A/N: Because Sunday is going to be much fuller than I thought, Teel encouraged me to post tonight instead of trying to fit it in tomorrow. But I will still post chapter 8 (the final chapter) on Monday morning.

Chapter 7

Tuesday, April 30

Barricade Front

5:10 pm

Jim continued to scan the area around the triage tents, hoping that perhaps his baby would step out. He knew that several people had recently been rescued. He saw the commotion. He heard the rumors. He prayed for a miracle.

Alexis Castle bounced on her toes next to him, bobbing her head to one side first, then craning another direction a second later; she was as anxious as he was.

He wanted to comfort her. He wanted to say something to make her feel better, but every time he looked at her, he saw Katie at the same age, desperate and pained, and he felt just as much at a loss as he did fourteen years before.

A dark voice in the back of his head wished for a drink, told him he deserved it. It told him he needed it, so he could get a brief, numb respite from this terrifying situation. Jim told that voice to go to hell. The last thing he would do, no matter what happened today, would be to betray his daughter by turning back to liquor.

The whine of sirens pierced the air as one ambulance and then another, pulled out from behind the tents and moved down an alley heading to a hospital.

Mr. Beckett was so focused on the exit of the vehicles that he missed Dr. Parish's approach.

"Hey," Alexis greeted. "Any news?"

Lanie licked her lips and took a deep breath. "Still no sign of Kate or Castle. I'm sorry."

Jim and Alexis' shoulders dropped simultaneously.

"We just hoped..." Alexis began, as Jim said, "We heard they found more people from Homicide."

"They did," Lanie choked up but quickly swallowed it down. "They found Javi and Ryan. They're injured but alive, and now on the way to the hospital."

"Dr. Parish, Martha is with Mrs. Ryan in the diner. We need to get them!" he announced.

"I have to get back, but yes, please tell Jenny to get to Bellevue Hospital now!"

"She's going to ask about his injuries."

"Just tell her he's alive and getting the best care possible. And that's all you know."

He heard exactly what she said, and understood everything she didn't say. Things were not good.

"Thank you doctor. I'll make sure she gets there."

Alexis texted her Gram while Jim and Lanie were still talking, so she and Jenny met back up with them only a minute or two after the medical examiner returned to her duties.

Jim reached for Jenny's shoulder and began directing her back through the crowd.. "Come on Mrs. Ryan. They found your husband, he's alive and being taken to Bellevue. If we hurry, we can get you there in fifteen minutes too."

"Thank you Jim. But I can go on my own. You need to be here for when when they find your daughter."

"Alexis and Martha both have my number now and will call me when that happens. Right now, I bet you could use a friend to wait with you."

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Tuesday, April 30

Precinct Elevator

11:35pm

Kate dozed in and out of a heavy, unnatural sleep. But when the faint glow of the cell phone cut through the dark, she blinked herself half-awake and turned toward Rick who was pressed against her side.

"Get through yet?"

Castle replied but in a graveled voice, hoarse from hours of yelling for help. "No, and the battery is dying fast."

"What time is it?"

"Just after 11:30. It's been more than nine hours."

Thick silence filled the dark.

Kate felt herself nodding off again and didn't fight it. At least when she slept, the pain was bearable. Suddenly she noticed something. She sniffed a couple times. "Do you smell that?"

"The smoke? Yeah. I think that's what woke me up."

"How can you be casual about it Castle? If smoke is getting in and we can't get out..?" Becket didn't even finish the statement. Up until that very instant, she believed that they would certainly get out, they just had to keep their heads and stay calm. Now, though, there was another factor they had no control over. A factor that could easily beat them.

"I know."

"HEEEEEEELLLLLLLP! She shouted again, hoping that by now someone was close enough to hear. She kicked on the floor as Castle banged the walls, but there wasn't a response.

The smokey scent seemed more noticeable now. But she was aware that it could possibly be her panicked imagination. "Let's think. There's gotta be something we've missed."

"Well in your words, I'm open to stupid ideas."

The couple thought hard and even made some fleeting suggestions, but none were practical and ultimately lead to more heavy silence.

Eventually Rick flipped the phone on again. It was after midnight now, and if he wasn't mistaken, the small room now seemed to be slightly hazy, especially up by the remnants of the ceiling.

His hand trembled now, causing the dim light to bounce around the tight space. Apparently Kate had dozed off again because she didn't comment or stir from where she was slouched. Making a flash decision, he peeked over at her and then ran his thumb across the screen bringing up the video feature. He had to work fast though because he wasn't sure how long the battery would last.

"Mother and Alexis, if you're watching this... I'm sorry. I don't know exactly what happened today, but it's been almost ten hours since the elevator fell, in what we can only assume was an explosion. I just wanted to tell you both that Kate and I aren't suffering. We've been strong. But now, with smoke creeping in, no foreseeable way out and the battery on the phone almost gone, I had to say goodbye. I love you both very much. And trust me when I say we tried everything we could to get out, but..." Rick sniffed as tears began to gather in his eyes. "But, I guess it wasn't meant to be. Sorry, my eyes are watering; must be from the smoke. Um, yeah Mother, take care of Alexis like you've always taken care of me. I know I've always given you a hard time, but you've been both father and mother to me my entire life, and you'd done the job admirably.

