AN: Okay, so after sitting on this for a week and mentally planning out a vast majority of the rest of my storyline, I decided to continue the one-shot "What They Didn't See".

This will be a multi-chapter fic, I'm not sure how long.

Caskett of course! Starting post-Always but with a twist. You really need to read the other story first to get the full effect. There are some changes with the Always episode. For example, Kate kills the sniper. I wrote it before the episode aired and I didn't want to go through changing it.

Normal Disclaimers Apply.

What They Fear Most

Chapter One

Kate stared at the coffee machine as the precious brown liquid slowly trickled into the glass container. The moment the coffeepot held enough liquid to fill her cup, she grabbed at it. The first sip of fresh coffee was always a highlight of her day, normally accompanied by a smile from her favorite writer, but today it was a solid moment of escape. And she desperately needed an escape.

Grasping the warm coffee mug, she observed the situation that laid before her. It wasn't how she imagined her first morning in the Castle house. Barely dawn and her co-workers (or at least former co-workers) set huddled around the coffee table reviewing over notes and planning the next action. Captain Gates stood a step or two away, observing the partners and making offering assistance and advice when needed. And then there was Castle... the worried father... huddled in the corner on his cell phone informing his mother of the recent developments and making arrangements for her to come home from the Hamptons.

It seemed impossible that just a few hours ago life was perfect for Kate and Rick. But that perfection was only an illusion that came apart by a single phone call...

Five hours ago...

"That was... amazing." sighed Castle as he stroked Kate's bare back.

"Amazing? Ah-mazing! Seriously Rick I thought you were a writer!" laughed Kate in mock horror.

"Well, what can I say. I think I need to spend more time with my muse." Castle laughed as Kate cuddled closer to him.

"About that Castle... I quit." Kate bit her lip as she waited for Castle's reaction. "Not being your muse... although I guess that too now... I resigned from the precinct."

"I know. Ryan texted me earlier to get me to change your mind."

"Why didn't you try?" Kate said clutching the sheet as she sat up.

"Because, trying to change your mind is a waste of time. But, lets talk about this later – we are ruining a spectacular moment." Castle said with a wink as he leaned in for another kiss.

"Better... not quite there yet." Kate laughed as she ducked his kiss and moved to get off the bed. "I am taking a shower..."

"But the marvelous moment?" Castle huffed as he watched her leave.

"Can continue in the shower..." Kate said as she dropped the sheet outside the bathroom door.

Castle raced out of bed but before he could reach the door he heard his phone vibrating on the nearby dresser. Grabbing a robe, he checked the caller id to see that it was a friend of Alexis'.

"Hey Madeline"

"Mr. Castle, I'm so sorry to bother you so early but I cant seem to find Alexis." the young girl said loudly into the phone over the blaring music from the party. "I've tried her cell like a hundred times and it keeps going to voice mail. Have you heard from her?"

"Not since she called me a few hours ago. When was the last time you saw her?" Castle tried to stay calm. He knew his daughter – she was probably just asleep somewhere after staying up so late working on her speech. But he couldn't help feeling like an anxious parent, he just wanted to know his daughter was safe.

"Not since right after she called you. She went to the bathroom and I lost track of her." Madeline sounded distracted but worried at the same time. "I've asked around but no one seems to remember seeing her."

"Thank you for calling Madeline I'm going to call her cell and then I may swing over there and just check it out myself. See if anyone has seen her – they typically pay a little more attention when a parent asks."

"Let me know if you here from her okay."

"Will do. Thanks Madeline" Castle clicked off the cell phone and heard the door swing open from the bathroom by Kate wrapped in a towel.

"I thought you were joining me.. what is wrong." Kate looked at Castle's face as it turned from his normal skin tone to ghostly white.

For several moments, Castle just stared at his phone looking at disbelief of what he was seeing on the screen. Kate walked over to sit next to him on the bed and gently pulled the cellphone out of his grip.

Two new text messages stood out on the clear display.

"Mr. Castle – give us Kate Beckett."

"Or never see your daughter again."

Kate read the words over again, praying they would change their meaning. The hope soon faded as she heard the sound of terror in Castle's voice.

"They have her. They have Alexis."

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