Course Correction

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: Thisis my SEQUEL to AU version to a different outcome from the RISE episode in Canon UNEXPECTED DETOUR, you will need to read that one first to understand this work. This picks up exactly where we left off, no time jumps longer than a few months.

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

Chapter 9

Previously

"Kate, just so you know Gina and Lou will be over, not for dinner, but for after dinner drinks, her family is mostly gone, and Dad had always included her in our celebration, I hope that's not a problem" Alexis asked with some concern,

Kate took three steps pulled her into a hug, "No Sweetie, no problem, but thank you for being so considerate, it's Christmas Eve, no one should be alone" as she looked out the window watching the snow fall gently thinking about the past several years.

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FLASHBACK

Rick had approached Jim Beckett at his storage locker the week before Thanksgiving to personally invite him to dinner. He had graciously declined since he was going to his Sister's house.

"What about Christmas Jim, you're welcome to come for as long or little time as you wish. I know it would help Kate transition from working to absolve herself of some guilt she is feeling, God only knows why?" Rick said.

"Katie is really going to be there Rick, I mean she always works, one of the reasons I leave for the cabin, it's too damn lonely without both of them," Jim said sadly

"Well she promised Alexis even if she worked, she would stop by and I know she won't let her down." He didn't add the part about how she was trying to work her way back into Alexis's good graces.

Jim was pondering Rick's suggestion, when he buckled with one of the boxes he was moving around. Rick jumped in to help him lift it,

"That's heavy Jim, what's in it?" Rick asked

"Well Jo used to record everything, I think there's a VHS tape in there for every family event in there since Katie was little, hell of a lot of good it'll do us now. So much for preserving memories for the future." Jim said sadly,

"Jim, if I could get those burnt to a DVD would that help you, I'm sure there's hours of memories there you don't want to lose. If you would trust me with them, I promise I won't harm them in any way" Rick asked,

"You know a guy Rick? Who don't you know? To answer your question, please if you can pull at least the video off, I know Jo always recorded the sound as well, but that would bring back so many memories." He replied,

Rick had the box in his car and was at his friend's studio within the hour. Once all of the tapes had been re-recorded, they were digitally enhanced, much like the old movies were, and they were in luck, the sound was recorded on a separate track.

Two weeks later he contacted Jim and met him at the studio so Jim could have the final say in the edits. He would control what information he wanted on the DVD Rick planned on burning for Kate, and what information should remain just between Husband and Wife. To his surprise, Jim wanted it all, just in chronological order which was easily done.

Rick took him for a quick lunch and when they had returned, he had a Master Copy, that additional copies could be made professionally from, as well as 6 completed sets of DVD's.

"Well, Jim you ready to watch the finished product, I have the original tapes being returned to your Storage Locker, they'll call you for the time to meet them there. Those damn things are too heavy for either of us to be lifting or carrying," he laughed

They were showed a private screening room, and Jim pressed play. It wasn't long before Rick realized just how much Kate was her Mother, looks, even the eye roll, plus Mrs. Beckett was in control for sure. Jim, sat hearing his late wife's voice for the first time in over a decade, it wasn't surprising when Rick noticed the tears streaming down his face.

"You OK Jim? We can stop this if you want, I mean if it's a dumb idea, I didn't want to bring back the pain." Rick sadly sighed,

"Rick, you didn't bring back any pain, I had almost forgot what her voice sounded like and I hated myself for it, now, she's right here, still giving me hell," he managed a laugh through his tears.

"Well, I would love for you to give a copy of this to Kate, you can use the theater room, just the two of you, and maybe celebrate Christmas one more time with your wife and daughter" Rick said

Castle's Loft

Christmas Day

2:00 PM

Kate and Rick are working with Shane and Alexis in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on the dinner when the door buzzed.

"Kate, can you get that please?" Rick asked pretending his hands were in the batter

"Sure thing, be right back as she quickly kissed him and went to the door.

When she opened, she got the shock of her life, there stood her Dad, with a smile and packages.

"Dad? How, Why, When, oh Come on in, I'm sorry Dad. I thought you were at the cabin; I mean it's your tradition" she said.

"Yeah, it was, but I talked to Rick, seems you are making some new traditions so I thought I would take Rick up on his invitation for dinner, is that all right with you?" he asked mocking hurt

"Of course, it is, it's just a shock, I mean you, I, WE haven't celebrated Christmas in a long time, it's just a surprise, that's all."

Rick was behind Kate hugging her around her waist, as she took her hands and held his, God this felt good, to be loved and hugged like this she thought.

"Katie, there's a special present from Rick to us both, he wants us to open it together in private, so Rick's got the room setup, are you ready?"

Rick quickly kissed her, "Hey, it's nothing bad, you're with your Dad, I'm not that stupid," he laughed

She kissed him with passion, and hugged him tightly, as far as she was concerned having her dad at dinner was the best present Rick could have given her, what could he top that with?

Rick closed the door behind them, Jim had been schooled a few days earlier how to turn the equipment on.

