Author's note: I started this idea right after the finale lat year and continues into this year... will not have much about what happened to Rick since still up in the air... mostly about Kate and Rick geting back together and their wedding (maybe)... hope you enjoy!
He had noticed it a few days after the interview. Kate had become withdrawn. She looked away more when he looked at her that special way that was meant only for her. She would pull away when he fingers would graze across her ring on her left hand. She had been more elusive with their touches and kisses.
Finally Rick asked Alexis about the time he was away. Kate had gone through a lot more than she had let on. Alexis had told him that she had stopped sleeping in their bed or even staying at the loft. Earlier one in the time period, Alexis had returned her dress to her only to have Kate request that Alexis hide it away in the back of her closet and Kate refused to look at it. His heart broke in two over this news. He knew that her previous dress had ruined in the days leading up to their nuptials. When he learned that her new dress was her mother's and had been ruined as well, he felt sorrow for the loss of their day.
How could she even look at me after all she lost. All she went through? Rick knew he needed to make this right.
He had been in meetings all day for Black pawn and Kate had the day off so she was going to research more into his lost months. So when he arrived home to find her asleep on his his desk, he had not thought twice about it. He had slipped his shoes off at the door and called out to her but got no response. The office door was shut so she did not hear him.
She was lost in a deep sleep that she had not had in months. As of late her nights were still filled with nightmares of a different ending to their story and that fateful day in May. Images of Rick in the car; never returning; finding him but not before his life was brought to a tragic end. He did not want to disturb her.
It wasn't until she stirred a bit that he noticed a puffy, redness around her eyes. Accompanied by a sniffle of her nose and a pained expression on her features. He moved closer to wake her when the screen of his laptop caught his eye.
During her research, Kate had been looking at some materials that had been forwarded to her email. At one moment an email appeared from a bridal boutique. Lanie had signed her up as a joke but Kate had found a few ideas from it. The images in the email flyer finally knocked through the new wall Kate had put up when dealing with the loss of her wedding day. She glanced down at her ring finger and traced where a single band should have been at home now for months. That was the final bit that crumbled the wall and she felt the tears fall for the lost moments and times they had missed out on. She let go finally of all the anguish that she had pent up for months and there at his desk in his office she finally cried out. She knew this would be coming but had not realized just how much she needed it and after a good bit of tears had fallen, she placed her head down and dropped into a deep sleep that her body had been needing for months.
Now glancing at the images Rick knew what had sent Kate into this downfall. There dancing on his screen, almost mocking him, were scenes of brides and grooms blissful in the twilight of a summer evening. Even though he did not think it was possible, his heart all over again. He wanted to wake Kate and wrap his arms around her. Take her in into the safety of his embrace and take away all her pain and sorrow. It hurt him that he was the reason she was hurting. Deciding not to wake her and feeling that finding her this way may embarrass her and cause more pain, Rick quietly back out the office and closed the door back behind him.
He missed towards the couch in the living room and studied his reflection in the tv that he had not brought to life yet. How did our lives get this messed up? Would it always be a challenge to be happy? He had to fight for every inch he had with Kate already. Weren't they owed some happiness by the universe?
Resolved Rick leaped off the couch. Kate deserves happiness. She deserves her happy ending more than anyone he knew. Grabbing for his phone, he punched in a number on speed dial that he had memorized over years. If he was going to give Kate her happy ending he was going to need help. Quickly writing out a note in case Kate woke before he returned, he dashed out the door; stopping only to grab his keys and shoes.
He was bouncing trying to put his shoes back on when the elevator arrived. Just as the doors opened he heard the other side of the line pick up. Before the other party had a chance to answer Rick stated, "I need you to meet me NOW!" biting that last word as the elevator doors closed in front of him.