Missing Scenes: 6x01

Disclaimer: Obviously, I don't own Castle, but don't I wish.

As Agent Beckett and her partner arrived on scene, she tried to keep a neutral face. Kate was still trying to prove herself to her superiors and to her partner, who was more like the ice queen than anything else. Hell, she was still trying to get used to a partner who was female and… mature. There was something nice about having a partner who wasn't trying to get into her pants all the time, and yet,it made for some long days without her significant other following her around. She missed him pulling on her pigtails.

The first thing she saw was the car, in the public transit shelter which littered the pavement with shards of glass. She looked around, taking it all in as they approached another Agent. "That Bronson?" Agent McCord asked. Beckett couldn't help but focus on the glass crunching underfoot for a sliver of a second before mentally slapping herself.

"That's him," Hendrix replied.

"What about the hardware module?" Beckett asked.

"It's not in the car."

"Anybody riding with him?" McCord added.

"Yup."

"Girlfriend?"

"Nope." Hendrix turned towards the flashing lights of the ambulance and pointed. "That guy."

Beckett turned to look and saw Castle sitting in the back, being examined by a paramedic. Oh crap, was her first thought, followed by a wave of embarrassment. Castle was like a child a mother couldn't control while at a toy store, half the time. Still, he was amazing and made her heart race for no reason on any given day. Today, there was a reason, and it wasn't good. She could feel the sense of impending doom.

"You've got to be kidding me," McCord grumbled, peering around Beckett's shoulder at the writer.

"You know what? I-I'll deal with him -"

"No. You've already had your chance." Beckett turned to look at her, feeling an argument creeping up from the back of her throat, but it was lodged there. Still trying to prove myself. And then, there was Castle. "Hendrix, please place Mister Castle under arrest." The irritation in her tone spoke volumes to Beckett. She wanted to offer up an apology, but none came. Bitch.

Hendrix glanced at Kate and lightly shrug his shoulders. Orders were orders. Shit, she thought again as he moved towards the ambulance. And there was Castle, waving at her like an excited little puppy.

Beckett followed Hendrix over, avoiding the debris along the way. "Hey Hendrix, can you give me a minute with him, first?"

"But, I have orders…"

"I know." She couldn't help the irritation in her tone. She had been standing right there. "My fiance was just in a car accident, do you mind if I check on him first?"

Kate didn't wait for an answer before heading to the ambulance. She climbed up just as the paramedic finished with him and sat down. "Are you alright?" she asked, resting her hand on Castle's leg.

He smiled at her, and took her left hand into his own. "I am now," he answered. His thumb brushed over her ring finger, which was absent the ring he had given her. He knew it was hanging around her neck, close to her heart with her mother's ring, but if he had been asked outright, he would have to admit that it bothered him a little.

She knew what was on his mind, and offered him a sad smile. This was harder than she thought it would be; being an agent conflicted with her relationship with Castle, but he promised they could make it work - and they would… somehow.

She noticed the slight wince on his face. He was trying to be strong, to convince her that he was perfectly okay. "No, you're not," she whispered. "I saw the wreck… and the body bag."

"I don't think he died because of the accident. Him dying is what caused it."

Kate looked down at their hands, fingers laced together. No matter how many times they had held hands over the years, it always sparked something in her. A desperate need to be closer to this… this… this man-child. His touch was electric, as it was now, even when he was hurt. "Castle…" She ached for him. She craved him. She missed him, even when he was sitting right there in front of her.

"Kate. I'm fine."

"I don't believe you." Castle looked at her, incredulous. "Don't give me that look. I know you. You winced."

"I didn't wince."

"You winced."

"I was merely uncomfortable and adjusted myself accordingly," he offered. Smooth. Suave. Genius.

Her thumb ghosted over his skin, circling around, causing his breath to hitch for a moment. Immediately, his memory flashed back to the beginning of their relationship. Best handshake ever.

"Okay. Stop looking at me like that," he muttered, giving in. "The paramedic said I'd be sore for a few days, that's all."

"That's all? You could have been killed, Rick." She looked out the door. "That could have been you in that body bag." It was a hard thought to grasp. She swallowed the lump in her throat, and turned her attention back to her fiance. "You promised me you would stop looking into my case."

Castle recoiled, hand slipping from hers. He leaned back and gazed at her in disbelief. "I did. I… did. Kate, I bought salmon for dinner. I was walking home - well, not home-home. Or, yes, home, because really, where ever you are, that's home for me. You are home for me. Look, I was abducted Kate. At gun point, I might add. He forced me into his car, and dropped dead. I swear to you, Kate..."

He was rambling, and his strung together words pulled at her heartstrings. She could see the look in his eyes. It was a glimmer of betrayal. She hadn't meant for her statement to come out as an accusation, but somehow, it did. Maybe it was because she knew that if he had been given half the chance, he'd give into his curiosity and investigate. She wasn't kidding when she said she 'knew him'.

"Castle - Castle - Castle," she tried to interrupt him several times. He was so cute when he rambled, but he would never lie to her about something like this. She reached out and grabbed his hands again. "Rick! Hey. I believe you." She melted, seeing the relief in his eyes. "But… he's here to arrest you." Beckett pointed at Hendrix.

"But I didn't do anything wrong…"

"I know that, but I think you need to convince them of that."

"I'll just turn on the Castle charm," the writer smirked. Beckett smiled and brought his hand to her lips, pressing a kiss to his palm.

"Don't worry," she whispered against his wrist. "I'll get you out."