Morning dawned sunny and bright, much to Kate's dismay. She wanted rain and clouds, to reflect her mood. She rolled over and looked at the clock. The groan she emitted when she saw it was eight-thirty was loud enough to rouse the man laying next to her.

"G'morning," Castle mumbled into his pillow.

"Speak for yourself," Kate retorted before burying her face in the mattress and covering her head with the blankets. "I'm turning into a lazy bum already."

Castle lifted his head and turned to look at her. "Come on, Kate. You're allowed to sleep in. Besides, when was the last time you slept past 6?"

"May," she grunted, her face still pressed to the sheets.

"So between that and the current evidence, I think it's safe to say you were due." Castle rolled toward her and ran his hand up her back. "Hey, you okay?"

She turned toward him and met his eyes, both taking comfort in the love and support she saw reflected there and hating the reason for it. But like the stages of grief, she was moving beyond hurt and bewilderment was currently working up a good mad.

"How could they fire me, Castle? Okay, yes, I was being insubordinate when I called the media, but I probably saved a woman's life in the process. Is that really something to fire me over?"

Castle rubbed the last of the sleep from his eyes and considered her question. "Not in my book, no. But I guess it depends on who you ask. Don't forget what you said last night — this wasn't exactly your first warning."

"Gee, thanks. That makes me feel a whole lot better," she deadpanned.

"Kate — " His voice was practically a plea.

"I know, I know. I just can't believe I don't have a job to go to this morning — or any morning in the foreseeable future. Not to mention I have to go back to D.C., face the very people who had me canned, and repack boxes that I never even got a chance to fully unpack. Then I have to tell my dad. And oh, god, Ryan and Espo are going to find out. And Gates. This is so humiliating."

"Yeah, but we don't have to do it all today. All we have to do today is lay around in bed, mope around the house, and pretend like nothing exists outside these walls," he said, preparing to pull the covers back over them.

"Not a chance," Kate said with willful determination, causing Castle's eyebrow to perk up with curiosity. "Forgive the cliche, but this whole disaster is now a stubborn Band-aid, and I'm going to rip it off as quickly as possible. I'm getting this over with."

Before he could ask for specifics, she was out of bed and striding toward the bathroom. "Come on, Castle, we've gotta shower and get to D.C. I've got a lot to do today."

Like a woman on a mission, which she was, she hustled him through breakfast and packing, and was out the door by 11 a.m. In between the preparation, the drive to the airport, and the commuter flight to Washington, Kate filled him in on her plans. She wasn't going to drag this out, and was determined to close this brief chapter as quickly as possible.

"I can't let this fester, Castle," she explained on the plane. "I don't want it to eat me alive while I second guess everything. I went for it, and it didn't work out. I'm not going to pine away for something that I have no control over."

Castle nodded in reply, not surprised by her response. "You don't have to convince me. Whatever happens, we'll figure it out, and if you want to do that figuring from New York, I'm not going to complain."

She eyed him critically as his words churned through her head. "You didn't really want to move to D.C."

It was a statement, not a question, but he didn't even flinch before answering.

"I wanted to be with you," he said simply, "and if that meant moving to Iowa, I would have done it gladly."

She clasped his hand and held tight. "I'm glad you're here. I'm glad I don't have to do this alone."

"Me, too," he agreed easily, holding her hand as the pilot announced their arrival.

Walking out of Dulles Airport in Washington, they made their way to the rental car area, and once Castle secured them transportation, they headed straight to Beckett's apartment. Upon arrival, she assigned Castle the task of packing up the assorted possessions that were scattered on tables and shelves, while she changed into her most severe business suit and prepared to face the people who had fired her.

As she shrugged on her blazer, Castle took hold of her shoulders and turned her to face him. "You have nothing to be ashamed of. Remember that," he insisted.

She nodded gratefully, then pushed herself against him and drew as much comfort and strength as she could from his embrace. His confidence and support fortified her against what she had to do.