A Deadly Game and a Secret

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: This is one story I've seen requested but never read a completed fic before. Rick has been recalled to active duty; the Hamptons are just his guise to hide the true story. The only ones who know the truth are Gina and Roy. Based loosely off 2-24, A Deadly Game, for the beginning then completely AU.

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

Chapter 7

Beckett's Apartment

6 Weeks Later

/_/

Lanie stumbled to her couch as she connected Gina, and ended the call with Kate,

"Hi Gina, please give me some good news, please. The clips they showed, well, I'm scared as hell, and it takes a lot to frighten me," Lanie whined into the phone,

"Well, Lanie, he's alive, damn fool was hit before he dropped his cargo, and still carried out the mission. He lost a lot of blood, and the doctor I talked to said it was a miracle he didn't pass out from blood loss. They got him to a MASH hospital, and treated the most serious injuries, he was hit in four places, one in his right arm that severed a tendon. One in the shoulder that went through I think you call it"

"It's called a through and through Gina, how bad is the arm, they aren't trying to repair it in a field hospital are they?"

"No, they are stabilizing him to be transported to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, they have already called in the top surgeon to repair the tendon, and remove another bullet lodged in his shoulder, they said he was leaning down when the bullets came through his plane or it would have been a direct hit, to his head and he would be dead." With those words, Gina began to cry,

"Hey, hey, Gina, it's OK, I mean it's better than it could have been. You know Rick better than anyone, he's tough, he'll pull through this." Lanie said, trying to pump up the ex-wife of the man she had just declared her feelings about to her best friend.

"Yeah, he is Lanie, but I can't be with him this time, not without us telling Alexis what's going on, and he would be very upset if I didn't follow my plans and visit her for the month. She's looking forward to seeing me, and I know I can't let on that her Dad is injured or we'll be on a plane flying to him, she will mess up her future. As much as I want to be there, I can't so I need a favor" she said between sobs,

"A favor Gina? What kind of a favor" Lanie asked trying to hold in her own tears

"Lanie, I'm a woman, I see how you look at Rick, I've seen you take a step back to allow Kate an opportunity to at least show some interest, all the while you looking like a fractured doll. I know Kate's your friend, but I also know you have feelings for Rick, more than just that of a dear friend. I see how you look at him, and really, I don't blame you. He's a wonderful man." Gina said, as Lanie grabbed the tissue box and dabbed her eyes, she was tough, she wasn't going to cry.

"You aren't wrong Gina, I didn't know it was so obvious, but it's hard to see him treated the way he was treated when all he ever did was try to make her life better. I talked to Kate about this already, and told her, well it was a bit of a lie, but I told her about how I felt and that I already had your blessing. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that," Lanie's voice cracked,

"Lanie, you DO have my blessing, that's part of the favor I'm going to ask, and if you can't I'll understand, I'll just have to figure out some alternative plan," Gina said,

"I do?" She swallowed hard; the tears were falling but she tingled knowing now that Gina did approve of her going after Rick.

"You do Lanie, the favor is this, Rick is going to need someone with him, he's had a history of night terrors we worked through the first two years of our marriage, and well he already asked me to call the doctor so I know he's starting to have them again. You're a doctor, even without privileges in the hospital, you'll know if they are treating him right. At least until we can get him back stateside and into Walter Reid, then we can take turns visiting him, I know it's a lot to ask bu:

"What time does the plane leave Gina; I can be packed in two hours. Are you sure you want me to be with him during this time, I mean,"

"Lanie, I think deep inside of him he has a soft spot for you as well, he talks about you more than anyone but the detective, and well, RCE, (Richard Castle Enterprises) will cover all the costs, including your loss of wages, I don't want you to lose your job, so"

"Gina, I applied for four months of FMLA family leave when my Aunt got sick, it was approved but unfortunately she didn't last the week. If we have any problems taking that leave, I'm sure Bob Weldon can change some administrator's mind, with just one phone call. As I said when does the plane leave?" Lanie repeated, already out of the building and on her way home.

