They released her two weeks ago from the hospital, but she still could not go back to the precinct. Her friends checked on her many times in these past few weeks. Castle had her staying in his spare room so he could keep a close eye on Beckett. The doctor said she was at about 80% and she needed to get rest and relax. Castle would make sure of it. He knew she was trying to keep up her guard. He talked to a few cops at the precinct about getting shot and what they went through. "The physical part of it wasn't the hard part actually, Castle. It was the fear. My nerves got the best of me and I had a heck of a time wanting to come back to work," Captain Montgomery told him. "I couldn't sleep, I couldn't eat, and the last thing that I wanted to do was come back here."

"What did you do? How did you work through it?" asked Castle. "Well, it took my very patient and caring wife, a loving family and a great vacation to South Carolina. I talked it out with my wife, who I think secretly did want me to quit the force. Still, she made me see this is all I ever wanted to be and to leave it under these circumstances would let the shooter win. I walked the beach, sat on the deck and tried to figure out what I needed to learn about my self. Did I need to learn about my weaknesses or did I want to learn how this could become my strength. I guess I don't have to tell you, it became my strength."

Castle knew what he had to do, but getting Beckett to talk about it was very difficult. He had an idea. He made Martha pack what little of Beckett's personal belonging's she had at the condo and he packed a few things for himself. They would set out on a drive with no pre selected destination. Maybe in a few days she could relax and enjoy and let her guard down. That is when he would try to talk things over with her.

"Castle, where are we going? Are you kidnapping me? Kate asked. "Well, it does appear that way so, yeah, let's go with it. I am kidnapping you Kate. What are you going to do, call a cop?" "Very funny, Mr. Castle, you know I still have my handcuffs."

"Ah yes about those handcuffs, Kate." His wiggling eyebrows made her laugh. "Well, that is good to see, a smile and a laugh, Kate." "I know I've been a pain Rick, I can't really explain why but I promise I won't ruin this trip, ok?" Kate fusses in the passenger seat finding a good radio station. "Kate, any trip with you could never be ruined. Relax, that is what this trip is all about. It is just you, me and no demands on us. Where would you like to go, Kate?" "Surprise me, Castle."

When she awakens a few hours later it appears they have reached the shore. "Where are we?" "Ocean City, Maryland," he responds. "There always were great places to rent along the beach here when Alexis was little." "I liked how peaceful it was here. It was away from the city and very secluded. Alexis would play on the beach and I would try to escape and just regroup here."

Beckett leaned over and kissed his cheek. "I know what you are trying to do. Thank you." "As far as I know", Castle said, "I'm just trying to seduce a beautiful lady!" "Uh huh, well keep trying. It's working."

While Castle unpacked the rental car, Kate stood on the back deck. She was looking out over the ocean as the sun was low in the sky. Seagulls were circling and off in the distance she could see surfers paddling their boards out to catch the last waves of the day. She thinks to herself, "I could stay here forever." A young couple walked by arm in arm on the beach below the deck. One had a T-shirt on that read "No Hurry, No Worries." Kate smiled as she read it. "I wish no worries" she said to no one.

Castle walked up behind her and put his arms around her waist, "penny for your thoughts, Kate Beckett." Kate turns around, puts her arms around Castle's neck and says, "I could stay just this way forever, you know." Castle leans in; his hands stroke her back ever so slightly while he brings his lips slowly to hers. She kisses him tenderly but soon his kisses are trailing down her neck. "Hmmmm Castle, I think we should go inside."

"OK", he reaches down, lifts her up and carries her into the condo while she laughs and nuzzles his neck. "Put me down, Rick." Castle laughs and says, "You know in Officer and a Gentlemen she never yelled "put me down," to Richard Gere."

"Call Richard Gere and he can carry me too!" Kate joked. "It's the uniform right, ladies just love the uniforms. Got to get me a uniform," Castle quips. He puts Kate down and they begin to decide on dinner.

After dinner, Castle brings Kate a glass of wine out to the deck. She is sitting at the edge of the steps beyond the railing. He hands her the glass and sits down behind her with each leg wrapped around her as her head rests on his chest.

"Isn't that sunset beautiful, Castle? For a minute I can almost imagine everything is perfect." "Everything is perfect, Kate," Castle says. "I wish that were true. I've been doing a lot of thinking these last few weeks, Rick. I'm seriously considering leaving the force."

"Kate, why would you do that? You love what you do." "Correction, Castle, I loved what I did. But I don't think I can do it anymore." Castle turns her in his arms so she is facing him as he asks her, "Why can't you do it anymore?" She whispers her answer so only he can hear, "I'm afraid."

"Kate, you are strongest person I know, and the bravest. You are a great cop. You can make this action of one gunman your strength. Use it to keep you from allowing him to alter what you love about this job. You can think strength, act from strength and strength will lift you up." "I wish I could just by mere strength of my will make that happen, Rick." "Well, dear Kate, if you will it, it is no dream."

Kate laughs and says, "Theodore Herzl? You quote Theodor Herzl about my being a cop? "Kate, he was writing about the change one person or a generation can make in a society. It is very relevant to your fear. One person can make a difference. You make a difference Kate, to your victims' families. They need you and they need your guidance and your strength. It is no dream….."

She places her drink down, wraps her arms around him and cried for the first time in weeks. The sobs just rose in her and Castle was there to comfort her. They sat for a long time together like that, just the two of them. When her crying lessened, he raised her chin, delicately kissed her lips and said, "Kate Beckett what say I whip your ass at poker?"

"Oh really, now. Let's just see about that. I am going to mop you up buddy. You can't just challenge this girl and get away with that. Where are the cards? Did you bring the chips? I hope you have money because it will be buying me a great breakfast tomorrow……..lunch and dinner too………..

Castle smiled from ear to ear as his Beckett walked into the condo raising a ruckus. He knew she was back. The old Beckett was back. He could still hear her from the deck: "the man is toast, he' see when I get through with him I might own all publishing rights to the Nikki Heat books. Who does he think he is……?" He walks inside and is greeted by Kate. She stops her grumbling, reaches out for him, wraps her arms around his waist and says, "After I take you for everything you own, wait and see what I "will" next, and it will be no dream Rick!"

Have Mercy!