So, here it is. I have written this story several months ago, but it took me a while to find the will to translate it. 'Cause, yeah, I'm French. So I first wrote this story in French, and thought it might be time to translate it. So if there are any mistakes, or if it does not always sound very authentic, please forgive me. I've had a long day, and I really tried my best.

If you're looking for a cheeful story, with a fairy tale ending, then this story is not for you. It's a sad story. I wrote it because of a dream I had once, a dream about sacrifice, a dream about living, and dying. It was a really powerful dream. It carried out a message I've been trying to convey through this story. It's not just a Castle story. It's also a story about life. Or so I hope.

I want to thank a friend of mine, without whom I would never have written nor published this story. She's quite an amazing girl. She is Hawkeen, she's posted several stories on .

Anyway, there will be 3 chapters. I haven't translated the two others yet. I guess this is why I am posting this one. Cause this way, I can't just back off and stop translating. It might take me several days to post the following chapters though. Between college, the fact I'm living alone, and that I have to find a job, I'm pretty busy.

Hope you'll enjoy it.

'It's your fault.'

She froze at this accusation. A shiver ran through her, and nausea turned her stomach. Was she really responsible? 'Of course you are' whispered the voice of her conscience. She did not have the strength to fight anymore, to convince herself that she was a victim as well. She should have known, she should have done something, she should have…She closed her eyes for a second, unable to look at the person who was facing her, and whispered:

'I am sorry. I am so sorry.'

No words could have expressed the remorse that was consuming her. No words could have made worthy of forgiveness. She just wished everything was a nightmare from which she would awaken. She could not even feel the tears streaming down her face.

'He promised…He promised me he wouldn't go back there.'

Hearing these words, she swiftly lifted her head up. She looked at the young woman who was facing her, tears in her eyes. She did not understand. Her interlocutor guessed her lack of understanding, and carried on with a hoarse voice:

'Last summer, after the shooting…After he'd been kicked out of the precinct, hadn't heard from you, he promised me he was done. That he wouldn't follow you anymore, that he would stay here. And three months later, you were suddenly back. He forgave you. He would have forgiven you anything. He broke his promise for you. He…

The teenager stopped talking, unable to carry on, and looked away. Kate felt like her heart was shattering. Once again. What had she done to this family?

'Alexis, I…'

'No! You were supposed to protect him! You were supposed to protect him, and you failed ! He trusted you, and you let him down!'

The red-haired girl turned on her heels, and looked at her with anger. An indescribable pain was darkening her eyes. Kate stepped forward and tried to reach Alexis, but stopped when she saw her cringed.

'That's not what happened, she whispered. It should have been me, Alexis. He said that…He lied. We decided it was going to be me. It should have been me!'

With these words, she collapsed to the ground. She had seen too many of her loved-ones die. Her mother, Royce, Montogmery…Castle. A hoarse cry escaped her throat when this thought crossed her mind. She felt a hand touch her shoulder, and she made out Alexis' silhouette through her tears, kneeling by her side.

'Kate…I need to…I have to know.'

She did not want to remember that day. She could not. She had almost failed to come through it, and the idea to go through these few hours again terrorized her. She was afraid she would not make it this time. But she had to. For Alexis. And for Castle.

She had woken up in a dark room, disoriented. She had had no idea how on earth she had gotten there. She had then an awful migraine and was feeling nauseous. She tried to remember the events of the past few days. The guys and her had decided to take their weekend off after an exhausting investigation involving the brutal murder of a child. She had com straight home on Friday night, exhausted, had poured herself a glass of wine, had relaxed in a hot bath, and had gone straight to bed, without even eating. After that, nothing.

As she was trying to get her memories back, she suddendly heard a rustle in the basement. She froze, trying to locate the source of the sound. She faintly perceived through the darkness a moving figure, trying to sit up. A figure that was more than familiar.

'Castle?" she asked, not sure it was him.

'Beckett? Where are we? Are you alright ?'

'I've been better. What about you ?'

The writer just smiled to her. Once they adjusted to the darkness, they got up together, without even consulting each other. They quickly explored the room, which size could not exceed 40m². The only way out was a heavy gate, obviously locked.

'At least this time, we aren't cuffed, said Castle with an amused smile. Not that I…'

'Castle! angrily interrupted Beckett. Now isn't the time to make jokes. Do you remember anything ?'

He shook his head in frustration.

'No, I don't. I went to bed early, I was tired, and since mother and Alexis weren't there, there was nothing keeping me up. He stopped talking for a moment. I'm really glad they're in the Hamptons. Had anything happened to them, I…'

Kate gave him a weak smile. She was relieved her partner's family was safe. She scouted again the basement, still looking for a way out. Not seeing one, she turned towards the door, and tried to kick it open until Castle stopped her.

'I don't think this will work.'

'What are you suggesting then? We have to do something!' Kate shouted. Even though she refused to admit it, she had felt a wave of terror overwhelm her.

'Let's just wait. That's all we can do so far.'

Beckett started to pace. Castle had the impression to be watching a lioness in her cage. He did not even try to stop her, knowing that she needed to keep her mind busy, one way or another. Besides, he was not exactly in a talkative mood either. After what felt like an eternity, the characteristic sound of a door being unlocked finally tore the silence. Kate immediately stopped pacing, and Rick stood by her side.

The first thing they both seaw was the mouth of a gun. Rick instinctively made a gesture as though to protect her, trying to come between his muse and the gun. Kate stopped him from doing so.

