A/N: Thank you to everyone who is now following and reading my sequel it means so much to me. Here is the next chapter.
They all stood outside the factory guns in hand ready to move in when the time came. To any on looking observer they would see three agents ready to move, but not him, not Castle he saw what no one else did, what she tried to keep hidden. Castle noticed the way her stance was off; the way she favored her left side now. He saw the slight shakiness in her hands as she tired to hold the gun steady.
Castle walked up directly behind her and whispered in her ear "You can do this".
She closed her eyes when she felt his breath on her skin just below her ear. A slight shiver ran through her body, and this too did not go unnoticed to Castle. He placed his hand on her hip; the one that was leaning against the wall where no one else could see. He felt her sigh and felt her body trying to relax for him. She turned and met his eyes briefly. He nodded his head to her; she did the same in return silently letting him know that she was ready for this.
Epso approached Castle and Beckett, "He is inside you ready to move?" He asked her.
"Yep." She replied.
Espo nodded his head and moved back to the other side of the door that they were standing outside of. He locked eyes with Beckett and nodded his head once again, she sighed counted to the three and motioned with her hands for them to move in. In three seconds flat they were moving in to the factory. Once the door was down Beckett indicated that Espo and Ryan go left and she and Castle broke to the right.
Castle stayed close behind her, closer then he usually did. He had complete faith in Beckett, but he knew she needed him now more then ever even if she would not admit it. They had only been in the factory about five minuets when the suspect pulled his gun on Beckett. Beckett turned quick on the draw with her gun pointing at him. Her hands were shaking so bad Castle was afraid she was going to drop her gun.
"Drop the gun." Kate shouted. The man made no move to let his weapon go. Beckett was frozen she just couldn't bring herself to pull that trigger. All she could think about was the man who pulled the trigger on her that day she nearly died.
"Beckett." Castle said moving up behind her even closer.
"Drop the gun or will drop you." Espo shouted as he came running in between Beckett and the suspect. When Ryan and Espo had the suspect in cuffs and were leading him out of the building Beckett dropped her gun to the ground.
Wordlessly Castle moved up behind her and took her in his arms. Kate turned and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Castle"
"Shh its ok, it's ok" He said. He pulled back and looked at her tear streaked face. He reached out and wiped all the traces of her tears away. Castle bent down, picked her gun up and handed it back to her. Beckett took a few moments to get herself together. When she was sure it looked as if she hadn't just been crying in Castle arms she headed out of the factory to rejoin the boys.
The clock on the stove declared it was 11:37. This day had been long and hard and damn near impossible to get through. She didn't know how she was supposed to face tomorrow when she couldn't even fall asleep tonight. She had taken a bath about an hour ago and thought it would help her relax but it didn't. Nothing seemed to be helping her let go of the stress of this day. She was tired and cranky and all she wanted right now was him.
Kate had talked herself out of calling him six times now. She knew as soon as she did he would come rushing over here at this late hour just to sit with her. That is one of the many reason she loved him. A gentle knock on the front door brought her back to reality and out of her thoughts.
"Kate it's me." His voice came from the other side of the door. She smiled and opened the door. "Sorry did I wake you?" He asked taking in her appearance.
"No, I can't sleep." She admitted.
"I had a feeling you would be up, can I come in?" He questioned.
"Of course you can." Kate said as she moved away from the door and allowing him into her apartment.
"Long day?" He asked.
"You should know you were there." She replied.
"Ouch" he said
"Castle I am sorry, I am just tired and aggravated right now."
"What can I do?" Castle asked. He walked over to Kate till they were standing face to face. "Hold me." She said as she laid her head down on his shoulder. Rick wrapped his arms around Kate tightly. He pulled back, reaches down and takes her hand leading her down the hallway to her room. He paused at the foot of her bed, turning his attention to her. Kate slipped her robe off her shoulders and made her way to the left side of the bed.
"Will you stay with me just until I fall asleep then you can go if you have somewhere else you need to be." Kate asked.
Rick climbed in the opposite side of the bed and laid down with his chest pressing against her back. He wrapped his arms around her waist. "There is no where else I'd rather be. Sleep I will be here when you wake up." He said as he kissed her cheek gently.