WORTH EVERY BREATH

Character/Pairings: Castle/Beckett, Esposito/Lanie (I'm shipping them! Those crazy kids deserve happiness too.)

Story starts out with action and fluff. There will be more chapters to come. Everyone knows that Castle saved lives but this time it's a little more dramatic and loud.

I don't own the show Castle or any characters associated with. Show is just legit.

Chapter 1: Unlikely Gun Shooting Hero

Kate's eyes slowly opened as the sun rose over New York City piercing the blinds that hung on their bedroom. She was laying naked on the chest of a certain private investigator that she fell in love with a long time ago though he wasn't always a P.I. just a cop helper, the one and only Richard Castle. She looked at him and recalled everything they've been through together and she was thankful, oh was she ever so thankful that he's ALWAYS been there for her even when she wasn't for him at the start. She most definitely loved him a great deal; after all they were married in a fairy tail fashion that surprised most people. She then thought back to what they did last night the passion they both had was unbelievable. She smiled again and kissed his bare chest. He was still sound asleep probably still exhausted from the night workout.

Though Castle can't work with her on cases anymore that haven't stopped her recently for coming to Castle for some…assistance. He actually has been helping her, Ryan, and Esposito on a lot of cases really. Under Gates' radar, Gates actually was a bit sad that Castle couldn't work with them anymore, she might've even started to warm to Castle's personality. But rules are rules and she has to follow her orders to ban Castle from helping the NYPD. But since Kate wasn't much for rules and traditions before she let Castle help out under the radar recently. Even Esposito and Ryan were thrilled to work with Castle under the eyes of Gates. Castle even got a gun license and even owns a Glock G37 .45. He and her even went shooting together just for the fun of it. He isn't a bad shot now as opposed to the past where he couldn't shoot a target even if it presented itself two feet from him. But he always had a miracle shot. Kate shook her head; he sure comes through when he needs to.

She felt Castle stir under her; he was probably going to wake up soon and she can't wait. She loves watching him wake up because every morning when he looks at her; he always seems to look at her like he hasn't seen her in forever. She brought her mind back to the current case. The team (including Castle unofficially) were tracking down a string of five killings and robberies at banks that all involved 7.62x39mm Russian rounds from an Ak-47; obviously illegally brought in country. The owners of the banks or the acting persons in charge were killed, and all security personnel in the banks were also killed. There were five shooters in each bank four of them had covered faces, but one who seemed to be the leader had his face exposed. She didn't know why; maybe he was cocky, but all she cared was catching him. They identified the unmasked man to be Max Muszar a foreign national from Russia who is trying to start up another Russian mob in New York. The banks he attacked were robbed a significant portion of their vault, and they got away clean until now. They figured out a place the gunmen frequently meet thanks to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Castle stirred again and opened his eyes to see Kate. She smiled widely at him and he returned the smile. He happily greeted her, "Good morning."

Kate smiled and kissed him, "morning babe."

Castle hugged her tightly and kissed the top of her head. "Last night was AMAZING!" he happily expressed.

Kate laughed and kissed his chest again then his lips. "Worth waking up this late."

"Yeah. Work can wait for a bit." He laughed.

Kate frowned apologetically, "Baby, I'd love to spend the whole day in bed with you but we got a case to finish." She smiled as he kissed her forehead. She placed her head back on his chest. They lay there in silence just enjoying each other's embrace. But their calm and peaceful moment ended when Kate's phone rang. Always the phone.

Kate got up and picked up her pants that she discarded during the night, and grabbed her phone in the pocket. It was the precinct. She answered using her married name; took some getting used to, "Castle."

Ryan was on the phone with her in the precinct, "we narrowed down the area where Muszar and his people like to meet. He's in the warehouse district; corner of Able lane."

"Got it, thanks Ryan. I'll be at the precinct in a bit" She looked over at Castle and smiled sympathetically. He smiled back.

She hung up and crawled back on top of the bed and kissed Castle. "Work calls."

Castle smiles and kisses her, "are you at least going to tell me where the guy is. This is my job too."

