Okay so basically, my computer shit itself which made it so much harder to get on the internet - much less do anything related. So, whatever, this is me attempting to make up for lost time.
ITALICS IS FLASHBACKS EXCEPT IN DIALOGUE
Next chapter will be uploaded tomorrow because it's 4 am and I owe it to you guys.
A few days later.
Castle was stirring his coffee, swirling the paddle pop stick through it's foamy richness before placing the stick in his mouth to taste the sweet contents. Placing the small object onto the table, next to his coffee, he watched the person in front of him trying to think of a place to start at. He was so lost right now, nothing was fitting together on the contrary - everything was falling apart.
"Lanie, I just don't understand how she can't remember. Things were going great with us - at least I thought they were. Maybe she doesn't feel the way I though she did and ..."He was babbling.
"Whoa writer boy! calm down, you're writing yourself a little story there." She said, holding her hand in front of her. "Look, this was before you even knew her. Who she was before her mother's case knocked her sideways. Before she even let you in! She doesn't know who you are except as a world renowned best selling author." Lanie raised a eyebrow up at him before picking up her sandwich.
A frown immediately encompassing Castle's face as he looked away from Lanie, turning to survey the rest of the hospital cafeteria in an effort to escape from his runaway thoughts. Lanie must be in denial, she has to be! Why else would she be so calm? Unless she's in shock still... this is a huge ordeal and anybody would be shaken to the core if their best friend had suddenly lost the last four years of their life.
"Lanie, what if she doesn't get any better?"
A resounding SMACK! was heard throughout the cafeteria, heads turning their way to find the source of the sudden noise. Lanie held her hand up having just smacked Castle straight across the face. Her mouth open - shocked at her own actions, tears streaking make-up down her cheeks.
They had heavily sedated Kate a few days prior when the doctor's and everyone around her attempted to convince her that it was the year '2013', which in the end turned out not to be the brightest of ideas. She ended up in hysterics, hitting anybody close to her.
"Get off me! Don't touch me! What right do you hav-" Kate punched Castle in the stomach and elbowed Esposito in the nose.
Eventually she was restrained and she broke down in sobs, her father standing in the corner wanting to hold his daughter but scared of how she might react. She was his baby girl, his only child - all that he had left. Why was this happening?
A soft, frail-like voice spoke out in the still air. "Dad? What is happening? Why am I here?" Kate's voice broke, a sob taking over her throat. "I am so, sorry." Kate whispered.
Sitting up in her hospital bed, Kate surveyed the room. The drugs she had been sedated with were wearing off, but she was still extremely groggy. Her eyes focused on a shadowy figure near the door, collapsed over both of the visitor chairs.
"Ca-Can you pass me some water please?" Kate cleared her throat, taking in a slow breath.
The other person jumped up immediately, picking up the clear plastic cup on her bedside table and bringing it to her lips. Closing her eyes, she took a few sips of the cold liquid and breathed in the warm presence of the person standing beside her bed.
"Espo, why am I chained to a hospital bed?" She asked, her voice raising up an octave in surprise.
Her eyes were clearing up by the second, she watched him frown, concern written all over his face. "You don't remember what happened a few days ago?" He asked, dragging a chair closer to her bed and watching her closely.
Kate shook her head slowly, opening her mouth to speak but before she could say anything a Doctor walked into her room. His eyes widened in surprise and a small smile appeared on his wide lips.
"Oh! Miss Beckett, I see you are awake. How are you feeling?" He asked, walking quicker to the other side of her bed and checking her vitals.
"A little tired...really sore and I-" Her eyes widened as images flickered through her mind.
Screaming
Blood
Cold metal
Pain
Flicking her head to her left, Kate pressed a hand to Esposito's cheek, her eyes zooming in on his face. Concern was dripping from every pore in her body.
"Oh no. I am so, so sorry Javi...shit. Are you okay?" She breathed, looking at the origin of his injury. His nose looked so painful, she bit her lip in worry. "I can't believe I did that."
"So, you remember the small incident from a few days ago. That is good. At least now we know your brain is attempting to heal itself." The doctor nodded, writing down in her chart. "Your vitals also look good, just take it easy and try not to stress or over-think things, okay?"
Kate watched him leave, making sure to catch a glimpse of his name tag before he left. "Thank you, Doctor Roberts."
Esposito was watching Kate still, sitting extremely upright and his posture; rigid, almost stick-like. "You okay, Espo?"
Taking in a deep breath, he tried to calm himself down enough to ask her about everything that has been running through his mind for the last four days. He had so many questions, everyone did, but he wanted to treat carefully - he definitely did not want a repeat of what happened last time. Esposito decided to take a chance, maybe this might trigger something. As long as it wasn't her dangerous limbs.
"Have you looked in a mirror?"
Kate breathed looked at him with a sparkle in her eye, a laugh escaping her mouth as he asked that question.
"For a second there I thought you were going to ask me something serious. What are you going on about? I know what I look like." Her lips raised upwards in an amused smile.
"But you still believe it's the year 2008, don't you...Kate?" His voice was quiet, careful.
Confusion flickered behind her eyes, her smile faltering for a moment as she searched his eyes for a joke or some sort of explanation for his dicking around. When all she saw was concern her mouth turned into a hard line and her forehead creased considerably.
"It is the year 2008, Javi. What game are you playing at?" Her voice laced with annoyance.
Kate felt a sharp pain in her neck and gasped loudly, raising her hand up to the throbbing source. "F-fuuck.." she muttered, closing her eyes and trying to will herself to control her pain.
Esposito jumped up, reaching for the remote that called in the nurses. "Do you need some pain killers?" He asked, worry etched all over his features. His thumb stroking the button carefully, he was worried but he knew better than to go against her will.
"No- No. I need to keep a clear head...I..." She ran her hand up the back of her neck, feeling a thickness heavy on her shoulders. "Can you uncuff me so I can take this scarf off, who's idea was it to put one on me anyway? We are in the middle of summer."
Clearing his throat, Esposito took a tentative step back towards Kate and placed the remote back down. "You're... uhm... not wearing a..." He coughed, "Not wearing a scarf, Kate."
Kate frowned, then rolled her eyes. "Of course I am, why else would I be able to feel-I" As she ran her fingers through the tufts, her eyes widened and her heart rate accelerated. "What kind of joke are you all playing at? Did you and Ryan pin a wig to my head or something?" She huffed, lifting her fingers to run through her unruly locks.
"Kate, we didn't do anything and neither did Castle.."
"Of course you guys did! And 'Castle' as in Rick Castle the writer? Why would I think he's up to this?" She sighed, irritation seeping through her words.
"Because he's been working with us for the past 4 years!" He yelled at her, his patience weared thin.
