The rescue operation at the hotel uncovered a facility that officially did not exist. A book of lies that had gone on for years.
The team led by Beckett, Castle, Ryan, and Esposito broke thru a web of deceit that began just after the iron curtain collapsed. The agents that had originally been brought there were long standing hard working men and women who simply had reached their limits. When it came to their ability to survive outside the world of clandestine operations, they were not able to cope. Back in the world of truth and not lies, they were incapable of incorporating themselves without help.
The agency tried several things to make it work for those who at one time had to live every day in a world not their own. A world where it they were discovered it meant certain death. Fast and sure termination as spies.
Agents returning from the field had to be debriefed and then reeducated. Brought back to a country that they had served to the best of their ability. Sometimes they were inserted back into the community. Many times they were not. Over the years this center had done a lot of good. But it appears that it is now only serving a few high up staff members who used it as a punishment center.
The two women rescued by the team are proof that this place has passed its peak and needs to be closed. Permanently!
Beckett's team gathered on the tarmac at the airport along with the commanders of the various federal and local law enforcement teams involved in this operation. Kate wished she could tell the men and women who helped in this rescue how important it was to recover these two, but national security prevented her being able to say more. She really hopes that some day they can all know just how important a job they performed, but that is for someone else to disclose at the proper time.
Beckett steps out front of the group "My I have your attention! I want to personally thank every single one involved in this operation. Without all of you, this would not have been the success it is. I cannot say more, but you can rest assured that what you did may have saved countless lives. So on behalf of my entire team "pointing to the three men standing with her "Thank You, Thank You, Thank You"
Kate turns toward the plane and the four get on board. After they have buckled in Kate turns and looks out the window. She watches the ground pass as they taxi out to the main runway for take off. No words are said by anyone in the group until they are airborne
Castle reaches over to his wife and puts his arm around her.
"Kate, what's wrong? We got them out. They are both safe."
"I know. It's just so hard to imagine what they went through and that they were treated like they were because Bracken thought one of them was me." She pauses in thought "And they actually are my sisters or at least my half sisters. We are flesh and blood"
"Kate, they are getting excellent treatment by real doctors. In fact Angie may already be in New York as we speak. The doctors say that as soon as the drugs get out of her system, she will probably be ok and can help us with the drug case"
"I know. I just need to decompress myself a little" then looking up to Castle "And I just need to feel you hold me for a little while"
She leans toward him and then she puts her head on his shoulder. Tears start to flow.
Castle gives her a gentle squeeze then turns his head to place his cheek against her hair. They find the whine of the jet engines relaxing and within minutes of take off, all four of the team have gone to sleep. They are all getting much needed sleep.
The team is awakened when the wheels bounce on the runway at LaGuardia. The plane taxis away from the main terminal to a private hanger where they see Fallon and Lanie along with a half dozen other officers waiting for the plane to reach them. When the Gulf Stream comes to a complete stop the awaiting ground crew step in and open the door and lower the stairway to allow the team to exit.
Agent Fallon is first to reach the group "Congratulations are in order. That was a well executed plan. I will admit- I was afraid we might loose all of you to that group, but everything went like clockwork."
"Thank you Agent Fallon" Beckett responds. "We have to give thanks to our insider. Without him, we might have not been so successful. Have you heard from him by the way? We haven't"
"No, we are assuming he is currently involved with his coworkers doing damage control. I am sure that there are all types of things happening inside their offices"
"I am sure of that. Have you heard anymore on our agent? Is she going to be ok?"
"The doctors say she is awake and sitting up. She was really confused about where she is and how she got here. I will take you to see her"
"Great! Lanie, can you take the boys back to the EOC? Castle and I will visit with our witness and see if we can get some information about who has planned this attack and where"
"OK Kate. And by the way. It is great to see both of you back and safe"
Lanie, Ryan and Esposito get into one SUV that is waiting while Beckett and Castle get in with Fallon. Both vehicles leave the airport and go different directions.
Just moments after they pull out Castle's cell phone chimes with a message "All hell broke loose here" Castle laughs and shows the message to Kate and Fallon
"I guess they were not very happy that we shut them down?" Beckett states
"Guess not" Rick responds
They arrive shortly at the hospital where Angie was taken. The three agents travel up to floor 4, the isolation unit, where security is much tighter than the rest of the building. Upon arrival they immediately arrive at a desk with a uniformed NYPD officer. He recognizes Beckett and Castle "Detective Beckett, Mr. Castle welcome. Let me get the doctor for you" The officer calls and advises the doctor that the three agents have arrived.
"Yes, doctor. I will let them know." The officer tells the three that they need to go into the office next to them and the doctor will met them there. He needs to talk about some of the patient's issues.
Castle and Fallon have entered the office thru the doorway when another hallway door opens and someone rushes out almost running over Beckett
And is it none other than Doctor Josh Davidson. There is a moment of chilled silence as Kate and Josh come face to face with each other.
"Kate! Hello. What are you doing here?"
"I'm Working Josh. OH I'm sorry, Dr. Davidson. At the hospital I should call you Dr. Davidson"
"No, Kate, Josh is just fine. How are you? I have not seen you since…"
There is a long pause while Kate's mind flashes over the last time she actually saw Josh and the words said and the emotions expressed by him and by her
"It was shortly after I was shot. The last time I saw you, I was flat on my back in a hospital bed recovering from my shooting"
During the course of the conversation, Kate has involuntary placed her left hand to her cheek and in doing so, her wedding ring is evident. Dr. Davidson notices the small gold band. It makes it obvious to him she is now married and by the simplicity of the ring, he is assuming married to someone of much lesser means than he could have provided her and certainly NOT Richard Castle.
"Listen Kate, I have to run, I have a patient in distress so I must go. But let me take you to dinner some time and catch up on how things are going. But I do have to run right now. I'll call you" And Josh runs on down the hall before Kate can even respond to his invitation.
Beckett shakes her head and walks into the office where Castle and Fallon are standing having watched this little show.
"Wow! He never gives up does he?" Rick comments
"Nothing to worry about blue eyes. I'm yours. End of discussion"
Castle smiles at her as the inner door to the office opens and a tall older doctor enters the room "Hello I'm Doctor Sydney Evans. I am head of psychiatry here"
"Doctor Evans, I am Agent Mark Fallon with Homeland Security and this is Acting Agent Richard Castle and Incident Commander Kate Beckett"
"Did you say Kate Beckett?"
Beckett answers "That is correct. Why?"
"This woman has been fighting something about the name. She keeps repeating over and over 'I am not Kate Beckett'. It seems that name has some special meaning for her"
"Doctor. We believe that the people holding her thought that she was me and were trying to convince her that she was me. It is a long story, but basically she was kidnapped because she looked like me. When she denied it, they drugged her"
"Well, the good news is that once the drugs are out of her system, she should be fine"
"How long do you think this may take? We are on a short fuse and she has some answers we need."
"I think she may be coming out any moment."
"Can we see her?" Fallon asks
"Yes. But do not tell her your name. The Beckett name may cause her to retreat inside again and delay her recovery."
"Not a problem doctor. My married name is Castle and I can use that"
"All right. But please be gentle with her. She is still fragile. Also, Ms Beckett uh…Castle. Are you aware you look a lot like this woman?"
"Yes doctor. I am afraid that is the reason she was taken. She is my biological sister. But I never met her before today"