This week has been rough. I didn't think I'd be able to write. My youngest daughter's went off to college and it has been harder to deal with then I thought. I miss them terribly. Then my dog can't climb the stairs all of the sudden, and one of my best friends father was diagnosed with cancer. I had there paragraphs done and then I was given the push I needed. I hope you guys enjoy it. I needed something to be thankful for so I gave it to Beckett and her family! I could use some positives right now. So if you like this chapter please let me know! This is my entry into the 2014 Castle Summer Hiatus Ficathon!
It had been two long weeks since Castle was rushed through the hospital, close to death. Two weeks where they watched, waited, prayed and bargained with the devil for a glimpse of his baby blues. She imagined every worst case scenario. Her dreams were littered with him dying or in a irreversible coma. Worse were the dreams where he woke up but didn't recognize her, or had forgotten what they had built together. Those times she would wake up tears streaming down her face, her heart pounding rapidly in her chest as she tried to catch her breath. Too many times in the last month she had felt he was lost to her and his family.
Dehydration had caused his kidneys to start shutting down, the decrease in blood flow to the brain and the intense trauma to his body had caused the coma. The doctors had felt a cold coma would be beneficial due to the swelling from the beatings and concussions, and she had struggled with Alexis and Martha with the decision. Finally, they had decided to let nature take it's course. The broken ribs had lacerated his lungs and surgery had been required. None of it caused permanent damage and with proper treatment and time would probably be reversed, but only time would tell.
Castle had been in ICU the first three days and had limited visitation. ICU was too small to accommodate everyone, so they took turns. He was moved into her room the day she was discharged, but she never left much to the chagrin of one of the nurses. Kate had asked her if it was possible for her to shower in the bathroom in his room. "Bloody Bathroom Nazi" as the group referred to her was flat out against it. She didn't even want her changing her clothes in that bathroom. Thank goodness the other nurses had been more accommodating, and she made sure everything was taken care of before she came on shift.
The room was sterile, not very different from the room she had woken up in after her shooting. There was his bed, a cot and a recliner along with the medical instruments and a generic picture of some foreign countryside. Beckett had wondered if all hospitals bought art like that for the rooms to encourage patients to want to get better. She remembered her room had a mountainside scene with snow capped mountains. A small bag with clothes, toiletries and bandages to change her wounds resided on his nightstand, her crutches leaned against the wall.
Alexis and Martha had taken turns staying with them throughout the day. Alexis read him Casino Royale, while Martha regaled him with stories from her acting school. Sometimes the three of them would play cards together. The dark circles under Martha and Alexis' eyes were an indication of their lack of sleep, even though they returned to the loft each night after having dinner together.
Kate knew she was in a bad place. She was doing everything she could to reduce the stress that slowly consumed her and pushed her down the rabbit hole. Not knowing if they were safe, or if there would be another strike on the life of those she loved was eating her alive. She couldn't help or be involved in the investigation. It was easier when the threat had been solely about her. Her PTSD had been contained but the blinding panic hit her constantly.
The boys and Lanie stopped by as often as possible, but they were working overtime doing everything possible to make sure everyone was safe. Gates and the boys suspected that the gunmen, had not acted alone. They were checking financials, phone records and anything that they thought would help. Shaw looked into known associates and had contacted the Terrorism Task Force. Agents had been dispatched to their last known addresses. Even with her clearance they hadn't received anything new and had no new leads. They were now calling in favors left and right.
Kate hadn't left the hospital after she had been discharged. Hadn't left his room unless it was to bathe, change her clothes or go to physical therapy. She rambled on to him about everything, held his hand, and occasionally brushed a kiss across his forehead or cheek. She talked about his family, the case and the 12th, but he never stirred. It was hard to see him so quiet and unmoving, when he was usually bigger than life. Late into the night, Kate would push the chair as close to the bed as possible, cradle her head in her arms, and while still holding his hand finally fall asleep. Exhaustion once again won the battle against her.
The first thing he noticed was the smell of the hospital and the incessant sounds of the machines he was hooked up to. The warm hand with the long fingers curled in his hand had to be hers. Thankfully the lights had been turned off and the gentle lights used so the nurse could check in on him, didn't hurt his eyes. When he finally looked down he found her head nestled in her arms. Her face tilted towards him, tears tracked across her cheeks, her brow creased with tension even as she slept. With great effort he moved his hand and placed it on her head. His fingers wove through her hair. She stirred in her sleep. He struggled to speak and the pain and rawness in his throat from the breathing tube made it difficult.
Her subconscious felt the weight of his fingers in her hair. She started to stir. Finally she startled awake. Her eyes, her face, were a kaleidoscope of relief and anxiety as she realized that he was finally conscious. For the next few moments she searched in his eyes and explored whether or not he was still the Rick Castle she loved? Did he recognize her? It was his eyes that spoke volumes, as their strange connection clicked once again and she let out a sigh of relief.
She reached for the call button immediately. Kate looked at him and could see the terror build behind his eyes. The breathing tubes still helped him to breath and he had to relax before he injured himself. He didn't have the strength to move his arms toward the tube and his body spasmed.