"Well, I can't thank you enough, Rick, well, people think he doesn't have feelings, but really he's very sensitive, and I know waking up in a strange hospital, thousands of miles from home, God only knows what he remembers, but I know the night terrors were present last time. All they did was prescribe"

"Pills, lazy bastards" Lanie interrupted, "they should never have let him go until the source and a treatment plan had been developed. I'm in a cab now on my way home, so just text me the flight information when you get it, Gina, and thank you for allowing me to be there. This means more to me than you know." Lanie got out as a tear fell from her eye and rolled down her cheek,

"Of course, Lanie, it was either you or in last resort I would have eaten my pride and called Kate, but I'm not sure if Rick would welcome her, or it would do more damage. Thank you, I can at least try to put on a good front for Alexis. Please,"

"Gina, I promise I'll text you updates as soon as I get them, and you can call me at this number anytime," Lanie said,

"Thanks, Lanie, but what I was going to say is that there will be a special satellite phone delivered to your home shortly, it's to be used for communication about Rick only, we have to keep this out of the press. I'm sure his fans would consider him a hero, something Rick never wanted" Gina said quietly,

"Very well, Gina, I'll follow whatever instruction that is required, you're right, Rick would be pissed if people really knew just what a man he was. I'm going to have to call Kate, she was on the other line when you rang, so how much can I tell her?" Lanie asked,

"Well, she's seen the clip and knows he's been shot, I guess swear her to secrecy and tell her you'll be with him, but please don't mention the night terrors. Rick was embarrassed just telling the therapist when we finally went. He doesn't want anyone to consider him weak or a pitiful Marine. He took his oath, and his service very seriously, and I don't want to spoil anything for him" Gina said,

"Don't worry Gina, I have a cover story for anyone at the precinct that tries to find out any information. I'm going to talk to Roy, to be sure it is sealed tight. As for everyone there, I'm on FMLA for a family member, out of town, no other information need be shared" She said,

"Thanks, Lanie, I don't know what I would do without you being by his side, I still love him, God I tried not to, but I do, and well, if you can chase his fascination for the detective away, I'm sure you will make him very happy. Alexis already adores you, that's a battle you won't have to fight, unlike the detective." She said as Lanie's cab was pulling up in front of her building.

"I'm home Gina, text me the information, and well, I guess, I have to call Kate back and let her know what's going on after I swear her to secrecy. Then I'll call Roy, and make sure nosey Nellie Esposito doesn't go snooping like he always does." Lanie said as she heard a slight laugh from Gina,

"OK Lanie, I'll talk to you later." As the phone disconnected. Lanie paid the fare and went up to her apartment knowing the call she was about to make was going to break Kate's heart, but she didn't volunteer, it was Gina's idea and she couldn't say no to anything Rick needed.

She didn't want to prolong it, she had told Kate she would call her back as soon as she found out some information, so no time like the present.

She pressed the speed dial number for her friend and heard her frantic voice before the phone had completed one full ring.

"Lanie, what's going on, he's OK, isn't he? He has to be OK, tell me what you found out." Kate was panicking

"OK, Kate, slow down, slow down, take a couple of deep breaths, he's alive, and once you're calm, I'll tell you what's going on." Lanie said in a firm voice, then "Breathe with me Kate, in, hold it, let it out, now another, keep breathing deep Kate, once you're calm enough, we'll talk." Lanie held the power so Kate did as she was told, the deep breathing to calm her, and soon she said,

"OK Lanie, you said he was alive, so that's good. How badly is he injured?" Kate asked,

"It's bad Kate, I'm not going to kid you. They had the meatball surgeons at a MASH hospital stabilize him, then he was flown to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. He was shot four times, one through and through, two were removed by the MASH surgeons.

"One is still lodged in his chest, close to the aorta wall, and will require a Cardiothoracic Surgeon and a damn good one to remove it. One slip and Rick could bleed out, so I'm not going to sugar coat this for you, it's very bad. One actually tore the tendon in his right arm and will have to be re-grafted by a specialist they have already have in-flight there. It's similar to the baseball surgery that Tommy John had some years back" Lanie almost whispered, trying to keep her emotions in check.

"God, Lanie, the report didn't come close to describing injuries that severe, what the hell happened," Kate asked, trying to hold back tears,

"From what Gina can put together, he had the dogfight with the other F-15 plane, was wounded, and still carried out his mission and dropped the two bombs. Early intel says they estimate 30 high-ranking Taliban officials to have been killed in the strike.

"Rick was leaning down or over when he was hit with the enemy fire, or they said it would have been a direct hit to his head and doubtful he would have survived. He was lucky to get back to base and land before he passed out from blood loss, plus he did it all with one hand" Lane said as Kate burst into tears,

Lanie waited until Kate composed herself and then said in a tone that Kate knew wouldn't be good news for her, "Kate, about Rick, we really need to talk, and I don't want to do it over the phone. I know what I tell you will upset you, so I can be at your place in less than twenty minutes if you're free." Lanie said,

"Lanie we can talk over the phone I mean how bad can it be, after hearing the terrible news about Rick," she said and was greeted with silence on Lanie's end until finally, she said, "See you in twenty minutes, Lanie, I'll have a pot of coffee ready" and hung up.

