Alternative Route Taken

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: Another What If based on the episode, A Deadly Game, what happened if Rick didn't return to the precinct after leaving and this was really their last case. What would each other's lives have looked like? The story starts with Canon dialog, courtesy of Dust Jackets Dot Com, then goes quickly and completely AU. The journey continues with a new Kate and Rick, hope you enjoy!

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

Previously

"Hey, hey, you know I can't say anything, but I promise you, I'm coming home, I promise you, OK, no more tears, please? I can't stand to see you cry, God knows how many times I made those tears fall, I don't want you to worry."

"You are a jackass, I said I was going to start dating, not get married, hell, I love you, and last night I kicked myself I wanted you so badly I ache but I thought I would make it harder on you. It doesn't matter what the fucking piece of paper says, I love you Richard Castle, and if you are doing what I think you are doing then I'm going to make love to you.

"Shut up, yes I know what and how this is, please Rick don't make me beg you, I used to just have to flash you some boob or leg and you were all over me. Just like last night you wanted me, God Rick it felt so good to be wanted, to be loved by you. Let me decide if that's enough, please, now make love to me, I want to remember this day with you,"

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Chapter 19

Same Time Frame

Beckett's Apartment

4:38 AM

Kate's POV

Kate was still having nightmares, she closed her eyes and saw Rick screaming, and bombs bursting around him, the dreams had intensified even with the medication that Doctor Burke had prescribed. Thank God, the good doctor had accepted her apology and even complimented her on the work she did on getting to HER problem, and how to stop blaming others.

Tonight, there was an added twist to the dreams, the lights were brighter, noises louder, and for some reason, she felt like she was falling down, either a deep well or from a very high distance back to earth. This was the first time she had felt that sensation, and she jumped out of bed shaking with fear. She tried telling herself that it was just a nightmare, they weren't real, and perhaps it was her psyche identifying the explosions and hurt she had caused Rick.

She knew the battle to sleep was already lost, so she started the pot of coffee, and jumped into the shower, she was actually wet from sweat from the dream, well some were tears. After a quick shower and change into her lounging clothes she was off for the next three days, she now had to fill the hours of her day.

She poured her first cup of coffee and downed it, nothing like the first cup of the day, but it couldn't be cold. Pouring the second she decided to watch Good Morning America, filmed a few blocks from the precinct, and usually very professional in their reporting.

She almost fell over when she heard Michael Strahan in his most serious voice speak, "once again our top story this morning, New York's own Richard Castle is in route to the trauma ward at Walter Reid hospital, after suffering what, and I warn our viewers the information we have, is unverified, although our sources are very reliable, 'life-threatening injuries as the aircraft he was on that was either forced to perform an emergency landing or took gunfire in the remote areas of Afghanistan.

Mr. Castle reportedly landed the aircraft after both pilots perished. His condition is unknown, other than he has several injuries and his condition is listed as critical. His mother, daughter, and ex-wife and close confidant Gina Cowell Castle have just arrived, we are told via private helicopter.

We will attempt to verify what we have reported, as well as bring you the latest as details become available. If you are a Castle fan, as I am, I'm sure the family would welcome your prayers at this time, as one rumor, I repeat rumor has reported a priest is standing by to administer last rites. Now shifting to lighter news, back to you Robin, as the cameras brought Robin Roberts into focus.

Kate sat stunned; her coffee fell to the floor as her tears poured down her face. No, No, he couldn't be hurt, if he were it was her fault, he left to get over her. She glanced at the clock, it was 5:15 AM, Roy would be up, she had to call someone. With shaking hands and tears in her voice, she dialed her Captain's cellphone.

"Hi Kate, I thought you were off for the next few days, why are you calling me so early in the morning?"

"Sir, it's Castle, he's hurt bad, I saw it on Good Morning America, they flew Gina, Alexis and Martha there, all they said was the plane was either shot down or crash-landed and Rick landed it between the trees to keep it from going over the mountain."

"Slow Down Kate, Slow Down, let me get this information straight, I'll call you right back," he said as he hung up,

Twenty minutes, it seemed like hours Kate's phone rang with Roy's ringtone.

"Yes, Roy, what did you find, is he OK? What the hell happened?"

"Beckett, slow down, here's what I have, he was on his way home, his missions were done, rather than wait for a regular transport home he hopped a flight on a cargo plane. The insurgents in the area tried to shoot it down, they're desperate for supplies and caused the plane's pilots to be killed when one engine blew up in their face.

"Rick was able to get one engine restarted and get the plane far enough away from the attack zone, then set it down on a belly landing, and called out his may*day signal. When they reached the aircraft, Rick was the most severely injured, he had at least 4 gunshot wounds, and his right arm and shoulder were broken, they are still trying to figure out how the hell he got the plane down with only one working arm.

