Part of Me, Part of You

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: Sequel to Girl from Yesterday, No Time Lapse, the story picks up where we left off. This is AU; Beckett has left for D.C. and the Feds. This describes the activity of each during the time away from the other. It blends some Canon dialog; courtesy of Dust Jackets Dot Com and then goes quickly and completely AU. This will describe what our friends have been up to, Rick and Kate WILL NOT END UP TOGETHER! Taking a Literary License to fill in the blanks.

A/N: THIS IS NOT A CASKETT ENDING: THIS IS NOT A CASKETT ENDING.

I don't own Castle; I use the characters for amusement purposes only, except the ones I create.

Also, we take liberties with the timeline from Canon and use events to make this more believable fiction, thanks.

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Chapter 14

Presbyterian Hospital

New York, New York

ICU Unit

7:12 AM

Lanie wasn't surprised by Rick's actions, but Serena's floored her. How could this lady be so kind as to allow her husband to visit his most recent Ex-Girlfriend and his almost-wife? She had more compassion, and understanding than she knew she had, no way sister, you ain't seeing my man, no way, now how, and I don't care if you die, you still ain't seeing him. She thought to herself,

Whatever she had inside, she was certainly showing the compassion that Rick did, perhaps that was why they seemed so suited for each other, even she had to admit Serena had been the missing piece for her friend. He changed when they got together, and soon he was back to the old fun Rick again, but still showed maturity, he just had his moments of acting like the nine-year-old again.

She looked up to see the writer standing before her, shifting from one foot to the other, trying to find his voice, finally, he got out, "Hey Lanes, how is she?" with a raspy voice. His voice betrayed him, full of emotion and almost ready to crack.

"Hey Rick, it's good to see you, she's a hell of a lot better than she was when I found her last night. I mean, I want to kick Perlmutter's ass for not responding to a call, forcing me out, but that's when I found her on my way home," She relayed the story, leaving out the CPR and frantic calls to her husband, and the ride in the ambulance where Kate had suffered a panic attack.

"When do you think, I mean do you think she will want to see me, I mean" He was wavering, not his confident self, but hell when was he ever around Beckett?

"Rick the second part is clear, she would love to see you, she and I have talked, and she's glad you found happiness after you went through the years of torment chasing, then catching, and finally losing her," Lanie said as she squeezed his hand. "Let me check with my husband, Dr. Paul Rucker to see when we can go in," she said,

Rick turned and looked at the wall, then the window, thinking this wasn't how he was supposed to see her again, she was supposed to come home all happy and successful as some big shot Fed, that would make his happiness feel more right.

He was happy, truly happy, and sad for Kate at the same time. All the anger, hurt, humiliation, and other negative feelings had been shed the moment he and Serena got together. She was the one who said he must forgive Kate; she wasn't going to build her new home with him on bad memories of his ex.

She was right, of course, she was, that was the moment he truly forgave her, not just give it the lip service that Serena saw right through. Serena knew he had loved her, but she was confident that the love they had built and grown, was stronger, and would stand the test of time.

For an ex-jewel or art retriever she was pretty damn smart about life. People didn't realize his wife spoke four languages and had an advanced degree in Criminology. When he asked why she didn't promote herself more, she said, "Let them think my legs got me this far in the business, they're going to think that anyway." As she laughed.

Just as he was calming down, Lanie and her husband, Paul stood in front of him, "Rick, this is my husband we've talked about, but now you can see, he's for real," Lanie laughed, trying to calm him down,

"Hi Rick, I've heard so much about you from Lanie, and believe me, I didn't know if you would be arriving in a suit of armor, or with an entourage of admirers, you've been my wife's knight in shining armor for longer than you know," he said with a smile, shaking a blushing Rick's hand.

"Paul, I told you, don't feed his ego, his head has to fit through the door he came in through," She laughed, and Rick finally began to relax.

"I'm glad you decided to take her Paul, God knows she would still be driving me crazy if she didn't have you to worry about now. How is Kate, and when can I see her?" He asked softly, "I mean if she wants me to visit," he added,

"She's getting her IV fluids, and vitals addressed but definitely wants to see you Rick, I told her Serena sent you down as soon as the day nurse showed up at your home." He said, "Give her about ten minutes, so if you haven't had coffee yet, the good stuff is in our lounge, come on, I'll show you." He said, turned, and walked down the aisle, as Rick followed.

Rick recognized the coffee maker as a later model of the one he had gifted the 12th precinct years ago, so he made himself a cup, and Paul was correct, it was good coffee. Just as he had sat down, a tall doctor, wearing glasses, and a lab coat walked through the door and greeted Paul.

