This is a republished version of a story I posted last night. Most of the dialog hasn't changed, but I've turned it into prose (sorry about the script). I'm also going to break the chapters down so they're a bit more manageable. Enjoy and please comment. (I really appreciate constructive criticism because I'm actually working on an original novel).

Disclaimer:All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

As she awoke in the hospital, there were two things of which Kate Beckett was glaringly aware: the calm rhythmic beeping of the vitals monitor beside her bed and the constant aching pain in her chest. As her mind cleared and she started to remember the events that got her there, she slowly started to open her eyes. Next to her bed, in a comfortable looking chair, sat her father, Jim. . He looked sleepless and worn. He was busy looking at his hand so she took the opportunity to shut her eyes again and used the moment to think.

Lockwood. Montgomery. Funeral. Shooter. Castle. No, can't think about him right now. Shooter. Who hired him? Did they catch him? Was anyone else hurt? The whole team knows, they're all in danger. We have to find whoever's in charge before he finds us.

"Kate?" Jim interrupts her. She lays still, pretending to be asleep. "Katie, I could see you thinking."

Darn. I've been made.

"Dad?" She says, blinking as her eyes adjust to the light.

"Hi baby girl," he sounds relieved as he moves his chair closer to the bed and takes her hand.

"Dad, is everyone else okay?"

"They're all fine," he tells her, happy that his daughter's instincts seemed unchanged. Kate always was looking out for everyone else. "They're shaken and worried, but fine."

"Where are we?" She asks, struggling to sit up in bed. He reaches to help her.

"County memorial."

"What day is it?

"Tuesday morning."

"I've been asleep four days?" As she started to panic, the monitor next to her beeped faster and faster.

"Calm down Katie. Everything's fine. You had to have two surgeries," he tried to be reassuring, but he knew his daughter well enough to know it'd be futile.

"I'm fine. When can I go home?"

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves." It was Josh. Kate's always-there-but-never-really boyfriend entered the private hospital room with a dashing smile. He was dressed in pale blue scrubs and wearing a white coat.

"Josh?" She was surprised and confused. "You don't work at County Memorial."

"I'll give you two some time," Jim said, suddenly feeling very out of place. He leaned in to kiss his daughter on the forehead before heading towards the door. He offered Josh a friendly smile as he passed.

"Dad. I love you," she calls to him, just as he's leaving.

"I love you too, Katie." He leaves and Kate turns her attention to Josh, who has taken a seat next to her on the bed. They kiss briefly.

"Hi," she says, overcoming the confusion and allowing herself a smile.

"Vitals look good," he responds as he flips through her medical chart.

"What are you doing here?"

"Rick called me," he explained, as if that was normal and to be expected.

"Castle?" She was supposed to believe that the man who told her he loved her had called her boyfriend that he didn't approve of to be at her side when she woke up?

"He said he couldn't give me details but that I was the only one he trusted to do your surgeries." He looks to the door where outside there are two large officers standing.

"Oh," she starts to understand.

"Normally operating on your loved ones is strictly prohibited, but apparently he's an acquaintance with chief here." There is an awkward silence when Kate says nothing, caught up on the idea of Castle pulling strings in order for her to be safe. She wasn't surprised. "I'm glad you're okay," Josh added.

"I'm glad you're here," she responds, honestly. They smile at each other and kiss again. "So when are you going to take me home?" she teases him, trying to lighten the mood.

"Hopefully by Friday, but that all depends on how much you cooperate."

"Cooperate?" she suddenly sounded concerned. Anyone who knew Kate Beckett knew she wasn't too keen on cooperating. She did things her way.

"I was able to get all the bullet fragments, but there's still a severe risk of infection. I'll be able to treat your wound, but you need to stay in bed, not stress about anything, and do your physical therapy as scheduled."

"I will." That sounded easy enough.

"When you go home, you have to stay at home."

"Okay."

"No police work."

"Fine," she lied. Kate knew plenty of cops who had been shot before. It was months before they were allowed back on the streets, but she knew she didn't have that kind of time to sit around and wait if they were going to catch her mom's killer. There was no way she was going to stay in bed while her team was in danger.

"I really wish I could stay, but I need to go back uptown to check on a few of my other patients. I'll try to stop by later tonight, okay?"

"Okay," she said, effectively hiding her disappointment.

"I'll send your Dad back in," he smiles and kisses her quickly before leaving. She lays back in bed, using the moment of silence to think about her life and her relationships. How was she ever going to admit to Castle that he was right? When everything else in her life was hard, hiding was easy.

"Josh is leaving already?" Jim asked, as he reentered the room.

"He has patients uptown."

"Oh. Bit elusive, that one." She could hear the disapproval in his voice.

"Dad, not now," she begged him. Jim didn't know much about Kate's boyfriend, but he knew she didn't talk about him often and he was rarely around. He also knew that Kate's face didn't light up the same way it did when she talked about Castle and her friends at the precinct. Jim could recognize true love.

"Sorry, sweetie," he apologized and changed the topic quickly, "So what's the verdict?"

"He says I can go home Friday as long as someone's taking care of my wound and watching for infection, but the case can't wait until then. All the leads we have will be long dried up. Hand me my phone."

"Katie," he pleaded with her to reconsider.

"Dad," she is serious and stern with him, like she would've been with a suspect in interrogation. "This is mom's murderer we're talking about. I didn't come this far to let it go."

"Well, it's not your call anymore." Stubbornness was genetic. Although Jim hadn't been able to make her stand down before, things had changed. Watching his daughter almost lose her life in front of him had given him new courage. He refused to lose both his girls.

"What do you mean, of course it's my call."

"You're off the case, Katie."

"Dad, I appreciate your concern, but I'm a grown woman and I can make decisions for myself." As she grew impatient, the monitor beeped faster again.

"It's not your decision or mine."

"Well then who?"

"Captain Richards."

"Who the hell is that?"

"Your new boss." He spoke apprehensively, knowing this news would not be taken well.

"My new boss," she is furious. "They've replaced Montgomery already! Is there no respect anymore?" She threw her body back into the bed, a tear forming in her eye as she let frustration take over her.

"Katie, you need to stay calm," he tried to sooth her, but knew he had to be honest. "Richards came by yesterday to see if you were awake and explained the whole situation. Nice guy," he lied. "It's just a procedural thing since you were there when Montgomery was killed. They have to run an investigation. Detective Ryan says that word on the street is that people high up are anxious about so many cops being taken down in the last six months. The guys who were working mom's case, then your captain, and then you."

"I know Dad, I was there, remember?"

"I'm just telling you, even if the doc says you can go back to work, they're forcing you to take some time off. It's for the best anyway."

"We'll see about that," she said, determined to find a way to stay in control.