This fanfic wouldn't have been created without my friend, Hallow777. She truly has been by my side, even though she lives far away. She's a Castle fan, and she convinced me to watch Fringe, which now I'm a fan of too. Also she edited my story, and did a great job on it. I was inspired by "Setup", the US & Canadian promos of "Countdown," and picture from Part 2. They were my springboards to this story, and what helped me continue writing was Castle Season 2 Mixtape (which includes songs that were in episodes of Castle, and songs that worked with Castle/Beckett). Many know of "Crash and Burn" by Lifehouse, it's one of my favorites, which is in this mixtape and it also has two other songs by Lifehouse. One song that has influenced me a lot lately is "By Your Side" and I feel the lyrics really work well with Castle and Beckett.

Disclaimer: You might find a familiar character from another favorite show of mine, so I don't own him. I wish I owned Castle, the show & the character, but I don't.


This was the second time, in the past day that they were stuck in a near death situation. Though for Castle, his hope of them surviving this was running out. All he could think about was the cold, and all the emotions that were running through him. The idea that he could lose Beckett kept coming up in his mind, but he shoved it away because he didn't know how he could deal with the possibility. Though his life was close to death at this moment, which made him want to tell her what he was feeling. It wasn't the only thing that was crossing his mind; there was also his wonderful daughter, his mother, and his friends at the Precinct.

Beckett had told him something earlier that made him realize what he wanted in his life. His Kate told him, "I just wish that I had someone who would be there for me, and I could be there for him, and we could just dive into it together." Could Beckett realize that he has been there for her, and always will? Though he thought back on it, he did leave last summer and it caused her to delve back to her mother's case. So it had to strongly effected Beckett when he left.

She looked so fragile, white skin and dark blue lips, as he held onto her for dear life. He wasn't going to let go. Suddenly Beckett said something that shocked him out of his thoughts.

"I just wanted to let you know that…" she said.

Then she fell forward to his chest, she was letting go. She's unable to withstand the freezing temperatures. He wasn't going to let her.

"Stay with me," said Castle. "Please, Kate, I don't know what I would do without you."

He held her even closer. It was all he could do now. This killed him more than being cold, or the silence that seemed to go on forever. Castle wanted to be strong for Beckett, but he didn't know how to anymore. His hope that they would survive died a little more each moment that past, but he still held on to the small amount of hope that was left.

If they survived this, Castle would tell her. He would let her know that he will forever be by her side, whether she liked it or not. He even thought of a song. "I'll be by your side, when all hope has died/I will still be around, I'm still on your side/When everything's wrong, I will still be around/By your side…" It was ironic to him that he was remembering the lyrics so well when he was sitting, holding her because they were stuck in a freezer. Beckett told him that you know that you're love when all the songs make sense, and he finally understood it. Though it was something he knew all along.

He wondered how long they would have to wait until help would arrive. Would someone realize by now that they were missing? He had faith in Ryan, Esposito, and the Captain to find them. They would keep searching. He just had to hold Beckett, and stay strong till they got there.

Castle didn't know how long it had been, but his eyes were finally starting to close. So many memories of his life were passing by him. The first time he held his daughter, his mother talking to him about Beckett, laughing with Ryan and Esposito at the Precinct, the last time he saw Alexis & his mother, and so many more. But before he closed his eyes, he saw one strong memory, kissing Beckett. That kept his eyes open for a second longer, then they slowly closed.

It seemed like just a few minutes after he closed his eyes, even though it wasn't, that Castle began to hear sounds. At first they sounded familiar, but then later they were completely foreign. He was being strapped into a gurney and after a period of time, his almost lifeless body was pushed through a hospital. The medical staff of the ER rushed to help him and Beckett. Luckily the best doctor was transferred to this ER, his name was Dr. John Carter. The nurses were telling him the information so he could quickly figure out the best solution.

Castle's eyes began to open, and he realized he was in unfamiliar surroundings. He heard the door, and someone was walking into the room but he couldn't really see. Everything seemed blurry.

"Ah, good. You're awake, Mr. Castle. How are you feeling?" said Dr. Carter.

"Like I died, and I just came back life with a lot of pain," said Castle.

Dr. Carter walked towards his hospital bed with a clipboard with his file.

"It's understandable, you've been through a lot. Is there any family that we can contact for you?" said Dr. Carter.

That's when Castle thought of Beckett. Was she okay? He thought about it, she was family but he needed to contact Alexis and his mother. Castle nodded to the doctor. "Yes, my mother and my daughter went on a retreat so they won't have cell phones. But I'm sure if someone calls someone at the retreat, they can get in contact with them," said Castle.

"Alright," said Dr. Carter while writing down notes. Then he looked back up to Castle. "I'm sure you wanting to know your condition." Castle nods, he wasn't feeling up to talking much. "You had a strong case of Hypothermia…"

Castle couldn't take it any longer. Why would he want to know his condition when he really wanted to know hers? "I'm sorry, but how is Kate Beckett?"

Dr. Carter looked at Castle with uncertainty, but the doctor felt that he deserved to know. He could tell that she was important to Castle.

"She also had Hypothermia but it was much stronger than yours. She's in serious critical condition right now," said Dr. Carter.

Each word was changing Castle face into dread, his soul was aching, and all he wanted was to be near her.

"I need to be next to her, please. I'll do anything," he pleaded.

Dr. Carter had a calm face although it was hitting him hard to see Castle in pain, even though he didn't even know his patient. He had to make sure that Castle got his wish.

"I promise you, we will find a room for both of you until you're well. You won't need to stay as a patient after tonight, but you may stay or visit when you want to be with Kate Beckett," Dr. Carter said. At that moment, Castle felt a bit of relief, but not completely, he still needed to see his Kate.

After half an hour, Dr. Carter completed his promise. Castle was placed into a wheelchair and taken to Beckett's new room that included two beds. He was helped into the bed in between hers and the window.

He moved in the bed onto his side so he could see Beckett's face. Even though she looked a bit better than he had seen her in the freezer, she still didn't look well. His heart was breaking seeing that she was in pain, he rather it be him than her. "Beckett," he whispered. "I'll always be by your side."

In the morning, he was given breakfast but wouldn't eat it. They told him that he was free to go but Castle stayed sitting in a chair next to Beckett's bed. He felt like he had to stay there. No, he needed to stay and wouldn't leave. He only left to receive a phone call from Alexis. She told him that his mother and her would be arriving to pick him up from the hospital to take him home. Since it was on the phone, he could make his voice a lot stronger than he was feeling. When the call ended, Castle went right back to Beckett. That's where Alexis and Martha found him in the afternoon.

"Hi, dad…" said Alexis weakly. She hadn't seen her father like this before. The nurse had told her that he was better, but he looked broken. It took a while for them to convince Castle to leave with them. He didn't want to. They both could tell. On the ride back home, he was silent. Where did her father go? It was like his spirit had left his body. She was concerned for Detective Beckett but she had faith that her doctor would make her well. Her father worried her, the way he was, and it was something that no doctor could help. She held him tight but he didn't wrap his arm around her like he normally would. Even with that, she kept holding him. Alexis didn't know what she would have done if she had lost him. Would she lose him, if Detective Beckett got worse? She quickly stopped that thought. She needed both of them in her life. Just like her father needed them, and Beckett.

It was hours after that that Castle finally ate, and began to talk to Martha and Alexis. Then later, he went back to her.


Please let me know what you think of the story by reviewing. Any good feedback about the story, and/or any ideas, would be very helpful for me. Also comment if you want me to continue. I think I might but I'm not sure yet.

Thank you so much for reading!