A/N: Back again, finally! Thanks for your patience as I'm still without internet at home. This is the longest chapter I've ever written, so I hope it makes up a little for the wait. I have a good chunk of the next chapter written as well, so hopefully it won't take too long to get that one up. This chapter is for #CastleFanficMonday, I hope you enjoy!
XXXXXX
Freddy stormed into the bullpen, dragging Kate behind him.
He propelled her into the group of hostages, ignoring her cry when her elbow caught the edge of a desk.
"Where are the others?" he bellowed at Myers.
They're off checking barriers. I just got back from my own sweep."
"Find them and meet me in there," Freddy pointed to the room behind him. In a low voice he continued, "Things may be coming to a head."
Myers stood straighter. He knew what was coming.
"I'll be right back." He ran up the stairs to the gym.
Freddy kicked Beckett hard in the ribs for good measure before moving back into the break room and slamming the door.
Kate coughed as Marcus helped pull her into a sitting position.
"My arm…" she began. "It's numb."
"Looks like you hit your funny bone pretty good." Marcus remarked. He looked closer at it.
"You've already got a bruise forming there." He touched her elbow and she winced.
"It could be cracked."
"Great, just what I needed," Kate deadpanned. She tried to keep the tears back. It was not the time for crying, but between the elbow and her ribs – it may not have been as bad as when she was shot, but God – the pain.
That coupled with Freddy's threat to sic Zombie and Creepy Clown on her, she wasn't too proud to admit to herself that she was scared.
They had to get out of here as soon as possible.
Even if that meant someone had to make the ultimate sacrifice. It was something they were all prepared for – hell, they knew it could come when they signed up for this.
But none of them were expecting it to happen in what should have been the relatively safe confines of a police precinct.
They watched as Myers came back downstairs with Creepy Clown in tow. Zombie and Skull-Face came back soon after and Myers ushered them into the break room.
"Shouldn't somebody watch the pigs?" asked Zombie.
"Boss wants all of us in there," replied Myers.
Zombie shrugged and followed the others in.
As soon as the door shut, Kate spoke up. Her breathing was still labored, but she couldn't just sit there.
"Now's our chance to make some kind of plan to get the hell out of here. They're probably going to kill us – to say nothing of what they're going to do to me."
Eggerstrom nodded, wincing in pain.
"Detective Beckett is right. We're not going to get out relying on outside help. We all heard Freddy Krueger say they're doing this 'because they can'. They're doing it for the thrill of it."
Marcus piped up as well.
"You know, I don't think they ever picked up those first aid scissors. They may still be under the desk over there."
"Do you think someone can get to them before Freddy and the others come out?" asked Beckett.
"I think it's our best shot to get free of these zipties," Marcus replied. We really don't have a choice. Vince, you're closest to the desk, you want to see if they're there and get them?"
Detective Vincent Daniels nodded and began scooching backwards to the desk in question. He squirmed his way around and leaned down to see under it.
"I see them."
He swept his leg under the desk, suddenly thankful their captors had taken their shoes. He was able to grip the scissors with his toes, and move them from under the desk.
A silent cheer came from the other detectives at Daniels' success, while muffled shouts and the sound of breaking glass came from the other room.
Daniels cut Marcus' ties first, also cutting the man's wrist due to being tied himself.
"Shit, sorry Andrews."
"Don't worry about it," Marcus took the scissors and turned to Kate.
"No, cut mine last," she insisted, much to his confusion.
"But you're injured…"
"Exactly. As much as I hate to admit it, I'm in no shape to really fight if they come back out soon. Get Daniels and the others first."
Marcus continued to hesitate.
"Come on, Andrews!" Kate hissed. It won't take you long to cut everyone loose, but you've got to hurry!"
"She's right, Marcus," agreed Eggerstrom. "We don't have a hell of a lot of time."
The detective nodded grimly and set to work.
XXXXXX
Freddy was pacing as the others traipsed into the room.
He started ranting the minute Myers shut the door.
"They're going to raid us soon," he seethed, pacing along the counter where the cappuccino machine sat.
He picked up a coffee mug and flung it across the room. It was the first time he'd lost his cool.
"Damn it, I've been enjoying myself. I wanted this to last a lot longer."
He pointed at the door.
"I want nobody out there to survive. But I'm going to kill the bitch last. I want her to watch the others die."
"Can we play with her?" It was Creepy Clown. He moved his hips lasciviously.
