Here's hoping this actually posts, as the site went down for me and lost all my changes! Mistakes are mine, as was the long hiatus on this story. Got about 10 chapters in editing to get this one finished once and for all. Thanks to all you patient folks.
The ride to the hospital was a blur, and Castle found it excruciating to be there. As he watched Mia's unconscious body he was filled with a sense of helplessness. The writer was also reminded of a time not so long ago when the beautiful, but devastated woman beside him was lying on a similar stretcher-her chest saturated with her own blood and the life draining out of her. Rick squeezed Kate's hand even harder, as if he could transfer his own strength to her; as if he could protect her from all of her pain and heartbreak.
Kate silently stared at her daughter, waiting for some miracle to occur.
"Her pulse is weak, but still there." The paramedic stated after several tense moments had passed, attempting to provide some good news in an otherwise bleak situation.
It became apparent upon closer inspection that Mia's head was covered in blood. Her hair was matted to her scalp and nobody dared to explore how severe the injury was. The paramedic's only concern was to keep her alive and to get her into the hands of the professionals as soon as possible.
"She's breathing." Came the paramedic on the other side, his voice filled with relief when Mia finally let out a weak cough.
"Mia, sweetheart. Can you hear me?" Kate took the free hand that appeared to be relatively uninjured and prayed that the girl would respond.
She moaned-her voice a broken whimper.
"I think she's coming around." The paramedic spoke, a note of disbelief in his eyes.
"Mia, stay awake." The paramedic urged her. It was clear to all in the back of the ambulance that she made eye contact with the man who had once held the oxygen to her face.
"Uhhhh." She moaned, causing Kate to let out a laugh of relief.
"Don't move, Mia." The paramedic instructed her. "You are very hurt and we're taking you to the hospital."
"Kate." Mia called. She wasn't able to move to see her mother, but was clearly needing her.
It didn't really surprise Beckett that Mia used her first name. The teen simply wasn't accustomed to calling her mom. The important thing was that the teen appeared to be alert and oriented, a miracle by any standards.
"You're going to be ok, baby." Kate spoke with a shaking voice, her emotions running high.
Castle continued to watch the young girl, not convinced that she would recover as well as the teen appeared to be in her current conscious state. He couldn't fathom that Mia would walk away from this unscathed.
He looked at her battered body. It was clear that she had some form of leg injury because her left pant leg was torn and saturated with blood. Still, the jeans covered the extent of her injury. It was also plan that her right arm was broken, and it made Castle shutter to look at it. Beyond that only time would tell.
"We're almost there Mia, stay with us." Castle finally managed to mutter. Mia let out another whimper, her best attempt to acknowledge his presence. Finally, she spoke.
"I'm sorry. The building. I ran. I'm sorry." Mia spoke in short sentences, unable to fully catch her breath.
"Mia, it's ok." Kate spoke to her daughter. "You are ok and that is all that matters. It's a miracle you survived and here you are talking to me." Beckett softly stroked the back of Mia's hand.
She made eye contact with Castle, both taking in the miracle of Mia's conscious state. An entire conversation was exchanged wordlessly.
I'm scared, Rick.
I'm here. I'm not going anywhere.
I know.
She turned her attention back to her daughter, continuing to rub her fingers across the back of her hand soothingly.
"Are you in a lot of pain?" Kate asked. She felt that it was a silly question, considering the obvious injuries Mia had, but she didn't care. Her goal was to keep the teen talking.
Mia didn't answer.
"Mia?" Kate called, fear returning to her voice.
The very moment the ambulance pulled into the hospital Mia's eyes rolled back into her head and her lids slipped shut.
"Mia, we're here." The paramedic spoke.
"Can you hear me?" He spoke again when she didn't respond.
"Mia!" Kate spoke urgently, "Mia, talk to us." There was once again no response from the teen.
Kate sobbed, shaking her head in denial as Rick helped to pull her from the back of the ambulance. "It's time to let them work." Kate watched helplessly, tears once again streaming down her face as she watched the now unconscious body of her daughter being transported from the ambulance.
The men pulled the stretcher out just as several doctors from the trauma unit joined them.
"13 year old girl, bombing victim, she was on the ground floor of the building when it collapsed on top of her." The paramedic reported to the doctor, moving on to describe what he knew of her injuries,
" Obvious radial and femoral fractures, possible skull fracture, multiple lacerations. Pulse and breaths are steady. She was conscious momentarily but slipped back under as we arrived." The paramedic recited to the trauma surgeon.
"Ok, we've got it from here." A tall, middle-aged doctor spoke authoritatively.
"Are you the parents?" He asked Castle and Beckett.
This time Kate answered clearly. "Yes, we are."
The doctor nodded. "Please go with the nurse and we'll do everything we can for your daughter." They hadn't even noticed the heavy-set woman until she reached for Kate's arm.
"Come with me please." She motioned them away from Mia and Kate watched helplessly until her daughter was out of her sight.
"What is your daughter's blood type?" Kate was silent for a moment, she shook her head.
