Prompt from Tumblr: Lockdown/shoot out in the 12th, everyone but Castle is there
First fic.
Disclaimer: Not mine.
As Castle was walking out of a meeting at Black Pawn he looked up to glance at the TV showing the rolling news channel, it was then that he heard words, that no husband, wife or partner of a cop wanted to hear
"Major incident declared at the twelfth precinct, known causalities with one death confirmed".
His world momentarily came to a grinding halt with thoughts of Kate on the floor having been shot, just like Coonan was all those years ago; in the chest and bleeding out.
He was brought back out of his reverie as a junior assistant who walked into him hastily apologising "I'm so sorry Mr Castle". As the assistant continued to questionably look at Castle as if to get a response but was able to say was "Kate".
Getting himself together, Castle walked out of the building, signalling for the first cab he could. Once he had rattled off the address of the twelfth to the driver he took out his phone only to find numerous missed calls and texts but only went searching for one name of the one person that meant so much. He found one; going to read it, part of the elation that might have signified that she was safe was quickly dashed.
"Hey babe, hope your meeting is going well. Can't wait to go home tonight, it has been such a long day. Got a surprise for you too. X"
No mention of her being safe or acknowledging any incident, sent three hours ago as well. He then went straight to call her but got no answer; again he called then tried the boys' too but nothing. He looked at his missed calls too, five from Jim, three from Jenny, two from Alexis and two from Martha. Realising the Ryan and Espo would be in there too, a whole new wave of realisation came over him, Jenny and he could be widows whilst Lanie would be left without, well whatever Javier was to her – partner, boyfriend or just, he didn't know what, after all if those two themselves didn't how could anyone else.
He continued to look at his phone as if it would give him all the answers. Before he knew it, the cab had arrived and the driver was shouting at him so he took some cash out of his wallet and handed it to him. Once he got out, he looked around to see if he could see anyone he knew but all he could see was blurs of people and flashing lights.
As he approached the perimeter fence, an officer approached him, firmly telling him that "Sir, you can't go any further."
In response he said "Is Kate OK? I have to know, is she in there? What about Esposito or Ryan"
Just as he was about to say something further the officer interrupted him, "Sir, I cannot tell you anything. Please go to the 'Family Liaison' point over there."
As he approached, he saw Jenny look at him with the same face that she did when she arrived at the building fire that Ryan was in. She stood there with Sarah Grace perched on her hip, when he got near her, he pulled her into a firm hug being careful not to squash the young child in between them.
Just as he opened his mouth to speak, a round of shots went off inside the building which was followed by screams from that sounded from inside the building and those around him. As he looked up again at the building, spotting the windows Gates' office, he saw movement as someone approached the window. On instinct he pulled Jenny and Sarah Grace down so they were behind a car, so that if it was the gunman they were somewhat shielded by the car. When no more shots were fired he peered over the bonnet of the car and the person at the window was gone.
His phone went beeped indicating a message, it was from Kate "Don't talk, just listen. "
His phone rang, Castle then sprang up and went to the family liaison desk, repeating the message to an officer who he knew but in that instant couldn't name. The officer then took his phone and gained the attention of the commander who came to listen. Castle could no longer hear clearly what was being said on the other end of the phone, but he did hear one line that came from the gunman
"It was your fault, you messed up and I lost her. Now you'll pay too"
Then followed by a voice that he knew so well loved so much and had prayed that he would hear again then shouted "NO!"
As soon she had spoken, two more shots rang out before silence fell. All he could think about that she had been shot, again.