92 Days

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: This is Totally AU; Beckett has left the hospital after her shooting, This describes the activity of each, during those 92 days without contact, both in the hospital and out. It blends some Canon dialog, courtesy of Dust Jackets Dot Com, then goes quickly and completely AU. What were each up to during this time, 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.

**************************************************************************/

Chapter 4

Beckett Presbyterian Hospital

Day 13-20, Kate's POV

The next week, proved to be painful for Kate, her therapy kicked into the next level, and Bella wouldn't let her whine, not even for a second.

"Beckett, you don't know how good you got it, even with the bullet wound healing in your chest. I understand your partner knocked you out of the way, or just enough to throw off the sniper's intended target. You're fortunate, those guys don't miss, ever, so you owe your life to the man who dove at you like that."

"I know you're right Bella, and I'm sorry for the first impressions but it seemed like I couldn't get any information, my cheating ex-boyfriend was the surgeon on call when I arrived in ER Surgery, until he handed it off to Dr. Kovacs, and well, some other stuff as well.

"I know all of the nurses hate me and are counting the days until my discharge to rehab," Kate said, a frank open honest conversation she had learned that was the only way to communicate with Bella.

"Well, you're not wrong, and can you blame them? I won the pool guessing when you would leave we had, by the way, you're being discharged on Friday of this week to your Father's care.

"I take it you think it's a good idea to go off to a remote location over 55 miles from the nearest Trauma Center. It's your life Beckett, I wouldn't if I were you, the added security that Mr. Castle has added can only do so much when you are out in the open like that." Bella said,

"Added security? What added security, where?" Kate asked, shocked first at the mention of Castle's name, then that he had added security to keep watch over her? That was news to her, how dare he, who the hell did he think he was, she was pissed,

"Well, since you're about as observant as you are kind to those who try to save your life, you had to notice the guys on chairs sitting outside your door, when we went for your walks.

"How did you think you got this VIP Private Room? This isn't covered by insurance paid for by the NYPD, no matter how good a cop you are, I have you know. Castle is footing the bill not only for security for you but also your father." Bella said

"Since when?" Kate barked out

"Since your Captain pulled the regular NYPD off your case, they were needed for crowd control at a rally, so Castle brought in his chief of security and he's handled it since you were still in ICU. It seems like Castle cared more about you and your family than you idiotic Captain did." Bella said, she never was shy in sharing her opinions on anything.

"What day is today Bella?" she asked, seeming confused, for a moment,

"It's Monday, you know that,"

"No, no, of course I know it's Monday, what is today's date?" she asked

"Today's the 23rd, why do you ask?" Bella asked,

"Please hand me my cell phone, I think it's all charged up," Kate asked,

"It is, that was one thing you screamed at Molly about the last day she took care of you, you wanted to know what gave her the right to touch your belongings when all she did was place it on the charger, then you got me" Bella smiled a satirical smile, almost evil in some ways,

"Aren't I the lucky one," Kate mumbled under her breath, "I heard that Beckett, don't make the last week I am graced to be your nurse the one from HELL for yourself, your mouth is going to get you into trouble if it hasn't already?" Bella snapped back, as she tossed her the phone.

Kate quickly looked at the messages, and the call history, hell, Shit Damn, she had been shot on the 2nd, she saw him on the 5th, it was now the 22nd, and there were tons of messages, from everyone, everyone but the one she was hoping to see. Rick Castle had disappeared, or so it appeared. Isn't that what she had told him, she would call him? Damn it, anyway.

She pressed his speed dial number fully expecting to hear either his bubbly voice or that voice mail that told people, they were a lucky guy to have reached him. She sat quietly as she listened, she heard neither of what she had hoped for. Instead, she heard;

"You've reached the voice mail of Richard Castle, I'm sorry I will be unavailable for the considerable future. If you need to leave a message for me, please contact my publicist, Paula Haas at 555-4547 or 555-8500,

"I'm sorry, but I won't be available for extended periods of time, please direct any questions to Paula Thanks," then she heard the words and music You can't Hide You Lying Eyes, his message concluded, and the dial tone was heard.

