Title: Rock Foundation
Disclaimer: I do not own the Castle characters or their story lines. I just borrow them for fun.
Summary: A Sequel of sorts for my one-shot Rock Solid. Kate and Rick deal with the aftermath of Knockdown and move forward with their lives, learning to balance their partnership with their budding relationship.
Author's note: I'm releasing this pre-Knockout, because it's not fluffy, so I figure it's better to read it before we're all turned to goo and weeping over the Finale. I wish I had timed it better, but this is where we are in the story. There's a lot that's up in the air for them here. But, have no fear, resolutions will be provided within the next few chapters. ALSO, I may start updating this on Fridays instead of Mondays after today...we'll see. Keep a lookout though.
Let me know what you think.
Emma
Chapter XXIV:
"We'll send someone out as soon as we know something."
Kate just stared as they wheeled Rick away from her and into the operating room. The doors swung shut and she was left standing in the middle of the waiting room. He'd nearly coded in the ambulance. He'd lost so much blood. He was so pale.
"Tell…tell Alexis I…I love her," he'd whispered.
"I will. I promise."
"And…my…mom."
"You'll see them in just a little bit," she'd told him, pressing her lips to his forehead.
"Kate…I…"
"I know."
"You got…got out…"
"I had to."
"But…"
"Shhh, Rick," she'd said softly. The ambulance had stopped. "I…I…" there was a lump in her throat. This wasn't goodbye. It couldn't be.
"I know," he'd whispered back.
Then the doors opened and they were hurrying him away.
She didn't know how long she stood there, reliving every horrible moment. Then there were arms wrapping around her.
"Kate. Kate. Is he okay? Where's Dad? What's going on?" Alexis flung questions at her a mile a minute while she buried her head into her shoulder.
Kate ran a hand over the girl's head and then pulled her back so that she could look at her tear-strewn face. "I don't know anything Alexis. He was breathing and beating when they took him away."
"Esp..Esposito said he got shot," she whispered.
Kate nodded, a lump forming in her throat at the reality of it all. The ride to the hospital had seemed so surreal and horrifying, but now…now, with Alexis' arms clutching at hers and Martha standing not four feet away, everything seemed so real—so terrifying.
"He did," she finally managed. "But it missed his head, his heart. The paramedics said that it didn't get any vital organs either."
"How?" the girl asked.
Kate took a deep breath. "Let's sit down," she suggested, gently tugging her over toward the chairs at the side of the waiting room. She lowered the teenager into a chair and then gestured for Martha to follow suit. Then she stood in front of them, wringing her hands. This wasn't just another family. These women—they were his family. They were her family.
"We were coming out to meet you. After we got the call, everyone went on red alert and the SWATs were sent out, and the security guys got you into the basement," she began. "And we were driving and then there was a truck that pulled across and intersection and we stopped and," she took a breath, "and Tyson was there."
Alexis and Martha listened with rapt attention, and Kate didn't miss the fact that Alexis had her grandmother's hand in a vice-like grip.
"He advanced on the squad car with this enormous gun—some kind of special unit army range. And he was yelling for me to get out. The glass is bullet proof, but he kept getting closer…" she watched it happen in her mind—the fight, the terror, Tyson's face. "So I got out…"
"You did what?" Alexis exclaimed.
"I got out of the car."
"Why would you…"
"Because if I didn't he was going to shoot us both," she whispered. "So I got out and shot him, but…"
"You were sacrificing yourself?" Alexis interrupted again.
"Alexis..."
"What the hell were you thinking?" the girl exclaimed. "How could you?"
"I couldn't face telling you that your father had been killed, Alexis," Kate replied.
Martha laid a hand on Alexis shoulder. "How did he get shot?"
Kate took a shaking breath. "I was too late. Tyson had already taken aim, but not at me. When I opened the door, he fired. I took him down and then took another shot. He's dead," she said without emotion. Yes, Tyson was dead. But at what price?
"But Rick isn't dead," Martha reminded quietly.
"Rick was reaching for me," Kate whispered. "He was stretched out across the seat, so the bullet meant for his head only managed to graze his side."
"How serious was this graze?" Martha asked.
Kate met her eyes. "He's lost a lot of blood."
"But you said he was awake," Alexis added quietly.
"Yes. When he went in, he was awake."
"Was he talking?"