"I don't know." She admitted, feeling absolutely helpless.
"Any known allergies?" The nurse pressed.
Again, Kate was lost for information. The nurse eyed her suspiciously before Castle cut in.
"Look, Mia was adopted and Kate is her birth mother. They were just reunited after a long separation."
The nurse nodded, absorbing the information as she scribbled notes onto her clipboard.
"I'm O negative, I'm a universal donor. If she needs blood, I'll donate." Castle told the nurse as they were both directed to sit in a dimly-lit waiting room. The nurse simply nodded, not responding directly to Castle's offer.
"The doctor will be in as soon as he can to give an update on your daughter's condition. In the mean time there is a cafeteria 3 floors down, as well as the vending machines here if you get hungry or thirsty. My name is Rita and feel free to call if you need anything." Castle nodded and muttered his thanks while Kate simply stared off into space.
Soon they were alone in a silent room. The busy hospital staff went about their business as Kate's world seemed to come to a halt. Castle simply held her against him, rubbing soothing circles into her back. They remained that way for some time, comfortable in their own silences.
Finally, Kate spoke. Her voice was weak and broken.
"Everyone I love." She whispered.
Castle simply turned to face her, waiting for her to finish her thought. She seemed so much unlike her normal self, unsure instead of confidant, weary instead of strong and above all else, desperate and afraid.
"Everyone I love, Castle. Everyone I love gets hurt." She spoke with a note of despair in her voice.
"This was NOT your fault, Kate." He insisted, taking her hand into his own and squeezing it. He then pulled her fingers against his mouth and kissed her. It was all he could do to communicate his dedication, his love for her.
"Isn't it?" Kate responded, "If I had been paying closer attention at the precinct… I would never have let her go."
"Beckett, no. Just like her mother, that girl has a mind of her own. You couldn't have stopped this. The bastards who planted that bomb are to blame, not you."
She pulled away, buried her face into her hands and sobbed, feeling helpless to do anything else as she waited for some news on Mia. She felt his arms pulling her even closer to him and leaned into his embrace, accepting his comfort as she tried to pull herself together.
There were few times that Castle recalled seeing Kate cry, and none were to her current extent of grief. He couldn't blame her though. In fact, he was impressed by how well she'd been holding herself together all things considered. If Alexis had been in Mia's position he would have lost it completely.
They stood alone in the quiet waiting room. Kate sobbed until she was no longer able to, pulling away from Castle feeling both weak and dehydrated. As if knowing what she needed he crossed the room and pushed some change into the vending machine, pushing the button for some juice.
Kate collapsed into one of the waiting room chairs, unable to find the strength to hold herself up any longer. As Castle crossed the room to hand her the bottle he heard footsteps approaching. He looked at his watch. It had only been about 45 minutes since they'd arrived. Surely it wasn't the doctor yet.
"Oh my goodness, darlings!" Came the voice of Martha Rodgers as she entered the room, Alexis following quietly behind her. Martha swept her son into her arms and offered him a comforting squeeze before quickly moving on to Kate.
"How is she?" The red-head spoke with concern in her voice, her eyes watering.
"Is she going to be alright?" Alexis added with a trembling voice.
"We don't know yet." Castle pulled his daughter into an embrace, thankful that his family had come to show their support. However, he wasn't sure how they knew to come.
Martha walked to where Kate was seated. She'd barely acknowledged them, focusing intently on the label of the apple juice bottle Castle had handed her. Her body was once again trembling with the effort she put towards not falling apart. The older woman sat next to her and took her hand.
"Katherine. How are you holding up?" She spoke softly.
Kate looked to Martha and nodded, putting on her best brave face. "I just want to know how she is." Kate answered, a hint of vulnerable desperation in her voice.
The older woman scooted closer to Kate and squeezed her hand while Castle took a seat on the other side of her. Alexis stood for a moment, unsure of what to do with herself. Although she had a pretty comfortable relationship with Kate these days, she did not have the slightest idea of how to comfort her. She finally took a seat on the other side of her dad.
"How did you know we were here?" Castle whispered to his mother and daughter.
"Detective Ryan called. He said he'd been told there was an explosion and he believed Mia was involved. I'm surprised they're not here." Martha answered.
As if by providence, at that very moment two very concerned detectives and a medical examiner entered the room.
"We were following a lead uptown and just got word about 20 minutes ago. Traffic was hell." Esposito spoke apologetically. Clearly they wanted to be there for Beckett.
"How is she?" Lanie asked.
Kate simply shrugged. "We haven't heard anything yet, we're still waiting."
Lanie nodded, walked over to Kate to give her a hug and squeeze her shoulders. "Let me see if I can find anyone to tell me what's going on." It was the first time since arriving at the hospital that it occurred to Kate that Mia had been taken to the place where Lanie was appointed as a Medical examiner. She was contracted through the NYPD, but she was on staff as a medical doctor at St. Margaret Memorial Hospital.
