These are just a collection of one shot stories. I apologize if this one is a little dark...

She was quiet, so very quiet as she crouched low, her legs up to her chest, her back against the rough bark of the tree, the leaves she had piled around her serving to further camouflage her from the outside view. No one would find her here. She was sure of that. Daddy said she was the best hide n' seeker in the world. She heard voices calling her name, but she didn't answer. She giggled at her cleverness for finding the best hiding spot.

She was getting cold though. Her nose was cold. Her toes were cold, but still she did not move. The late afternoon autumn sun was beginning to set and the wind was starting to pick up. It would be dark soon. It was scary in the woods after dark. Maybe everyone had given up. It had been a while since she heard anyone calling her name. What if everyone had left her behind?

There was a swing set just a little down the way. She would go there. Daddy would know to look for her there. He would find her. He would never leave her behind.

Katie loved the swings. She jumped on, quickly taking three steps back then launching herself forward, legs swaying back and forth, propelling her higher and higher. She griped the chains tightly as she leaned back, her face upturned to catch the last dying rays of sunshine. It felt so good on her face.

The voices were back, calling her name. "Here I am, Daddy." She wanted to call, but no sound came from her lips. The light was getting brighter too. It was starting to hurt her eyes. "Daddy, Daddy." She cried out screwing her eyes tight.

"Katie! Katie! Wake up, darling. That's it. Open your eyes."

"Daddy, the light is hurting my eyes. Make it stop." Kate's eyes fluttered open to the see beam from a tiny flashlight being waved in front of her face by a tall man in a white coat standing over her.

"She's coming around." The man in front of her spoke. Her eyes lids felt so heavy. She just wanted to close them again and drift back into the darkness.

"Come on, Katie. That's my girl. Don't leave us again. Open your eyes." Dad? She tried to turn her head to the sound of his voice. He sounded worried, scared. Why was he scared? She felt him squeeze her hand. She wanted to squeeze back, but her arms felt like lead.

"Dad." She rasped, her throat aching and sore. Her lips were parched and she licked them hoping to find some relief.

Where am I? What's happened? The fog was threatening to take her back. She was so tired. She tried desperately to focus on what the man in front of her was saying.

"Kate. I'm Dr. Jones. Don't try to talk. Blink if you understand." She blinked. "Good. Kate you were in an accident. You've been in a coma for 2 weeks. Do you know who this is?" He asked coming to stand directly behind Jim. "Blink twice if you recognize him." It took an extraordinary effort to turn her head, a slight smile parting her lips as she gazed into her father's face. She blinked, twice. "That's good, Kate. You are a very lucky woman, Ms. Beckett, apart from the conk to the head and a couple of broken bones it appears you are going to be ok. "

Kate closed her eyes once more trying to let all that she heard sink in, trying to remember those last few moments before the blackness had sunk in. Images swam past her closed eyelids. The scenes replaying in her mind like a soundless motion picture. A red light turning green, a loud crash, metal scraping, glass breaking. Rick? Castle had been with her. She remembered telling him to leave the radio alone. She remembered the pout on his face at her reprimand.

Castle? She mouthed the question to her father. He looked down, not answering, his eyes not meeting hers. A single tear escaped the corner of her eye at the realization of what her father's non comment meant. She closed her eyes welcoming the sheltering blackness; she would never be ok again.

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