yes Rick is fine, and I agree we are going to be working together so we might as well be on first name basis."

"Just to review there has been some changes I have implemented since taking this role, first if a person works on your material, in any capacity, then you cannot see them socially, no ifs, ands or butts, it's nonnegotiable"

"No Problem there, I'm not seeing anyone for a while anyway, Thanks Gina."

"Don't take this the wrong way, but I don't see a wedding band or proof that there is or has been one that so many men try to disguise so why not dating if I may ask Rick? The reason, we will have promotional tours and if we get one of your works on the hot list, then we would expect you to be at social events, with a date to promote, it's in your contract."

"Yeah, I read that, and I 've discussed it with Paula Haas, my agent, who has plenty of friends that would fit the bill, well at least for one night in the public anyway."

"No Plans to go back on the market Rick, she must have really done a number on you like my ex did to me, it still hurts but hey, life goes on for us both."

"I'm sorry to hear Gina, bad breakup? I'm sorry that's personal and really none of my business, forget I asked"

"No, No I asked you the questions you have the right to ask me the same, so hang on here goes,

Age 22, Height 5'6", Weight, 5 lbs. more than I want it to be Bust Size 34B, Single, STRAIGHT, just ended a three year relationship and engagement when I caught him cheating, not in a hurry to get back out there, and yes I'm a natural blond, the drapes match the carpet", as she winks at a blushing Rick.

They both break out in genuine smiles, and the tension is gone, it's almost like she's know this man for more than the twenty minutes he's been in her office.

"OK well here's mine,

Height 6'4", Weight 210 lbs., Never measured my bust but I wear a 44 Long Sport Coat, Single, STRAIGHT, just got dumped after waiting three years for her to get out from under her Mother's iron fist"

Gina smiles, especially when he mentions the bust comment, but the last comment has her worried,

"Well we'll make a great team Rick, I see your manuscript for the entire first book has been checked in for Derrick Storm, I will get back to you soon with any edits and we can discuss where we go from here,"

Rick doesn't miss the cleavage she shows, or the beautiful thigh as the slit in the skirt strategically moves up to give him a better view,

"Sounds good Gina, I'll update Paula, she is a bit headstrong so if she gets out of line, please just call me or have Sandy contact me and I'll reel her back in, she's got a heart of gold, but no filter at all. She says exactly what she thinks which is good, most times, but also embarrassing at other times."

Gina stood to walk him out of her office when they were greeted by a drunk and disorderly Bill White, AKA Ben Waite, who rushed into her office and grabbed her arm, shouting "you are going to see me now you bitch, I'm tired of waiting,"

Rick had him on the floor hands behind his back, his knee on his neck as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his handkerchief and stuffed it in his screaming mouth, ending the stream of vulgar words aimed at Gina, reaching around to his other pocket, he secured a zip tie and completed binding the drunks hands.

Gina was visibly shaken, Sandy has already called security and Wallace who came down and instructed the patrol officers they would press charges, and off went Bill.

"Gina, are you OK, I mean he didn't hurt you, did he?" Rick asked so sweetly, almost like he was shy.

"No Rick, thanks to you I am fine, a bit shaken up that someone would become that violent, so quickly, where the hell did you get the zip ties from?"

"Research for the next novel, I always try to simulate the scenes so they are true to life when I write them. "

"Well this one certainly was, thank you again, I don't know what came over him,"

"It's the booze, that's what makes them brave, without it he probably couldn't get out of bed in the mornings, it's not an excuse for him, I mean the guys a jerk, but some people deal with hurt the wrong way."

"How are you dealing with it Rick? I mean you sound so cool and collected but I see something in your eyes, and that smile, it's fake, it's a good fake and will fool your readers, but not me"

"Somedays are better than others, I stay away from the places that were ours, and I definitely stay away from Times Square, but mostly I just try to remember that we all have stuff to get through in life, no one gets to heaven in the same way you came into this world."

"How about you Gina, how are you handling it, or have you written my whole gender off as egotistical pigs who are out for one thing?" and then she sees the genuine smile God those eyes, stop it, you know the rules she chastises herself.

"Well like you I stay away from the Our places, although there weren't that many and I try to make new friends just to go out and have a drink or quick bite, some place very public so no one thinks I have double standards."

