Title: A Heartbreak, A Crime & A Declaration

By: greygoose70

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

Chapter 6

Even though it was late when she got home, after dropping Martha and Alexis off, Kate still got up at her regular time. She wanted to get to the hospital and see Rick so she took a quick shower, dressed, dried her hair, put on her make-up, grabbed her jacket from the chair she threw it on when she got home, clipped her badge and gun to her belt, snatched her keys off their hook by the door and headed out. All in all it took her twenty-one minutes, nowhere near her best time but then again she wasn't going to a crime scene, she was going to see the man she loved.

Ten minutes later she stepped off the elevator onto the ICU ward of Presbyterian Hospital, she had even stopped at a local coffee shop and picked up a cup of her favorite brew. She'll be damned it she was going to drink that sludge the hospital passed off as coffee.

Kate walked up to the nursed station asking one what room Castle was in, she got some resistance being told that visitation hours wasn't till eight but Kate showed the woman her badge, telling her she wouldn't be long. When she was told visits were restricted to immediate family only Kate pulled out her mothers ring explaining to her she was also his fiancee, a small white lie but it worked. He was in room 509.

When Kate stepped into his room she went into brief shock. Laying there hooked to more wires and tubes than you'd find on a space shuttle was her friend, partner and hopeful lover. He was so white she had a hard time differentiating him from the sheet that covered him. She moved up to one side of his bed sitting down in the chair already there and took hold of his hand being careful not to disturb the catheter taped to the back of it and began speaking softly.

"Rick I hope you can hear me. I came to tell you I, well not just me but your friends at the twelfth also, got the men who did this to you. Them and their comrades put up a fight and lost; they're dead Rick. You can now put all your energy into getting better, you have to get better Rick, you have to cause I love you Richard Castle, I love you. I don't think I can go on without you."

By now Kate was crying so heavily the tears running down over cheeks were like Niagara Falls, her nose was runny and she starting to shake. She was unaware that she had comfort standing behind her. And not only the one she couldn't see or hear.

Oh Kate how I wish I could take you in my arms right now, let you know everything is going to be alright: I will recover and be your friend and partner again but more importantly I'll be your lover because I love you too Katherine Beckett, always have, always will. Always.

"He will," came a voice from behind her.

Turning around quickly Kate looked up and saw Dr. Winchester standing there. How can you be so sure?" She asked though her sobs.

"Because he's fighting to get better Detective Beckett. He has already made vast improvement so much so that we're going to remove the breathing tube. We will want to keep him on the induced coma for a while though."

"How much longer?" Her sobs lessening at the doctors news.

"That will be up to him. Now if I can get you to step out for a brief period I will get a team in here to perform the procedure."

Kate stood and placed a kiss to Castles forehead, telling him she'd be back shortly then left the room. As she headed toward the family waiting room she spotted two redheads coming her way. Alexis saw her and instantly ran to her engulfing her in a hug. This was something she was finding out about the Castle/Rodgers family, they were huggers. And as soon as Alexis released her Martha had her wrapped in her arms.

"Katherine dear, you're here early. How is Richard this morning?" Martha could see that Kate had been crying so she was concerned.

"The doctor came in while I was there. He told me Castle is doing much better and that they were getting ready to remove the breathing tube. He also said he was keeping him in the coma, it would help in his recovery, help in his healing."

"So why have you been crying my dear?"

"I talked to him Martha. I told him I love him," Kate replied wrapping her in an embrace as she began crying again.

"Oh Katherine dear he knows that but what about your relationship with that doctor fellow."

"I broke up with him. I just want Rick."

"Here Kate," Alexis said handing her some tissues from her purse.

"Thanks Lex," she replied taking them releasing Martha from the hold she had on her.

Alexis took hold of Kate's hand, "Come on Kate lets get you to the restroom, get you washed and new makeup. I've everything you need with me."

Fifteen minutes later the two girls exited the ladies room heading to meet back up with Martha, Kate looking more like the confident woman she was, her hand still firmly holding onto Alexis'.

TBC