Disclaimer: I don't own Castle.

Decided to dust off the old keyboard. This will be a two-shot. Set anytime S5 after Probable Cause, but definitely before S6. I hope you like Castle whump!


"Oh no, oh no…. Oh, this is bad."

Stars swam in Castle's vision as he tried to take in a breath that he immediately regretted. Pain had settled in the pit of his stomach and his limbs were tingling to the point of numbness.

Gently, he pressed his hand to the wound and could only grimace as he felt the warm rivulets seeping through the cracks of his fingers. He shifted slightly as the cold concrete was starting to dig into his back and he instantly wished he had landed on something softer.

Or—better yet— I could've waited in the damn car! Castle chastised himself internally. Beckett is going to kill me.

The image of the leggy brunette came unbidden to his mind. The smile that spread across his face followed not too long after. It was a reflex that occurred naturally every time he thought of her, even in his dire situation.

It would only be a few more minutes until she found him. Just a few minutes for her to realize that their suspect was no longer in the warehouse but had actually escaped through a crawl space, and got the jump on a confused Castle with his gun. She would get that look on her face, the one that spoke volumes but really only conveyed one message— "I told you to stay in the car, Castle."

In his defense, New York heat waves were killer and the stifling air had proven too much for him to handle. The cracked window Beckett left him barely made any difference and only served to tease him with the weak flow of fresh air from outside. He had jokingly suggested that she leave the car keys with him and the A/C on, but had only received an eye roll in return and a promise that they'd be as quick as possible. It seemed that even after months of their coupling bliss, she didn't trust him with the keys to her Crown Vic. Castle harbored no ill will towards her for that, especially with his childish tendencies that usually got him into trouble.

He had been casually leaning against the car, glancing every once in awhile towards the entrance Beckett and the boys had disappeared into and then down to his watch. He harrumphed as the impatience grew within him like the beads of sweat that slowly trickled down the side of his face. At this rate, he'd probably form a puddle on the ground from the torrid air that was beating down on him.

It was the sharp, metallic clang that finally grabbed the writer's wandering attention. It echoed throughout the empty alleyway and made him stand at attention, looking for the point of origin. He blamed the arid air for his slowed reaction and his inability to stop the hooded figure from slamming into him and shoving him onto the cruiser. Castle only watched as the assailant brought his hand up and pressed a blunt object into his side. The resounding crack reverberated loud in his ears.

He dropped to the ground immediately with a groan, his head almost making hard contact with the rough cement beneath him. With tears of pain threatening to spill over, Castle could barely make out their suspect making his great escape from the alleyway. He let him get away.

"Probably the least of my problems," he muttered pitifully, trying to staunch the wetness that spread quickly over his light blue shirt. "Beckett! I need help. Someone please… Come on—" a fit of coughing suddenly seized what little air he had left and made the taste of iron pool in his mouth. Breathing was growing difficult and the wheezing sounds he made resounded loud in his ears. Surely someone heard the gunshot and his shouting?

"Oh God, Castle."

He grimaced at the pain he felt from her strangled gasp. Her words were hollow and broken, almost as if she was already mourning him. He shook his head to clear the haze and reached for her immediately with his free hand. Footsteps stopped right beside him and he could faintly hear her yell at Esposito and Ryan to call for help.

"Hey there," Castle called weakly. "You prob…ably shud… lef' keys." The awful joke fell flat and the look in her eyes made him shift uncomfortably. He could see the guilt in her eyes and knew that she was already shouldering the blame for his condition.

"Kate, don—''

"Castle don't move," she whispered, stopping him in his tracks. She brought their clasped hands together to his injured side and helped him apply pressure. She gave him a once over and her expression only grew somber as she noticed her hands were already slick with her boyfriend's blood.

Beckett freed up one of her hands and caressed the side of his cheek, rubbing small soothing circles.

"Stay with me, ok?" The tears spilled forth and Castle ached to reach up and stop them. "Ambulance should be here any minute."

"No I… toldya… so?" Every word hurt, but he felt the need to talk to her.

"No not today, babe," she answered with a sad smile

He barely managed a dopey grin when his eyes started to droop. "S'warm now."

She clenched his hands in a death grip and applied an extra bit of pressure to his wound, making him wince. "Can't close your eyes, Castle. Come on let me see those blue eyes."

He nodded weakly and did his best to fight the growing warmth spreading throughout him.

"Beckett!" Two sets of breathless voices called for the detective. Heavy footsteps announced the arrival of Esposito and Ryan, the latter throwing a very worried look in Castle's direction once he caught a glimpse of his deteriorating condition.

"Is he"

"He's fine," Beckett replied sharply before he could get his message across. "He's going to be ok." Her voice trembled as she struggled to reign in her emotions. She wouldn't break down more than she already has. Not when Castle needed her to be thinking clearly for the both of them.

Esposito kneeled down next to her. "Ambulance ETA is 5 minutes." He turned to look at Castle, "Hang in there, bro."

"Suspect got away," Ryan added with his head bowed. "We're sorry."

"S'ok," Castle reassured him

The distant sound of sirens made the detectives glance up in relief.

"Kate."

Her gaze was immediately drawn to his, the sound of his voice drowning out everything around them. She could barely see his eyes as he struggled to keep them open. The boys glanced at them nervously, and itched to make themselves useful but had no idea how.

"Alexis… Mother," Castle trailed off, not knowing how to finish his sentence. There were so many things he wanted to say, but he knew his time was starting to wind down. His strength was waning and he could only give Kate a look filled with love for her and his family. He just hoped that when the time came, she would be able to tell Alexis and his mother how much he loved them both.

Beckett was already shaking her head in denial at his look of defeat. "No! Castle, please! I need you with me…" She released his hands and grabbed at his cheeks, leaning down and pressing their foreheads together gently. Tears ran down her cheeks intermingling with the ones that trailed down his face.

A gentle smile appeared on his face at this last intimate contact with her.

The darkness pulled at him quickly when he finally passed out.


I've always been told I've never been good with death fics. That's about as reassuring as I can get about a potential happy ending :) Reviews are definitely welcome.