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.

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Chapter 12

Beckett Apartment

Days 87

Kate's POV

Kate hadn't slept well her first night back in her old apartment, whether it was the normal noise of the city, when had all that noise become normal, or the trip home from the cabin yesterday with her Dad. She knew that their relationship was in trouble, he wasn't the same Dad he had always been, telling her everything was going to be OK, hell, he barely spoke last evening when he carried her suitcases to her apartment.

She offered to make him something to eat, or a cup of coffee, but he used the excuse of double parking and had a lot of things to do before he was due in Los Angeles, next week. He was in the apartment for less than three minutes, half of that time explaining to her how to use the new remotes for her security system. Lanie had been present when Rick had paid to have cameras, bulletproof glass, and secure doors, installed into her apartment when she was in the hospital.

They had kept her same codes, and there was a note from the installer, codes should be changed frequently and only shared with trusted friends or loved ones. She walked to the door, now sporting a camera where she was able to see the entire hall all the way to the elevator on one side, and the emergency fire stairs on the other.

It beat the hell out of her old standard peephole, which forced her to keep her gun out when she opened the door, only as far as the chain would allow. Now, there was a metal slide, allowing her to accept packages, and letters without opening the door. Anyone with thoughts of kicking in this door would be treated for a broken leg before the door would give.

She had to admit, the noises of the city had spooked her, a car backfired and she was on the ground, her weapon pulled as she peered out from under the table. She had to reacclimate herself to the city, gone were the crickets chirping, she was lucky if she saw a bird, well pigeons were birds she thought, anyway a stark departure from the country.

She stared at the pile of mail on the counter that she had brought up with her last night, too tired or depressed to deal with it then, but now she knew she had to get herself back into a routine. She saw the NYPD doctor this afternoon, something she wasn't looking forward to, but it was part of the requirements of returning to work.

She took her coffee, along with the mail, and sat on her couch, as she began to work through the stack of envelopes, much was junk, had she thought of her final services one publicized on the outside flap, of course, she had, but in the garbage, pile went that letter.

Finally, she got down to the letters of substance, one from the NYPD Union, advising her of her appeal rights, since she had been wounded on the job, actually conducting official police business, her salary continued for up to 20 weeks. She had the right to appeal, if she required more time, as the letter spelled out the process.

Next were the requirements to return, including the contact information for Doctor Carter Burke, the psychologist retained by the NYPD for officers with issues, as well as mental evaluation before being allowed to return to work and carry a firearm. She double-checked her calendar on her phone, she was correct, she was meeting with the good doctor today from 3:00 PM till 5:00 PM, to get his sign-off for her return.

Next, she picked up a letter from a firm whose letterhead she knew, but the handwriting she knew even better, it was her Dad's. She opened the envelope, out floated a one-page letter, and a check, she picked up the letter first. It was formal, typed, almost as if it were a form letter, and was addressed to Ms. Katherine H Beckett, as her eyes traveled down to the bottom of the page, she recognized her Dad's signature, not the one for Dad, the one he used as James H. Beckett, Esquire, Attorney At Law.

She started to read the letter, and it was an award letter for royalties due her for the publication of Nikki Heat. The letter explained that although Black Pawn had not agreed to any payments, RCE President, Richard Castle had ordered her to receive 5% of all royalties and revenue from any Nikki Heat products, films, or books.

The check enclosed was the first installment based on pre-sales of the book, and further checks would be forthcoming for not only the books but also the movie to be premiered on world stages on a date to be announced. The letter closed by advising her to address all questions to Mr. Castle's legal representative, Mr. Beckett, or a member of his firm.

Then the reality of just how far her relationship with her dad had tumbled, smacked her in the face. It was signed in his legal signature he used as an attorney, nothing personal in the entire letter. She glanced at the check, gasped at the amount it was issued for, and set it aside. This is something she didn't want, her dad knew that yet he was the one that countersigned the check as well as signing the letter, she needed to talk to him soon.

XxX

Dr. Burkes Office

3:00 PM

Kate had gone back and forth in how much to tell the psychologist; she wasn't accustomed to sharing private information with many people. She had arrived the half-hour early as instructed to do so and needed every minute of it to complete all of the forms the doctor had in a packet waiting for her arrival. She had expected the typical health questioners, but Dr. Burke took it further, much further, even having her write out in her own words, why she was visiting his office and what her expectations were.

She had to think about that, but finally was honest, when she wrote, "part of the requirement to return to work," and closed her pen, just as the nurse was calling her name.

"Detective, Dr. Burke will see you now," she noticed that there were no names, at least last names uttered in the waiting room, which was good for privacy. She entered a large spacious office, with degrees lining a complete wall, a picture of the late commissioner, with a young Afro-American male with a medal around his neck. She was glancing at the photos so intensively that she never heard the doctor enter.

