A/N- Hello everyone. This is me, with another multi-chapter story.

1) I thought about where should I begin with this story, what should be the starting point, and I came to the conclusion that 7x06 should do it. So, in the beginning of the Episode we have Sorenson's wedding invitation, which pushes Castle and Beckett to their own private wedding at the Hamptons after Castle's journey to the 'What-If' universe.

Let's say this take place at my own universe, at the end of that episode. Beckett and Castle marry, and for the sake of the story, they do attend Sorenson's wedding.

2) This story is Angsty (and I mean it. It really IS. The only reason I didn't tag it as 'tragedy' is because tragedy is not the main issue here. But prepare for some serious angst. If that's not your cup of tea, then you shouldn't be reading this) and ronantic (I usually don't do romance, because I'm not that good at it, but in this story there's romance and just enough Caskett to keep people reading, if they're into this kind of story).

3) Those of you who follow my work will know by now that I tend to base my fics on true life stories, and this is no different. I took my own creative liberty, but just know that the main situation this story deals with, the main questions and difficulties, occured in real life some time ago.

4) There are going to be some descriptions of injuries and death in this story. Nothing too graphic, but you should be prepared.

5) I really appreciate reviews and comments. Please drop some. That's my connection with the readers.

The Lady of Versailles

Prologue

The judge's grovel comes cracking down.

SMACK!

The verdict is clear. And it's unforgiving. Uncompromised. Final.

Guilty.

Guilty, as the jury determines unanimously.

Beckett sucks in a breath. For a second, she finds it hard to believe. It's like an illusion, a dream of some sort.

This man, who ruined her life, who caused so much death and destruction around him, who twisted the lives of the people closest to him, who've made her own life a living nightmare, so much that she could only think of vengeance, of a way to hurt him… was this man really found guilty in court of law, just minutes ago?

Oh, it must be a dream.

Only it isn't. It's happening for real.

Turning to look at her husband, who sits next to her, silent as usual, he takes her hand in his, pressing gently. She can feel him shaking, his eyes moist.

'Oh, Castle'… she thinks, the love she has for him cannot be verbalized right now, it consumes and overwhelms her, 'Oh, Babe, this crazy journey was for you, I did it for you, for our future… so we can both overcome this nightmare… can you see it?'

He nods slowly, getting her message loud and clear, almost as if she screamed it for the whole room to hear.

And the courtroom is not silent anymore. Whispers, calls and flashes fill it, as the crowed emerges in voices, some praising the verdict, others protesting.

The judge's grovel comes smacking again. She calls for order.

The defendant, sitting on the opposite side of the room, keeps his cold, almost indifferent expression for a couple of minutes. His eyes travel across the room until they freeze on her. He narrows his eyes. It's a staring contest of maybe 30 seconds, neither one of them wants to be the one to blink first.

That's until he drops his gaze, not in surrender, as he doesn't have such a feeling in him, but in some sort of embittered acceptance.

Beckett won, they all know it. The families of his victims won. They will all return home tonight, to whatever remains of their lives, and he will be sent back in his sell.

The verdict is given, they battle is won. It's time to go home now.

After what seems like an eternity, the jury's conclusions and setting a date for the next hearing, which will hold the actual sentence, the attendants start rising from their seats, heading towards the courtroom's doors.

Kate turns to her husband again, just to make sure he's alright, and he offers another nod. "Is it…over?" he asks weakly. "Can we… go home?"

Beckett smiles at him. "Yeah, love," she answers tenderly. "Now we finally can."

Looking upward, her eyes meet Alexis'. "C'mon, dad," always the dutiful daughter, the young woman lays a hand on her father's shoulder. "You must be tired. Christine is waiting for us at the restaurant."

"Ok," Castle says. Truth be said, he really is exhausted, and he could use some rest before today's meeting with Christine.

The last ones leave the courtroom, not without offering the Castles a look of curiosity, of pity; which irritates Beckett quite a bit. Curiosity she can deal with. Pity is what she can't stand. She doesn't want people pitying her or her husband. They've done nothing to deserve said pity.

And Castle is uncomfortable with people staring at him like that. Not that they can do anything to change that. It's part of everyday life now.

Backing to grasp the two handles, Alexis gives the wheelchair a push, and they roll Castle across the hallway, while Beckett carries the bags.

As they leave the courtroom to enter the service elevator, they find it empty, and Castle exhales. Thank God for small miracles.

There's no unfamiliar faces to look down on him, at the paralyzed half-a-person he is now; no one to wonder how come such an active, healthy and bright man as Richard Castle reduced himself to this… a cripple who depends on his family for the simplest thing.

Beckett passes a hand through his hair, planting a kiss on his head. "What's on your mind?" she asks him.

He shakes his head, "No…nothing," he replies, ignoring Alexis' curious gaze and Beckett's comforting touch, "Is Christine gone to…" he closes his eyes tightly, "Going to…" he corrects himself, "use the…cars…" he closes his eyes again, releases a puff of air.

Beckett can tell he's frustrated of not succeeding to express himself. "Cards?" she asks, as she can guess by now the true meaning behind his mixed-up words.

"Yeah…" Castle sighs in relief, "Cards exercise?" he asks.

"You feel up to it?" Alexis is the one to ask now.

Blinking, Castle gives a half-shrug, "Maybe…" he says, "I'm not again… against it, if that what she… wants to do today."

'The Cards Exercise' is an examination of Castle's memory, verbal capacity and expression level. He likes it better than the other 'exercises' meant to improve his physical progress.

"Ok, then," Beckett answers, "Then that's what we'll do."

As they find their exit, Castle chooses to speak no more. His mind takes him 7 months back, to that day he lost his ability to walk, as well as write and speak like the rest of men…

If only he knew what was coming…

TBC