Recovering From Guilt
Kate is healing at the Castle Loft and guilt abounds. This summary will be re-worked when I get the chance. I am moving across the US this weekend and will be losing my internet any second for an unknown length of time. I may have a friend post new chapters but they might not have authors notes or be totally error free. But then again, none of my stuff is totally error free so it isn't a problem. :) Enjoy getting ready for the Castle premier.
"When can I get out of here, doc?" Kate asked four days after she was shot.
"You aren't a very patient patient are you?" he asked and Kate just glared at him. "Possibly tomorrow, Detective Beckett."
"Really?" she asked surprised.
"Yes, you are healing well. But you can't be alone."
"For how long?"
"At the very least, until you get your stitches removed. So a week but I have heard that you are rather, um, how did they put it?"
"Stubborn?" she asked with a smile.
"Willful and pigheaded were the words I believe that I heard," he chuckled at her look of irritation. "Your friends and your dad have been really helpful and supportive, I'm sure that one them would be happy to stay with you."
"I'm sure they all will."
"Well, you sure don't need the stress of them fighting over you so maybe you and one friend or your dad should just go on a vacation. For at least two weeks."
"Dad can't take that much time off now, not after this," Kate gestured to herself in the hospital bed.
"Let me know what you decide. I don't feel comfortable releasing you until I know that someone will be able to keep you from over doing it."
"Okay. I'll talk to them later when they stop by."
"Rick is here with lunch, I think he is trying to smuggle in more hamburgers."
"No, he brought hamburgers yesterday, today is probably Chinese," she smiled.
"Just make sure he closes the door so the other patients don't smell it this time. I had a fight with the little old man in 315 about why he should eat the baked chicken when he kept smelling hamburgers," he smiled as he turned to walk out of the room.
"Hey, doc?" she called out. "Am I ever going to remember everything?"
"I can't tell you that for sure, detective but it is probably for the best anyway. Getting shot is a traumatic experience and you shouldn't have to relive it in your dreams all the time."
"I just feel that there is something important that I am missing. I hate that."
"I understand, Kate. Maybe when you are healing it will come back to you. That's all I can promise you. Let me know tonight and I'll see about getting the paperwork started for release tomorrow before lunch."
"Thanks, doc," she said as he finally left the room. Moments later, Rick Castle peeked in the door.
"Hey, is the coast clear?"
"Yes, just come in and shut the door," she said not missing the flicker of something strange in his eyes. "Doctor Michaels said he nearly had a fight with a patient yesterday because they wanted hamburgers too and not the baked chicken he was supposed to eat. I told him you were probably bringing Chinese today so he said to keep the door shut."
"Aww, he knows I'm bringing you lunch?" She nodded with a smile as he pouted. "It's not nearly as much fun sneaking it in then if he knows about it."
"It's okay, you don't have to worry about it any more after today."
"What do you mean?"
"He's letting me out tomorrow," she said with a smile.
"Already? But you were shot."
"I know that Castle. I do remember that part of it. I need to have someone stay with me for a while though."
"You'll stay at the loft," he said, apparently having made her decision without her.
"Oh I will, will I?" she said with one eyebrow raised.
"All of your other friends work somewhere else. You can stay at the loft and I can be there with you. I can't promise I won't hover but I'll try not to," he said honestly.
"The guys aren't back to work yet," she said losing her smile. "They go back on Monday."
"How about this, Kate? You come back to the loft for a couple of days then on Friday, if you are up to it, we go to the Hampton's."
"I don't want to mess up your plans. Don't you want to spend the time with Alexis?"
"Now that you are okay, she said she would like to spend the weekend with Ashley and his parents. Mother is busy with her school. I doubt that I'll be missed. I wasn't planning on anything other than writing this weekend so it won't be a problem."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course," he insisted. "Now, let's have lunch. Do you want the beef and broccoli or the orange chicken?"
"I'll take the chicken," she said as she reached for it.
"So you'll leave me with the broccoli?" he whined and looked at her with puppy dog eyes.
"You are pitiful," she complained as she traded boxes with him. They continued to bicker like usual until it was time for him to leave.
x-x-x-x-x
"You sure you're going to be okay at Castle's?" Lanie asked Kate the next morning.
"Yes, I'll be fine."
"Can you get dressed without help?" Lanie asked handing her friend a bag of clothes that she brought for her to take to the loft with her.
"I should be able to. If all else fails, I'll have Martha help out."
"I'm sure Castle would be happy to help too," Lanie said with a smile.
"Very funny, Lanie," she said as she started to get dressed. "Did you toss in a button up shirt?"
"I think there is one in there," she said as Kate found it. "I didn't even think about how you might not be able to put on a pull over. I'll get you some more later today from your place."
"Could you check my fridge while you are there? I hate to ask you but I really don't want to come back home after how ever long to green milk."
"Not a problem, girl. I'll stop in every couple of days to get the mail for you too."
"Thanks, Lanie."
"You'd do the same for me if it were me in here. You about ready? Castle should be here soon."
"Yeah," Kate said.
"You don't sound as happy as I thought you would be getting out of here so soon."
"I'm fine. Just thinking about Roy's family."
"Evelyn and the girls will be fine. The guys are watching after them just to make sure nothing happens to them."
"It's bad enough to lose a parent like that but poor Rebecca and Mary."
"Kate, their daddy died a hero," Lanie said.
"I know, but there is just so much that they are going to miss out on," she said lowering her eyes. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door and Castle stuck his head in, his hand over his eyes.
"Everyone decent?" he asked.
"A little late asking that now, don't you think?" asked Lanie as she and her friend shared a smile at his antics.
"I have my eyes closed," he said with his charming smile as he walked into the room, his eyes still closed but pushing a wheelchair with both hands. "Are you ready to break out of this joint?"
"Once Kate puts her shirt on," Lanie said with an evil grin. Castle's jaw dropped for a moment before he closed his mouth and swallowed. Amazingly, his eyes remained shut.
"She's just playing with you Castle. I'm dressed," Kate told him as she glared at Lanie.
"You sure, because I don't want to get in trouble," he peeked one eye open cautiously.
"You won't get in trouble but I don't need the wheelchair."
"Actually, you do, Kate," said Doctor Michaels as he followed Castle into the room. "Just to the car."
"So you make me walk countless laps around the floor but I can't walk to the car?"
"Hospital policy," Doctor Michaels said with a smile. "Trust me, you will be wiped out by the time you get home, just humor me and use the chair."
"Fine," she said reaching for her bag.
"I'll carry that for you," suggested Lanie.