A/N: Wow! What fabulous responses! I grin like an idiot when I read them. Thanks to all who have commented, followed & favorited (sp?) At this point in my life, you really have no idea what this means to me.

I am also curious if anyone has gone to YouTube or wherever to listen to the songs that backdrop the chapters. Or if you have any thoughts on how the songs relate to the story. Thank you so much for reading.

Only Love Will Guide You Home

Chapter 3: Whisper

Catch me as I fall
Say you're here and it's all over now
Speaking to the atmosphere
No one's here and I fall into myself

This truth drives me into madness
I know I can stop the pain
If I will it all away
If I will it all away

~ Evanescence

Sounds began to penetrate into his awareness first. Then smells. It smelled clean. Like chemicals. He lay absolutely still as he continued to wake up, taking in his surroundings. As the noises became discernible, he could tell from behind his lids that the room was light…not like in the storage unit… he recognized hospital noises and smells….he remembered flashes of faces: Mother, Alexis and Kate…they were alive….safe!

Rick bolted upright, his eyes blinking rapidly against the lights. Gulping in air as if he had been holding his breath. His eyes frantically searching the room to confirm what his other senses have been telling him. He's safe. He's safe.

The searing heat was instant and quickly drove him back down to the pillows with a sharp cry of agony. His whole body felt like it had exploded in pain.

Alexis jolted up and out of the chair next to his bed where she had been sitting since they woke him up the first time this morning.

"Daddy, you're awake," her voice was gentle yet excited. "The Doctors say you are going to be fine." She touched his cheek and spoke softly to him until he became fully aware of his surroundings. "Shhhh...you're ok. Everyone's ok."

His eyes crinkled at the corners as he took in her face, poring over her features. She looked so good. "Alexis! Oh my god…baby, come here." As he tried to lift his left arm to pull her in for a hug…he became aware of a large cast from his wrist to his elbow and his arm felt very weak. In fact, his whole body felt weak.

Alexis leaned all the way over and pressed her face to his before kissing his cheek several times. She was smiling from ear to ear. "Oh, Daddy, I'm so glad….so glad you're gonna be ok." She hugged him as tightly as she could without hurting him.

"I love you so much, Alexis. I am so proud of who you are…and you have no idea how happy I am to see you." He swallowed hard. His throat hurt and his voice was harsh and raspy, but his face was alive with joy and relief. "There are so many things I wanted to say to you before I…In case I…" Rick could feel tears filling his eyes as he looked upon his only child…someone he never wanted to take for granted again…"I never realized I needed to say them out loud to you…" his voice broke and he began crying silently behind closed eyes.

"It's ok Dad, you can tell me anytime from now on, ok? But right now you need to save your strength." Her eyes filled with tears at the sight of her 'Superhero' dad weak, vulnerable and crying. Resentment rose, adding his condition to her list of things that were Kate's fault.

"Don't settle, Alexis. Don't ever settle. Follow your heart…'till it bleeds if you have to…but chase what makes you happy."

She swatted her tears away, "I will, Daddy." She reached for a glass of water. "Here, they said you could have small sips at first." Alexis held the cup and straw in place so he could get a drink.

It was the best thing Rick had tasted since he was captured. Cool, clean and it felt wonderful on his throat. "Thank you," he managed to say after four small sips. He closed his eyes and let his head drop back to the pillow. "Wow," he managed to puff out. "I can't… I'm so tired…already." His voice started fading and his speech was slurring…but he knew what he wanted. "Alexis, where is Kate? When I wake up, I wanna see Kate too, ok?"

He heard his daughter say that she would go get Kate as the mist closed over him. He tried to stay above it, to wait for her, but eventually the pull of sleep was too strong for him to resist.

Rick wasn't sure what woke him up, but some noise had slipped through his guard. He was instantly on alert. All of his senses reaching out to help him take stock of his situation before he revealed that he was awake. He was still in a bed…someone was gently holding his left hand…then he remembered, he was in the hospital. He was Ok. It was over.