What the hell did that mean? What was a considerable amount of time? A week, a month, a year, what the hell was going on and why hadn't anyone told her anything?

She hung up and called the landline, only to hear Alexis's voice, so bubbly and full of cheer,

"Hi, you've reached the Castle residence. If you're calling for Alexis, leave a message or call me on my cell phone, I'll be in Europe for the next 9 weeks. If you're calling for Grams, leave a message and good luck, she never checks the machine, and if you're calling for Rick Castle, call Paula Haas, for anything resembling an emergency. Thanks for calling, Cheers!"

Alexis was in Europe? Martha, well no one knew where Martha went in normal times, but now even Alexis had left the instructions to call Paula. Of the two women Gina and Paula, she knew Paula detested her more, so she pressed the contact number she had saved for Gina.

"Gina Cowell speaking, how can I help you" came the staccato business-like voice of Gina from her office number,

"Hi Gina, it's Kate, eh Kate Beckett, from the 12th precinct, I was"

"Hi Kate, it's good to hear you've recovered and are well enough to call, but if you're looking for any information about Rick, you're going to have to talk to Paula. We haven't spoken since he walked out of that meeting to come to see you that morning about two to three weeks ago. He left the entire meeting room full of decision-makers to deal with Paula or his attorney, and well, they weren't too happy with either of us." She said, still angry that he had walked out,

"Oh, I didn't know, I'm sorry, I don't know why he would do that Gina, I mean it wasn't like I was going anywhere" Kate tried to downplay it,

"Oh, give me a break Kate, did you forget that I have to edit those fucking love letters he writes to you disguised as Jameson and you Nikki? Your father apparently had called him the evening before and said you asked him to call to get Rick down for a visit.

"Well, at 8:37 AM on the dot, he left, a room completely full of people who can make or break him as a writer, just to see you at 9:00 AM as your Dad said was usually your best time.

"Oh, and he didn't tell me any of this, I got it from Alexis after he came home from a five-minute meeting with you and went to his office for the rest of the day. She knew he was up to something, but she didn't know what, so I guess Paula is your best bet." Gina was still upset with him, and from the tone of her voice somehow, she had placed some blame on her as well.

"Gina, I did ask Dad to call Rick, but I never told him a time, and well, I got very tired when he was here, and he left, I promised to call him, and now I just get his voice mail." Kate tried to give her the sob story,

"WHEN was this, Kate? Gina asked flat out.

"I'm sorry, what Gina?" Kate tried to play it cool, but the editor had seen enough of her own interrogations to know when she was stalling,

"It's a simple question Kate, when did you tell him you would call him in a few days?" Gina spelled it out more clearly,

"Actually, I just looked, it was a little over a week ago," Kate lied,

"Try again Kate, how long has it really been? And before you think about lying again, I know it has to be over two weeks ago. The meeting he rushed out of was originally scheduled for the 3rd of the month, the normal day every month, but was pushed back to the 5th, something that rarely occurs. So again, when did you last see or speak to Rick?" Gina pressed,

"Well, I guess, it was the 5th, I really have lost all track of time during this stay in this damn hospital," Kate whined,

"Apparently," Gina huffed, "Today is the 22nd, and you're just getting around to thinking about returning a call to your 'partner', Gina accentuated the last word,

"Gina, you don't understand, I mean, I was shot, my whole world got turned upside down, I mean I don't remember a lot of things that happened," She tried, to whine her way,

"Who the hell do you think was there at the hospital, picking up Alexis as she fell apart to see her father so beaten down that he let your Doctor boyfriend shove him into a wall hard enough to crack a rib, and cause a concussion?

