AU: Hey guys!

So with an absence of new Castle episodes, I find myself digging for anything new and exciting within the Castle forums to keep myself entertained. Upon sorting through various posts on the ABC forum, I found this spoiler for the upcoming two part special episodes called "Tick, Tick, Tick..." and "Boom". The spoiler reads:

What can you tell me about the two-part Castle episode that guest stars Dana Delany? — Mitch
ADAM: Delany plays an FBI agent who joins Castle and Beckett in the hunt for a serial killer who's a little obsessed with Nikki Heat, the character Castle based on Beckett. Delany gets abducted, but Beckett is the one who should be looking over her shoulder. "I don't know if Beckett's going to survive the episode," Stana Katic jokes. Even so, Beckett's apartment is blown up before the first hour ends.

Upon hearing this amazing news, I couldn't help but dream up how I think or would like this situation to turn out. Since I don't really know anything about the case, I'm leaving that general aspect out of the story and focusing more on the personal side of it. This was intended to be a stand alone fic to distract me from lack of inspiration for my other one, but upon finishing this chapter I feel this might end up a multi-fic.

Anyway, please feel free to read and review. I love your comments, and your opinions are always taken into account. If this story goes well I'll try and update fairly quickly since I already have plans for chapter 2 in the making.

Hope you all enjoy, and feel free to post your visions of this exciting spoiler!

Castle jumped out of his cab, hurriedly throwing money at the driver. He didn't care that he gave the driver a huge tip, or that he was still three blocks from his destination. Traffic was crazy and he needed to get to her apartment now. He hurried on, eyes trained on the rising black smoke up ahead. As he ran he could feel the images of a smoking apartment and an injured detective fill his mind, bringing one of his worst fears to life. Upon meeting her he had found a new maturity, a new reason to write. They had been partners for over a year now, each day their relationship growing stronger. He knew that he would have Alexis and his mother to help him if something should happen, but he wasn't sure that would make a difference. She went the world to him, losing her would be like losing the sun.

He had been at home thinking about their case when the call came in from Esposito. He said there had been a bombing at Beckett's apartment building and that 911 had been called. Though they couldn't be sure until the fire calmed down, they thought the target had been Beckett. When Castle asked how she was doing, Esposito grew quiet. "We don't know, yet Castle. They have her in the ambulance and they won't let anyone see her." Castle had immediately dropped everything and made his way over to her apartment. There was no way he was going to lose her, especially like this.

Having arrived at the scene, Castle quickly spotted Lanie, Esposito and Ryan talking to an EMS guy. Castle rushed over a look of fear clear on his face. The apartment building was half gone, blown up in the explosion. Water was dripping from the remaining windows as thick smoke still billowed into the air. The fire had long been put out, and the fireman were now combing the area for any injured victims. Several ambulances were parked around the building, with multiple EMS workers tending to injuries.

Seeing the look on his face, Lanie put a reassuring arm on Castle's. "She's going to be okay Castle." Castle breathed a sigh of relief, feeling the weight of the world leave his shoulders.

"Where is she? Can I see her?" Lanie nodded and pointed off into the distance were Kate was leaning against a tree, drinking from a water bottle. Castle held a hand up in thanks as he ran over to the detective, eager to hold her in his arms.

Castle began calling her name as her neared her, causing her to look up in shock. The look of worry on his face startled her. She had never seen him this worried for anyone except Alexis, and was touched to think he felt so much concern for her. As she placed her water down, Castle scooped her up into his arms, squeezing her tightly. Kate was too shocked to react at first, but his warm embrace soon comforted her as she wrapped her own arms around him. She buried her face in his chest as he held her, slowly stroking her hair. "You had we worried to death Katie. I thought you were dead. I thought I had lost you." Kate could hear the emotion in his voice, and it pained her to hear his words. "I thought that guy had got you; that he had taken you away from me. I don't know what I would do without you Kate."

Tears began to fall on Kate's cheeks as she looked up into Rick's eyes. "You have Martha and Alexis."

He smiled and nodded. "That's true. But even with them there I don't think I would be able to get through you leaving me; your too apart of my life for me to get over you quickly."

Kate smiled up at Rick, basking in his words. She stroked his face with her hand as she spoke. "I don't know what I would do without you Rick. I've gotten so used to you being around, pulling my pigtails, supporting me with my mom. You mean too much for me to just give up and leave without a fight. A little thing like a bomb is not going to bring me down." They both chuckled at her comment.

"No, you're right. You're too extraordinary for some bomb planted by some stalker to bring you down." They couple smiled as Kate pulled him in for another hug. Rick's hand brushed up and down on her back in a soothing gesture, as they stood there wrapped in each other's arms.

