Actions Have Consequences or Rewards.

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: This is Totally AU; Beckett has found a new love, Castle is hiding a deadly secret, Takes place after the punch to the stomach in Headhunters.

Taking Literary License to fill in the blanks.

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

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

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Chapter 3

Presbyterian Hospital

VIP Suite, Immediately Following Doctor Visit.

Rick had rolled toward the wall, away from Beckett, for a few reasons. One, he didn't want her to see the tears in his eyes, and secondly, why should he think that she would show anything but sympathy, or pity towards him, something he never wanted. He never wanted to be pitied by anyone, not even growing up tough and lean on the streets of New York. He never asked for or accepted anything that he hadn't earned.

He was going to collect himself, then talk to Alexis and his mother on a skype call, maybe he would include Gina since she did have a business risk if he didn't make it. Cancer, no matter what the doctors say, was so much different when it's you on the receiving end of the news. The next big decision he would need to make was who to name as his Medical POA, Kate was only here now because he had been lax in removing her name from the records. She had her new love, and once again he was inconveniencing her.

He had done a ton of research on various types of cancer, none was used in his books, turned out the fans prefer someone getting blown to pieces rather than lying, rotting away as the disease takes control of the body. Was that his fate? Had he screwed over the universe that badly to deserve that kind of fate, his mind wondered. His worst-case scenarios flooded his mind as the drugs finally pulled him under to sleep, something he hadn't gotten the past two nights.

Kate sat quietly, just holding on to his hand, the only part she could reach, now that he had turned his back to her. It was almost as if he was turning his back on any possibility of joy with her, hell why shouldn't he?

Her mind was flooded with thoughts, first of her loss, what the hell was she going to do without him? Why hadn't she ever told him just how important he was, is, and that he would be her forever? WHY, damn it WHY? Rick was the most giving person in the world, there was never anyone who was in need that he hadn't made a difference in their lives. Oh God, this news was going to devastate Alexis, and Martha, as well as Gina, and Paula.

Then they turned to anger, Hell No, cancer wasn't going to take him away from her, not now, not ever. It was a killer disease, but she would fight it until her last breath, she had to have Rick in her life, that much she was sure of, more than ever.

God, she needed to talk, to tell someone, Lanie, no wait. This is Rick's story to tell, to whom, and only when or if he feels like it. She remembered how she had screamed at him that he didn't get to make decisions for her, that it was her life, not his, those words were coming back to bite her in the ass now.

She laid her head on the bed, still holding tight to Rick's hand, and cried quietly until she must have dozed off. The next thing she realized was that someone was gently shaking her, she opened her eyes to see Carrie, the sweet nurse in the purple scrubs.

"Kate, you're going to hurt your neck and back like that, I have to get Mr. Castle's permission but I can move a bed into the room for you, that is if you want and he approves the request?" She turned a little red, as she asked the question, almost as if she wanted to know if they were sleeping together outside of the hospital.

"Thanks, Carrie, I never intended to doze off, how long was I out?" as she glanced at her phone, she realized it had been almost three hours. She had several missed calls, and three texts from Paul, oh God, what the hell was she going to do about Paul?

"It's been a while, Kate, I'm getting ready to go off shift, but Franny is coming on to relieve me. Just a warning, she's probably the biggest fangirl of us all in the hospital, so don't take anything she says personally, she's just direct.

"I mean, when she says she loves Rick, she loves him, but there's never been anything more than Rick surprising her for her birthday last year with a trip home to California on his private jet to see her Mom who was ill.

"She spent two weeks there, and had only been home a few days when the word came, she had passed. Rick handled payment for the funeral, and transportation for any out-of-town relative, needless to say, all of us fell in love with him just a little more, even the married girls." She smiled,

"Yeah, it's hard not to love Rick, I guess you'd have to be a real Bitch, or have ice water in your veins not to see how special he is to so many people," Kate said, more to herself than Carrie, as she looked at the floor.

"Kate, Franny will be in checking his bandages and it'll take some time, so now is a good time for you to go get something to eat or drink. The cafeteria is open for another two hours so you still have a shot at getting something there that won't have you in our ER within the hour" she smiled,

"Carrie, I don't want to leave him, I mean, he was alone when he passed out at home, then the bozo took a shower and was going to a meeting with his publisher, I mean, what if"

"Kate, he's in the best place, those machines aren't just here to look scary, they actually let us know when something is wrong, so go, get something to eat, stretch your legs, and return some of the calls. Your phone was constantly buzzing every time I checked on you, and Rick" she said,

Unaware to Either Carrie, or Kate

Rick was awake, and had been since before Carrie came in to wake Kate, lying perfectly still, facing the wall, not ready to face her. He too had felt and heard her phone buzzing like crazy, probably her lover wanting to know where she was.

There was no need for her to be his nursemaid she had her life, one that she chose that didn't include him. He didn't need her to stay because of guilt or pity, as soon as she returned, he was going to tell her. He really couldn't deal with her on top of everything else that had happened in the last 36 hours. He had to determine the best way to tell Alexis and Mother.

