Goodbye – Survival Days
Chapter 3
It turns out, her dad knew that she was here.
"Alexis, what are you doing here so late? You can visit Detective Beckett in a reasonable hours, right? And with me."
"Uh Dad, nothing's special. How do you know that I'm here?"
"When it was 10.30, I got into your room because I think I left my favorite pen there. But then you weren't there. I got panicked, so I downloaded the tracking device on my iPhone again, and it says that you're right here."
"You once promised me that you'll never ever use that device again right?"
"Yeah but it was urgent. Forgive me, okay?"
"Whatever. Let's go home."
xxxx
While driving home, Castle was still in a total confusion. His mind was wondering what did his daughter say to Beckett?
"What did you say to Detective Beckett?"
"It's a secret."
"Since when you learn to keep a secret to your cool dad?"
"Dad..."
This was totally weird. Alexis hardly ever kept secrets from her dad. Something was totally wrong, he could feel it.
"Honey, what's wrong? Usually you don't keep secrets to me," said Castle with a serious tone. He was not playing around this time. He needed to know the truth, since he considered himself as Beckett's partner and bestfriend and Alexis' cool dad.
"Dad, it's just nothing. You don't need to know, okay? Now I got to sleep, I have school tomorrow."
Alexis abruptly ran upstairs, hiding all her emotion. Castle really had no idea about what to do to his lovely daughter. He didn't want to pry to her private life, but if something happened to her, he must be the first one to know.
Ah nevermind, just called it a night. Maybe she's just tired. See you tomorrow, Kate.
xxxx
Day 7. It seems that God has answered Rick's prayer. Kate is awake! This was the awesomest news ever!
"Alexis! Do you want to come to hospital with me? The doctor just called me and he says that Kate is awake!"
"Really? Wow! I would love to, but unfortunately I have 2 important exams today. I'll just catch up in the evening, okay?"
"Alright, see you!"
Alexis didn't seem so happy about the news. There must be a reason behind this. Nevermind, Castle's heart was overwhelmed with joy and happiness. At last, he could interact with his muse again. He rushed to the hospital, he couldn't wait to see his usual Beckett.
"Morning, Mr. Castle! Looks very happy today, huh?"
"Yeah! She's awake! Thank God!"
"Good to know. I'm so happy for you."
"Thanks, I got to go."
Wait for me, Kate!
"Good morning, Beckett!"
"Hey, Castle. As noisy as usual, huh?" answered Beckett, with a weak but happy voice. She was really glad to be able to see him again.
"Oh come on. I deserve to be happy right? For seven days, I've been waiting for this day."
They were both so freakingly happy to be able to see each other. A wide grin plastered on their happy faces.
"So, Kate, how does it feel sleeping for seven days?"
"Uh, not good, Castle. My body really need to stretch right now."
"Do you want to go to the hospital's park? I would love to take you there."
"Sure! I really really need fresh air right now."
xxxx
They were both out to the park. Castle and Beckett holding each other hands, reassuring each other that they're not dreaming. No one will ever leave again. Their hands were clasped firmly. Everything was just so beautiful. Swaying trees, with children's laughter, and the best part of it, with Kate on his side. They sat on a old wooden bench, and met each other's gaze.
"Kate, it's good to see you back."
"So, how's your life without me, Rick?"
"It was totally ... awful, Kate. You really can't imagine it."
"I think I can, because that's totally what I feel. I was dreaming about you, Castle. Nightmare, to be exact."
"Mind to share it with me?"
"So, I dreamt that I was awake. And then, everyone was there. My dad, Lanie, Ryan, Esposito, and even Josh. But you weren't there. That night, full of fake smiles and fake laughters. Something was missing from the picture. From that night, I was so afraid to wake up. I was afraid that the dream would be a reality. But the other night, I heard Alexis-"
"Alexis? How could she..."
"I don't know, Castle. But I heard Alexis screamed to me, to wake up. I felt so guilty, because I had been hiding under my unconsciousness. That night, Alexis sounded so...desperate. Alexis accused me for being selfish, which is quite right. I put your life in danger every day, while I'm neither your family, nor relative. After I heard everything she said, I realized something. Castle, the last 3 years with you have been really really great, but..."
"But what? Are you going to ask me to stop following you? Hell no, Kate. Lockwood is somewhere out there, targeting on your back. You want me to let that happen? You wish. And me risking my life? It's none of your fault. It's all my choice, Kate, not yours."
"Castle, you have a family! Every night, Alexis and Martha are worrying you, waiting for their lovely father and son to come back. What if you got shot on a crime scene, die frozen, or die because of a radioactive bomb? You were so lucky that you can survive from all of those. But we can't predict what's going to happen next, Rick!"
"You are also risking your life everyday, Kate. How would I let it happen?"
"It is my job to risk my life and protect the inocence, Castle! So now, go home and meet your family. Forget all 3 years we had been through. No more Nikki Heat, only Derrick Storm."
"But you are my family too, Kate! Also Esposito, Ryan,and Lanie."
"Castle, it is an order."
Castle took a long, exasperated sigh. He knew that arguing with Beckett was a vain attempt. He would always lose, in a pathetic way. He knew that he was a wordsmith, a famous author. But still he couldn't win any argument against the expert of interrogation from 12th precinct.
"Fine. So, we're done here, right. Send my regards to the boys and Lanie. Tell them that the last 3 years had been really great. Goodbye, Kate."
She didn't think that he would be so serious about this. She thought that it might be another time when he would just disappear for less than 24 hours.
"Rick, when are you going to go back? You know what I mean right? You've never leave me within 24 hours right?" she chuckled ironically, hoping that this was another stupid prank from the funny guy, Richard Castle.
"I don't think so, Kate. I don't want to bother you anymore. You're right, I should be giving some more attention to my family. I hope, you'll have a good relationship with Josh, and one day you'll find who hired Lockwood. I hope that everything will end in a good way."
Castle put his arms around Kate's weak body tightly, as an unsaid 'goodbye'. He really tried to smile, though it was useless. She wept bitter tears of disappointment. If only she didn't say any negative words to Castle, they could've tell each other how was their true feeling that they've been hiding for 3 years, the three words, I Love You, and they would've kissed right now. Instead, they're saying goodbye to each other, with a big chance that it would be the last time they'd see each other's face.
Although one day I'll find the person behind all my mother's murder, or have a good relationship with Josh, there's something that ends in a bad way. Our relationship, Castle. This was not going to be the way I end this.
When Castle has gotten quite far, Kate knew that it might be her last chance to say something to him. Ready for any consequences she might face in the future, she finally said that.
"I love you, Castle! No matter what happen, I will always love you!"
She used all her energy to shout even though she's still weak. Everyone in the park stared at her, but she didn't care. Thousands of memories flashed through her mind. The first time they met, their very first case, cup of coffee everyday, investigating Johanna's murder, lying freezing in Castle's arms, shooting Dick Coonan in order to save him, "the killer is still alive", when Castle left her to the Hamptons, when she respected the universe, saving New York by yanking all wires, "always", amazed by the depths of her strength, her heart and her hotness, being a one-writer-girl, the undercover kiss, and the 3 words in Captain Montgomery's funeral.
Did he hear that? Hopefully...
A/N : How's the chapter? Hopefully you'll like it. Do RnR, tell me anything. You like it, or you hate it. I'm facing a little bit of writer block, so forgive me if I won't update soon. But still, I'm doing my absolute best to finish this.