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

"Quanda, may I ask you a question, if you rather I ask the doctors, I'll understand," Kate said near the end of the visit,

"You want to know how soon your hair starts to grow back and how long will it take you to get it back to your old length or close to it, Right?" as she smiled, "It the most asked question Kate, so I can give you ballparks, again everyone is different

"Typically, the hair will start to regrow on its own two to three weeks after chemotherapy is completed. The hair may grow back as a soft fuzz at first. After about a month, real hair will begin to grow back at its normal rate of 6 inches per year. Your new hair may grow back a different texture or color than before.

"Most women who lost hair that was straight, are surprised to see the natural curls when the new hair is grown, and vice versa, well they are known as "chemo curls." The effects of the drugs linger in the body for months, altering the cells in the hair follicles, or so says someone with a lot more degrees than I have so I tend to believe them" she smiled,

Kate smiled and just said softly "Thank You, I'm so glad you came up today, you have provided a lot of answers that made me feel much better."

"Any time you need to talk Kate, and you will have days, I hate to tell you, but you will call me, we've been where you are, but always remember Kate, yours will come back, and you're beautiful with or without a covering on your head, your husband thinks so, so who else counts?" she smiled and hugged Kate gently,

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Chapter 18

Mt Sini Hospital

New York

3 Weeks Later

It was finally here, the day she was going home. Treatments were over, initial checkups and scans showed no cancer, she was leaving was a very sore breast and chest area, but she was leaving cancer-free. The added bonus was that she had corrected the sloppy work that Josh had performed, that would have killed her, as testified to by Dr. Kovachs', the surgeon who took over, as well as two other world-renown Cardiac Specialists in Josh's trial in Miami Florida.

Jim had blindsided him with two cases, the one of paternity which was a slam dunk, then a civil suit, for malpractice for his surgery attempt on Kate. The suit outlined that he proceeded even knowing full well, by Medical standards in the state of New York he needed to stand down since she was his girlfriend at the time of the incident. And the sutures he used would have been for external wounds, not for internal organ repair, a first-year surgical resident would know that, as testified by the witnesses.

Josh had malpractice insurance, but not enough, to cover the damages of 2 million dollars awarded to Kate and fines to the state of New York. He also owed his ex-girlfriend 3 years of back child support, and in a surprise, Alimony since they were found to be living as common-law husband and wife according to New York law.

The home, two cars, and other personal assets were sold on auction to pay off his back-child support first, then make a dent in the past due alimony, he was left with $1500 and no medical license when all was said and done.

Kate had signed her check over to a trust fund for the son that Josh would never see, he had agreed to forego all parental rights for dismissal of future child support and alimony payments, and to stay 200 yards away from both his ex-girlfriend and her son. He had no say on where they lived or moved, he was treated as just the sperm donor that he was to his child.

He left the courtroom angry, and the last report from the private detective's Rick hired to shadow him, he had moved back into his mother's basement in a small town in Iowa, quite the change from the Miami Playboy lifestyle he had been living.

FLASHBACK PREVIOUS EVENING

Jim had visited her the previous evening, to let her know the outcome, and when he knocked on her door, he had a smile she hadn't seen in quite a while.

"Katie, can I come in for a few minutes, I won't stay long, I promise." He said

"Dad, don't be ridiculous come on in, and stay as long as you like, Rick's getting some coffee,"

"Well, we got the SOB, child support, alimony and a two-million-dollar malpractice settlement for you, Katie, he won't be practicing medicine hurting other people anymore. The mistake that almost cost you your life, shouldn't have been made, even by a first-year surgical resident.

"He was found guilty of incompetence, agreed to the settlement, in lieu of us dropping the other suit against him for attempted bodily harm. What shocked him out of his shorts was when the judge ruled since he had lived with his child's mother, for over six weeks, and had introduced her in public at a conference as his wife, they were considered married in the state of New York and he owed her alimony. He almost fell apart, and by the end of the trial he was a crying mess."

"I'm sorry it had to come to that Dad, but you know Karma is a nasty bitch. He had a string of women he had used, well, I guess now unless he goes into acting and plays a doctor, that's about as close as he is going to come to being one again. Did you do what I asked with my settlement?"

"I sure did, the little boy will never know where it came from, it's a blind trust to cover his expenses all the way through college, and if there is any money left, he will receive it as a cash payment on his 28th birthday." He smiled,

"OK, I chose that age since it took me that long to grow up, really grow up and appreciate all you and Mom had sacrificed, so hopefully something good will come out of this."

"It already has Katie, where's Rick I thought he would be back from getting coffee by now?" Jim asked, knowing something was wrong. Kate looked down, then turned red with embarrassment.

"Dad, we had a fight, I mean I got depressed again, and I took it out on him, I said some awful things, and he just kissed me and said the car would be here in the morning and Good Night. I hurt him badly again Dad, all because my fucking hair fell out.

"I mean he spent almost every minute here with me, even when I had therapy or tests, he would shower, or write, but he never left, no matter how cruel, until last night."

