Finding Richard Castle – The Isolation Experiment

Summary – Another idea about what happened to Castle to cause him to miss his wedding based on something that happened in college and the wronged party's idea of revenge.

Author's Notes – This is told mainly from Castle's viewpoint. There are a lot of good fanfics out there that deal with Beckett's angst during the time Castle is missing, but very few about him, so I thought I'd give it a try. Kinda of a cross-between Cabin in the Woods (really freaky and I usually don't watch horror movies), the Truman Show, and Castaway.

Disclaimer – Don't own Castle – Marlowe, ABC, and Disney do. The OCs came out of my imagination.

Chapter 1 – MIS Commencing

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"And we are up and running – cameras are a go, mikes are hot," said Fred as he made a slight adjustment in the control panel. "Mars isolation simulation 5B commencing in 3…2…1."

He leaned back in his chair and watched the monitors with a satisfied smile and then turned to the man standing behind him.

"Man, I still cannot believe that you got Richard freakin' Castle to do this. How did you manage that?"

Jason smiled slightly. "He met all the qualifications – very social, techno geek." He leaned forward and watched Castle on the monitor for a moment. "Mars will be a difficult environment. People will be cut off from avenues of normal contact, so we need to find ways to help them adjust, make the most of their new home. That's what this will show us how to do."

"Brilliant," said Fred and then thought for a moment. "But when we send people to Mars, it will probably be a one-way trip. Our scenarios are set up for 3 months. Do you think that affects the outcome, them knowing that they won't be in there forever?"

Jason shrugged. "That's why we don't tell them exactly how long this will last. So we don't skew the results."

Fred frowned. "But is that ethical?"

"Of course not," said Jason. "But that's why we get paid the big bucks." He looked at his assistant. "Do you have a problem with that?"

Fred shook his head quickly. He'd make more on this job than he would the rest of his life being a research assistant until he moved up the research ladder.

"And to everyone else, he's subject MIS 5B – not Richard Castle," Jason quickly corrected. "It's a blind study."

Fred nodded and looked back at the screen. Yeah, he was glad he didn't volunteer for this experiment. The thought of being in total isolation for an undeterminable amount of time sent shivers down his spine. He at least had the opportunity to leave for a while every day and connect with the outside world.

"Why don't you go get some coffee? I'll take the first shift," said Jason.

"Okay. Can I bring you something?"

"No, I'm good," Jason said, sitting down in the chair in front of the control panel. He waited until Fred left the room and then glared at the screen.

"Got you, you son of a bitch," he said vehemently.

Yes, what he was doing might help humanity reach the stars, but he had a more personal reason for doing this and that was getting Richard Castle back for Kyra Blaine.

She had been the light of his life in college, even though he was sure she didn't know he existed outside being her math tutor. He had fallen in love with her and was almost ready to ask her out when Richard Rogers (as the man was known back then) had arrived on the scene. Kyra was immediately smitten by his good looks, quick charm, and ready laugh, and he knew that men like him didn't stand a chance against pretty boy.

It had taken years of watching and waiting until he had finally put the perfect plan together – all the stars aligned correctly. This may have cost him a year's salary and several favors to implement it, but it was worth it. And when the scenario was over, he'd just turn off the cameras and Richard Castle would disappear from existence without a trace.

Yes, it was definitely worth it, he thought as he watched the man on the monitor.

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