A/N: I'm sorry that this comes two days later than expected. Something came up, unfortunately. Now, however, I have all the time I want: semester break :) I try to get into my usual schedule of updating on Castle Mondays as soon as possible. Maybe even next week already… But enough talk, without further ado, I present…


Chapter 9: There And Back Again

"So, Elder… what do you want to know?"

"How about you go back to the start, when you came to the new reality? I was told this was your first mission, so it shouldn't take too long."

"Alright, if you wish…"

With that, I start telling my story in an easy pace, giving an accurate account of what happened up until now, stopping only to answer Cassandra's questions.


"... and I haven't heard from her since. I know it was a risk letting her know about a few things of the other case she's working, but it was necessary. She has to prioritize and with that, she would have overlooked the wrong details in an otherwise pretty obvious case, giving Castle no chance to solve a murder together. I can't see the future, but as someone put it accurately, I can try to pile up stones to influence the flow of possibilities."

Cassandra quirks an eyebrow. "Awfully poetic, don't you think?"

I shrug in response. "True, but they aren't my words, anyway. Do you know a better analogy?"

"No. I'm not the poetic type, either," she replies with a laugh.

"Any way you want it, that's the way you need it, any way you want it…" a scratchy tune interrupts us. I look around only to realize it's my cell phone ringing.

I pull it out and look at it curiously. "Wow, didn't think that thing would work here. Almost full reception, too. Can I stay here?" I ask with a smile that holds until I see the sharp glare Cassandra throws my way.

"I activated this boon for emergencies only," she tells me with thinly veiled annoyance.

I look on the display, but I don't know the caller. "Unknown number. Huh. I don't even know who has my number. I gave it only to… I should probably take this."

I hold up a finger and accept the call, nonchalantly avoiding eye contact with Cassandra.

"Gerthson… Hi, Alexis. … Of course I can, I promised it, didn't I?... Sure, just text me the problem and I'll see what I can do. … You're welcome; though it could take a little while, I have something on the stove that needs constant supervision. … Oh well, if the class is the day after tomorrow, then there's no problem at all. … Yeah, you, too. Bye!"

I end the call and turn my head up again fearing the worst. True to my fears, the former sharp glare has now taken a murderous form.

A sharp knocking sound disturbs the awkward silence and probably saves me. "NYPD, open up."

Although… now that I think of it… maybe I should stay here.

"What the…? What is going on? I thought we were in another dimension. Cell phone, fine, I can believe that, or at least accept it, but noises from the loft?"

The readiness to kill has vanished from the elder's face and is replaced by a nervous frown. "We are in a different dimension, but I have installed some sort of door bell in yours. Like your cell, in a way. No time to talk further. You have to go back. Right now."

This is just great. That has to be my… third trip this week? I'm wondering if I get bonus miles for interdimensional traveling.

With that thought, I black out. Again.


A crashing sound from the entrance. The detectives have gained entrance with force then. Great, I have no idea how much the door has cost, but considering the rest of the loft is goshdarn expensive, I doubt the door will be much different.

I'm still in the room with the cursed pedestal. Note to self: Remember to remove this piece of trash as soon as possible. I'm not eager for another trip yet again.

Knowing it to be futile, I don't even try to open my eyes. I'm pretty much content with lying here right now, and the floor isn't so uncomfortable, either; considering, anyway. I swear, Cassandra pulled me back here extra fast as payback for the call. One fact about interdimensional travel I figured out already is that it is way more comfortable the more time you take for it. Kinda like traveling by car. In a weird, twisted way.

When I do get my eyes open, the first thing I notice is the red haze, which, as the Intersect informs me promptly, is caused by bleeding eyes.

Gross.

The door flies open and reveals a bulky person who apparently has a gun trained on me. I have no idea how I'm still conscious with how much pain I'm in, but hey, I take what I can get, right?

"NYPD! Don't move! You're under… oh shit… Yo Beckett! I got 'im! Call an ambulance, right now! The kid's beat up really bad! Hang on, fella. We gotcha."

"It's nothing, bro," I wheeze. Damn, she did me in pretty good there. "Just a little… scratch."

And again it's nap time. Finally.


"Kid, I don't know how you get to live so dangerously in your age, but I'd suggest refraining from near-death experiences in the future. They're not exactly healthy, you know."

I open one eye and spy who dares disturbing me. The sight, alas, is not an unfamiliar one. A doctor who reminds me way too much of uncle Jessie watches me with a serious face.

Well, there are better things to wake up to. Like breakfast in bed. Or a beautiful woman. Hell, even a happy, slobbering dog in your face is better than waking up in the hospital.

"Damn it, and I wanted to go dimension-hopping just this weekend," I deadpan. "Dr. Davidson was it, right? It's nice to see a familiar face here."

"Yep. But please, don't get yourself injured to meet me. I like you, too, but not in that way."

That makes me laugh, but I realize soon enough that he shouldn't have. "Ha ha, h… ow, don't make me laugh, damn it. I'm sore everywhere. And when I say everywhere, I mean everywhere," I groan.

He pats me on the shoulder and already turns to go. "Well, let it teach you a lesson. That's twice in a week that you spent more than forty eight hours unconscious. Don't make it a habit.

Wait a minute…

"How long was I out?!" I yell.

"Three days. You've even been under police protection the whole time, for whatever reason. Well, now that that's said, I've got other patients to take care of, and you're good to go. So, take care of yourself. Doctor's orders."

Well… shit. I totally forgot that I'm under arrest. Sort of. They didn't read me my Miranda Rights, so if push comes to shove, I've still got an ace up my sleeve. Onto more pressing matters…

Alexis.

She had a physics problem I was to help her solve. For yesterday's class. She calls me for help, I agree, and then let her hang to dry. Oh boy, I've screwed up badly, haven't I?

I frantically look around in the spartanic hospital room, but no sight of my cell phone. Looks like the police took it. Why do they have to be so thorough?

On the other hand, I have no idea what I would say.

"Hey, Alexis, I'm sorry I couldn't help you with your problem. I was arrested, but ended up in a hospital instead. Why? Oh, I'm just suffering the side effects from interdimensional travel, don't worry. Oh yes, I sure would like to be sent to the looney bin, thank you very much."

Chuck. My. Life.


Well… So that happened. :D I'll try to keep the "other dimension stuff" to a minimum, but some of it is necessary. We're back already, and I think I have to have a Castle binge for… ahem… research :D

On unrelated news, the exam on last week's Thursday went even better than expected. We had ninety minutes time, and after working through seven of eight pages (it said so on the bottom of the page), I look on my watch and think, "wow, half an hour for one page, that's doable." Then I turn the page and realize, page eight is empty, as placeholder for corrections. :D I don't know if you realize how rare it is here in my university department to be finished with an exam in time, let alone with half an hour to spare… in other words, it was super easy! And awesome! :D