Chapter 8
The ride back home for Kate is an emotional one. She has really thought that she has placed men so far out of her mind. She is sure that this is the right course of action. Now after seeing her favorite author shot in an alley, it has her re-thinking her choice.
"There is no way I can be involved with this man!" His station is so far above mine that even if I want to consider him it would never work. Not to mention the things I read on page six!"
She needs to quiet the small voice of reason in her head. No, she has a path to follow. It in no way has her being involved with any man, rich or poor, handsome or homely, smart or challenged. No, she is in this alone. She likes it fine just the way things are. With this being settled she would return to the hospital then take his statement. She will work this case since it falls in her jurisdiction and that would be the end of it. Since this is not actually a murder but an attempted one she would need to clear the case with her Captain.
Getting ready for sleep she changes into her sleep shirt, removes her makeup and brushes her teeth. Walking out of the bathroom she eyes the empty queen sized bed and her mind goes to him again. Quickly pushing the thought out of her head she pulls back the comforter and sheet then slips under them. Within a few minutes she is fast asleep with her mind clear.
The shrillness of her cell phone ring wakes her from her sleep. Pulling the offending device from the charger she answers it.
"Beckett," she says in a sleepy voice.
On the other end of the line is a very distraught woman. She is obviously upset and with Kate still quite dazed with sleep all she hears is one long drawn out sentence.
"Ma'am, can I ask who is calling?" Kate asks.
"Oh where are my manners. I'm so sorry dear. This is Martha Rodgers. I'm sorry to call you so early. I still have the card you gave me yesterday with your number on it...There is an emergency. I hope you can assist me." Martha says.
"Alright Mrs. Rodgers what's wrong?" Kate asks going into cop mode.
"Please call me Martha, when I awoke this morning I thought that a proper breakfast was in order for Alexis. She was so withdrawn from last night's events. So I made her favorite meal. So I went to call her. There was no answer at her door." Martha says.
Kate did not like where this conversation was heading.
"I entered her room and noticed that the bed had been slept in but there is no sign of Alexis anywhere." Martha explains distraughtly.
"Okay Martha, give me about half an hour to get ready. I think I have some idea of where she is." Kate says praying.
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Richard Castle has been moved to a permanent ICU suite sometime around 5 am this morning. His vitals are stable and his recovery is coming along very nicely. He is still on a mixture of drugs that keeps him asleep. The last round given to him last should be wearing off shortly. Over in the corner of the room sits a very quiet Alexis Castle. She has evaded the nursing staff and the security desk to make it to her father's suite undetected.
Kate has an idea of where Alexis could be. She first needs to end the conversation with Martha. The woman could talk to no end. Hanging up she takes a shower, dresses then heads to her car. If her instincts are correct there would be only one place Alexis would go. She is sure that she is not in any danger. She is a very astute little girl. Kate called her interim Captain then leaves a voice mail to explain the situation to him. She also asked Captain Miller if it would be possible to work the Castle case.
She arrives at the hospital and breezes by the information desk. The same volunteer was on duty. She had simply waves at the Detective. Kate nods at her as she hits the elevators. She exits then proceeds to the ICU unit. When she arrives at Richard Castle's room she noticed that off to the left of bed is drapery. Some of the drapes are pulled into a bunch behind a chair. It seems to Kate that this bunched room divider has a set of size 5 Stride Rite shoes peeking out at her from the bottom. Kate had to peer under the chair against the drapes to make sure. Kate feels the seat of the chair. It is still warm. Kate quietly removes the chair then slides back the drapes. It reveals a very teary eye Alexis Castle looking up at her.
Alexis looks away from her as Kate bends down to her level. Without warning, Alexis rushes into her arms and wraps her arms around her neck. They held each other for a while both feeling the need to connect. After a while Kate speaks.
"Alexis your Grandmother is worried sick about you. She has no idea where you were." Kate scolds.
"I know and I am sorry I upset her. I will apologize to her later. I just needed to see my dad." Alexis says.
Releasing her from the embrace Alexis solemnly walks over to her dad's bed. Kate notices how contrite her face has become as if she thinks that she is the one to blame herself for what happened in the alleyway. Alexis stares at her father and fresh tears cascade down her face.
"Alexis, may I ask you something?" Kate inquires.
"Yes, what is it?" Alexis responds.
"Now don't get upset okay? Are you thinking that you are to blame for what happened last night?" Kate carefully asks.
"Kate, why would you ask that?" Alexis answers defensively.
"Alexis, none of this is your fault. The man who shot your dad, he is the one at fault here. And we will catch him." Kate states.
"Kate, you don't know the whole story. Dad and I went to a movie and after it is finished I acted like a spoiled little brat. We were going to just go straight home and use the car service. I demanded that we walk to this great ice cream shop not too far from the theater." Alexis relates.
Kate just keeps quiet and waits for Alexis to continue.
