Disclaimer: None of this is mine.
A/N: Not beta'd, all errors are mine. This is dedicated to the Oregon City reserve officer who just lost his life in the line of duty. He is the first OC officer to be shot since 1906. He leaves behind a pregnant wife. I didn't know the man, but I just felt like writing.

"Get back! Get back! Suspect is armed!" Amid the chaos of the two-alarm blaze, a cops' voice rang out. SWAT and firefighters moved back, protecting themselves while still trying to contain the situation. What started as a routine house fire quickly escalated as the homeowner emerged with a handgun, threatening those who came close. Cops slowly moved forward as the homeowner was distracted, until suddenly he turned, shooting at the first thing that moved. That's when all hell broke loose.

"Shots fired! Shots fired! Officer down! I need an ambulance!" yelled officers, opening fire on the suspect and taking him down while getting to their fallen officer. Paramedics got in, and removed him from the scene while firefighters continued their efforts to quell the blaze.

Sunlight drifted through the window, hitting Castle in the face and rousing him from sleep. Reaching over he felt for his partner, but all he found was cold bed. Sitting up, he saw her enter from the bathroom.

"Not that I don't absolutely love you in your uniform, why are you wearing it?" he asked, realizing his answer as he saw the black band around her badge. Immediately his face fell.

"It happened yesterday afternoon. I'm traveling with him to the funeral home," replied Kate, somber as she finished getting ready for the day. Castle beckoned her over to the bed, himself moving to the edge. Nestling herself in between his legs, she hugged him to her chest.

"I knew him, worked with him a bit in vice, used his help on quite a few homicides. He's a reservist, was going through fire training. He has a young daughter at home, and they just found out they were pregnant again." Rick just held her tight, glad that she was here with him.

"Anyone who volunteers to do this job is an amazing person. He died doing something he loved, protecting others. Let me get dressed, I'll go with you," spoke Castle, giving Kate one last hug before getting up. She nodded, putting the finishing touches on her outfit before going out to start the coffee. Loosing an officer was never easy, and something she didn't take lightly, knowing it had almost been her at one point. Castle found her minutes later in the kitchen, hand resting over her scar and lost in thought. Filling up their to-go cups, Rick kissed her forehead, breaking her out of her reverie.

"I just wish there was more we could do," she spoke quietly as they left the loft.

"Hey, I donate every year to the Fallen Officers Fund, and they'll probably have one set up for his wife that we can donate to. We'll be there for her with whatever she needs, and we'll be standing behind her as they honour her husband," he replied, pulling her into his side as they rode the elevator down to the garage.

"It's just wrong. I mean, I know this happens, but…"

"I know. It's never right. The good don't always win, and the bad guys don't always wear black hats."

"No, this one wore a wife-beater and wielded a handgun. They think he set his own house on fire. It was fairly obvious he was the bad guy here. It really just hits home that it can happen on any call, any day, to any person."

"At least they got the guy who shot him, right?" At her nod, he hugged her again before they both got in her cruiser to join the cavalry. Lights flashing, they would join the procession that directed the officer's body to the funeral home. Joining hands in the center of the car, they shared a brief kiss before pulling out. It was always hard with a fallen officer, but at least they could offer support and follow him to the grave.