"That sounds like a good plan, hope it works out for you, I'll be talking to you soon about those edits, Thanks for the meeting and open conversation,"

As he reaches for her hand to shake it, she feels the jolt that has been missing since the early days, very early days of her and Mike's relationship.

"Eh Rick, would you like to grab dinner tonight, nothing fancy just burgers at a great place called Remy's. No obligation, I mean you probably have plans,*"

"How does Seven sound Gina, and I'd love to, See you then" as he winks and walks out the door,

"Sandy, Can you do me a favor please?"

"Sure Gina, what can I do for you?"

"Do you have Rick's novel that was published handy or if not do we have it on microfilm."

"Watch yourself Boss, those eyes will have you in bed in 10 minutes tops if you're not careful" she smiles as she hands Gina the hard copy, and there it was the dedication page, discretely folded down for her by Sandy.

She needed to be honest with him, before he found out and lost all faith in her, he needed a friend more than an editor now, and she wanted to be both,

TBC

A Lesson in Leaving

by Castlefan6

I don't own Castle, I use the characters for amusement purposes only

Chapter 3

Previously

"Do you have Rick's novel that was published handy or if not do we have it on microfilm."

Remy's Shake Shop

7:00 PM Same Day

Rick had changed from his business suit to a more casual pair of dress pants, and a light-yellow pull over sweater that complimented his hours spent in his building's gym each day. He had mixed signals leaving the meeting with his new author, she was certainly attractive enough, but the hurt was still very evident in her voice. He was a pretty good judge in character, and he knew there was more in Gina's story than just a two-timing fiancé.

He arrived at Remy's 10 minutes early to secure a table, only to see a beautiful blond lady wave to him from a booth in the back. As he approached, he noticed she too had changed into less business-like clothes, God was she hot in that blouse that was cut a bit too low for a work environment. She had been honest when giving her stats as a 34B but failed to tell him her nipples would give Rachel Greene a run for their money and it wasn't even cold in the restaurant. He would have to concentrate to keep his eyes North of those for sure.

She stood, and to his surprise, kissed him gently and quickly on the cheek, since he was holding her hand preparing for a handshake, he quickly converted it into a kiss on her forehand. They both blushed a bit before Rick assisted her back into the booth and blocked the view of a dirty old man trying to get a free show.

"Sir, you're much too old for her, and you really disrespect the lady you are with when you leer at lovely young ladies, I think you owe both ladies and apology"

The older man tries to play innocent, until his wife just turned and clocked him with a slap, "40 years and you still can't keep it in your pants, Howard, you're going to get hit a lot harder than I do if you don't learn some manners"

Gina is impressed, Rick was not only timely, but a true gentleman in the rarest form found in the male generation today. As the older couple start out the door the older man says quietly to Rick, "you must be gay as a two dollar bill not to be hitting that, and as old as I am I could still show her a good time if you're not up to it"

This time it was Gina who stood and smacked the dirty old man, with his wife beating on them on the way out the door, comical if it had not been such a violation of personal space.

"I'm very sorry for that Gina, I know it didn't do much to restore your faith in my gender but trust me there are still a few gentlemen out here, don't write us all off just yet."

"Thank You Rick, you just proved to me that Gentlemen still exist, thank you for defending my honor, and I thought it was very sweet for you to call me a lovely young lady, in my job I'm called a lot of things but that's not one of them" she smiles her beautiful big smile. Rick was making a conscious effort not to look south of her neck, knowing what would happen if he did, so he stared into her eyes, and she didn't look away.

The sound of the waitress approaching for their order broke the trance between the two having eye sex, God she had beautiful eyes. Some men may not think she was hot, but she was just what Rick Loved, soft features with a beautiful smile to go along with her bedroom eyes. A look of innocence that would probably kill you in the bedroom, STOP, this is your editor you fool, listen he chides himself.

Apparently, Gina was having some of the same difficulties concentrating as Rick was, because she asked,

"Did you say something Rick, I sorta zoned out there for a while"

"No, I had the same problem, you look lovely tonight and I had to be careful what I said, (he's thinking or where I look ) or I'll be in trouble with the fraternization clause on my first day."

