SINS OF THE MOTHER

Disclaimer Castle and its main characters are the intellectual property of Andrew Marlowe and ABC. I'm just borrowing them. No profit is received from this work.

Author's Note: This story has been in my head for quite a while. It is based on one of my one-shots from Tales of the Citadel, Cecelia's Song. I blame it on my friend Big Kahuna for his review of that story. I know that I have a lot of stories out there that need to be completed. So at this point I am throwing the first chapter out there to gauge interest. If I receive enough positive responses I will continue with this story but expect a few weeks wait before I post a second chapter. Writing stories is not all that I do. This story is AU set in the Wings of Fury universe. This story can stand alone but reading Cecelia's Song will give you the background.

Swordwriter

CHAPTER ONE: SHOCK

Looking back, Cecelia Reynolds could never understand why the young man's name didn't register with her, the first time she heard it. Yes, both James and Rodgers were common names but the combination of his middle name, Alexander coupled with Rodgers should have rung an alarm bell in her head. It didn't. Even Fallon's description of him didn't do it. He's such a hunk Mom, OMG I could eat him up. He's tall and so handsome; he has ocean-blue eyes and a devastating smile. He says that he wants to be a pilot like his dad. Even that didn't do it. Later on, Cecelia would ask herself if she'd been deliberately obtuse or just couldn't believe the incredible odds against her daughter meeting this particular young man. Either way the revelation when she actually met him in person would rock the foundation of her world.

She naively believed that despite the initial impression that had been made on her daughter that with the young man away at the Naval Academy Fallon would soon forget him in the rush of summer activities and preparing for college. She had forgotten that while love at first sight was a nice romantic myth ninety-nine per cent of the time there was that nasty little one per cent of the time that it did happen. Fallon was a one per center.

Looking back on that first day Cecelia recalled how her son Alex and his girlfriend came into the living room as Fallon was gushing about the boy she'd met. As older brothers are wont to do, even kind, thoughtful ones, Alex began teasing Fallon. "So do we get to meet this young Adonis before the wedding or are you going to run off to Atlantic City with him" Alex said.

"I don't even know when I'll get to see him again Fallon said. He leaves for Annapolis tomorrow." The look of sadness on her face stopped the teasing. "At least he gave me his phone number and e-mail and said that he'd try to see me at Thanksgiving or Christmas."

Janet said, "Did you get a good picture of him at least?" Fallon shook her head.

"His parents don't like too many pictures of him out there. They're wealthy and there have kidnapping attempts."

"Why don't you call him tonight, see if we can get together" Janet said.

Fallon shook her head. "He said that there's a big family thing tonight, his mom and dad, grandparents and his three sisters and some family friends who are as close as blood family. Apparently his going to Annapolis is super important to his dad. I can't see why. I mean he was driving a brand new Jaguar his family could easily afford Harvard or Yale. If he could get into Annapolis, he could get in anywhere."

Alex said; "Hey you know that personal information website, let's look him up on line. I want to see what kind of guy caught my little sister's eye." Fallon shook her head.

"I don't think that's a good idea, he said that his parents are privacy freaks and you know how mom hates that site. If she found out we'd be toast."

"So we don't tell her. We'll use my laptop. I've got a secure search engine. No one will know but us." Alex said.

The three of them went into Alex's bedroom and Alex started the search. He entered James Rodgers, New York City. The computer spit out more than a hundred names. Next he refined it to James A. Rodgers thirty-five names. Next James Alexander Rodgers this time they got a hit.

James Alexander Rodgers, 18. Residence: SoHo, New York City. Son of Brigadier General Richard Rodgers USMCR (Ret.) and Chief of Detectives Katherine Beckett Rodgers NYPD (Ret.) has been accepted into the united States Naval Academy as a fourth classman. Graduated from Marlow Prep. Summa cum Laude Lettered in football and track.

Janet took a good look at the posted picture, obviously shot at a football game.

