Disclaimer: I do not own Castle, nor do I have any ties to the actors that portray those characters even though I've shared the same air space as Stana Katic, Andrew W. Marlowe, and Kate Sargeant. Alas, I have no rights to them either. I hope you enjoy my musings and that you forgive me my untimely updates. Always, ElizaCat (aka LiseCate, aka Eliza)

Chapter 1: Hello, Good-bye.

"You let me go. Castle, you let me go," Beckett whispered, heartbroken. She didn't bother to wipe the tears from her eyes. They were past hiding from one another. They'd been partners, lovers...he was her one and done. That was then.

"Kate...I'm..." he breaks off and goes to stare out the window. He can't look at her. Coward that he is. She is broken, not because of the damn accident. No, she is broken because of him. "Kate, I am so sorry. I will never be able to put into words how sorry I am. The doctors...the doctors - they were all certain you were gone. You were never going to awaken. Kate, I called in specialists from all over the world. They all said the same thing...that you were..." his voice breaks. He breaks. Crying, he walks to her bedside, grasps her hand tightly so she can't slip away from his hold. Looking her in the eyes, he whispers, "You were brain dead, Kate. That's what they all told me. I had to go. I wanted to go with you but Alexis..."

"Then, why was I still on life support, Rick?"

"Your dad. Kate, your dad - he believed. He believed in you." Dragging his hand down his face, his words pained him, "Oh, dear God. Beckett, he believed in you even when I did not."

"How long?" Her words a whisper across his heart.

"Beckett, don't." Castle turned and walked away. This was the hardest thing he'd ever done. He'd loved this woman. He'd loved her like no one before or since. And yet. And yet, he was engaged to be married in the coming months.
"How long, Castle!" God, it sucked to be stuck in this god-forsaken hospital bed. Hooked up to machines to ensure her vitals were closely monitored. That's what happens when you've been in a coma for 2 years.
Castle sighs. There's little he can give her at the moment. The least he can do is answer her questions honestly. "A year. It was a year. Kate, I never thought..."
"At least, you gave it a year. Right, Castle?" Her sarcasm is unquestionable. Maybe, maybe a year was long enough? Maybe she is being selfish. She's not! Dammit! They'd fought tougher battles than this. He'd waited FOUR YEARS for her to notice him! Now this? God, she hurt. THIS HURT! "Castle, I'm tired. I'd like to see my dad before I pass out from exhaustion. Send him in on your way out, please."
She closes her eyes. She can't watch him walk away. She can't.
"Kate, I am...sorry. I'll send your dad in. I'll check on you again soon."
"Rick, thank you for helping my team bring down Bracken. Dad filled me in...I'll never be able to repay you. But...my road to recovery is difficult as is. Castle, I need for you to say good-bye. I can't see you with someone else too. I can't..." A choked sob. The tears fall uninhibited. This is what a broken heart feels like. Worse, far far worse than the bullet to her heart. At least then...Then, she was numb. Except for his "I love you".
Castle stood over her bedside watching the tears fall. Her eyes tightly closed. His fingers danced across her jawline capturing her tears. His head bent, his lips ghosted across her forehead. "Beckett! Beckett, I don't want to say good-bye. I l-..."
Kate opened her eyes. Her emerald gaze bore into his own. "You already did, Castle."
The truth was a mighty sword deftly aimed at his heart. Richard Castle was not a quitter, but this was...over. They were over because of him. How was it that he believed in Fate, Magic, Santa Claus, Aliens, and Conspiracy Theories, but he never believed the extraordinary KB would ever return to him?
"I'll get Jim. Goodnight, Kate."
She didn't watch him leave. Refused to watch him give up on them. "Give Martha and Alexis my love. Good-bye, Castle."

Jim Beckett entered his daughter's room quietly. His brief exchange with Rick had confirmed his worst fears. He'd tried to delay their reunion, but his little girl had never accepted the word 'no' easily. The doctors having been forewarned of the nature of their relationship and Castle's current status tried to thwart the meeting. Even they were no match for Kate Beckett.
He watched the emotions and the shadows play across her face. His heart ached for his little girl whose heart was broken over a boy she'd never expected to love. He gathered her in his arms, whispering words of love and sorrow. He hadn't seen her cry since they'd lost Johanna not even during the summer she'd spent with him at the cabin after her shooting.
Kate cried until the hiccups started. Jim handed her a glass of water and brushed her hair back, tucking the strands behind her ears.
Kate drank until the hiccups ceased. Her breath shuddered out of her. "Daddy, it hurts so badly. My heart...it hurts."
Jim Beckett held her close, letting her cry herself to sleep. He knew it was too soon for any words to ease her pain. In times like these, a shoulder to cry on really was the best medicine. That much he'd learned from Johanna.