"That was after watching him hurl his body in front of yours trying to take you bullet, Beckett, yours. She's 16 years old, younger than you were when you lost your Mom, how do you think she's feeling now?

"You probably never saw it Kate, but in reality, meaning any place you're not, Rick can defend himself very well and would have broken the doctor's jaw. This time he took it because he was your doctor who saves lives, while Rick makes pancakes, and you both made him feel like this entire ordeal, you, Roy, the whole mess was his fault.

"His thoughts now are that if he hadn't started with Nikki Heat, which I remind you is supposed to be fictitious, or following you, none of this would have happened. Mayor Weldon even called him, told him how he had reviewed your files and you were working your mom's case off-grid, so nothing was his fault. "He didn't believe perhaps the closest thing in life he ever had as a sibling. No, you guys did a number on him, his guilt is so enormous now, he's walking away from the next contract." Gina finally took a breath, she had her say, and Kate regretted calling the once Mrs. Castle.

"Well, I didn't even realize that it had been over two weeks since I saw him, I mean" Kate started with her excuses but was abruptly cut off by his ex-wife who wasn't hearing any of the bullshit.

"Yeah, Yeah, we all know how busy people lying in hospital beds are Beckett, save it for Rick, he might believe you, but I don't think so. It's been 17 almost 18 days since he's heard from you, and I can tell you this, he's not in New York, drinking himself into oblivion, waiting for a call.

"Rick had a life BEFORE you Detective, and he's been through enough heartache to survive another. He'll be OK, but as for the partnership, well, I sincerely doubt that he sees it as anything more than it was to you, a nuisance forced on you by the upper brass." Gina almost ridiculed her,

"Well, I guess, I should try Paula, thanks for your time Gina," Kate got out in a professional tone,

"Good luck with the Bronx Terror, if you think for one minute, she's going to cut you any slack because you're still in the hospital, you may want to change into your big girl underwear. She will fight ANYONE, and I do mean anyone she feels that has wronged Rick. I've had my skirmishes with her, and Detective, don't lie to her, she'll eat you alive." The next sound Kate heard was a dial tone, indicating Gina had hung up.

Bella walked back into her room just then, it was time for more therapy, and she wasn't about to argue with this beast of a lady, she'd call Paula later. Maybe she would have a better story concocted to explain her non-contact with her partner.

XxX

Kimpton Everly Hotel, Los Angeles

Evening Day 7 (Days, 7-12)

7:00 PM

Rick had a banquet table set up for the people who had committed to coming from the studio, plus had added space for ten more, just in case. The highlight of his evening came when shortly after Eva and the troop marched in and greeted him with hugs and kisses, European style, a surprise guest showed up.

Rick had sent the limos back to the studio and provided transportation for all coming, Eva had stepped up and coordinated everyone, something Rick noted. She needed to be thanked if this picture was going to be a success. Just as he had finished gently sliding her chair in from behind, as gentlemen do, he heard a familiar voice.

"Rick, Sweetie, Rick Castle" he turned to look and there she was just as beautiful as always, it was Ellie Monroe,

"Hi Ellie, I see you found us, please join us for dinner," Rick said, as the group witnessed a woman tossing herself into his arms, and kissing him like a shot in a porno movie.

He kissed her back gently, and whispered, "Not in public, time for this later, and we need to talk" so low only she could hear, she straightened her clothes and allowed him to assist her in seating.

"Well, Rick as I said you and Ellie know each other, to the remainder of the group, this is Ellie Monroe. We have a table read scheduled with her tomorrow at 8:00 AM, so ALL principals are required," among a chorus of groans,

"Look guys, this is Roy's project, I'm just here to help where I can, but we're going to have some good and some bad days, hang with us, I promise I'll make it worth it," Rick said with his smile, big,

"Rick, how have you been, are you out here for the project alone, or"

"I'm alone Ellie, we can catch up with private details after dinner. Are you still interested in the lead as Nikki for the movie? Eva's in charge of that, I think I can add my input, but I'll warn you, if you take the role be prepared to work, I mean really work.

