BECKETT IS HAVING NIGHTMARES FROM TRACING HER MOTHERS KILLER. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE NIGHTMARES.

Beckett, everyone associated with this case is dead. Everyone. First your mom and her colleagues, then Raglan, then McAllister. You know they're coming for you next. Just don't let them get you, Rick. I need you.

Captain Montgomery's got a protective detail on me. Wasn't that hard to spot.

That's not going to be enough to stop Lockwood; you know that. Think about what they're up against. Professional killers? I-I've been working with you for three years; you know me. I'm the guy who says we can move that rubber tree plant. But you know what, Beckett? I don't think we're gonna win this.

Castle, they killed my mother. What do you want me to do here?

Walk away. They're going to kill you Kate, and if you don't care about that, please think about how that's going to affect the people who love you Do you really love me?. You really want to put your dad through that? What about Josh?

And what about you Rick? I can't imagine putting you through that

Well of course I don't want anything to happen to you. I'm your partner, I'm your friend.

Is that what we are? Please tell me we are more than just friends, to help me get through this

You know what? I don't know what we are.

We kiss and then we never talk about it. Oh that kiss, it still lingers on my lips. We nearly die frozen in each other's arms, but we never talk about it. I want to talk about it now, but I need your help. I was just about to tell you that I love you when I passed out. I am so sorry that I could not. So no, I got no clue what we are. I know I don't want to see you throw your life away.

Yeah, well, last time I checked, it was my life, not your personal jungle gym. And for the past three years, I have been running around with the school's funniest kid, and it's not enough. Knowing you love me know is enough, don't change, ever, please. I need you to still pull my pigtails.

You know what? This isn't about your mother's case anymore. This is about you needing a place to hide. Because you've been chasing this thing so long, you're afraid to find out who you are without it.

You don't know me, Castle. You think you do, but you don't. Oh how I was so wrong, you know me better than I do

I know you crawled inside your mother's murder and didn't come out. I know you hide there, the same way you hide in these nowhere relationships with men you don't love. But I love you Rick

You could be happy, Kate. You deserve to be happy. But you're afraid. Yes, afraid, but with you Rick, I can get through it, you can me happy with you Rick.

You know what we are, Castle? We are over. Now get out. Please Rick, don't go, I didn't mean it, stay with me tonight, I need you.

"Beckett, Beckett, Kate, wake up. You're having a nightmare." Castle slowly removes his arm from around her shoulder, trying to wake her but not startle her awake. He doesn't quite understand everything that she is mumbling, but enough to know that this is real bad. She seems to be reliving the events leading up to her shooting and she needs to wake up.

Damn, they are back! What have I said this time and how much did hear? I am ready to move on with this gentle, wonderful man, but not for him to find out this way. Please, don't let me have ruined this before it even starts.

"Castle, what happened?"

"You tell me. It seems you were having a nightmare and you were talking in your sleep. I think we were having some kind of argument or something? Are you ok? Can I get you something?"

She sees the concern for her well being in his eyes. Those wonderful, magnificent blue eyes. They say so much about him, what he is thinking without uttering a single word.

"A drink of water would be nice, thank you." I wonder if he has got anything stronger?

He gets the glass of water and returns back to the couch, handing her the water as he sits next to her.

"Do you remember anything about the dream?"

"A little. It seemed to be about the argument we had in my apartment just before Montgomery was shot. About you telling me to stop pursuing my mom's killer and how I told you we were through. You woke me up about the time I told you to get out, or something like that. You know I didn't mean it, don't you Castle?" I don't think I could handle it right now if you did.

"Yes Kate, I know. I don't really think you would be here, me holding you like this if we were. It's ok."

"Thank you. I think I better be going to bed now. I'm so tired. Help me to my room?"

"Sure, anything you need, I am here for you."

"Always?"

"Always."

Well, here is chapter two. I some ideas for more. Should I continue with the story or do feel this is enough? Any thoughts?

Reviews are always welcome.