Title: A Heartbreak, A Crime & A Declaration

By: grerygoose70

Summary; In the aftermath of the dirty bomb Castle has some thinking to do but somrthing happens that changes his life. (A/U for S03/E17)

Chapter 2

He looked down and watched as the doctor yelled 'CLEAR' then placed the paddles of the defibrillator to the mans chest sending an electric shock to his heart. He saw the doc look up at the monitor but the line was still flat, "300", he shouted and a nurse moved a dial on the machine to the next setting. "CLEAR", he shouted again then shocked the man again. 'Beep' came from the monitors speaker and a jagged line appeared on the screen, that scenario continued to repeat itself at regular intervals.

"Okay people let's get these slugs out of him and get him sewn up and with that collapsed lung we'll need to keep a close eye on him.

"Okay Carlson, finish him up and get him into 'recovery'," he heard the doctor order as he removed his mask. "Is his family here?"

"Yes doctor," one of the nurses replied. "They're in the waiting room."

He followed the doctor out of the O.R. and into the 'Waiting Room'. There he saw his mother sitting next to his daughter Alexis and Detective Beckett. Also there were Detectives Ryan and Esposito as well as Dr. Parrish and Captain Montgomery. "Family of Richard Castle," the doctor said at which they all rose and stepped forward.

Somewhat stunned the doctor spoke, "Immediate family."

"I'm Martha Rodgers his mother, this is his daughter Alexis and whatever you have to say can be said to everyone here. It will save me from having to repeat it."

"Very well. I'm Doctor Winchester the surgeon that operated on Mister Castle. I can tell you that he is very fortunate to be alive, he had lost a lot of blood and one of his lungs was collapsed. We were able to remove the bullets, stop the hemorrhaging and close up the hole to the lung. He has been placed in a chemically induced coma to aid in his recovery. Are there any questions?"

"When will we be able to see him?" Martha asked.

"Not for a while," the doctor replied. "We currently have him in 'Recovery' so he can be continually monitored due to the collapsed lung. Sometime later he will be moved to Intensive Care, there he will be able to have visitors but it will be limited to immediate family only. If there is nothing else I suggest you all go home and get some rest. Mrs. Rodgers if you will leave your contact information with the nurse she will contact you when he is transferred to ICU."

"Thank you," Martha replied to him as she followed him out of the waiting room and headed for the nurses station, Alexis right beside her.

"Beckett, with me," Castle heard Captain Montgomery call out so he followed her over to where the captain was standing. "Sir," she replied upon getting there.

"I want you to head out to Castle place in the Hamptons first thing in the morning. I want you to assist the Sheriff's department there with this case. Sheriff Brady there is a personal friend of mine, I'll call and clear it with him."

"Thank you sir. I was going to ask if I could do just that," she answered.

Good, I'll go with you.

"What, who said that?" Beckett asked turning around but didn't see anyone near her that could have said something.

"Who said what Beckett?" Queried Montgomery.

"Nothing sir, I must be hearing things. I'll be at Castles place first thing, have their lead detective meet me there." She then headed for the elevator where Ryan was holding the door for her.

Castle stood there in wonderment. Did Beckett hear him when he he said he'd go with her and if she did why didn't anyone else hear him. He needed to catch up with her, talk to her, he could help her solve this case, discover who shot him. He started for the elevator but saw that the doors had already closed then noticed the STAIRS sign and made a beeline for them instead.

Reaching the door he went to grab the handle but instead of it being push down his hand went right on through it. 'What the hell he thought' so he tried again only to get the same result. "How the hell am I gonna get out of here," he said aloud as he went to pound on the door with his fist. His fist though met zero resistance and the force he exerted propelled him completely to the other side but instead of finding a stairwell he found himself standing outside the door to Beckett's apartment.

As he stood there in amazement at what had just happened he heard the elevator doors open and the sound of steps that he knew all to well. He turned watching as Beckett made her way toward him, he went to get out of her way but he was too slow and was shocked when she walked right through him then unlocked her door and went inside.