Kate smiles; Castle always was the one to follow her lead, "corner of Able lane. Don't go in without me okay?"

"Why would I do that? Have fun without you? Yeah right." He smiles as he moves down her neck kissing her tenderly.

"You usually do." Kate says while giggling as he kisses her neck. She controlled herself just long enough to say, "come on Castle lets get dressed, its time to pay the bills."

Castle was wearing his usual suit with a red dress shirt with no tie. Kate wore a blue collared shirt and tight jeans AND another pair of heals. Both Castle and Kate walked out of their bedroom smiling happily another wonderful morning in the Castle home. They see Martha and Alexis sitting at the island doing their usual routine in the morning. Martha was getting her purse ready to go to her acting studio and Alexis was still in her pajamas eating a bowl of cereal. It was a Friday her college schedule gave her that day off. Martha greeted the two, "Good morning darlings."

Kate smiled happily and gave her a hug. Castle smiled; "Good morning." He went to his usual process of making two cups of coffee one for Kate and one for him.

Alexis swallowed her cereal and greeted Kate, "Good morning Mom." She's been calling Beckett "Mom" for a while now; Kate thought it was cute and loving, and she didn't mind at all. Kate was actually happy to be called that. Alexis got used to calling Kate "Mom" because in reality Kate has actually been a mother figure (other than Gram) since her dad started to work with her.

Kate smiled at Alexis and hugged her. Castle handed Kate a coffee and gave Alexis a kiss. Kate turned to Castle, "Come on Rick we have to get going."

Castle took Kate's hand and made their way to the door. Before leaving he turned to Martha and Alexis, "I'll see all of you for dinner!" Kate smiled at them as she was leaving with Castle.

Alexis called out before they closed the door, "Bye guys!" Martha waved and smiled.

12th Precinct

Kate was going over some paper work at her desk before pursuing Max Muszar and his gunmen. Castle obviously wasn't with her; she dropped him off a little way from the street. She'll call him when the team is on their way. Esposito and Ryan came in wearing their police Kevlar vests ready to roll out to catch the bad guy. Ryan was carrying Kate's vest and placed it next to her desk.

Esposito whispered to Kate while she was finishing up some paper work, "Is Castle in position?" Kate nodded and closed the file she was working on. She stood up and approached the white board that had a layout of the building placed on it.

Kate looked over the map of the abandoned warehouse the bad guys use and thought out loud, "got our way in?"

Ryan approached the board and pointed a finger at the back exit, "we'll approach from the far side and enter through the alley way. Captain Gates approved using a small team to investigate the building and see if Muszar is there before sending in back up. She doesn't want to risk him going into hiding if a raid fails." He looked over his shoulder to check if Gates was near him; once he was sure the coast was clear he began again, "Muszar has four gunmen with him that makes five. Us three and Castle make four."

Esposito stood next to Kate and chimed in, "Bro, Castle has gotten better at shooting so we should be fine. We have the element of surprise. We should be good bro."

Kate tied her hair back and nodded, "this guy is on the top of New York's most wanted list right now. Did Gate's get the SWAT team just in case?"

Esposito nodded, "Yeah, she says for us to call to get the SWAT team rolling."

Gates walked out of her office, "Detective Beck… I mean Detective Castle. Your team better get going don't give Muszar any time to run. He might know we're coming." She sees Kate nod and grab her weapon. "One more thing Detective Castle SWAT trucks will be near the area for back up. Just call and the SWAT teams will be at the building to back you up."

Kate nodded, "We will." She turned to Esposito and Ryan, "Lets go."

Able Lane

Castle was sitting on a bench observing the building, and noting anything suspicious. Using his very…very good detective skills. When Kate's car finally pulled up to the curb Castle stood up and greeted Esposito and Ryan as they got out of the car. Kate got out and smiled at Castle briefly. Castle was not wearing a Kevlar vest but that didn't stop him for coming along. They drew their weapons and made their way to the building. Since this area of the city is full of unoccupied warehouses there are barely any people around to get caught in the crossfire if the situation turned south.

They made their way to the ally and to the back door of the factory. Kate was in the front and said, "Castle, remember to stick by me."

