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"…and the amygdala, which helps with the memory coding process, during impact can become injured or damaged in such a way that could lead to issues with recall. Specifically with short and near term memory. We see this often times in athletes and concussions. Football, soccer and the occasional hockey. Also in car accidents, mainly rear end collisions where whiplash and airbag deployment are concerned."

Speaking of airbag… The thought creeped up betraying her desire to pay attention.

He was calm and precise which helped clear things up but as great a job as he was doing explaining she was quickly finding herself bored. It would be different if she was watching a cat video on youtube and reading something of a satire site. Something about multiple activities going on made her focus better.

"My advice to you, as his …" the doctor's voice trailed off not quite sure how to address Kate.

"Uh, " Girlfriend? No. Not that. No way was she going to drop that bomb in the room right now. "Partner."

"Partner. As his partner just keep in mind that he will need to heal. His memory might return but then again it might not. Right now he needs support and encouragement more than anything. If he misplaces things regularly or begins forgetting things like date's and times, we need to see him again and get another PET scan. Reason being the damage may be more pronounced as a result of the chloroform. Concussions and brain function are critical in the first 24 hours, consciousness should be kept. Now that we are out of that window we need to keep an eye out for other issues. Among other things being depression, suicidal thoughts. Things like that."

Great. She thought. Guy played Russian roulette to cope and NOW he might have suicidal thoughts.

She remembered him telling her about spinning the barrel hoping he would end his own suffering.

"Thank you doctor." The voice next to her taking over the conversation.

His mother. She said it was Martha and she immediately eyed Kate over when they shook hands.

The doctor left the room quietly, as if he had another room to go explain the same thing to and it was just them now.

Now she knew how a boy getting his prom date must feel. She made special note to try and remember this moment to try and advise Alex when it came his time to pick up some girl for the big dance.

"So you're his ... partner was it?"

Typical mom tactic. Her mom had done the same to dozens of her boyfriends and her friends who were boys.

"We work together. Technically I'm a special adviser. I was partnered with your son."

"Ah."

Martha tilted her head back sort of like she was looking through reading glasses. Trying to get the details out of Kate.

"Well this is all too much for me to understand so maybe you can explain to me what happened?"

Damn it.

"I was … uh working on a case with him and he went home for the night after storyboarding the crime and he was jumped. That's the best way to put it really."

"Mmm Hmm." Martha's disposition hadn't changed.

"So you were working a case and he left and was mugged? Attacked? Must have been a heck of an attack. My son is former Marine you know."

Damn it.

"Yes, well, must have been a lucky shot. I imagine your son isn't the kind to take a flop."

Martha nodded.

"So this case … do you think it might have anything to do with the attack?"

Note to self: If Rick's memory comes back and it doesn't work out? NO MORE COPS!

Kate was growing uneasy with the questioning.

"Unfortunately. It does seem likely there might be a connection. We're looking into it."

She wanted to leave. Really. She did but the questions were phrased so politely it made it hard to leave.

"Kate – It was Kate wasn't it?" Martha waited for confirmation and got it.

"How long have you been with my son?"

Kate would've done a spit take if she had something in her mouth.

"Like- work with him or…?"

"Is there another way you've been with him?" Martha's head went down but kept eye contact. Staring down Kate like her face was a sniper scope.

"No. No not at all. We just started working together. About a week."

"So let me get this straight. You're with him for one week and he is in the hospital, nursing himself from an injury he received after working a murderboard."

"Bad luck but it seems that's it."

Kate was hoping it was done.

Martha relaxed her body. Stopped her piercing stare then –

"Kate, darling, I'm not stupid. No one calls it storyboarding. NYPD doesn't have 'special advisors' that detectives can just run around the city for a week with and for the love of God I can read. I know who you are Kate Beckett."

Just one more reason fame sucks.

"Level with me Kate. You two were shacking up weren't you?"

Kate's mouth dropped.

"I – Martha! No! I-"

"Well why not? Is my son not good enough for you?"

"No, it's not that. We aren't –"

"Oh so you two haven't had 'the talk' yet I suppose."

Martha inhaled and sighed heavily.

"Well good luck with that." Martha grabbed her purse and headed toward the door.

"Have Richard call me when he gets better."

Martha's clicking heels faded down the hallway and Kate buried her head into her hands.

