Wow, okay. 8,000 words later and I haven't even woken her up yet. Long winded much? Haha. I'm getting to it. Still don't own them. Wish I did.
Chapter 7.
The limo ride is made in strained silence. Nobody knows quite what to say. What can be said, after all? A quiet sniffle, the soft sound of a tissue being pulled from it's carton. A sigh. Row upon row of grave markers stretch endlessly into the horizon, miniature flags wave merrily in the breeze. He stoically takes his place amongst the pall-bearers. A lump forms in his throat as they descend past the Honor Guard. He swallows heavily and focuses on each painful step. Hand upon hand stiffly salute their passage. He bows his head and makes way to his place in the crowd. Such grief. Confusion. Disbelief. Esposito nudges his shoulder. "Rick, it's time." – What? This isn't how it goes. Panic coils in his stomach. Something isn't right. – "Castle, you have to do this for her. She would have wanted you to say something. You were her best friend, her partner. It's time, bro." For her? Who? For Kate? He spins around and finds himself back in the hangar. He clocks a limp form sprawled out beside the aircraft. Running. Desperation. Realization. – I'm too late! Kate! – Blood slowly trickles towards a drainage grate in the cold, concrete floor. So much blood. Her lips are moving but he hears no words. Her dull, hazel eyes speak volumes though. – It's your fault. You're too late. – He falls to his knees as a black, gaping hole cracks open around the grate. He watches her body slide slowly into it's depths and hopes that he too, will follow shortly...
Richard woke with a start. His anguished eyes darted around the room, slowly focused as realization and clarity returned to him. He exhaled heavily and raked his hands down his now whiskered jaw, wiped the sweat that has formed on his brow and upper lip. Just a dream. He glanced at the clock. The long blank hands revealed he had only been out for twenty minutes. Still, he examined her rigorously. Her breath was coming in long, even puffs. Warm and reassuring. A serene smile graced her lips and her eyes briskly danced below her lids. He was pleased that she appeared to be having a more pleasant experience than he'd just had. Sweet dreams, Love. He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead and inhaled her scent. There was still the faint aroma of cherries and vanilla nestled amongst the more disturbing scent of iodine and rubbing alcohol. He reclined back in his armchair and smiled at where their hands met. She would likely smack him if she were awake. He'd give his life for her to have that ability he thought. He punched out a quick text. No change. Not to worry, doctor says she is doing well. Update when I know more. Love you. He added all the important people to the message and clicked send. His mind wandered to all the places it usually went when it was free to do so. Decoy kisses in a dirty alley. Rare, reassuring moments of levity during painful cases. Laughter over late-night Kung Pao. He drafted the latest chapter of Nikki in his head and counted the light freckles on the apples of her cheeks. He wondered why she wore make-up. She was gorgeous without. The ever-present beep of the monitors and the bland, institutional wall clock metered out the passage of time. Minutes blended into hours. He was snapped out of his daydreaming with a twitch of her hand. He wondered if maybe he had imagined it. His mind had been occupied by thoughts of sitting quietly on a bench after the '3XK' killer had escaped. Her hand on his knee and her quiet solidarity had comforted him more than any words could have. But no, there it was again! A slight tightening around his fingers. His heart leaped into his throat and he leaned forward expectantly.
"Kate, can you hear me?" Squeeze.
"I'm here, Partner." Parted lips.
"Come on baby, you can do it." Gradual, torpid blinks.
"Ca-castle..wha...where..?" Her voice was barely a whisper. His heart surged and he placed a fervent kiss noisily upon her hand.
"Oh, Kate. Thank God! You were shot. You're in the hospital. Do you remember anything?" She slightly shook her head to and fro. The words tumbled out of him. He felt joyful. The last time he could remember such a feeling was the day Alexis had been born. Tears sprung to his eyes. This time, tears of elation and relief. It was almost physical, the weight lifting off his shoulders. This first conformation that his partner was indeed going to be okay. Despite the doctor's reassurances and the words of comfort from his friends and family, a small part of his mind had still been immobilized back at the cemetery, when he thought she had died in his arms. He smiled down at her and rasped, "Welcome back, Love."
One perfectly groomed eyebrow rose just a fraction. "Love...Castle..?" And with that, she closed her eyes and once again surrendered to slumber.
He felt momentarily queasy and inwardly grimaced. She probably doesn't recall, he thought. Not the best of times to mention that powerful, little 'L' word, he mused. "I really do have monumentally lousy timing." he laughed to her sleeping form. He quickly rose and pressed the call button beside her bed. A nurse rushed in and he excitedly told her that Kate had roused, albeit briefly. A flurry of activity ensued. Another nurse who he hadn't seen before and a young doctor came into her room. A blood pressure cuff was secured around her arm, a stethoscope placed on her chest. Vitals were taken and bed linens were adjusted. The lights were raised and a large, plastic tumbler with a thick, flexible straw was placed upon the rolling tray by her bed. Rick smiled broadly. Katherine Beckett was alive and all was right with the world. He hurriedly waved to the doctor and nurses, explained he was going to get Kate's father and rushed out of the door towards the waiting room.
Richard skidded to a stop by her father's chair. The man was collapsed in an awkward, sagging pose. His mouth agape, loud snores filled the room. By this time, noon, Rick thought as he looked out the window, the waiting room was alive with visitors and well-wishers. An old woman across from Jim with a stack of knitting on her lap grinned at him. "He's been like that for a few hours," she clucked. Rick chuckled and tapped him lightly on the shoulder. Jim startled awake, a fearful expression on his face. He leaped to his feet in apprehension. Rather than explain, Richard embraced the man in a capacious squeeze. He simply stated. "She woke up." He patted the older man, who by then was sobbing his own tears of joy, on the back. "Come on, I'll take you to her."
Review, my lovelies! Daily stroking gives my muse, okay my ego, what it needs to continue.
I think it's time Kate had a say so I think I'll be switching over to her point of view for the next few chapters. I hope to do her justice. Thanks to all of you who continue along with me on this journey. From writing nary a shopping list in 10 years to embarking on this has been interesting to say the least. Your story alerts, favorites and especially your kind reviews have made the painful hours staring at a blank page more than worthwhile.
And so, before the writers notes become longer than the chapter itself I would just like to reiterate. Mahalo!
