Love You Through It

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: SnowKing1701 PROMPT REQUEST - They get together early in the series and a health scare tests their love, but not separate them. We may take liberties with the events and timeline from Canon and use events to make this a more believable fiction, Warning THIS IS AU, with only brief flashes of Canon. MAJOR CHARACTER ILLNESS, NO DEATH PROCEED WITH CAUTION, SENSITIVE SUBJECT MATTER

Thanks for the Prompt SnowKing1701, I hope I do it justice.

I don't own Castle; I use the characters for amusement purposes only, except the ones I create.

Previously

Kate looked at the walls and doors as they wheeled her into one of the Xray lab rooms, and was greeted by a familiar friendly face,

"Hey there, how you doing, did you get your initiation tattoo, if not, sorry we can't let you into our club" it was the friendly face of Amy, and Kate immediately began to relax. It was like a friend was going to be with her.

"I'm great Amy, I know Rick is freaking out so maybe you could calm him a bit once the procedure starts," Kate asked,

"Be glad to, wave to Silkie, you won't recognize her in all her protective gear, but that's the tech assigned to your case and will be conducting the treatment. Dr. Richardson is monitoring from the adjacent office, checking the scans in real-time. "I'll be right here all the time Kate, monitoring your stats, BP, Pulse, and oxygen levels, I promise we got you, we won't let anything go wrong, now relax, I'll be back as soon as I calm Rick down, by then they should be ready to go.

************************************************************************************/

Chapter 8

Doctors Cancer Center

New York

8:40 AM

Amy returned, re-washed her hands and donned the disposable scrubs that would allow her to visit Kate, and assist in positioning her on the table. The position of her body was critical if Silkie was going to be able to follow the road map on her breast without damaging good tissue.

As she laid in the bed, Silkie was communicating through the speaker about the adjustments she needed, "move a little to the left, closer to the top of the bed, too much, then just right, " as soon as Silkie was satisfied, Amy recorded the exact measurements on the bed, placed one of the arrows and markers that matched what Ciara had marked on her breast on her bed to help align her for each of her treatments.

She then opened the right flap to expose Kate's right breast, but rather than leave her exposed, Amy placed a mask type of covering over her, it also had similar markings that Ciara had marked, so it was easy for Amy to align the radiation mask. Kate was in awe that the procedure was so precise, and the preparation would take almost as long as the treatment itself. She heard Silkie say over the speaker, "Perfect Job Amy, thank you"

Amy took Kate's hand, "Hey I know this is scary, but the worst part is over, another twenty to thirty minutes we'll have you back to your feller. Would you like music during the procedure? I found it helped me to lay still and not worry about the machine noise, but it's up to you.

Kate smiled even wider when she picked up Amy's accent on a feller, and nodded her head, "Thanks Amy, music would be nice, I can get lost in a good song."

"You and me both sweetie, I like the love songs, and you can't tell me you don't, not with what and who you have waiting on you outside that door, I'll put the love song CD on, and relax, the treatment works better when you do, OK?"

"OK," then Amy gave Silkie the thumbs-up sign as soon as she was out of the chamber and started the countdown on her one hand, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, then Kate heard the machine fire up at the same time the music came over the speakers. Amy adjusted the volume and took her seat in the monitoring chair, outside the chamber.

Kate began to focus on the music the first song was from Journey, God she used to think Steve Perry was hot, Faithfully, then as it faded into another oldie, Always by Atlantic Star. She smiled as she heard the words;

When you come around you bring brighter days
You're the perfect one
For me and you, forever we'll be
And I will love you so for always

She could still remember the first time he had said that word to her, it still sent shivers up her spine when he said it, even today. She then heard Alexis's shy words, about wanting to be a big sister when the words;

Come with me my sweet
Let's go make a family
And they will bring us joy, for always

Well if she hadn't had enough motivation before now, she knew for sure, two people loved her, more than she ever imagined someone capable of, and she wasn't going to let them down. Her mind filled with visions of her and Rick, a little one, Alexis playing the role of Big Sis and the beach, she loved the sound of the waves kissing the shore, so relaxing.

She closed her eyes and for the first time in a very long time, forgot all about justice for her Mom, chasing killers, as Dr. G said, it was her turn to chase this killer, she was along for the ride. Her one job was to stay strong so her team could track down and stop this killer that had invaded her body.

She thought about her Mom, probably scared out of her mind, away from her husband and daughter to keep from her from worrying about her. God, she was so stubborn, then she thought, OK, OK guilty as charged she thought knowing she was just as if not more than her Mother. Perhaps for the first time she realized, she had a partner, and she was going to share, it was a definite change, but truthfully the only time.

