Private Life
by Castlefan6
Authors Note AU: Beckett and Castle have reached their first If Only moment, a pivotal point that forces Rick to leave the precinct. Brace yourself as the episodes Cops and Robbers and To Live and Die in LA have been rearranged to suit this Timeline; please go with it.
I am taking a Literary License to fill in the blanks.
I don't own Castle; I only use the characters for amusement, except the ones I create.
This is COMPLETELY AU and May or May Not Wind Up with a Caskett Ending.
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A/N: This chapter contains some injuries and catastrophic events. If that is a trigger, please proceed with caution.
Chapter 15
Presbyterian Hospital
VIP Suites, 15th Floor
The Next Morning
Kate woke up at her usual 4:30 AM and went to the visitor's gym to get her run in. She had slacked off for the last several days, but now that she had brought her running gear, her excuses were gone. She knew it was much too early to visit Rick hopefully he was still asleep and had a calm night now that they had cut back on the sedation.
She had a quick shower and dressed in a sun dress, taking her long sweater along since the hospital rooms were kept at a cool temperature, cool enough to store meat, she thought. As she walked through the door to Rick's room, she couldn't help but notice some intriguing and significant changes.
He had apparently showered and was dressed in his robe and pajamas; either someone had visited, or he had clothes delivered. His right arm was now in a soft cast, supported by a sling, and he was typing away on his laptop reasonably fast for a one-handed typist. He was so engrossed in what he was doing that he didn't notice her come in.
She waited until he looked up from his work and then said, "Good Morning, Rick; how did you get your laptop and pajamas delivered to you? She asked shyly,
"Oh, one of the nurses lives near my building, so I called, and Eduardo packed a bag and retrieved my laptop for me. Carolyn was kind enough to deliver it to me this morning. Did you think it was Alexis?" He asked, which surprised her; he had actually started a conversation.
"That would have been my first guess, with Paula or Gina a close second." She said softly,
"No, I talked to Alexis and want her to concentrate on her studies. She's leaving for a semester abroad next month, so I had to convince her that I could survive on my own." He laughed softly,
"Wow. You're taking that news fairly well, this coming from a man who wanted her date to the Junior Prom put through a security clearance briefing," she smiled,
"Well, sometimes you just have to accept life on the terms dealt to you, not wait your life away until they appear as you would hope they would." He said in an even tone, letting her know that he, indeed, had come to grips with the adulthood of his little girl and perhaps other life events.
"She and Gina went on a month-long tour of Europe; I think it was Gina's way of getting her away from the mess. She doesn't need to worry about the old man; I mean, it's not the first time I was hurt, and she didn't know about it." He said, almost matter of fact,
"Do you really think she doesn't know about the man she loves more than anything or anyone in this world? She may let you believe that, but the Alexis I know was worried sick about you, even after she and Gina spoke.
"I told Gina to tell her to call me, and she did. I promised her to keep her informed, so I'm sorry if I violated your privacy, I would want to know if it were my Dad." She said, looking sadly at him,
"Well, that clears up where she got her information from, and I'm not angry, Kate. "You did what you thought was best for me, for Alexis, so how could I fault you for that?" he asked softly, for the first time looking at her without the scowl that he usually had, even if he was unaware of doing it.
"Well, thanks for not being upset; I know now, more than I should, about why you and Maddie had to keep your lives so private. Roy shared with me the minimum, but enough to know the intel you gave wasn't incorrect; there were FIVE robbers in scrubs, four men, one woman." She said as a surprised look came over his face.
"How do you know about the fifth robber? I mean, how much do you know?" Rick asked, still rattled, "We're getting way above the paygrade of an NYPD Lead Homicide Detective, and it might not be safe for you or your Dad if you know too much." He continued, regaining his composure.
"I know that Jackson, your biological father and Maddison's Chief of Operations until she resigned a few months ago, was the fifth doctor, the one responsible for putting all of the hostages in the vault.
"He probably saved your lives, even though, well, I should just shut up about it."
"You want to know how a father can detonate a set of C4 Charges knowing it could kill his only son and fiancé and keep on living? Don't look so surprised, Kate. I asked the same question, but apparently, for reasons beyond my knowledge, there was a matter that was of such importance that the risk was considered viable.
"In his line of work, they expect what they call collateral civilian damage; we call it murder or loss of life, but hey, that's why he's where he is, and, well, I didn't take up the family business," Rick said, a little too bitterly to not be hurt.