"He had lost a lot of blood and would have bled out, but a medic was on board and applied direct pressure and a tourniquet, he tried to keep him from going into shock but he was in pretty rough shape when the EMT's got there.

"They gave him two units of blood, stabilized his arm and shoulder but he hasn't woke up, they think he may have internal or brain injuries from the plane hitting the ground, he took the biggest impact when they landed. They took him to Walter Reid because what I just told you is all classified, and didn't happen when the papers get hold of the story.

"It was engine failure that caused the crash, and the pilots died landing the plane, that's the official story, so I know it sucks, but Kate he's still alive, more than I had hoped for when I first talked to Jackson."

Kate had held it in, mainly because if she cried, she could miss something the Captain was telling her, but when he paused, her tears fell, and the tissues she had been holding wiped her eyes and nose.

"Roy, I won't ask, but I know you got the information directly, would you please answer my next question with the entire truth, based on everything you know? Please?" She sniffled,

"I will if I can Kate, you know there are more sides to this story than I can reveal, what's your question?"

"Roy, is Rick going to die? I mean how close is he to death would be a better way to put it." She could barely get the words out,

"Kate, he's in a coma, he's had a hell of a lot of trauma from this incident, apparently there were other injuries from before, but yes Kate, there's a good possibility that Rick won't make it. You heard about the priest being there, well, he was a minister and it wasn't last rites, but it was a prayer for the family and Rick, things aren't looking good." Roy said, almost breaking into tears himself.

"Sir, I would like to call to see if they would allow me to at least be outside his room, I mean I know it's a lot to ask but I can't be here and him there, that close to death's door, I just can't." Her tears fell in earnest,

"Kate, talk to the family if it won't be a distraction, then take some of that banked vacation and sick leave time you have, before you lose it again this year, take as much time as you need, but Kate, (long pause) just be damned sure this will help Rick, not hurt his chances, OK?

"Of course, Sir, I'm going to call Alexis, she's the one that despises me the most, so if I can get her blessing then I'm heading out as soon as I can. I'll let you know, Thanks Roy," and she hung up, still shaking,

She cleaned up the mess on the floor from where her coffee cup had spilled, then headed to the cupboard to get a new one, to replace the broken one now in the garbage. The first one she pulled down, brought out more tears, it was a gift from Castle last year, Law Appreciation Day or some made-up day, he was so good at them, she never knew if they were legit or he had made it up to justify giving her a present.

That one was now irreplaceable, so she cradled it to her breast as she took it to her forever drawer, one with all the souvenirs from Castle, including his doodles, paperclip chains, and the very first coffee lid with her name on it that she had to dig out of the garbage once he left, of course after she yelled at him to never do it again to make it even more special.

Walking by the coffee she poured another cup and added a healthy shot of booze, at this point she didn't care what kind, if it was alcohol it was what she needed. She steadied her hand as much as possible and dialed the young lady's phone she hadn't spoken to in months. The call was answered on the third ring, and to say she was shocked by the reception would put it mildly.

"Hello Detective Beckett, I told Mom that you would call as soon as you got word, are you OK?"

"I'm doing OK, I guess, but Alexis how are you, Gina and Martha doing? I know it was a shock to me, but he's your Dad and I know how close you two are. If there's anything I can do, let me know, please"

"Well there is one thing, but Mom wants to talk to you for a few minutes, I'll talk to you when you finish talking to her" Kate could her the phone rustle,

"Kate, this is Gina, how are you holding up?" She asked with such a kind voice

"I should be asking you that Gina, I mean, I've been having nightmares and when I awoke this morning, I saw the early version of Good Morning America, is it as bad as they said, please tell me the truth, please?" Kate whispered,

"Truth? Well, it's worse Kate, we don't know if he is going to make it, but even if he does, no one can tell us anything about the head trauma. He has a huge bump from where he landed the plane, I guess a tree branch almost decapitated him according to the reports we got.

"Apparently, he turned his head at the last second but the hit was severe. The doctors don't know which version of Rick will wake up, so they asked us to have friends and family close by in case he is confused. I know it's a lot to ask but Kate if you could, I mea*"

"Gina tell me where to go, I'll be on my way within the hour, I already have time off from work, I wanted to be close by, even if I couldn't see him, but I need to be near him, he never let me down, whatever I can do.

"I know you guys hate me and you have the right, and for what it's worth, I am sorrier than you will ever know. I've been working on the old Kate, Gina, why are you and Alexis being so nice to me? I know you both don't like me so why are you going out of your way and being so kind?"

"You said it yourself, Rick may have been gone, but in his heart, you will always be his partner, so if he wakes and asks for you, I want you, make that we want you here to help him get well. This isn't the time for grudges and petty jealousy, we all want one thing, Rick, to get well, and back to the man we all love."

