To Learn What Fear Is

It had been one week since Beckett was released from the hospital.

One week since Josh showed up and saw Castle helping her outside. One week since both of them abandoned all sense of decentcy and had an all-out brawl in the middle of the parking lot.

Kate Beckett cried that day.

Then she had admitted to herself that she couldn't stop them, and sent a text to Esposito.

Help. Fight in parking lot.

He and Ryan ran outside three minutes and twelve seconds later. They pulled Castle and Josh off of each other and put them in handcuffs.

Castle was arrested that day for the second time in his life. And for the second time, the charges were dropped.

Josh was temporarily suspended from work. Kate broke up with him with one phone call.

Castle had basically been living at her house for a week. She was still on (forced) medical leave, so they basically sat around watching movies all day.

Castle felt guilty.

They were just drifting off to sleep on Beckett's couch, with the T.V. playing in the background, when there was a noise in the hallway.

One week since she was released. Castle and Josh. Not to mention whoever had put her in the hospital.

Beckett jumped.

Knock.

Knock.

Castle and Beckett sat up and looked at each other in confusion.

"NYPD, open up."

Beckett leapt to her feet, wincing in pain as she stumbled to the door.

"NYPD-"

She pulled the door open a crack.

"Ryan? Esposito?" She suddenly became self-conscious of her pajama pants and messy hair. And, well, the fact that Castle was sitting in her living room in similar attire.

Why is it that whenever they show up, I'm in my pajamas and Castle's here?

"Sorry Beckett. We're going to need to ask you a couple of questions down at the precinct."

"Questions?" Beckett crinkled her brow.

"Yeah." Ryan nodded awkwardly. "Have you seen Castle?"

Beckett opened the door more wildly, revealing Castle standing next to her, listening to the conversation intently.

"Castle. Hey." Esposito smirked, looking between them.

"We'll go change." Beckett whispered, turning around quickly and marching off to her bedroom.

Castle followed.

"Man." Ryan sighed. "It's about time they got together."

"Not really the best timing, though." Esposito reminded him. "With the murder and everything."

A/N: Thanks for reading. Leave a review! :)