Jim Beckett returned to waiting room. Silence filled the large room full of concerned faces.
Castle looked up from the now cold cup of coffee he was clutching in his shaky, still bloodstained hands.
"How is she?" He asked in a soft yet strained voice, unfamiliar to his own ears. He could feel Josh, who was sitting to his right, glance between him and Kate's father.
Jim sighed and sat next to Castle.
"She's…Katie. She's strong, but frail". A long pause followed before he spoke again.
"She asked for you" Jim said without looking up from his clasped hands.
Josh immediately stood up and began to walk towards Kate's room when he felt a hand hold him back. It was Jim Beckett's hand.
"Rick" Jim said. "She called for Rick" he looked over at Castle who's blood shot, dark blue eyes were wide and filled with something that resembled confusion and relief.
An awkward silence grew in the waiting room.