Rick opened his eyes and found himself staring into the eyes of Kate Beckett. She came back, she was real. He sighed inwardly, somewhere inside he had been afraid she wouldn't be.

"Hey, Babe." She ran her fingers through his hair and gave him his smile. "How do you feel?"

"Better now." Speaking caused his throat to protest in pain. He moved so that he was holding her hand and was able to touch more of her skin. "I love you," he whispered, blinking back tears.

"I love you, too." She pressed a soft kiss against his chapped lips as her tears spilled over. She used her thumbs to chase away the tears as they rolled down his cheeks. "Are you in pain?" Her eyes flicked over to check his vitals. They seemed ok for now. Her eyes looked closely into his but couldn't see any signs of pain lurking there.

"Not too much." He was actually surprised by that. His brow furrowed, wondering why that was. He would have thought that as many times as they had beaten the crap out of him he would hurt more than this. "I feel awake, actually…like I could manage to string two thoughts together."

"The sedatives are probably clearing your system. You want some water? Or broth? They said you could try that if you're hungry."

"Both please." He smiled weakly at her.

Kate hit the call button and the intercom buzzed. She held the glass up for Rick to take a drink while she put in a request for beef broth over the intercom.

He took several swallows. He hadn't realized how thirsty he was. His throat still hurt like hell, though. He finished his drink and she put the cup away.

"I'm hungry. Can I have something to eat?" He toyed with her fingers, his intense gaze never leaving her face.

"I'll ask when they bring your broth," she smiled, sure that her melting heart was showing in her eyes. "I've missed you so much," she pressed another closed-mouth kiss to his lips. "You have no idea how much." One more kiss…okay, maybe a few more.

"Me too," he replied between kisses, "Oh god, Kate…I was so scared…I was afraid I would never see you or Mother or Alexis again." She could feel his body trembling underneath hers.

"Shhhh, it's ok, I'm here, Rick, it's ok." She held him as best she could, but it was awkward with him lying in the bed. "It's all over now. They can't hurt you anymore." After several moments, his breathing became calmer. Kate sat back a bit and waited…not sure what to say next.

Fortunately someone chose that time to bring in a tray with hot beef broth, Cherry Jell-O, and a pitcher of ice. Rick felt like he was starving. He hadn't eaten much since lunch on the day he had been taken. He drank the broth first. The warm, salty liquid felt wonderful on his throat. He held each sip a moment, letting it soothe him. The Jell-O was soon gone and finally he put away the glass of ice water he had been sipping quietly. Even eating was a reminder of how ill he had been…eight ounces of broth and five one-inch squares of Jell-O had him feeling like he had eaten a full meal. He breathed deeply and felt a sharp pain. He fought the urge to cough. He needed information. He glanced up to find her watching him.

"Okay, let me have it." He dropped her gaze to examine what he could see of himself. "How long have I been out? How badly am I hurt?"

"Castle, are you sure you want me to be the one to tell you all that? Your doctor…"

"Is a stranger," he finished for her. "I want to hear it from you."

Rick was adjusting their hands so that their fingers interlaced and he almost missed the tremble that went through her at his request. He understood…telling him would be hard for her. But he knew she would give it to him straight, with no melodramatics…he didn't think he was ready for heavy emotional scenes at the moment like he might get from the Redheads.

How could she tell him that by recounting all of his injuries, it will be like reliving that weeklong nightmare? She already battled those demons everyday with flashbacks and dreams. How can she admit to him that she isterrified of reliving the Hell that he'd had to endure? "Rick, I um…I don't think I can…"

"Oh, c'mon Kate" He managed to rasp out gently, teasingly. "How bad can it be?"

How a grown man manages to pull off being whiney and arrogant at the same time, she didn't know, but she couldn't help but smile a little bit as she watched him.

"It's not like I'm missing any body parts," he tossed out a little too casually.

Leave it to Rick to try to lighten the mood.

