Underneath the Wreckage

Summary: Set in an alternate universe. Just when Kate feels like her life is hitting rock bottom, fate throws her right in the middle of Downtown Manhattan, on that fateful September 11, 2001. Underneath the rubble that had become her life, and her city, will Kate be able to find hope, peace and love?

A/N: This story has been growing in my mind for the last months. I fantasized different scenarios where Kate and Castle met before the show started. My mind went directly to the darker scenario, when I started thinking where they were on 9/11. This story was born from those thoughts. A lot of research was put into the story, wanting to get every detail right and the experience as true as I could. I hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer: ABC owns Castle and its characters; I do own a pair of cozy socks…

Underneath the Wreckage

Prologue

Katherine Beckett stared at her reflection as the grayish light poured through her windows. Another restless night, she thought. Another day.

She debated if she should do her morning yoga routine. She read somewhere that it was good for relaxing and finding tranquility", something she really needed these days. But the few times she genuinely tried it, she didn't feel relaxed at all. Maybe she wasn't putting much effort in it. Finally deciding to skip the yoga routine, she walked towards the bathroom, leaving a trail of clothes behind her.

The apartment was a mess, something very uncharacteristic of her. Her clothes decorated the floor and furniture. The fridge was full of takeout boxes she didn't really eat and she didn't remember when was the last time she made the bed. There were even unpacked boxes ornamenting a corner of her living room, forgotten for the four months she had already lived in that apartment.

But between starting as a police officer and taking care of her dad, she couldn't find the time or energy to do it. Or at least that was the excuse she used for neglecting her apartment. She wasn't proud of it. Maybe on her next day off she will clean up a little bit. But then again, any free time she actually had was spent going over her mother's case file. Fighting the tears that always seem to resurface every time she thought of her mother, she entered the shower and let the hot water melt the stiffness of her muscles.

"It's been two years and eight months…"she told herself, as she stared at the white tiles of her shower.

Two years and eight months…has it really been that long? She still remembered that day as it was just yesterday. The last years went by so quickly she almost forgotten that she finished college one semester earlier. After her mother's death she dedicated all her time to her studies, taking as many classes as she could, including several summer courses. After finishing in winter 2000, she went directly to the academy, and six months later she began working on the 12th. That was three months ago…

Time really does fly, she thought. But the hollow feeling in her chest was bigger than ever. She missed her mother so much. She wondered if that feeling ever got away. I doubt it…

Since joining the force, her grief turned to full on obsession. One night, she went to the archives and found her mother's report. She wasn't supposed to be there, but the need for closure drove her to that dark room. She spent the last six weeks studying the report, and found that some things didn't add up on her mother's murder. She was convinced that the detectives in charge of the investigation missed several important aspects. She mentally listed her argument that her mother was not killed as a result of "gang violence".

She had discussed them with her father, but he was not a good sounding board, being hammered most of the time. Listening to her talking about the murder and her theories, only made her father drink more. The only one who understood her was her training officer, Mike Royce. She still didn't trust him enough to go into details of what she had found, but she knew Royce understood the need for justice and closure that moved her. She was convinced it was the right thing to do, catch her mother's killer. Then why did she felt she was spiraling down to self-destruction?

She wrapped herself with a towel and walked towards her dresser. Staring at her reflection again she studied her features: dark circles under her puffy eyes, pale skin and extremely thin arms. She did her best to cover up her ghastly appearance and was satisfied with the result. With strategically applied makeup she didn't look like the living dead, she look…tired. Close enough.

She tied her hair in a bun and began dressing. Her dark blue uniform looked two sizes too big. Was she losing even more weight? She looked at the box with her parents' picture on it. Slowly tracing the picture at her mother's face, she took two long deep breaths. She opened the box and took the long silver necklace, in which hung a golden ring. Putting it on and tucking it under her shirt, she then took her badge. Her gun was stored in one of her dresser drawers. She took it out and examined it, slowly tracing a finger through the barrel.

One more day, she thought. One more day the killer is out there. One more day I'm alive and my mother is not. Is it worth it to still be alive?

