A Growing Family

Chapter 18

Kate Beckett-Castle had been in the hospital on bed rest for about a week. She was currently 26 weeks along in her pregnancy, and it sucked. She was done being pregnant, but no matter how uncomfortable she was, she was going to stick it out for as long as possible.

Every single doctor that Kate had, which seemed like so many, had said that if they could get the babies to 30 weeks, they would have a good chance of survival. Kate was going to get her six babies to 30 weeks if it was the last thing she did. Castle could almost laugh at her stubbornness. It was beautiful, however.

Castle was out getting coffee one afternoon while Kate was watching TV. She had just been channel flipping when she came across the news. Deciding that this sounded ok to watch, she left it on.

Suddenly, Breaking News flashed across the screen. Kate perked up, wondering what it could be.

"A medical examiner has been shot this afternoon," the newscaster said. Kate sat up. She had a bad feeling.

"She was on the scene of a murder when she was shot. Police immediately apprehended the shooter. Her identity has not been released yet, but we know that she was was working with the 12th precinct. She is currently being treated at Mount Sinai Hospital," the newscaster said, before going on to the next story.

Kate immediately grabbed her phone and hit Javi's number. She was at Mount Sinai.

"Esposito," he answered, anger and fear evident in his voice.

"What floor are you on?" Kate asked, attempting to get out of bed and into the wheelchair beside her. She hadn't been able to walk to the bathroom by herself since she'd been here, so she knew there was no chance of her walking.

"Beckett? What?" Javi asked, confused.

"What floor are you on?" Kate repeated, on the side of the bed now.

Castle walked in at this point, seeing Kate attempting to get out of bed.

"What are you doing?" Castle asked, sitting the coffee down on the table. Kate ignored him, still trying to get out of bed.

"Are you here?" Javi asked. In the moment, Esposito was unable to remember which hospital Kate was in.

"I've been on bed rest for a week, here at Mount Sinai. What floor are you on, Javi?" Kate asked again, getting angry at both him and the fact that she couldn't get out of the damn bed.

"Javi's here? Why?" Castle asked, moving to try and help Kate.

"Fifth floor," Javi answered, knowing he would hear everything Kate had to say when she got there.

"I'll be there soon," Kate answered, hanging up the phone and letting Castle help her out of the bed and into the wheelchair.

"Now will you please tell me why Javi is here and where you need to go?" Castle said once Kate was in the wheelchair.

"Lanie was shot today. They're on the fifth floor and I'm going up there," Kate said.

"What? Is Lanie ok?" Castle asked.

"I'll find that out when I get up there," Kate answered.

"Are you sure you need to leave?" Castle asked. Kate whipped her head around to look at Castle behind her.

"Castle, my best friend has been shot. She is in the same hospital I am. If you think there is any chance in hell that I will not be up there while she is probably in surgery, you are sadly mistaken. So, either come with me or stay here. I don't give a shit. I'm going," Kate said, anger in her voice and her face.