Kate nodded and squeezed Lanie's hand appreciatively before speaking softly. "Thanks."
The boys took a seat across the room, looking over whatever magazines were available. They shifted for several minutes before Esposito sprang from his seat and began to pace. It was clear that they wanted to talk to Kate, but given their hesitation, and the glare they were getting from Castle that clearly communicated, Not Now, they remained silent.
Kate, finally noticing their agitated behavior, spoke…
"Guys…" She was cut off by Esposito before she could continue.
" Beckett. If you want us to be here, we will." The Hispanic detective began. As if knowing his line of thought, Ryan rose to join him. "Yeah. We all want to see Mia pull through." The Irish detective then hesitated.
"But if there is anything else we can do…while you wait…" Esposito offered.
Kate looked up to the both of them, appearing to be more clear and confidant than she'd been since before the building collapsed. She took a deep breath and stared at them with determination before she finally spoke.
"I want you to get the son of a bitch who put my little girl in this hospital." Her eyes were bloodshot but her voice was lethal.
The boys nodded and quickly made their way back out of the room, stopping briefly and looking to Castle. He smiled gratefully to them for not pushing Kate, or overwhelming her with case information.
Without further prompt the writer offered, "I promise I'll call you when we've got news." The boys nodded then and left.
More than 30 minutes of silence passed before Lanie returned, her face somber. Kate stood to look at her best friend, determined to hear whatever the medical examiner had found. Castle rose beside her and waited for Lanie to speak, taking Kate's hand in his own.
Lanie looked at the frightened pair, taking in Martha and Alexis as they moved to stand beside them.
"Please, just tell me." Kate insisted.
Finally, the medical examiner spoke.
"Kate, sweetie. It's not good." She began, sincere concern in her voice.
"What do you mean?" Beckett pressed for details. She didn't register Castle's fingers lacing through her own as she waited for Lanie to elaborate.
"Well, right now they've got her stabilized, and they've stopped her bleeding, but she's very seriously hurt." Lanie paused.
"Tell me!" Kate urged her best friend once again, tears already rolling down her face.
"Kate, she's fractured her skull and they've had to go in to control the bleeding in her brain."
"Wait, what?" Kate interjected, "Bleeding in her brain? She was awake and talking in the ambulance." Beckett argued.
"I know Kate. That isn't uncommon with these types of injuries. She was having what's called a Lucid moment. It happens, honey-before shock wears off and the body succumbs to the extent of the injuries." Lanie paused and waited for Kate to process the first piece of news.
Castle held her against him tightly as her body shook. She wasn't sobbing, but she was certainly struggling to hold herself together. She didn't seem aware of the tears dripping from her face.
Kate nodded a few moments later, gaining control of her voice "So what are they doing for her?"
"Well, they're closing her head up and preparing for a PET scan that will give them an idea of her brain activity. They'll have a better idea of how serious her head injury is."
Kate nodded and took a deep breath. At least Mia was still alive.
"There is more." Lanie stated.
Both Castle and Beckett looked to the medical examiner and waited with bated breath.
"Mia has several broken bones, serious breaks, and she's suspected to have what is called a crush injury."
Both Castle and Beckett stared blankly at Lanie, clearly not comprehending the seriousness of her words.
"She fractured her right arm and left leg, and she shattered her pelvis. They were able to stabilize the bleeding at each site, but she's going to need several surgeries." Lanie paused, giving her friends a moment to absorb the terrifying news. She then pressed on.
"She's apparently developed compartment syndrome in her lower left leg, most likely swelling due to being trapped beneath the concrete. The doctors had to cut to relieve pressure and are working repair the veins to restore proper blood flow."
Castle's arm moved quickly to Kate's back to ensure she remained upright as the doctor, her best friend, spoke.
"They'll be moving her into another surgery to stabilize her pelvis and they're working to stop the internal bleeding." She paused for a moment and then decided to go ahead and get it all out.
"Kate, her blood levels are of some concern. Her muscles were severely damaged by being crushed." Kate's eyes widened and her legs went weak.
"Crush injury" She repeated Lanie's previous words.
"It's common with earthquake victims and other natural disasters, again-the result of being pinned down for any period of time." Lanie elaborated.
"What does that mean for Mia?" Castle interjected.
"It means that they're going to do their best to repair her broken bones, re-hydrate her and get clean and healthy blood into her. Then they're going to watch her Kate." Beckett nodded, leaning against Castle, who'd seated himself next to her.
Castle was the first to formulate a question. "Lanie, is she going to survive this?" He couldn't stop himself from asking the question and judging from how Kate's head jerked up to look at her best friend, it was clear that the detective was formulating the same question.
The medical examiner waited, tears welling up in her eyes as she contemplated his question. "I don't know. She's got great doctors, but it is too soon to tell. Her body has been severely traumatized. We're going to have to wait and see if she rallies."
Castle felt the weight of his partner against his arm as her legs began to weaken. He helped her back into her chair and seated himself next to her. Their hands never lost contact.