Castle laughed lightly, "its not my first time Kate. Think I'm going to leave you alone in there?" Kate just smiled.

Esposito looked at Kate, "ready?" Everyone nodded. He kicked the door in. Kate went in first followed by Ryan then Esposito then Castle who obviously took the rear.

Kate slowly moved through the dark hallway with her weapon up, keeping on the alert for the gunmen. Everyone was silent. Leave it to Castle to change that. He whispered, "this looks like Doctor Seuss' worst nightmare."

Kate shook her head. Ryan silently replied, "I love Doctor Seuss."

Esposito moved to the right side of the hallway and shook his head, "seriously Bro? we're in a high stress environment and you're thinking about Doctor Seuss really?"

Kate halted the group as they came to an opening dimmed with little light; the only light was from the sun that was glaring through the warehouse windows at the top. The large warehouse floor was open with untouched dusty crates scattered all over the floor and a maze of catwalks and stairs to go over it. Kate looked over at Esposito, "looks like this place has been abandoned."

Esposito nodded. Castle chimed in from the back and whispered, "Yeah. I'm getting a bad feeling." Ryan nodded in agreement.

Kate moved forward, "we have to keep going and bring down this guy." Ryan followed right behind her.

Ryan looked down and took out his phone with his left hand. He was checking for a signal incase they needed to call SWAT. "No signal in here, we…" There was a loud bang and Ryan jolted to his right and fell to the ground. He'd been shot in the shoulder.

All of a sudden the whole warehouse floor erupted in automatic weapon fire. While bullets were flying in every direction Kate rushed and dragged Ryan behind a thick crate and used it for cover. Esposito and Castle rushed next to her and returned fire against the gunmen. There were a lot more than five guys. More like twenty. Esposito popped out of cover and fired at the targets located on the warehouse floor. He ducked as rounds pinged off the crate. There were shooters on the catwalk with a severe height advantage turning the crates to splinters. Kate checked Ryan briefly; he nodded that he was all right, and got up and fired his weapon. He ducked behind cover and checked his phone again. Nothing. No signal still.

Ryan yelled over the gunfire, "No signal! We need to get out of here!"

Kate yelled back, "Lets go!"

Esposito turned and saw two gunmen in the hallway they came through. He rolled behind this other crate and brought up his weapon. Castle saw them at the same time and realized that they were aiming at Kate. He rushed over and called her name, "Kate!" he stood between her and the shooter. Esposito fired his pistol killing both the gunmen, but not before one of them got off an inaccurate shot at Castle. The bullet hit his right leg from behind, and he collapsed from the shot. Kate panicked and went down to help him. Castle had the look of pain but was still holding together, and he said groggily, "I'm okay… that sucked."

Ryan got up and fired again dropping two gunmen on the catwalk. He reloaded his weapon and called out to Kate, "These guys out number and out gun us! We need to get out now!"

Kate agreed, "Espo! Get to the hallway and cover us!" Esposito silently confirmed and ran for it.

Ryan was returning fire with a weapon that seemed like a peashooter to the assault weapons the gunmen were firing. If I wanted to be in a firefight I'd join the military. He thought of Jenny and his daughter. I'm not dying here.

Esposito got to the entrance of the hallway to find out it got sealed up tight with an iron door possibly right after he took down those gunmen. He was stuck in the open and their way out was closed. He turned around and jumped to his stomach avoiding enemy fire. He cursed as they pinned him. Ah. Good times…

Kate was firing back with what little she had. Both she and Ryan were running low on ammunition, and they needed back up and fast. Castle saw Esposito on the ground crawling toward them. Castle forced himself up and limped to pick up Esposito. He picked him up onto his feet and they both made their way to cover. Castle got shot in the shoulder before he fell to cover. He groaned as he tried to get up again.

Kate rushed over to them and dragged Esposito behind cover then went to help her husband. Castle leaned up against the crate and took off his jacket. Kate put pressure to his shoulder wound with a scared look. Castle knew that she was scared. She was scared that he might die, scared that her friends might die, and scared that she might not continue her "happily ever after" journey.

