Disclaimer: Pretty sure that I still don't own Castle…
When they say that your life flashes before your eyes, they're not kidding. But, Kate Beckett did not see all of the happy times that she spent with her parents. Or even the sad, painful moments after her mother's death. Instead, she saw Rick. All of the times that they were building theory, or eating at Remy's, or when they just needed to be together after a tough case.
"Clear!" Rick had been pushed out of the room while the doctors were rushing around Kate trying to bring her back. He leaned against the wall and felt his knees give out from under him as he slid down to the floor.
Then, after what had felt like years, he heard a miracle. "Beep, beep, beep, beep." He let out a breath that he didn't even know he was holding. Picking up his, he dialed Lanie.
"Lanie, its Kate. Come now!" She didn't even have time to say anything. She dropped her phone on Espo's bed and ran to Kate's room. She was about to go in, when she saw him sitting on the ground. Lanie couldn't just leave him out there alone, while his whole world was falling apart.
"Hey, she's going to be okay." She put a hand on his knee.
"She remembers Lanie. She remembers everything from the shooting, a- and I-. I told her I loved her. And she remembers, and she was trapped and I almost died and if I died then I might not have heard her admit it. But I didn't and she said it, and now she might die without knowing that I really feel that way, and it wasn't just because she was shot then, or 'cause she's hurt now. But it's because I love her and I want to be with her for the rest of my life."
"Rick, I spoke to the doctors and they said she's going to be okay. Something just happened so suddenly and she got overwhelmed by the pain. But Rick no matter what, she is going to know that you love her. And she loves you back. Someone needs to just take the leap."
He just looks at her and smiles. "Thanks Lanie. Now, go back to Esposito."
She looks at him and shakes her head. "No, I've been with him the whole time. Let's go see your girl, Writer Monkey." They share a meaningful glance, and then Rick helped her up. Rick walks in and sits by her bed. He takes her hand in his and brushes a piece of hair out of her face. He starts to wonder to himself what she was going to say. But it sounds a lot like what she wanted to say in the freezer. But he's going to have to wait until she wakes up.
A/N: sorry about the update, been busy with the holidays. So I think that there's going to be only a few more chapters left.