Lanie followed the writer and her friend in her own car to Castle's loft. Kate didn't know that they had planned a little surprise party for her at the loft. It was just her dad, the team and Castle's family. Pulling into a visitor spot in the underground parking for Castle's building, Lanie looked in the rearview mirror and saw Kate open her door. Lanie hurried to hop out and go help her friend. She was just rounding the back of her car when Castle walked around to Kate. Lanie could see that Kate was already wiped out and knew that she wouldn't be able to make it to the loft on her own steam. She stepped closer then stopped in her tracks at what happened next.
Rick had also realized that Kate was pushing herself so without really thinking about it, he swept her into his arms. Kate suddenly went wild and started fighting him. Rick immediately thought of the last time he carried her and eased her to her feet.
"I'm sorry, Kate. I'm so sorry," he murmured, trying to calm her tears. He could feel that she was tensed and ready to run, much like the last time he held her like this. He held her tighter this time, not letting her slip away. He kept whispering that it was okay as he stroked her hair, his forehead pressed to hers.
"I'm sorry," Kate said after a few minutes when she finally was able to regain her composure still not realizing that Lanie was watching and that Esposito had gotten there also.
"You have nothing to be sorry about, it's my fault. I shouldn't have done that. I just didn't think about it," he said as he stroked her hair from her face.
"I know you were just trying to help, it's just that…"
"I understand, Kate," he said softly as he wiped away her tears. "I'm so sorry."
Lanie nudged Esposito in the side and softly said, "Go."
"Hey guys, you need help carrying anything upstairs?" Esposito asked ignoring the tears on Kate's face and the pain in Castle's eyes.
"Can you help Beckett? I need to get some stuff out of the car," Castle said.
"Sure, may I?" he asked Kate holding out his hands. At her nod, he reached out and picked her up. They were silent until the elevator doors shut. "You okay Kate?"
"Yeah, just a bit of a panic attack," she said unable to meet his eyes.
"Castle was just trying to help."
"I know. It's just that at the hanger, I went to go meet Roy. He was trying to make things better and I needed to be there so Lockwood would be there too."
"I know, Kate," he said, not wanting her to have to relive it again if she didn't want to.
"Castle came in and Roy told him to take me away. He actually had to pick me up and carry me to my car. I wasn't expecting him to pick me up a bit ago, I just panicked." She fell silent for a bit. "Does Lanie know everything?"
"Yes, I told her everything after you were shot. I know we weren't going to tell anyone else but I had to talk to someone," he said the pain of the betrayal clearly in his eyes.
"That's okay, Javi. Cause I need to talk to someone too," Kate said as the elevator doors opened.
"You know, I'm a good listener if you ever need to talk."
"I know, I just need a woman's view on some of this stuff," she said before she smiled. "I mean, I know you looked good in that one dress and all Javi but-"
"You are never going to let me live that undercover op down are you?" he asked, glad to see a smile back on her face.
"Of course not."
"For that, I shouldn't tell you about the surprise party," he said.
"What party?" she asked worried.
"Don't worry, its just family. Grab the door," he said. She reached out and opened the door and saw her dad waiting nervously.
"Katie, are you okay?" Jim Beckett asked as she was being placed on the couch.
"I'm fine, just a lot more tired than I thought I would be."
"Should we all clear out?" asked Ryan.
"No. I'll just sit here and rest a bit, oh thanks Jenny," she said as she accepted a glass of ice water.
"Where's Dad?" asked Alexis.
"He had to get something out of the car," Kate said as she settled into the couch. "Hey are you skipping school?"
"Yeah," Alexis nodded with a big Castle grin. "Dad is so proud of me."
Downstairs in the parking garage
"What just happened, Castle?" Lanie asked him once the elevator was closed. "Rick?"
"I'm not sure," he said refusing to look at her.
"Yes, you are. You said it was your fault, that you understand."
"Lanie, I can't tell you," he said as he pulled out the bags that were in the trunk.
"I know everything, Castle," she said as she laid her hand on his arm stopping him in his place. "Javi told me the other day."
"He knew that she wouldn't leave when he asked her to. Even if it cost her her own life. He had me come as back up for him, to protect her. I had to pick her up and carry her away."
"So when you picked her up just now…"
"She thought of that. I don't know if she'll forgive me for that either," he said with a broken voice.
"She has," his eyes met hers at her insistence. "She wouldn't be staying at your loft if she hadn't."
"Thank you, Lanie."
"How about we get upstairs and join the party?"
x-x-x-x
"Castle, where should I put her bag?" Lanie asked once they were upstairs.
"Right here is fine," he said dropping the two larger bags at the door of his office. "I'll take care of it later."
"I want to check her incision and make sure she didn't pull anything earlier," Lanie said surprised to see him go pale. "I'm sure she's fine Castle but I want to check anyway. Where is the guest room?"
"Upstairs but she'll be in my room down here."
"Oh, really?" Lanie said with crossed arms.
"Yes, really, and I will be in the guest room upstairs. I didn't think she should have to worry about steps right now."
"Good idea. You haven't told her that yet though, have you?" she asked with a small smile.
"No, I figure she will try to fight me over it so I wanted to wait until everyone else was gone."
"Okay. Can we use the bedroom?"
"Sure. Right back there," he said pointing to his door.
"Hey everyone," Lanie said. "Kate, can you come with me for a second?"
"What's up?"
"I need to talk to you, girl."
Kate knew better than to argue when her friend had that determined look on her face. Gently getting off the couch, she patted her dad's shoulder as she walked by.
"Need a ride," Esposito offered.
"No, I'll need to get used to the stairs soon enough, might as well start now," Kate said.
"Actually, you won't start now. Follow me," Lanie said.
"Lanie, this isn't the guest room," Kate said as they walked into Rick bedroom.
"I know but I just want to check your incision. Need to see that you didn't pop any stitches or anything."
"Okay," she said as she sat down and unbuttoned her shirt to reveal the bandages.
"Does anything hurt more than before?"
"Not really. I'm just pretty tired."
"I'm sure," Lanie said as she pulled back the bandage. She was pleased to see no pulled stitches and the incision seemed to be healing well. She replaced the bandage and Kate soon buttoned her shirt back up. "What happened downstairs, Kate?"
"It's a long story, Lanie. Can I tell you later?"
"How about tonight? I'll come by after dinner."
A knock sounded on the closed door, followed by Castle's voice. "Lunch is here, ladies."
"Thanks Castle," Lanie called out.