Kate was speechless until she heard Alexis on the phone "Kate, if you're serious I am texting you the number to the car service, when you are ready, pack a bag, it could be a week or more before Daddy wakes, call the number and they will take you to a Heli-pad and bring you directly here. We have a three-bedroom suite attached to the hospital for VIPs and dignitaries so don't worry about anything like that."

"Alexis, I'm serious, I can be packed in 15 minutes or less, I'll see you soon, and Thank You, tell Gina I will never forget your kindness,"

"Kate, just never hurt my Dad again, that's all we ask, be here, I know he's going to ask for you when he wakes, and I want him to think everything is fine so he will fight to get well. Travel safely Kate, see you soon," she hung up,

The next ten minutes were pure pandemonium in Beckett's apartment as she packed a bag for a week, and quickly called the number Alexis had texted her. The car was pulling up just as she made her way out the front door, and silently the driver took her bag and opened the back door and they were speeding through the New York streets headed to a private airstrip used by executives, and those with the funds to afford private jets.

When they arrived at the airstrip, Kate was surprised at the size of the helicopter, it wasn't the small sightseeing variety, it was a Bell Model 206, a luxury helicopter she had seen used in some motion pictures. When she boarded, it was indeed a luxury craft, seating for 4, and a bar and all the amenities. She had barely gotten settled into her seat when she heard the pilot speak,

"Buckle up mam, we've cleared for takeoff, I'll try to keep it as smooth as possible. It's a little over two hundred miles, we should be arriving in one hour and 49 minutes if we don't hit any adverse weather causing us to deviate from this course. If you need anything please press the call button to your right, overhead,"

Kate was expecting a loud whirling sound, almost like the lawnmowers early in the morning when you're in your best sleep. She had slipped the headphones on, and to her surprise, soft gentle music was playing, she didn't hear anything, although she felt the lift and forward motions as they were now in flight. She closed her eyes and thought, what was she going to say to the family, how much did it take for both Alexis and Gina to put aside everything, just to get her there, just in case he asked for her. She must have fallen asleep since the next voice she heard was the pilot again,

"Mam, please be sure everything is secure, we will be setting this bird down in approximately 10 minutes, thank you" then the intercom went off, and the next thing she realized was they had landed. The doors were locked and didn't unlock until the blades on the chopper had stopped twirling, she was then assisted from the aircraft and whisked away to another limo.

They weaved in and out of streets, passing several historic sites, but Kate couldn't focus, or truthfully couldn't care less, the only thing she cared about was fighting for his life, and it was her fault. He never would have put himself in harm's way if she had been a decent person, an honest person, she held her head and cried softly.

When they entered the hospital grounds, they were directed to the VIP section, the remainder of the hospital was reserved for military and civil servants and families. Why Rick was flown here, well it didn't matter as long as he got well enough to come home to New York soon. Kate noticed the driver pick up the handset and place a call, just as they pulled up to two double doors. She recognized Alexis and Gina the moment she stepped out from behind the tinted glass of the limo.

"Kate, you made it." Alexis greeted her with a loose hug, thanks for coming. "John would you please place her bag in our suite please, she's staying with us."

"Hi Alexis, I'm so sorry, honey, sorry for so many things, thank you for letting me near him. I think I would go crazy in New York waiting for updates on the news."

"Hi Kate, as Alexis told you on the phone, right now Rick is our main concern, there will be plenty of time to sort out who did what to whom, once we get back to New York and he is up and around. Thank you for coming"

"Thank you, Gina, I really mean that" as Kate hugged her a little tighter.

She then heard the voice, "Hello Katherine Darling, thank you for coming, I hope the trip wasn't too hard" Martha stood with open arms, and Kate was in them in a flash, as Martha hugged her as a mother would know how to do. She quietly comforted her, then when Kate regained her composure, she asked,

"Has there been any change? When can I see him, without hurting his recovery?" she asked shyly,

"We just came down Kate, so it'll be two more hours, then they let two of us see him for 15 minutes, we were going to get something to eat. If the stories Rick told of you, then you probably haven't eaten in a while" Gina said gently,

"I guess it has been a while, so yeah, let's go I mean if you want me to come"

"Kate, one thing, if we didn't want you here, if we knew Rick TRULY didn't want you here when he woke up, you wouldn't be here, so please stop walking on eggshells with us, it'll work out, it just has to," Gina said softly as she wrapped her arm around Alexis's waist,

"Darling, Gina's correct, let's get something to eat in us, then we can decide who's going to in to see Richard, the doctors will be around soon, and we need to be up there," Martha said as she led the group toward the cafeteria

TBC