Kate nodded slowly. "He said he loves you."
Alexis stood abruptly and engulfed Kate in a hug. "You got out of the car."
"I was the one with the gun, Alexis," Kate told her as they stepped apart. "I was the one who could end it. I didn't know that he'd fire at your Dad."
"But what if he'd fired at you, without the glass and the car to stop it?" the girl asked.
She didn't know what to say. "I…Alexis, I'm a cop. This is my job. Sometimes…sometimes you have to get out of the car."
"But…but," Alexis struggled to find words. "I just can't imagine…"
Martha stood and gently wrapped her arms around the girl's shoulders. "Neither can I, sweetheart. But right now, I think we need to get someone to see to Kate's wounds."
"My what?" Kate asked, startled. Then she felt it. The adrenaline was wearing off and there was a burning that spread up her arms and across her cheek.
"You look like you've got some burns there, Kiddo," Martha said gently.
"I didn't even…" Kate trailed off.
"And we appreciate that you've been able to give Rick your full attention, but now you need to focus on you while he's in surgery. Come on," she took Kate's hand and marched the three of them over to the window.
"Could we get a doctor to tend to Detective Beckett's injuries? She came in with Richard Castle."
The orderly behind the window looked up, gaped, and then scurried from the window, calling for a doctor.
"Is it that bad?" Kate asked quietly.
Alexis looked turned to stare at her. "You didn't feel it?"
Kate met her eyes. "Alexis, I was so intent on making sure that your Dad was alive that a bear could have mauled me, and I don't think I would have noticed."
"Thank you," she whispered.
"Alexis," Kate turned the girl to look at her. "If it is at all within my power, I will bring your father home alive every time."
Alexis considered her for a moment. "And you'll make sure that you're alive too?"
"If I can do both, I promise I will," she replied.
"I'm not sure that that's the right answer."
"It's the only one I can give you."
"Detective Beckett?" a young doctor interrupted. "I was told that you need medical attention?"
Kate looked over at him. "Yeah, I guess I do. There was some shrapnel from the door when the second shot hit the car and…" she gestured to her face and then held up the backs of her palms.
He gave her an understanding smile. "Alright. Well, let's get you to a bed and I'll have a nurse out to get rid of any of the metal, then we'll check you and get some dressing on those burns."
He gestured for them to follow his lead and he led them through the doors and over to a bed. "Do you mind if you family stays with you? Normally it's against protocol, but there's no one here…"
"Let them stay, please," Kate interjected.
Martha smiled and guided Alexis down into a nearby chair. The teen still looked shocked, halfway between angry and tears. Kate wished she could give the girl something other than weak assurances. She couldn't promise to come home alive, but damned if she wouldn't ensure that Rick did…even if it meant ending their partnership.
"Detective, I'm Nurse Mailin."
"Hi," Kate replied.
"Hello. Well, it looks like there are a few small pieces of metal imbedded in your cheek, and," she gently lifted each of Kate's hands, "some on the backs of your palms. So, I'm going to clean each area and then remove the metal. Let me know if it's too painful; we can always apply some local anesthesia."
Kate shook her head. "I'll be okay."
The nurse smiled. "Alright, just let me know."
They were silent as she sterilized Kate's cheek and hands and then took a pair of tweezers to the bits of metal. Kate kept her face slack, mentally counting and breathing as deeply as was possible. It hurt—shit did it hurt. But she was stronger than some shrapnel.
"There's no harm in admitting to the pain, you know," Martha piped up from the corner.
Kate raised a shoulder and then sucked in a breath as a particularly large piece of metal slid out from the back of her palm. "I'm fine," she sighed as it came free.
"Kate," Alexis said.
"There," the nurse smiled. "All done. I'll have Dr. Fransis come over to check you while I grab the salve for those burns. They're not too terrible, but the one on your cheek looks a bit like a second degree in one spot."
She walked away and Kate could finally feel the pain in her cheek. It felt a bit like a second-degree burn. She let herself fall back on the pillows, all of the stress of the night, and the fact that Rick was in surgery, hitting her full force. She closed her eyes and took deep breaths.
"Hey," she opened them and found Alexis sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Hey," she whispered. "You okay?"
"I…yeah."
"Liar," Kate murmured, reaching out to cover the girl's hand with her own.
"I'm not the one bandaged up and waiting for burn salve," she smiled.
