It's been two months. Two months of endless researching, two months of no leads. But most of all, it's been two months without him. She misses his humor, his touch, even his annoying comments. She just misses him.
The entire precinct has been held up by this one case; the disappearance of Richard Castle. His body was not in the car, which gave everyone, especially Beckett, hope. This meant he wasn't killed in the fire. This meant there was still a chance he was alive. But the more time passed, the smaller the chance of his survival was. After all this time, Kate started to think about the fact that she may never see her fiancée again. He may be gone forever.
Sometimes, she was just sitting at her desk, looking at his chair. Hoping that he would just appear. 'Detective Beckett, could you come to my office, please?' Gates asks, while she's been seeing that her best detective is gradually disappearing in a hole she would not be able to climb out of. Kate looks up and notices that Ryan and Espo are already in Gates' office. She gets up, grabs her cup of tea (she can't even think about drinking coffee without wanting to break down) and walks towards her colleagues. Ryan has a look on his face that she can't place, Espo won't look her in the eye.
'Detective, there is a lead in Mister Castle's case.' 'Sir?' Kate asks while a spark ignites in her eyes. 'Kate, you can't get mad at us about this. Trust me, we wanted to tell you about this. We were ordered not to, I'm so sorry.' Ryan rambles. 'Guys, what's going on? What do you know Javi?'
'Two weeks after his disappearance, we found some evidence which led us to a human trafficking organization. They've been hacking into his laptop, trying to figure out how much he was worth.' Esposito starts. Ryan continues: 'so, we started to investigate, but we had to stop. Apparently, the FBI was onto this organization and didn't want us interfering with their investigation. But, we struck a deal. The moment the FBI was ready to arrest these bastards, they would let us know. That way, we could go in with them.' 'So you think Castle's been abducted by this organization?' Beckett asks with hope in her voice. 'We can't know for sure, detective. But we have to warn you. These people are known for their rough treatment. If Mister Castle is there, which is already a big if, he may not be in a good state. You have to prepare yourself for the worst.' 'Sir, I've been preparing myself for the worst for the past two months. I'm ready. When are we leaving?' 'Oh, you are not going in with them. We can't have your emotions interfere with this arrest.' Gates says. Before Kate starts saying that she has to go with them, Gates says: 'That's an order, detective. From now on no more radio contact until Mister Castle is safe. Once he's in the hospital they'll let you know. Detective, you have to remember that he may not even be there. Please don't get your hopes up.' Beckett says nothing. She just looks at Esposito and Ryan. Ryan gives Beckett a hug and says: 'We'll let you know as soon as it's over okay?' Kate gives a small nod. Espo follows Ryan out of the door and just before he's out of sight, he turns to her and says: 'don't worry, we'll go get your man, chicca.'
It's four o'clock and the operation started two hours ago. The longest two hours of Kate's life. She just sits at her desk and stares at her phone. The rare moments when she does get up, she hold her phone in her hand. Arrests are not supposed to take this long. They should've called by now.
Gates watches from her office, at the broken woman in front of her. A woman who, from the moment she took of her wedding dress, has not stopped searching for her fiancée. Gates admires her strength, but she sees that this is the last straw for Kate. If he's not there, she'll break. She'll go down a rabbit hole that'll be really hard to climb out of. But Kate Beckett will pull trough. She'll always have a huge hole in her heart, which no one or nothing can replace. Everyone in the precinct looks at the broken woman and thinks the same. He's the only one who can truly fix her.
She can't take it anymore. She tried to do some paperwork to fill the time. She just can't do it. It's nine o'clock now, the operation is taking seven hours already. Everyone, even Gates, is getting worried. Someone calls Beckett into the break room. There's some Chinese, and she should eat something. There are not many people left in the precinct, a couple of on duty officers, Gates and Beckett. There are a couple of leftovers and Kate starts eating them, without really tasting what she's eating. Out of habit, she starts making coffee.
The moment you step out of the elevator you smell it: Home. Coffee. Cherries. Her. You feel that your legs are giving in. But your friends help you reach your final destination. The more you walk, the more it hurts. Maybe you should've gone to that hospital first. Maybe you should not have been so stupid to go back here against medical advice. Perhaps…. But all of those thoughts wash away the moment you see her. She's making coffee. You will never get tired of this sight. You hope you get to see this sight at the loft, in the precinct, later in a retirement home. This beautiful, strong, amazing woman. This woman who looks so broken, but who is still the most gorgeous person in the world. This woman, who is your home.
You've missed her so much, but the thought of coming home kept you sane. She kept you sane.
The moment you reach the threshold you look at your friends, they understand. They let you go and walk towards their desks. You'll have to thank them later. First, you have to say something to the one you love most. Something close to 'Honey, I'm alive!'
Kate doesn't notice the fuss around her. She is lost in her own thoughts. Once her coffee is done, she takes a sip and it just doesn't taste right. She flushes it down the drain, when she hears someone say: 'Oh, come on! I haven't had a cup of coffee for like two months and you're just throwing it away? Now this is torture.' She slowly turns around, afraid that this is yet another illusion. In the time she's turning around, he starts to make his way to her. When she sees that he's really here, she just says 'Oh, God' and throws her arms around his shoulders.
Time seems to stop. It seems like they are in their own bubble of infinity. During the hug, reassurances are whispered, loves are declared and no questions are asked. It's just them.
Castle is the first one who lets her go, just far enough to see her face. Tears are streaming down both their faces, but no one seems to care. 'I thought… I thought I'd never see you again. Castle, I thought I had lost you.' She whispers. 'I promised you; no, never. You won't lose me Kate. I'll be there to annoy you, always.' He says with a smirk. Kate smiles. She smiles after two months of sadness and anger. She doesn't say anything, she doesn't know what to say. So, she does the thing she so badly wanted to do after hearing two significant words and having a ring exchange. She kisses him. Slowly, soft, not demanding. Of course, he follows her wish willingly. It's not a big, passionate kiss. It's a small, simple kiss. It's the kind of kiss which reassures they are both here. They are not leaving anytime soon. They are both alive. The kiss is a promise. A promise for their future.
When the kiss is over, Kate looks at him. He's in bad shape. His face is covered in cuts and bruises. She says that he has to go to the hospital. He accepts and they walk into the precinct. Ryan and Espo help Castle to stay on his feet and on their way to the elevator Captain Gates walks towards the three detectives and the writer. 'Mister Castle, I am very happy that we found you and that you are alive. Just try not to be kidnapped again. Got it?' 'Yes, Sir. I'll try my best, trust me.' 'Good. Now, detective Beckett, I'm giving you a week of so you can both get a rest. I don't want you near my precinct. Now go, get your man better.' Just before the elevator doors close Kate says: 'I will. Thanks for everything, Sir.' 'Anytime, detective.'
On their way to the hospital not many words are spoken. Beckett and Castle don't let go of each other. After he's been diagnosed, they thank Ryan and Espo. They leave and Kate and Rick are alone for the first time in forever. His eyes are slowly closing but he doesn't want to sleep. Not now that he has her back. Kate sees he's fighting sleep and says; 'Just go to sleep. I'll be right here when you wake up.' 'Will you be there every morning?' he mumbles. 'Always' she says softly. She doesn't know if he heard her, but the smile on his peaceful face says enough. She falls asleep with her head on his arm. It doesn't matter that they are in a white hospital room without meaning. He's here, she's here. They are home.
Author's note:
This is the first story I've ever written, so I would love to hear your opinion!:)