"Katie, remember how you used to get upset with Mom and her movie camera, she seemed to have the darn thing on all the time" Jim asked,

"Yeah, what I wouldn't give to have those tapes now, God she must have recorded something everyday of my life. I'm sorry I yelled at her now" she whispered fighting back the tears,

Jim pressed play and there was Johanna on the big screen saying "Kathleen Houghton Beckett, I told you so, get back here before you get hurt" Kate sat dumbfounded, her Mom was so clear, so vibrant and the voice, she had almost forgotten her voice but that was Mom, no denying it.

"Dad, how did you get that, or what's going on?" She asked through her tears

"Rick came to invite me to Thanksgiving, guess Wally told him I was at the Storage Shed so he caught up with me there, I was lifting the box of tapes, and it was heavier than I remembered, so Rick jumped in and helped.

Then he asked if he could take them to "I know a guy" promising not to harm them. Two weeks later I met him at a studio to review the final product, and do any edits, Katie, I cried like a baby, it was like Jo was right there all over. I had almost forgotten her voice, but he let me watch the entire DVD, it's long there's 4 in the set, without interruption.

That's when he said you would be here for Christmas and he would really like it if we could watch the tapes, well DVD's now together. Katie, that man loves you, and if you don't marry him, you're a bigger fool than I ever thought you could be." Jim said

"Only problem Dad, he hasn't asked yet?" Kate said sadly

"Why does he have to be the one asking?" Jim said,

Rick left the two in privacy for the next few hours, then they came out, holding on to each other, tear drops streaked on both of their faces, Kate walked to him, looked him in the eyes, and then took his hands.

"Rick, I thought I loved you before today, but you just gave me, well us the best present anyone could ever give. I just have one question,

She got down on one knee, in front of the entire family, and said

"Richard Alexander Edgar Rogers Castle, I have waited a lifetime to find my one and done, and I know I haven't earned my way back, but I'm asking you today, on this special day, in front of family and friends, if you would be my husband, and take me for your wife. I promise you, nothing will ever come before you, and our family, I love you with all my heart, so please do me the greatest honor and say yes, will you marry me?"

Rick is in shock, tears form in his eyes, then he locks on hers, and simply says, "Yes, Hell Yes, but I get to ask you as well, the ring is in the safe let me get it and I'll be right back"

He rushed off, came back and resumed the same position, except this time, it was Rick who was on one knee, asking for Kate's hand.

"Kate, you've shown more courage than anyone I have ever known, you truly are extraordinary, my life was empty without you, the only time it has ever come close to complete is when you are with me, so for all our today's, all of our tomorrows, I pledge to love you as much as I know you love me, make me the happiest man in the world and accept this ring as my pledge of this, Will you Marry Me?"

Kate is nodding yes half way through his proposal, she finally squeaks out "Yes, Yes I will marry you, I love you Richard Castle"

The house if filled with applause, Alexis and Shane smile at Mandy and Gary, knowing it's a matter of time before their secret is out.

Kate is hugged by Gina, who whispered in her ear, "About damn time, he worships the ground you walk on, take care of him, please" then pulls back as Kate whispered back,

"I will Gina, Thank You, I know you pulled for me and I appreciate it."

"Just make him happy Kate, that's all any of us want, well maybe Paula wants more but never fear, Rick doesn't play that game" as they both laughed.

Jim was in the corner talking to Alexis and Shane who had addressed him as Grandpa Jim when she introduced her fiancé to him. His smile could have brightened two city blocks.

Mandy and Gary where next in line,

"Boy I tell you when the Castle's host a dinner, they make it a hell of an affair to top don't they Mandy" Gary laughed,

"Sure, Do Gary, Congratulation Kate, he's been in love with you forever and I'm glad you two got it together, just take care of each other."

Dinner was served but it's doubtful that anyone remembered eating, all that was remembered was the love in the home, between everyone there. It was a beautiful but sad scene as they all watched Jim play the entire set of 4 DVD's of his late wife, and family, he was just as much in love with her as he was the day, she left this world.

"Kate, I hope I didn't overstep with the DVD's I mean I just wanted your Dad to be able to view the memories your Mom worked so hard to preserve" Rick whispered in her ear,

Her response was a long, passionate kiss, "Thank You Rick, you made our lives so much different, now we can watch Mom boss us around again and remember the great times instead of that one awful day. I'm sure Christmas will never be the same for either of us, Thank You Husband to be." And she kissed him again.

The entire home was happy, Gina and Lou left with congratulations and Best Wishes to Rick and Kate, it might be strange to others, but Kate finally understood. Rick did love Gina, she loved him just as deep, BUT they weren't cut out to be together as husband and wife. Kate accepted that, and was just glad that she got her second chance to get her course corrected to land where she always wanted, dreamed and hoped she would, her one and done.

The End

A/N I originally planned to take this story further, but I think I will end it here, and pick up their lives in a sequel coming soon, no time jumps, but weddings, sad times, and some future challenges lay ahead for each. To try to incorporate those in this would diminish the objective, get Kate and Rick back together after the awful events that started this story off.