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 28

Lake Placid, New York

Gina's Anniversary Cabin

Following Week

True to her word Gina had packed up everything, well had it packed up and flown Rick to an undisclosed location, somewhere in the mountains of New York to some special place of hers. Eva was back in Los Angeles working with Roy on the screenplay for the next film, and Kate had little choice but to return to the city and her job.

She tried to bury herself in work, actually, she didn't have to try, since she had been gone, she had two weeks of emails, voicemails, and other tasks to do. She had returned once during Rick's hospitalization, once she was sure he was going to be OK, and more of his day was taken up with Renee and his therapists. She didn't think she would be this far behind, but as she glanced at the calendar, she realized she owed the roster of her squad to the Commissioner by next Monday.

She pulled out the to-be interview pile, and on top was the file of Helen Kray along with the transcript of her voicemail Kate had also printed.

"Detective Beckett, this is Helen Kray, we went through the academy at the same time, although I never came close enough to be able to hold a conversation with you, much less associate after classes. I'll cut to the chase, I know you're staffing the Cold Case Department, and I'd like to be considered for a position on your team.

"My employee number is 43745, same as my badge number if you care to look up my record. I took the liberty of also emailing you a direct link to my file, and would appreciate at least the opportunity to discuss this opportunity with you. Currently, I am serving in the homicide department at the 117 and will be happy to discuss my reasons for seeking a change in our conversation. Thanks in advance for your consideration, " then the tone beeped, signaling the end of the message.

Kate dialed her number and it was answered on the second ring,

"Detective Kray"

"Detective, this is Kate Beckett, I'm not sure you remember me but you left a voice mail a few weeks ago about joining the cold case squad, are you still interested?" Kate asked,

"Detective Beckett, it's nice to hear from you, I thought when the weeks went by without a response that you had filled the team and had been overrun with applicants, so I didn't want to bother you again. To answer your question. I am indeed, and I just wanted to let you know that I passed the Sargent's exam two weeks ago, so if that would add anything to my credentials, please make a note of it."

"Actually Helen, that makes a huge difference, congratulations on passing the exam, when can you talk about the role here, it's stationed out of the 12th, but we report directly to the Commissioner's office," Kate replied,

"Are you free for lunch today, say around 12:30? I have to follow up on a case we closed last week and I'll be near Remy's if that location would work for you?" Helen asked,

"Perfect Helen, I'll see you at 12:30 at Remy's," she said as she hung up,

She thought for a second how the Universe according to Rick always worked things out, Anne had left her a very nice voice mail the day she had bolted to be with Rick during his surgery, declining her offer. She decided that being with Roz, was a better choice for her future, as she put it, but Kate knew, she would need to show by actions not just words the change in her. She was disappointed with the news but wasn't unexpected, Anne had been very open about her trust issue with her in all of their talks. Hopefully, Helen could fill the top spot leaving only one more spot to fill. She felt confident she would be able to meet the first deadline by her new boss, after today's lunch.

XxX

Castle Cabin

Lake Placid NY,

Same Time Frame

Gina, Renee, and Rick had left the Hamptons via helicopter to the secret location as Kate had called it last week. In reality, it wasn't secret, it was just private, and anyone searching property records would have a hell of a time finding it, Rick had listed it under her mother's maiden name, Griffin to avoid anyone intruding upon them.

Gina thought back as Rick slept, his head on her shoulder, as she cushioned him during the flight, the four-hour car ride would be too much for him this quickly. He had surprised her with the cabin, with the interior design, all by her best friend, and famous decorator, Darci Hether, as her third-anniversary present. It was a beautiful log mansion located at the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains in Essex County New York.

Martha had moved in with them at the loft two months before, and well, to Martha doors were meant for others, not her. Rick knew that her lack of privacy was a huge concern, and frankly, he hated his mother's behavior as well, but to keep the peace, he gave Gina the cabin. It was a nice four-hour drive away and featured all of the luxuries you could expect from a millionaire's getaway spot, as well as the Heli-pad he had built for the rush trips or when she wished to entertain clients.