"Yeah," Kate arched a single eyebrow and pointedly looked away. "About that…" She knew humor was his coping mechanism so if he was trying to laugh something off, she would play along.

His smile vanished. "I'm not missing any…parts… am I?" he asked. The feigned look of horror and dread on his face was comical.

She rolled her eyes and laughed softly at him when the bed wiggled as he double-checked his fingers and toes. She smiled and pretended not to notice him glancing under the covers as she sat on the bed beside him.

He pretended not to notice her 'not noticing' him. Her smile drew an answering one of his own. Their gazes locked and after a moment, they both laughed quietly. He loved that she played along, that she understood his need to laugh, to settle his nerves before she gave him any bad news. She wasn't trembling anymore, so maybe it had been good for her too.

"Just your spleen," she told him with a small smile, bringing him back to the question at hand.

"What? That was my only one," he pouted dramatically.

"Well suck it up buttercup, I hear there is no donor list for spleens, so you're just gonna have to live without it." She grinned and her eyes twinkled as she patted his chest in playful sympathy.

He captured her hand with both of his, holding it over his heart. She was his safety net. He knew that as long as he had her, everything would be all right. This woman had found her way behind his every defense. She had snuck in and filled all the empty spaces in him. Sometimes it terrified him, how much he needed her. He wondered if there were ever times when she needed him like that.

"Babe, are you sure you want to do this now?" she brought his thoughts back to the here and now.

"No, I'm pretty sure I don't," he swallowed and winced. "But someone's gonna have to tell me and I really don't want to hear about it from someone else."

Seeing him wince, Kate passed him the water glass. Her hands were hovering in case he needed help, but she let him do what he could by himself.

She was worried about how much to tell him. She couldn't be sure about how much he remembered. And there was a good chance he could have a reaction to hearing details from those days. She decided to start with something easier than reliving his injuries. She put his water on the bedside table.

"You've been in the hospital for almost three weeks." There just wasn't an easy way to break that kind of news. She cringed inwardly at his stunned expression.

"Three weeks?" he whispered. That was incomprehensible to him. How do you just lose three weeks of your life? "Why so long? What's wrong with me?" He could feel fear creeping into his consciousness. Adrenalin hit his bloodstream.

"Nothing is wrong with you now, well, obviously there still is, but…" Kate sighed, nervously ran her hands through her hair and took a shuddering breath, trying to block the images of the things they had done to him. "This is hard for me too; Castle…just…bear with me, okay?"

Rick motioned for her to take his hands. Once he was touching her, he felt better…calmer. "Sure, take your time, Kate." It felt good to say her name aloud.

That thought triggered a waterfall of memories. Times he had woken up screaming her name…times he had fallen asleep with his blood and her name on his lips. Times he passed out believing he would not wake up to say it again.

He pushed back hard against the fear and memories…he was out, he was alive. He was staring at their hands, but not really seeing them. He could feel a rising need to crawl inside himself and hide…to block it all out. She was speaking…he forced himself to focus on her.

'He really did have one hell of a poker face', she thought. She could sense the rising anxiety in him; his attention became distracted and forced, his breathing became quick and shallow. It was subtle enough that most people might not have noticed it. Apparently, she wasn't the only one who played things close to the vest. He was trying though…trying to act normal. Once again, she followed his lead.

"Ok, what do you want to know first?" she squeezed his hands and looked him in the eyes. "But start easy…we don't have to do it all right now," she reminded him gently.

He thought for a moment, "Where am I? What day is it?" Those sounded like good places to start.

"Today is Friday, June 7th…"

She saw another twinkle suddenly appear in his eyes…he started to speak but she laughed and covered his mouth with her fingers. She knew what he was about to say.

He knew what she was going to say…he just needed to see her smile…maybe laugh a little…As long as Kate Beckett was smiling and laughing…everything was all right.

"It's still 2013, Castle". Still smiling, she rolled her eyes and then looked briefly at her watch, "its 2:37 in the afternoon. You're in the Trauma/ ICU at New York Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital."

