A/N: Yup, I know. It's been done. But I do hope my take on it is still refreshing enough for you to read it. Reflection on what happens in 4x07 Cops and Robbers (so, spoilers! ;-))

Disclaimer: Not mine. But they are on my Christmas Wish-list. Just in case. ;)


She never expected it. Well, she did, but not like this. That wall had been there for years and no one and nothing had been able to break through it, no matter how hard they tried. Even Castle hadn't yet succeeded, even though she kind of hoped he would eventually.

But when she heard that explosion, it was like her own personal wall collapsed inside of her as she thought of Castle being inside that bank. Scrambling through the pieces of her wall, she fought to get out of the trailer, but it was like her body wouldn't do as she wanted. Things seemed to move in slow-motion. When she finally made it outside, where she could see the debris, the remainder of her walls crushed down on top of the debris inside of her. Castle. She needed Castle. She needed to know he survived, even though it looked like that was not an option.

She forced her body forward, following the SWAT team that was already getting ready to move in. In the dust that was still twirling around, she entered the bank, or what was left of it. There was debris everywhere. Just like inside her. But she couldn't think about that right now. She needed to find Castle.

Her gun at the ready, she stormed forward, calling out for him, but the bank remained eerily silent. Calling out again had the same effect. Desperation was getting a hold of her and she called out again, even louder than before. She couldn't quite believe it when she heard his voice calling her name.

Following the sound of that heavenly voice, she shone her flashlight to see his face smiling a weak smile and he even tried a wave. It didn't matter. He was alive! She called out to the rest: "They're here!" and ran towards the gate, finding she could easily push it open. That was a good thing, for she would have shot at it had it been locked, regardless of the danger that involved. She needed to get to Castle. Now.

Basically ignoring the other hostages, she turned to Castle and fell down on her knees in front of him. Her face lit up in a big smile, happy that he was alive. It was the first load of debris she was getting rid of. Getting out her knife, she grabbed his tied hands and said: "Here we go. You ready?" At his nod, she quickly cut the tie-wrap. She found her hand hardly took the time to lay down the knife before it reached out again to straighten his lapel.

"How are you? " Was all she could muster, that smile still plastered on her face.

It was then that Castle realized the wall was down. His eyes reflected his love for her and she acknowledged it with her own eyes and smile. Moments passed and she doesn't know what would have happened, had Martha not intervened.

"He's not the only one here, you know."

The magic moment gone, Kate stammered: "I am so…"

At this moment Castle let his head slump against the wall, temporarily mad at his mother for ruining the moment. There was a whole SWAT team making sure the hostages were alright. Couldn't she just wait for one of them to help her?

Seeing Castle accept that the moment was gone, Kate turned to Martha.

"I'm so sorry, Martha."

With one last smile at Castle, she helped Martha out of her bonds and thought: I'm so sorry, Castle. We'll get there. Our chance will come. We'll just have to wait a little longer, but at least the walls are down now.

The End. Or the Beginning.


Short again. I'm sorry, but I don't seem to be able to write any long stories at the moment. But I figured you'd all rather read a short story than none at all, right? Let me know what you thought of it? Thanks!