Moments after the boys turn down Beckett's invitation for drinks at the end of 47 seconds ... There are times when absolute silence is the loudest sound being heard, it screams, beats and pulses with tension until everyone hears it …

Lanie's cell phone beeps with a new text … "On my way Chica." She smiles. They both need to hold each other, a long bath and then time for themselves.

While on Jenny's phone … a similar message. "Home soon sweetie."

Captain Gates was on the phone, "Steak sounds wonderful and that red we picked up Saturday. Love you."

Richard Castle had never been so happy to see his driver Eddie with the door open ready to go as soon as Castle was safely inside. Castle slipped in the back closing the door immediately. Eddie was ready and took advantage of a break in the traffic.

Castle's emotions were raw. It was a difficult case that had caused him considerable grief … including the loss of a big chunk of his daughter's innocence. Like all children alive on 9/11 she had seen tragedy already, but this time; she saw it up close and personal. That was bad enough. As he rode home in silence the one person who could have helped him mourn the loss, the person who just twenty-four hours earlier he was about to tell her ask her to take a chance on Always, that he loved her and could no longer deny what he felt … he simply could not trust.

There were two silent victims of the bombing, and no one knew.

…

Forty-Eight hours later the sonic boom of silence would explode ….

Javier Esposito, Lanie Parish, Kevin and Jenny Ryan are at Remy's for dinner. It's only a brief break as they have a case, Jenny will head home and the other three back to work …

It was the first time they had been out since the bombing during the Wall Street protest case. Lanie looked at her boyfriend, his partner and Jenny … 'We needed this. The last few days has been overwhelming."

Jenny stifles a sob, "I'm sorry, I just … it's hard being home waiting while all of you are so involved."

Esposito reaches over and touches Jenny's hand … "I will make sure he comes home to you. I promise if anything ever happens I will come get your myself." For many such a straightforward statement would seem harsh, coming from Esposito it is assurance of a strong silent commitment.

It was Ryan who broke them out of thinking about the worst case possibilities.

Kevin, "Guys we've got to figure this out Mom and Dad are not talking, flirting, or even brushing fingers …"

Lanie, "No eye-texting either. I'll talk to my girl."

Beckett's cell … "New Text from Lanie: My office 30"

"Okay."

The four friends sit silently for a minute and then agree that Lanie talking to Beckett is the right thing to do. Esposito and Ryan promise to hurt Castle or worse if he's done something to hurt Beckett. Jenny Ryan speaks up "Guys, what if Kate did it?" … At first they shake their heads and deny that possibility …

Kevin, who seriously worships Beckett pauses and then … "We really do need the whole story."

Javi, "Bro? Seriously."

Ryan, "I know, but yeah."

Lanie, "I'm meeting Beckett in twenty I'm a get the scoop."

A/N This story came to me just after 47 seconds. It runs from there into an A/U … Limey never happened. It's based on my belief that Castle has a steady resolve born during his earliest thoughts about Beckett. While he may not have recognized the love the second it him he had been steadily working to earn her trust and love. However, he was also a human with emotional and physical needs. Beckett met some of the emotional needs, but due in large part to her walls she failed to see or care about his needs. This was not out of malice she simply was so emotionally frozen that she was incapable of recognizing what she was doing. It would take a very harsh figurative slap in the face to snap her into reality.

The original posts of the first 14 chapters had a lot of grammar and style errors. I have gone back to try and fix as many as I can. I have not written formally in nearly 30 years. My career did not require it. That I failed to see just how bad the original chapters were is a bit embarrassing. While I believe things have been improved I expect there are still issues. Anyone who notices them is encouraged to send a PM pointing out the error so that I can fix it. Also, it was pointed out that I switch tenses in places that make it awkward. I hope to fix that, but do not have the time right now to do so. Any help on that would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Repost of original chapter after editing only slight content change and it does not affect the over all chapter.