Hey there! so as promised, here is the first chapter of my multi-chapter CASTLE story! I'm not really sure how long it's going to be. I'm not finished yet and I'm already up to six chapters.

My story "Refrigerator Light" is a prequel to this story, but it's not necessary to read that one before reading this one.

As always, feedback is most appreciated. Tell me what you think, where you might like the story to go, I'm really open. And if you just want to discuss (aka fangirl) over season 6, that's cool too. ;)

How Can I Live When We Are Parted?

Kate sat on the edge of the bed, wearing an oversized T-shirt. Castle sorted through their closet, looking for a sports coat that would look good with his shirt. He had to be at the courthouse in an hour for a trial. A smile came to her lips at the role reversal; usually she was the one up early for a trial.

"How's this?" Castle turned to her.

His question brought her back to reality and Kate's smile faltered.

"Kate?" Castle asked, as he sat next to her on the bed. "Kate? Are you okay?"

She took his hands. "Castle, I want you to go into WitSec," she blurted out.

"What?! Kate, no...I-," Castle stuttered as he looked at his wife in disbelief.

"Castle, please," Kate interrupted. "These guys are dangerous and-"

"Kate, no! I can't leave you! We...we have a child," Castle's hands rested on her barely swollen belly, "and I love you, I love you so much," he pulled her into a tight embrace.

"And that is exactly why I'm asking you to do this," Kate said, her voice slightly muffled. "These guys are dangerous. If they think you're a threat, they will kill you. And I love you so much, Castle. I couldn't...I could never lose you," her voice broke. "I don't want our child to grow up without a father, without you.

"Please, just temporarily," she pleaded. "Until the whole thing is resolved."

"Kate, you know there is no temporary in Witness Protection. If I go, I'll never see you again," Castle started tearing up. "And you, you'll still be here. They could kill you too."

"Castle, I'm a cop. I can protect myself and I'll still have Ryan and Esposito," Kate argued.

"No. The only way I'm going into WitSec is if you go too," His voice was serious and his eyes told her that argument was pointless.

"Maybe we can compromise," Kate offered. "Leave town for awhile after the trial is over."

"Are you sure?" Castle asked. "I mean, with the baby..." he trailed off.

"It'll be fine, Castle. As long as we're both safe. But where could we go? The Hamptons is too close."

"Yeah, and too small. It would be easier to hide in a big city. Or we could have our own South Pacific island!"

"With no doctors or hospitals? Because I really want to give birth to our child in the middle of a steaming jungle."

"Yeah," Castle grimaced a little. "London?"

"No," Kate shook her head. "Hunt."

"Right," Castle remembered the good-looking Scotland Yard inspector. That had been a rocky point in their relationship, and not one they cared to remember.

"LA?" Kate ventured.

Castle shook his head. "Too polluted. Besides, its like the perennial celebrity hotspot. And where they're filming the Nikki Heat movies. What about Rome?"

"Try to keep it in the country, Castle."

"Okay. Um, Miami!"

"Kind of hot, but a possibility," Kate conceded.

"Las Vegas," Castle tossed out.

Kate merely gave him a look that he could read very well. "What about Philadelphia?"

Castle shook his head. "It's too close," he said. "Do you have contacts with any other departments around the country?"

"A few. Why?"

"Well, it would be helpful to have some allies wherever we go. You know, just in case," Castle didn't want to voice what they were both thinking. In case these guys follow us.

"Um, most of them are here in New York. I know a woman in Boston, but that's still too close," Kate sighed. "Maybe it would be better to go out of the country."

"I thought you said you didn't want to," Castle reminded her.

"Yeah, I know. It's just...if we stay here, it would be easy for those guys to follow us wherever we go. Even if we go across the country, they could drive there in a week. If we go outside the country, they can't follow as easily."

"I could get Gina to arrange a private plane," Castle mused. "Where do you want to go, Kate?"

"I don't know. Somewhere relaxing and private, a place we can be off the grid for awhile."

Castle opened his mouth to make a suggestion when Kate interrupted.

"But," she grimaced as though warring with herself. She looked up at Castle, love and joy and mischief and every other pure emotion playing in her eyes, "I don't want to be too far from a hospital," she grinned.

"Oh, Kate," Castle chuckled. "I will bring the hospital to us, if I have to. And maybe even if I don't."

Kate smiled and laughed a little with him, her head on his shoulder. He had always been so sensitive to her moods and emotions. And ever since she'd gotten pregnant, it had only increased. He had learned her bizarre cravings within weeks and could usually tell when she was getting one. He kept their fridge stocked with everything she needed for the gross combinations she created. After all, he had already been through this with Meredith and he assured her repeatedly that Meredith had been much, much worse.

Glancing at the clock next to their bed, she realized that he would be late if he didn't get going.

"You have to go," she said reluctantly.

"Oh, right," Castle looked at his watch and sounded just as reluctant. "I'll drop you at the precinct on my way."

Kate gave him a strange look and he held up a hand. "I know Gates just has you on desk duty, but I would feel better if I left you in a building full of cops."

She looked at him like he was being ridiculous, but she found it adorable anyway. "Okay, Castle. For you, I will go to the precinct. Just let me get dressed first."

"Thank you. I will pick you up on my way back from the courthouse."

Kate shrugged out of the T-shirt and Castle resisted the very strong urge to place his palms on her bare stomach.

She could always tell when he was looking at her. Usually, she turned to him and told him that staring was creepy, even if she was his wife. Today, she just smiled to herself and let him look.

"Okay," she turned back toward him. "I'm ready."

Castle gestured for her to go ahead of him and he followed closely, his hand resting on her lower back. He grabbed the keys to the dark Mercedes sedan on the way out the door.

As they drove through the streets of New York, Kate looked out the window thoughtfully.

"What are you thinking about?" Castle asked.

"Names," Kate replied, her fingers stroking the tiny swelling below her waist. "What do you think about Lucas, for a boy?"

"Can we call him Luke?"

"Mmhmm."

"I like it," Castle said. "What about for a girl?"

"I don't know. Maybe Alexandra?"

Castle wrinkled his nose. "It's too similar to Alexis."

"You're right," Kate agreed.

"What about Isabella?" he suggested.

She smiled at him. "I like it."

"Really? You do?"

"Yeah, Castle. I really do."

Castle beamed all the way to the precinct.

"I'll call you when I'm on my way back," Castle said as Kate unbuckled her seat belt.

"Okay," she said before leaning in to give him a quick goodbye kiss. She stepped out of the car and onto the sidewalk. Castle waited until she was inside the building before he drove away.