A/N: Insert for 6x22: "Veritas", because it's just too perfect not to. I could literally gush all day, and have, to everyone who has the misfortune to be anywhere near me. But anyway, here you go. :) Enjoy!

Salvum: Safe, in Latin

Rick nervously headed for the room he had rented, praying that she was still safe. When he rounded the corner and saw her lying in a crumpled heap on the cold, disgusting carpet, his heart nearly stopped.

Oh god. No. Please, no.

"Kate!"

He broke into a run, and the hallway suddenly seemed so much longer than it actually was. When he got near, he could see blood smeared along the wall. He fell to his knees next to her, his heart pounding in his chest.

Please, please, please. No.

But her eyes were open. Unfocused and bloodshot, but open. He gently cradled her cheek in his palm, caressing her face softly and tenderly, so unlike the hand that had last brushed her skin. That hand, that touch, had made her skin crawl, and she'd wanted to scream and lash out and cry. She'd found herself wanting Rick, wanting him to hold her and protect her and get her away from this horrible man who had no right to touch her like that, as if he cared. But now, it was Castle's warm, familiar touch that brushed her face, cradling her cheek as if she were the most precious thing in the world.

"Kate," he whispered. His voice was so soft and caring, concerned and full of so much love that she just wanted to curl up with him and let him hold her.

"Hey, honey," he murmured.

"Rick," she managed to slur. "Hurts."

"Oh, baby, I know," he soothed. "I know. You did it, sweetheart, you got away. It's okay now, I promise." The sliver of her being that was semi-lucid knew that he was simply trying to calm her, knew that it was not okay, far from it. But she was drunk, in pain, and so, so exhausted, and her writer's words were exactly what she needed to hear.

"I'm so proud of you, baby," he murmured as he picked her up gently, cradling her to his chest as he stood. Kate signed, nuzzling into him. She closed her eyes, knowing she was safe.

"It's okay, Kate," he whispered. "I've got you. You're okay, baby."

"Mmm. I know," she replied, her voice so soft that he almost didn't hear it; wouldn't have if she wasn't so close and he wasn't so attuned to her voice.

"I love you, Kate," he whispered. "I'm going to keep you safe."