A/N: I'm really deeply sorry that it took me oh so long to update! I had so much stuff going on lately and when I had time I just couldn't get anything down. I hope there are still some of you interested in reading this, thank you so much btw for the lovely reviews and of course anyone who followed and favourited. The chapter isn't that long but I hope I'll be able to post the next one soon!
Please keep reading and tell me what you think so far, every opinion is much appreciated. Have fun!
She must have passed out for a minute, because when she opens her eyes, Kate finds the man hovering over her face, testing her pupils reaction with a bright little flashlight. He presses the button on the sticks end and puts it into the pocket of his blue scrubs. "Miss Beckett, my name's Dr. Cedric Philips. Do you understand me?"
Nodding slowly (not too fast or her head explodes), she tries to regain her voice. "Yeah." It's raspy and barely audible but there nonetheless. A terrible shock wave of pain floods through her body as Kate attempts to sit up and it's only then that she realizes that Castle is still holding her hand, alternately squeezing her fingers together and loosening his grip while his thumb soothingly caresses over the back of her hand.
"Can you tell me where your pain is originating?", her doctor asks slowly to make sure she gets everything. Normally something like that would insult her, but right now she's glad about it, because concentrating on the words and their meaning whilst still not knowing what brought her here is a lot to process. And it scares her. A lot.
"Dun-no. Head. Legs. Everywhere."
Running an unsteady hand through her messy hair, she closes her eyes and wills her brain to finally clear away the fog around her memories and unveil the mystery of how she got here. There has to be something!
"Wha' happen' to me?" she asks again, this time directing her question towards Dr. Philips, who looks at her with a friendly but professional expression on his face. Switching her glance between Castle and him, Kate waits for an answer.
"You broke both of your legs and hit your head when falling. We kept you in an induced coma for eight weeks to allow your body to recover before exposing your brain to the stress of your injuries. We were able to treat your legs, so you have a great chance to fully regain their function when the healing process is finished."
Wow. A great chance? Does that mean that there was the possibility that she'd never walk like before again?
Castle read her thoughts and hold her hand a little tighter to gain her attention.
"Kate, hey, it's gonna be fine. You'll be fine." Smiling reassuringly at her, he hoped she'd believe that, too. She needed to be fine.
"The nurse is going to give you something to reduce the pain. It may make you feel a little dizzy, but don't worry, you'll be fine. I'm gonna come and check on you in a few hours, I suggest you rest until then."
With that Dr. Philips turned around and went to the door. "Your fiancé can stay as long as that doesn't agitate you."
Her eyes find Castle's. So it wasn't a dream.
"Yeah, Kate about that, they wouldn't let me stay, so I had to tell them I was your fiancé. Please don't get mad." He feels like the little boy who stole the cookie but at the same time so very relieved she's awake and okay.
"'S okay, Cast-le, people wouda found out any... -way"
Looking at her quizzically he wants to start speaking again, when Dr. Philips who is still standing on the threshold and has obviously figured out what's going on, cuts him off.
"Mr. Castle, can I talk to you for a second please?"
They are standing in the corridor in front of Beckett's room, talking in low voices.
"So you want to tell me she really thinks we are engaged?", Castle asks unbelieving.
"Sometimes people in a coma have very vital and lifelike dreams. It can cause immense psychological and emotional damage to tell the patient that what they thought was reality isn't right after waking up in an unfamiliar environment in addition to their difficult physical condition. I'm not a psychologist, but I'd advise you to find out how much Miss Beckett remembers and go with her false memories until she fully recovers. Let her cope with her injuries first before making her realize that she was living in a dream."
"What, you say I'm supposed to lie to her and pretend that we're a couple rather than just be honest and tell her the truth?" No, no, no, this is wrong on so many levels. The last time he lied to her their partnership broke apart over it.
"Just til she gets better. In some cases recovery can be slowed drastically by such emotional trauma. What she needs most now is support and help from her loved ones. Of course, it's for you to decide, I can't tell you what to do, I can only tell you what experience taught me."
The doctor smiles politely and nods his head towards him and leaves Castle alone with his thoughts.