This actually Clare 15 but that story is at an end. This is just a recap before the story continues.
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The flight was heading to only Black knew as Rick settled down still looking at kate who was still thankfully asleep.
Those twilight formula sure works well Rick thought as he looked at his companion. Clare the leggy blonde was past out too. It was well past 2 in the morning as the plane winged its way toward an unknown destination. Rick was recalling the events of the past few hours.
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Kate was at the ambulance with Rick hovering. The technicians were doing tests. Kate had not awoken yet while warm fluids were being pumped into her body. Rick was not certain how long she was exposed to negative temperatures. Ryan and Clare came up next to him.
"The senator has been rushed to the hospital. He might not make it" Ryan said.
"What about the rest of the team?" Rick asked.
"They are in worst shape than Kate. It is possible this was a trap." Ryan said sadly.
"What about our sleeping beauties?" Rick asked.
"Still out like a light Wayne" Clare said holding on to his arm.
She was offering comfort. Rick did not need her comfort he just wanted to see those brown green eyes again. Rick kept looking toward the ambulance. Hoping Kate would revive soon.
"Ryan has anyone contacted Alexis or Lanie?" Rick said more concerned about his family now.
"Espo has Lanie and Alexis are staying put at this moment but as soon as Kate is stabilized they will meet us at the hospital" Ryan said.
"How did this happen?" Rick wondered out loud.
"Somebody talked. CSU is looking over the cooler as we speak. It should not have been able to push that cold of air. It seems it was electronically tampered." Ryan said.
"Clare I trust you go look at those controls and tell me if you can spot anything." Rick said as he reached into his bag and pulled out something Clare had not seen in a long time her black laptop.
"Wayne I thought I lost that?" Clare said.
"It was returned I did not think you would have needed it but I brought it anyway" Rick said.
"So Black knows?" Clare asked.
"Yes Black knows. I was supposed to take you to him after this was over. So sorry Clare…Your free wheeling days are over. It is time for you to come out of the cold" Rick said.
"Well I guess I need to plug this bad boy in and see who hacked the controls…Eh Wayne?" Clare said walking back toward the crime scene tape. Ryan showed his badge to get her access.
Rick was a bit sad but that was the price for Black's assistance. Rick knew Clare was destined for other things. He stood there wondering would this be the last time for sure he would see her again?
Rick conflicted looked away. The technicians in the ambulance were packing up the warming worked Rick climbed into the back where Kate was waking up. Rick held her hand.
"Hey" Kate said slowly.
"Hey welcome back." The doors shut as Kate was now transported to the hospital.
"Rick so cold!" Kate said.
The technician was wrapping her in more thermal blankets,
Kate tried to sit up. Rick held out his hand and stopped her.
Kate looked at him with a quizzical look on her face.
"Kate you were exposed to -50 degrees in that cooler. It must have malfunctioned. The techs estimate you were in there for an hour." Rick said.
Kate quit struggling then laid back down.
"Oh…" was all Kate could say they had arrived to the hospital. Kate was a miracle no one exposed to -50 for an hour had ever survived before.
Kate was rushed to the treatment room all set up to continue the warming process.
"I love you Kate" Rick said running next to the gurney Kate reached out her hand and gave it a squeeze. Then they retreated away from him. The Déjà Vu sensation was overwhelming. At least this time Kate was alive and alert. There was no blood on his hand. He stood in the corridor for sometime. An arm wrapped around his waist. It was Alexis he stood there looking into his daughters blue eyes searching for something.
"It is alright Dad she is a fighter. She will make it." Alexis said with much confidence.
'I told her Alexis. I told her again. I loved her" Rick said almost breaking down.
Alexis just shook her head in acknowledgement. She then led him to the waiting room where Lanie had taken up residency.
Rick was so consumed with guilt. He thought the plan had everything perfect. I guess not.
Alexis had Called Jim. Jim Beckett came in furious at Rick.
"What happened? This was not supposed to happen. She is here again and I want to know why?" Jim said getting into Rick's face.
"She was not supposed to go into the cooler but somehow she was shoved in" Rick said. "It was not part of the plan. The cooler was tampered with and for an hour she was exposed to -50 degrees."
Jim was digesting what Rick had said.
"I checked every part of this plan it should have worked. The cooler was only supposed to be 50 degrees at the minimum. Not -50" Rick said. "It was …"
"A trap. Who else was in there?" Jim supplied now being less angry. "You could not have foreseen that happening. Rick. I am so sorry I yelled at you. You are not at fault."
