Rick was on one knee staring into her eyes oh so green eyes with the look of surprise across her face. She was about to speak when…
"Hey Beckett…!" Espo voice was heard.
Looking up Kate saw the two detectives running toward them. Rick got up and looked. What could they be doing here?
"Espo Ryan what are you doing here" Kate said leveling the patented Beckett death stare at both of them.
Ryan looked sheepish figuring out what was going on. Espo just spoke.
"You were not answering your phone. Gates sent us out to find you." Espo said.
"Yes I was in the middle…" Kate answered.
"Yeah I saw what you were in the middle but Kate it's your Dad." Ryan said.
"What about Kate's father?" Rick asked.
"He was involved in a hit and run. He has been sent to New York Presbyterian." Ryan said.
"No I heard it was a Bus and Car collision." Espo said.
"Guys Guys no matter we need to get Kate to see her father." Rick asserted.
"Right our car is over here." Ryan said.
"Come on Kate we can talk later now we must go." Rick said.
Kate could barely walk. This news was worst than when that faithful night she was told by Detective Raglan that her mother was dead.
Rick almost carried her to the waiting police car.
They took off with the siren and lights flashing. Getting to the hospital the doors open Kate had revived during the trip. She rushed in to talk to the receptionist.
"Mr. James Beckett where is he?" Kate asked with short breaths.
"I see he is being prep for surgery." The Receptionist said. "There is a waiting room on the top floor…"
"Forget it I know where that is." Rick said.
The boarded the Elevator Rick stood like a rock and Kate clinged to him like a barnacle.
Getting to the waiting area Rick took over and announced to the surgical Nurse.
"Hello I was informed that James Beckett is being prepped for surgery? Please inform the doctor that the Family of James Beckett has arrived and need an update on his condition." Rick said.
"Yes right away" the nurse said picking up the phone to the OR. Finishing the call she spoke.
"The doctor will be right out for you." The nurse said.
"Thank you we will be over there." Rick said.
The wait for any news was excruciating to Kate. Espo had called Lanie and Rick called both Martha and Alexis.
Lanie with Alexis met up with Martha and they all showed up in the waiting room together.
The Doctor came in. Kate rose and with Rick learned of the extent of the injuries.
"Hi, I'm Doctor Liam Allen. I will be doing the surgery. And you are?" he asked.
"I'm Rick Castle and this is Kate Beckett the daughter of your patent." Rick said.
"I see Mr. Castle Ms. Beckett Prelims show a concussion and 5 broken ribs and a broken tibia. There was collapsed lung it was inflated at the scene and scans shows lacerations to kidney and liver. He has much internal bleeding. I need the ok to treat him." The doctor said.
Kate signed the form and then the doctor left.
"Rick it can't be happening. I can not lose my father! I wanted him to walk me down the aisle." Kate said collapsing in his strong arms.
"Kate let's take a walk that surgery will be a long one. Hopefully not as long as yours was." Rick said.
"Ok Rick I would like that." Kate said.
"Guys I'm taking Kate out for some air. Please text if anything changes?" Rick said.
"Rick anything for Becks! I'm staying." Ryan said.
The rest agreed. Kate thanked them.
Rick and Kate got into the elevator and ended on the exit to the hospital gardens.
Rick where are we going? Kate asked exiting the elevator.
"To the hospital Gardens Kate I used to come here when you were recovering. I know you said you would call but walking these grounds helped knowing you were just a few floors away." Rick said.
"How often would you come here?" Kate asked.
"I came mostly at night when I could not sleep. It helped." Rick said.
"Rick you avoided the question." Kate pointed out.
"Kate it was every night." Rick said.
Kate felt ashamed that this wonderful man respected her wishes so much. Kate thought speaking of wishes Kate spoke.
"Rick I have a plane to catch." Kate said as they walking in the greens.
"I know." Rick said.
"I can't take a job in DC. I have to call them." Kate said.
Rick nodded.
Kate stood away from Rick and Called the AG office and spoke with the lead investigator. She told him that she could not take the job. She was needed more in New York. The man on the phone agreed and told her to try again if the situation changed. Kate thanked him then hung up.
Rick was concerned she should not have to give up her dream job over her father. It was like she gave up her dream of becoming the first Female Chief Justice when her mother died. It was just unfair.
Rick was looking around in the gardens and he noticed an older man in scrubs talking on a phone. He looked familiar. Just the way his back was turned to him. The man finishing with the phone call turned facing him.
Rick immediately recognized the man.
"Mr. Smith" Rick said.
Kate noticed his gaze and she too was astonished to see the older man healthy and alive.
Mr. Smith noticed them then walked away. Curious both Rick and Kate walked after him. They both ended up in the parking garage.
"So Mr. Castle we meet again." Mr. Smith said.
"I…I…Saw you die!" Rick stuttered.
"Good to see you too Detective Beckett." Mr. Smith said.
"How…?" Rick said.
"You merely saw what I wanted you to see." Mr. Smith said. "I am glad you did not take that job Detective."
"How did you know I'd decline it?" Kate said.
"I have many ears and eyes too Detective. One of them told me that there was another person in that room when that job offer was given. Guess who that might have been?" Mr. Smith asked.
"Bracken" Kate said.
"You win a prize. Too bad it took your father being in danger to make you see the light." Mr. Smith said.
"What do you know of my father's accident?" Kate asked menacingly.
"What I know is that someone took a lot of trouble to keep you alive Detective. Then you were willingly to go be cut off from all your support. Like a lamb to the slaughter." Mr. Smith said. "I have to go now you will be getting a call Mr. Castle."
Rick stood there and watched the older man disappear.
"Come on Kate we need to get back. Why don't I get coffee for everyone?" Rick said.
"Yeah Rick we do." Kate said thinking of what Mr. Smith had said. She had been willing to leave all her support behind. What was she thinking? Bracken was still out there. She could not even talk to Rick about it. Her ambition was getting in the way of her self preservation. Good thing she still had someone looking out for her. She wondered who sent Mr. Smith.