I felt heavy as I slowly came back to myself. The first thing I noticed was one of my hands was warmer than the other. I tried to remember what that could mean, but nothing definite was coming to me. Next came the beeping of machines, which could only mean one thing I was in a hospital. Again I tried to remember why I was here. All that came was 'I love you, I love you Kate.' It just kept repeating over and over. I tried opening my eyes, eventually I saw that I was in a hospital bed and that none other than my partner was there holding my hand as he was sitting in a hard plastic chair, slouched over my bed. He looked like he had been through hell. I was staring at him as I once again tried to remember, when suddenly his hand tightened in mine and his head jerked up. It took him a moment to realize that I too was awake, but when he did I saw the immediate relief spread over his features.

"Hey"

"Hey yourself"

"What happened? Why am I here? How bad is it?"

"Kate, what is the last thing you remember?"

"I remember the four of us at my apartment the morning before the day of the funeral. We talked about keeping Montgomery's secret between us. Then I picked Nikolai up and we went to the park. We stayed there for the rest of the day, went to Remy's for dinner. Then I dropped him off, and went home you came over and we talked till the morning. You left and I got ready for the funeral. We carried the casket to the grave, and then it's all blank."

"Kate, you were shot while you were giving your speech at the funeral. You have been unconscious for three days; the bullet only just missed your heart. The doctors say that you are lucky to be alive. And before you ask they didn't get him, but, the boys have been working non-stop to get him. They put protective details on everyone, but you and me."

"Why don't we have a protective detail?" I asked. I noticed that my pain level was increasing, and knew that soon a nurse would come in and give me more medication, but I wanted to finish this conversation before then. "Wait…" Castle looked up at the machine as it started beeping faster. "…Does my dad have a detail?"

"Kate, calm down he does. He was the first one to get one." He watched as the beeping slowed back down to normal. "And we do have a detail but not from the precinct, it's a private company that I hired. You and I both have two guards at all times, mother and Alexis have one. The boys and I thought it would be a good idea because we didn't know how far this thing goes."

Just then the nurse came in. "Is everything alright in here? I got a message you heart rate spiked." She looked between us and added, "It's almost time for more pain medication if you want it."

I shook my head and told her no. She left with one parting message to Castle not to upset me again. I looked back over at Castle and noticed he looked like he was thinking about something hard. "What is it Castle, what's wrong?"

He looked over at me. "Kate, why did you get so upset about the detail on your father, I mean I know that you love him and he is the only family you have left," I winced, "but you were more upset than if it were just him. Kate, who is Nikolai?" As soon as he said the words I flinched. I had known that one day I would have to tell him, but I had hoped that it would be under better circumstances. As I looked into his eyes I knew that if I didn't tell him the truth now I might lose him forever, and I was not prepared for that.

"I have a better idea, is my phone here? I need to call my dad." He hands me his phone.

"I was going to call him and tell him you are awake." I nod and take the phone. I look over as I dial and see that he is both curious and a little hurt about what is going on. But the truth is I just don't have the strength to tell him exactly who Nikolai is. I'm not ashamed of him, but of myself and wonder how he will see me when all is said and done.

"Dad? Hey, it's me. I'm fine dad, I'm ok. No dad Rick is here with me. I need to see him. Can you bring him here? Dad please, I need to see him. No dad I do trust you, but I need to see him for myself. I need to know. Thanks dad, I love you too. See you soon, bye."

I handed Castle his phone with a thanks and shyly met his gaze. "I want to tell you Castle, but if you can wait just a little longer it will all make sense. Before they get here there are some things that I should tell you. The beginning of the story if you will." I sighed. This was going to be harder than I thought, I had been awake all of ten minutes and already I felt like I had run a marathon. "It all started about seven years ago. My mother was dead and my father was as good as gone also. I had finished the academy and was almost a detective. My 'sister' from Kiev, was getting married and wanted me to come. I agreed and flew over there for the wedding and a visit. Everything was fine until the day of the wedding." My breathing hitched as I recalled that day and what I was feeling. Castle reached out, grabbed my hand and gave it a small squeeze. I tried to give him a small smile. "The ceremony was prefect, and she was so beautiful. She just had this glow Castle, and when I saw her look at him. It was just like how my mom used to look at my dad. I lost it, I got so drunk after the reception, and I don't even remember what happened. Next thing I knew I was waking up in some random guy's bed. I learned later that his name was Alexi, but that's all anyone knew about him. So I came home and threw myself into my work and found out a little while later that I was pregnant. I told my dad and he cleaned himself up so he could help me. Lanie and the Captain were the only others that I told. I took an extended 'vacation' and had an amazing little boy."

"Nikolai." He said with a small smile.

I nod. "Yeah, Nikolai."

We look over at the door after hearing a slight knock. My father stood in the doorway with a relieved look on his face. I tried to look beyond him to catch a glimpse of Nikolai, but didn't see him. At my anxious, questioning look he replied, "He's sitting in the waiting room with Lanie. I wanted to make sure that you were awake before I brought him in. I told him that you had gotten hurt and were going to stay here for a little while, I didn't say anything about you getting shot though." There was a slight pause before he asked, "Does he…"

"Yeah," I replied. "I just told him after I called you, it was only fair. He needed to know, it was time." I tried to give my father a reassuring smile but I wasn't sure if I succeeded.