The cabin, well, it was really a log mansion, had 9 bedrooms, 5 baths, and featured the stone offsets, and high ceilings throughout. Rick had even had a business room built on one side, providing complete privacy, should they need to conduct business. Often, they would drive up to conduct business, but only had gotten as far as the bedroom, more than once they didn't make it that far, enough she thought, Great memories, but that's what they would be until he was well, made his mind up who he wanted, and who would make him happy.

One reason she had excluded Kate from the trip to the cabin, well actually two. This was, and still was their place, just the two of them. Bringing Kate Beckett into her love palace built for her by her husband would forever diminish the memories she still to this day visited to get through some rough times. There had never been anyone besides the two of them, well in a lover's role, ever to grace this property. This was her last bit of Mrs. Rick Castle she could hold on to.

The other, she knew Rick wouldn't let Kate see him weak, hell she had been his wife, and she had to call him out on trying to be macho. Thank God for Renee, she put him in his place, often the first few days, until he realized that he wasn't weak, he was healing as Renee kept telling him.

They had a beautiful small lake about a mile from the cabin, Rick had a walking trail built from the home to the lake, and a picnic spot made just for her, that man, God when she thought back what she had lost, enough she thought as she saw him start to get up from his lounge chair.

"Rick, make you a deal, when you're ready we'll walk down to our spot, see if your marker is still there," she winked as she walked over and gently assisted him out of the chair. It was time for his shower, and then a trip to the gym, in the outbuildings to work with his physical therapists under the watchful eye of Renee.

"Sure, you offer when I'm in this condition, you wait, I'm going to hold you to that, I'm getting stronger each day." He smiled, he seemed happy and removed from the hustle and bustle of the Nikki Heat world, books, and movies. All she wanted was for him to heal, and be back to her Rick, healthy, no matter who he was with.

"I got him from here Gina, I'll call you when he makes me leave, I swear, he thinks I never saw a man's private parts. I don't know how I would get him showered if you weren't here to go in with him," Renee laughed, but she knew. Rick would never allow her to come close to anything that could be physical, not for him but for her.

Gina actually seemed to enjoy helping Rick shower, hell why he took one before and then another after therapy was a mystery to her unless he enjoyed being with the former Mrs. Castle more than he wanted anyone to know.

Hell, he loved her, anyone could see that, the only clog in the wheel now, was Beckett had finally gotten her head out of her ass and told him how she felt, but was she too late. Renee remembered Rick even as a young man, when he was done with someone, he was done. There were no reprieves, none that she could remember. His interaction with the Detective didn't look like he had changed his habits, at least as far as she could see.

XxX

Gina slipped off her bikini and climbed in the shower with Rick, helping to steady him the chair was there, but he hadn't used it in days, and only wanted her to brace him. Her thoughts turned to the first time they had christened this bathroom, and shower, God what a weekend. She jolted back to reality realizing that she only had a limited time with him in the water, and it was a bit too hot.

"Genes, don't freeze me out" came the cry from a soapy headed Rick,

"I'm not sweetie, it's better to be a little cooler than to wind up with your internal stitches melting too fast, just because they pulled the staples out doesn't mean you're all healed," she said as she massaged his hair, as he leaned back into her, her breasts pushing against his back,

"Sorry Genes, it's just that, well, hell, I'm not sorry, I loved your breasts, always have and well, I know I can't do anything so you're safe, for now. I warn you; I don't know how long I can resist once I get my release" he said, she turned him and kissed him gently. "Anytime you want Rick, anytime. Don't overthink it, we both know the score."

She took the sponge and gently washed his entire body, then kissed him again, she could feel little Ricky begin to press against her love nest, so she turned the water a little cooler, and it achieved the effect. He went back to parade rest from his attention position, neither said a word, as she helped him from the shower, and assisted in dressing him in his PT outfit, gym shorts, and light T.

Rick worked hard at PT, perhaps harder than at anything in his life, he hated having to ask someone to move something weighing more than five pounds, but he hated the ass chewing he would get first from Renee, then the hurt looks from Gina. He couldn't hurt her, especially here in her cabin. He was awarded it in their divorce settlement but arranged for his lawyer to quick-claim deed it back to her, he built it for her and he could never take it away.