"Well, I got a memo from HR, they suspended that rule pending a lawsuit, since Black Pawn really can't control our resources for time we don't pay them for, so the CEO came to my office personally this evening before I left. There's a company memo going out, but most don't check their emails regularly, so I'm sure the informal communication chain will work faster" as she laughs.

"So with the new rules in place, we can do what we like, that is if you want to make an evening out of this, it's presumptuous on my part that you don't have plans, I'm sorry"

Rick is flashing her that genuine smile, the one she hadn't seen earlier, "Gina, it's not presumptuous, and no I don't have plans and yes I would like to keep this evening going, I want to get to know you better. PLEASE don't take this the wrong way, any guy would die to jump into bed with you, my God you are sexy as hell, but to me, I need to know a person before the deed, it makes it so much more special."

Gina flashes him a smile, "You know you really are rare, like you said, guys would already be timing it down to how many more jokes, drinks or events till I can get her to my place to bag her. I wonder if she's terrible in bed because something has to be wrong, she's single and no boyfriend, would be his next thought, and then well they would push the agenda."

"Well, you know my backstory, I know yours, and the last thing we need as work partners is to fall into bed for one meaningless night of sex, not that it wouldn't be great, cause I know with you it'd have to be, but then that would be all we knew of each other, and it would be doomed."

"You're right Rick, I know the sex would be great but I'm getting something I rarely get on a date or lunch or whatever the hell we want to call this, respect and conversation as an equal, Thank You, it means far more than you know."

"Well I know you are hurt, still hurting and many guys know how to come along and tell you what you want to hear just to get you to bed, then they're gone. Then you deal with even more hurt and guilt, not that you have anything to be guilty of, but you still feel like you cheated. Those feelings don't turn on and off like a light switch."

Gina reaches over and kisses him, sweetly, tenderly on the lips, no tongue, just a sample of things to come. "Would you like to come back to my place for coffee or a drink? I think there are things we do need to talk about, just so everyone is clear, open and honest as we begin our friendship."

"I'd like that very much, no promises just talk and let things go slowly and, naturally. The last thing I want to be is a substitute in bed for the one you still love. I'd always wonder who are you picturing when you close your eyes, him or me. That may sound corny or like a line out of a Country Western song, but it's true.

"No, I understand Rick and I agree, I wouldn't want to be the one that loved and waited for, in your mind as you made love to me either, so let's get to know each other, starting now."

She asked for the check, only to find another surprise, Rick would never let a woman pay for a date, regardless, business or not and he had already taken care of it.

"You know you should let me pay, this is a business dinner, Rick"

He shuts the discussion down permanently with just two words, "Was It?"

"No, no I guess it wasn't but you had to know I thought you were attractive when you came into my office, I mean I don't show that much flesh to all new authors" she smiles and blushes.

"I've made some assumptions before that proved to make an Ass out of me, so I was hoping, but not counting on anything Gina, then when we talked I knew we both had to take it slow and some women are not into that."

"Well Rick, Let's get out of here, there are some things I want to be sure you know before this goes anywhere past this night, OK?"

"Sure, Should I be worried, I mean I haven't lived the cleanest of lives but nothing I am ashamed of, somethings I'd do over sure, but nothing that would damn me."

"Rick, not you, let's go to my place, please? I'll tell you what's on my mind, and then answer any questions you might have, one thing I have always held on to, in business, in school, and especially in friendships, is complete and total honesty."

Gina Cowell's Penthouse

Later Same Evening

"Here it is Rick", as Gina fumbles with her key fob, and then the door opens to an exquisite town house, with both up and downstairs. Beautifully decorated, Rick knew that this was even above her status at Black Pawn.

"Wow Gina this is beautiful, and either you come from money, or I'm in the wrong side of the table in this publishing game,"

"Would that make a difference Rick, I mean say I came from money, would it change how you thought about me? I seldom bring any dates here, well the few I go on because of exactly what you said, but I have a comfortable feeling that you're not into the dollar sign, you wouldn't have chased your dream if it was only for the money."

"How did you know that about me? I mean it's true, I just bought my loft last year, along with an apartment for my Mother close but not too close to my place, but other than that, I bought a beach house in the Hamptons, bay side mostly to help out a friend who was about to go under and needed the cash."