"As embarrassed as I am to admit this, I don't want let go. You're really comfy Castle" said Kate, giving him a light squeeze. Castle chuckled and squeezed back.

"I'm glad you think so, maybe we can cuddle on my couch when you stay over at my place until you can find another home." Kate quickly dropped her arms and looked up at Castle.

"Castle...I can't possibly stay with you at your apartment. There are already three of you living there, and it's not like I've spent the night there before. It would be...awkward. I can just stay at Lanie's."

"No way, not when there is some Nikki Heat stalker on the loose. Lanie may have medical examiners tools at her house, but her apartment doesn't have near the level of security mine does. My apartment is the safest place you can be right now. You're staying at my place and that's final." Castle said with an authoritative tone.

Kate raised her eyebrow at his tone. He was not trying to tell her what to do. "We are not a couple Castle, and you have no authority over me. You do not make the decisions for me, got it?" she shot back. Castle nodded with a look of annoyance on his features.

"I'm not trying anything, I just want to keep you safe until this guy is behind bars. We have a guest bedroom, it's not like you'd be sleeping in my bed with me. Although I certainly wouldn't object if you wanted to..." A playful grin appeared on Castle's face as Kate rolled her eyes.

Seeing the team approaching she spoke, "I don't have time to argue with you about this right now Castle. We'll continue this conversation later okay?" Castle nodded, knowing it was the best he was going to get anytime soon.

"You okay now that you've seen her Castle?" asked Ryan.

"Man, you looked like you were gonna drive yourself crazy with worry" added Esposito. Castle glanced over at Beckett slightly embarrassed. The detective meanwhile was sporting a huge grin.

"Umm yah just fine. I was merely concerned for a member of the team. She was in a life threatening situation you know." Quickly attempting to dodge the admittance of anything deeper in front of the whole team.

Ryan and Esposito seemed satisfied with his reasoning, but Lanie was not so sure. She examined the two, still standing closer than most people who were not dating did. She could tell that Castle was still slightly concerned about Kate's well being, and that Kate was surprised but rather enjoying his concern. She had witnessed their little display of affection just before, and couldn't help but be curious. They had looked so at home in each other's arms, but then Castle had said something and immediately Kate let go. It seemed some intense grilling of the two was in order.

"So the EMS guy says you need to drink plenty of water and get a good night's sleep for the next few days and you should be fine" said Ryan his gaze on Beckett. "They didn't see any signs of smoke damage in your lungs, but if you find yourself coughing a lot and especially if your coughing up something to go to the emerg right away." Beckett nodded and went over to talk to the fireman about what was left of her things. The boys left to return to the precinct, leaving Lanie and Castle alone.

The two stood in slightly awkward silence for a minute until Lanie spoke, "What did you say to Beckett back there?"

Castle looked slightly startled at Lanie's question, having completely forgotten that everyone could have seen him when he had hugged Beckett. "I told her that she was going to stay at my place until we can catch this creep who did this and find her a new place."

Lanie's eyes widened in shock. "You told her? Honey, by now you should know practically no one tells Beckett what to do. Telling her she's moving in with you is huge enough, but you had to go and add in that it was an order? No wonder she looked so angry so quick."

Castle shuffled uncomfortably in his shoes. The more he thought about it, the more he realized Lanie was right. He might still be able to get Kate to stay with him, but demanding that she did was pushing it too far in Beckett's world. She was a strong, independent women, who he admired for such qualities, but occasionally forgot about how such as women would react to his knight in shining armour approach.

"Yah I guess you're right. I just don't want anyone else to get hurt, and my building has top of the line security. She said she'd probably ask to stay with you, but I don't feel comfortable with her staying anywhere without security cameras, guards and surveillance. This worm of a man already got too close to her than I'd like; I don't want him to get a second chance." The mixture of disgust for this man and his concern for Kate was evident. Lanie knew that this time Castle had her best friend's intentions at heart, and wasn't using this as just a way to get with her.

"All right Castle, since you feel so strongly about the situation I'll have a talk with her. I can't make any promises, but I'll do my best. I can see you're not trying anything funny, so I'll vouch for you. Don't make me regret this writer-boy." Castle let a huge grin escape upon hearing Lanie's promise. Maybe, just maybe, Kate would stay with him and his family. While staying with them, maybe she'll see how great his home really is, and how different he was in his home. Maybe, if she saw all that, she'll decide she wants to live with him and his family. To want to be a couple, and cuddle on his couch and make love in his bed when Alexis and Martha were away. Castle now had a fighting chance, and he was determined not to lose it.