"I understand about me. I mean, he's never been a father, so what the hell? I was just another civilian in the way, but Maddie, my God, he worked with her since she was right out of high school, and they recruited her," he said as Kate's mouth flew open,
"I take it you didn't know how long Maddie had been involved in this type of work by your expression, Kate," he said softly,
"No, I had no idea; I went off to Stanford, she went to Culinary School, and we weren't really reunited until, well, when my Mom was killed, Maddie was the friend I needed so badly." She said,
"Remember I told you she's huge into forgiveness and second chances? I guess the years you shut her out of your life had a huge impact on her and how she tried to live her life. Remember Kate, we talked a great deal before we actually went on our first date, about 15 months before you hauled me out of her restaurant that night," he said with a growl,
"So, you and Maddie were a couple when you first came to the precinct to work? She finally got the words out.
"We were dating, not steady; we didn't become mutually exclusive until I drove her home after you interrogated her that night. Even then, she told me not to be angry with you, that she knew you cared for me and that it was just your way, the way you always were." He said,
"Well, I made a pretty big fool of myself with that approach then, and at first, I blamed it all on you, then Maddie, then back to you before Dr. Burke told me to trade in my little girl panties and accept the blame for my actions." Kate looked at the floor,
"Well, she forgave you and begged me to do so as well, but I still argued with her that you didn't give a damn about me; I guess I was a fool as well." He said, looking over at the form in the bed in the next room,
"Rick, she's going to be OK. I talked to the doctors, and the swelling on the bump is FINALLY starting to recede. The brainwaves have been consistent, not showing any damage in critical areas." She said and stopped as Rick looked at her, directly in her eyes, for the first time, and she was about to melt.
"WHAT aren't you telling me, Kate? I can handle the bad news; I just don't want to be surprised by it," he said, looking again at Maddie and the breathing machine, causing her chest to rise and fall in a laconic rhythm.
"Rick, this is just the neurological worst-case scenario, not what they think, but they are planning on trying to wake her up soon. They are worried about brain bleeds or potentially a stroke." Kate rushed out, "I asked them to open the sliding door so you could hold her hand and perhaps talk to her, it might speed her waking," She said, dabbing at her eyes,
"I know. Dr. Duhigg was in to see me before you arrived this morning and filled me in. I wanted to let you tell me in your own way, when you were comfortable," He replied,
"Then you know they are going to open the door in about an hour and adjust the meds so if you want me to get lost, I can go somewhere," She said,
"Why Kate? You already have been here through the worst, and you and Maddie talked about us, so there's no worry about her being jealous. It might make her feel better if she had another friend by her side when she woke." He said softly,
"Well, I know there are things you two have to talk about, and well, I don't want to be the third wheel," She replied,
"Kate, if you haven't noticed, there are cameras all over the rooms, as well as microphones, so there is no privacy until we get out of here, so why wouldn't we want you to be part of the recovery? I know Maddie will be thankful you were here with her, eh, I know I'm thankful to you and the boys." He said softly but in a sincere tone,
"Rick, you're my friends. Where else would I be?" She said,
"Well, I know you didn't have to spend every waking moment here, but could I ask you a question? About three nights ago, I was reliving the incident in a dream; I guess I was having a nightmare; did you hold my hand and kiss me on the forehead?" He asked, then looked away,
"I, eh, well, you were thrashing pretty hard, and I didn't want you to hurt your shoulder, so, yeah, I held your hand, then kissed your forehead, telling you I was right here, that Maddie was OK, that you were going to be OK. I'm sorry, I guess I shouldn't have."
"Kate, stop apologizing for being here. We are grateful to you all. Hell, I wouldn't be here if not for the boys, so please, stop apologizing for doing something good for others." He said, giving her a nod, and some relief flooded through her, she was still worried about Maddie when she woke. She knew how much she loved Rick and how hurt she would be that SHE couldn't be the one there for him.
Just then, they heard a soft knock on the door. Dr. Duhigg, followed by two other doctors, entered the room.
"Sorry to disturb you, Mr. Castle, but Dr. Wright and Dr. Cunning (each man nodded as his name was mentioned) feel it's time to try to start waking your fiancé up. We decreased her medication over the last several days, so there is no medical reason she is still asleep. Perhaps she may respond to your voice, or even Detective Beckett's, since they are friends." He said,
Two assistants had appeared and moved Rick's bed away from the sliding door slightly, then, as the doctor nodded, opened the sliding door, and moved Rick's bed to touch Maddie's. He reached over gently and touched her, then took her hand in his good one, almost like she was a fragile piece of pottery.
He raised her hand gently to his lips and kissed the back of her hand. He whispered something, but it wasn't loud enough for anyone else to hear. He gently stroked her hair, touched her face, and looked deep into her face that now showed the effects of the blast, with tiny cuts, still bandaged and others that had already healed.