"Good morning Ruck, how's our girl this morning, I was with her till around 5:00 AM when her fever finally broke, and had the nurses give her a warm bath, and change the linen and gowns, then I went to the day room and crashed, when she finally went to sleep." He said Rick could tell this had to be the friend from Stanford days, calling Paul by a nickname, and sitting with Kate half the night or more.

"She's getting ready to receive her first official visitor, Barney, eh, excuse me, Henry, I want you to meet Rick Castle, Rick this is an old friend of mine and Dr. Sarah Long, as well as Kate's from our early days at Standford," Paul said, as the man turned and looked Rick in the eyes,

"It's good to meet you Rick, and I know your visit is going to do wonders for Kate, she got hit with a virus bug, because well other circumstances made it more difficult to treat than normal," Henry said,

"Thanks for the discretion Dr. Barnett, but we've signed the consent forms, and are well aware of Kate's condition. Is there anything else my wife and or I can do to help her in this fight?" he asked,

"Oh, yes forgive me, the night and days are running together but Sarah, I mean Dr. Long did send me the forms, Thank you and Mrs. Castle is so little to say for such a great gift." He said,

"Well, if I understand the research you posted, it's you that should be thanked Henry, I mean, you're the one that pioneered the idea, even when you had to put your own home up for collateral for the loan to continue your research. I just wanted you to know that Serena, my wife, and I will be addressing your research's financial needs when we get Kate back to health." He said, as Henry blushed,

"How did you know I had to risk my home, Rick? That was a closely guarded secret, or was supposed to be" He said, blushing, as Lanie and Paul both looked on with amazement, "Barny, you never said a word, why didn't you ask for help?" Paul said,

"To answer your question, Henry, Rick knows a guy, he knows lots of guys, and how he finds information out, none of us have ever been able to pin him down. His response is always, "I know a guy" as Rick smiled,

"Well, I do know a guy, Henry. Let's see Kate, then we can talk about your needs for research going forward, I love a worthy cause to support" he said as they started down the aisle towards Kate's room. Lanie went in first, just to be sure she was decent, then waved them in.

Kate was sitting in the bed, someone had brushed and combed her hair and applied a little makeup, so she didn't look like death warmed over as she had a few hours before. It was very apparent she was trying to look her best for someone. Henry went right up to her, took her hand, and kissed her sweetly, then said, "Now you look like KBecks, ready to kick some ass" and laughed, and she smiled,

"Thanks, Henry, they told me you were here most of the night, and you were the one that ordered the bath, and change of linen, so thank you. "she said, her eyes, locking on his for a moment, then searching the room quickly until she spotted him.

Lanie pushed him towards her, "Look who we found wandering the halls, Kate" she laughed as the awkward silence stayed for a moment.

Rick took her hand, and said, "Hi Kate, you look good" which earned him her patented eye roll, "I mean for what you have been through and still going through," he added, and smiled. "I see some things never change, you still roll your eyes when you think I have said something stupid," he laughed,

"I do not DO I?" she whined, and the entire room laughed.

"Kate, you've done that since we met you at Stanford," Henry said, "I think we've all been on the same end as Rick just was at one point in our lives,"

"Dr. Paul and Dr. Henry tell me you got hit with a bug, and it kind of took over and shut your body down. I know you haven't been eating, I can see that without looking close enough to get slapped by you or Serena, you have to take better care of yourself" Rick implored her.

"Well, there's a reason behind that, but you look good Rick, you look happy. Thank you for coming and tell Serena, thanks for not blocking me totally out of your life. I mean, I wouldn't blame her if she had, but I hope we can start on new terms, maybe even be friends, lord knows I need all I can get now." She said, almost sadly.

"Kate, Kay, and I know about your Leukemia, and we want to help," he said as Kate's face turned ashen, then red, "Paul, Henry you weren't supposed to tell Rick about that," she said with a little bite on her words,

"They didn't Kate, so stop, think, and listen in your head to what you're going to say. You said it best you need all the friends you have now, so now is not the time to pull a Beckett on any of us." He said, not harshly, but firmly, letting her know sick or well, he wouldn't tolerate mistreatment of him or anyone else around him.

