Kate staggered toward an unconscious Emma with Castle in tow. She became aware of the distant blare of sirens growing louder as they drew near. She knelt beside the failing woman to examine the knife wound on Emma's bicep. She lifted her arm, distressed by its iciness and paused to exchange a concerned look with Castle. She then removed her shirt and began tie it around the laceration.
"Castle, give me your jacket." Kate ordered reaching outward. She was frantic to ensure Emma hold onto any hint warmth possible. With her husband's jacket in hand, Kate proceeded to bundle her in it.
Castle dropped to Kate's side, placing a protective arm over her shoulders. He attempted to hold her in a way that would allow his body heat to transfer to her. She was trembling in her thin undershirt. She'd forgotten her wounds until Castle tore each sleeve from his shirt and applied pressure to her forehead and belly. His hand lingered on her belly, but he remained silent.
She knew that each would need stitches. She cast her eyes downward to her her husband's hand and noticed something she hadn't noticed before. The subtle protrusion of her lower abdomen. The lack of food over the past few days adding emphasis. She had been too preoccupied before now to detect it. She suspected that Castle's pause was likely due to suspicion. A hint of a smile decorating her face she reached into her pocket removing the cell phone she had stolen from Nieman's desk. She glanced to it and then to her husband.
"I knew you'd be able to track it once I called …" She had called him before the escape, keeping him on the entire time. "I had to believe that you'd find us… I couldn't…"
"I know, love," he hushed her pulling her closer, confirming her safety, "I had to believe that I'd find you too."
"Castle, there's something …." Before she could finish Espo chimed in.
"…Castle!" A familiar voice called out.
"We're over here, Espo!"
"Beckett – You're alive!" Esposito exclaimed in relief as he appeared from among the trees.
"Espo, please tell me you have an ambulance."
"The EMTs are on their way out now." She could feel him looking her over for any sign of serious injury. His eyes snagging first on her battered forehead then fell to the cut on her belly.
"I'll live, Espo. Please, help Emma." She begged, observing Espo's demeanor shift upon seeing the poor woman's disrepair. Even through the bruising and lacerations he could still tell that she was a beautiful woman. He turned to Kate taking a moment to collect his thoughts before finally speaking.
"Is it safe to move her?" He managed to ask.
"Yes, she doesn't have any spinal injuries."
Before Kate could finish, Javi scooped Emma into his arms and began to rush her out of the woods. He knew that her time was dwindling and she needed a hospital and soon. Without hesitation, he jumped into the back of the ambulance with her. He'd noted the way Beckett's eyes implored that this woman survive. Anything important to Beckett was important to him. He took comfort in the fact that Ryan and Castle would see to Beckett and would meet up with them at the hospital.
Once at the hospital, Kate endeavored to stay her worry as she awaited news from the doctor. She was half tempted to tell Castle her more than suspicions, but since she hadn't had the opportunity to confirm them she opted not to. Finally a man in his mid-thirties entered the room.
"Mr. and Mrs. Castle, I'm Doctor Hawes."
The couple sat in silence, waiting for him to continue.
"Mrs. Castle, apart from the nineteen stitches, you are quite dehydrated. We'll need to place you on an IV to restore your fluids. We ran a few other tests, each protocol just to be thorough."
Kate was hanging on his every word, waiting – no hoping for good news.
"Everything appears to be normal, especially considering what you've been through. My nurse will be bringing in our ultrasound machine to ensure that everything with your pregnancy is alright."
She turned to Castle who wore dubious grin on his face as if waiting to be return from a dream. His wonderment soon transformed into concern as reality seeped in. He grabbed her grabbed her hand and gave a gentle squeeze, as much for his reassurance as for hers.
There was a quiet knock on the door followed by an energetic young nurse rolling in the ultrasound machine. She was silent as she set up the equipment, not wanting to interrupt the pensive couple. Once ready, she sat beside Kate, who looked as tense as ever, and smiled.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Castle. My name is Amelia, I'll be doing your ultrasound. If you could please lift your shirt for me that would be great."
Once Kate did so, Amelia grabbed a tube of gel and applied it to Kate's lower abdomen. After shifting the transducer probe for a moment an image came onto the screen accompanied by a swift whooshing sound. Kate didn't dare get her hopes up until she was certain that the ordeal hadn't harmed her baby.
"Well, Mrs. Castle, here is a healthy fetus at eight weeks. The development and heart-rate are normal as well as your HCG levels. After this experience and your heart condition, you're considered high risk."
Amelia noticed the worry spreading over the couple's faces.
"Now, this is just a precaution and only means that you need to see your doctor more often than typical. With that said, I will give you two a moment alone before Doctor Hawes returns."
Castle turned a loving gaze toward Kate and inclined toward her, pressing a gentle kiss on the uninjured skin of her forehead.
"A baby." He whispered in awe, allowing his hand to caress her hint 0f a bump.