"OK, I do need to return some calls, and I'm not hungry, but I know Rick will ask me when he wakes up, he always does. I'll get something light to eat, or he'll be upset, and I can surely go for a good cup of coffee now" she replied as she released his hand gently onto the bed and stood to go.

"I won't argue about your coffee comment, the other is debatable. They do brew great coffee, and it turns over so fast it's always fresh. I'll introduce you to Franny, and then I'm headed home. Kate, he's in great hands, try not to worry, please?" she implored as she motioned for a shorter brunette nurse in yellow scrubs to come over.

"Franny, this is Detective Kate Beckett I was telling you about, she's Mr. Castle's Medical POA, so she's calling the shots if he can't. I've convinced her to go get something to eat, and let you do your thing with the bandages, but I wanted her to meet you." Carrie said,

"Hi Detective Beckett, you have nothing to worry about, Rick's in great hands, I promise you I won't let anything happen to my favorite person in the world." She smiled; Kate extended her hand to accept her handshake.

Favorite person in the world eh, that could mean a lot of things, with different contexts, she thought, instant jealously streaking through her. Wait, let it go, Kate, he's not yours, she had to tell herself.

"That's great to hear, I won't be long, my phone number is on the whiteboard on the wall, if you need me for anything," she said, trying to remain calm and neutral, after all, she had a lover, she hadn't even officially kissed Rick yet.

"Kate, please give me at least thirty to forty minutes, we need to change the bed, his bandages, monitor his vital signs, and I know just how shy Rick is around people, so please allow us, eh, me time to do my job right" She smiled, but Kate could tell there was some steam coming from behind those emerald eyes, sometimes appearing as blue, other times as green eyes. Regardless of the color, she was very protective of Rick.

Kate left the room, shooting one more glance at the still motionless Rick, lying in the same spot that he had been. It was almost like he could feel her eyes upon him, once she had reached the elevators headed down to the cafeteria, he turned over and smiled at a beaming Franny.

"So, how long were you awake, Rick? I take it you didn't want her to know everything, you may have pulled it off with her, but I know how to read your monitors. So, are you gonna level with me, or do I have to form my own back story?" She smiled as she leaned over and kissed his forehead briefly.

"Never could fool you, Franny, the official story is she's my partner from the 12th precinct, and we've never dated, hell I kissed her once in an undercover ruse, but other than that, we haven't even held hands, at least before she latched on to mine today as Dr. Poulos was giving me the double shot of good news." He smiled,

"OK, that answers why she shot me the daggers when I asked her to leave, she's got feelings for you, Rick, no woman gets jealous of a man they don't care about." Franny was as bold and frank with her discussion as she always was.

"I think you got that one wrong Franny, she has a lover, one she doesn't think I know about, but hey it's all good. She's just my partner and was the inspiration for Nikki Heat, I mean she's not in love with me, you got that perception all wrong. Somedays I think she can hardly stand me being in the same room with her." He said as she removed the tape from his surgical wound.

"I know this hurts Darlin, hang in there for me, we have to make sure this is clotting properly, and no infection. I think I know now why you wouldn't take things farther with me last year, you're hung up on her." She said, as she winked, and gently cleaned the wound.

"Franny, you were in a state of grief, I would have been an ass to take advantage of that, any man would have been. Look, you're beautiful, young funny, and if you ever got over being so shy about stating your opinions openly, you'd be a hell of a catch" as they both laughed, shy about stating her mind was one thing Franny was not.

"How about 7 months later Rick, I wasn't grieving then, actually I was, I guess I always will, but what about that coffee date we were supposed to have? Oh, I know, I met some jerk and started dating him only to find out he was practically engaged to a cop, not any cop, but your partner.

"Talk about kismet, I know you felt like shit when you had to be the one friend, I had with the courage to tell me, knowing how I would hurt. I owe you so much Rick, first Mom, then saving me from Davidson, let me help this time. Maybe you don't want me the same way as you do Beckett, but let me be there for you this time.

"You know that old song, Lord this time you gave me a mountain, my friend this is more than a mountain you're trying to climb and you're going to need someone with you during your recovery. I promise you after I've helped you kick Cancer's ass, I won't put signs all over that you belong to me.

"You told me the heart wants what the heart wants, right now my heart wants to be your friend and caregiver that you're going to need, so please Rick, think about it." The usual strong and unshakable Franny had tears rolling down her face when she finished. Rick reached over with a tissue, it was the best he could do without his handkerchief, and wiped her tears away gently.

She laughed through her tears, "If you had brought out that damn hankie, I would have kicked your ass for holding out on me" she laughed, then her mouth flew open as she heard Rick say,

"OK, you want to be my caregiver, OK, I accept with conditions. You live in the suite below me, Rent Free, he held his hand up to stop her from talking, you have meals with my family unless you have plans, and you are free to have your life. I can schedule more nurses if needed so you don't kill yourself, and if you ever want to stop, just say so, and we'll make other arrangements.

"Those are my conditions, non-negotiable. Mother and Alexis already know you, and God, that reminds me, I have to tell everyone what's going on. Maybe you can be with me when I do, I mean"

"I'm there Rick. I already told Carrie, that I was taking an LOA (Leave of Absence) to take care of you, even if I had to camp outside your building. Rick, you were there for me, not once but twice, both times I thought I wanted to die every single day I opened my eyes, except I had you to look forward to each day. You helped me more than you'll ever know, so now it's my turn," she wiped her eyes, and kissed his cheek gently, then just said, "Thanks Rick".

