"Castle, you can do this. You know how to solve a murder, and I'll be only a phone call away." Kate's tone was reassuring, but on the inside she felt like crap. She had felt like this for a little over a week now, and having a killer on the same plane with her husband and step-daughter wasn't helping. Especially with their plane flying in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
"I love you, Kate."
"I love you too, Rick. Tell Alexis I love her as well. I know you two are going to make it out of this." From the other end, Rick could hear his wife's voice get slightly choked up. He knew addressing it would only make it worse. He also knew he had to get out of this situation for Kate's sake, and there was only one way to do it; to solve the case before somebody started shooting and killing more people.
Back in the precinct, Kate was feeling very nauseous and lightheaded. Nobody blamed her because of the situation she was in. She looked up and saw Gates approach her desk.
"Detective Beckett, if you wish to go home early, you may. You aren't looking too well, and under the circumstances I think it's best you should."
"No, Sir, I need to stay. I need to know everything about Rick and Alexis's situation the second it comes in."
"Very well, but feel free to leave at any time."
"Thank you, Sir," Kate said as Gates turned around and walked back to her office. She put her head in her hands and sighed. After a couple minutes. she decided she was going down to the morgue to talk to Lanie. As she got up, she felt a little woozy, but she proceeded to her destination. As the elevator doors opened, Kate looked up and saw Lanie."
"Oh, Kate! I came up as soon as I could. How are you doing?"
"I honestly don't know, Lanie," Kate replied. My husband and daughter are on a plane in the middle of the ocean with a killer on board, and I don't know what to do! I feel helpless! And to top it all off, I've been feeling sick to my stomach for over a week now."
The last part especially caught Lanie's attention. "Kate, I think we should go and sit down someplace private." Kate was too tired to question her best friend and allowed Lanie to lead her to the lounge. Lanie shut the door, turned around, and sat down on the couch next to Kate.
"Kate, tell me your symptoms."
"My what?" Kate asked with a puzzled look on her face.
"Symptoms, as in what you've been feeling for the past week or so."
"Okay...I've felt nauseous the entire time, but I haven't thrown up. I haven't really been eating a lot because of this, but I've been eating enough to keep Rick off my back. I've had a headache for a good part of the time too, and I've just started feeling dizzy the past couple of days. I've been drinking a lot of water to help, but it's not really working.
"I think we should go back to your place, Kate."
"Lanie, I can't! Rick could call at any time and I need to be here!"
"Listen, Kate. I know Castle and Alexis are in danger, but they have Ryan and Esposito here to help them through this. I'll explain everything else in the car."
"No Lanie, I can't do-" Suddenly Kate felt as if she was going to puke. She went to the bathroom as casually but as quickly as she could. She went into the handicap stall, knowing that Lanie would follow her, and emptied her stomach of that morning's breakfast. As soon as Kate finished, Lanie appeared to hold back her best friend's hair.
"Kate, I'm just going to tell you now. I think you're pregnant." The shock that Kate felt started another round of vomiting. After the fourth round, Kate insisted that she was done. She made Lanie walk out before her so that she could freshen up. She didn't want to leave, but she knew she had to go home right away. After about five minutes, she walked out of the bathroom and went to her desk to pick up her stuff before heading over to Gate's office to tell her she was leaving. When she got there, Lanie was ready to go and standing there holding Kate's jacket and purse.
"I already told Gates that you were going home early."
Because she was afraid she was going to throw up again, Kate looked at her best friend and mouthed a 'thank you.' She put on a jacket and took her purse from Lanie's hands, and both women headed to the elevator. Lanie told Kate that they were taking her car and just leave Kate's in the parking garage for Espo and Ryan to pick up later. Kate didn't object.
When they started heading in the direction away from the loft, she started ask a question, but Lanie beat her to it.
"I set up an appointment with my friend at the hospital. She's an OBGYN and has agreed to perform an ultrasound. We're going to find out whether or not you are pregnant."
"Thank you, Lanie, for everything."
"No problem, Kate. That's what I'm here for."
When they reached the hospital, Kate took a deep breath before going in.
