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‘’Castle! OH MY GOD, CASTLE.’’
Glazed blue eyes struggling to focus, he heard screams and mass panic all around. A familiar face loomed over him, her blurry appearance still recognisable. Kate. Oh Kate, this was going to kill her. His breath started to become more laboured and intense. She wiped her hair out of her eyes, her hand glistening with fresh blood. Has she? ‘’Rick, oh my God Rick, what were you thinking? Please don’t leave me. Castle, don’t you dare, not here, not yet! I love you, Rick! I love you dammit! Don’t go dying on me!’’
Still screaming, she was dragged off him. ‘’RYAN. ESPO. LET GO OF ME!’’ She screeched like a banshee. His eyes rolled into the back of his head and the world went black.
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A steady beeping echoed in his ears. Delirious, he stretched out his fingers and slowly blinked, blinding light causing him the wince. From beside him there were several gasps. ‘’DAD!’’ ‘’Richard, darling!’’ ‘’Castle…’’
Still feeling stiff, he managed to turn his neck towards his visitors, eyes still adjusting to his new surroundings. ‘’Hey.’’ He mumbled, barely conscious. ‘’What happened? Where am I?’’ He asked, memories still coming to him, a little bit at a time. ‘’You don’t remember?’’ The younger redhead asked, her eyes streaked with countless tears she had shed. ‘’It’s coming back to me slowly.’’ He uttered quietly. ‘’I was shot?’’ He blinked furiously, rubbing his temples, trying to will his brain into overdrive. ‘’Montgomery’s funeral. Sniper.’’ He gasped. ‘’’Beckett? Where’s Beckett?’’
‘’I’m right here, Castle. I’m okay, thanks to you.’’ The pretty brunette placed her hand on top of the injured writer’s, tentatively, like she was holding back.
The two redheads exchanged a look and then turned to the detective, ‘’Can we have a moment with Richard please, Katherine?’’ Martha asked, placing her hand on her shoulder. ‘’Of course, I’d better tell Esposito and Ryan he’s awake.’’ Glancing back at Castle, Beckett let a soft smile slide across her features. ‘’Glad you’re okay, Rick.’’
As he watched her go, Castle groaned, ‘’So Mother, how bad is it?’’ His usual jokey tone replaced by a more serious one. It was his daughter, Alexis, who replied. ‘’They got the bullet out and there’s no lasting damage. It’s…it’s just very likely, you’ll have PTSD.’’
‘’You took a bullet for her, dad. What were you thinking?’’ Alexis continued, bursting into tears. ‘’I know you love her, but you could have died… what if you died, dad, you scared me so much!’’ Overcame by her grief she hit his arm, not very hard but enough to make him wince a little. ‘’Alexis, it happened so fast, I’m sorry, I tried to get us both out of the way, but I wasn’t quick enough.’’ She stopped pacing and leaned against the wall. ‘’I know dad, I’m sorry too. I was just so afraid. I thought I was going to lose you.’’ Castle let out a rusty chuckle, ‘’You aren’t getting rid of me that easily.’’
There was a rapping at the door. Martha stood up and put her arm around Alexis. Gesturing to the door and back to the hospital bed, ‘’I’ll give you a minute.’’ She said, squeezing past the detective stood in the doorway. ‘’Hey, Rick.’’ She smiled, walking in and perching on a chair, leaning forward, resting on her hands. ‘’I think you’ll be glad you know; Ryan and Esposito are searching the grounds with witnesses and evidence.’’ Beckett stated, before turning away and biting it. ‘’How are you feeling?’’
‘’Kinda badass, I got SHOT.’’ He said, that lopsided smirk plastered across his face. Lowering her head, hair falling around her face, she let a laugh slip out. ‘’Even after being shot, you’re an insufferable ass!’’ She lifted her head, that smile still on his face, that infectious damn smile. ‘’You put yourself in my way, why?’’
‘’Why detective Beckett, I believe you already know why.’’
‘’What do you remember from when you were shot?’’ She asked, anxiously.
‘’I remember seeing the glint of the sniper, I remember shouting your name, pushing you down. Not quite quick enough. I remember the impact, I…’’ He looked deep into her eyes, which she seemed to be trying to hide from his view. ‘’Kate, I remember everything.’’ Her head snapped up. ‘’Everything? Even-?‘’ Her voice wobbled, threatening to betray her.
‘’Especially that.’’
‘’Rick…’’ She touched his hand, ‘’I’m such a fool. I built up this wall and I was trying to protect myself. I’ve tried to distance myself; I don’t want to hurt that way again. It hurts so bad. I think I’m ready to take control of my life. I want you.’’
‘’Kate, I want you too. I love you, Kate. Always.’’