Disclaimer – I do not own Castle.

A/N – I readers, its Bella here. I know I posted this story before season three returned to air last year. I finally decide to take another look at it and discover that it needed to be re-edited.

So I deleted the old version and am editing it, chapter by chapter. I hope to have it done within a week.

I honestly don't know how you guys understood the first version. Feel free to let me know what you think of this one.

New York Presbyterian Hospital – 19:03 – Private Waiting Room

'I love you' were the last words that Richard Castle had managed to utter to his partner before her eyes closed. Watching her eyes close right in front of him, watching her bleed out. It felt like he was the one that had been shot, like he was the one lying on the ground bleeding out. But it wasn't him, it was his partner. His best friend, the women he loved and there was no way he could lose her now.

Not after confessing his love to her.

Several hours had passed since Kate had been bought into the hospital. Rick had gone in the ambulance to the hospital with her and Lanie.

First the writer made sure that his mother took care of Jim and Alexis.

Ryan, Esposito and the entire 12th were on the lookout for the shooter, who managed to slip from the sight as soon as they had shot Kate. There still hadn't been any news from either of the detective yet. Just like there still hadn't been any news on Kate's condition. On the way to the hospital, the detective had flat lined but they had managed to get her back. Watching Kate almost die scared the hell out of Rick.

They say 'no news is good news' but he didn't believed that. Rick believed that 'No news is just bad news delayed.'

Rick was slumped down in a cushioned couch. The private waiting room contained himself, Jim and Lanie. He made his mother take Alexis home hours earlier. This place was no place for a child, even though Alexis wasn't a child anymore. He was a father and she would always be his baby girl, even if she was leaving in January to go away to school with Ashley.

The last few months' events kept replaying over and over again in the writers head like a bad movie stuck on repeat.

It had been a real crappy few months, they both have been through hell and back, why was life being so hard to them at the moment. They had just lost Roy, a great friend. A second father to both Kate and Rick, nope that wasn't enough. Kate had to get shot.

Yep, life sucked!

Rick was feeling many things at the moment, angry being high on the list, but most of all at this moment. He felt broken. He felt like his heart had been ripped out of his chest and he wanted to hit something. He wanted to yell and scream but most of all. He wanted cry, yet no tears appeared.

Soft music was playing throughout the speakers of the waiting room, the soothing vocals of Leona Lewis.

"Hold up... hold on... don't be scared, you'll never change what's been and gone. May your smile... Shine on... don't be scared, your destiny may keep you warm. Cause all of the stars have faded away, Just try not to worry, you'll see them some day. Take what you need and be on your way and stop crying your heart out."

As a writer, in every song he heard a story. Words are so powerful.

Rick hadn't moved in the last few hours. He just sat there and stared at the door, waiting for the doctor to enter and deliver any sort of news, listening to 'Cry your heart out' that pretty much summed up how he felt right now.

"Castle," the soothing voice of the beautiful Medical Examiner softly spoke.

Rick heard her voice but didn't respond. He couldn't, because he knew that if he looked up at Kate's best friend and if he saw the tears in her eyes, it would kill him.

The writer felt her hand on his shoulder, gently touching it. He shut his eyes tightly as he heard her voice filled with pain and sadness.

"Castle, please look at me," she pleaded.

Rick caved and lifted his gaze, meeting her tear filled eyes. She looked so fragile. He stood up, pulling her into his arms and giving her a comforting hug.

Lanie hugged him back and cried on his shoulder.

He was still remaining strong, kept telling himself 'You will not break. You have to be strong for Kate' and standing there as several minutes passed, the Medical Examiner just crying her heart out on his shoulder.

Rick finally directed his gaze towards the lounge chair that Jim Beckett was sitting in, his eyes directed dead head. Kate's father was zoned out. His face looked so pale – defeated. Losing his wife and now a chance of losing his daughter, the poor man had been through enough.

Just like Rick, Jim hadn't said a word since arriving. He had come and gone a few times, but mainly just sat there.

"Mi amor (My Love)" came the voice of the Hispanic detective entering the room, his Irish partner behind him.

Lanie pulled back from Rick's embrace and crossed the room to her boyfriend, crashing into his arms within seconds.

It was Kevin's eyes that caught Rick, his deep blue eyes were masked with sadness. "Castle is she ..." the young detective couldn't even utter the horrible words. Kate was family

Rick managed to find his voice. "Still in surgery," his voice coming out a little more gravel than usual. He returned back to his seat and dropped down in it.

Kevin turned to his partner, the two shared a look. Javier had his arms wrapped around his girl, rubbing her back as she cried on him. He disliked how he wasn't here for her for the last several hours.

They still hadn't found the shooter, when they did. He won't make it to the jail cell, they would take him out! You do not shoot a detective and get away with it.

