He understood. He understood she didn't want him to go in. But he was still surprised she'd just left him while he was being debriefed. He had to do this.
He had a chance to do something; to save people.
He was sitting on a bench near the car park of the dentist's office, waiting for further instructions.
"Hey."
Castle looked up, startled. Beckett was sitting next to him.
"Kate!" he said, relieved. "I thought you'd left.
"Yeah, I had to grab something," she said, handling him his blue writer's vest.
"Oh. Thank you."
"Not that you're going to need it. Because you're not going to do anything stupid. Right?"
"Right."
"You're not going to try to be a hero, you're going to follow every instruction to the letter. Right?"
"Right."
She sighed, looking down at the vest.
"Do you remember the first time you showed me this? I said you'd never be wearing it. I never thought I'd take you into those life or death situations. But I was there. Ryan and Espo were there. We had your back. And now..." She took a deep breath. " I can't be there for you, not even as a cop because I'm not a cop any more. I'm just a worried fiancée and it sucks."
"Kate, I have to do this."
"I know," she said, squeezing hi s hand. "It's who you are. That's why I'm not going to try to talk you out of it. But Castle, just remember, she might be a fan, but so was Dunn. The fact is that she killed a man and she's holding people at gun-point. And just because she doesn't plan to hurt you doesn't mean she won't."
"I understand," Castle said.
"Good." She kissed him. "I love you."
"I love you too."
She relaxed into his arms.
"You know, on the bright side, at least you won't be bored today."
"Castle! Just... shut up and hold me for a moment, ok?"
"'Kay."