"OMG, what else could a girl ask for. This guy's Handsome, smart and rich and he gave you his number and e-mail? I know you just met him but don't let this one get away they don't come along every day."

Alex turned off the computer and sat down, a serious, contemplative look on his face.

"What's the matter Alex? Fallon asked you look really worried about something."

"I'm not worried Fal, I'm just wondering. I've read about your friend's dad. He's a Marine general. He was a fighter pilot in the Middle East. An ace, an ace in one day! He was awarded the Medal Of Honor. You know how Mom told us my birth father was a Marine officer who went missing in action in the Middle East. I wonder if General Rodgers knew him?" What bitter Irony that question was going to turn out to be.

Alex and Fallon made a huge mistake that would result in causing all kinds of trouble. Alex said; "Don't tell Mom about this right now, you know how emotional she gets when she talks about my birth father. What I'd like you to do is call your new friend and see if his dad would agree to talk me. You can explain about my birth father and if he knew him he can tell me what happened."

"I'll try it. I don't know what he will say or his dad will say though he said that his dad's really into history of the Marine's air corps so he might be willing to help."

"How much time did you spend with this guy today?" Alex asked.

"Six or seven hours, I'm not exactly sure but it wasn't long enough. Hey Alex, I'll call him right now." She punched in his number and felt her heart rate increase at the sound of his voice.

"Hey Jim, it's Fallon. I know that we just met but my brother has a favor he wants to ask. Actually it's a favor of your father. I know that I told you that I'm adopted and our father adopted my brother although he's mother's natural child. Mom told him that his father was a Marine officer who went missing in action in the Middle East. He thought that maybe your father might know more about it and be willing to tell him about it. He hasn't been able to find out anything from the Marines."

"I don't know Fallon I'll ask him and call you back. We're pretty busy right now getting ready for the party so it might be a couple of hours." There was a pause then Jim said; Hey Fallon it's still a couple hours till the party. Would you like to come? Fallon caught her breath then smiled.

"Of course I'd like to come, let me ask my parents if I can."

"Good, let me clear it with mine. Mom asked me if I had a date and I told her no. She likes everything nailed down. I'll call you back in five."

Fallon ran into the living room. Trevor Reynolds was sitting with Cecelia enjoying an evening cocktail.

"Mom, Dad I've just been invited to a party by that boy I met today, Jimmy Rodgers. He's going away to Annapolis tomorrow so it's a going away party at his parents' house. It's a family party so I know that it will be safe. Amy knows his family and says that they are very nice."

Trevor Reynolds smiled at his daughter. "Fallon you're eighteen now and don't need our permission but I'm glad that you checked with us. Go and have fun but be careful."

Precisely five minutes after hanging up Jim called Fallon again.

"Mom says she'd be very happy to have you come but needs me to stay here and help so we're sending a town car to pick you up. Dress for the party is nice but not fancy. The car will pick you up at seven. Don't eat anything it's a dinner party. See you soon Fallon."

Fallon looked at her watch it was five-fifteen.

She was good friends with Alex's girlfriend so she said; "Janet can you come help me get ready? They're sending a town car for me. It will be here at seven." Janet shook her head in mock exasperation. "Jeez, how many girls get chauffeured to their first date?"

Fallon looked at herself in the mirror checking one last time. She was a tall girl at five-nine. Long naturally blonde hair fell to her shoulder blades, framing a delicate, high cheek-boned face. Her eyes were sky-blue her nose was straight and her lips full. Altogether a strikingly beautiful girl.

She was wearing a simple a line skirt in navy blue, a periwinkle blue silk blouse and Jimmy Choo heels. Trevor looked up from his tablet and grinned.

"You're going to make that boy wish he weren't going away to Annapolis Honey, you're gorgeous" Fallon blushed.

"Thank you Daddy, the town car is here now. I've got to go."