Shoving aside any thoughts that lately crept into her mind she put her gun in the holster and took her keys and bag. She had to get to the station downtown and meet with one of the officers. She was today on traffic patrol, somewhere on West St., which she hated. She wanted to be in crime scenes, helping detectives solve murders and catch killers. Ever since Montgomery told her she had the tenacity to be a good detective, she was even more motivated in becoming a one. He even told her that when the time came, he would train her. So instead of dealing with angry drivers and careless pedestrians, she wanted to be learning everything related to homicide investigations. But for now, she had to follow orders, and today it meant traffic patrol.

At 6:57, Kate left her apartment, oblivious to what destiny had in store for her that fateful day.

"Daddy, are you sure you can't go?"

Richard Castle flipped with tremendous skill a chocolate chip pancake in the pan. It killed him how hurt his daughter's voice sounded. She was so disappointed that it broke his heart to pieces to know it was mostly his doing.

"I'm sorry, Pumpkin," he apologized while serving her the pancake. "I have this important book signing downtown. But I promise you that this weekend we will do all kind of exploring in the city. Just you and me. Okay?" He winked at her, relieved when her eyes lighted with joy and excitement.

"Can we go to the zoo?"

"Of course. And to the museum too." He sat down beside her and drank his coffee. "We can even dress up as explorers, if you want."

"Aren't you a little old to dress up?" she innocently asked, while stuffing her mouth with a large piece of chocolate chip pancake.

"Oh, Alexis, you wound me!" he feigned being stabbed in the heart and plopped into the table. His daughter's laughter filled the room and his heart lifted just a little bit.

"You're silly, Daddy," she said between giggles.

"Maybe you think you are too old to be dressing up."

Alexis began moving absentmindedly what was left of her breakfast. "Is just that…none of my friends play dress up anymore with their dads."

"That's because they have boring parents. You were the lucky one. You have the funniest most awesome dad in the whole universe!" He extended his arms in a proud gesture and made a little bow.

"That's true."

Kissing his daughter's forehead, he stood up. "Finish your breakfast, honey. We don't want to be late."

Alexis took the last piece of pancake and shoved it into her mouth, cheeks full as she chewed with effort the remains of her breakfast.

Ten minutes later, they were ready to go.

"Remember, since I have to be at 8 at the book store and you have to be at 8 at your school, Mitchell from the car service is going to take you to school today. You remember him?" he explained as he helped Alexis put on a jacket. She nodded while he picked up her backpack. "You got everything?" She nodded again. "Ok. And remember, Alexis, don't separate from the group. Always be near your teachers."

She rolled her eyes. "Dad, I know! I'm already seven years old. I can take care of myself, at least during a field trip.

"I know, Pumpkin. You are smarter and wiser than I was at 15."

He was always giving her safety speeches which she already memorized, but he didn't care. Alexis was his life, the only thing that kept him going when his marriage didn't work, when he had problems with his mother, when he had writer's block, or when his books weren't doing as well as he hoped.

He helped her put on her backpack and took his coat. He checked his watch, 7:32. They were on the threshold of being both late.

"Let's go!" he yelled, right arm extended in front of him, left arm on his hip. "Field trip day!"

"Field trip day!" Alexis yelled from the top of her little lungs.

"And where are we going?" Rick asked in an army training officer tone, marching towards the door.

"World Trade Center and Wall Street!" Alexis replied, marching behind him.

"And why are we going there?"

"To learn about the economy, sir!"

They were now out the door and marching down to hall. He really liked the school she was now; they always used different and creative ways to teach the kids. And Alexis loved the field trips.

"And what is your favorite animal?" still marching.

"Too many to choose just one!" the little girl replied, red hair bouncing as she skipped towards the elevator.

"Nice answer," Rick replied as he high fived her daughter.

"Thank you, sir." She pressed the down button.

"And who loves you more than anything in this world?" Rick shouted.

"My Daddy!"

He couldn't fight the proud and loving smile that threaten to escape his lips, "And where are we going this week end?"

"To the zoo!"

The elevator reached their floor.

"And what date is it?" he asked as they both entered the elevator.

"Tuesday, September 11, 2001!"

This is the prologue for my first Castle story. Tell me what you think! I would really love to hear your opinions. And if you see a mistake, please, don't hesitate on pointing it out. Thanks for reading!