Chapter 21...I found it...hiding...anyway hope you enjoy!
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Castle: take a chance on me
Becastle
chapter 21- Don't blink
"Hold her back!" the man calls "Vinny he wasn't suppose to fire. But what ever works." He see the window with a bullet hole through it and what he believed to be brain matter dripping off the wall. (man's mind:) Last time I left bodies they seemed to I don't know, come back to life... who fired at my men, I don't know and care. Now I have one less to get in the way. He leans over Castle excepting to find him dead with a bullet hole through his head.
But nothing, not a scratch on him, Vinny's blood yes everywhere. He taps Castle, who moves some. (man's mind:) see what did I say, Vinny said they never die...he was right...never mind that, I take him out when I kill the girl. The man lefts Castle up. "Get on your feet."
"Ow, easy, I've just been shot,"
"You seem fine, as for," he kicks Vinny in the foot. The foot just falls back. "him not so much,"
"Not funny," Castle cracks a fake smile. He takes in a deep breath. He didn't want to die. Not like this. Not without another kiss.
(Castle's mind:) Another kiss you want more...and you know it... I told you to take the chance when you had it and now...
oh shut up I did what I had to do... I don't regret it.
I just wish that you had taken that chance
I know I wish you had to...his heart complained. Then I could have been free free to feel the truth.
"Let's go," he pushes Castle forward. "Now,"
"You're not going to get away with this," Castle yells at the man after his nerves recover from the gun scare.
"We already have, no one knows about the two of you. It was only suppose to be her but since you got in the way, we will have to get rid of you too. and it looks like we got company, company I didn't expect."
(Castle's mind:) company he didn't except, how?
easy to me I see people can hide under our noses...
great more gunman... just what we need...
what we need is a plan out of here before...
I know but i got nothing and if...if I did we would be gone...safe...
you mean in each other's arms...or should I say bed...
funny...
funny but true...
"Now grab the bag and let's go." the man interrupts Castle's thoughts.
"Go where?"
"You know that you ask to many questions." Manny comments as he pokes a finger at Castle. "You heard the man now move."
"I Just..." he let his voice tail off when he got a glimps at Beckett.
"We are walking both of you to your death bed. And this time there are no second chances..." the man gave Castle an evil grin. "For either one of you."
"Now walk. Anything funny and I start shooting," They all enter the elevator, "basement." Manny leans over and presses the B button.
"For real," Castle's comments, "In a dark basement?"
(Beckett's mind:) what are you afraid of the dark, Beckett's mind joked,
stop that.
I was just...saying...
well don't...
"That's where you're going to kill us."
"Castle." Beckett calls, wanting him to shut his mouth for once. This wasn't helping their situation but she didn't know how much worse it could get. They were being led to their deaths and this time...she didn't want to think about it but her mind didn't want to stop thinking.
(Beckett's mind:) This time there is no back up...
but...Ryan...he knows...
there's no way that he could get here if he wanted to. and after what did just happen, she swallows. The odds are...
I don't know, I'm not that...
how many gunman are gunning for us...
at least there are no window
funny...now you are joking like Castle would.
you know why he does that,...he does that cause he's scared and he doesn't want you to know that...
Beckett lets out a sigh but I do...at least... she glances up to look over at him.
at least you will die together...
she shakes the thought no we won't...you just wanted to get me aroused...
I did no such thing...but...
well, it's working...cause now I'm pissed...
what did I do?...
we will think of away...
go luck with that...
I just have to think of something...
"How did you find us?" At this moment Beckett wanted to strangle Castle.
(Beckett's mind:) good thing that my hands are behind my back. does he ever shut up...I mean...if he does then maybe I can think of something.
that's what he does. He always has to know, but that's what get him into so much trouble.
maybe he could help me find away out of here...instead of...
it's his way of not having to think...he doesn't want to...
he doesn't think we have a chance does he?...
he just doesn't want to think about what will happen...and I don't want to either...
"Why does that matter mr. Castle?" The man says, not really wanting to answer a bunch of useless questions.
"We did." Manny smiles then says, "It was easy we...(Many's mind:) well, it's now I without Vinny. I just followed...her..."
Beckett knew that this was all her fault and that confirmed it that she was the one that got them into this mess and possibly killed. (Beckett's mind:) So they followed me and I lead them right to Castle. now it was I...
Beckett knew there was no doubt in that either that she was the one that could lead both of them to their deaths, it was all my fault, what have I done. she swallows.
Manny points to Beckett.
