A/N: Thanks guys, here's the next chapter. =)).
Alexis couldn't stand it anymore, and having spoken to her grandmother, she decided that she had to call Kate Beckett, because in all her life, she had never seen her father look so heartbroken and he had never resorted to lying on the couch, with nothing bringing him any measure of happiness. It was as if a part of him had died, and she couldn't stand it anymore.
Alexis dialed Kate's number, and waited as the ringing started.
"Hello," a voice greeted. It wasn't Kate.
"I'm looking for Detective Beckett. It's Alexis."
"Oh, hey darlin', it's Lanie. Kate isn't taking calls at the moment. I forbid her, because she needs to recover and she wants to work. But I think I can make an exception for you."
"Um… Dr. Parish," Alexis said thinking quickly. "Can I ask you something?"
"Shoot?"
"I was wondering how Detective Beckett is doing without dad?"
There was a long pause.
"Not good," she replied honestly. Lanie had watched for the last three days as she tried to put energy into her work, but the light in her eyes had gone out. It was the same look she had seen every day before Richard Castle had walked into her life, and she was worried that without him, she'd never see the light back in her eyes. The two of them needed each other, whether they believed it or not, or at least Kate needed Castle. Maybe Castle was doing just fine.
"Same here," Alexis confessed. "I've never seen him like this. He is hauled up on the couch, and he hasn't moved in days. He hasn't written or even played with his phone, and I'm really worried Dr. Parish. Dad has never acted this way."
"Let me handle it," Lanie offered. "I'll take care of it. Don't worry. I'll sort 'em out."
"Okay," Alexis sighed. Alexis wasn't convinced, even she hadn't been able to get through to her dad, but she had no choice. She had run out of options. "Thanks. Bye."
"See ya, kid."
Alexis hung up, and hoped to God that Lanie Parish knew what she was doing.
…. … … … .. ..
Lanie had heard enough, and she didn't care if she was betraying a confidence, she had to tell Castle the truth, she had to tell him why Kate had pushed him away, if only to bring him some measure of comfort. Alexis sounded worried, and that worried Lanie more.
"Who was on the phone?" Beckett asked.
"Your future," Lanie stated.
"What?"
"I have to go."
"Lanie… what- who was it?"
"I'll be back soon."
She grabbed her coat from the back of the hospital chair and rushed out of ICU.
… .. … … …. …
It hurt. It hurt to move. It hurt to breathe. He couldn't stand thinking about Kate anymore, but his mind wouldn't shift in thoughts and he was stuck remembering her face… her eyes, her hair, the smell of her hair… God, he was dying without her… her lips-
No!
Castle pulled himself off the couch. He had enough. He was going to see Kate Beckett and he was going to give her a piece of his mind. When had he become such a push-over? When did he walk away giving her the last word, especially when that word meant the end of their partnership, the end of ever seeing her again. No, even if she blamed him for the Captain's murder, he wasn't letting her go without a fight.
He grabbed his jacket and headed out.
Every step he took, gave him more courage to face her, and to tell her what was.
The air was cold as he tried to hail a cab, and in the end it was taking too long, and he figured the long walk might actually help him figure out what he wanted to say to her, and how to convince her that he was sticking around – like it or not.
…. …. … … …
Lanie pulled up to Castle's apartment, and once she got up to the door, she was blazing anger. She wasn't sure who she was angrier with – Kate or Castle. Castle had given up far too easily, and it wasn't in his nature, which was why it surprised her that he had walked away. And Kate had this stubborn ability to push people away when she was afraid, and more fool them for letting her.
"RICHARD CASTLE!" she roared from outside the closed door. "IF YOU KNOW WHATS GOOD FOR YOU, YOU'LL OPEN THIS DOOR!"
Lanie heard footsteps approaching and then the door swung open, but it wasn't Castle on the other side. It was Alexis.
"Dad's not here," Alexis said worriedly. "He isn't on the couch. I came down from my room and he was gone."
Lanie frowned. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, he's gone. Maybe he went to see Detective Beckett," she shrugged looking hopefully.
"He better had," she nodded in agreement. "If he knows what's good for him."
And now the games begin! =)). Are you excited?
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