"Pictures are a great way to assist our brains in recalling memories, good or bad, yet we tend to only keep those that are good, wouldn't you agree, Detective Beckett?" he asked, as she jumped at the sound of his voice,

"Yes, Dr. Burke, I would agree, I know it's that way in my case. I have a special place when I want to see pictures that might bring back sad memories, I don't hide them, I just don't have them out in full array." She said,

"Good afternoon, Detective Becket, I'm Doctor Carter Burke, the psychologist for NYPD who is here not only to as you put to complete the requirement for returning to work, but also to assist you in any issues you may be having. How would you like to be addressed? " he asked in his deep baritone voice, which reminded her of another deep voice, she stopped herself.

"Kate is fine, Doctor, and should I address you as Dr., that's what I typically do, but, eh, I,"

"Oh, you mean the real doctors, such as a family doctor, cardiologist," he laughed, "I assure you the degrees are valid and I'm a real doctor, I just don't apply bandages or hand out lollipops after visits, calling me Doctor or Dr. Burke is fine." He smiled not taking offense at her first awkward statement,

And so, it began the questions, Kate could tell that through his line of questioning that he would have made a great investigator, now all she had to do was remember what she said for the next two hours, then she could get her work release and be out of here, or so she thought.

XxX

Rick's Penthouse/Office

Los Angeles CA

Day 85

Rick's POV

Rick was excited today they would officially place the film in the can, or it would be ready for release. He had watched over every detail and had taken copious notes on what, and why things were done in a certain fashion. Tonight would be the Los Angeles Cast Party, to celebrate, and tomorrow he, Eva, and Gina would return to New York to prepare for the next week's festivities.

Eva would finalize the details for the premier and Gina for the upcoming publicity about Naked Heat. He had a few days off and planned to sneak away to the Hamptons just to let his brain stop thinking almost 24/7. He didn't realize during the previous weeks, but thinking back he had consumed alcohol only at dinners or meetings, and the thoughts that seemed to pop into his head about a certain detective had ceased, hell he couldn't remember when the last occurrence had plagued him.

He was sure that Jim would catch hell about the check, but it was the right thing to do, she was free to gamble it, throw it out the window, or hopefully invest it for her retirement. He knew she wouldn't ever be homeless, but who couldn't afford to be more comfortable, especially when it came to your financial planning.

The one rule that he had placed on Jim when he hired him was that he hired James Beckett, Attorney at law, not the Beckett family and expected to only discuss issues of those not in Los Angeles as they were required, in other words, let Kate live her life with her Doctor who was taking care of her as she convalesced.

Jim had informed him that she planned to return to the city in two days, so he contacted his security teams, and advised them, to pull back when she reached her apartment. She hated being babied, or coddled, well, he was done trying to protect her and informed Mike his head of security that they were released from this assignment as soon as she was inside her New York apartment.

He was looking forward to getting back to New York, even for only a short time, Alexis had surprised him and flew out with Gina, but now was off again at some other event. He had almost come to grips that his little girl was going to be gone from his day-to-day life soon, he needed to find something he was passionate about, and so far, this project had excited him more than he had been in years.

Just as he thought he had all the tasks under control his cell phone rang with a special ring tone, not even bothering to look at the caller ID, he answered, a little frantic,

"What's going on Dylan, where are we at? I know you're not calling me to ask how the weather is my way, you have no idea of where I am at." Rick kidded his friend,

"Oh really, I'm wounded, no wait that's your line, how about I just wound you for real," he said, then said, not into the phone but a few steps behind him, "Place your hands on your head, interlock your fingers, and DON'T turn around,"

Rick was at a quandary, the man sounded like Dylan Walsh, his ringtone matched Dylan's but what if he wasn't, and what was he to do with his brand new I-phone, hell he didn't take the insurance on it. Then he heard laughter from behind him, he turned there was Dylan and his wife Carol, who ran to hug him and kiss him on the lips.

"Oh, you are in for one now Dylan, you know I'll get even" as they all laughed, and proceeded to Rick's limo back to his penthouse.

"What the hell are you doing out here, I mean, I love seeing Carol, well maybe you too, but what's going on? Rick asked,

"Oh, it's not time for the pigeons to roost just yet", telling Rick, don't ask questions yet, to wait until he was sure they were in a secure location.

