It had been 3 long months since the downing of the aircraft holding his beloved in the rugged mountains in Pennsylvania. Rick Castle was sitting at his computer screen coordinating the search for his lady love. Most people thought it was going to be all for naught. Rick Castle did not see it that way. He was watching an early interview.
"I know she is alive! Every bone in body tells me so. I am offering 100,000 for any clue which could lead to the whereabouts of Kate Beckett. She is the strongest person I know."
"Dad…?" Alexis asked.
"What?" Rick momentarily looks up from the replay of the video he was watching.
"Penny Marsh is here…Dad!" Alexis said.
"Oh she is? Well show her in." Rick said.
Rick stood to welcome the psychic.
"Rick I had a new vision. I saw her on a ridge and with a Bow in her hand. She was smiling Rick and in my vision she said she would be home to you soon. Penny said.
She also said she was being looked after and you would never believe who.
"Penny that is great can you look at some photographs maybe one will jog your memory?" Rick asked. They have gone down this route before. They were getting to be old hands at it.
"Sure Rick I am always available to you." Penny said.
Rick winced at the word 'Always.' It was their word. Rick never forgot the day
"Kate will you marry me?" He asked on bended knee. Hands so sweaty he thought he would drop the ring.
"Yes Rick I will but you hold on to this ring then give it to me when I come back. It will only be a two week training course in Pittsburgh." Kate sweetly said then they kissed with such passion.
Rick was smiling then came back. He hated to come back it was such a pleasant memory.
"Rick…That's one…That is the one I saw!" Penny said.
Rick looked at the geological charts.
"Penny are you sure that one?" Rick asked since it was at least 200 miles away from the crash site.
"Yeah Rick and right there she was standing waiting for you." Penny said.
"Penny I could kiss you but I won't I'll shake your hand instead." Rick said
Rick was on the phone with his nature guide Alfred Besser. He was one of those survival guides. Rick had contracted him early in the search for Kate. It was he who found her trail out of the crash site heading North West. Then the rains came. Rick enlisted the talents of Native trackers and they said the old men of the forest have her. They could not track her any further either. They did say she was injured possibly a broken left leg.
Now Rick had a solid lead.
"Al Rick Castle we have a new site. It is 200 miles northwest of the crash in the densest part of the forest. I have a Chopper ready we are going to make base camp there." Rick said as he sent the link to the location. "Have everything ready when I get there."
Rick hung up the phone and Alexis showed Penny out.
"Dad…? Don't get your hopes up too high. She has been wrong before." Alexis said.
"No Alexis not wrong but we were too late she was at the site but the trackers could not pick up anything due to these darn summer rains! I swear it has been raining ever since the crash in May and now it is Sept!" Rick said.
"Yeah I know Dad you found a number of things which leads you to believe she is alive. But I just don't want you to be disappointed when this one does not pan out either." Alexis said.
"Pumpkin I will take your advice under consideration." Rick said hugging his daughter.
"Dad you are not the only one who loves her." Alexis said crying.
"I know Alexis I know" Rick said with his tears starting to flow.
He knew she was alive. He just knew it.
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Rick and his guides had set up base camp and were starting a systematic search. Rick was sitting at his tent coordinating the search parties. Then there was a commotion in the camp.
A lone hiker had stumbled into the camp dehydrated and soaked the same time.
Rick ordered medical attention.
The hiker had a high fever and for two days Rick watched over him. Finally the fever broke.
"I am David Fisher." The man said while lying on the cot. "I really need to call my Girl Friend Monica she would be so worried about me."
"I am Rick Castle I heard you had news?" Rick said.
"Yes I saw someone Tall and leaned on a crutch with furs and a Bow strapped to her back." He said.
Rick got really excited it was what Penny had predicted.
"Where did you see that person?" Rick showing the map of the area
David pointed out a small valley where a small river ran along the steep sides. The only way in would to chopper in.
"Thanks Dave" Rick said. "Here is a cell call your Girl Friend." Rick said.
Rick left then called his guides together.
"I think we have a reliable witness sighting here." Rick pointed out.
Alfred spoke up.
"I've been down that river. It is steep but doable. There are plenty of caves in the walls. She could be holed up in one of those." Alfred said.
The rest of the guides agreed come first light that was where they would start their search.
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Kate had awoken to a strange noise. She had been used to the forest noises by now. This one was blades moving through the air. It was a Chopper! Kate threw off the furs and emerged from the Cave mouth. It was a Helo. It was about two or three miles up river.
Kate hobbled on her path to the ridge above the Cave so she could survey the whole valley. The morning sun was facing her as she stood defiantly alive.
She heard the crunching of boots. She had her bow at the ready. The noise came closer and closer. Finally in the clearing she could not believe her eyes. It was her Rick!
"Castle…!" Kate screamed trying to hobble toward him.
"Kate…!" Rick said running toward her.
"I knew you were alive!" Rick said kissing and hugging her.
"Rick my love I never thought I would see you again." Kate said.
"Kate you are injured." Rick exclaimed.
Penny was correct again it was her left leg.
"Yeah the plane crash I had a broken leg. I am afraid it did not heal properly." Kate said.
"Kate let me take you out of here. I'll get you the best surgeons!" Rick said.
"Yes Castle I would like that every much." Kate said kissing and hugging him.
Soon the chopper was over head and winched up both Kate and Rick.
Rick sent word over radio to base that Kate had been found alive and well.