I started to wait to post this but
Just to make sure everyone can sleep over the weekend and I don't have to
watch my back until Monday
The 12th precinct is almost back to normal. Homeland Security is in the process of removing all of the television monitors, computers, and extra telephones that were brought in. The technical support people are removing and rolling up the miles and miles of special cables that were installed to connect this place to the rest of the world. Almost all of the desks are back to their regular places. The City of New York command van is no longer parked outside on the curb.
The media has lost their interest in the events happening on the 4th floor of this building.
If the media only knew all the details they would still be outside trying to get the story. But the newspapers will never know everything that happened inside this building and elsewhere or even who was involved.
Inside the station the atmosphere is tense. There are whispers among the officers. Quiet conversations over the coffee machine between themselves. Questioning glances between friends and coworkers about where this will all end up?
The telephones are ringing again with their usual fare of murders and mayhem. But everyone on the floor feels empty and not very interested in rushing back into the job they signed on for.
The detectives who work in this house are more than ready for things to return to normal. Except they are afraid that things will never be normal again. They feel incomplete. They have all grown accustomed to the fighting foursome who always drove them. Led them. Made them laugh and now caused them to cry
The elevator door opens and a somber Agent Mark Fallon enters the arena. He walks directly to Victoria Gates' office. When he arrives, the captain acknowledges his presence and motions for him to come inside. Agent Fallon steps past the entry and turns to close the door.
"Agent Fallon, if you are here to give me some bad news that will affect all the members of this team" She points out to the bull pin "Then leave the door open so everyone can hear because I don't want to have to repeat whatever you are going to be telling me"
"No captain. That is not why I am here. I came here today to pass on to you and your team, the thanks of a grateful nation and offer well earned congratulations from my department. I am here to tell you that because of the efforts of your team, I am recommending individual commendations be issued to each and every member of this group" he points over his shoulder to the officers outside "A very dangerous situation was thwarted and what few members of that group remain alive are in custody and will remain there for the rest of their lives. You should be proud of this station and its members"
Captain Gates looks past Agent Fallon and is looking at the desk and chairs normally occupied by Detective Beckett and Richard Castle "Yes agent Fallon. It was a great success. But at what cost?"
"Captain, I cannot and will not judge the actions of these fine men and women that serve under your leadership. I will tell you one thing. I have never seen the level of sacrifice I have witnessed this week from any others. You should be proud"
"Yes I am"
Mark Fallon stands to leave. "From what I have seen, the outcome of this event could be devastating for your people"
"You have no idea Mr. Fallon"
Agent Fallon opens the door to Gates' office and as he walks toward the elevator, the entire contingent of 12th precinct officers both uniformed and plain clothes are standing at the aisle watching and waiting for any comment from the federal agent. He has never felt so depressed himself over any incident he has had a part of. He wants to say something, but he cannot find the words to speak.
The elevator doors open, he gets in, and turns to face the crowd. There are tears in almost every eye he can see.
Doctor Parish walks up to the bed where Katherine Beckett-Castle has finally fallen asleep. Lanie is trying not to wake her up. Kate needs her sleep. Crying for a solid day has drained Kate of all her fluids so Lanie brings another bottle of water and places it quietly on the floor next to the bed. Beckett has not moved from this spot since she was brought here by her partners 24 hours ago.
Even if Kate were to wake up, Lanie doesn't know what to say to her. These two have been best friends for a very long time and have always been able to talk. Happy Talk. Serious talk or just talk stuff. Lanie is not sure what she could possibly say to Kate at this time
As Lanie starts to walk away she hears a very weak voice call her name. She turns to look at over to Kate.
"Hey sweetie. Do you need something?"
"I don't know what it would be" Kate sits up in the bed and reaches her hand around to the back of her neck. "Has anyone been able to get a hold of Martha and Alexis?"
"Yes. The State Department found them in a little chalet just outside of Stockholm and they are flying them back as we speak"
"I hate that this happened while they were gone. Martha and Alexis will never forgive me, Lanie"
"Kate. This is not your fault. He did this to protect all of us. He is a hero everyone's eyes."
But Lanie. I could have stopped him. I could have told him to stay home and let the police handle this. It was not his job. I should have insisted he not get involved."
"Kate he saved a lot of people. Maybe everyone in the city"
Lanie is not sure how Kate is even able to see. She is looking thru red swollen eyes.
"Kate, Javi told me what happened. Castle went in and saw the helicopter start to rise up and that there were nozzles set to deploy the virus. He took off his jacket and lunged on top of the chopper and covered it with his coat, stopping the spray from getting into the air intake."
"Yeah Lanie and sealing his own fate in doing so"
"Sweetie, the doctors say he may not even be infected. The virus might have been trapped in his coat. They just are not sure right now
"But he hit his head and is now unconscious. They don't know if he will ever wake up
"Kate, you need to go home to your own bed. You need rest. I mean real rest. Not this old army bed" Pointing at the thin mattress on top of a cheap set of springs that Kate is currently sitting on
"Having you get sick is not going to help anyone"
"Lanie. I am not going home right now. I can't go home. I can't go back to that bed without him in it"
Kate says as she stands up and walks over to the window and looks into the isolation room where her husband is laying in a coma
"I have to be here when he wakes up"