Kate placed a hand on his cheek trying to stay strong but clearly struggling, "you'll be okay babe!" she was supposed to be strong in these situations, but how can she when the man of her dreams has been shot twice.

Gunfire continued to pin them down. Kate shot back with Esposito and Ryan. They returned to cover. Esposito cursed then yelled, "we won't last long here!"

Ryan reloaded, "I don't have much left. I'm running low!"

Kate nodded, "I got one mag left."

Ryan shook his head as he checked his phone, "no signal. Damn it! I'm not going to die here! There is a daughter who needs Parenting!"

Kate shook her head, "we're not dying."

Castle slowly grabbed Ryan's phone from his hand; Ryan gave him a questionable look. Castle took out his remaining magazines and handed them down to Ryan and Kate.

Ryan asked with concern, "Castle what are you doing?"

"Getting you the SWAT team." He looked up to the catwalk that leads to an exposed balcony on the outside of the building.

Kate jumped in concerned and worried, "RICK! NO! You'll get yourself killed!" she shook her head, "No Rick. No!"

"Look at me." He coughed up blood as she looked at him, "I love you. I wont let the love of my life and the greatest friends I ever had die when I have the slightest chance to protect them." He looked down, breathing heavily, "I have to be strong when you're vulnerable…

Esposito sensed Kate's distress, "I can do it Castle!" He called out in between holding back the gunmen.

Castle shook his head, he was starting to cough up blood, "They need you to shoot. I was never good at it anyway..."

Kate crawled over to Castle with tears in her eyes, "Rick, Alexis can't lose her father, and I CAN'T LOSE YOU AGAIN! NOT AFTER EVERYTHING WE BEEN THROUGH!"

Castles leaned forward, bleeding, "Alexis doesn't need me anymore…" He touched her cheek, "I love you. And I'm sorry for those two months I've been gone…" Kate closed her eyes and tears fell. Castle kissed her briefly then quickly limped to the catwalk while taking fire before Kate can stop him.

Kate, Ryan, and Esposito did their best to provide him cover. Castle was halfway up the steps when he was shot again in the same leg. Kate saw and tears continued to fall. She reloaded and fired some more. Please God I cant lose Rick too. Don't let him go!

Castle fired his remaining shots before he reached the top. He turned right and limped outside to the balcony. He fell to his side tired and bleeding as gunfire echoed around him. He took out Ryan's phone and checked the signal. Then dialed the precinct.

At the Precinct, Gates stood by the phone waiting for news from Detective Katherine Beckett-Castle. Suddenly the phone rang. Gates answered it quickly, "Captain Gates." short and crisp.

She couldn't make out what was being said. It was muffled. Then she heard a familiar voice. It was Castle, "We need back up… officers under fire…in trouble" Castle lay there on the exposed balcony groaning in pain and bleeding.

Gates yelled in the phone angrily, "MR. CASTLE! HOW MANY TIMES…" she paused as she heard gunfire in the background. She heard Castle scream in pain as he was shot again in the leg.

Castle urged and groaned, "Detectives need help… need help…please"

She realized what was going on, "Castle hang on, the SWAT team is coming! Hang on."

Castle put the phone down and tried to get up as Gates' plea to stay on the phone faded away from Castle. He sat up on to his good leg trying to get up on his feet. An unmasked Russian man walked to the balcony and drew his pistol at Castle with the intent to make the infamous Cop helper suffer. A gunshot echoed behind Castle and a bullet hit the back of his right shoulder; he surged forward coughing more blood. Then another bullet hit the lower left back as his vision began to blur. The third and last bullet hit just below the first one in the shoulder. He fell down onto both of his knees then fell onto his back. He started to fade away as gunfire continued to erupt inside the factory. His last thoughts was that of her…

The man spat on the ground and walked away…

I know Castle isn't much of a fighter. Hence I never said he hit anything. Castle has been through a lot over the years, he's been poisoned, frozen, held hostage, and kidnapped. But no one ever said he couldn't be in a gunfight. This is just the beginning.

UPDATED GRAMMER AND PUNCTUATION ISSUES 20150125