"You got a condom?" returned Freddy.
"Why?" asked Zombie. "What if we wanna do her raw?"
Freddy got up into Zombie's face.
"DNA you asshole," he turned to include Creepy Clown. "You think you're not in some computer system somewhere? Hells bells, we all are! And even if you're not, why the fuck do you want to be put in there now?"
"But you said you'd give her to us…" Zombie groused.
"I told her I'd give her to you. I didn't tell you."
"Same difference, boss."
"No, it isn't. But if you want to call me a liar, I guess you can. God, you guys are dumb asses. Sometimes the worst torture is telling them you're gonna do something you have no intention of doing. The threat's there, but you didn't actually do it, so they can't charge you. Let the fear do the damage for you."
Freddy began pacing.
"You idiots don't have time anyway, condom or not."
Creepy Clown mumbled something under his breath.
Freddy whirled back to the man.
"I get it," he went on. "You wanna fuck a cop who doesn't wanna be fucked. But you're not going to, so get used to it."
He lifted his M-16, motioning the others to do the same.
"You don't have to tell her that. You can keep telling her you're going to have fun with her. It's a mind game as well as a physical one."
He walked to the door.
"And if you ever meet the harpy in a dark alley sometime, have at it for all I care. But for now, it's not happening. Now, you're going to have the ultimate thrill. Two of you head for the windows and take out the cops outside. The rest of us will take care of the ones in here. Remember, the chick is last – and she's mine."
He looked at the other captors, each holding a weapon at the ready.
"All right. Let's go smoke us some bacon."
XXXXXX
Castle stood at the door of the surveillance truck watching the controlled chaos outside. He noticed Ryan and Esposito putting their vests on while explaining something to a couple of SWAT team members. Probably something about the layout of the precinct if he had to guess.
Captain Gates finished a briefing with the SWAT leader and headed for the truck.
"Aren't you part of the invasion?" he asked, stepping aside to let her enter.
She raised an eyebrow at his choice of word, but didn't comment on it.
"We don't know what we'll find in there, Mr. Castle. We can't even say for certain that there are only five captors. Beckett may not have seen any others, but that doesn't mean there aren't more."
Rick nodded, conceding that point.
"I'm also not trained for this kind of assault. Neither are Detectives Ryan and Esposito. They'll be in the second wave after SWAT takes out the infiltrators and does an initial clearing."
Rick needed to ask the captain a question, and he wasn't sure how it would go down. He swallowed his nerves and dove in.
"Captain, once everything is in the clear, I'd like to go in the building and help."
Victoria eyed him closely.
"Once everything is clear, could I keep you out?"
She handed him a bullet proof vest, much to his surprise.
"They've thrown shoes and Detective Lennox from the window," Gates told him by way of explanation. "There's no guarantee they won't start shooting from there as well. In fact, it's a little surprising they haven't already. We're in danger out here too."
"Thank you, Sir."
He quickly shrugged on the borrowed vest as Captain Gates watched him.
"I still want you to stay in the truck for now – especially if there's a firefight."
She gave Rick a look that reminded him of several of his school teachers.
"But after this is over, and you go in… You and Detective Beckett will need to talk."
"P – pardon me?"
"I'm serious, Mr. Castle. Before I decide to let you come back – and it is my decision, It's my precinct, and good PR for you and the mayor or not, it's up to me whether you're back. You and Beckett need to define yourselves to each other."
Rick gaped at her, mouth open, eyes wide.
"I'm not sure I understand what you mean," he replied.
Mr. Castle, let's not insult each others intelligence. The only people who can't see how you two feel about each other are down in Dr. Parish's morgue… And you and Beckett."
"Captain, she doesn't…"
"Oh, yes she does. And if you can't see it, well – I know a good ophthalmologist."
"I…"
"Over the past year, I've seen how well you and Kate work together. I haven't liked it much because you're not a cop, but at this point that's neither here nor there. I've also seen how withdrawn she's become since you left without giving a reason or saying goodbye. Detective Esposito told me she's in a similar place as she was before you began following her in the first place."
The Captain eyed Castle closely, thinking perhaps he would reply.
He didn't so she continued.
"I don't know the reasons why – it hasn't affected Kate's work, so I'm not sure it's any of my business. But it is yours. And you two need to figure it out before it does affect her work and becomes my business."