'Step back to the wall. Try anything stupid, and you will die.'

His voice was cold and detached. Kate hesitated for a second, but eventually obeyed when she felt Rick grab her hand. The man that was facing them was small and slim. This sickly man was not impressive, and would probably not have seemed dangerous to the untrained-eye. But Kate had been trained to perceive danger. The aura that was surrounding him left her no doubt on his nature. He was a predator. His frail stature kept him from being dangerous, strictly speaking. And yet, Kate would have never trusted him, even without the weapon he was holding. She could not have explained where this feeling was coming from. But she instinctively knew he was bad. And probably brilliant. Which was never a good combination.

She stared at him. His features were not striking. His short hair was brown, and his iron-gray eyes had had a wicked glint. She had the feeling she knew him, but could not remember under which circumstances she had met him. If she ever had.

'Who are you ? What do you want ?' asked Beckett.

'You really don't remember me, Detective, do you?"

'Should I?' she said, her head held high.

The man's eyes darkened. Beckett's insolence was not to his liking.

'Yes, you should. I'd have thought you'd have remembered the man whose life you've destroyed.'

Kate frowned. She felt her partner going restless by her side, and looked at him. He looked like he was about to say something, but eventually kept his mouth shut. Their abductor noticed it as well, but kept talking to Beckett:

'You still haven't get rid of your shadow, have you? I guess his third-rate author's arrogance is amusing you.'

'Hey!' protested the writer.

'Mister Castle. Something crossed your mind a few moments ago. Do you mind sharing it with us ?'

Rick hesitated. He looked at Kate, who silently nodded. He nervously licked his lips, and finally started talking.

'Two years ago, the Chelsea Forrester case…A young woman found raped and beaten to death in her apartment. The culprit, Liam Blake…You're his brother, aren't you?'

The man pretented to applaud.

'Bravo Mister Castle. You're right. I am Caleb Blake.'

'What do you want from us, Caleb?' Kate once again asked.

'You see, when you sent my brother to jail, you destroyed my life,' Caleb kept on going, ignoring the detective.

'He was guilty! He had to pay for what he'd done to Chelsea,' angrily said the detective.

'He didn't confess!'

'Evidence was against him! We had his DNA, and some neighbors testified they saw him leaving Chelsea's place. We did not need him to confess. He only got what he deserved!

Caleb stepped forward, pointing his gun at Beckett. Beads of sweat stood out on his brow. He was shaking with anger. Castle thought for a second he would pull the trigger. But he took a deep breath, stepped back, and a nasty smile spread across his face.

'Oh, nice try, Detective Beckett. No way, it would be too easy. To just kill you would be way too gentle. I want you to suffer. Both of you. The way I have suffered. Did you know my brother died in prison a week ago ? He left me. He left me all alone. Guards said it's just a fight that's gone wrong, but they're lying, I know they are. You're behind this, aren't you? You had him killed!

An insane glint lit up his eyes. Kate hardly kept herself from stepping back. She mentally corrected what she had thought earlier. He was not so much dangerous because he was bad and brilliant. He was dangerous because he was insane and brilliant. She sensed neither Castle nor her would like what was about to happen. An evil smile spread across Caleb's face.

'I'm going to submit you a game. You see, I'm going to really enjoy this game. You…not so much. But that's the point. You've taken away from me the one person that truly mattered to me. It's only fair that I take away from you the one person you most care about, isn't it? You know the law of the universe, don't you? A life for a life.'

'You son of a…' furiously started Castle while stepping forward.

Blake pointed the gun at him, clicked his tongue as to reprimand a child.

'I would hate to shot you in the leg, and take the risk of watching you die before the end of the game, Mister Castle.'

It did not seem to stop Castle, whom Kate had to hold back.

'Good girl. You should follow her example, Mister Castle: stay put, and well-behave.

Kate bit her lips, her dignity in shreds. But to attempt anything would have been reckless, she tried to convince herself. Their chances of survival increased if they tried not to upset their abductor, thus avoiding any unnecessary injuries. Castle finally stepped back, though he was shaking with anger.

'Good. We may begin at last.'

Kate and Castle just stared at him. They unconsciously looked for each other's hand in a last comforting gesture, as if to hold on to the world, and to not lose themselves.

'The game is easy. Only one of you will leave this room alive. In my magnanimity, I will let you choose which of you it will be. You have three hours to decide. After this period, if you still have yet to decide, I will kill one of your loved-one every fifteen minutes, until you've made your choice. If you decide you both wish to die, I will have to choose which one of you will go home safe and sound. Try anything stupid, and you will regret it. Did I make myself clear, Kate?'

Kate clenched her fists. She did not answer, and just stared at him. Refusing to go along with him. She saw Blake's face darken. A shot rang out.

'Wow !' shouted Castle. The bullet had whistled to his ear.

'Next bullet won't miss the target, Kate. It was only a warning. Here's a new rule. Always answer my questions. Do not speak unless I told you so. Did I make myself clear?'

Anger overwhelmed her. She closed her eyes for a second, exhaled, and forced herself to calm down.

'Crystal clear.' She angrily answered.

'Good. You have three hours,' he reminded while pointing out a digital clock on the wall, an evil smile on his face.

See? Told you it was not a happy story. The first chapter is barely an introduction, I'm just setting the story. The real deal starts in the next chapter.

I hope you enjoyed it, and that you will read the following chapters.