She must have been lost in her thoughts, she came back to real-time when she heard Amy's slight twang,

"OK, OK, you can stop dreaming about your feller, time to get ready and go be with him. Dr. Richardson will talk to you both when you are dressed, so take your time" she hugged her,

Kate would have thought the woman had wanted something or had a problem a few weeks ago, but today, she accepted her hug, she even hugged her back, "Thanks Amy, I can't tell you how much easier you are making this. I relaxed the minute I heard your accent," she smiled, knowing exactly what was coming back,

"Accent, what accent, you saying I talk funny," then smiled. "Can you get changed by yourself or do you need help, you have to let us know Kate, and don't be pushing it. We're here to help fight this battle, so let go, and let us help you." She smiled as she took her hand.

"I understand Amy and thank you, I can do this myself, today, that might change in the future and I promise I'll tell you," Kate said, and for perhaps for one of the few times, she began to believe it was OK to ask for help if needed. This was a war, and she was going to need everyone.

A few minutes later, Kate was almost dressed when the door opened, and she heard Amy's voice, "Got your feller to help you finish up, he's coming in now" she could hear the smile in her voice.

A minute later a worried-looking Rick, rushed to her, holding her in his arms so tenderly, almost like she would break, tenderly kissing her forehead, until she turned it into a deep passionate kiss.

"Babe, I'm fine, it was like a long Xray, and Amy being in the room where I could hear her, helped. She even piped in some music to help me relax, so it was a lot better than I thought, I'm fine Babe, please, stop worrying. I'm here, I'll be here, Always, OK?" She kissed him gently, knowing he was wracked with worry, and his confession of feeling helpless was eating him alive. He wanted to call a guy, to make it all go away, pay for something magical, but had realized that he couldn't.

A few minutes later they met Dr. Richardson in his office for a review of the first treatment. Both were nervous, but Rick remembering Amy's words, "You're her rock, never let her see you afraid" tried to be brave as they waited for the doctor to come in. A few moments later the door opened and there stood a smiling Doctor Richardson, as he greeted them, "How are we doing today, the treatment wasn't as bad as you had imagined it was it Kate? Rick, you drew the short straw, it's always worse for us when we have to wait, but she did fantastically.

He then projected a few slides on the screen behind him, Kate and Rick could see a round dot about the size of an almond, the slide had been modified to allow them to see the results better.

"Do you see the tumor Kate, Rick, this was from Kate's original PET scan, which is much more in-depth than I use in the treatment room, BUT you can see the slight reduction in size. I know it's not much, but the good news, it's going down, not up in size. This gives us the hope we can reach the goal to reduce it to under 10mm by the time of your surgery. Do you have any questions for me Kate, Rick I know you might after you get to discuss it with Kate, but I'm pleased for the first session? It seems your wife to be loves the oldies, and the music helped relax her, allowing us to optimize our treatment. "

Kate smiled, "I don't have any questions but I do want to talk to Rick explain everything that happened behind closed doors so he will have his opportunity to ask any questions he has, we're partners and in this together", as her fingers slipped between his and squeezed gently.

He returned the squeeze and kissed her head gently. "So, she liked the oldies eh? Any song in particular?"

"Well, no surprise, Steve Perry brought a slight rise in the Blood Pressure but we see that all the time with him, he laughed, the song that relaxed her the most was Atlantic Stars Always. I recommend you take some time each day to do what I call music meditation; it helps when you concentrate on the message the writer was trying to send. PLEASE don't put the best of Reba on, God, I even cry, when I hear her songs." He laughed, referring to Reba McIntyre who was known for her tear-jerking hurtful songs.

"I'm not much into Country and Western Doctor, but I do like a wide variety, and Rick won't admit it, but I know he plays piano better than many out there performing today" Rick looked at her shocked,

"The Old Haunt had a lot of photos, more than the one you showed me, you never said you played piano there for years working your way through college" she laughed,

"See what I mean Doctor, she's the best detective New York ever had, don't try to hide anything from her," he laughed, but there was a serious message he just delivered as well,

"Well, if there are no questions, we'll see you Saturday, followed by two appointments next week. Enjoy your day off and see you then, "he stood and shook their hands and was gone.

Kate laid her head on Rick's shoulder, "Let's go home Babe, I want to lie in your arms as we talk all about this, OK?"

"Of course, Babe, whatever you want, always"

Xx

On the drive home Rick suggested a takeout lunch from Remy's so he called and ordered for a pickup, Kate had to admit the smell of those burgers were making her hungry, a feeling she seldom felt before Rick had come into her life, she always pushed everything out of the way for a case.

Once they were safely in the loft, Rick pulled her into his arms, "Babe, if you're afraid, it's OK to say it, I got you. I won't let anything happen to you I promise you, plus I promised your Dad and you know I would never let him down."