"Three weeks?" he asked again. It was all kind of overwhelming. He was still having trouble wrapping his mind around it.

"Almost," she confirmed. "You've been here nineteen days. Your injuries were very serious…combined, they had the potential to be life threatening." The fingers that had covered his lips were now gently playing in his hair. "You came down with pneumonia…it was touch and go for about a week… "

She had to stop and swallow back the sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. It was like that every time it hit her how close to death he really had been. "It's been a pretty long recovery," she continued. "The doctors say it took longer because your body was trying to heal a lot of things at once. But you are much better now." She flashed a watery grin at him, blinking back tears.

She playfully patted his cheek, "and the silver lining in all this is...because you were out so long, all your other injuries are healed or healing. So you basically slept through the most painful part of your recovery. Physically all that's basically left is to finish healing and build up your strength and endurance." She took a chance, "Mentally, emotionally…who knows…We'll just have to find our way."

Rick moved a bit until he could reach the controls for his bed. He pushed a button and raised the head of the bed up as far as it would go. It didn't hurt as bad as he thought it would.

Kate had gotten to her feet when he began raising the bed. She wasn't sure why he was suddenly adjusting it, but he seemed determined, so she started to step aside.

Rick managed to keep a grip on her. When he was sitting up as straight as he could, his eyes searched her face. He needed to hold her.

"Kate, let me hold you." He tugged her hand gently.

She came willingly.

They held one another silently, closing their eyes in relief. Both of them needing the familiar comfort of each others' embrace.

There was a light tap on the glass door. "Good Afternoon, Mr. Castle…I'm Dr. Edwards." His deep baritone voice interrupted their moment.

"I ran into your family in the hallway. Your Mother tells me she thinks you 're awake," his voice stopped abruptly, he chuckled aloud as the couple pulled apart. He gave them a pleased smile, "Wow…yes…I can see that you are."

Kate let Rick hold on to her, taking some of his weight to help gently lower him back on to the mattress.

The Doctor made a sweeping gesture toward Rick with his arm and said, "Look at you, sitting up on your first day off the machines and already making time with a beautiful woman." He was older, with jet-black hair that was now graying handsomely. He kept it cut short, a little longer than a cop or a soldier might wear it.

No one but Kate noticed Rick's whole body freeze when the doctor spoke, she felt him flinch when Dr. Edwards' hand swung in his direction.

The doctor smiled over his shoulder at Rick as he used the wall-mounted hand sanitizer, "That officially makes you the healthiest patient on the trauma floor."

As Dr. Edwards had been speaking, Martha and Alexis had come in and made their way to Rick's bedside. Rick's nurse and an aide soon came in, standing aside to give the family a moment together.

Looking at the new arrivals, Dr. Edwards said, "I know you two just got here, so I'll give you just a minute to see him. Then I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you all to step outside so I can examine Mr. Castle. I'll send for you when we're done and we can discuss our treatment plans moving forward. We shouldn't be too long."

He seemed to have a very affable manner. Natural and friendly, the kind of person that puts people at ease immediately. He stepped to the far side of the room to give the family more room to reach their loved one.

Martha and Alexis each took turns leaning in to kiss him. They each assured him that they would be just outside the door.

No one but Kate seemed to notice that Rick was not participating in the flurry of activity that surrounded him.

Alexis and Martha were hugging and touching him, but his left hand was in a fist by his side and his right hand had Kate's wrist in a vice like grip. He hadn't spoken. His eyes were glassy and having trouble focusing. His entire body was rigid with tension and he was hanging on to her like a lifeline.

She did not intend for his daughter to watch him if he had a PTSD meltdown. "Dr. Edwards, if you will, wait right there for just a second, I need to speak with you privately." She held out her hand to indicate that she meant to literally wait right there. He noted the sudden tone of authority her voice had taken on and he wondered what was wrong. His gaze went from her to his patient. His bright green eyes took in what Kate had already noticed.

