Forbidden Angel 2

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: Sequel to Forbidden Angel, Please read that before reading this. Pre series Castle, Rick has graduated and served time in the USMC, fulfilling his ROTC commitment, Beckett has gone on to become a lawyer, Johanna is alive, BOTH are in relationships when they meet, what will happen, For sake of this story the age difference has been adjusted, GO with it, and also I'm sure many military protocols will be broken again IT'S FICTION. NOTE: AU not canon

I don't own Castle, I use the characters for amusement purposes only

Chapter 1

Previously From Forbidden Angel

"You Goof, of course it's a yes, and since we are waiting till after the bar exams to start our PTSD treatment, we will allow the Doctor to discuss the timeline or even if it's a good idea to talk to Kyra again, is that OK Babe?"

Six Weeks Later

Castle's Loft

The last few weeks had seemed like years, Kate took the Bar Exam, and was confident, but she wouldn't be the first to have misread her results. It was a wait and see game now, and she was glad Rick was with her, he hadn't left her side except for business meetings, and allowing her time to study.

If she had any shred of doubt, she loved the man, the last few weeks removed that as he continuously surprised her and made her feel like the special women, she was to him. They had also been referred to Dr. Harry Narvarte, a leader in PTSD for returning soldiers, and were scheduled for their first appointment this Friday, three days from now.

Rick had been self-conscious at first, but Kate reasoned with him that Jim and Johanna should know he was receiving treatment just in case a trigger at their home caused a panic attack.

It was a difficult discussion for Rick, but Johanna simply put her arms around him and told him there were there for him and how proud they were he was getting help. Jim rarely called him Rick, using the Son label more and more and also reassured Rick, that this was something he received while fighting for the freedom of his country, and he should never be ashamed of it, any more that the two physical wounds he had sustained.

Rick and Jim grew extremely close in just a short time, perhaps it was because of the lack of Rick's father in his life, or because Jim felt a peace that no matter what happened, Rick would die protecting his little girl, what more could a Dad ask from a suitor.

Kate knew that Kyra would not give up so easily, and she didn't, calling Rick at least twice a week, asking for a personal meeting. Each call went the same, her apologizing and begging to be heard face to face, and Rick firmly telling her, that he was in love with Kate and she should just move on to whatever once in a lifetime opportunity Sheila Blaine had arranged for her. Each week Rick put the call on speaker, so Kate could hear everything that was said, till finally one call Kate had enough.

"Kyra, this is Kate, I have tried to be patient with you, since I know what you and Rick had was very special, well at least to him, but these calls are bordering on harassment, and they must stop. Rick and I will discuss this with those we need to, AND if there is any cause for him to grant your request to meet, he has your number, we all have your number, Good Day" and disconnects the call.

"Babe, I'm sorry, I am just so fed up, with her trying to work her way back into your life,"

"Kate, Kate, Babe, listen, I was just going to ask you what took you so long to jump in" as he flashes his smile that only Kate see's and his blue eyes twinkle with the love he feels for her.

They had agreed to spending one night at Kate's apartment, to collect her mail, allow her to pay the bills, and Rick would spend one night at the Loft alone while she stayed with her parents, well that lasted not even one night. Rick was sitting on the couch, channel surfing feeling miserable and alone when the front door rang, and there stood Kate and Jim.

"Son, she was as happy as you look, I'm no fool, I know what you two got going, but my advice, don't waste a minute of time apart if you could help it, I did and I regret the time I could of have with Jo if I weren't so stupid. I just came along because I knew you wouldn't want her to travel this late by herself, take care of her Son, we love you both," then turns and walks to the elevator.

Rick's mouth was open, but Kate found a way to close it in a hurry,

"That was the stupidest idea I ever had, I'm sorry Babe, I missed you so much," as she kissed him as if she hadn't seen him in months.

"Kate, I missed you as well, God don't ever leave me alone again, please, no matter how mad you may get at me, promise, me you won't leave."

"I won't Rick, I swear I won't," as she flashes back to a heart broken young Marine officer, fighting with all of his will to keep composed as Kyra walked away. He had been deserted once, but he would never feel that from her.

Dr. Harry Narvarte' s office

Friday 10:00 AM

Kate and Rick were early for Rick's first appointment with Dr. N, as Rick had taken to calling him, wanting to keep Rick as calm as possible. Kate sat as close to him as she could holding his hand, when he had completed the slew of forms that seemed to never end. It seemed like hours but precisely at 10:00 AM the door opened, and a gentleman in his late 30's called "Is Rick here?"

Rick and Kate stood, she was going to give him a kiss for luck, but was surprised when the Doctor said, "please join us Kate, at least for the first part of the session then we'll decide if it will be just Rick or you both."

A huge sigh of relief came from Rick, and Kate saw his face relax, once he knew she would be with him. She immediately liked Dr. N, he didn't use last names, and he had a great read of the patients who where more comfortable with someone with them. As they entered the office, they were offered Coffee, Tea or water with both taking a chilled bottle of water.

