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 16

Beckett's Apartment

Kate's POV

Day 90

11:10 PM

Kate had almost composed herself by the time Javi had found a parking spot, returned with two coffees and one tea for Lanie, as the ladies tried to make sense of the events of the last few hours. Lanie couldn't get over what had just happened. She called Javi as soon as things started going down with Bracken, to come, that she needed him and his help, he just said, "I'm outside waiting back entrance" and hung up,

As he had hustled the ladies into his car, holding his badge in the air, in one hand and a stun gun in the other to the press, they were away from the hotel in less than two minutes.

"Javi, how did you know to come to the Four Seasons?" Lanie asked,

"Castle called me, just said some heavy shit was going down tonight and I should be within a block of the hotel in case you or Beckett needed me," he replied,

"Rick called you Javi? When?" Kate asked

"The first time was when the movie was about to start, so I went to the Haunt, hung out with Brian, and watched some of the live feeds from the hotel. Then right after the movie ended, he called me and told me to get within one block of the hotel, and stay there for the next hour, I thought he was nuts, but I did it.

"The next thing I hear is Chica calling, I could tell something was wrong, so I headed to the back alley, and chased off the intruders with a stun gun, and badge, then, well you guys know what happened then." Javi said, as he slid next to Lanie, and whispered, "You OK Chica?" as he held her hand,

"Yeah, Javi, I'm fine, I think the surprise of watching the FBI take Bracken down live was a lot to take in, well at least from where I sat. I know Kate probably has other emotions, but I couldn't believe it was actually happening and all of the support within the NYPD he had, how many dirty cops did they get?" Lanie asked, trying to get Kate to talk,

"There were 11, not counting Bracken, I just was floored that Rick was in the room with Dylan Walsh at the takedown, I should have been the one to take that slimy bastard down, he cheated me out of getting justice for my mother." Kate spewed, half crying half yelling out in anger.

"Kate, I love you like a sister, I always have, but this one you're way off on, you're so wrong it's embarrassing, in fact," Javi said and took Lanie's lead to force her to talk.

"Oh really Mr. Special Forces, how am I wrong, you know that Rick was with Walsh when they cuffed Bracken, so tell me how the hell did he get there, besides using his wealth and influence" she spat back, now no tears, just anger coming from her,

"Remember I told you that Castle was with us every day working your case until the new Captain kicked him out? He had collected all the information he turned over to Dylan Walsh and was going to present it to the NYPD, but Gates intercepted him and gave him the boot. I have to tell you, none of us thought it would last longer than a phone call to the mayor, but he never came back.

"When he called me tonight, he told me that the evidence that he was going to give to the team, once that he had been banished from the precinct, he had a change of heart and turned over to a guy he knew, and it was being taken care of. Honestly, I didn't ask anymore, because I didn't want to know, if Castle was doing anything illegal, then I would be part of it.

"I did some research though, and he and Dylan Walsh are old school buddies, along with Mrs. Carol Walsh, Dylan's wife. She was the one Rick was dancing with cheek to cheek, and Bracken knew that Rick and Carol were an item before she hooked up with her husband. I compared the photo's and I have to say Dylan married way above his class, his wife is a knockout and was the one in all of the papers.

"OK Javi, when did you have time to do all of this research?" Lanie quizzed him,

He looked down, "OK, OK, Castle called me as I was parking and getting the coffee to be sure I got you two out of there. I asked him why he kept us in the dark, he told me about the timing, and once he gave it to the FEDS, it was their case. He knew that if Kate knew half of what he had found out, she would go gunning for Bracken and gotten herself and maybe all of her team killed.

"He told me he'd rather have you alive and pissed at him, than dead and be able to say I told you so. He also said, your Dad is being taken care of, he'll call you when he can. Right now, he's in lockdown with Rick and his Entertainment Group avoiding the press until he gets a handle on all that just happened. He also said, that Sal, was there, so you didn't have to worry, whatever that means" Javi said,

Kate looked up, tears falling from her eyes, "Rick's taking care of Dad, Sal is his sponsor and his closest friend in the world. I guess only Rick would have found that out and made sure Dad, me, and all of us were safe. I still would have loved to slap the cuffs on that bastard," Kate said, as she struggled to get composed again,

"Kate, it's over, it's really finally over. The nightmare that started when you were a kid of 19 is over and now you can live your life for yourself. Let it go, sweetie, it's already cost you far too much, it doesn't matter who arrested them, just that they are going to pay for the damage they did to so many families, yours included." Lanie pleaded with her,

"Well, I'm going back to the Haunt to see if Brian has heard from Rick, I know he's home for ten days before he heads back to California. You're staying the night with her aren't you Chica?" Javi asked.

"Of course, and before you go saying anything, no one can get through that door or windows, don't even try, I'll lock up behind you, and Javi, (long pause) she crossed the room and kissed him, "Thank you for being there for me and for Kate" she whispered,

"Always, Chica, you know that, Always," he kissed her back and slipped out the door.