"We didn't know that she'd lead us cross country, she must really be in love with you to do all that."
(Castle's mind:) She is and I know it now, she did all of this for me and what did I do..
you loved her back...we told you...
and now...I'll...
yes you will...you always do...
but this time...
it's not over... Castle's blinks to rid his eyes of the tears that began to build up.
I know...till the fat lady sings or...he let's out a sigh or we get shoot in the face.
"I mean it wasn't hard to find you the announcement and all told us everything." Manny went on.
(Beckett's mind:) announcement what announcement? then she thought of the airport and all the press and stuff. Gina she no not that...but she did want...want me... that's why...
(Castle's mind:) oh no not Gina's...she did this to us by announcing my...our arivalal. I...
you can't blame her it was...
no but she had part in this...I just...
she couldn't have seen this coming none of us could have...
she was trying to get back at me and Beckett and well, it might have worked...
"All we had to do was follow the taxi." Manny continues.
"You are the ones that shot it up," now Beckett understood a little more at why she was the target.
(Beckett's mind:) I'm not Castle...so I did...now he...we both
don't say it...
"Shot it up Beckett," Beckett glances over at Castle. "They try to kill you." she looks him in the eyes, tears flooded his, he swallows "And I wasn't there, for you." he mouths to her.
(Castle's mind:) you're here for her now and that's all that matters...
but I might have lost her earlier just because I...He sniffs. and...
and you didn't my son...
"They," Beckett was going to explain to Castle but Manny interrupts.
"We did...but she escaped us. She hid...and I say real good. It took us awhile to find her..."
(Castle's mind:) she could have died today...because I
don't play the blame game do that later...
I didn't know...if I had...
what...never...left...you were...
what...I was being...
"Yeah we lost her...till..." Manny continues without missing a beat. (Castle's mind:) there's more...
who cares...
I do...she's
Beckett will tell you later
I want to know now...and she...doesn't tell...not everything...I see
"Till...How," Castle asks before he could stop himself.
"Oh your friend Trixie," he laughs. "Was helpful. (Manny's mind:) even though she didn't know it.
"What did you do to her?" Castle struggles trying to get free. He was getting angry at Manny. He wanted to kill him.
(Castle's mind:) don't his mind screams you know what will happen if you...he relaxes and stays still
if he did...
why would you care...
not care...
don't say it... his heart comments.
she's...a friend...
don't go there...not now...not ever...
I do love Beckett...
then...stop thinking about...he shook the thought
my mind's right I can't
The question and his action disturbs Beckett.
(Beckett's mind:) how could...does he?
no he loves you...he admitted that...you also knew it...
but...
Beckett trust me he loves you...he wouldn't...
I wouldn't be so sure
I'm...her heart calls to her
me too...her body adds
everyone is...we all know that he loves you it's just...
that's my point...
what I was going to say is that he doesn't want to see anyone get hurt in this...
you're right I just...
trust in us...
"We followed Trixie to the bar. We just...waited after that.."
"What did you do to her, you didn't..."
Manny laughs, "She wasn't worth our time, we needed her."
"As in..." (Castle's mind:) as in bait for me? Castle's mind thought that's not...bait for me all this...
no you didn't...this was a set up...he knows you love beautiful women
one woman he glances a look at Beckett but she wasn't looking at him.
they thought that Trixie would lead to you
and then...me to Beckett...which is what happened.
"You girl just don't die even."
"What?" Castle glances back at Beckett then back to Manny. "You, shot the elevator too."
"No that wasn't us. We just followed it to the 13th floor." Manny let out a sigh. "We didn't except to see," his voice trails off.
"To see what," Castle was now intrigued at what was being said. (Castle's mind:) What else was going on?
"A sniper, that damn sniper."
(Castle's mind:) oh great just what we need...another killerand a sniper at that...
"So there is a sniper that is gunning for us to."
"That's why our plans had to change." Manny snorts.
"so the dead body in the elevator,"
"Not ours...we..." Manny shook his head. Remembering that he had to ride up the elevator with the dead bloody body. something he will never forget. "We had to ride up there with it.. we had you and then..."
Castle's remembers the man standing behind him and then he heard the shot again, watching the scene play out in his mind. (Castle's mind:) so this sniper was the one that killed the man that was behind me...
so...
so, I don't know...it just seems odd that if he was shooting at us...he wouldn't have killed both of us...I just...
you should just be lucky and thank that the guy couldn't shot...
"That's why we are going to the basement so the sniper..." (Castle's mind:) wouldn't get another shot at us...
are at them...
why would they...