She smiled as she stole one of his French fries, and said "I know, Rick it was different so very different than I had pictured in my head. I had it all gloom and doom with the staff silent and already beginning their mourning for us patients, but Amy made me feel better immediately, especially when she asked about my feller" she laughed and kissed him sweetly,

"Well, your feller was worried, I won't lie but Amy came out and told me to man up, you were kicking cancer's ass and didn't need a wimp for a caregiver, well not in those words, but I got the message, you were stronger than I today Kate, I'm sorry."

"Rick, there is nothing to be sorry for, you have been right here, right by my side, you anticipate what I want, and make sure I have everything I need, even Alexis has picked up on your lead, and I can tell you, I have never felt more loved, safe and secure in my life. Crazy it took cancer for me to see the love that had been all around me all the time."

She walked Rick through all of the activities as if he had been there, including the interactions between her, Amy and Silky, she did leave out the part of having a crush on Steve Perry, but he busted her as soon as she told him about the song.

"I bet Kate Beckett was a Steve Perry fan, just about all the girls were, it's OK if you were, I mean go ahead, admit it" he smiled,

"What? No, I mean, oh all right, yes, I had his poster in my bedroom, happy now? I can tell you there's only one man I have a crush on now, want me to show you to prove it?" she said seductively, as she slid her hand into his.

She kissed him again, and then took his hand and led him to their bedroom, he paused just a second,

"Babe, are you sure, I don't want to hurt you, don't do this for me,"

"I'm sure, and who the hell said it was for you, lover boy, you know what I like, BUT we have to limit the session to one big one, agreed? I know it's going to be hard for me, but we can still cuddle," he started laughing then she remembered the moment she last uttered those very words, the firing range, and his first successful coup of her assessment of his skills.

"That wasn't fair and you know it, Rick," she laughed and before long she was in his arms being placed gently on the bed, that man could take her to heights she had never dreamt about while being so gentle. When he saw her breast, it looked like she had a slight sunburn, "I'll be right back," he whispered in her ear,

He was back in a moment, with a tube of gel, he gently massaged it on the skin and she felt such a cooling sensation come over her, like putting ice on a hot surface.

"What is that Babe, and where did you get it?" she asked, in between the necking,

"Well, I asked Amy what helped her, and she recommended this, so I had it flown in, does it help Babe?"

Tears came to her eyes as she turned to face him, cupping both his face with both hands, "It was wonderful Babe, it took the irritation away, and it feels like I never had anything there. I love you so much, you never stop thinking and trying to please me, God, why did I wait so fucking long, I could have had three years with you by now, maybe even Alexis, wish" tears filled her eyes,

Rick gently kissed each one, as he fondled each breast, letting her know things were still the same to him, "everything in it's time Kate, there's always a reason," as he kissed her where he had applied the gel, her sensitivity was heightened, but it wasn't painful, she groaned with pleasure, and it was on, a lovemaking session that had become typical for them both.

She lay spent in his arms, "Babe, I'm going to get a shower, if I lay here, you're going to kiss me, or touch me and I won't be able to stop you, so, I need to get out of bed, with just one more kiss". He felt her lips cover his in such a sweet way, there was passion, but more than that, it was the kiss of lovers, so sweet, so fulfilling.

She slipped from the bed, and headed to the showers, he knew he had to let her, the doctors had warned about overtiring her, so he threw his robe on and headed to the guest bathroom and showered alone. He didn't dare peek, or he would never be able to stop, God he loved that woman.

Xx

The next three sessions with Doctor Richardson were pretty much a carbon copy of the first visit, Amy playing love songs, as she relaxed, as much as possible, then being held in Rick's arms. The final visit to Dr. Richardson revealed that the tumor measured roughly 9.76 mm, under the 10 mm that had been the goal.

"Go, get married, enjoy the honeymoon, but again, please use discretion when it comes to energy, as we discussed fatigue can't be overcome with just additional sleep, so enjoy, but be aware. Congratulations to you both, Doctor Benavidez will be in touch to schedule the procedure with you a few days after you return, for now, you have to worry about a wedding, we got a pretty good start in this battle. Good Luck to you both, "

Kate held his hand, and walked with her head on his shoulder to the car, thanking her lucky stars that she had him, and now she would be able to enjoy, truly enjoy the small wedding that would make him hers forever,

"Penny for your thoughts Kate," Rick said, as they reached the car,

"It would take more money than there is in the entire world to buy more happiness than I feel today, in two days I will be yours, Always. Do you still feel the same way Rick, I mean*"

His gentle kiss closed that topic, "Always" was all he breathed as they started home and the next chapter of their lives,

TBC