She turned to face Rick's mom, "Martha, I need you to do something for us." Her tone was pleasant and her polite smile belied her inner tension. "There is a coffee kiosk at the North entrance of the hospital that makes great lattes. If you and Alexis would go get us each one while I talk to the doctor…that would be really great."

Martha could hear the urgency in Kate's voice. She wasn't sure why she would need to talk to the doctor so badly that it got her this upset, but she knew better than to waste time asking why. She ushered Alexis out in front of her, glancing back to give Kate a worried look before they left.

"PTSD?" Dr. Edwards asked as soon as the others left.

"Probably."

"What can I do?"

"Honestly? Step outside until I can get through to him." She was already dismissing him from her mind as she turned her attention to Rick.

The doctor stopped at the door. "Mr. Castle, I'm leaving the room now. But I'm here to help you if you'll allow it." He informed Kate that he would be in the hallway. Not expecting a response, he stepped out of the room closing the curtain behind him.

Don't turn away
(Don't give in to the pain)
Don't try to hide
(Though they're screaming your name)

Don't close your eyes

(God knows what lies behind them)

Don't turn out the light

(Never sleep, never die)

~Evanescence

She spoke softly and began rubbing the hand that was nearly crushing her wrist. "Rick, it's just you and me. Everything's ok, take my hands, Baby. Good…good…do you feel my hands? Hey…can you look at me? Everything is fine, I promise. Good. Sweetheart…keep looking at me. No one is going to hurt you anymore. I promise…now, deep breaths…in…..out….again…good job."

It took a while but he slowly came back to himself. She maintained the physical contact that seemed to sooth him. She kept up a running litany of encouragement and reassurance until his eyes could focus on her and he could respond to her.

It took a few more minutes of soothing him before she could feel some tension leaving his body. He was better…but still visibly shaken.

"Are you okay?" Stupid question! Of course he's not okay.

He managed a slight nod. "Can I have some water, please?"

"Sure." Kate quickly filled his cup with fresh water and held the straw so he could drink. He was still a little unsteady and she didn't want him to spill it on himself.

When he was finished she put the cup aside and took his hands. "Do you want to talk about it?" she asked gently.

"No."

"Okay. That's fine," she assured him. "You don't have to do anything that makes you uncomfortable." He hadn't looked at her since before he asked for water and she wondered why. "I love you, Rick." She squeezed his hands, "Nothing's going to change that. You're gonna get through this. You've got to believe that."

"Is this what it's like for you?" He had to know if this was normal or if he was losing his mind. Because right now he really thought he might be.

"I get scared for no reason sometimes. Sometimes it's a noise or a smell or just a random thought can trigger a panic attack for me." And nightmares. But she couldn't tell him about those yet.

"It was his voice…and…then he swung his arm and all I could see was those two guys hitting and kicking me and…I could hear you talking to me, but I couldn't respond…I just couldn't quit seeing those images…" He took in a deep, shaky breath and blew it out. "I'm sorry, Kate."

"No…you don't get to be sorry. None of this is your fault. And your reactions are completely normal and justified under the circumstances." She stood and gently kissed him on his forehead.

Her matter-of-fact tone actually made him feel better. He knew she understood how awful panic attacks and flashbacks were. The fact that she wasn't making a big deal about his episode made the whole thing less embarrassing.

"Do you think you could try seeing Dr. Edwards again?"

He could feel himself tensing at the suggestion. Everything in him was screaming that it was a bad idea.

Sensing his resistance to the idea she quickly offered, "How about if we all stay in here while he examines you. You won't have to be alone with him and I'll ask him to keep touching to a minimum."

After a considering for a moment he said, "I think I like that idea better." He would try again. The idea of living in fear for the foreseeable future was terrible to him. He had always embraced life with joy. He knew he couldn't run or hide from this. So it was time to man up, for himself, for Kate and for his family.

They talked over their plan and Kate stepped outside to send in the Redheads so she could talk to Dr. Edwards.