"Your Dad will be okay," Kate said with conviction.
"I know."
"Do you?"
Alexis bit her lip. "He's never gotten shot before."
"I know."
"And, I just…you look terrible, and I can't even imagine what he must…"
Kate sat forward and pulled the teen to her chest. "It'll all be okay, Alexis."
Martha came up to them and began to pull Alexis away. "We need to let Kate…"
"No, no, Martha," Kate gave her a small smile. "Stay, both of you."
The older woman hesitated for a second before she sat down on the edge of the bed and took on of Alexis' hands in hers.
"Hey," they looked up and found Esposito and Ryan standing at the edge of the curtain to the cubicle, the nurse hovering behind them. "We just wanted to see how you were doing."
"I'm good, guys. Any news?"
"Tyson's being…disposed of, and Shaw's taking care of everything. Paperwork should be done when you get out."
"That's good," Kate replied. "Have they told you anything about?"
"A nurse came out and said everything's going well so far."
"Good," all three woman replied.
"So it's not just you and Castle; it's the whole family," Esposito laughed. "But really, you okay, Beckett?"
"I'm okay, Javi. Thanks. And you too, Kevin."
"Just watchin' out for you. It's what we do," Ryan shrugged. "We'll get out of your hair."
"Thanks guys," Kate called after them as they walked out of the ward and Nurse Mailin came through with Dr. Fransis.
"I hear you've got a second degree on your cheek, Detective," he said by way of greeting, stopping to stand next to her bed. "I'm sorry, Ladies, but could you?"
"Oh, of course," they replied. "You know what, Kate," Martha turned to her. "Why don't Alexis and I go find something for all of us to eat while you're taken care of, then we'll be back?"
"Sounds good," Kate smiled.
Martha guided Alexis away and Kate turned back to the Doctor. "Can you tell me anything about Rick Castle?"
"I'm told everything is going well. He's lost a lot of blood, but they're closing up the wound now and getting some back into him. He'll be fine. He won't move much for a few weeks, but he'll be right as rain."
"Thank God," Kate muttered as Dr. Fransis put on gloves and opened a can of salve.
"He'll have one heck of a scar," he added.
Kate laughed. "He'll love that. I'll probably hear a new story about it every week."
"May I ask you something?" he asked as he began rubbing the salve over her cheek.
"Sure."
"How is it that Mr. Castle isn't dead? Your Detectives filled me in on what happened."
"He was reaching across the seat, trying to keep me in the car when Tyson shot through the windshield," Kate replied quietly.
"He was trying to stop you?"
"Tyson wanted me out of the car, and Rick didn't want me to get out. We were fighting about it when I opened the door. He lunged, and then…here we are."
"Sounds to me like you saved his life," Fransis told her as he finished taping the gauze over her burn and stepped back.
"By sheer dumb luck," Kate sighed. "If anything had happened differently, he'd be dead."
"You want to hear my advice?" Kate looked at him. "Don't focus on the 'what ifs.' They'll drive you mad. He's alive. You're alive. And you can go back to your lives now."
"It's going to take weeks for both of us to get used to the fact that he was shot," Kate admitted.
"He shadows you, correct?"
"Yes, and he got shot."
"I'm sure he wouldn't want it any other way," he said gently.
"No, but I don't know that I can deal with it," she whispered. "He almost died because I had to get out of the car and do my job. He has a daughter." What was compelling her to spill her guts to this doctor?
"Who, if I understand the situation, would be dead right now if it wasn't for the two of you."
Kate shrugged. "If it wasn't for me, and the fact that he's following me, she wouldn't have ever been in danger."
"Would you change it? I hear that you make a pretty good team."
"Exactly how much did Ryan and Esposito tell you?" she asked, eyeing him suspiciously.
He just smiled. "They've got your back."
"I know."
"Anyway. You're all cleaned up. I'll make sure those girls get back here. Try to rest a bit. That adrenaline will wear off and you'll feel all of this in the morning."
"I'm feeling it right now," she muttered.
"Make sure you keep those wounds clean, Detective. Good luck." He walked away with a smile.
Kate stared after him. No. She wouldn't give up the time she'd spent with Rick for the past three years. But could she really let him keep following her? He'd been shot by a serial killer. And yes, he would live, but that scar would look at her for the rest of her life—judge her. If only she'd gotten out sooner, taken a faster shot, been a better cop. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out images of him laying there, bleeding onto the seat of her crown vic.