Jim now grabbed his hand to make Rick look at him.
The doctor now came in. "Family of Katherine Beckett?' he announced.
Jim rose as did the rest of the group.
"I am her fiancée and this is her father…How is she doing?" Rick stated.
"I am please to announce she is in recovery she did not lose consciousness throughout the procedure and you can go see her now. There is some minor frostbite to her toes and fingers so she can not hold anything, But she will be fine once those heal." He stated.
Rick was overjoyed at the news. The rest of the family rejoiced too.
"What about the senator? And the others?" Rick asked.
The doctor looked down. Rick knew what that meant.
"The others recovered never regain consciousness and did not respond to treatment. And if you can accuse me I have a statement to read to the press." The doctor said.
The doctor now walked away. Rick stopped him.
"This is a matter of national security" Rick pulled out his badge. "Do not inform the press that there were any survivors!"
"Ok Mr. Castle I will not mention the survival of Katherine Beckett. Do you want to see her now?" The doctor asked.
"Yes please." Rick said.
Rick was lead to the recovery room Kate was awake and all her hands were wrapped and feet were too. There was a bright color to her cheeks when Rick walked in with Jim.
"Oh Baby girl I am so glad you are alright." Jim said hugging her tightly. He was so emotional he was crying.
Rick stood back and watched the reunion between Father and Daughter. Once they had dried their eyes Rick now came forward.
"Hey" he said.
"Hey" She said.
Rick now hugged and kissed her. Kate was still wrapped up in tubes. She really did not care. Rick now got all serious.
"Jim I know she is your daughter but she has vital information for the security of this nation. I need you to step outside so we can discuss in private" Rick said.
"Rick what is going on?" Kate asked.
Jim did as Rick asked and said "I will go back and tell the others I had seen you. Take care Katie bear."
"You too Dad" Kate said.
After Jim had left Rick got out his bug sweeper and white noise generator. There were no bugs detected.
"Kate the others in the cooler did not make it." Rick said.
Kate's eye grew wide.
"The assassin was successful?" Kate asked.
"Yes it seems that is true. The cooler was tampered and you were exposed to -50 for about an hour. You are a miracle Kate just a miracle!" Rick said with relief.
"Rick while I was in there the Senator confessed that he was not the king pin. He was just a puppet. For whom he did not know but he pointed the finger at his long time chief of staff. James" Kate said.
'Kate you are not safe. The kingpin whoever they are tried to kill you too. I have to move you now." Rick said. Pulling out his phone he called Black.
"Yes what we discussed it needs to happen now!" Rick said.
Rick now turned to Kate.
"I am so sorry Kate but you need to be unconscious. I will be with you the whole way." Rick said as he placed the sedative in her IV.
Kate dropped off to sleep. Soon she was being transported. Alexis and Martha were placed on a plane. Lanie and Jim were advised to not speak of this at all.
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Back at the hotel Clare had gotten in and followed the hack to a place in Brooklyn. Giving Espo that information she was accosted by Black.
"Clare good to see you again." Black said. "You are not safe we need to leave now."
"I was helping with the investigation…" Clare protested.
"Leave it to the capable hands of NYPD. I am sure Captain Gates will be able to see this through." Black said while they were walking to the car.
"What about Wayne? Kate? Alexis..." Clare asked.
"You will see them again, Now we must hurry" Black said.
Clare complied and got into the limo because technically he was still her boss.
Black and Clare were transported to the hanger at Teeterboro Airport. A 737 was sitting on the tarmac.
"I will have to bid you adieu for now Clare but keep in touch." Black said while getting back into the car.
Clare confused followed Black's instructions and entered the plane.
The pilot now said that all passengers were aboard. And he started the plane to taxi. Soon the plane was in the air. Clare could finally get up and look around. There were many agents she had never seen before and there was a compartment in the back. One agent stood and let her through.
"Wayne!" Clare said rushing toward him.
"Clare I am glad you made it" Rick said.
"Alexis, Martha!" Clare cried out in glee.
There was a group hug as the plane continued its flight.
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Rick finished his reminiscing. He looked around the cabin one last time then he finally tired fell asleep. It was way past his bedtime and the warmth in the plane cabin was very conducive to sleep. The plane was still in the air as he fell under the spell.