He knew of all the gifts she had received this was perhaps the most meaningful, because, he recognized her need for more privacy, (she loved Martha, but the woman needed to learn boundaries), and also, he had it built from a sketch he had copied from a painting in her office. When he had taken the photo of it, she had no idea, but it was a home design she loved and the picture was now her escape home. The cabin helped them reconnect, and when times were good, nothing in the world could come close.

He was sitting, cooling off from one of his PT sessions, he was almost back 100% so the sessions got harder each day. He was dripping with sweat, a towel draped over his shoulders, staring out the window. She spoke and he jumped, she knew exactly what he was thinking about, the day they christened the basement, what a day it was.

"Hey Rick, I loved it then, and now I have the memories if I never have anything more, I had the best for those years," she said, as she gently applied an ice pack to his shoulders, and then knelt and rubbed his calves gently.

His eyes met hers, and the look of love was in those beautiful blue orbits, he still send chills down her spine with just a look.

"What happened to us Genes? I mean I know I love you; I know you love me, but what the hell happened to cause us to get so far apart. I was remembering the first time I came out here, it was just land, and the architects had to work from a photo of a sketch from your office.

"I never knew it was your dream house until I heard you tell Marcy, your assistant at the time that you were looking forward to building that home one day. We weren't even together then, you were dating the world-famous author Nicholas Sparks, the one who had a best seller with every book he ever wrote. I know he was your Uncle's pet, and well, I thought I never stood a chance with you."

"Well, you would have, all you had to do was ask, and I wasn't dating Sparks, he was a married man, with his wife Cathy in North Carolina, she didn't want anything to do with New York." She said,

Rick's face blushed, "You mean, he was, eh, I"

"Where do you think I got the idea of paid dates for you, only I didn't get paid for going out when my boss and Uncle said so. It went well until he had a little too much to drink one night, and well, it went downhill from there, soon after he and Cathy divorced and he moved back to North Carolina. I never shed any tears, not for him, I was too busy trying to get the new writer to ask me out." She laughed,

Rick looked down, and then looked up, "I know you wondered some days where the hell I got all the swag and confidence from, but Renee can fill in any blanks the way we were raised. Bastard children to single unwed mothers, and actresses on Broadway, well it caused some issues. I acted confident, even the times I was scared out of my mind.

"I guess Renee got it worse from the guys who thought she was easy, so I defended her. I love her, like a sister, but I never ever thought one moment of anything romantic. I know she thought differently until she met Kate, and now you, so I'm sorry if you ever thought any different." Rick said, suddenly serious and soft spoken,

"I know Rick, at least about Renee, but what about Kate? You have to know that she loves you, the woman jumped through hoops to get that letter to you, then waited for your reply. When you were hospitalized I knew that if things were still going smoothly for you at the precinct, well, you would have wanted her to know about you being in the hospital, you are her partner, or is there more Rick?"

"Genes, I don't know. That's not a lie, not a cop-out, and it's not a way where I can just get into your pants while we spend our time here, in this magical place. You had to know you turned me on, every time you helped me in the shower, it brought back the rush of good memories we had made." He blushed, and hung his head,

Gina knelt in front of him, lifted his head slowly, cupped his face in both her hands, "It did to me Rick as well. I was thinking all the time you were in surgery, recovery, ICU, and until you woke, how much I love you, and tried to make sense of the stupid things that I let drive a wedge between us.

"I'm so sorry Rick if I had a do-over, but I know how deeply in love you are, well were with Kate. I'll say this, I love you, and I want you so badly, so when you're physically ready, I am going to take advantage of you, at least once so I have that memory.

"I know that if you get with Kate, you won't stray, and well, I'll accept it, just as long as I have one more night. Just a warning Mr. Castle." She smiled, kissed him sweetly, and helped him to the shower. Once again, the routine demonstrated just how much he still desired her physically, this time little Ricky was at full attention, even when she turned the temp of the water down, he stayed at his post.

"Not today, Rick, I want the full course, not just the lunch menu, but help yourself to the appetizers" as she toweled him off, and lay next to him on his bed, resisting the urge to allow him to overstress himself. Their petting session left her hotter, and more satisfied than she had been since the last time they had made love, ironically in this bed, and this cabin before the divorce was final. What a fool she was, but well, she was going to give him all the time he needed, she knew what was at stake.