The town car pulled up in front of a large, impressive building at 425 Broome Street. The doorman came over and opened the car's back door and assisted Fallon out.

"Ms. Reynolds, I am Pablo, Mr. Rodgers' doorman You are expected." Besides the doorman, Fallon noticed two well- dressed burly men who were obviously private security.

"Mr. Rodgers' doorman?" Fallon asked her eyebrows rose in surprise.

Pablo nodded. "Yes Ms. Reynolds Mr. Rodgers owns the building. All the tenants here are either family or close friends. just push the elevator button for the ninth floor."

Fallon rang the doorbell at the only door on the ninth floor. The door opened and she was greeted by Jim Rodgers. He nearly took her breath away. He'd really looked good earlier today, dressed in ordinary Levi's a polo shirt and his letterman's jacket but tonight was something else.

He was dressed in a pair of charcoal gray slacks, A navy blue sport coat and a purple silk dress shirt worn open necked.

He took her hand, his blue eyes sparkling and that charming smile in place. "Hi Fallon thank you for coming tonight. Please come in." Jim took the light jacket she'd been wearing and hung it in the closet. "I thought that you were pretty when I met you this morning but I was wrong. Pretty isn't even close. You are beautiful."

Fallon blushed and said; "Thank you Jim, you clean up pretty well yourself."

Jim laughed, "Come on and meet my family." Jim ushered her into the living room which was quite crowded. She was approached by a tall woman, as poised and beautiful as a super-model.

There were strands of gray in her long chestnut colored hair, which she took no pains to conceal. There was a wide smile on the woman's lovely face and the deep purple dress she wore revealed a still lithe, slender figure. She gently took Fallon's hand and said;

"You must be Fallon. Welcome to our home. You are even lovelier than Jim said you were. I hope that you enjoy your evening. It can get rather crazy in the Rodgers household from time to time."

"Thank you Mrs. Rodgers, I am sure that I shall have a wonderful time."

"Well, that was Mom, time to meet Dad." Jim said. They walked over to a group of men standing around with drinks in their hands. There was no doubt as to which one was Jim's father. Except for being even taller than that imposing figure, Jim was the spitting image of his father. The same blue eyes and hawk nose, strong chin and slightly crooked smile The same hair except for the gray at the temples in the same almost military style.

Rick was speaking. "There we were in the Clear ridge game, down by three with thirteen seconds to go when Jim completed a forty yard pass to Sam Ralston for the winning TD. Then Kevin jumped up and spilled his beer all over Jenny. Thought she was going to practice punting with his head."

"Hey, who wears a Dolce and Gabanna blouse to a football game?" Kevin asked.

"Your wife, Duh." Javi replied.

"Hey Dad, guys, there's someone I want you to meet." Jim said. Fallon Reynolds I'd like to introduce you to my father, Richard Rodgers, my grandfather James Beckett, my uncles Javier Esposito and Kevin Ryan and my brother-in-law Geoff Talbot. Although there was no actual blood relation, in his mind Javi and Kevin were his uncles and Jim introduced them as such.

Rick took her hand and said; "Welcome Fallon I hope that you have a good time tonight. I know that it's a little overwhelming to have the bunch of us thrown at you all at once. Just relax and enjoy yourself. The other men greeted her just as warmly.

When Fallon was introduced to Jim's grandmother, sisters and aunts she received the same warmth and acceptance she'd received from Jim's mother and the men. They sat down to a superb but simple dinner that was carried on amid a lot of laughter and gentle teasing.

Fallon hated that the evening had to end. Jim escorted her home and gently kissed her goodnight. Love at First sight? Not always a myth, certainly not in this case. Fallon Reynolds fell in love for the first and last time in her life that night. A love that would have many troubles along the way but would last for the rest of her life.

They parted blissfully that night completely unaware and unprepared for the emotional firestorm that lay in the not so distant future.

Please review and let me know if you want this story continued, knowing that it will be a few weeks before I get back to it.

Swordwriter.