"Did you call him to apologize, Katie, Rick has been more than your husband thru this, he's been the one to ensure everyone that needed help got it. You don't know it, but a lady was about to be discharged, her insurance had maxed out, Rick overheard it, and the next thing she was back in her room, with all future treatments paid for. He never said a word Kate, when the nurse asked him why, he just said, it's for my wife, it's what I would want if she needed it and couldn't get help, and walked away."

"I tried Dad, I left four voice mails, but no response. When we met with Doctor Burke the psychologist the last three weeks, he told us that if one of us gets upset over cancer, to walk away, not to say evil things to or about our partner. I crawled right back into my old self, but Rick followed the doctor's advice, and walked away, without saying one hurtful word." She began to cry,

Jim pulled his daughter into him, and held her, "Katie, no matter how much a man loves a woman we all have our breaking points, your Mom and I are the perfect couple to you, but we had our times as well. You won't know or at least I hope you don't but I walked away from Johanna for three months when you were small, I just couldn't take the verbal abuse anymore.

"It took us years to mend that hurt Katie, you and God know I loved your Mom more than life itself, but sweetie, there is a breaking point for us all, I just hope you didn't cross over it." He said sadly as he began to take his leave.

"Dad, you don't have to go, I mean,"

"Katie, you have some work to do, don't give up, make him hear you and Katie, the same old I'm sorry may not work this time, so think of something new, your Mom sent me a singing telegram when I refused to take her calls, it pissed me off, but it made me talk to her, and we worked it out after that. You need to work it out, for you, for him and for your daughter."

"Thanks, Dad, Goodnight, I'll see you soon at home OK?"

"Sure Katie, Goodnight" and he was gone

PRESENT TIME

She had tried, to call at least 15 times, sent over 20 texts, and in one last desperation she called Alexis, something she knew she shouldn't do, but she had to know what was going on.

"Hi Mom, what's up, are you excited to be getting out of there today?" came the bubbly response from her daughter, not at all what she expected.

"Eh, Hi Sweetie, yes, you know I am. I'm sorry Alexis, is your Dad around, I've been trying to call him all morning, and I keep getting his voice mail, is everything OK there?" She asked,

"Well, Mom you tell me. He came home last night, and he looked so broken, he didn't see me, but I heard him go to his office and close the door, always my signal to stay away, he's working or needs space. I left him alone for about 45 minutes then as I was walking to his door, I kept hearing this song playing over and over, and Dad crying. "

"Oh God Alexis, it's my fault, I lost my temper last night, I think just thinking about having to go out today with a wig, instead of my hair, I know he didn't mean anything by it but he said he wouldn't care if I didn't wear the wig, he loved me anyway.

"I erupted on him, I don't remember everything I said but I do know I said, it's not you with a bald head, it's not you who had to take all those damn drugs, and have enough radiation to heat up your coffee without a microwave, I was awful to him Alexis" Kate is crying hard now,

"Mom, Dad loves you, but he hurts a lot easier, and deeper than most people, even you realize. That comic relief he uses is his defense mechanism, it has been since I was old enough to remember. When someone said something to hurt him, he would just make a joke about himself and laugh it off, but inside he was hurt."

"Alexis, I know, I know, but I have tried to stop, he's always there trying to fix everything, so sometimes I just yell because I'm frustrated, not because I'm mad at him. My Dad visited last night and told me that I was just like Mom, he actually had left her for three months when I was very young because she wouldn't stop doing exactly what I'm doing to Rick.

"God, I don't want to think about three months, hell even three hours is too long to be away from him. I didn't sleep at all last night, I know he didn't either but please can you get him to talk to me, I have to say I'm sorry.

"I would if I could Mom, but his phone is on the counter charging, and he left me a note, told me when you call just to tell you he's fine and would see you tonight around 5:00 when you were all checked out. He said he had a few errands to take care of, and he needed a break from his phone and reality for a while.

"His iPod is gone, so I know when he gets really upset, he goes for walks, long walks and he wouldn't answer his phone even if he had it. It's his way of letting go of things he would have said, or done to hurt me, well, in this case, you Mom, but that's what he does, has for a long time."

"So what do I do Alexis, I mean I'm so sorry I even said any of that stuff, hell he's been here, you've been with me every step of the way, listened to me bitch, instead of being thankful I only had to have one small tumor removed, and no reconstruction surgery.

"My Dad told me that he nailed Josh for not only the son he deserted but also for malpractice in my case, I'll tell you more about it later, I mean you're going to be home aren't you honey?" her tears fall once again

"Mom, your fights with Dad are just that, your fights, but I would suggest you try something special to let him know you really mean you appreciate what he's done, he's tired Mom, he never slept there, only napped. He was too afraid something was going to happen to you, and to answer your question, yes Mom, I'm going to be home. I plan on staying here at least the first quarter at Columbia to help Dad out."

"Wait, Columbia, Alexis you were admitted to Sandford and Oxford, why on earth are you going to Columbia, those two schools were your dream schools?