"Oh, my dear sweet boy, I am so happy that you're alright. " Martha kissed his cheek until he laughed at her exuberance.

"Thank you, Mother. I'm just glad to see you again." He held her hand tightly in his own. He looked deeply into her beautiful blue eyes, so she could see how much she meant to him. "I know I don't tell you very often, but I love you, Mom. The way you worked and sacrificed so that we could have a good life. No child could ever ask for more. You made sure life was fun even…no…especially…when it was hard." He grinned as he watched his mother tear up. She rarely cried…but these were happy tears, so he pulled her down to hug her. Alexis stepped up and the Castle family shared a long overdue reunion.

Kate and the Dr. talked for a bit and agreed on a plan. Kate would stay at the head of the bed to be near Rick and he would start off at the foot. Keeping the bed between them would hopefully make Rick a little more comfortable…they would move slowly getting his permission at every step…stopping for a bit if it became too much. They agreed to let Nurse Amy do as much of the physical contact as possible.

Kate stepped back into the room to run the idea by Rick. He agreed but wanted Martha and Alexis to wait outside.

Alexis contested the idea immediately. "Dad, I want to stay. I want to help you, too."

Rick smiled at Alexis, "I appreciate it, Pumpkin, I really do…but there are some things a man's mother and daughter shouldn't see." He gave her a pointed look.

"C'mon, Kiddo. He's right you know, some things you simply cannot un-see…Trust me on this one." Martha said with a smirk as she stepped out into the hallway.

Alexis didn't need to be told twice.

I'm frightened by what I see,

But somehow I know

That there's much more to come.

Immobilized by my fear

And soon to be

Blinded by tears.

I can stop the pain

If I will it all away.

If I will it all away.

~ Evanescence

Kate and the nurse entered the room first. Kate went directly to Rick's side and took his right hand. "Ok, babe, Dr. Edwards is coming in now. I want you to focus on the fact that you are completely safe here and safe with him ok?"

At his nod, she called for the doctor.

Nick Edwards walked slowly and carefully into the room, speaking softly. "Hi Mr. Castle. May I call you Rick or do you prefer Mr. Castle?

Rick could feel his heart pounding as the large man entered the room. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all. Unconsciously he tightened his grip on Kate's hand. Immediately she started reminding him that he was safe. He knew that it was true at some level of his being, but there was that part of him that was screaming that this would end badly.

Kate's heart was breaking. She hated herself for what had happened. But she owed it to him to help him recover as fully as possible. "Babe, will you tell the doc what name you want him to call you?"

He managed to focus on what she was saying enough to answer, "Rick is fine."

"Thank You, Rick." Nick replied. "First, I want you to know that I am amazed at your recovery so far. You are doing great for your first day off the ventilator."

Rick nodded. He was glad the guy was taking the time to talk to him first. The longer he spoke the less nervous his voice made him. It didn't hurt that Kate was still stroking his hand gently.

The doctor continued speaking, "I also want you to know that I have a good bit of experience with PTSD…both personally and professionally. I promise you, you are safe with me. But if you prefer, we have a female trauma specialist in our group whom we can assign to you." He saw the idea of a female doctor seemed to perk him up a bit. "Be warned, she looks a bit like a Troll," he said with a grin, "But you don't have to decide right away."

Kate could feel the tension leaving Rick's body the longer Dr. Edwards spoke. He was really trying to create a connection with Castle; One she knew was necessary to make Rick feel safe. She admired his skill and dedication. This was going to be time consuming and she knew he must have other patients to see but he didn't seem to be in any hurry.

"I need to check your chart for a moment. Would it be ok if I touched your foot while I do that? It won't take long and if it bothers you I will stop," He assured him. "I take my vow to do no harm very seriously."

"Kate…"

"Don't worry. If he makes one wrong move I'll shoot him, okay?"

At Castle's nod Dr. Edwards gently placed his hand over Rick's left foot that was covered by a blanket. He began reading over the chart, giving his patient some time to get used to his touch.

