Here's the next chapter, took a little longer to update that I thought it would. What's funny is it takes more time to actually sit down and write something than the actually writing itself! Enjoy!


CHAPTER 7

A few days later.

Castle couldn't. He just couldn't leave her. He wouldn't move. Not now, not when Katherine Beckett was in most need of him. He was going to tell her that he got a book deal in France and would be moving in a month, but now? He couldn't. Almost fatally injured and virtually on her deathbed, Castle was the most important thing to Kate at the moment. Well him, and her doctors. Unfortunately, Josh was one of them. She had been shot close to the heart and who had to come to the rescue? Josh. The Josh who always ruined things, the same Josh who was preventing them from getting together. Castle had smashed several glasses that evening contemplating his next move. He had told her he loved her, so now what? Would she remember? What would she say? Would she break up with the beloved doctor of hers? Would Josh be performing a life changing/saving surgery that would heal her? Would she be so grateful that she wouldn't think of Rick? What would happen if she did remember? Day after day, week after week, he just sat there, by her hospital bed. She had undergone several surgeries, some successful, others not, but for the most part, she was doing well. Any moment she would wake up. However it would be a while before she was deemed fit to work. Every morning, Castle would go up to Josh and ask him how she was doing. Always the same stupid answer, "improving." What was "improving" supposed to mean? How slowly was she improving?

Finally, one morning, some three weeks after the incident, Kate woke up. Castle was sitting right there just staring at her.

"Where am I?" she asked groggily.

"Kate, you're in the hospital." he replied and reached to press a button for motorcycle surgeon. As much as he didn't like him, Rick wanted what was best for Kate at the moment.

"Castle?" It took a minute to register her surroundings. When she saw what Rick's motion toward the button she said, "No, don't press that. I'm fine, I don't need to see a doctor."

"You've been shot in the stomach. You've undergone several surgeries and been out for at least 3 weeks. This is the first time you've opened your eyes, I think you need help. Now take it easy."

"Castle, I don't need help. Don't tell me what to do!" As she tied to take a step out of bed, she nearly collapsed into Castle's arms. "I guess I could use the doctor, I'm weaker than I thought," she sighed. Five minutes later, Josh appeared.

"Hello sweetheart, how are you feeling?" he said pasting a huge superficial grin on his face.

"Fine. Everything is a blur. What happened?"

"Well, I'll leave that part up to you," he said nodding at Castle, "But all I can tell you is that you've undergone quite a lot, 3 surgeries in fact. You'll need your rest. I'm afraid I'll have to keep you in the hospital for another two weeks, I'll send the physical therapist tomorrow if you're not too tired."

"3 surgeries? How much is that gonna cost?" inquired Kate.

"Don't worry, it's not an issue. I fixed it up with the hospital and I got away with performing the first two pro bono and uh, um, Castle here paid for the third."

"First of all, Josh, you performed my surgeries? And second, Castle, you didn't have to do that, I could scrape up the money."

"It was my pleasure. Kate, if I had just pushed you out of the way a second earlier, I saw the glint of the gun!"

"Are you really blaming yourself Rick? Just stop."

"I guess you're right."

"I'll just leave you to it then." said Josh awkwardly.

"Wait- Thank you, thank you for saving my life." Kate said to him. Castle seemed to be waiting to say something. As soon as Josh left,

"Kate, we need to talk."

"Yeah, about that... Can I get some sleep first? I feel as if i've run a marathon."

"Of course, of course."

...

When Kate awoke, Castle was just sitting there, staring, as usual.

"Kate, we need to talk." he repeated.

"Ok."

"So exactly how much do you remember about being shot? I mean, I know you said everything was a blur, but do you remember...anything?"

Furrowing her brow, she began, "Um, I remember Montgomery's funeral. I was speaking about him, and then the next thing I know is I'm on the ground in immense pain."

"That's it? Nothing else?"

"No nothing else... Wait! You leaned over me and said something...? I think. First you said... I don't remember, I'm thinking, but I can't remember what you said!"

"Take your time."

"I think you said something like stay with me? Yes, of course, that's what you said. And then there was something else... It was another three word phrase. I really can't remember!"

Castle's heart sank into his stomach. She didn't remember? Was this fate?

"Oh, that's ok. When and if you ever remember, we can talk about it then, no rush."

"Ok. So fill me in on what's been happening. How long have I been out? A few days? A week?"

"3 weeks."

"3 weeks? Why have I been here so long?"

"Like Josh said, you've had pretty serious injuries. The first surgery took 6 hours and wasn't completely succesful. You woke up in a medicated state shortly after it but went into v-fib, and then..."

"I went into V-fib? Wha-How? I don't have any heart problems."

"The surgery had some complications. They said you might, never mind."

"They said what?"

"It's all over now, so I guess I can tell you. They said you might not wake up for a few months."

"And then what?"

"Well, and then you were in a coma, for a week. That was when they tried the second surgery, luckily, with more successful results."

"This is too much for me to handle. Castle, can I have a minute? Alone?"

"Kate, I don't think you're strong enough..."

"CASTLE, out! NOW!"

"Okay okay, but just remember to press the blue button if you need anything."

"Okay Rick, your worrying is actually sweet." she said in a softer tone.

...

She remembered. She remembered everything. She remembered the smell of sweet green grass, she remembered the stab of pain before she hit the ground, she remembered Rick kneeling over her saying "stay with me", and most of all, she remembered Richard Castle saying "I love you, I love you, Kate."

She had lied to buy more time. What could she say to him about this topic? It was an unknown region for her, love. She had never "loved" anyone besides her mom and dad. All those meaningless relationships were just that, meaningless. Rick Castle was the first she felt something for, something real. But was she ready to declare it official? After all these years, she had finally gotten to know almost all the sides of Castle, arrogant, sweet, caring, strong, and comical. She didn't know what was holding her back now. What would happen when he found out she lied? And Josh? What would happen to the man who just saved her life? But then again, Castle had saved her life also, in fact, he has saved her from the brink of death multiple times.

On top of it, she still had Mike Royce's letter in mind. "Risking our hearts is why we're alive."

She thought, if she didn't decide soon, Castle would move on. Kate remembered how much it hurt to see Rick leave with Gina that summer. Reaching for her phone on the small chair next to the bed, she dialed 2 for Rick Castle.

"Kate? You ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I remembered."

...


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