Chapter 2

Rick held his head in his hands. He didn't understand why it was taking so long for anyone to give them news about Kate. Was it good that no one had contacted them? Should he be worried that they hadn't? He didn't know the protocol here and he hated it. Hated every second that passed on the clock in the waiting room. He could hear the seconds, the minutes ticking by; the sound seemingly echoing off the walls. Rick realized he'd developed a headache. He scoffed. He should be so lucky. At least, he didn't have a bullet to the chest.

"Rick?"

Glancing up, he saw Kate's father slowly easing into the chair next to him. He attempted a smile, was unsuccessful. "Jim. Have you heard anything? Anything at all."

Jim Beckett shook his head. "No. Nothing yet. That's supposed to be a good sign… I think?" He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. I don't know what to think." Taking a long look at his daughter's partner, Jim placed a hand on the man's shoulder. "Thank you, Rick. Thank you. I know you were trying to save my da-… that you were trying to save Katie. I don't know many men that would do what you did."

Rick shook his head. "It's what partners do."

Jim sighed. "Son. Let me tell you what I know." Raising his hand, he ticked them off on his fingers, one by one. "One. When Kate wakes up, she's going to be pissed at you for attempting to take that bullet for her. Two. Your mother and your daughter are going to be pissed at you for that very same reason. Three. You're in love my daughter."

"Mr. Beck-. Jim. Kate and I… we're just friends. She's with someone else." Smiling grimly, he added, "I'll give you the first two."

"And I call bullshit."

Before Rick could respond, they were interrupted. The doors to the waiting room opened and a doctor in blue scrubs glanced around the room as he removed his scrub cap and stuffed it in his pocket. "I'm looking for the family of Katherine Beckett."

Standing, Jim called out hoarsely. "Here." Raising his hand in a half-hearted wave, he continued. "I'm Jim Beckett. Her father."

Extending a hand, he replied, "Mr. Beckett. I'm Dr. Kovaks. Your daughter is out of surgery. I must tell you it was touch and go for a while. And you should know, she's not out of the woods yet. We're going to move her into the ICU to monitor her closely. Once she's settled in her room, I'll send someone to come get you." Glancing in Castle's direction, he added, "Only immediate family… just until we know more." He nodded before turning and heading toward the reception desk to give further instructions.

Rick looked around the room. He'd forgotten that only he and Jim remained. Lanie and the boys had returned to work to investigate Kate's shooting. His mother and Alexis had gone back to the loft at his urging. Rick sank back into the chair he'd vacated only moments before; his head falling to his knees. She was out of surgery and yet there were still no guarantees. And they wouldn't let him see her.

Jim placed a steady hand on his shoulder. "Rick, why don't you go home. Go see your daughter. I'm sure she's worried about you. I'll call you as soon as I know more. As soon as they let me see her, I promise. I'll call you."

"I can't leave her. Not until we have more information. Not until I know she's going to be okay."

"Rick. I wasn't asking. You need to go home. Katie would want you to go home. Be with your family. I will call you."

Relenting, Rick handed her father a slip of paper. "My cell and my home phone. You keep calling until you reach me."

"You have my word."

Entering the loft, Castle called out, "Mother? I'm home."

He was nearly bowled over by his daughter as she flew down the stairs and into his arms. "Dad! You're home! I'm so glad you're here." He held her until she stepped out of his embrace and pulled him toward the sofa. "Detective Beckett? Is she… is she alright?" She asked as they sat down.

"Richard!" Martha breezed into the room and settled on his other side. "Katherine?"

Holding onto their hands, he replied, "She's out of surgery. They don't know yet… They can't guarantee that she'll be okay. They can't… I can't… They won't let me see her." He broke then. His sobs ripping through him. They wrapped him in their arms, letting him shed the false bravado he'd held onto all afternoon. When he could speak again, he told them, "Jim. Jim was going to see her. She's in the ICU. He's going to call."

"Dad, I'm so sorry."

Martha squeezed his arm and looked at him boldly. Her words firm and full of confidence. "Richard, your detective is one of the strongest people I know. She's going to fight to survive. She is going to fight to come back for her father. For you. For all of us… her family."

"Dad?" Alexis looked at him curiously, her eyes and her voice filled with confusion. She watched him carefully, reading in his expression, his body language what it was that her grandmother had meant. On a sigh, she said sadly, "You love her. You love Detective Beckett."

"I do."

"And that's why you tried to warn her… at the cemetery. It's… it's why you tried to shield her." Tears blurred her vision as the full realization of what she'd said, what he'd done, hit her. "You were willing to take a bullet for her! Does she even love you? Dad, does she?!"

"Alexis! That's enough." Martha admonished.

Castle took her hand in his and looked his daughter in the eye. He'd never lied to her. He wouldn't now. "I don't know, Alexis. I don't know. She called me after Captain Montgomery died. She said she wanted to talk to me after the funeral services were over. I had hoped…." His words failed to come and his eyes drifted toward his study. He didn't know, but he had hoped that that was what she wanted to discuss with him. Looking at his daughter again, he said softly, "I told her, Alexis. In the cemetery, as I held her, I told her I loved her. I love her."

Throwing her arms around his neck, Alexis murmured fiercely, her breath fanning his neck, "How can she not love you? Dad, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I was scared. I don't want to lose you. I can't."

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. I'm sorry and I love you."

Her phone rang then and she pulled away from him to check the caller ID. "It's Ashley. I told him what happened…."

Kissing her forehead, Castle told her, "Go on. Take his call."

"Love you." She kissed his cheek as she turned toward the stairs, headed for her room.

"You scared the hell out of me."

"I'm sorry, Mother. I'm sorry. I didn't think. I just reacted."

"What would we have done if that shooter had fired again? And hit you? Richard, you're my son and I love you. I may not tell you often, but I do. Alexis and I, we need you."

Putting his arm around her, he replied, "I'm sorry. I love you, too."

"Richard, I know you love her. I can even understand why you love her, but darling, I think it's time you stopped pretending that you're a cop. You are a writer. You can be with her, love her, write about her without putting your life in danger."

"I'm her partner, Mother."

"You're a father. You're my son, but you are not a cop."

This time it was his phone that interrupted the conversation. He glanced at Martha apologetically before answering. "Castle."

"Rick. It's Jim."

"How is she?"

"She hasn't regained consciousness yet. The doctor said she's got a fair amount of drugs in her system. Her nurse is rather kind and optimistic. She said I should give Katie another 10-12 hours. That her body needs time to heal… to recover from all that she went through today. She looks so fragile lying there, but she's breathing and her heartbeat is strong and steady." He says to reassure not only Rick but himself.

"Jim, Kate may be fragile, but she's also strong. She's a fighter, too and she's going to be okay. She has to be."

A/N: Thank you so much for reading. I appreciate your feedback and I hope that despite the lack of Castle and Beckett confessions (to one another) you enjoyed this chapter. Please let me know your thoughts... As always, I appreciate your support. :)