Kate fell into Lanie's arms sobbing, as Lanie got her to the couch, she knew it was going to be an extensive night of long-overdue girl talk, but she loved Richard Castle more tonight than she ever had before. He was right, Beckett would have gotten herself, and maybe even Kev and Javi killed, it worked out best this way, now if she could convince her BFF.

XxX

Hamptons Beach House

5:37 AM

Day 91

Rick had pulled out of New York late last night after the FBI and other justice officials took over the reporter's questioning and updates. He had arrived at his beach house to see the sun rising over the ocean, which brought instant relief to the tension in his body. Filming a corrupt senator being handcuffed was one thing, having his trial in the public without due process was another. Every step had been taken to ensure that Bracken had no recourse on anything that violated his rights.

Rick was alone with his thoughts, his jogs on the beach with the waves cooling his feet and legs as they kissed the shore. This was his place of peace, a place where he retreated to after, eh, after, well it used to be hurt and heartache, but from now on, to let his brain decompress. He thought back at the movie premiere and was very proud of the work the cast and crew had put forth. Now, it would start again in about ten days.

He thought fondly of the days he and Carol were the it couple, even though it didn't last long, there were some great memories. Then to see her happy with Dylan, even after all these years was fantastic, that's all he ever wanted for anyone he once cared about, regardless of whom they wound up with.

He was going to use this time to catch up on his workouts, perhaps go sailing with his neighbor who had been asking him forever to go out with him, and just relax. No thoughts of Hollywood, scripts, actors, or even Nikki Heat and or her inspiration, Kate Beckett. She was home, and he had gone as far as he could to try to protect her, now, it was up to her, the boys, and common sense, if she had any.

Jim Beckett to his credit had held to his end of the bargain, never mentioning his daughter to Rick unless it concerned the contracts or royalties being paid to her. He didn't expect to hear from her, not after she and the world-saving heart doctor had spent almost three months in isolation together.

He would finish up the Heat series books if the interest from the studio and fans remained as strong as it was currently. One thing he didn't ever want to do was write one book too many in any of his series, better to go out on top.

He pulled his car into the garage, no sense advertising he was there, he wanted some alone time, time to relax, to reflect, hell just go ahead and say it, Rick, to purge. To purge any thoughts, he had ever had that he ever stood a chance with the detective.

He changed into his jogging clothes and let the soft waves lap at his legs and feet serve as the healing balm to wash away bad memories. He was feeling his body relax, also the burn coming from his lungs, as he looked up for a visual of where he was at, hell he had run 8 miles, almost double his normal routine which accounted for the burning lungs and now the legs feeling tired.

He reversed course and started back towards the beach house, letting his thoughts think about Gina, Eva, and Ellie, well just for a second, then back to the first two ladies. He didn't nor would he ever knowingly take advantage of any woman, just for physical gratification.

Perhaps that was why Ellie was so quickly dismissed from his thoughts, she had crossed the line of using personal pleasure for professional gain. The sad part, she never had to, she had delivered a stellar performance, the performance of her life as one critic had written, if she only believed in her talent on screen as much as she did in bed, too bad, he thought.

The welcome sign of his private beach was coming into view, as he slowed his jogging down to his cool-off walk, already anticipating the hot shower to ease some of the burning muscles. He had to keep this up, he had worked far too hard, to let anything turn him into a poster boy for the middle-age spread, he witnessed on most men his age.

Finally, he was feeling the hot pellets of water beating against him, his aching muscles, and in some cathartic manner, washing away the hurt and disappointment. He now knew how and what re-establishing the relationship with the detective going forward was going to be. NONE! There would be no further contact, at least one on one with the detective, the last few months had helped him see, he didn't need her as much as he had made out in his mind that he did.

His attorneys would handle the royalties, and he had enough research, as if he even needed it, to write a dozen more books with ease. He was now determined that his course of action, regardless, printed form, or film, would not include the detective.

He knew she lied to him when she sent him away, hell any Dad can tell when his daughter is trying to hide something from them. She wasn't Alexis but her tells were some of the same, even her avoiding eye contact. He never guessed that the reason would be was that she wanted a free lane to reconnect and deepen the relationship with her World Saving Cardiologist.

All she ever had to say was, "Castle, I'm serious when I say this, I don't have the same feelings for you as you have proclaimed for me, I'm sorry, but please let's be honest and not lead anyone on." Had she ever come close to that?

No, she would pull him close then send him reeling across the room with her actions, but knowing she lied, that was the line no one crossed. She wouldn't have to worry about any future lies, all correspondence with her now was to be through his attorneys, most often her Dad.

Any lies she told now, wouldn't be his concern, since the royalties were black and white, regardless of how Beckett wanted to envision them. It wasn't anything that he wouldn't or hadn't done for other inspirations for his work, all except Kyra, that was different, totally different.