The hell just happened?

RICK'S HOSPITAL ROOM

The steak burger had grill marks that seemed painted on. Initially a disgusting idea but maybe the blow to his head had effected his judgment as well as his taste buds. Maybe the brown "gravy" masked what could be guessed were trace amounts of barely FDA approved meat or meat byproduct. The lima bean and white cubed vegetable was dipped in some hallucinogen that made mass produced food seemed like fine cuisine. Whatever it was Richard was eating it without complaint.

The TV was playing Price is Right and they watched Drew Carey smile and talk and the contestants laugh with joy and celebrate and spin wheels. Oh yes, plinko. Plinko. The least skill based game ever. Drop a puck and let gravity work. Boring really.

"So…" he finished the last section of food on his tray and pushed it aside. He propped himself up and looked at Kate who was hanging on every syllable that would come from his mouth.

"… rumor has it we should know each other."

Rumor?

"What do you mean rumor?"

"Everyone that comes in here keeps looking at you like you're important. Who are you?"

She was only slightly hurt. He wasn't trying to be mean he just was healing now. The doctor had mentioned he'd need to heal. She hoped she was in there somewhere.

"I'm Kate Beckett."

"The writer?"

"Yes."

"Huh. Never read your stuff. Must be good though."

"I've written seven best sellers." She didn't want to sound cocky but she was hoping it would trigger some memory of her.

"Derek Storm?"

She nodded.

"I have read one of your books! The one where takes on the cartel!"

She smiled. She was in there somewhere.

"Oh ho! That was a fun book and believe me I don't read a lot but that one was … whew!" He raised his hands as if in praise or a roller coaster.

"Is that all you remember?" She was hoping to trigger another memory.

"For now. Why? Were we…" His eyes widened when he realized why she was there.

"Were we together? Like together together?"

"No. Not together together but we were together." The statement leading to confusion for Rick.

"Like what?"

"Well for one we worked together for a short time."

"How long?"

"One week."

He nodded. He seemed impressed with himself.

"Let me guess. Research for a book?"

She nodded.

He lightly pumped his fist. "I knew it! After I read your book, well one of your books, I remember thinking, 'Man she should follow me around. She'd get a few good stories from me.' "

For a flash she pictured him doing poses in front of a body length mirror in his underwear, trying to be his own book cover.

Something on her face was missing. Off. Not satisfied and so he thought some more, trying to remember. At least she thought he was trying to remember.

Then he snapped his fingers. "I got it! I saved your life one day as you were just thinking of someone to study for a new character for a series and just like that the universe answers."

She was excited. This could be it! How she comes flooding back into his life.

"Do you remember how you saved my life?" Her eyes widened, waiting for her answer.

He grimaced.

"Pushed you out of a moving car."

"Nope."

"Burning building."

"No."

"Mugger?"

"N- Well kind of."

"Bank robbery?"

She thought about it. "No."

"Hostage situation?"

"No. Wait! Yes! That was part of it!"

"Hmmm." He tapped his chin.

"Hostage situation. Al Qaeda?"

"No."

"Bank robbery gone wrong."

"No bank robbery. No Al Qaeda. Yes hostage situation."

He paused.

"I got nothin'. I'm sorry. I guess unless someone was murdered I-"

"Yes! Someone was murdered!"

He got excited again.

"The president."

"Nope."

"Vice president?"

"Nuh-uh."

"Alien invasion?"

"Really Rick? Are you even trying?"

"Serial killer?"

"Yes!" Oops. She jumped the gun. There was a serial killer sure but that wasn't how things happened.

"I mean no."

"Yes to serial killer but no?"

"Yes. That came later."

"In just one week?"

"Yes."

"I got it! I consulted you because you write about serial killers and we wanted to catch one so we…"

She nodded with a smile.

"Gotcha' now!" He smiled happy with himself for guessing the right answer.

He pulled his tray in and continued eating.

Now wasn't the time to push the matter and she was sure he wasn't actively remembering and that he was guessing. Somewhere in there she was there. She just had to pry it out. For better or worse she was going to get back in there.

She was happy for now and let it sit.

Time passed and they discussed contestants on game shows that played. Visiting hours ended and she left.

She was going to find away back into Richard Castle's mind.