A/N: Okay, so that episode was the start of something that will hurt like hell, but it will be worth it, I'm telling you. Now, this is my take on how Beckett will realize that leaving wasn't the best way to protect Castle. I may leave it a one-shot, partly because I'm terrible at keeping up with the stories I write. Just needed to get it out of my mind.
She dreaded the idea of going home, partly because she had no home. Granted, she had a place to stay, but her home was and will always be Castle. It's been four months and every night she had shed a tear or two before going to bed because of what she's doing. It was for Castle, for his safety. Or at least, that's what she kept repeating to herself every time she saw him while consulting on a case. But every time she saw him, it was like a stab to her heart, sometimes so painful it made her question her motives for doing this, and lately her motives were crumbling around her, as she had absolutely no leads on the person behind it all. After four months, she had nothing to go on, other than what she had when she left Castle with that burning smorellette. Was she taking this too far? Should she just stop dragging herself towards the rabbit hole, and just come home to Castle? Well, at least tonight that was not going to happen. She was swamped with paperwork. That was her least favorite part of being captain. The amount of administrative crap she had to comply with was absurd, and sometimes it prevented her from joining the boys (and sometimes Castle) on cases. She was in the middle of a rather dull report on budget, when she got a text. It was from Castle.
"911."
Immediately, she dialed his number, and it went straight to voicemail. Grabbing her badge, gun, and car keys, she walked out of her office. Ryan and Esposito were the only ones at the bullpen.
"Guys something has happened to Castle." She said, and the two detective immediately got up to follow her.
"What's happened?" Ryan asked.
"I don't know but I got a text from Castle's phone reading '911' and..." Beckett got cut off by Esposito and Ryan's radio.
"10-13, alert units close by 425 Broome St." The three of them froze, as they heard Castle's address along with a 'shots fired' call.
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They were the first ones to arrive at Castle's loft, which involved the breaking of quite a few traffic regulations. Almost running they went towards the elevator, which thankfully open immediately. The withdrew their guns and as soon as the elevator doors opened they crossed the aisle to Castle's apartment. The door was opened, and Beckett entered without hesitation, followed by Ryan and Esposito, who start clearing the area.
"Castle?" Beckett called. Nothing. Then she noticed the blood on the floor. She felt as if her soul had left her body. There was a trail of blood that led to the kitchen.
"Clear!" Screamed Esposito from somewhere.
Beckett ran towards the kitchen, where she saw Castle half-conscious, on the floor, and bleeding from his side. There was so much blood.
"Castle!" Beckett yelled and kneeled next to him. "Oh god...oh god...Castle can you hear me?" She gently shook his shoulder, while her other hand applied pressure on the wound on top of Castle's already red hand. "Castle." She called again, and his eyes flickered and barely opened. "Rick stay with me, alright?" Her voice trembled. "Just stay with me, help is already on the way." He opened his mouth, but no sound came.
Ryan and Esposito approached.
"Oh jesus..." Ryan whispered while running his hand through his hair.
"How long 'til the ambulance gets here?" Beckett asked, her voice desperate.
"Two minutes out." Esposito answered as he grabbed the kitchen towel and handed it to Beckett.
"Castle...Rick...I'm sorry." Beckett cried. "I'm so sorry...please don't die on me...please...oh god this is all my fault..." While she kept pressure she looked down and let the tears fall
In that moment the paramedics arrived, took over, and rolled Castle towards the ambulance parked outside. Beckett quickly followed them.
A/N: Hope you liked it, and please please review!