Wondering where he was going to find himself if he walked through her door and deciding there was only one way to find out he took steps forward till he was on the other side. To his surprise he was now inside her apartment watching her as she was disrobing. By the time she reached the bathroom she was down to her panties and bra with one arm reaching around to unclasp it. 'NO' he thought, he was not going to watch any more so he at once closed his eyes. The first time he saw her naked was not going to be like this, no that would be when he made love to her, at least he hoped so anyway.

Immediately upon entering her apartment, after removing her jacket and storing her weapon and badge she began undressing letting each item remain on the floor as it was removed so that upon reaching the bathroom the next to last item to come off was her bra. Stepping into the bathroom she closed the door, removed her panties reached in and turned on the hot water for the invigorating shower she was badly in need of.

Castle finally opened his eyes thankful to see that the bathroom door was closed. Wondering if he could make himself comfortable he walked over to Beckett's couch and attempted to sit down. Thankfully it offered resistance and he was able to stretch out on it, close his eyes and relax.

Her shower complete Beckett grabbed a towel and dried herself off then wrapped it around her securing it. She wasn't a prude she just didn't care to go traipsing around in the nude not even in her own apartment. Besides ever since that incident at the hospital, hearing that voice, she had a eerie feeling and it unnerved her. She would swear the voice sounded just like Castles. Shaking it off as just her imagination she exited the bathroom going to her bedroom closing the door behind her where she discarded the towel put on a clean pair of underwear, a NYPD t-shirt that was about three sizes to big and crawled in bed checking that her backup weapon was under the pillow, she instantly fell asleep.

Castle laid on the couch trying to make sense of what was going on with him. He knew he wasn't dead he had seen the doctor resuscitate him so he couldn't be a ghost, no as a ghost she would be able to see him also, at least he thought that she would. Okay how about a spirit, as such he wouldn't need to be dead but he would to have died, which he did briefly so it must be his soul. His soul must have been disembodied and not returned when he was brought to life but that didn't explain how she was able to hear him.

Just then he heard a door open so he opened his eyes seeing that it was already morning. He saw Beckett coming from her bedroom heading for the kitchen her oversize shirt hanging down loosely over one shoulder. He watched her pour herself a up of coffee then go back to her bedroom. A short while later she came back out dressed for work and pulling a small wheeled suitcase. She stopped at the door, retrieved her weapon and badge, slipped on her jacket getting ready to leave. Castle got up off the couch and fell in behind her as she opened the door and left.

Castle followed her into the elevator and stood beside her as they rode it down to the lobby where they exited and walked to her cruiser. He was standing beside the passenger door wondering how this was going to work, he had already tried the door handle but nothing happened. 'Okay,' he thought 'I'll just assume the door is already open' so he entered as he normally would. As was the case with couch the seat gave resistance and he was seated just as he normally would.

Beckett stowed her suitcase in the trunk, got in the vehicle, buckled her seatbelt, started the engine, placed the selector in DRIVE and pulled out into traffic.

Castle had been quiet for the entire trip quite unusual for him he was normally a chatterbox unable to go for a minute without talking. They were about ten miles from the turnoff that led to his Hampton house when all of a sudden he blurted out, thanks for letting me come along.

It was a good thing there weren't any cars behind her as she jerked her head toward him the hand on the steering wheel following in the same direction her right foot moving over to slam on the brakes all happening as she was screaming "WHAAAT!"

Beckett sat there gasping for breath not fully realizing what was happening. As she began getting herself under control she peered in the rearview mirror noticing the back end of her car was sticking out in the road so she released the brake and pulled forward until it was clear of any future traffic. She put the car in PARK and sat there with here hands gripping the steering wheel, her head tilled forward resting on them. "God what is happening to me? Last night at the hospital and just now I hear his voice."

Nothing is happening to you Kate, it's me.

"CASTLE!?" She shouted her head snapping up and turning at the sound of his voice.

Kate you need to stop jerking your head like that you could hurt yourself.

"Ca…Castle, ar…are you dead and I'm hearing your ghost."

I don't think so. I know I died but the good doctor Winchester brought me back and ever since I've had this ability that I can't explain.

"What kind of ability?" she asked.

Well I can pass through doors but I can't grab things. I can sit or lay down on furniture and not end up on the floor. I can see and hear everyone but no one can see or hear me that is except for you, somehow you can hear me."

"So how did you end up in my car with me?" Kate then asked.

