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 22
Castle's Residence
Pismo Beach, California
/_/
FLASHBACK Continued
Hamptons House
"Mom, yell if you need us, or if you want, we can stay here on the couch, out in the office, I'm worried, "
"I know baby, so am I, so am I"
Marcy laid on the bed, gently wiping Rick's brow, quieting him from time to time with a gentle kiss on the forehead, or just her touch and words, "shh it's OK, I'm right here, you're safe sweetie, go to sleep, I'll be right here. The night was long, for all three women, Brittany and Brianna wouldn't leave the office, one slept on the couch the other on the floor until they were awakened with Rick's moans, then they switched places throughout the evening.
As the sun was rising, they went to the kitchen and made coffee, knowing when Rick did wake up, he was going to be in a lot of pain, he had missed two doses of medication. Marcy chose not to wake him, but to let him sleep when he was free of the terrors. Doctor Peers was moving his appointment up and would be there this afternoon, giving them time to get showered and ready for his visit.
Rick sleepily opened his eyes, saw the looks on the three women's faces, and knew he had a terrible evening.
"Marcy, Brittany, Brianna, I'm sorry I kept you up all night, I wish I could do or say something to make this right," he said sadly,
"Well, Uncle Rick, you can start by drinking your coffee and eating this toast, Mom is getting the pain medication now, and STOP apologizing, please. Mom called and Doctor Peers will be here at 1:00 PM, we just want you to get better Rick," Brianna said as tears came to her eyes,
Brittany hugged her then took her place, "Uncle Rick, this is no different than the gunshot wound, it's just in a different place. I used to have really bad nightmares, right after Mom's divorce, but, Brianna and Mom, along with my doctor got me to stop. I know how afraid I was, so it's OK, really we're all adults, let us help you this time, please?"
Rick had the two girls in a group hug, well as close as to it as he could manage when Marcy came back to the room, not with a pill, but with a needle.
"Marcy, I didn't know you were allowed to dispense drugs like that without a doctor present or on staff," Rick said slowly, eyes, never leaving the needles since Marcy knew how much he hated getting shots.
"Darlin, I have a confession, I'm really not a nurse, I'm an NP, or Nurse Practitioner and this is within what I'm allowed to do, I just didn't want to scare you off, knowing the woman you love can shoot you with a bigggggg needle" as she smiled and got him to relax a bit.
"Oh Marcy, what other evil secrets are you hiding from me" he smiled,
"Just a few, but you won't find those out till we get you better. Doctor Peers will be here in a few hours, I called him and he wanted me to give you the injection rather than the pills, it works much faster, and we want you to get some rest.
"The girls are taking their showers when they're done, I'll take mine, then we'll get you up in time to get ready for the doctor. You don't have to worry, you won't be alone so just close your eyes and rest."
"Can I take my shower with you? You know there's a water crisis, don't you?" Rick rolled his eyes at her,
She smiled, then blushed, "You know that's in California and we're still in New York, but soon Darlin, soon. Let's just get you better, OK?" She eased the injection into his hip and he was out cold in less than four minutes. She crawled on the bed, held him to her, and rocked him gently, humming her Celine song when the girls walked in and saw her.
"Whenever you're ready Mom, we'll be right out here," Brittany said as they turned to sit on the couch in his office, both reading a book, one of Rick's of course.
Brianna looked over at her Mom, and whispered, "Britt, I think Mom has finally come back alive, I know she loves Rick, he loves her and us, but Mom is holding back. I hope it's not because of us"
"No, it's not, some detective he used to work with, that's the one he got shot tried saving her, well, I heard Mom and him say, they would talk about Kate, and their future when he was feeling a little better. I don't know what that means, but whatever will make Mom and Rick happy, I'm for it" Brittany said,
Marcy walked out in time to catch Brittany's response and waited for a second, wiped a tear from her eye, seemed like she had forgotten about Kate for a moment, all she knew was Rick needed her, and she wasn't going to leave him. They could work out the rest later, and who cared if it wound up being friends with benefits only, God she had missed being with a man, a sensitive man that could light the fire in her again.
"Girls, I'm going to take a quick shower, in the bathroom here in Rick's room, please come and get me if you need me. We can't let him thrash around, he's so close to starting physical therapy on that shoulder, it will set him back weeks if he injures it." Marcy said, looking at Rick all the time,
"Mom we have the pillows all ready, Brianna and I will be on the bed, quietly watching until you get back. I watched what you did, I'll just tell him to think about us going shopping with Carrie, that made him smile. Maybe it'll hold him till you get back, he always seems to calm down when you hold him." Brianna said, shyly.