Kate decided to give him a few minutes as soon as the doctors instructed them to call the moment they noticed any changes in her movements, such as eye fluttering, twitching, or other signs she wasn't presently displaying.
"Rick, I have to step down the hall. It's almost time for your lunch. Try to show up, and I thought I would get out of here for an hour or so. Your cell phone is fully charged," she handed it to him, "Please call me if anything changes before I get back, please?" she pleaded.
"Of course, but you don't have to leave Kate, I mean,"
"Rick, spend some time talking to Maddie. Tell her things you would if this friggin nightmare hadn't happened, OK? I'll be back soon, I promise." She said softly, trying to hide the tears pooling in her eyes, fighting like hell to keep them from falling.
"OK, Kate, I understand, but again Thank You. I'll call you if anything changes, he said as he allowed her to dab her eyes outside his line of sight.
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Kate went home and caught up on two weeks of laundry. She was about out of clothes—well, clothes suitable for wearing to the hospital—so the reprieve came just in time. She knew that she had done the right thing, as close as Rick and Maddie were, there had to be little love sayings they shared that would help jog her out of her sleep.
She didn't want to let Rick see it, but she was beginning to become worried about Maddie, regardless of what the doctors were saying. If she would wake up for anyone, it would be Rick. She had just gotten her suitcase repacked, all of her clothes laundered and eaten a small pizza from Antonio's when her cell phone rang. It was Rick.
"Yes, Rick, is everything OK? Is Maddie OK? Are you doing OK? I can be there in 15 minutes," all came rushing out,
"Easy Kate, I'm fine. Maddie has fluttered her eyebrows a few times, and the doctors think she will be waking up any minute. I thought you might want to be here when she does," He said softly,
"Of course, Rick, I'll be right there," she said, and then before he could disconnect, "Oh, do you need or want anything while I'm out?"
"Thanks for asking Kate, but no, I've got everything I need right here," He said,
"OK, I'll be right there." This time, he disconnected the phone, and she was out of her door in a matter of minutes.
She hailed a cab, actually more like commandeered it, with her holding her Police Badge up, showing and screaming at the driver to pull over. As soon as he did, she jumped in the cab and said breathlessly, "Presbyterian Hospital, and don't worry about your speed, I got that covered," putting her badge away, giving the driver a glimpse of the Glock on her strapped in the holster on her hip.
He took her for her word about his speed, and they arrived at the hospital in less than half the usual time. She threw two twenty-dollar bills at the driver for an eleven-dollar fare and was out the door the moment the cab stopped. She made her way to the elevators, almost forgetting the current week's code, and punched in the penthouse.
In less than a few minutes, she had stashed her suitcase and was doing a quick check of herself in the mirror before hurrying down the hall to Rick's room. She rushed in to see Rick sitting up, holding Maddie's hand as the two doctors from before, Dr. Wright and Dr. Cunning, observing the machines, and Maddie's face as her eyes blinked several times.
Rick picked up on it and talked to her, "Hey, Sweetheart, it's OK, you can wake up now; I'm right here. You're safe. Open your eyes for me, sweetheart, someone has been waiting for a long time to see you open your eyes, OK?" Rick motioned for Kate to speak to her. She bit her lower lip, swallowed hard, trying to choke back her emotion, and said softly,
"Hey Maddie, it's me, Becks. Wake up, girl, I'm right here, next to Rick; we both want you to wake up, OK? Come on, Maddie, you can do it, girlfriend; you know you want to see Rick again."
Maddie's eyes fluttered several times before they finally flew open. The doctors shined a light in her eye and heard her say, "Get that damn thing out of my eyes. You drove me crazy when I couldn't talk with that stupid light." Rick started to laugh, a relieved laugh, as Maddie turned to him and said, "Hey you, how are you?" she asked,
"I'm fine, at least I am now," he replied, then Maddie's eyes caught sight of Kate,
"Becks, what are you doing here, speaking of where is here?" she realized that she was in a hospital gown and hospital bed.
"It's OK, Maddie, we can talk about all that later. We were hurt, and they brought us here to Presbyterian Hospital," Rick said gently.
"How long ago, Rick? How long have I been out?" she asked
"It will be a week tomorrow," Rick replied, they were told not to lie to her about direct facts but not to ask questions or volunteer information.
"I've been out a full week?" She asked,
"Yes, Maddie, but as Rick said, you have time to talk about that; why don't you and Rick get caught up while I take the doctors to the cafeteria," Kate said; from her tone, neither doctor was about to oppose her.
"Are you coming back, Becks?" Maddie sounded so afraid,
"Of course, I'll be back in just a little while, I promise," she said, as Maddie looked at Rick and gently said, "OK, see you in a little while"
TBC