Another Second Chance

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: Another What If based on the episode, A Deadly Game, what happened if Rick didn't return to the precinct after leaving and this was really their last case. What would each other's lives have looked like? The story starts with Canon dialog, courtesy of Dust Jackets Dot Com, then goes quickly and completely AU. The journey continues with a new Kate and Rick, hope you enjoy!

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

Also, we may take liberties with the timeline from Canon and use events to make this a more believable fiction, thanks.

Chapter 17

Castle's Residence

Pismo Beach, California

/_/

The chiming of the clock meant the hour had finally arrived, as Rick paced nervously, what the hell was he nervous about, this wasn't the first time she had visited, but he still got that funny feeling that came with anticipation with every visit. He glanced out his window to see the sun reflecting through the hair of a beautiful female, then he heard the door chime, she was here, finally.

FLASHBACK Continued

Kate hung up the phone just before, or so she thought, she burst out into tears that evolved into a long and loud crying session, this episode was so bad the nurse actually gave her a shot to calm her down. Whatever had happened, something had upset her patient to the point where she was advised by the doctors on duty to call in the phycologist for the NYPD, Doctor Carter Burke.

The nurse couldn't give Doctor Burke much information other than she had been crying a great deal and exhibiting signs of depression for the last few days. She had asked her friend Doctor Parrish if anything had happened to change from being so optimistic to all the signs of clinical depression.

She wouldn't give specifics; other than perhaps it was time to bring in the help the NYPD enlisted after traumatic events. She was shot, her partner had been shot even more severely than she, all during the funeral of their late Captain who took down a ring of criminals, that Detective Beckett had been pursuing. Many emotions COULD be in play, but as Doctor Parrish pointed out, "That's not in my pay grade, it's time to have the professional see if he may be able to help".

Several hours later Kate was sitting in her bed, her legs drawn up to her chest, rocking gently to a sad song she had on loop on her iPod, when she heard a soft knock and in walked a very stately, large African American male.

"Detective Katherine Beckett? The gentleman said

"Yes, may I help you?" Kate asked as she took out her earbuds, and paused her iPod.

"Sorry to disturb your music Detective, I'm Doctor Carter Burke, Psychologist, I'm retained by the NYPD for officers who have gone through traumatic events such as yourself and your partner? I don't see any listing for a partner on the official records, perhaps you could help me clear that up." He said, again so softly for such a large man,

"Well, his name is Richard Castle, and actually he hasn't worked with me or the department for a year. He's a civilian consultant that was my partner for two years. He was back in New York from the west coast to pay his respects to Captain Roy Montgomery and his family.

"I'm sure you know the rest of the story, the sniper, Castle trying to knock me out of the way, and getting shot himself. In fact, his wounds were much more severe than mine, and he's in this hospital recuperating as well." She said softly,

"I've heard he was wounded, severely, but I wasn't aware he was in this hospital, may I have his room number, I would like to check on him if I may." Doctor Burke asked,

"I don't know it, they won't release it, he's in the VIP wing two floors up is all I know," Kate said sadly,

"Well have you spoken to him since he's been here? I'm sure he's suffering some effects from the trauma you both endured" he replied,

"I wrote a letter, well it included a lot more than just this Doctor, I really don't want to get into all that now, but the short answer is he called me and we spoke. He's suffering from night terrors, and well, some personal issues between us, I would like to keep personal." Kate defended

"Of course, Katherine, you do know that everything you say falls under Patient / Doctor privilege, and I can't share it with anyone by law, don't you? He offered

"Please call me Detective or Kate, only Castle's mother called me Katherine, and she's gone now. I'm sure she is very disappointed in me and my actions wherever she is." Kate offered, "Yes, I'm fully aware of the confidentiality of our conversations. May I ask you, how did you come to visit me?" Kate asked,

"Of course, and Kate, one thing I must insist on both of us, is total honesty. The nurses have observed signs of depression, and your friend Doctor Lanie Parrish recommended they contact me. I can tell by the look on your face that this action angered you, BUT you must pass a psych evaluation before you may return to your job. It's best we address what problems or triggers are impacting your emotional health as quickly as we can." He said softly, as he continued writing on his pad.