Her lips twitched. On the upside, this would finally give him a reason to get her a new car.
"Kate?" she opened her eyes and found a large cup on her side table. "We got you a smoothie. We weren't sure how comfortable you'd be chewing…" Alexis trailed off.
"Thanks," Kate smiled.
The girls brought chairs over and they ate in silence, Kate sipping slowly, trying to ignore the burning pain on her face.
"Detective?" They looked up to find a surgeon in scrubs hovering at the edge of the curtain.
"Yes?"
"Mr. Castle is out of surgery and asking for you."
Kate jumped up, and instantly regretted it as the world tilted.
"Take a moment, Kiddo," Martha said, grabbing her upper arm and then wrapping an arm around her. "You'll be dizzy. We got a large water too."
"Can we see him?" Kate asked the doctor.
She nodded and led them down a few halls. "He's in recovery. The surgery was successful and he should be good to go in a few weeks. Until then, he'll need to be relatively immobile. So no more ride-alongs for a while," she said, turning a soft smile on Kate as they reached the door. "But, he's very anxious to see you. He came out of the anesthesia fighting pretty heavily, so we've got him restrained…and, well." They could hear Rick angrily berating someone inside the room. "Suffice it to say that he's not happy about it."
"Just let me see her, and then I'll do whatever you damn need me to!"
The surgeon opened the door and Kate, Martha and Alexis walked through. Rick stopped mid-tirade as his eyes found them. The orderly who had been holding him down gingerly let go and quickly scurried from the room. But Kate barely noticed. She was too busy taking him in, all wires and tubes and hospital gowned up.
"Kate…you're okay." She nodded and slowly moved to sit on the side of his bed while Alexis and Martha gathered on the other side. "And Alexis, Mother, what are you doing here?"
"Dad!" Alexis exclaimed. "You've been shot. Of course we're here."
"But, Tyson…"
"No one's told you anything, have they?" Kate asked, reaching over to smooth down a bit of his hair. He looked so fragile with all of the tubes sticking out of him. His skin was still very pale and his eyes were slightly glassy. He shook his head. "Tyson's dead."
"Dead?"
"Yeah. Bullet to the forehead."
"Good shot," he smiled weakly.
"I was aiming for his head," she replied, squeezing the hand that had found hers.
"You're hurt," he observed, pointing to the gauze on her cheek.
"Just a little burn," she shook her head. "You're the one in the hospital bed."
"I'm going to have such a cool scar," he remarked.
"Dad," Alexis admonished.
He turned to look at her. "I'm okay, Pumpkin."
"We've been so worried," she whispered. He smiled and scooted over so that she could climb onto the bed next to him. "I won't hurt you?"
He shook his head and reached for his daughter, engulfing her in a hug while his other hand found his mother's. "I'm okay, guys. I promise."
"You're lucky, Rick."
He turned back to look at Kate. "You got out of the car."
Martha looked between them and then gently guided Alexis out of her father's arms. "Let's give them a few minutes Alexis."
"Okay," the teen said softly, leaning over to kiss both of their cheeks before she let her grandmother lead her out of the room.
"You got out of the car," he repeated as the door shut.
"I had to, Rick," she replied. "If I hadn't, he would have killed you."
"But…"
"You got shot anyway, Rick," she added. "I had to take the chance, I couldn't bear it if…"
"Do you have any idea how horrible it was to watch you open that door?" he asked, his voice laced with something she couldn't quite describe.
"About as horrible as hearing that shot go off, I'd imagine," she countered.
"What if he'd shot you instead? You'd be dead."
"He very nearly killed you!" she fired back. "If you hadn't lunged across the seat, you'd be dead, Rick. Your brains would be splattered all over the car and I'd probably still be screaming."
They stared at each other. "You got out of the car."
It was like a broken record. "I'm going to keep getting out of the car, Rick," she replied gently. "This is my job."
"It's not your job to get shot."
"It's my job to catch killers and protect people—yourself included."
"I can't watch you get out of the car again, Kate," he said after a quiet moment. "I can't go through that again."
"I can't watch you get shot again, Rick."
They stared at each other. "So, what now?" he asked, his fingers toying with hers.
"I don't know."