"Well, I'll be quick, please get me if you need me," Marcy said as she left
She was only gone for 15 minutes, her hair still in a towel, but she was worried, about him, "Anything change?" she asked,
"No, he mumbled something, but then I touched his hand and he went back to sleep. I think we can let him sleep a few more hours, Britt and I will make breakfast for you Mom, try to relax with him, we know you were up all night,
XxX
Four hours later, Rick and Marcy sat with Doctor Ronald Peers in Rick's office, both looking as if they definitely needed some sleep, Marcy was exhausted, but she wouldn't let on for a moment in front of Rick.
"Rick, it's good to see you again, and I take it you're Marcy, the lady Rick and Gina have told me so much about. It's great you were with him, last evening, and even better you phoned my office."
"Hi, Doctor Peers, I'm not sure what they said but I just tried to take care of him the best I could" Marcy blushed,
"She does so much more than that Doctor, she's the reason I didn't re-injure my shoulder in the hospital, in fact, she came back into work and spent the entire night with me when I had the first panic attack," Rick said softly, as Marcy blushed when he took her hand and interlaced his fingers with hers.
"I'm not going to ask about the dynamics of relationships, unless they have a bearing on the root cause of panic attacks, or dreams, is that acceptable to you both?" Doctor Peers asked,
"Yes, of course, we love each other, but is there more than that, as you advised Rick, we're going to get him better then let things take their course, one way or the other. Nothing changes or will change the love, whether it's friends or more, so Doctor, Rick being rid of these awful episodes is our only goal today." Marcy said as she kissed his cheek gently
Rick nodded in agreement and blushed slightly.
"Well, Gina has advised me about the episode in the hospital, has there been more since you've been discharged, and are they identical or have they changed Rick?"
"Rick, if you're not comfortable with me being here for this, I can be right outside when you need me," Marcy stood, to be gently pulled back down,
"Please stay, Marcy, please?" he sounded so wounded,
"Sure Rick, I'm here, right here, I'm not going anywhere darling" she whispered as Doctor Peers hurriedly wrote in his notes,
"OK, now that we've established Marcy has permission to hear the entire session, by the way, this is being recorded and is protected under patient/physician privilege in accordance with the laws of the state of New York. Now that we have the disclaimer out, do either of you object to this? Doctor Peers asked,
Both answered firmly, "No objections" as they waved their heads, then responded verbally when the doctor pointed to the recorder.
"Very well, Marcy, you were present with Rick during the episode in the hospital, I understand you are an NP, (Nurse Practitioner) so your observations are more clinical than a normal family member could offer, is that correct?"
"Yes, I was called by my head charge nurse when Rick didn't respond to our normal techniques, we typically use gentle sounds and soft touch to bring a patient out from a nightmare, but it was obvious something more was occurring to Stacy, my nurse, so she called me as instructed.
"When I arrived, Rick was in a full panic attack at the same time he was still having the nightmare, so I sang to him a song that brought one of my twin daughters out of her attacks, as I held him and rocked him slowly. Once the panic attack had subsided, we again tried to wake him from his nightmare, this time he did respond." Marcy replied, holding Rick's hand as his thumb rubbed the back of her hand gently,
"Did he go back to sleep Marcy, and if so, how long between the time you had to wake him, and his return to sleep pattern?"
"Well, I still held him, he closed his eyes, perhaps it was ten minutes until he was back fully asleep, but the dreams returned almost immediately so we were forced to wake him again. This time we talked for over an hour, I asked him what was upsetting him in the dream, and he responded facts about the shooting which we fully expected. It's typical as you know, gunshot patients often suffer more than physical injuries." Marcy replied,
"Rick was calling me your idea, Marcy's or someone else? Look I know you like me as a person, but I also know how long it took you to come for treatment the last time." The Doctor smiled,
"You know me so well Doctor, actually it was Gina, I think she and Marcy spoke when I was finally out and sleeping, but when I awoke Gina and Alexis were in the room, Marcy had laid down on top of the covers and held me through the night." Rick squeezed her hand gently as he looked at her lovingly,
"Marcy, was that typical, I mean your treatment of Rick?" Doctor Peers asked,
"No, in fact, I really don't know why I did it, but he only seemed to calm when I held him and he had to sleep without tearing his shoulder apart from all of the surgery, so I did what I did with my girls. I sang to him and laid down, op TOP of the covers with the door open," she blushed,
"Oh no Marcy, I didn't mean to infer anything was out of the patient rights, I was just curious as to how you knew how to calm him. Not many are trained in Dream Therapy, which I think you said was the trigger for the panic attack.