"We've replaced the lead once, I'll do it again, just so we get off on the right foot," Rick said, not in an unkind way, but in a manner that let everyone around the table know, the picture was moving forward with the best effort from everyone.

"Well, as you know Ellie, we had the discussion on how it basically came down to a coin flip, that's how close our decision was, so if you still want the part, we can talk after dinner to get things finalized with your manager and agent" Eva smiled, letting her know she wasn't going to have a full evening with Rick alone, not until the work was done.

"Of course, I still want the part, it's even better now that Rick will be out here, at least for a little while. I'll prove you were both right this time Eva, Rick, I swear, I know I can handle this role." She said, much more sincerely,

"Great, and yes Ellie, it's great to see you again, we just need to take care of business. A lot of people, me included have a lot at stake in this project, so I'm glad you and Eva will get things finalized tonight." Rick said, as he started them toward the food tables, where if you wanted it, it was there, regardless of cuisine.

When they all had finished eating there appeared that the food hadn't been touched, Eva made a comment, "You know Rick, it's a shame to waste so much food"

He smiled, "Oh it's not being wasted, there are three shelters and a soup kitchen that the staff is going to deliver it to, the Asian food will go to the predominately Asian area of town, but they all will eat good tonight. I hope everyone here has enjoyed the dinner, it's just a thank you for sticking with the project. We'll have more, but now we need to make up some time so Roy won't stress out when he returns," Rick laughed,

After a brief period of after-dinner coffee and a few drinks the crowd started to disperse, again the Limo took them back to the studio to retrieve their transportation. Rick met with Eva quickly and just told her, to not go above a certain percentage of the salary. He knew of Ellie's agent and his reputation was prepared to offer a contract to the next in line than to get steamrolled by a greedy agent.

"Rick, are you going to have any free time at all, I know we didn't part on exactly the best of terms, but, well, I would like to apologize," Ellie said to him,

"I'm sure, I will Ellie, no apologies needed, seriously, but just a word of caution, tell your agent to take the deal as it's written or I'll have the next actress in here before the table read tomorrow at 8:00 AM. I know his reputation, and we're making you a fair, actually quite a generous offer. Don't let him screw this up for you, I'll see you in the morning, I hope." Rick said as he kissed her cheek and was gone.

Eva was very impressed with Rick, not only for his business skills but also for him wanting to help the unfortunate, yeah, she smiled to herself he's going to make a positive impact on this film.

"Well, Ellie, shall we, I have arranged a conference call with your Agent, lawyer, and manager for 10:30 PM via Skype so we can take the call from my room here. I'm on the floor below Rick" she smiled, letting Ellie know that someone else had also set their sights on the handsome writer, turned producer, and well, whatever he was doing on the film.

Rick was in his room, texting Alexis back, showing her some of the cast of the upcoming movie, and trading little GIF files with her when he received a text from Eva,

"Contracts signed, sealed delivered, good to go Boss" Eva

"Did you have any problems with management?" he replied,

"Before the meeting started, Ellie told them to shut up, no games, no hostage negotiations, just that she really wanted this film, they could agree or she was going to fire them on the spot." Followed by a big emoji smile and then "I wonder why" LOL

"No worries, as long as we took care of that, Roy won't have a heart attack on Monday" Rick texted back,

Then added another line, "Thanks for all of your work coordinating this tonight, when Roy comes back, we're going to take care of you stepping up, I appreciate it and I don't forget, Sleep Well,"

"Oh, I will, Rick, you've eased my mind considerably, Sleep well yourself, Eva,

"See you at 8:00, RC" then the texts stopped,

She smiled it was a great beginning and truth be told she had wanted Ellie all along, and now well, things were looking up. She only hoped he had the time to spend with them until they could get the film shot, he was a problem solver.

TBC