Funny thing about that. When I went through the stairway door at the hospital I just found myself in front of your apartment door basically arriving just before you. You waked right through me when on the way to your door. I…

"You followed me in! You saw me…"

Not right away," Castle interrupting her. But yes I passed through your door not knowing where I'd end up and saw you undressing and immediately closed my eyes, didn't open them again till I felt it safe to do so.

"What did you do then?" Kate wanting the whole story.

Laid down on your couch trying to figure out what as going on with me, closed my eyes briefly and when I opened them again it was morning. I knew you were going to my house in the Hamptons so I waited and followed you when you left.

"And so you waited until I was what, ten miles from your place on a two lane highway doing sixty miles per hour to say something. Geez Castle what were you thinking?"

I'm sorry, you're right I wasn't thinking, I should have waited until we got there.

"So what do you hope to accomplish when we get there?" Kate inquired. "How will you be of any assistance?"

I can walk you through exactly what happened when I was shot and give you a pair of names."

"There were two of them. You know who they are?" Kate exclaimed.

Just their first names, I heard them call out to each as I was laying on the floor. Craig and George but I don't know which one actually shot me. When they left I managed to get my phone and call 9-1-1 before passing out.

"Oh Castle if you hadn't managed to call 911 you would be dead right now. I'm calling Alexis right now just to be sure. She'll be at the hospital by now."

Kate grabbed her phone from the center console and pressed 'call' at Alexis' name then put it on speaker, she answered after two rings. "Hey Lexi its Kate. You at the hospital? Have got to see your dad? How is he?" She rattled off rapidly.

"Kate, slow down. Yes, I'm here in the ICU waiting room. I just came from his room and there hasn't been any change. Grams is in with him now." Alexis replied then asked, "Where are you?"

"Down the road from the Hamptons house the Sheriff's Department here is letting me assist with the investigation."

"Good. I know you'll find out who did this, who shot my dad." She then began crying.

"I will Lexi you can count on it. Okay. Now you be sure to call me if there are any changes. Love you Lexi."

"Love you to, Kate." She answered then disconnected the call.

Kate could hear sobs coming from the passenger seat. "Rick, are you okay?"

No," he answered. "My baby is hurting and there's nothing I can do for her. Kate, if I don't make it…

"Stop it Rick! Don't even think it! You will pull through this, understand me! You're Richard Castle the man who doesn't give up!" Kate responded furiously. "Rick," she continued in here normal voice. "You heard Alexis nothing has changed, you're probably still in an induced coma and you're still alive. Now lets get to the house and meet the detective from the Sheriffs office."

Upon arrival at the Castle house and exiting her cruise Kate had to take a minute to gaze, gawk might be better word, at the expanse in front of her. "Wow Castle are you rich or something?"

Well I'm not James Patterson rich but I do okay.

They entered the house where they saw a woman sitting on the sofa looking through a file who upon seeing them rose saying, "Detective Beckett I presume."

"Yes." Beckett replied and you are?"

"Detective Jane Rizzoli, Suffolk County Sheriff Department," she replied, "Nice to meet you." She then held out her hand in greeting.

Kate took here hand replying, "And you also. Please call me Kate."

"Then you may call me Jane."

You can call me Rick.

"Who said that?" He heard Detective Rizzoli shout her head snapping in the direction of his voice.

"Did you hear that?" Kate asked Jane a look of astonishment on her face.

"Who's Rick?" Jane asked in return turning back to face Kate.

"Richard Castle. And how is it you can hear him? He thinks I'm the only one that can. Rick, what's going on here?"

I don't know, Kate, I'm as confused as you are.

"Not as confused as I am," Jane said. "One of you want to explain it to me."

"Go ahead Rick you explain it I don't think I can." Kate replied.

You may want to sit down for this Jane. Is it okay if I call you Jane?

"Sure, go ahead we're all friends here, I think." She then took a seat on the sofa. The same spot she had been sitting when they first arrive, Kate siting down at the opposite end.

Rick then went on to tell her everything that he has been through since he apparently died and was returned to life.

"Wow. That's the strangest thing I've ever heard. So your not a ghost cause you'd need to be dead for that and you're not. Not really a spirit, a spirit would normally inhabit another living creature. You seem to think its your soul and that somehow Kate and now me are the only ones who can hear you. So what do we do now?"