Kevin walked over towards his boss's father and sat down in the chair beside him, letting out a long sigh before answering out loud. "Your daughter's a fighter, Sir. I have never seen anyone as determined and stubborn as Kate."

Jim had been totally zoned out when he heard the male detective, one of his daughter's partner started talking to him. He couldn't help but let out a sad chuckle. "Yeah, she takes after her mom. Katie was always the strong one, after Jo died and I went to that dark place, she was the one that kept it all together. Katie was the one to pull me out of the dark and make me see the light. I just hope I don't lose her like I lost Jo," he utter before breaking down in tears at first, before loud sobs followed.

Kevin placed his hand on the older man's shoulder and patted it.

19:23

The five sat in the room. Lanie and Javier were on the other end of the couch Rick was sitting on, in one another's arms. The writer was jealous. That's where he wanted to be with Kate right now. But he couldn't because she was fighting for her life and he felt useless, just sitting here. This was not one of his novels, he couldn't just magically write her being okay.

His mother was right. This wasn't one of his novels. This was real life and you cannot hit backspace button.

The doors opened and in walked a male doctor, who looked to be mid fifties, dressed in blue scrubs. His face gave off no expressions at all. He would be a good poker player, the writer silently thought.

Everyone rose to their feet and began walking towards the men who held all the answers, the doctor stood tall.

"Kate Beckett's family," he asked coldly.

The room was filled with a serious of nods, that's when Jim stepped forward claiming. "I am her father," the male doctor nodded, his face still expressionless.

Rick wondered if Doctor's got special training in not showing emotion before actually graduating.

"Miss Beckett was very lucky. The bullet missed her heart by a few millimetres, but did knick her left lung. We manage to repair the damage, besides losing a lot of blood and the bullet cracking a few ribs, we expect Miss Beckett to pull through." The doctor delivered, a smile slowly filling his features.

The room was filled with sighs of relief. Rick's eyes hadn't left the Doctor's. He could tell there was more yet to be said.

"What are you not telling us?" Rick cautiously asked.

"Miss Beckett slipped into a coma a few minutes on the table," the doctor injected.

The room filled with gasps of shock and Lanie was back in tears, her boyfriend pulling her into a tighter hug.

The Doctor continued. "Her body just needs a break, needs time to heal. We believe that she will come out of the coma but we don't know when, only time will tell. Miss Beckett is in recovery at the moment but will be moved to the private room that Mr Castle has requested for her. She needs her rest so you can visit but be quick. I'll send a nurse in soon to take you all to the room, since there is only a small group of you, you can go in together."

As the doctor left the room, Jim, who was standing beside the writer, placed a hand on his shoulder."Thank you Rick," Kate's father answered.

He managed to nod his head. Javier and Lanie kissed one another and Ryan pulled out his phone to call Jenny.

A few minutes later a nurse entered the room. She was late twenties, petite, pretty blue eyes and blonde hair. She actually looked familiar.

"Kate Beckett's family," her voice was sweet as she enquired.

All eyes turned to the pretty nurse.

"Molly, I didn't know you worked this floor," Kevin's voice answered relieved, all eyes now on the Irish detective.

The young women smiled sweetly "Yeah, Jenny called me, informing me that your boss got shot. I pulled a few strings and got on her roster."

The blue detective was relieved.

The nurse then turned her attention on the rest of the room, falling on the good looking writer."Hi Mr Castle, Jenny and Ryan talk about you all the time. It's nice to meet you. I assure you that we will do everything to make your partner feel comfortable and she'll be back in no time, bossing you around," the nurse assured him.

Rick turned his gaze to the Irish detective. "How much have you been talking about me?"

Kevin blushed as the nurse then assured the writer. "Oh nothing bad, I assure you." She turned her eyes on the group. "So if you'll all follow me," the nurse then turned and headed out of the room, the small group following.

Private Room ... 19:33

As Lanie, the Detectives and Jim stood around Kate's be in silence, more tears fell freely.

Rick was in the hallway. He informed Jim that he had to call his daughter, which wasn't all a lie. He did, but the real reason was that he was scared and buying time before going in and seeing his partner in god knows what condition.

Outside Private Room

Rick listened to his sweet child's voice. "Dad, how is she?" Alexis asked, it sounded as though she had been crying

Since he was talking to her via phone, Rick believed he could lie and she wouldn't see his face. He kept his voice steady as he answered. "The doctors reckon she'll make a full recovery. She was lucky. She is gonna be on desk duty for a while but at least she is alive."

"Dad what are you not telling me?" she asked, her voice coming out stubborn yet tearful.

Sighing the writer answered defeated. "I cannot keep anything from you can I?"

The teens response back was a demand "No, so stop stalling. What's wrong?"

Taking a few deep breathes before answering. "She's in a coma, they don't know how long for. Her body is giving itself a time out, so I might be here for a little while okay pumpkin."

There was a long pause.

"I wouldn't expect any different," she replied. "Can I come see her?" Alexis asked, hesitantly.