XxX

Six Weeks Later

Renee had bid a long and tearful farewell to Gina and Rick last week; It had been 6 weeks since Rick's surgery and he was functioning at about the 90% level. Truthfully, Renee asked to stay one extra week, just to be sure her childhood hero would remain well, she began to see what Rick had tried to tell her so many times in her evening discussions with Gina.

The two ladies had fallen into the habit of sitting, enjoying a beverage, and discussing how Rick was progressing, then it turned into more personal issues. One evening Gina explained her first crush to Renee, he was a boy down the street, but he never noticed her. No matter what she did, how she dressed, or how much she complimented him, he was kind, but not interested.

He was the one boy on the block who wasn't chasing her like a dog after a bone when Gina suddenly had her breasts grow from a T-Shirt to a training bra, to a full C cup in less than a full summer. The boys suddenly all took notice, all but the one she wished would, Gil remained the same. Finally one day she saw him, dressed in a military uniform at the neighborhood block party, he was so handsome. She was shocked when he asked to speak with her in private,

FLASHBACK

"Gina, I want you to know something before I have to leave. I don't know how long I'll be gone, or even IF I will come back but I wanted to tell you something. I know you've had a crush on me, and the reason I never called or asked you out, well you're like one of my sisters. I think you're beautiful, promise me that you will never give your heart, love or your body to a man who isn't ready to give you all he has." He said, she blushed,

"How did you know Gil, I mean, was I that obvious?" Gina asked,

He laughed, "oh no, my sister told me, she said I had to be blind not to see how much you liked me, and well like I said, I sort of protected you from the punks around here, I do love you, but like a little sis" he leaned over and kissed her forehead.

"So, you're the one that beat up the Dorsey twins for trying to get my bra off of me on the school bus?" she asked, "I think you broke Barry's jaw" she said,

"Well, I would have broken Larry's as well but he ran too fast, but you weren't bothered anymore, were you?" he smiled,

"No, no I wasn't so thank you, I don't feel so bad now, I wish you would have asked me out, but I don't feel like I did anything wrong, and for the record, thanks big brother"

They were sitting outside Rick's room while he was asleep, or so they thought. He had heard every word of Gina's story.

"So, that's how Rick looks at me, Gina? Does he love me like a sis? God, you wouldn't believe how tough he was in school. He would fight anyone who said a word about or to me, and I don't remember him losing too many fights. It got so all I had to do was walk up to him, and the boys bugging me would scatter, I felt so safe when I was with him. Maybe that was it, I still feel safe when I'm with him, even when he's the sick one, he's so strong." Renee got out between tears,

"Well, I know he talked about you a lot, especially when he was trying to make sure that the Detective was taken care of. I remember I asked him then if he loved her that much" Gina said and stopped,

"Well, you can't leave me hanging like that Gina, what did he say, and then I'll let you in on what Kate said," Renee bargained,

"He looked at me and said, he thought he could have, at one time, but that was over. He made a promise to her Dad, and this was part of him making up for not keeping her safe. I didn't know what her Dad had said to him at first, but it's fucked up when a cop's dad goes to a civilian to try to shame him into protecting her.

"I was so pissed when I found out he said, "if anything happens to my daughter, her blood will be on your hands" to Rick. Who the hell does he think he is, his daughter goes chasing assassins with reckless abandonment, and then Daddy shames Rick into almost getting killed diving in front of the shot meant for her? Who the hell do the Becketts think they are?" Gina was still pissed and her emotions showed,

"Gina, I don't know if this will help, but I talked to Kate about why Rick did what he did. She didn't know her dad had even went to see Rick, so this was on her Dad, not Kate. I know it's easy to hate her for the hurt she caused, but Rick was responding to her Dad's words." Renee said,

"I know, Rick still swears to this day he wasn't trying to take the bullet, just knock her out of the way. He's never lied to me, even when he could, but well, I guess I have to believe him now. I don't think he would ever do that in front of Alexis, she's been his world his entire life, I just can't picture him leaving her an orphan for any woman." Gina said,

"Well, where does this leave you and Rick Gina, I mean tell me to mind my own business, but he loves you, you were married, what the hell is wrong with you taking your former husband to bed and fucking his brains out next week when he gets medical clearance? Even if down the road he and Kate get together, she has to know you were married, so it won't be the first time you've done the deed" Renee said, with a shy smile,

"Well, I know Rick, I'll follow his signals, but seriously, I'm ready whenever he is. I thought for a while I couldn't take it if we made love and he walked away with her, but now, coming this close to losing him, hell, I want to cherish every moment with him, even if I lose him again."