Well as I told Kate I can walk you through exactly what happened when I was shot, follow me.

"RICK!" The two women screamed simultaneously and rising together.

Oops, sorry. Anyway I had just returned from getting something to eat at Harold's, parking the Range Rover in the carport back behind the pool and coming in through the kitchen. When I got to the stairway I noticed light coming from the office.

Kate and Jane both could tell that his voice was now at a noticeable distance, coming from they believed the stairs so they began making their way toward them.

I was pretty sure I had turned all the lights off in there when I left but decided to go and investigate. When I got to this point, his voice trailing off again, I say two figures rushing towards me. I yelled 'Hey' and suddenly saw two flashes accompanied by two loud bangs then felt two thumps to my body and went down. I wasn't completely unconscious and as they went passing by my crumbled body I heard one of them called Craig and the other called George. I don't how I was able to get to my phone and dial 911 before I blacked out.

"Can you remember anything at all about the two men?" Jane asked.

Rick closed his eyes trying to envision his intruders before saying. I think they were clad in black, the one on the right, my right, was taller and I think he might have been left handed the flashes appeared to come from that side.

"Excellent, Rick," Kate said. "That will help tremendously when we go to search our database. Now what do you think they were looking for?"

My safe so we need to go in the office. Jane, has your CSU team completed their sweep through the house?

"Yeah Rick they're done," she replied.

Okay then lets go, he told them as he headed there.

As soon as Rick stepped into his office he stopped seeing it was in shambles. Kate and Jane didn't stop though and passed right through him stopping at the desk and looking around at the mess. "Where's the safe at Rick? Kate asked not seeing anything that looked remotely like a safe.

Its behind the bookcase. He responded watching as the two detectives whipped their heads around discovering that he was behind them.

You passed right through me when I stopped. Third shelf up from the bottom look for 'Casino Royale' should be on the left, tilt it toward you.

Kate moved over to the bookcase, found the copy of Ian Fleming's book 'Casino Royale', placed her finger at the top of the spine and tilted it toward her stopping when she heard a click and the case sprang outward several inched. She grabbed an edge pulling it open noticing how easily it moved. Once she had it open all the way she marvel at the site before her, there was a MESA Safe & Vault Company dual combination wall safe one of the best made.

"Well even if they were lucky enough to locate the safe they would have a tough time getting it open. Hell even a pro has enough sense to leave these alone." Kate commented.

"How did they know you even had a safe Rick and that it was located in your office?" Jane iterated.

Lucky guess. This is the Hamptons lots of rich people, figured most of the had safes.

"No Rick. Your place was targeted specifically." Kate said. "They knew you had a safe and that it as located in your office."

"Where did you get the safe and who installed it?" Jane following up with questions of her own.

Bought it directly from the manufacture, their people installed it.

"When was that?" Kate instantly asked.

About five weeks ago right after the dead magicians case.

"That's right, that's when you told me you would be out of pocket for a few days." She responded.

"Was it delivered in a company truck? Did the truck have the company name or logo on it?" Inquired Rizzoli.

Maybe it was a good thing he couldn't be seen otherwise people would think he was watching a tennis match his head turning from side to side from one to the other with their rapid fire questioning.

No and yes, he finally said. C & H Trucking.

"You have a copy of the delivery ticket and installation order?" Kate fired off.

They should be in a file marked 'Security' in the desk.

Each side of the large oak desk contained a hanging type file drawer. Kate took one side while Jane took the other. "Got it," Jane cried out pulling the file. She quickly opened it finding the two items stapled together. "Look at this," motioning Kate over to join her. There on the install order was hand written 'customer to provide office location'.

"Okay Kate, looks like that's it for this place what do say we retreat to my office, start making phone calls and checking databases."

"Works for me and thank you for letting me assist you with this investigation," Kate replied.

"I could say I didn't have much of a choice but after meeting you I'm glad you're here. We got a lot accomplished that I wouldn't have learned on my own. Of course having a strange apparition here also helped."

Hey, but thanks. Rick replied then asked Kate to please shut the bookcase he didn't need someone coming in here finding it open and discovering the safe.

After exiting the house they got in their cars and Kate followed Jane to her office.