"Yes," (Castle's mind:) which is worse a sniper or an assassin? both are...
don't think of that...
"That sniper, the son of bitch, keeps getting in the way. It's like he's protecting you."
(Castle's mind:) a protective sniper now that's a twist to this story... our story. but that could that really happen a good kinda sniper one that protects? never heard of one...
the only one that...that fits is...
don't say his name...
we know...
then that would make... that would be so cool but are there such things, that would make him a spy not a sniper right
your imagination is getting way with you.
that's sounds like something that Beckett would say...but what if it were true...I mean what do we really know about...about any of these people
this is not one of you cases that you can solve...
my point excatly...it's not... not one of your books either
but would make a good twist of fate, a good story to tell...one that I'll never
yes you will
stop saying that
it's true...how is that...
"I guess I must just be lucky."
"Well your luck has just run out. for the both of you." Beckett closes her eyes not wanting to listen to this anymore, she wanted to think of a plan to get out of there.
The elevator jolts to a stop and the lights went dim.
"Ah" Castle screams, and jumps like he'd been shot at again.
"Castle." Beckett shot open her eyes and starts to have a flashback to the time she opened the elevator at the percent, to find Castle laying on the floor then stumbling out with his scared little boy look. He thought that she did that as a joke which she told him that she was crawl but not that crawl. She remembers his words something about water and that of throwing up. (Beckett's mind:) is that how he feels right now? The same way he did back then? Another round of fears going through him? Is that one of his….Just like…. The elevator jolted again and then starts to shake. are we…..is this... she swallows not wanting to believe.
Castle glances at her hoping that she didn't think that he was a fool for his jumpy auctions. (Castle's mind:) I wonder what she's thinking over there. is she's thinking the same thing I'm….I'm…..
Beckett knows that you are scared. She's probably scared too.
I should be able to think of a way out of this…think….
And you will….. Castle takes in a deep breath held if for a second and let it out.
(Beckett's mind:) He is scared, I can read it in his eyes,... Castle runs his hands down his face, then stares at the ceiling. he's not faking it...he's...what...
maybe trying to calm himself ...
by looking at the ceiling...it's like he's waiting for...
what the other shoe to drop... her mind joked.
funny...that's...
Maybe that's what you need to do...
what? wait for...the shoe to drop...
no what I mean is think of something other then...
The elevator shook again.
(Beckett's mind:) Oh no here we go again but this time I'm,….we're….
don't go there stay in control...
Beckett swallows but I'm not. She glances over at Castle neither one of us are. Beckett smiles trying to tell Castle that it will be alright. He smiles back even though inside he was a total wreck.
(Castle's mind:) She's trying to tell you you that everything's …..
but it's not….and ….we know….Castle swallows. Is this how it ends for us caught in an elevator away from each other.
I…. if you make a step…
it would be better then being….
don't want to think about that….
how can I not?
The elevator starts again and then comes to a complete stop at the lobby.
"Why are we stopped?"
Manny shrugs, "I don't know? But I do have a another plan."
"And what would that be?"
(Manny's mind:) what he actually going to listen to me Vinny just thought I was stupid and look at me now I caught the one that he couldn't, and I caught both of them. Now I get to watch them die.
"Well," the man's voice had that inpatient voice.
"Well, first we pretend to be cops tell them that we have to get them to the plane for their safety."
"Are you sure that will work?" I doubt that but it's worth a shot cause I got nothing.
"Yes, because one they don't know who they are looking for and…"
"So they won't expect…the killers to." (Man's mind:) good idea kid maybe he wasn't the stupid after all except in trusting me as soon as I get them out of here…to the plane then I will kill him and….there's no need to keep him alive I got what I wanted and now….
"Right then we…."
"Walk right out the door and are scott free. Well, some of us." He leans Beckett closer to him. "not for the two of you." He whispers in her ear.
(Manny's mind:) he like my idea, way to go Manny if I do say so myself. Finally some one let me have my idea in motion. Who's number one now Vinny, I'm number one. I'm number one.
The doors to the elevator open at the lobby. Castle swallows. This is it…..
"You found them alive." Calls a cop as he sees the two of them with Beckett and Castle. "Thank goodness we have all been on edge…did you see?"
(Manny's mind:) now for the rest of my plan to work.
"No we didn't see the killers but we have to get them out of here we have a secure plane waiting."
"You guys thought of everything didn't you."
"Yes," Manny laughs, "Yes we did." Manny pushes Castle some.