"Rick, we do a lot of research on writers we sign, not only for their potential for sales, but also their humanity, yours always came back the same. A man who started from humble beginnings, worked three jobs while in college, and completed his first novel, well the one that was published, all before you graduated."

"Wow, I never thought you or Black Pawn went to that level, I mean it's all true, and I'm proud of where I came from, even if it did cost me what I thought was the love of my life."

"About that Rick, why don't you come sit down and I'll get your three fingers of Single Malt, neat, just the way you like it." Rick looks shocked but joined Gina on the couch once she returned and handed him his drink.

"I want you to know what happened isn't typical of the research we do on new authors, and when I saw you in person I almost died. I didn't know what to do, but I knew I owed you the truth, after I confirmed it with Sandy, Kyra Blane was the topic of your first novel"

Rick blushes with the mention of Kyra's name, both first and last, but listened as Gina continued to explain how after graduation she had found out about Mike, extending her trip, meeting Kyra, including the embarrassing situation of Sarah Evans song, and the conversations they had.

"Rick, I'm being honest with you, Kyra loved you, she told me so, yet she let her mother control the destination of her career and send her as far away from you as possible. We talked every day for the last weeks I was in Paris, and then once I returned, we started out talking but as most long-distance friendships, it fizzled out, I haven't heard from her in almost three months.

I never dreamed that I would be your editor one day, and when you walked into the office this morning, I thought of all the good things that were said about you, you were every bit and more how she described you. I NEVER would hold any information like this from you, and I expect now that you'll want to go back to the professional writer/editor*"

She's interrupted with a sweet soft kiss on the lips from Rick, who holds his finger up against her lips, "Shhh, no more memories, and you're wrong, I want what you want."

"Are you sure, Rick? Please don't close your eyes, I can't take being a fill in for Kyra, and God oh yes*

A few hours later, Gina lay in Rick's arms totally satisfied, and for the first time since early, very early in her previous relationship, she felt like she was wanted, and adored. He was gentle, but aggressive, and even in bed he had made sure she reached heaven before even began to think about himself, what man does that.

"Rick, are you awake" she asked quietly,

"Right here Sweetie, are you OK? Ready for another round?"

"God, where do you get the energy from, can we wait a few for the next round, are you OK, I mean I dumped a lot on you in a short time before, well before you sent me to heaven three times"

"About Kyra? Gina like your Mike, She's just someone I used to love. Love is a double edge sword, as deeply as you love, you can also hurt and hate, and I think both of us are on the wrong edge of the blade now"

"You have a way with words for sure but you're right, every time I think of him, it's not the good times that come flooding back, it's the hurt I just can't forgive. Why did he do it Rick, I mean am I lousy in bed, is that it, is it my fault I couldn't satisfy him he strayed?" as tears filled her eyes,

"Hey, Hey, First place, you are FAR from lousy in bed, you are so sensuous, do you think I or any man could rise to the occasion as many times as I did if you were bad, secondly he did it because he is what men call other men who do that"

"What do you call him?"

"The same you do, PIG, or Horny Bastard with no morals, if he loved you, Truly loved you, your happiness would be the first priority for him. He could never have loved you as you loved him, or he couldn't do what he did."

"This is none of my business, so don't answer it if*"

"No Gina, I never cheated on Kyra, she came close to cheating on me, thanks to her mother, but no, I am a one-woman man,"

"She'll never know what she allowed her mother to destroy Rick, I'm sorry for you, but if this means I get to see you, then I'm happy for me."

"You're the first you know"

"I'm sorry Rick, first for what?"

"Since Kyra, there haven't been any others," Gina breaks down in tears as Rick holds her gently,

Through her tears, "Same here, I've had three dates, all lunches that I cut short, till you, do you want to see anyone else, Rick?"

"No, how about you, I know sex is only part of a relationship, but I like you, and I would have asked you out had I not known about the policy that is now suspended about dating co-workers, You're the first woman in, well you know how long that I have gotten past I'll call you routine."

"Well, will you? (long pause) Because if you don't I'll call you, as she turns his head to start to collect the next round, it didn't take more than a moment for Rick to convince Gina she was great in Bed, again.