She hung her head, "You're right Rick, and I'm sorry guys, I, it's a shock for Rick and Serena to know about my cancer. Rick if they didn't tell you, who did?" she asked,

"Alexis told us then we got confirmation in a strange way, strictly obeying regulations from HIPPA from Dr. Long later. "he replied,

"Alexis? How did she know, oh God, I didn't want her to know or worry, I mean she's got a full load at school, and" she stopped as she saw Rick smile,

"She was in Dr. Saunders's waiting room, she is her OB-GYN, and unlike some adults, she does make and show up for her annual screenings. She saw you and Lanie in the adjacent waiting room for Dr. Rucker. She called Gina, and she verified that it was you, only by employment records, and public information, then she told me." He said,

"Oh, God, my mess is still ruining your life, I'm so sorry Rick, I never wanted to"

"STOP" He commanded, "We didn't work out as a couple, that doesn't mean I stopped loving you or wanting the best for you. I can say that yes, I'm in love with my wife, who is a hell of a lot more empathetic than I could have hoped for. She is the one that insisted we NOT try to hide past relationships but accept the good, forgive the bad, and know we are all just humans trying to do the best we can." He squeezed her hand,

"You said you got confirmation in a strange way from Dr. Long, I mean, she's Henry's, I mean Dr. Barnett's friend from college, so how does she play a role in this?" she asked

"Well Serena is pregnant, VERY pregnant with a difficult pregnancy, and Dr. Long is the specialist that will be delivering our baby in about 5 weeks. She mentioned her friend from college, meaning Dr. Barnett had developed an alternative method of stem cell transplantation using the blood from the umbilical cord, and placenta, after birth.

"Kate, Serena is your 97% match for Bone Marrow Transplant, but because she's pregnant, Henry's method allows us to help you without adding stress or pain to her or the little one who is on the way. She registered for Be The Donor, through the national registry, and the Universe sent you to us." He noticed the eye roll, and laughed,

"You and your damn universe," she laughed, "But if I'm being honest, you're beginning to make a believer out of me. Lanie showed up last night unplanned, Serena is back in your life, well the love of your life, and kind enough to be a donor who matched me for the gift of life. It's hard to argue coincidence to all those events happening in concert" she said, as Rick faked holding his heart,

"Lanie, did you hear that, Kate actually admitted there might be something to my Universe theory after all," as the entire room laughed.

"Well, I hate to break this party up, but we need to run some tests and adjust some medications for our patient," Paul said,

"How long does she have to stay in the hospital Paul? I mean there is a private suite upstairs in my name that she can stay in as soon as she is out of the ICU. I know we stretched the rules for this unit, but if she needs to stay to prepare for the transplantation, feel free to use Rick Rodgers Suite Number One. It's not home but a hell of a lot better than one hospital room," he said

"That's kind of you Rick, I've seen those suites, they are bigger than my apartment. I'll discuss it with Paul, but we may take you up on that offer, keep her in isolation so that when your wife delivers she will be healthy enough to accept the donor blood." Henry said,

Kate's tears were falling, she had lost the battle to keep them in until Rick left. What a wonderful man he truly was, and God, Serena was just like him. It was no wonder they fell in love, two matched souls just alike. Out of nowhere came his hanky, silently handing it to her, she drew in a long whiff of his cologne as tears continued to fall.

"Kate, no tears, things are going to be OK. You have the resources you need now it's up to you, go kick Cancer's Ass, just like you did Lockwood and Bracken" he said softly, He leaned in and kissed her cheek, "If you go to the suite do you mind if Serena and I, probably Alexis as well Face Time you on a video call?" he asked, looking like a little boy.

"Would I mind? Rick, I would love it, I'll never be able to pay you back for the gift of life, but I'll try I promise you, I will" she said through her sniffles,

"Kate, you can't, and you aren't supposed to even try to repay something like this, just pay it forward to someone in need when you are in the position to help, no questions asked." He said as she squeezed his hand one last time. He knew he wasn't getting that handkerchief back, but he didn't care.

"Get well quickly Kate, you have a big date coming up with a blood transfusion in about five weeks. Lanie, please keep Serena and me updated, or Kate, you're welcome to call either of us. I left the cell numbers on the back of this card," catching her by surprise.

"Serena wouldn't object Rick, I mean,"

"Kate, call Serena first and talk to her woman to woman, maybe she can reassure you that you won't cause any friction between us. Just get well, you can't do that without eating, or if you worry about everybody like you always do. It's time to be selfish this time Kate, your fight is with the disease, no one else.

"I wanted to be sure you knew that I had forgiven you for any and everything that ever happened between us before Serena, and I got married. I ask now that you do the same, it wasn't always all your fault, there were two of us in the relationship. Get well, and we will talk to you soon, I promise" he kissed her briefly for only a slit second on the lips and walked away.

Kate touched her lips as if she had been touched by a healing evangelist on some religious channel that had just laid hands upon her and cast out the devil. She was at peace, better, she was ready for a war with a bitch named Leukemia.

TBC

A/N: Perhaps one more chapter to tie this one up to everyone's satisfaction. There are still a few surprises, so don't go off your blood pressure medication just yet Charlie, you never know with this writer what he will do to mess you up. If I don't update or answer reviews I have procedures with my back ongoing, which are helping, thanks for asking. I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas if you celebrate, and Happy Holidays to those who don't. Thanks for your support, - Tim