"No, it's ladies first." The man pokes Beckett. All four went right out the lobby doors with no problems. (Man's mind:) I can't believe that that stupid plan worked. We just fooled some of the best…we got out right under their noses. who's the idiots now? Suckers…..
on the plane
"Funny how things work out Mr. Castle isn't it? You wanted to be together now you can. You two can die together now sit down and shut up." The man yells shoving Beckett in a seat.
"Go shut the door Manny." the man tells Manny after he places Castle in the seat next to Beckett. Manny sits right in front of Castle thinking he is finished until after the flight. He faces Castle wanting to make one more statement.
"You started all of this," he points a finger at Castle, "If you had just left things alone, then the world would be a better place for all of us. We would have never had to..." (man's mind:) does this man ever shut up? he is so annoing.I need to get rid of him but I can't just...yes, I can that way the cops something to do and they won't be following me.
the man glares at Manny. "right, I just had to say that," and with a sigh Manny was quite.
"Before you get comfortable Manny, will you go shut the door. " Dragging himself out of the seat Manny walks towards the open door.
"Hey," the man says to him when he reaches the door. "One other thing," Manny turns to face him. "You still couldn't do the one simple tasks that I asked you to do."
"But I…"
"Not all the way," the man lefts the gun and fires hitting Manny right between the eyes. Beckett and Castle watch as the body tumbles down the stairs. "That will keep the cops busy for awhile," he faces them. "And by that time the two of you will be dead as well." the man walks off leaving Castle and Beckett time alone. "Now get this plane in the air now!" he yells. "And no stops one way trip to hell." he turns to face Beckett and Castle again. The man gives her an evil grin. pure evil at it's best. Beckett thought. He knows that he has us cornered. "And that is how things are done the right way."
A few moments later:
"They're not going to shots us up here to many things could go wrong but when the plane lands." Castle swallows. "They are going to kills us." Beckett closes her eyes she knew that this might be her finally hours. He reaches for her face. "I..." He slowly kisses her, "If I'm gonna have to die today, like this, I wouldn't have it any other way. To die with the woman that I love beside me."
"Rick...I..." he places his hands up to her lips to make her be quiet, for he's not finished. "You may see it as being selfish but..." he shares a smile with Beckett. She cups his face and kisses him again.
"Not at all. I just wish...last night..."
"Or this morning...I would have but...I just couldn't...not..."
"I know...you're not the kind of man that I thought you were." she turns from him.
He chuckles, (Castle's mind:) Not the man..., then the words sink in...not the man...what does that mean...
just that, she...
but I...is she saying...
she's saying that you aren't the man that she thought she knew...
what? I...
oh she knows...
but how I...is that a bad thing...Castle runs his hands down his face...He has a flashback to the bar. The scene played back. Beckett that was her, at the bar...no couldn't have been...I danced with her and...if it was her I would have known right...or was I that drunk...
yes, yes you were...I told...
what...you told me...
yes, plenty of times...
and I...
ignored me...now will you listen to me...
and me...his heart adds
and me... his body comments as well
yes, yes I will...if...
She gentaly held his hand interlocking her fingers with his.
"I'll never know... I'll never..." Beckett continues.
"We still have a couple of hours." She gave him a death narrow eyed glare. "Well, it was worth a shot, I'm a man." Then he leans closer to her and whispers, "with needs." Beckett pinches him on the nose. "ow... apples apples apples."
Trixie walks by hearing the ruckus. Then doubles back. "Ricky," (Beckett's mind:) that voice sounds like...
Castle turns his head. "Trixie," he swallows. "I uh," (Castle's mind:) what is she doing here, is she...so this all was...
I'm just glade...now can we get to thinking about other things.
"Flying back already?" she asks.
(Castle's mind: ) so she doesn't know that this is...
don't say that...
well isn't it true...
we don't know that for a fact...
but it's a possibility...
well,...
(Trixie's mind:) if that was all this trip was then why does he look so nerves over there. It's like something is wrong but what could be wrong? and who is this? someone new. I see that somethings never change... How could you Ricky?
Beckett continues to stare at Trixie. (Trixie's mind:) I guess some people can't be changed. I hope that he knows what he's doing...I hope that he knows what he's giving up...I thought that he was in love? is that...is that her the one...cause she's...Trixie smiles at Beckett. if it is he's a lucky man.
"Something like that." Castle finally answers her.
"Well, if you need anything," she winks, ignoring Beckett's stare. "Come get me."
to be continued...