Vincit Omnia Veritas.

Truth conquers all.

It's those words that are inscribed upon her mother's gravestone, those words that she has decided to live by.

She remembers;

That one time at school when she got accused of stealing money, but it wasn't her.

When her lip trembled as she explained how she and her friends had jumped the turnstile.

When she'd missed getting a ticket for speeding the motorcycle, and the person behind her had gotten it, instead.

All those times when her mom would look tired, shuffling papers around for her next big case.

"Vincit Omnia Veritas, Katie. Truth conquers all. Remember that."

And she did, and she has.

But now she's hanging off the edge of a building, and she can see the ground tilting, spinning, below her, before her.

It feels like her arms are being torn to shreds, and it doesn't help that she knows they probably are, or the fact that she knows you can't survive longer than 90 seconds, hanging off a building like this.

She can imagine it, how easy it would be.

To let go.

To fall.

To hurtle into the ground so very quickly, it's likely she won't make it.

Then again, she's good at cheating death.

Once, twice, a thousand times.

Hi, Mom, she'd say. I'm sorry I couldn't figure it out.

And she'd be forgiven, and hugged - how nice it would be, to feel her mother's arms around her.

It's not like she'll be missed, all that much.

Lanie, she's sorry that she's doing this to her friend, but Lanie is an ME, she sees death everyday, she'll get used to it, eventually.

Kevin and Javi, they're cops. You have to accept that not everyone's going to make it.

And they'll never need to know she fell willingly.

If she decides to do that.

Her dad, well, he's done this before. And she's not his anchor, not anymore. He's got others.

Castle, has already made his decision, cut off all ties.

And then her hand slips, and she spins, and there it is, the pavement, looming below her, beckoning.

He shouldn't even be in the equation.

"Well, I guess there's just nothing I can say, is there? Okay, um… Yeah, you're right, Kate, it's your life. You can throw it away if you want, but I'm not gonna stick around and watch you. So this is, uh…over. I'm done."

He's always been right, Castle.

And she couldn't see it then, but she can now.

She really should apologize.

And then she can hear her name, and footsteps, and Castle's always come for her, every time, even when she didn't realize it.

So she shouts his name, over and over again.

Because in that moment, she wants, so badly, to stay.

But the pavement is slick and slimy and sweaty underneath her fingers, and she is straining, unable to grip anything any longer.

And she's seen it before, her life flashing before her eyes.

But this time, it feels different; because she can't duck or dodge a bullet, or run from the flames, and this time, there's no Castle standing over her, telling her he loves her.

This time, she feels so goddamn powerless, and she feels so awfully alone.

This time, it feels like the end.

She's only sorry that they'll reach the edge, only to watch her fall.

At least she'll get to see his face, before she dies.

And then her hand slips.

And she is falling, falling, falling, awaiting the sound of a splat on the pavement, her own…

And then a hand appears, and she is being pulled up, up, up, away from the edge.

I'm sorry, Mom.

I'll find out who killed you.

I promise.

But first,

I'm going to try

To live.