He changed into a pair of cargo shorts, a light pullover, and proceeded to the kitchen, freshly stocked this morning while he was on his run. He made an omelet, and toast and ate some of the fresh fruit to balance out his diet. Gone were the heavy meals of bacon, and more bacon, hell he used to cook two pounds at one time, just for him. His thoughts drifted,

FLASHBACK TWO YEARS EARLIER

A slight heart issue, discovered by his cardiologist in the Hamptons Office, after Gina found him clutching his chest, and in pain. She didn't call 9-1-1, knowing it would be all over the news, rather she called her cardiologist neighbor, who happened to be on call that day. She drove to the receiving dock of the hospital, as Dr. Warner instructed and Rick was sheltered as he was moved through the hospital, for treatment.

It turned out to be a heart attack, and he had undergone the balloon procedure or coronary angioplasty, also called percutaneous coronary intervention, a procedure used to open clogged heart arteries, performed by Doctor Warner.

The procedure itself was rather quick, and it was all over before he actually knew what had been done to him. Dr. Warner explained that angioplasty used a tiny balloon catheter that was inserted in the blocked blood vessel to help widen it and improve blood flow to his heart.

He had also inserted a small wire mesh tube called a stent, to assist in keeping good blood flow through open arteries. He went home the next day, in disguise of course, but Gina hoovered over him for almost two weeks until he got the all-clear from the good doctor.

The press was making it out that he and Mrs. Castle #2 were sneaking away for romantic rendezvous when they spotted them together in the city. Gina even hired a double to have the press follow the opposite direction of the hospital. She cared for him, and wouldn't allow anything the doctor hadn't cleared, which was about 90% of what he loved, to be served to him.

She cared, she really did, and as he remembered her actions then, he knew he was alive because of her. Perhaps that's why she became so protective of him, and of Alexis, even though the marriage was over, she acted more like his wife, minus the sex, than at any time in their relationship.

CURRENT TIME

As he shook off that memory, one if not the only secret he had ever held from his daughter, Gina was the only living soul to know about it, he thought, of her protection in Los Angeles. She still tried to protect him, from negative press, from Paula, and somedays from himself.

He has just finished cleaning the kitchen when the doorbell rang, funny only very few people knew where he was, so he refused to answer the door. Then his cell phone rang with Gina's ringtone,

"Hey Genes, what's up," he greeted her warmly,

"Rick, please tell me you're in the house and not answering the door because you don't want to be bothered? My staff screwed up, and my house is in the middle of being painted, they weren't supposed to start until two weeks from now, but anyway, can you open the door for Eva and me Please?"

"WHAT? Where are you, Gina?" Rick asked,

"At your front door, can you please answer it, please?" she pleaded,

"Of course, I'm on my, the door opened just as he finished way," he said,

Gina hugged him and Eva was red with embarrassment, "Come in, come in, please. Can I get you your favorite drink Genes, sounds like you need one, how about you Eva?" They both answered please and yes at the same time,

"Genes you know where everything is show Eva around while I hustle up your drinks," he laughed as the ladies headed to the large bathroom down the hall.

They reappeared in a few minutes, as Rick greeted them again, this time with their favorite drinks, Gina a Mojito with double white rum, and Eva a Malibu Sunset, ( pineapple, orange juice, coconut rum, grenadine, and double cherries.)

"Here you go ladies, Genes, your Mojito with double white rum, and Eva, your Malibu Sunset, extra cherries, enjoy while you tell me about what happened again, I only got part of it. You sounded frantic and I wanted to get to you in case anything serious was wrong," Rick said, with his smile, glowing at both ladies,

"It is serious Rick, I drug poor Eva out here for a few days of peace and quiet and some sun and pool time, and I walk in to find my beach home in the middle of a renovation that wasn't supposed to start until I went back to Los Angeles. Now I have to take Eva to the hotel,"

"Wait, you're not spending any time in any hotel Genes, you know how big this house is, you're both welcome to stay here. I'm just working my way back into my running regiment before I have to see Doctor Warner before I head back" he said, as Gina walked over and kissed him,

"Thanks for taking care of yourself, you'll never know how much I aged during those few days. I do appreciate you taking your health seriously," she said, giving him another peck then returning to Eva on the couch.

"How are the drinks, not too much run Genes?" he asked,

She rolled her eyes at him, "Rick, it's not ΒΌ as strong as the first one you made me when we were dating, I think you had evil intentions back then" then she laughed,

"Guilty as charged," Rick smiled, how about your Eva, not too sweet is it?"

"It's perfect Rick, and are you sure about Gina and I hanging out here? I know you came out to relax, and I promise Gina and I will keep each other honest, no shop talk, just relaxation," she smiled,

"In case you hadn't noticed, I already put your bags in your room, Gina, yours is the same as always, and Eva, you're right across the hall, I hope you enjoy the stay. If you need anything, write it on this whiteboard in the kitchen, and the staff will take care of it for you," he said, still smiling,

Eva looked at Gina, then made a beeline to Rick and kissed him on the lips as well, then pulled back and pecked his lips again,

"We're not working and I just wanted to say thank you, for everything"

"You're welcome, you know that now enjoy yourself, I have to look over some paperwork, then what do you say we go to Rosa's for Italian for dinner, say around 7:00?"

"Perfect" came back in unison,

"Good, I'll see you in a few hours, Genes knows where everything is, so make yourselves at home," and he was in his office closing the door behind him.

TBC

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