Squeezing his eyes shut, letting a minute pass before answering. "In the morning, but after nine. I just want you to prepare yourself, okay pumpkin."

Another long moment passed.

"We can't lose her dad," Alexis whispered, her sobs echoing through the phone.

Hearing his little girl crying pushed Rick on the verge of tears himself. "We won't. Kate's a fighter. I have to go. I talk to you in the morning, okay Pumpkin. I love you."

Alexis reply was almost instant. "To the moon and back, night dad."

He leaned against the wall, closing his phone followed by his eyes.

19:44

Rick still had his eyes close. He was sitting against the wall outside the room when the door opened and detectives and Lanie walked out. The writer heard there voices as they exited the room.

"Castle, you okay?" she asked concerned.

What a stupid question to ask. Of course he's not okay. He wanted to yell at her but knew it wasn't her fault. Instead he opened his eyes and stood up, his face expressionless.

"You guys leaving?" he asked.

The three nodded.

"We'll be back in the morning and we'll see you then," Lanie assured him, her eyes watching him.

Rick just nodded.

The three turned and left.

Rick watched as they disappeared around the corner.

The writer just stood there, not being able to move, like he was frozen in that spot. It was only a moment later that the door opened again and out walked was a defeated Jim Beckett. In his hands he had a clear plastic bag that contained Kate's watch, necklace and a folded piece of paper, mostly likely the things she was wearing when they bought her in.

The older man stopped opposite of the writer and looked at him with sadness.

"It's an amazing room, Rick. You know when Katie wakes up she is going to yell at you for spending so much on her," Jim answered.

A sad smile found Rick's face. The older man smiled at the writer, tapping him on the shoulder.

"You're a good man, Rick. Katie is very lucky," the father confirmed.

If only she was his Katie, Kate was still with Josh. Josh had been called and was on a plane back.

"I am guessing that you won't be leaving until Katie is back on her feet?" Jim asked. It was more of a loaded question.

Once again the just writer nodded.

Jim held up the plastic bag. "I know she will want these when she wakes up. I want you to look after them until then. I'll be back in the morning, that nice nurse said she will make sure that no one will bother you about being here. Go in and see her," Jim more ordered then asked.

Jim walked off down the corridor, calling over his shoulder. "Stop avoiding it!"

Rick couldn't help but smile at the older man's orders, if it wasn't one Beckett telling him what to do, it was the other. But Jim was right. He couldn't put it off any longer, clutching the plastic bag in his left hand and placing his right one on the door handle. He pushed it open.

Private Room – 19:46

Rick stood there. As soon as he entered the room, his feet stopped and his eyes absorbed in the sight before him. There she was, looking so lifeless lying in that bed. She had a breathing tube down her throat and hundreds of tubes sticking out of her. A few machines to the left of her bed were beeping a steady rhythm, indicating that Kate was still alive.

Kate looked so pale, like she was sleeping.

That's when it all hit him like a train colliding with a wall. It started out with a few tears sliding down his face, his feet then began moving and before he knew it. He was by her side, placing the plastic bag on the bed. Standing in between the machines, the writer let the tears flow freely as the sobs followed.

"Kate," he whispered as his hand brushed her face.

Jim was right. The room was nice. It looked more like a hotel room then a hospital room. These rooms were reserved from the privileged patients, they cost of fortune but that didn't bother Rick. He just wanted to keep her comfortable until she woke.

The room had a large window that over looked the city, the lights were dimmed at the moment. There was a bathroom attached, also there was a couch, TV and small coffee table near the window. On the other side of the room, they had bought in another hospital bed so Rick could sleep in the room. At the moment his focus was on Kate.

20:44

As Molly entered the room to check on her patient before she left for the night. The young blonde was a little startled when she found the writer still standing by the bed, grasping his partners hand and just staring down at her.

"Mr Castle?" she asked, walking towards him.

When she got no response, she sighed and tapped his shoulder. "Mr Castle?"

A few more moments passed before the writer turned and faced her. His face was pale, pure heartache written all over it. It made Molly want to cry, it was a tough job she had.

"Mr Castle, if you need anything, just press the on call button and someone will assist you," she informed him. "I'll be heading home soon but will be back in the morning. I have arranged it so no one will bother you about being here."

Rick just nodded.

"I need to check her vitals now," Molly answered in a suggestive tone.

Rick nodded, removing his hand from Kate's and walking around to the other side. As the nurse did her job, he pushed the bed that was bought in for him over towards Kate's so the beds kissed.

Rick removed his black suit jacket and shirt that still had her blood on it, then removed his shoes, just wearing his suit pants and white singlet. The writer climbed into the hospital bed and laid beside his partner, reaching over for her hand and grasping it again. He faced Kate and just watched her.

It was right now that Rick wished that she would just turn and face him and tell him that he is being creepy. What he would give for that.