She checked her weapon to make sure she was prepared to defend herself if the captors decided to shoot from the window.
"But if I catch the two of you in a supply closet grabbing anything but a mop and bucket, there will be hell to pay."
She smiled at him – much to his consternation – then picked up a file and left the truck.
Still astonished at the captain's words, Rick pulled his phone out of his pocket to check his texts. There were 5 – all from Alexis.
Dad where are you?!
Why haven't you answered my text? I'm worried.
Really worried, Dad.
Gram and I have been watching the news and they've been saying people have been thrown out the window? What's going on?
TEXT ME BACK!
Damn it.
He hadn't given a second thought to his daughter and mother since he left the loft. He'd put the phone on silent once he was brought back to the base of operations, and hadn't even noticed the notifications when he called Kate's phone and talked to the leader of the kidnappers.
He quickly dialed, needing to hear Alexis' voice.
"Dad! Finally! I was beginning to worry you had been captured yourself!" Alexis was frantic.
"I'm fine, Pumpkin. I'm not dumb enough to go in there, and they wouldn't let me even if I was."
"Well, I'm glad to hear that. Have they heard from the hostages? Detective Beckett?"
"Yes. The leader called me from Beckett's phone. I'm behind the lines now…"
"Dad!"
"I'm out of the way, Pumpkin. I'm in no danger where I am. I've also talked to Kate and we have an idea of how many bad guys there are and how we're going to get everyone out."
"Be careful, Dad. And answer your texts," she admonished.
Rick smiled at the 'parenting her parent' thing Alexis had going.
"I'll pay more attention to my phone," he promised. "I love you."
He hung up the phone as Ryan came in the truck.
"So, you gonna explain yourself?" Ryan asked, leaning on the edge of the desk.
Rick closed his eyes and sighed. He should have known this would come, and there was no use pretending he didn't know what the detective was talking about.
"Not to you. At least…not yet."
Ryan stiffened.
"You broke ties with us too, Castle. You don't think Espo and I deserve…"
Castle cut him off.
"It's complicated, and it's between me and Beckett."
"She's just as baffled as we are."
Rick stared at Ryan. That could not be true – could it? Could she really not have realized why he was so angry?
"Well, whatever the circumstances," he began slowly. "I want to discuss it with Kate first."
"She's hurting, Castle. And she's hurting because of you. Javier and I are your friends, but we're like Kate's brothers. Family comes first. You'd do well to remember that."
They stood eyeing each other a moment longer. Then Esposito stuck his head through the door.
"It's going down."
Stalemate broken, Rick followed Ryan to the door, where he stood and watched the SWAT teams enter the precinct.
XXXXXX
When Freddy and the others came out of the break room, the hostages were where they'd left them. Sitting in a semi-circle in the middle of the bullpen floor.
Freddy smirked. They'd got the donut patrol pretty well cowed, he thought.
Then all hell broke loose.
Marcus and Vincent were on their feet running toward Myers and Skull-Face before the two could get their guns up. The cops tackled the criminals, forcing them to drop the weapons.
The other uninjured officers were also up and helping Marcus and Vincent or rushing to tackle Creepy Clown and Zombie.
Eggerstrom and Beckett – injured though they were – also had handguns up and at the ready.
How the fuck did they get loose?
Freddy began firing his M-16. He was pissed enough that he didn't care who he hit – cops or his own people. All he knew was he needed to get out if he was going to survive.
He looked for Beckett, maybe he could use her as a shield, and take her with him. DNA or not, she deserved all the pain he could give her. And yeah, he was going to have fun doing it.
More shouts, a muffled bang and smoke filled the bullpen.
Armored SWAT came pouring through the stairwell door. Freddy wasn't getting out that way.
He peppered everyone he could see with bullets and charged to the window. It's the fourth floor, he could survive the jump. Maybe even without breaking a bone, if he did it right.
He tripped and fell, his weapon flying out of his arms.
It was the bitch. How the fuck?
He kicked at her, connecting with the side of her head. It didn't seem to knock her out, but she did let go.
Scrambling to his feet, Freddy again began making his way to the window, but was stopped this time by a SWAT member sticking his weapon in Freddy's face.
It was over. There was nothing for it but to raise his hands in surrender.
XXXXXX
The fighting went on for a few more minutes, but the captors were soon subdued with masks removed.