"I thought I had to miss work at least six weeks before I needed your evaluation to return," Kate asked, still angry and confused,

"I see you read the first part of the regulation if you had finished the sentence it reads OR has suffered traumatic incidents that may impair the ability of the officer to fulfill their sworn duties, gunshot wounds are definitely considered a traumatic incident, so you will need clearance before you return to work." He explained,

"Well, how do we arrange that I am leaving for Repper & Associates Physical Therapy Center in Albany on Tuesday for 3- 5 weeks. How am I supposed to be cleared for return to duty when I am still in physical therapy?" Kate asked, her anger becoming more apparent,

"I see your anger is building Detective, I am not here to upset you. My job is to protect you and the citizens of New York, we can't have officers sworn to protect and serve suffering from an impairment that could cost lives on active duty. I apologize for your anger, but not for doing my job, I take it as seriously as you did when you took your oath." Burke was firm, not the gentle giant he had been, Kate knew she needed to back off,

"Well, is there a plan, or do I need to wait till I return from physical therapy to begin this portion?" Kate asked in a much more civilized tone,

"Here is a list of instructions Kate, as well as a sample of a journal I want you to start keeping daily. When you have thoughts of Mr. Castle, or your shooting, or the reason you have broken down several times the last few days, and Kate, remember what I said about honesty, it includes this as well. Call my office for an appointment when you return. I've prescribed a mild relaxant if you feel your depression, or sadness coming on just ask for your medication. I'll see you in a few weeks, good luck!" and he was out of her door,

Kate rolled back on her bed, holding her head. Great! Just what she needed, she was required to get clearance from the department shrink, God, she couldn't catch a break, and Lanie, her big mouth didn't help any. Maybe she was plotting to take Rick and fuck his brains out as she had confessed to her once when they both had too much to drink. Well, she had a great chance to accomplish that now, God he had already seen her boobs, twice.

XxX

Rick had been nervous all morning, Marcy had tried to talk to him a few times but he seemed a million miles away. The only thing that made him seem almost like his normal self was when she walked in with the signed permission for her vacation, not for three weeks, but four

"Hey this is great, but Marcy why four weeks, not that I'm complaining I mean, eh, oh shit, I stuck my foot into this time. I'm sorry, that was presumptuous of me to think you took the extra week for me." He hung his head,

She cupped his face between her hands, "The fourth week is for me to fly you home, you don't think after all this, I'm just going to leave you at the curb, do you?" she smiled, and her face was so close to his, he kissed her gently on the lips.

"I'm sorry Marcy, that was out of"

His words were stuck as she kissed him back, this time she added tongue, for the briefest moment, then pulled away and checked his blood pressure reading.

"I'm not sorry, we'll talk later. I know something is bothering you, I just have to know, are you having second thoughts about our arrangement?"

"What? Marcy, no, I'm stupid, I'm so sorry, it's just I have to work through one more personal issue, nothing to do with you I swear, forgive me please."

"OK, well Rick you know if you ever change your mind, you just have to say the word, I mean I'm looking forward to spending the time with you and the girls, but only if you want us there"

He pulled her in with his good arm, and held her, as his head laid across her bosom, she pulled him tight, "it's going to be OK Rick, I promise, I'll be there for you as long as you need or want me, now rest, please?" she kissed his forehead, that had become their goodbye signal,

"I'll be back to check on you shortly," again holding both of his hands in hers walking backward until she was forced to let go, then she smiled and was gone.

Rick was startled when his cell phone vibrated with an incoming text, he opened it read,

"I'm on my way, but no real names, call me Sandy, and no talking about what you need me to help you with, there may be and she had attached a GIF file of bugs walking across a sink one after another, signifying that his room may be bugged.

Twenty minutes later his door opened, and he began the charade "Sandy, how nice of you to come, this is unexpected,"

"Hey Rick, how are you feeling, Paula told me I had to get down to see you since she's out banging the new client we're trying to land. I had the option, either to come to see you or sleep with Mr. Sleaze you won, she laughed, as Rick stood. She walked around the room scanning it with an electronic detector and then held thumbs up, bugs were planted in the planter on the table, the TV, and even in his hand control to call the nurses.

Rick stood and motioned Jordan, AKA Sandy, to follow him, as he opened the safe and handed her the file, and made the quiet sign, one finger across his lips. She nodded, as she placed the file inside a special case she was carrying, one that couldn't be penetrated by devices similar to those used to scan credit cards while they were still in your wallet, inside your pockets.

They returned to the bed, as Rick sat on the edge and pointed to a chair. "I would offer you refreshments, would you like water, or water, out of a paper cup over there by the sink" he laughed,

"No nothing for me thanks, I just stopped by for a few minutes, Paula needs your signature on these forms, so I told her I would stop by and see how you were doing, while she was eh ahem entertaining" as they both laughed,

Jordan had printed her private cell number on a piece of paper, and left Rick a burner cell, "Well when you bust out of here, they tell me you're headed to Arizona to rehab, give me a call before you leave, love to see you outside the hospital setting, I got to get these to Paula before she has another orgasm if she had one, to begin with," they both laughed and Jordan, AKA Sandy started to leave with the file secured.

"OK but keep that Arizona location under your hat, everyone thinks I'm going to the Hamptons, I even hired a hot mom and her teenage girls to make it look like I was there. I need some privacy" Jordan gave him the thumbs-up sign for thinking ahead,

"OK, I'm sorry, I'll call you, got to go, you know how grouchy Paula gets when she's not satisfied, and again they both laugh.

