It had been a long few days of monotonous paperwork in the precinct. It seemed as if, for some strange reason, the scum of the city had taken a break over the last few days. Maybe Castle paid them to hold off until he got back, Kate thought with a smile. Her partner had been away for the week on a book tour for his latest Nikki Heat novel, leaving Kate to do her work in peace and quiet for a change. Unfortunately, as wonderful as the idea of being able to complete her work sans interruptions was, she found herself oddly distracted.

For example, instead of working her was through the masses of paperwork adorning her desk, she found herself thinking too much about her current situation. Which, if you ask her, was never a good thing, considering only months ago she'd flat-lined on an operating table from a bullet to the chest. Since she'd woken from her three day coma, Kate found herself focussing more on her life and her wants, rather than her work. For instance, having a family had never been a priority for Kate, but now, it seemed to be all she thought about. For the first time in her life, she felt lonely.

Looking up from her now finished paperwork, Kate found herself staring at the clock on the wall. Only two hours until she finished, hopefully no bodies would drop in the mean time. In an attempt to pass the time she scanned the room, her eyes landing on the numbers on the elevator, glowing as they passed another floor and finally stopping on their floor.

Kate watch the doors open, with excitement bubbling up inside her. She had a feeling she knew who was behind that door. It was so like him not to tell her that he was coming back two days early.

The smell of freshly brewed coffee and cologne confirmed her suspicions and it took every ounce of control she had to contain the grin that was threatening to explode onto her face. As much as she'd hate to admit it, Kate had missed Rick.

'Miss me?' He asked, handing her a cup of coffee with a cheeky grin.

Kate took a long sip of the warm liquid and looked up at him through her lashes, 'I missed... this coffee.'

'I missed your indifference, Detective. Any cases?' Castle had barely lowered himself into his chair when Kate's phone rang.

'Beckett... Be there in ten.' She looked over with a frown, 'You just had to jinx it, didn't you Castle? You know, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you paid off every criminal in the city to hold off til you got back.'

Rick grinned and stood quickly, 'What can I say? I know people.'

The car ride to the crime scene was short, yet probably the longest drive Kate had ever taken. She caught every single one of the thirteen red lights on the way over and at every single red light she'd see a family walking across the road, or a pregnant woman waddling along behind her husband. By the eighth light Kate huffed impatiently.

'What's up?' Castle asked looking up as Kate hit her head gently on the steering wheel, waiting for the light to change.

'They're everywhere!' She felt Castle pat her uncomfortably on the shoulder as they made it to halfway to the next light only to have it turn red yet again.

'Can I ask who or what you're talking about?'

Kate took a deep breath and looked over at him, 'Don't laugh?'

'Never.'

'Ever since I woke up after the funeral... I just... Every time I leave the apartment or the precinct, all I keep see is pregnant women... Babies... Cute little children. It's awful!'

Castle watched her carefully, waiting for her to laugh and tell him how easy he was or something but when that never came he let out a confused chuckle. Kate glared at him, 'I'm not laughing! I'm just... You're not usually this forthcoming. What's brought this on?'

She shrugged as they pulled over at the crime scene, 'I don't know. Maybe I'm just starting to think more about me now and less about the job. I... Let's just do this.' She noticed the ambulance parked on the curb beside the morgue van and got out of the car, 'If I hear that you've that you've breathed a word of this to Ryan or Esposito...'

'A word of what, Boss?' Esposito said with a sly grin. She glared at him and ducked under the tape with Castle following behind like an obedient puppy. The body was inside a non-descript apartment on the second floor, Beckett felt Esposito touch her shoulder. 'Just be prepared for this one Becks.'

She nodded, brushing him off, she was always prepared. There was a soft wavering cry from inside, Kate felt her heart drop as Castle swore beside her. She walked inside to see the body of a young woman in the middle of the floor. There was a so much blood spattered up the walls and a pool of it beneath her body. Next she noticed Lanie, not next to the body, but standing with two paramedics who were crouched over the floor. The cry was getting more and more desperate as Kate walked towards them. She noticed the tiny baby kicking around on the floor, its umbilical cord was still attached. She looked around for a blanket and found a soft pink one hanging over the couch.

'Here,' she said handing it to the paramedic who had just cut the baby's cord. He looked up and took the blanket, wrapping the tiny human in it.

He handed the baby to Kate, 'She's fine, let me clean up and we'll take her somewhere safe.' Kate looked up at Lanie, her eyes were red.

'Um, her name was Stacey Dillon, 24 years old, Kindergarten teacher. Her husband Michael Dillon was KIA in Iraq three months ago. No known next of kin. From what I could see she was shot in the head with a 9mm and then who ever did it, cut her open with a kitchen knife and left the baby on the floor. Neighbours heard her crying.' Kate nodded and looked up at Castle who was looking at the tiny girl in Kate's arms.

'Are you ok?' he asked quietly as Lanie left with the body.

'Where will they take her?' she asked as the little girl snoozed in her arms.

'I don't know, Kate. Here, let me take her, I'll speak to them.' Kate felt herself nod as she handed over the baby.

'Rick?' He looked back at her. She looked like she was trying to keep her emotions in check, 'I can understand if you don't want to follow this one, but... I could really... I think I'll need your help with this one.'

Rick smiled softly at her, 'I'm here, Kate.'