He handed the chart to the nurse and turned back to Rick. "Okay, everything is looking good according to your chart. How do you feel, Rick?" He wanted his patient to speak to him directly as much as possible to alleviate his reaction to his voice. It would also keep him focused on the present more if he had to think to respond.

"Weak, stiff…and sore from my knees to my shoulders," Rick struggled to keep his voice from shaking as he answered.

Dr. Edwards gave him a sympathetic smile, "Considering the amount of damage that area sustained, that's to be expected at this point. But with physical therapy and some more time you should recover fully."

He couldn't help it…he needed to know how badly he had been injured. "What were my injuries? What exactly am I recovering from?"

Very matter-of-factly the Dr. gave him the laundry list of the injuries he came in with. After listening silently, Rick could hardly believe he had survived at all. Internal bruising, knife wounds, eight broken ribs, a collapsed lung, nasty bullet grazes on his left hip and right thigh. Another bullet went through his right shoulder. Oh…and pneumonia…can't forget that. Taser and stun gun burns, broken Radius and Ulna bones that had to be re-broken before they could be set. And the last shot…the one he knew was going to kill him…had instead grazed his forehead, causing a pretty severe concussion and slight swelling in his brain.

He realized he should be dead. That thought scared the shit out of him.

He had come to realized while they were holding him that he wasn't getting out alive. He had hoped that Kate and the boys would find him, but after the third day, he even gave up that idea. He couldn't even save himself in the end and he felt a deep sense of shame about that. How could he expect to protect his family? What a failure he must seem like to them-

Kate could feel his rising tension and signaled to the doctor to stop. "Rick…Baby…hey…It's ok. Remember, you survived. You lived! I know it's a lot to take in…but you're safe."

He squeezed her hand and nodded, "I know, I'm lucky to be alive." Luck, a random happenstance, had saved him, he thought, while he had been helpless the whole time. He just felt ….ineffectual. Emasculated.

"Rick, I need to put my hands against the bottom of your feet and have you push and pull against me. Is it ok if I do that?" The doctor asked permission at every step, to lift the blanket off his feet, to lift up the blanket on his sides to check his injuries. At every step he waited until permission was given. He wanted Rick to know that everything was at his pace. He asked Rick easy, direct questions and waited patiently for him to answer.

And so it went for the next while…inch by inch making some progress, taking breaks. Reminding Rick to breathe and focus on being safe. The only real trouble came when Dr. Edwards reached for the part of the blanket that covered Rick's chest.

He had asked him if he could remove the blanket and Rick had agreed, but as soon as the doctor leaned across him and his hands reached for the corners, Rick exploded.

He brought his cast up hard against the man's jaw, which made him lose his balance and he fell across the hospital bed. Rick screamed in pain and rage, he began raining down blows on the man's head and ribs…wherever he could reach.

Kate had never seen Rick like this, he was punching and kneeing the doctor, cursing and screaming threats of retribution. Kate threw herself between Castle and Dr. Edwards.

He was trying his best to keep his weight off Rick while absorbing blows. The nurse was able to pull the doctor back out of range as Kate continued deflecting Castle's weakening punches.

"Rick you have to stop! You're going to hurt yourself…shhh…it's ok….it was just a flashback. It's not real." She was gently stroking his jaw, running her thumb over his lips and whispering softly to him. "Everything is ok…those men aren't here and they can't hurt you."

He was calming down but his eyes were still a bit far off when he finally turned to look at her. He pushed back from her suddenly, with an odd look on his face. Without warning his eyes rolled back in his head. He collapsed heavily onto the mattress as he blacked out.

A/N: Any helpful tips or critiques on style are always welcome. Maybe it's just me but I'm having trouble picking up the plot pace. Heading for chpt. 4 and it is still Friday…lol. I promise we will have some time warps. More trouble ahead. It will get much, much worse before it gets better. Please leave a review & let me know what you think? Thanks and have a great whatever it is that you have. ~RNB