"Try to relax Castle. It's a breathing tube. They'll come and take it out as soon as they get here. It was helping you breathe." She struggled to stand up. Her cast made it difficult to do anything quickly but she finally stood, placed her hand on his shoulder and made sure he looked at her as he spoke. "They're coming. I promise they're on their way."
The door swung open and his nurse entered followed by his doctor and an intern.
The nurse looked at the doctor, who studied the vitals on the monitor for a second, then nodded. The nurse immediately removed the tape that held the tube in place. She looked at Castle and said, "This will feel uncomfortable for a moment, and you might feel like coughing or gagging. If you can breathe out as I remove it, it will help with the need to cough or the gag reflex. I'll do it quickly."
The nurse held his gaze as she pulled the tube from his throat without incident.
Castle gasped for air and coughed. Pain seared across his chest instantly and Kate watched him struggle for several seconds before he was able to make an intelligible sound, "Kate." His voice was hoarse and barely over a whisper. She could see in his eyes how much pain he was in.
It was the first time she had heard his voice in two months and the sob wracked through her body escaped before she could stop it. After a few seconds she managed, "I'm here, Castle." She reached for his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
She turned and addressed the doctor, "Is there anything you can give him for the pain?"
The doctor said, "The pain medication that will be administered to him will make very drowsy and foggy. It is narcotic stronger than Percocet called Dilaudid. We'll set up a PCA pump so he can administer the medication as needed, but we'll give him a dose right now through the IV port. It's going to be a while before the pain in his chest from the broken the ribs and the pulmonary laceration surgery diminish. It will take less time for his other broken bones to heal as they are cast." The nurse left to get the medication and order the pump. "Right now he needs to rest as much as possible. His body will heal itself faster if given the proper rest."
"Mr. Castle you definitely have a long and difficult recovery ahead of you, but if you follow directions now, then work hard later you'll be able to make an almost complete recovery. Do you have any questions?" Kate shook her head and the doctor turned and left as the nurse re-entered the room.
Kate got an overwhelming feeling of dread as she looked at the nurse. There was still an officer stationed outside the door. He had a list of people allowed into the room, and all of them had passed a security check run by Shaw. She wasn't about to risk his life.
"Do you mind if I look at the bottle before you administer it?" She asked the nurse. The nurse looked at her suspiciously but still walked over and handed the bottle to Kate. Kate took a picture of label, made sure the name and dose showed clearly and sent it to Lanie. She knew Lanie was at work and would answer her right away. She also noticed that the bottle's seal was still intact.
As she returned the bottle to the nurse, Lanie texted back that it was a good medication for Castle, given his injuries. Then she asked if he was finally awake. Kate breathed a sigh of relief as she watched the nurse administer it into the IV, then had responded that he was awake. When the nurse left Kate pulled herself up and stood next to him. She brushed a gentle kiss across his lips, "Sleep Babe, the rest will help your body heal, and you know how much I love that body." She winked at him, and she saw the corners of his lips curl up. She ran the back of her fingers gently across his cheek. "Close your eyes Babe. I'm not going anywhere. I'll be right here when you wake up. I love you."
His lips moved, but barely a whisper escaped as he spoke, "I love you." He blinked his eyes a couple of times as he fought to stay awake a few more seconds, he had wanted to ask her about her injuries, but then the medication had won and he fell asleep.
Kate plopped back into her chair and was thankful for everything that had happened today. He had woken up, he had recognized her and spoken. She knew he was going to be in extreme pain, but she had been so afraid that there would be brain damage. Her phone buzzed and she looked down. Lanie had responded "thank goodness!"
Kate took a few minutes to compose herself, picked up the phone and dialed, "Hello, Alexis? He woke up! Yes, he woke up and spoke a few words. He recognized me. Yes, he's in a lot of pain and they are going to give him a drip to self administer the pain medication. I know sweetie. I'm going to call Martha as soon as I get off the phone with you. I wanted to call you first. Yes, definitely come in tomorrow morning..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ C&B ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They had worked Castle's case non stop. Everyone at the 12th doing everything they could to solve this. Espo and Ryan had been there all day, and it was well past quitting time.
"Hey, Javi take a look at this. I think I found something. I was able to find off shore bank accounts for the brothers, and local bank account for two of the other men. The brother's had $100,000.00 transferred into their accounts on the same day that two of the other gunmen had $50,000.00 transferred into theirs. I don't think that's a coincidence." Ryan continued. "All the transfers bounce through several banks, but it can't figure out who made the transfer."
"That tells me that they aren't safe. These guys were working for someone and their mission is definitely not complete. We need to talk to Gates and Shaw about this, Ryan."
Please, let me know what you thought of this chapter. Don't forget this will continue with weekly updates with longer chapters (hopefully). I'm honored at the reception this story has gotten! Thank you to my helpers because without them, my ADHD mind would drive all you readers away! They rock! Thanks again for reading :) Follow me on Twitter glo1196 - Tumblr: MyCastleObsession and on Pintrest glo11962 where I have a Castle board!