Zombie and Myers were dead. Myers from a handgun shot by either Beckett or Eggerstrom, and Zombie most likely by Freddy's M-16. Two uniforms guarded Creepy Clown who had been kicked in the head and was unconscious. Freddy and Skull-Face were both cuffed and shackled in preparation to be taken to the holding cell at the 9th precinct.
Of the hostages, all were injured. Mostly minor, but a bullet had grazed the side of Daniels' head and Eggerstrom had been shot in the other leg. Beckett hadn't been shot, but she did have two cracked ribs, a broken elbow and a concussion caused by Freddy's kick. All three were going to the hospital.
Marcus Andrews was the only hostage who had been killed. He was shot multiple times. Ballistics and autopsy would sort things out, but Skull-Face was claiming that one loudly. Kate and Eggerstrom both were hoping it wasn't 'friendly fire' that did it. They had been the only cops with guns, and a couple of the wounds looked like they came from a Glock.
Eggerstrom and Daniels had each been taken out of the precinct by paramedics by the time Kate was loaded onto a stretcher. Protesting mightily, she insisted that Esposito or Ryan could just take her in.
"That's not happening, Detective," Captain Gates told her.
Kate rolled her eyes.
"But, Sir…"
"Regulations, Detective Beckett. And you know it."
Kate groaned as she was wheeled out, resigned to the situation but she was still wondering something.
Where was Castle?
XXXXXX
Castle felt a little déjà vu walking into the bullpen after SWAT finished clearing the obstacles in the stairwell. He was reminded of the bank and Kate calling out to him, trying to find him in the mess of the building.
Now it was his turn to find her in the disarray of the precinct.
God, he wanted to see her smile at him again the way she had in the bank. The one that looked like she thought he hung the moon. The one he was sure was going to be plastered on his own face when he saw her.
He frowned then. Even with what Captain Gates and Ryan had told him, he wasn't sure he believed it. But faced with possibly losing her permanently, he'd nearly forgotten why he was so angry with her.
Why did she lie?
He saw Kate being loaded onto a stretcher and suddenly didn't want to be there any more.
Gates and his mother were right. He and Kate did need to talk. About her remembering and his secret murder board of her mother's case.
He wasn't sure where to begin, but the precinct wasn't it. Kate was injured, and needed care. The conversation could wait until she had been treated.
There would be déjà vu tomorrow at the hospital too, he knew.
He turned around and climbed down the stairs, removing any debris that might get in the way of the paramedics taking Kate down since the elevator was still broken and would stay that way for awhile.
Stepping outside, Rick was surprised to see that it was still dark, though the eastern sky was brightening a bit. He glanced at his watch, 4AM.
So much had happened, it felt like it should be later.
Dragović walked up to him.
"Mr. Castle, thank you for your help with this."
"Of course. I admit, I only came down because Kate – er – Detective Beckett was possibly inside, but I'm so glad I could help."
"Have you thought about entering training to become a profiler? the psychologist asked. "I'd say you're a natural talent."
Castle was nonplussed.
"Wow, I'm flattered, Dr. Dragović, but any 'natural talent' I may have is just observational skill gained while doing research for my writing. And as much as I enjoy following the NYPD, I do it primarily for my books. Although helping people is right up there on the list."
The doctor nodded. "Well, if you ever change your mind…" he handed Rick his card and moved off.
Rick stood there, a little stunned. That was unexpected. But no. As fascinating as the idea was, he enjoyed inventing his own characters to put in these kind of situations. However, a Serbian psychologist could make an interesting addition to the next Nikki Heat novel.
He waited for the stretcher carrying Kate to arrive outside, wanting to let her know he was still there.
Ten minutes later he heard the rattling of the bed as it was set on its wheels.
He stopped the paramedic as they passed him.
"Hey, Kate," he began.
"Hey, Castle. There you are," Kate had been given some pain medication and was beginning to feel a little loopy.
"Thanks for coming back."
"Al – Of course."
Rick had nearly said 'always'. But he still didn't know where he stood with her. Did the word mean the same for her as it did for him? Another question for the conversation they needed to have.
"Why did you leave, Castle?" Kate asked. "Things were really starting to get good."
"Later, Kate," he answered. "We will talk, but not today. Today you need to let the doctors take care of you, and you need to rest."
"Until tomorrow then?"
Rick smiled. His first real smile in over a month.
"Until tomorrow."
XXXXXX
A/N 2: I'd love to hear your thoughts! The 'talk' is up next!