"Franny, can you do me a favor tomorrow before you come into work? Can you stop by my loft and pick up my laptop? Eduardo my doorman knows where it is, and will let you in, that is if you can" Rick said, as he gasped in pain, "God that hurts!" he said,

"What hurts Rick, I haven't done anything else, tell me where the pain is," Franny was cool and calm as Rick pointed to the site where the pain was coming from, his stomach regions.

Franny called for a doctor and backup, a few moments later, Rick was being wheeled back into the operating room, he was bleeding internally again, this time, Franny walked him to the doors, holding his hand reassuring him everything was going to be OK, even though she didn't know if they would. The doors closed, and she collapsed against the wall to the floor in tears.

XxX

Hospital Cafeteria

Same Time Frame

Kate checked her phone as she started to eat her grilled chicken salad and enjoy her coffee, she had received four calls and voice mails from Lanie, 9 from Paul, as well as 6 texts asking her what was going on, and to call him as soon as she got the message.

Oh God, she had to call Lanie, she had asked her to keep her informed but again it wasn't her story to tell, it was Rick's. She finished her meal, and dialed Lanie, hoping to catch her outside the earshot of Esposito, God love him, but the man couldn't get a secret to save his life. The phone rang once, twice, and on the third time, Lanie answered,

"Kate, I'm glad you called, how are things going over there?" she said in a panicked voice

"Not good Lanie, you know HIPPA better than I do, so I can't give you details but Rick is very sick. I'm not sure how he wants the message conveyed, but he's resting in his room now, after surgery to fix the internal bleeding. That much the boys already knew from being here, the rest I wish I could tell you"

"Kate, Kate, KATE, she finally yelled, SLOW DOWN, BREATHE, it was almost like Beckett was having a panic attack, finally several minutes later she heard the rhythm of a normal breathing pattern.

"OK, start slow, don't forget to breathe, and just tell me what you can, don't violate Rick's HIPPA rights, they were enacted for good reasons.

Kate told her how she had held his hand throughout the visit from the doctor, how he had just turned to the wall, and tried to pull away, and then fell asleep when the medications took effect. She even confessed to Lanie about laying her head on the bed and crying softly till she dozed off,

"Girl, you got it bad. Look, as I told you before, he's in the perfect place for whatever the medical reason is, he'll receive fantastic care. YOU have to remember that when you go spaz and lose your cool, you're a distraction, not a help. If you can't keep it together for yourself, then do it for Rick. Think of everything he's done for you, and just do this for him. It's not much to ask, Kate."

"Lanes, thanks I know, I get it, and I'll remember that, I promise I will. I have to return a few more texts and calls, so I better let you go, thanks for understanding, I'll tell you just as soon as I can if Rick doesn't" She said, as she disconnected the call.

She really wasn't in the mood to hear Paul's voice, he hadn't done anything wrong, more like it was her guilt, her shame for tossing Rick's affections to the side. She opened his last text, and typed out a quick response,

"Sorry Paul, my partner's in the hospital, underwent surgery, things still pretty shaky, so I'll call you when I can, and yea, me too" KB

The last few words were for the comment he had made about really having a great time, with her, and no one had satisfied him as she had in quite a long time. She didn't want to think about it now, not when Rick was upstairs dealing with the news he had been dealt. God, she didn't know how she would have reacted to that kind of news, but she was almost positive, it wouldn't have been the strong, cool, collected Rick he always was.

Her phone chimed with an incoming text from Paul, "Sorry to hear about Castle, let me know if I can help and please take care of yourself, I'll talk to you when you're free, stay safe" PG

She had just finished reading the reply when she heard from the overhead loudspeakers, Paging Doctor Poulos, Trauma OR 2, Paging Doctor Zalinski, Trauma OR 2, Paging Doctor Poulos, Trauma OR 2, Paging Doctor Zalinski, Trauma OR 2.

It kept repeating over and over, Kate saw a cafeteria worker,

"Excuse me, what does that page mean, if you may know?" she asked,

"It's when a patient of those doctors has been rushed back into the Operating Room because of some trauma, they always page the original surgeons, then the crisis team," the sweet little lady behind the register said,

Just then Kate heard, "Paging Trauma Team 1, OR 2, STAT, Paging Trauma Team 1, OR 2, STAT, Paging Trauma Team 1, OR 2, STAT," the page was repeated three times, and when it ended Kate remembered,

"Oh my God, that's Rick, Doctor Poulos was his surgeon, as she rushed to the elevator and then when she couldn't wait any longer, removed her heels and ran up the stairwell to his floor. She knew something was wrong the moment the doors to the VIP ward swung open and she saw a very upset Franny, crying and trying to compose herself, two other nurses were kneeling on the ground with her. She pushed past them to open Rick's door, but he wasn't there, the bed was gone,

Kate fainted into the arms of the nurse who was going to ask her why she was in his room,

TBC