"Well they were, but I got my dream Mom, who I think is far more important than being across an ocean or an entire country from her, I couldn't study anyway worrying about you, so I chose Columbia. Mom, when it's time for me to move to off-site housing you have to promise me that you'll keep Dad from just dropping by, I mean I am a lady now, and well"

"I understand Sweetie, I will. Do you have any idea of where he went or goes on these walks Alexis, I am worried about him, I feel so bad and if anything, ever happened to him?"

"Mom, stop, this is how Dad copes, you need to accept it, when he walks away, he's not walking away from you, it's an issue that will force him to say hurtful things if he stays, Gina could never understand that until she followed him one time too many, and it wasn't pretty, believe me."

"Alexis why aren't you upset with me, I mean I hurt your Dad, there was a time you would have been down here to kick my ass, what's changed?"

"You have a reason this time, it's called clinical depression, which Doctor Burke agreed with Doctor Gupta's diagnosis, and I know once you are on your meds, things will be fine, it all takes time Mom. If I thought you were hurting him for no reason, OR the other way around God help you both." The young lady simply stated,

"Honey are you coming with your Dad to pick me up, or is it just going to be Rick?"

"Mom, I think you both need some private time, plus I have no idea of what errands Dad's talking about but it'll be just him, I'll see you when you are home, and Mom, I love you too, just relax, it'll all be OK. I'll see you soon, bye" she hung up the phone.

Kate laid back and thought, her daughter had given up not one but two colleges of her dreams for her, her stepmom, just because she wanted to be there to help. Rick was off planning who knew, but he had pulled tricks out of his hat almost every week, including her portable bathtub.

Now that she could shower and was back on her feet, she wanted it donated to the hospital for treatment of other patients who would kill for a good bath, it made her feel good that she at least paid some small part forward.

She looked at the clock, 1:15 PM, almost four more hours before she could see Rick, to tell him she was sorry, but what could she do to make this one special. She came up with an idea, and made a few calls, less than an hour later her surprise to him was ready. Now almost three more hours, she laid down not intending to nap, but she fell asleep.

Xx

She opened her eyes, sleepily glancing at the clock to see that it was 4:50 PM, ten more minutes till Rick would be there to pick her up and take her home. As she opened her eyes and started to become more aware of the room, she noticed that Marlene had already packed up everything to transport, and there were a few people outside her door, just as she sat up, Marlene stepped to the door, and said,

"It's time"

Kate was sitting on the bed, trying to figure out which style looked better with the wig, she would only be wearing it in case of anyone trying to take photos, as she fidgeted with the wig, she observed four men enter her room, and then her husband but something was totally different.

The four men in the back were totally bald, and she heard music, the same song I'm Going to Love You Through It being played, and this time Rick was singing lead with the quartet providing perfect harmonies.

"OH MY GOD", she gasped as her eyes traveled to her husband's lips, then his eyes, then his, WHAT where was his hair, his head was just as bald as hers. The backup quartet and Rick, all the men were bald, all had their heads were shaved as they poured their hearts into the song lyrics, until Rick took her hand and pulled her up gently,

"I'm sorr" he put his finger on her lips to block her apology,

"I love you so much Rick, Thank You" as he sang the chorus to her,

When you're weak, I'll be strong
When you let go, I'll hold on
When you need to cry, I swear
That I'll be there to dry your eyes
When you feel lost and scared to death,
Like you can't take one more step
Just take my hand, together we can do it
I'm gonna love you through it.

And when this road gets too long
I'll be the rock you lean on
Just take my hand, together we can do it
I'm gonna love you through it.
I'm gonna love you through it.

The song ended and Rick smiled at his wife, she pulled him into a hug and kissed his cheek, whispering all the I love you she could get out, then she handed him a little lion, and said,

"Babe, I know it doesn't mean much, I know I say it all the time, and I go back to doing the things I always did, but today I promise you, squeeze the donkey, "

Rick squeezed the stuffed animal, and out came an ee haw in Kate's voice, take me to your bed, and make love to me, I'm sorry I was an ass. I love you Rick, then another ee haw and it ended." He laughed between his tears as he held her,

"Babe, your hair, it was always so perfect, WHY did you do this, I mean?"

"Kate, you were right, it wasn't me facing the public without hair, it was just you, well it's us, if you want or you can wear your wig, I understand." He said,

Kate kissed him after she tossed the wig to a smiling Marlene, who said, "Bald is the new beautiful, see how many people copy this"

"Rick, thank you for everything, but most of all Babe, thank you for loving me through this, I didn't think it was possible, but I guess I know better than to doubt my husband when it comes to loving me. Let's go home, we have some catching up to do, I got the all-clear for first-round operation makeup from Doctor Duhigg,"

"Well sit in your chariot and we'll get started on that in the limo, Marlene is coming tomorrow to set up aftercare, but I think we need one night alone, of course after Alexis sees you. She's got a party to go to IF Mom feels OK, so you see, I wasn't the only one, we all loved you through this, "

"I love you, Mr. Castle,"

"I love you too Mrs. Castle, now we're off,"

The End.

A/N I tried to stay true to the title, loving one through it, doesn't mean the war is over, just that the Battle has been won. Thank you all for your support, comments and love coming my way, please stay safe, Till Next Time -Tim