This story is taking over my life. I wasn't going to write anymore today but the bug bit me and I couldn't NOT put it out there. As always mistakes are my own and not a beta has laid eyes on it. Hopefully everyone is still in character and you are all still along for the ride. Without further ado...Chapter 4.
It was late now he supposed. The rest of the Twelfth had long since departed with wishes of good luck and promises to be informed of any updates. All that remained were Kate's 'family'. On his left, Lanie and Javier were seated next to him, their hands clasped tightly. A lifeline that seemed to be holding them both upright and together. Tonight was not the night for pretenses. Lanie would let out a sob and Esposito would wipe away a tear, brush her cheek with a light kiss and quietly hush her. 'Bebé, ningunos rasgones '. No tears, baby. In all other instances something like that would have brokered hours of ribbing, merciless teasing. But not tonight. Tonight Rick ached for that quiet closeness that only two lovers could share. Detective Ryan paced the room like a caged lion. Peppering his collisions with the end of the room with curses before continuing on in the opposite direction. 'I'm gonna kill those fuckers. How can they get away with this? If she dies..' That one hit him hard, like a knife to the gut. He fixed Kevin with an icy stare and the angry Irishman plopped unceremoniously into a vacant chair across from the writer. He flicked Richard an apologetic glance. Rick nodded his acquiescence in return. Jim Beckett softly snored in the far corner of the room, occasionally crying out. 'Johanna.' or 'Katie.' The man had more than his fair share of tragedy. No god would be cruel enough to have the man lose both loves of his life to murder. Surely.
Katie, Rick thought. "Katie.." he breathed out, a whisper. It felt nice rolling off his tongue. He wondered if she would ever give him the chance to use that name. Probably not. Baby, honey, sugar? Stick with Kate for now, Romeo. The rain had passed and the stars were shining outside of the waiting room window. Twinkling points of light in an inky, black sky. As a boy he'd looked to the stars and wondered of their origin. Thought about the many different worlds spinning up there above our earthbound heads. Written boyish stories about big-headed aliens and man-eating lizard beasts. He'd tracked their path across the night sky and marveled at the simple beauty of their recurring artery. Now he simply made wishes upon them. Please, let her be okay. Bring her back to me. Let me love her. Let her love me.
He was interrupted from his reverie by a soft tap on the doorway and the rustling of a middle-aged surgeon in royal blue scrubs removing his mask. Jim Beckett popped up and out of his slumber without hesitation. Richard rushed over to where he stood, as did the others.
He ran his hands through his salt and pepper hair. "Family of Katherine Beckett?" he inquired.
Jim spoke up. "Yes, doctor. Is my daughter okay?"
"Your daughter was incredibly lucky Mr Beckett. The gunshot damaged her liver but missed all major arteries and was by and large a simple, laparoscopic repair to both her liver and surrounding blood vessels. She did however lose a large amount of blood and was in hypovolemic shock when she arrived. We gave her blood products and medicines to increase her blood pressure. While she is not out of the woods yet, I do believe with time and a lot of patience she will make a full recovery."
Jim visibly deflated and Richard took a hold of his elbow to steady the man. Richard spoke up. "Thank you, Doctor..?"
"Oh, I'm Doctor Hudson, Mike Hudson. And no problem at all. I know you'll be eager to see her. She's still in recovery right now but should be in her room within about an hour. Room 311. Take a right out these doors, go down the hall and take another right. It will be on your left. I'll ask you not to stay too long. She will still be in and out of consciousness and will be on a heavy course of antibiotics and narcotics for the next few days. Talk to her, hold her hand. Let her know you are here. The thing she needs most right now though is rest. So please, as I said, not too long." The last sentence was fixated with a knowing smile on both Richard and Jim. As both men nodded their assent the surgeon shook the men's hands, survived a ferocious hug from Lanie, turned and took his leave.
Jim embraced Richard in a fierce embrace. "Our girl's going to be okay." he breathed. Our girl? I can go with that. He grinned at Jim. "Well, let's get a move on! I wouldn't want to face Kate's wrath if she woke up and we weren't there to welcome her back." Jim grinned back and clapped the author on his shoulder. "Right you are my boy! I knew you weren't as dumb as you looked." My boy? He winked at the smiling author and with a renewed sense of hope the group made their way down the corridor to Kate's room.
A few short minutes later Kate was wheeled into the room. The mood in the room soured dramatically. Wires poked out from under the sheets. Bags of medication and saline hung on an IV pole. Her face had a sallow, sunken in quality that spoke to her liver damage. Dark circles ringed her eyes. The persistent beep, beep, beep of the heart monitor soothed their weary hearts though and smiling they took their places around her bed. Detective Ryan was first to speak.
"Beckett, I know you can hear me. And ah... Jenny still needs a bridesmaid at the wedding, you know and err.. Esposito here... still needs someone to keep him in line. So take my advice and err.. well..wake up will ya? I can't keep him in line forever. Err..Love you, Boss. I'll see you later, okay?" The Irishman stepped back, meekly smiled and raised a hand of farewell to the others as he made his leave.
"That was cold bro!", scoffed Esposito to his partners retreating form. To Kate he softly voiced. "Girl, we are gonna get these sons of bitches who did this to you. Together, you hear? Get well soon, Boss." He stepped aside so Lanie could say her piece.
"Girl, you gave us one hell of a scare back there. And your boy here.." she paused and smirked at Rick. "Well, let's just say you and I are in for some serious girl talk once you wake up. Oohoo, girlfriend, you wouldn't believe the things he was saying while you were out cold." Lanie kissed her friend on the forehead and whispered in Kate's ear. "This writer-monkey of yours is a keeper, Kate. Wake up soon, okay? I'm so glad you're here with us." And with that she squeezed Kate's hand and arm in arm, Lanie and Esposito walked out the door, receiving promises to be updated if she woke up.
Rick and Jim glanced back and forth, between each other and Kate. Neither knowing who should go first, neither wanting to have an audience. Rick spoke up first. "Sir, I'll just go wait outside. You and Kate, you need some time together. In fact, I could use a few minutes talking to my own daughter. Hell of a day, huh?" Jim smiled his gratitude. Richard took Kate's small hand in his own and gently kissed her palm. "I'm here Kate," he whispered. "Always." And with that he tread out the door, the latch closing with a small snick.
For the second time that day, Richard Castle broke down. Collapsing into a crouch outside her door he cried. Tears of unrepentant joy, overwhelming sadness, white hot anger and the cold bite of fear. For now the worst was over. Kate was alive. A long road was ahead of her but he had much faith in her ability to overcome any physical burden. That woman had the will of a god and the strength of an ox. He feared for her emotionally though. How much was one woman supposed to take? The sniper was still out there. The man or men who ordered the hit. The questions over Montgomery were sure to come. And then there was them. Us, he thought Does she know what she means to me? Did she hear me in the cemetery? Oh God, what if she did? What if she doesn't remember? What if she does? It was supposed to be easy. An arrangement of saffron daffodils placed surreptitiously on her desk at work. A brush of her fingers while handing over vanilla-laced coffee. An evening of dinner and dancing followed by one too many glasses of a fine Bordeaux. A tentative first kiss morphing into hurried lovemaking. Lord, help me. He raked his fingers through his hair and wiped the tears from his eyes. Get a grip, Castle!
As if his prayers had been answered his phone began to trill it's merry song. 'Dad, Dad, Dad. Dad, Dad, Dad. Dad, Dad, Dad!'
Alexis. Thank you, Universe.
Urgh, this one clunked out. Not entirely happy with how it went. I live for reviews. Don't spare my feelings. All criticism, constructive or otherwise is greatly appreciated.