"Would you agree, and I ask this because you obviously care about Rick a great deal, but also you are a medical professional, do you agree that the dreams are the trigger and if we can control those, we can stop the panic attacks?" Doctor Peers asked,
"If you're asking for my medical opinion, yes, the triggers are the dreams, he hasn't had a panic attack EXCEPT after experiencing the re-occurring nightmares. I'm close enough to hear him, and before the nightmare can trigger the panic attack, I can usually get him awake, calmed, and back to sleep even without sleeping pills that he hates so much. He has reluctantly agreed to take melanoma tablets to aid some nights." She smiled at him trying to let him know she was there for him,
"Well Rick, first, you're very fortunate that Marcy is not only so concerned but also has had some experience in sleep disorders with her children. She did exactly the right thing, and I'm glad, and by the way, Gina and Alexis both sing her praises about how much she cares, which I see myself. When do you have the sling removed and therapy begin, are you taking any pain medications for that?"
Rick said "Yes" at the same time Marcy said "Only when he's in so much pain he can no longer tolerate it," she mouthed sorry to him but turned back to the doctor.
"Well Rick, first, let's get you started taking the pain medication AS PRESCRIBED, no cheating, and then when you start therapy in a few days, you will have some of the meds in your system. Next, I would like for you to record the days, or nights the dreams occur, and any activity you had done just prior to trying to sleep that could possibly bring a trigger to your psyche.
"Lastly, you should start taking this medication tonight, don't worry, it won't leave you hungover, or hazy, it's just strong enough to allow you to suppress any stress or emotional issues you are battling before you attempt to sleep." As he wrote out a prescription and handed it to Marcy.
"I also want you to start thinking about Dream Therapy, I understand you've moved to California, and I have an associate that is conducting sleep therapy clinics near your near location, once you return consider it please."
"Dream therapy Doctor, what the heck is that I mean isn't talking to you therapy enough," Rick asked as the doctor smiled,
"That's the Richard Castle I remember, so that's a good sign, to answer your question, research it, you do use the computer and when you come into the office in two weeks, we can discuss it. If you need me before that, please call me Marcy" he smiled as Rick leaned in and kissed her cheek making her blush.
"I will Doctor Peers, thanks for making the house call, we were really worried about him, the girls love him to death and were scared he was going to hurt himself," Marcy said,
"You all took great care of him, let's talk in two weeks, again call if you need me before" as they walked him out the door,
"Hey Rick, can you come here please," the twins asked almost in unison,
Marcy looked at them then to Rick, and then they walked over to where Brittany had her laptop open,
"Remember Mom, when I had the dreams, we researched this, I saved the web sights," as she opened the page to allow Rick to read,
"It is thought by some psychologists and researchers that dreams may represent some communication between the conscious mind and the unconscious mind. It is thought that perhaps dreams allow the mind to communicate and transmit information across these levels of consciousness. Further, it is believed that perhaps dreams allow the mind to resolve certain emotions and experiences. For example, after a traumatic experience, a person may have upsetting dreams about the event, as their mind seeks to process it and find some resolution"
"So, my psyche is trying to tell my mind the reason I was so stupid and jumped in front of a bullet, or something like that? That makes sense, thanks Girls, I think your Mom and I will research it some more.
"You know I haven't asked you this, but you have six weeks until you begin your first term at college, would you like to come to California with your Mom and me?
"Your Mom was going to fly out with me to get me settled, and then return but I think you girls would like the trip, that is if it's OK with your Mother, damn, I keep forgetting to ask you first, I'm sorry Marcy"
Marcy is laughing at this point, "You want the girls to spend more time with us, in California, and I'm supposed to what, get upset? I love the fact that you want to include them, and allow them to be young ladies at the same time. You were a hell of a Dad to Alexis, and now I can see why." She hugged him until she was pushed out of the way by the twins, who couldn't wait to spend another few weeks with their Mom, and Uncle Rick.
XxX
Their group hug was interrupted by the doorbell, Rick moved to answer it, and saw the special courier standing on the foyer.
"What brings you out here Jimmy?" Rick greeted the young man he had seen grow up as his daughter had, both too quickly.
"Hi Mr. C., It's a special delivery with your signature required, can you sign here please?" he asked, Rick knew exactly who it was from the moment Jimmy slid the form from over the envelope, it was Kate Beckett's handwriting, but why?
Rick thanked the young man with a larger than usual tip, as he turned to face his three girls,
"We have to go to the drug store for you Uncle Rick, Mom called and talked to the pharmacist so Britt is going to drive to the store, and I am going to drive home, and Mom gave us the code for the gate, we'll see you in a few minutes." Each twin kissed one side of his cheek and were out of the door,
Marcy was standing, trying not to ask, although she knew deep in her heart who it was from,
"It's something from Beckett," Rick said as he tossed it on the table,
"Rick it came special delivery, aren't you going to read it?" Marcy asked
"Not now, now I have 30 minutes to be alone with you, any ideas," he smiled as she tiptoed up to kiss him sweetly,
TBC