Alexis, baby, this isn't the way I saw life unfolding. I feel like I'm being robbed of the opportunity to see you finish growing into the remarkable woman you've become. I had hoped to cheer at your graduation and walk you down the aisle and hold those beautiful grand babies I knew you'd give me. No matter what happens here today, know that I'll be with you still on those important days too, in your heart and mind, and smiling down from wherever I am. Please be strong, honey. Don't sacrifice the life you've been given for the ones that are already gone. I should go now, but I want you to know without a doubt that I love you both very, very much."

The battery still had power when he turned it off, but Rick felt the tears ready to start in earnest. His shoulders shook as the droplets raced down his face.

Kate silently reached her swollen, shattered hand to his thigh. "You said goodbye."

"Yeah," he grunted.

"Are you giving up?"

"Never. I just didn't want to lose the opportunity. If Lady Luck starts shining on us soon, they'll never know about it."

"Rick?"

"Hmmmmm?"

"You're a good man, a wonderful son, and an amazing father."

Instead of taking the compliment seriously, Rick chucked. "So world's best boyfriend doesn't make the list huh?"

Kate sighed lightly, "I thought if I gave you too many compliments, your head might swell, and we only have limited space in here."

"Good thinking."

Several minutes of quiet passed between them, but when Kate spoke again her voice wavered. "Was there still battery left?"

"Yes."

"I can't hold the phone or push the buttons, but I'd like to leave a message for my dad."

Before she'd even finished speaking he had the phone on and set up for her. "Whenever you're ready."

Kate took a deep breath and nodded.

"Uh, hi Dad. I can't talk long but I just wanted to take a minute to say good bye. I can't imagine what you must be going through right now, but please stay strong. On those days when everything seems dark and lonely, know that your friends and family are still by your side, and... and that I'm with mom. And we're both watching out for you. I'm sorry for leaving you, Dad. You don't deserve to go through this kinda loss again. But never forget that I have always, and will always, love you."

The very second that the last words left her lips the phone shut down, completely spent of power, plunging them back into darkness. It was Kate's turn to cry now and she was thankful that she could hide in the cloak of darkness while letting it all out.

Rick carefully wrapped his arm around her waist and tugged her as snuggly as he could, to him. Their foreheads met and their tears mingled as their shared fears and pains were released.

By the time they were cried out, the smoke had definitely thickened, and began to burn their raw throats and eyes.

Kate turned her face as far into Rick's neck and shoulder as possible, seeking the comfort she always found there.

"You know Castle, I'd just started getting used to the idea of us maybe growing old together."

"Ha! Can you picture us making trouble in a retirement home?"

His humor was exactly what she needed. He always knew what she needed. "You're so old, you'd be there long before me!"

"Nah. I'm young at heart and you're an old soul. We'd probably get there at the same time."

"Did you just call me old?"

"I didn't, but I'm still in trouble aren't I?"

"I think I can forgive you... this time."

Kate began to cough from the thickening air. Rick rubbed her back trying to calm her but it lasted for quite a while. When she was done, she melted back against him.

"Kate."

"Yeah?"

"I know we've been in bad situations like this before, but I don't know how many times we're going to keep beating the odds. I just want to thank you for letting me into your life. These least five years have been the best of my life, and this last year especially."

"Don't do this Castle. Don't tell me goodbye. Not yet. We're down, not out. You're right we have beat the odds before, but there's no reason we can't do it again. That's what great love stories are all about, right?

"Right, but I just can't take the chance..."

"Stop. I will not say goodbye to you. And I can't let you tell me goodbye either."

"Fine, no goodbyes. But I need you to know I love you. You know that right, Kate?"

After a slight pause she nodded. "Always, and forever."

"Always and forever."

"Rick?"

"Yes?"

"I know I haven't had the courage to say it, but, you know I love you too, right?"

His shoulder stiffened below her cheek.

"Yes, Kate, I know that, but it's still music to my ears."

Another fit of coughing wracked her thin frame. Rick tugged them both down closer to the floor, hoping to find cleaner air, but there wasn't really anywhere to hide. They were both wheezing now, and their eyes watered even without them crying.

"I'm getting dizzy," he whispered.

"Me too, and light headed."

"Try to breath evenly and stay calm."

"Mmmmmhmmm," she moaned.

"Love you."

"Always."

Several uncounted minutes ticked by as their worlds began to fade. When Kate felt the cloud of unconsciousness weighing on her, she pressed her ear farther to his chest, concentrating on the steady rhythm of his heart. It was the last sound she heard before fading into peaceful rest.

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A/N: Now I know most of you are probably ready to shake me... but look at it this way, if I were Marlowe... you'd have to wait three months to see how this is resolved, not just til Monday morning. So be thankful for small miracles I guess... right?

As always, thank you soooo much to each of you for being your wonderful, fabulous selves, and reading and reviewing so faithfully. It's been a joy to write for you!

Until Castle Monday,

DeBo81