"Rick, would you accompany me to my hotel this afternoon, you know how much I hate checking into places like that alone, even if I wore a flashing billboard saying I'm Married, someone always says something to me," Carol said, winking,

"Of course, Carol, I assume ugly over there has his own plans so we can grab dinner at the hotel, and meet up with him later," Rick said, as Dylan nodded his head,

"Sounds great Rick, and you're right, I'll see you after a bit, got some things to do," Dylan said, almost as it was an everyday occurrence,

When the limo pulled up to the hotel, Rick exited, assisted Carol by taking her hand, and gently assisting her out, his other hand in the small of her back, she looked at him and kissed him gently, as they waved goodbye to the man in the limo, her husband and his friend.

As they ate dinner, they were keenly aware of all of the paparazzi and the snaps being taken but didn't let it bother them, as they laughed, reminisced about old times, until Rick suddenly became serious after Carol kissed him gently, again,

"Carol, any fool can see that you and Dylan are head over heels for each other, but I was wondering, I mean does he know about when you were younger?" Rick asked, gently

"Ask what you really want to know Rick?" she smiled, demurely

"Well, I, eh, I,"

Carol burst out laughing, "Dylan had you down to the tee, when we talked how you were going to react about going to dinner with me alone, he knew you would have to know if he knew about my past, my entire past. Rick, he's FBI, but I told him about us, long before we ever got serious, he knows, and isn't jealous. I asked him why he looked at me and said something that made my heart melt," she said

"Well, you can't leave me hanging on those words Carol, what did he say?" Rick asked gently,

She smiled, "he said, that I had a past, a past that included his friend Rick Castle, but as long as the future only included him, he didn't care, he just wanted to know I loved him, and only him." Tears came to her eyes,

"Well, he was always a bit slow, the entire world knew that when you two connected it was magic, no one else stood a chance with either of you," he said, smiling,

"Well, that, and also what he said about you, he said that no matter what the situation was, 'if there was one man, he would trust his wife with, it would be you'. He knows your value system, especially about marital boundaries, and we're both so sorry you've been hurt.

"This is part of his plan, get the attention diverted to Rick the playboy, and it will take away him slipping into our room, he'll bring you up to speed soon. I won't say any more now Rick, so how about a dance for old times sake, I promise just one, and no funny business" she laughed, both remembering Rick's line from then and now. Her beautiful laugh made Rick burst out laughing, as he rose took her hand, and led her to the dance floor.

It was ironic, perhaps, the song that was playing was a song that had meant something to them a long time ago, the young lady was almost identical in her tone and voice as the original artist as she sang,

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'cause you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

Carol had her head on his shoulder and was singing softly to the song, that once meant so much to them. She knew that it wasn't meant to be, but it didn't stop her memory from fleeing to an earlier time when things weren't so complicated,

As the dance ended Rick dabbed her eye with his hankie, took her by the hand to their table to retrieve her purse, and headed to the elevators. The cameras, not only paparazzi but an interested security force of one U.S. Senator from New York were also taking plenty of pictures. When they reached his room, he opened the door, and quickly closed it after following her in before turning on any lights.

There sat Dylan, and a group of his men, as Carol rushed to him and kissed him, "Did you have any trouble sweetheart?" she asked,

"None, sweetie, how was your trip down memory lane, did you and Rick enjoy?" he smiled,

"I did, I think Rick did, but he was concerned about you, so I told him that you knew everything before we got serious, and well, it was good to relive one memory, G-rated, honey of course." She laughed and Dylan couldn't help but laugh at the look on his friend's face.

"Rick, this room has been swept, and is free of any devices, so here's where we are since you visited us and dumped this folder on me. I'm only kidding, it was the right thing to do, NYPD would have been walked into a slaughter if they had followed the clues to the letter, we found his hit force and took them out quietly. He is being briefed about tonight as we speak now, as he turned the volume up on a speaker to hear,

"Well, they're in the room Senator, I swear we all know what for. I don't care whose wife she is; I would bet a 100 grand they're getting their freak on as we talk. The last we saw of her husband he's in Wyoming chasing some lead that we fed to an informant," as the room all filled with laughter,

"Good job guys, I guess all women are alike, they can't get over their first love, these pictures should be enough to embarrass the good agent when we meet with him in two weeks as part of the task force that he needs to join a winning team," Bracken said in his weasel-like tone,

Dylan turned the volume down and turned to the room. "Rick the plan is this, Bracken will be attending the world premiere of your movie, so we're substituting our men for his security detail, not that he even notices. Once he's played the cameras and the red carpet to the tilt, we have a surprise waiting for him at the end of it, an agent with handcuffs. It's over for him, and he doesn't know it yet" Dylan said, as he hugged his wife, who had snuggled into him, once again the world could see they were matching pieces of a puzzle, they belonged together.

Rick smiled, as he took it all in, "I guess we need to discuss what you need our actors and players to be doing, so, let me get a cup of that coffee, and we can get this finalized."

TBC