What if?

Chapter Three

"Excuse me, sir." Rick tapped the mans shoulder. "Did I hear you say the name, 'Johanna Beckett?'" The man turned and nodded. Rick could see the tears shimmering just behind the surface of his eyes. "Oh, uh. I'm Rick. The one who called you."

"Jim." Jim shook Rick's hand feverishly. "And this is Katie."

"Dad," Katie brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and reprimanded her father. Most likely from calling her 'Katie'. Rick took a good look at Katie. She was tall. What with parents like Johanna and Jim,- who both had to be close to six feet,- she was probably around Rick's height, 6'0". A little shorter though. Probably 5'7"-5'9". Rick was never good at the numbers game. Katie could easily surpass her father's height if those long legs ended in a pair of stilettos rather then those dirty white Chuck Taylor's. She wore a pair of tight dark denim jeans only accenting her leanness and long-leggedness. She wore a floral tank top and a baggy, loose fitting, loose knit cream colored cardigan.

She was standing in a protective manor. Her arms were defensively crossed. Her gaze dangerous.

"Rick Castle." Rick saw a flurry of excitement as her eyes widened and she gasped slightly. As quickly as it occurred, the flurry died away and was pushed back from the surface. Only a millisecond did she show her excitement before returning to her stoic former self, but that millisecond was all it took for Rick to know Katie was a fan of his works.

"Will you sign something for me?" Johanna's words echoed around in his mind. Rick knew that the book would be for Katie. He now held out his hand for Katie. She eyes his hand cautiously, as if it were a venomous snake and any sudden movement might make it attack. She finally took his hand after what seemed like minutes and firmly shook it.

"Kate."

'Kate.' Oh Rick loved her name even more. 'Kate.' He repeated in his mind. He loved it. It suited her much better then 'Katie.'

"It's very nice to meet you. I only wish it could've been in another situation." Rick smiled.

"So how is she? My mom." Kate asked in such a stern manor that Rick felt like he was being interrogated by the authorities.

"I tried-" Jeez, Rick could see the horror that descended on Jim's and Kate's faces. He'd used the wrong words. "I mean, I couldn't get to her in time-" 'Pull yourself together, Richard!' "She's alive. I couldn't get to her in time to stop her assailant. But I did what I could for her. She's back in surgery now."