Kate was home wondering what was going on when she saw Jackson run out the door. Martha came down and sat with her.
"It is pretty quiet without the noise makers around." Martha said.
"Yeah I had not noticed it but you are right Martha it is quiet. So where did Jackson go in all of a hurry?" Kate asked.
"Hmm he got a call from Sophie then he kissed me and left. That is all I know." Martha said.
"Sophie? Card! I need to call Rick!" Kate said making the connection of Sophie and danger.
Kate got out her phone then called.
"Hey honey what is up?" Rick answered "Of course I knew it was you."
"Rick is Card alright?" Kate asked.
"She is fine we are in the waiting room. We're just waiting." Rick replied. "Why…?"
"Rick I think Card maybe in danger." Kate said.
"Why do you say that?" Rick asked.
"Rick Sophie called Jackson and he high tailed it out of here." Kate said.
"Oh that sound serious Thanks Kate I will keep you informed. Bye now." Rick hung up the phone.
Rick called his father.
"Jackson Hunt Hi Son. I'm sure this is about Card's safety well just keep her inside the building until I call ok?" Jackson said hanging up.
"Yeah Dad be safe." Rick said to dead air.
The receptionist called out.
"Mr. Castle you can going in now." She said.
Card held his hand as they all rose and entered Dr. Burke's office.
"Good to see you Rick." The doctor said.
The doctor shook his hand warmly.
"Good to see you too Carter… This is my daughter Alexis. This is Card." Rick said introducing them.
"Hello Alexis and Hello Card welcome and please sit down." He asked.
Card was a bit apprehensive and held on to Rick's hand.
"Ok let me get a little background is that Ok with you Card?" he asked.
Card nodded.
"Ok Card where were you born?" He asked.
"Manhattan New York" she replied.
"Ok and where did you grow up?" he inquired.
"Estate in Manhattan owned by my grandfather" she said.
"Who was your grandfather?" he asked.
"William Bracken." she replied.
"I see did you see your grandfather much when you were growing up?" he inquired.
"No I rarely saw him. When I did I was scared of him." Card stated.
"Why were you frightened?" He asked.
"I saw him strike a man in his library and I did not see him leave." She said.
Rick was horrified Card had seen a murder in the Bracken estate.
"Do you remember the man's name?" he asked.
"It was the same as the god of the forge." Card said.
"God of the Forge…?" Dr. Burke pondered "Vulcan? Was it Vulcan?"
"Yes Vulcan I can remember now he was a black man and my grandfather hit him with his cane." She said.
"Did you see blood?" he asked.
"No I ran away then hid in my bedroom." Card said.
"I see but you did not see him leave?" he asked.
"I watched the doors he did not go that way." Card replied.
"I see well then tell me about your Mother what was her name?" he inquired.
"Carmine Bracken." she replied with a sour face
"You did not like her… Did you?" the doctor asked seeing her expression.
"No I hated her. She was evil worse than my Grandfather." Card reacted poorly Rick hugged the young teen.
"Why do you say that?" The doctor was getting somewhere.
"As I grew older I learned what was going on. I hacked the computer servers and read for myself what these evil people were doing." Card said.
"Is that when you contacted the authorities?" he asked intrigued on her innate sense of right and wrong.
"Yes. And that is when I was sent to the island." Card said.
"The island would you tell me about it?" he asked.
"I was not allowed to go anywhere without a guard. I was watched at all times. They knew I had sent word. So they prevented me from the contact of other than Guards I had Tutors." She said.
"I see were any of the guards or tutors friendly toward you?" He asked.
"Mike Hughes he was a guard. He was cool. He was the one to give me my first Richard Castle Novel. I just loved the characters and the action in his books." She said.
Did he help you in other ways? He asked.
"Well when he was assigned to me alone we would discuss Richard Castle books and every now and then he would have another book. When I had read it then we would discuss that one too." Card said.
"I see you have a book circle going?" he asked.
"I guess so." Card replied not knowing exactly what it was.
"So tell me what was your day like did you see anyone?" he asked.
"Well at 6 I would awake I would do my toiletries then get dressed. At 6:30 my bowl of porridge was waiting for me to eat. Breakfast was where I might see my mother but I preferred not to see her. She had a volatile temper and any little thing would set her off." Card said.
"I see. Let's continue with your day." He said
"I had 4 tutors in the morning. Lunch and the afternoon it was all about my music. I had a tutor for violin and one for my composing. Dinner was at 6 which consisted of Rice, Fish or Chicken and Vegetables. In the evening it was my poise and etiquette classes. I would then be in bed at 8 and asleep." Card said.
"And you did that every day?" He asked.
"Yes every day." She answered.
"Did you celebrate any day?" he asked.
"No there was no change only the subjects and tutors changed. So did the guards." Card said.
"I see so how do you feel about your adoptive family?" He asked.
"I totally love them." Card said with much enthusiasm.
"I love Alexis because she is my sister and is so wise and kind." She said looking at her older adoptive sister.
"I love my Dad because he is so funny but kind and thoughtful too." She said giving him another hug.
"I love my Mom because she listens and gives great hugs." She said picturing Kate lying on the couch.
"I love Jackson because he rescued me and brought me here with these wonderful people." She said imagining seeing him for the first time on the island.
"I love Gramps because he is wise and knows a lot about Baseball." She said picturing him in the Chair next to Kate.
"I love my Grams she teaches me about life and she has lots of Make up." She said picturing her hugging her.
"I love them all because they love me too." She stated.
"Ok Card those are the preliminary questions now I want you to take a test for me. Ok?" The doctor asked.
Card nodded. She had done tests before.
"I want you to follow my aide to another room where there is the test and table. OK?" He asked.
"Yes… Dr. Burke." Card said.
The aide came in and escorted Card to the testing area.
Once she was gone Rick spoke.
"Well…?" Rick asked.
"I can help her Rick she is already helping herself opening up to me just because you said it was ok. Rick she looks up to you. However, I must warn you. You need to explain that you can make mistakes like everyone else. She has an idolization for you. Which in itself is not bad but without her understanding you are fallible she might turn away from you." He warned.
"Ok Doctor you know what is good so what is next?" Rick asked.
"Well I would like to have regular sessions with her once a week at the start but if we run into difficulties which I think I might it could be more later." He explained.
So next Monday? Rick asked.
"Yeah 11 is good for me Monday at 11. Rick but before you go Alexis you have not said anything. This is a massive change in your home dynamics. How are you feeling about the changes." The doctor asked.
"Well I was worried when I first learned Dad and Mom were thinking of being foster parents." Alexis said.
"As you would be… Adding a new person to the household is never easy." He said.
"Yeah, when I learned how different Card was. How difficult it would be for her my worries vanished. She would need me. I knew I had to step up and welcome her." Alexis said.
"Alexis has always been the most responsible of persons." Rick explained.
"I see so now how do you feel?" The doctor asked.
"I see myself in her. She is so driven toward perfection she was not having any fun." Alexis said. "The only difference I had my Dad to keep me from obsessing too much. Thanks Dad."
"You are welcomed Pumpkin." Rick hugged his oldest.
"I have only one other question. Do either of you know anything about Card's father?"
"Card said he was chosen and she was artificially conceived. I think she mentioned the name Paul." Alexis said.
"Oh no reason I was curious that is all. I think our time is up. I will see whoever wants to come on Monday. You can wait for Card in the lobby. Thank you both and Card for coming." He said as he guided them out the door.
After they said their goodbyes Rick got the all clear text from Jackson. He would have to get the details later.
Card came out and they left going back to the Loft.