AFTERMATH
RICHARD CASTLE
It only took a few minutes for the ambulance to reach the cemetery, but in those few minutes, Kate lost a lot of blood.
When the ambulance did get there, they told me that I had to ride in my own car. Not wanting to waste any precious time, I rush to my Ferrari and follow close behind. At the hospital I am forced to wait outside of surgery. I paced back and forth for what seemed to me to be an eternity. When the doctor came out, he is apparently nervous. "How is she?" I ventured softly.
"She lost a lot of blood," he answered bluntly. "She was lucky though; if you had tackled her, the bullet would have no doubt died instantly. But if we don't get her a transfusion immediately, she still may die of blood loss."
Before he could finish that last statement, I had my jacket off and had begun rolling up the sleeve to my shirt. The doctor looked at me like I was crazy. "Sir we don't even know if she can have your blood, what are you doing?"
"I'm type O; I can give blood for anyone. Let me give her my blood."
The doctor seemed to want to contest this, but the look on my face told him that I was serious. "Fine," he finally responded. "Come with me."
They took more blood out of me than I had ever given at one time, but I told them to take as much as they safely could. When they were done, I felt very light headed, but they had taken about three quarters of a gallon.
I wait about an hour more before I feel comfortable leaving, by which time Kate's father had shown up. He promised he would call me as soon as she woke up. Mom ended up having to drive me home, and I immediately fell asleep on the couch.
When I woke up, my phone was ringing. I looked at the number to see it was Beckett's father. "How is she?" I asked as I answered, it being the only thing on my mind.
"She's fine," he answered. "She's waking up and their bringing her out of ICU. Do you want her room number?"
I quickly took it down, and told him that I would be there in an hour. On the way to the hospital, I picked up a bouquet of yellow roses along with an elegant vase, as well as a get well soon card, taking special care to make sure it wasn't too cheesy.
I hurried up to her room, where the door stands closed. I just stand there for a few minutes before finally knocking. I hear a faint "Come in" in response.
On the lone bed lies Beckett, her face a pale color. She smiles at me and whispers, "Castle. It's good to see you."
I place the vase on the table at beside her bed, and pull up a chair. "How you doing?" I ask.
"I could be worse," she answers softly. "Did they catch the bastard who did this?"
"Esposito caught him and has him down at the precinct."
She closes her eyes at that, and smiles. "Good," she whispers before slipping again into unconsciousness. I realize then that she was the best cop that I knew, and that she meant the world to me. I knew I cared about her before, but it wasn't until now that I knew how much she mattered to me.
And I hoped I never lost her again.