CURRENT TIME

Gina had let Rick take the lead, in physical activity, and even the kisses, the frequency, and the passion since Renee had left. Finally, two days after Renee left, Gina had returned from picking up some pastries and a trip to the post office, when she saw the signs. Rick had left little post it notes with directions, where she was to go next, finally winding up in his bedroom, with him standing in just a robe.

"Genes, I know you and I talked about never making love again, but well, would you be willing to forget tha"

She was on him pressing her lips against his, and their tongues in a battle for control for several minutes. She opened her eyes for just a moment, and saw the tent little Ricky had made of the robe, confirming what she was wishing, he was naked under the robe.

She took his hand and led him gently to the bed, and he stopped her from taking control. "Genes, I know how many nights you walked away frustrated, at least sexually, and I owe you as he found her spot with his face. She didn't remember much, after that, but he still had the same skills as he did when they were married, this time, she appreciated his effort to please her more.

It was a marathon session, once Gina took control and lowered herself on him, locked on his eyes, and made sure he knew she was going to be there for him all day and night. She rolled off of him, kissed his scars, and cleansed him with a steamed washcloth, a technique he used to do to her, and laid lightly on his chest.

"Rick, I want you to know, I understand that this doesn't change, well it doesn't have to change anything you've told me before. Thank you love, I have needed this, needed you for weeks. I really didn't know just how much I loved you until was in that damn waiting room, not knowing if we would ever be able to talk, much less make such beautiful love making sessions.

"Well, Genes, you know when they say your whole life passes in front of you, well mine was stuck on our honeymoon, and a trip to Vail, I don't remember even leaving the room. That's what I last remembered, and when I was waking up, I heard voices, I panicked until I heard yours, then I knew, I was going to be OK. We'll take it day by day, but please, one deal, if either of us see someone we want to be with, we talk first, please? Is that a deal?"

He was pushed back to the mattress and Gina had an alternative to his handshake he offered, as she whispered, "Deal."

XxX

Six Months Later

Rick's Loft, New York

Rick and Gina had acted as they had on their honeymoon, and it lasted well after they relocated from the cabin back to the Hamptons. He surprised her with the final two manuscripts to complete the HEAT series, even though she had to add some steamy sex scenes, often from their own lives. It was clear that he really was done with the Heat Series, and had never mentioned Kate Beckett's name.

Shortly after they returned to Los Angeles, Gina met a studio executive from MGM, a man that she felt more than a twinge for. After several discussions, even a four-week celibacy period between them, Rick's choice, not hers, he released her to seek her final happiness. They both realized that the love they had for each other, the need for the physical release, still wouldn't overcome the reasons they divorced. She cried more than she did during the divorce, Rick knew she had to go for it, or she would always wonder, What If, or If Only. He never wanted anything but happiness for her.

When Gina stayed and he returned from Los Angeles alone, he was met by a surprise visitor, Kate Beckett. Gina had called her once again, and asked her, to not give up, that she knew Rick really did love her, but not to rush it. They had moved slowly from hamburger dates at Remy's to formal dinners at five-star restaurants, and tonight, she had been invited to the loft to cook dinner together. Alexis was now gone, in her own apartment, and Martha was the toast of the town at the retirement village in Albany.

She knew not to expect anything special; she was learning to live life one day at a time, in a world of truth. Doctor Burke, and others had set her on the road to leave the lies behind. It was better to face the consequences of the truth than to delay them with lies. She had hope, Rick's last comment to her was, "Kate, pack a bag if you think you might want to spend the weekend,"

The End

A/N Marking this one complete, for the Caskett Shippers the road is open now for their happy ever after. Thanks for the read, reviews, and comments, and to MrsChabie, please do keep in touch with your progress, you are in my prayers, and hopefully you enjoyed this work. I pray it brings you the strength you need. Till next time, Tim