This was my procrastination method against my Media Ethics paper. Just some short one-shot that popped into my head randomly. Not really sure what to classify it as, but happens during 4x09.

Disclaimer: AWM and co. have already have a job and therefore would not be slaving themselves over the copious amount of projects that I am currently working on. Oh the joys of being a college student.

The questions and the need to ease her burdens are eating at him. It is actually, physically hurting him to withhold himself from comforting her.

They're walking back to her cruiser with the intent to meet Ryan and Esposito back at the precinct, who are currently getting all the information they can on Emily Reese.

It shocked him to see her completely disregard Emily's terrified pleas, because the Kate he knew was never one to brush off a victim in need. Then not five seconds later she had taken off down the hallway and locked herself in an empty corridor. He's convinced that the muffled sobs that followed will haunt his dreams for the rest of his life. It took everything in him to respect her privacy.

Instead of following her and gathering her in his arms like he wanted to, he slid down against the door separating them and rested his head back against it, then continued to ward off the curious officers that passed by for those next few minutes. Once the sobs had stopped he stood up and waited. She stepped out and he had had to pretend not to notice the dried tear tracks on her cheeks, she nodded once in full detective mode and moved on to do her job.

A shaky hand on his arm pulls him from his reverie. He looks down to find her holding her keys out with her other hand.

"Just don't mention this again, okay?" She requests as she presses the keys into his hand and climbs into the passenger seat.

He's only been driving for five minutes when her shoulders slump and the façade shatters. She pulls her knees up to her chest and clasps her unsteady hands in front of her shins. After the third time she wipes a tear off her cheek he reaches over locks their hands together.

"Hey," he shakes her hand a bit to hold her attention.

"Hmm?"

"You know now that you let me drive, we're going to have to stop for ice cream right?" He questions with child-like exuberance.

She lets out a watery laugh, and there it is; that sparkle in her eyes that he's been searching for all day. He smiles back but she shakes her head at him.

"We have a killer to catch." She points out.

"Rain check then?"

"Sure Castle,"

"They ride the rest of the way in companionable silence, hands locked together. He parks the car and goes to hop out before she stops him by squeezing his hand.

"Thank you," she pauses trying to gather her thoughts. "For not…"

"Hey, wiseasses not jackass remember?"

He kisses the back of her hand then lets go, forcing her to stand on her own.

Thanks for reading kids.

Much love,

- AnnaLee