Rick knowing there were bugs in the room now had to be careful, he texted Mike, and had him double the security, as well as do a complete sweep for bugs at the Hampton, nothing was going to happen to Marcy and her girls when they were with him.

Marcy came into the room, and once again Rick held the quiet sign, she looked puzzled, but played along,

"OK Rick, let's get up and get at it, we have to walk, keep the blood flowing, so our first destination is the nurse's station, you ready?" she laughed,

"Call me a cab, he laughed back, "OK, I know I need to walk, just don't get too far away from my side, I'm still shaky,

He leaned against Marcy once past the room, he said, "Be careful what you say in my room, it's bugged, by whom I don't know but this idea of shooting a Detective at a funeral had to come from someone with money and power" he said quietly,

"Rick, do you want us to sweep the room, I mean we could have them removed by security? How does this impact the Hamptons, I guess we aren't going now" she said sadly?

"Oh no we're going, that last visitor who just left my room, well she was more than a visitor, and not in a personal sense, she's handling the bad guys now. I threw out a ruse, saying I was going to Arizona, and I'll have Paula hire about five body doubles in various cities, it's not foolproof but it will slow them down. Mike is my head of security and he's already secured the Hamptons home. To everyone else, it's just a Mom and two girls enjoying the beach." He said and noticed the disappointment in her eyes,

"You won't be on the beach with us Rick?" She asked clearly showing the disappointment,

"Yes, I'll be there but I'll be with my security guy, don't worry, you'll see enough of me to get sick of me, plus we'll have a lot of private time for walks at night. Mike has torn out their cameras and set up a signal scrambler for anyone trying to gain access to our conversations" Rick smiled, "You won't be appearing on a TMZ session if that's what you're worried about.

"I'm worried about you, you need to rest, and do the exercises the doctor has ordered, where will you do those? Unless the beach house has its own gym, you are going to need to work out somewhere" she whispered as they got closer to his room on their return stroll,

Rick smiled, "just wait till you see it, I'm, sure we'll get by" and then as Marcy helped him into the room and bed, he groaned, "are you sure one more week and I'll be good enough to be discharged," and winked,

"Well, we can't keep you here forever Mr. Castle, there are sick people needing the bed and our services" Marcy kidded, but held tight to his hands, finally kissing his forehead and walking back to the bathroom, she returned with a cold washcloth,

"Here Rick, this will cool you down, as she wiped his forehead, we have two more sessions to complete today. If that goes well, tomorrow we expand to the nurse's lounge, 100 feet farther than we went today." She smiled, but he could read the concern in her eyes,

"So, at this pace, I should be ready for the Olympics in say 43 years, just in time before I keel over for good" he laughed, but Marcy smacked his arm

"You don't kid about that, ever, do you hear Rick? Too many people care about you. You are going to push a little harder each day then go to rehab, and in a few months you will be back to almost your old self, and I won't settle for anything less" she may have been talking to the bugs in the room, but the concern in her eyes was real, and directed at one man.

"I'm sorry Marcy, you're right, I shouldn't have kidded you. Look this whole ordeal is one huge misunderstanding. I have no idea who would want to shoot Detective Beckett, hell I hadn't talked to her in over a year before the services, all I was trying to do was knock her down.

"I'm no cop and trust me, if this is what it feels like to get shot, I'll keep my day job. Let the police figure out why, I just want to get back home to my little world without shootings and hospitals" he said, as he winked at her.

"That's our goal as well, get you out of here but only when you're ready for the next step in the recovery process. I'll be back in a few hours for round two of your walks, OK?" Marcy smiled,

"Can't wait, trembling with excitement" Rick said sarcastically, but his smile sent Marcy the message he really couldn't wait to wrap his arm around her, even if it was for a therapy session.

XxX

Somewhere a few blocks away two figures engulfed with an ocean of cigarette smoke hanging over their heads were listening and recording to everything that was being said.

"It's like I thought, the writer doesn't know anything, all he did was try to save the Detective chick he used to care for, who apparently now loves him, but he just told to kiss-off. I don't think he's going to be able to help or hurt us in any way so tell the team to pull back, we can use them in another location anyway.

"From the sounds of things, the writer and the nurse may be trying to sneak away for some, well to get his jollies that he never got with the lady cop. The boss is still pissed that we have to do rework on this operation, so we have to make the next shot count or you know"

"Yeah, yeah, I know, just run it by the boss, I agree, Castle isn't a factor in this at all. We have to be sure we wait long enough to let the heat die down, but if we fail again., well"

"You mean YOU fail again; you were the only one with the gun", the first figure said.

"Well you know Mr. B, he won't leave you around to talk if he goes after me, so you better cover my ass, and make sure this time we get the cop bitch"

"I know, I know. Just plan on taking her out on her way home from rehab, by then she'll have let her guard down, and there won't be any cops protecting her, that's the new plan. Now run it by the boss and shut up"

TBC