She lay there feeling the pain of the bullet, sensing every minute movement that sent blurry shocks of pain through her body. Her world was on fire, and freezing cold at the same time. Through the haze, she saw Rick, heard his words reaching her ears distantly as if through a long tunnel.

"Kate! No Kate... Shh..."

Her thoughts were strangely distant and she was finding it hard to remember why she was here. The small logical part of her brain that was still functioning properly was crying out that she'd been shot, that she should do something, that she needed to stay awake... but it was so hard to hear.

"Kate, please, stay with me Kate. Don't leave me, please..."

Why did he keep saying her name? Was something wrong? Everything was distant now, and the blackness at the edges of her vision was starting to creep into Rick's face. What was happening..?

"Stay with me, ok?"

Was she meant to be going somewhere? Something important... why couldn't she think straight?

"Kate, I love you. I love you, Kate..."

Was that Castle? Of course it was... she was silly. She knew he loved her, of course he loved her. Didn't he know that she knew? Wasn't it obvious?

She had to remember... something... something important... but it was ok. Rick was holding her – everything would be alright. And she was so, so tired... She closed her eyes and let the blackness consume her.

A/N cue three drabbles of pure fluff. Exams are over and the creative juices are flowing like mad! :D more to come...