Yay, I've gone with B. Basically, now this story is a series of one-shots about what happens with Rick and Kate before/during/after his hospitalization. Thank ya'll for voting!

are you really; the hand that holds my tears?

She woke abruptly, the nightmare replaying in her head too disturbing for one to stay asleep. The sun had not fully risen, but through the small streaks of light visible through the blinds, the light blue sheets and Castle's serene face could be seen. Light blue was not the most comforting color. Perhaps it could be in an appropriate occasion, such as a child's birth, or a party of some sort, but right then, in the dismal hospital room, it served no purpose besides being a painful reminder of why they were there.

Beckett stroked Castle's childish face endearingly, a gesture that she, at any other point in time, would've thought absurd. She smiled as his light snoring, a sloppy bit of drool pooling ever so slightly in the corner of his mouth.

'Don't you dare get out of this car, okay, Castle?' She had warned. He had nodded in agreement, that stupid grin plastered across his face. She had walked over to the abandoned building, her bulletproof jacket zippered in place. She had mumbled some things to the people behind her, as she got her gun ready, squaring it in her hands.

Castle moved abruptly, turning his head so that it was facing Kate. The sun seemed to take forever to rise. The darkness was silent. The silence was lonely. The loneliness was painful. Kate removed her hand from Richard's face, and leaned back in her chair by his beside, trying to drift off into a peaceful slumber.

"Okay, you guys," Kate had started, "This guy's dangerous. Apparently, he was last seen with a revolver in his hand, so we know he's armed. Be careful." Esposito and Ryan, along with the backup crew, had simply nodded, concern and expecting in their expressions. Kate moved in forwards, opening the door of the building, her eyes darting to the sides of the room, searching for someone she wasn't sure was even there.

The sun was still yet to be fully seen, but the slight chirp of birds was comforting. The sky was a deep red, with occasional yellow streaks. Kate opened her eyes for a second, allowing herself to be mesmerized in the cloudless, vast expansion.

Castle opened the door of the car quietly, breaking the rules once again, as per Castle tradition. He stepped out of it, and then closed the door it quickly. He glanced around, hoping, praying, she hadn't heard the sound. If there was going to be another gun battle, he was going to get in on the action.

The sun was now halfway up, and warmth seeped into the hospital room. Kate began to feel at ease as she felt herself slipping into a deep sleep.

She had just turned a corner in the abandoned building when Kate heard the gunshot. She turned suddenly, preparing for whatever it was. Esposito mirrored her action, resting his left hand in his right palm, his eyes wide, and aware. It took a few seconds, and the sound of a sickening moan when realization set in.

"Castle," Kate whispered.

She began running out of the building, pushing aside anyone and anything in her path. She made it to the lot, spotting a man running away from the crime scene. "Esposito, follow him!" Kate demanded, as she pointed at the dark blur now on the street. He obeyed, racing towards him, yelling. Beckett made her way to Richard, who now lay by the car, his body limp, and worn. She shook her head in disbelief as she knelt next to him, nausea setting in at the sight of the blood running down his shoulder.

His signature idiotic grin was still plastered on his face, despite the grim manner of the situation.

"Are you going to shoot me too, detective?" he muttered playfully, as he began to laugh. He winced in pain.

"Call a medic!" Kate screeched from his side. In mere seconds, a siren began to sound. She placed her hand on his chest, trying to stop the blood flow, emotions running rampant within her. A uniformed medic rushed to her side, a stretcher beside him. He, with the assistance of another woman, helped Castle onto it, wheeling him back to the ambulance.

Kate backed away, a hand on her mouth, as her eyes began to fill with moisture.

"He'll be okay," she remembered an uncertain voice saying to her. "He'll be okay."

Kate woke once again from her short slumber in a frenzy, drops of sweat on her forehead, tears on her cheeks. She raised her hand and felt her face, disbelieving of the moisture she felt dripping from her eyes. She suddenly bowed her head in sorrow as she began to sob, needing to expel the bottled up emotions. Her body shook in violent convulsions as her tears took their course. She closed her eyes, unsuccessfully trying to stop the flow.

She felt a hand on her face, the feeling coming from it both apologetic, and understanding. It rested there, as it stroked her cheek, subtly wiping the tears away. Her eyes opened when she realized whose hand it was that now held her tears.

"Don't cry," Castle pleaded, his eyebrows raised, his bottom lip jutting out just a tad. "I'll be okay."

Kate nodded as Rick continued to caress her face with his hand, trying to comfort her as best he could from the hospital bed.

The sun had finally risen in Kate Beckett's life.