XxX

Lanie knew this news was going to knock Kate for a loop, sure she had told her when he was home, she was going after him, but she didn't think Kate took her seriously. Perhaps she thought all she had to do was bat her eyes, dress in a skirt with a long slit and pay him some compliments and he would come running as he usually did. She knew this news would reset her expectations, and perhaps their friendship.

She climbed the stairs, thinking about the words Roy had said on her way over. "I've already talked to Gina, Lanie, anything you need, Weldon and I are behind you. I've got a special assignment for Esposito that's going to keep him out of the office and away from any rumors that may get started, so take care of him, please" His request was the most passionate she had ever heard Roy speak, and made her feel good that she had his and the Mayor's support. Now to the matter at hand, oh God, this is going to be tough,

She barely appeared at Kate's door, raised her hand to knock and the door flung open with Kate hugging her. "I'm here Kate, look let's go inside so we can talk, I really don't have a lot of time," she said once Kate composed herself.

They walked to her small kitchen table, and Kate poured the coffee without a word spoken, so Lanie allowed her to set the pot back on the burner then started,

"Kate, I have to tell you something, you may hate me for, but please listen before you jump to conclusions. Rick is in critical condition, the last time something like this happened Gina sat by his bed for two weeks, and she's afraid some of his old injuries are going to interfere with his current treatment. There's no easy way to say this, so she asked and I agreed to take FMLA to go and be with him.

"I know this is going to be tough for you," as she searched her friend's face for any sign of emotion, her eyes deceived the stone face she had painted on. She was hurt, deeply hurt, Lanie could tell.

"Look, Kate, I can't get into everything but Gina explained to me what happened last time, and she wants to avoid the same results this time, that's all I can say about that." She said, wondering how much did she sound like Forrest Gump with her last words, "that's all I have to say about that".

"Well, it may be a dumb question Lanie, but why you? Why not Gina? Why not Paula? I mean I know you love him, but when he left your status was just as a friend," Kate choked out,

"What you really wanted to ask Kate, was why not you? I asked Gina the same question and she said she couldn't trust you, and she wasn't sure how forgiving Rick would be to let you in on his background. Especially as much as you have kept him in the dark about anything that happened to you before you met him.

"You never really explained Sorensen, but the one that really bothered him was he knew you were in love with Mike Royce, your old TO, and he also knew you weren't over him when you two were in Los Angeles. You fed him enough information to answer the current question, but nothing more. Kate, he's going to need someone he can trust in the next several weeks, perhaps months, and you have to believe me, I didn't ask, I WAS asked." Lanie said, quietly,

"I believe you, Lanie, I do, and as strange as it sounds, I understand Gina not trusting me, but why isn't she the one going?" Kate asked again,

"Because she was already committed to spending one month with Alexis at her Student Exchange Program in Europe, and she knows Alexis will chuck everything and fly to her Dad's side if she finds out. That would really hurt Rick, he worked so hard to keep his background, just that, the background since he never bragged once about the medals he's received, not even to that pussy Demming." Lanie spat out the last part, she detested the former robbery detective and had told Kate to quit using him to hurt Rick.

"Well, when do you leave?" Kate asked, her stone face remained but her eyes were on the verge of bursting open a barrage of tears.

"Gina is making the arrangements and will text me once they are final, Kate, I don't need to tell you this."

"I know, I know, no one can know about this, especially the boys. I know Espo will be the nosey Nellie and try to check out things on the side" she said,

"Well, I guess I better get home and finish packing, so I'll let you know as much as I can when I can. Kate, I'm sorry you're hurting, this isn't the way I planned it, any more than you. I know you're hurt at me, hell maybe even pissed, but I'm sorry. Rick needs someone, and if Gina thinks that is me, then so be it, I'm going to be there for him like he's been for all of us." She said, lowering her head a bit,

Kate pulled her into a hug, "Sure it hurts Lanie, but I've got no one to blame but me. Do me a favor will you, tell Rick, I really am sorry, and if he did read the letter I sent, I meant every word of it. Take care of yourself, and him. PLEASE, Lanie, keep me informed, I'm about to go crazy over here, wondering and of course the worst-case scenarios always come to my mind." She said, a tear escaping down her face,

"I will Kate, I promise. I'll talk to you soon, OK? Try not to worry, I'll get you an update just as soon as I can" she said as she pulled out of the hug Kate had pulled her into.

Just then her phone buzzed with a text from Gina, the flight left tonight at 9:13 PM out of a military base, in New Jersey. The limo would pick her up at 6:30 PM, she showed Kate the text then said,

"I really got to run, I'll be in touch, I promise" and down the stairs, she went. Kate stumbled back inside her apartment, feeling more lost and lonelier now than she had since her mom was killed. She picked up the little teddy bear, and fell across her bed again, no one else to talk to, she talked to the stuffed animal until she cried herself to sleep.

TBC