"Rick, may I call you that Mr. Rogers, I like to keep it informal with my patients, and may I call you Kate Ms. Beckett? You can call me Dr. H for Harry although most prefer to call me Dr. N, Narvarte is a mouthful to get out "as he smiles putting both Rick and Kate at ease.

"Rick is fine, and I'm sure Kate appreciates you calling her by her first name as well Dr. N" Rick tries out the handle and all smile.

"Well Rick, first, I must ask, and this is being recorded for insurance purposes, that you are aware of Kate Beckett being present for this consultation, and agree to if at any time you want privacy Ms. Beckett will be asked to leave. Until or if that point should arise, Ms. Beckett will remain in the room as long as you are comfortable, do you agree Mr. Richard Rogers Castle, known as Rick for the remainder of this session, please acknowledge with a verbal Yes or No"

Rick looks at Kate, and says "Yes, Kate stays for all of it."

Dr. N then turns off the recorder and said "Great now we have the legal stuff out of the way, let's see if we can get to the issue here. Kate since you witnessed an attack come on without warning, can you describe what happened, in your own words."

Kate describes how they were at her apartment discussing their relationship, when the clock struck midnight to mark Christmas had arrived and a series of fireworks went off, then she looked and Rick was on the ground reaching for a firearm on his side.

She explained her method to bring him back to present day, and as she talked held his hand, and caressed the outside with her thumb in little circles to represent I love You with each circle, that was their silent communication, and she kept reassuring him she was there for the duration.

Dr. N has listened and made some notes as Kate spoke, he also observed Rick's facial and body language, to pick up some of the embarrassment, shame and weakness Rick thought this demonstrated.

"Great, thanks Kate, I have to tell you I am impressed with the manner in which you addressed the attack, most think it should be like a switch, flip it on, flip it off, but the psyche doesn't work like a light bulb.

Where you afraid of Rick at any time during this attack or did he respond to your voice as you coaxed him back to present day?"

"I was not then or have I ever been afraid of Rick, he wouldn't hurt me if his life depended on it." Kate answered a little sharp.

"I'm sorry Kate, and you are right, your Rick, the man sitting next to you would never hurt you, but I think the firecracker triggered a flashback to the most recent holidays spent in a foreign country, and at that moment he wasn't your Rick, he was Captain Richard Rogers, USMC and was protecting his men and obeying orders."

Rick was sitting taking this all in, and when he understood that he could hurt Kate or someone else during one of the flashbacks, he grew very uneasy, almost nauseous with just the thought.

Kate could feel him tense up, and squeezed his hand tighter,

"Rick, look at me, that's why we are here for Dr. N to help you so that doesn't happen but Babe, I am here, I will be here, and you can't chase me off no matter how hard you try, I love you."

Rick hangs his head, fighting his emotions, as Dr N. picks up, "Rick, there is no shame in the condition you have, you are blessed to have Kate so strong, so dedicated to be with you, and this is going to greatly increase your successful results to learn to cope with this condition.

PTSD is not something you take a prescription for and it's gone in a week, but hopefully we can go through a regimen of exercises that will prepare you to spot, avoid, and if necessary deal with triggers or potential triggers to avoid setting an episode in motion."

"So, what do I do, Doctor? I can't live knowing I could hurt Kate or someone we love during one of these attacks?"

"Well believe it or not you already are working on the fix, I don't believe in prescribing medications for patients with your status, BUT I think we can treat it safely using therapy. The two I use most often are:

Cognitive behavioral therapy

A talk therapy focused on modifying negative thoughts, behaviors, and emotional responses associated with psychological distress.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing

Psychological treatment that reduces the stress of traumatic events through eye movements.

Kate, can you assist us in marking any triggers, such as the fireworks, that cause any panic attacks, and Rick you need to trust both me and Kate, don't hold information back that's bothering you for the sake of keeping peace of not hurting her feelings. She loves you and believe me, you are one lucky man to have such a strong lady with you by your side."

Kate is blushing, but as Rick hears more, he begins to understand, he's not a freak, that this is a real sickness just like diabetes or high blood pressure, it's just in a different spot of his body, his mind.

"I know how lucky I am Dr. N, and believe me, I don't deserve her, but I thank God I have her, she's why we're here, to get help. I thought I could push through this, but I see now I can't."

"Rick, this may be sensitive, but you are still in the Reserves for another 11 months, correct? You know if I report this, you will receive an honorable medical discharge, from the Marines. I don't want to throw any surprises out there that you're not prepared for."

"Understood Doc, but you know, getting shot a couple of times and being away from home for two years, I think I have earned a 11-month reprieve, go ahead and file the paperwork. I'll advise my CO via normal channels"

"Great, as I said I don't want to throw anything out there that would appear to be undermining, the key to success in this, well actually all relationships, but especially those of the heart and head is complete trust in one another.

Is there anything else we need to discuss this visit, we still have some time left?"

Kate looks to Rick, who nods,

"Actually, Doctor we need guidance on how to handle a former girlfriend of Rick's "

TBC