"So we are walking up the block. I could see the ice cream shop coming closer into view and then that man runs up to us and forces us into that alley. If it was not for me being so selfish none of this would have happened." Alexis says tearfully.
Kate looks down and she could see the guilt in her eyes. It's written all over her face too. Kate is beside herself. This little girl blames herself for what some thug did. For now she relents. She would wait until Mr. Castle would wake up and explain the situation to him.
"Alexis, I need to call your Grandmother then tell her that you here and that you are safe. I will be right outside this room." Kate says pulling out her cell phone.
Kate places the call and Martha answers on the first ring.
"Hello Martha, This is Kate Beckett. I've found Alexis. She is sitting in her father's ICU room. She is consumed with guilt. This is why she left so early. She needed to see her father." Kate relates.
"Oh thanks heavens, thank you Kate, I will send Timothy right away to retrieve her. I am so sorry she has been such a bother." Martha says.
"I don't think that is a good idea. Timothy might be a family friend and all. However, I think it would be better if you came. You did not get to see your son last night. He is cleared to have visitors now." Kate says.
"Oh dear I have an early appointment. I will not be able to get there before 9 am. I do apologize, Kate would you be able to watch her until then? Martha asks.
Kate thinks her Captain would understand.
"Okay Martha, I will watch her." Kate promises as she hangs up the phone.
Kate immediately calls her captain and leaves another voicemail.
"Hello Captain Miller, Sir. The attempted murder of Richard Castle has a new wrinkle. A potential witness needs my protection. I will not be coming into the precinct until the security of this witness is done. I thank you for your indulgence, Sir." Kate says then hangs up and switches off her phone.
She knows the rules…Cell phones in the rooms can upset delicate electronics. Kate enters the room then smiles. She sees Alexis holding her father's hand. The tears have slowed a little. She is still a bit upset. Kate walks up behind her.
"I called your Grandmother. She will be coming to pick you up later. Right now you are under my supervision. So how is he, is there any changes?" Kate says.
Alexis understands and shakes her head no to her question
Rick hears that voice again. He can't place it. To him it sounds so familiar like he has heard it once before. He is slowly coming out of his drug induced stupor. He feels someone holding his hand and with all his energy he tries to open his eyes. He pops them open for just a second then closes them just as quickly.
Kate sees that Rick is starting to wake, then goes over to the light dimmer and softens the lights even more as in almost total darkness.
"Mr. Castle, it is okay now the lights are out." Kate reports.
The soft voice he hears sounds like one that belongs to an angel. He slowly opens his eyes once again. He hopes he is not dreaming and the voice will just disappear like it is an illusion. His eyes are now fully open and he sees the same halo around her head. Blinking a couple of times the halo slowly disappears and now he notices that it was the backlight from the hallway that produces the illusion. He takes her in halo or not. She is stunning. He has a goofy look on his face.
"Mr. Castle, are you okay?" Kate asks.
His answer is strained and is inaudible due to the fact that there was a breathing tube placed in his throat during the surgery. It still hurts to swallow. He points to the container of water and the glass that sits beside it. Kate retrieves it and pours him a cup. He takes it and then takes a sip. He relishes the cool liquid coating his throat. He tries to answer again and this time he is better at it.
"I'm fine, thank-you," He says still trying to find his voice.
He looks at Alexis and wonders where her Grandmother is?
"Pumpkin where is your Grams?" Rick asks with much concern.
Alexis drops her head in shame. It's Kate that answers him.
"Actually she came here on her own. She was worried about you, so she left your apartment earlier this morning and this is where I found her." Kate says.
Rick gives Alexis a very disapproving look.
"Alexis, do you know how dangerous that is? Any number of things could have happened to you on the way over here." Rick admonishes.
"Daddy I know. Though, this is all my fault." Alexis snaps back.
"Oh pumpkin this is in no way your fault. Do not even think about that. Look a terrible thing happened yesterday. We are still both here. A little banged up but I'm still here. So please put that thought right out of your head okay?" Rick says with much compassion.
"Alright, Daddy…" Alexis says agreeing with him.
Kate has been watching the exchange between father and daughter. She is drawn into their world. He is nothing like what the papers report about him. Maybe it is just a front he put up to sell more books? Whatever he is in the papers he is not showing it in front of her now. He is a doting father and it shows. He would do anything to protect his child.
Alexis has moved away from the bedside to sit in the chair to look at him. This is Kate's opportunity to get his statement. When she looks at him once again, their eyes meet and she is hypnotized by his stunning blue eyes. It's like they are speaking to her without even saying a word. She could not turn away.
He takes one look at her hazel/green eyes and he is hooked. It is like they are joined together somehow. There is like a connection there. He wants, no he needs to find out everything about her. They look at each other for awhile before they hear a throat clear. Alexis has returned back to her father's bedside. Kate face automatically blushed.
Dragging her eyes away from him, she turns into her cop mode.
"Right then, I am Detective Kate Beckett NYPD, Mr. Castle. May I ask you about what happened last night...?