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Disclaimer: I do NOT own Castle or any of the characters!

Prepare yourselves for chapter 3!

Chapter 3: Awakening

Castle started to squeeze her hand tighter when he saw Kate's eyes flutter open. She gave a small smile as he brushed the hair out of her eyes and behind her left ear.

"Hey," Castle said with a low voice. "She's awake guys." He said this without breaking eye contact with Kate. She ended up breaking it only seconds later to look around the room. It was filled with friends, family, and warm smiles.

As she continued to scan the room she realized someone was missing. Castle realized she thought something was wrong.

"What?" Castle asked.

"Wh- Where's Josh?" Kate was a little concerned.

"He is with another patient right now. He was actually here about an hour ago," Castle said while examining his watch.

"So he is in the building?"

"Yeah," Castle said with a fake smile that faded quickly. He tried to turn so Kate wouldn't notice but she did. She squeezed his hand and he turned back with a better smile. That smile that she so dearly loved and missed.

They locked eyes again and Castle could tell that she was trying to say 'I'm fine, Rick.' He let go of her hand, stood up and made room for other people to talk to her. Kate watched him walk to the corner, lean against the wall and continue to watch her.

She talked to her Dad, Lanie, Martha, Alexis, and of course Ryan and Esposito. The whole time she felt Castle's eyes on her, never leaving. She would glance over from time to time to make sure he hadn't left. She felt calm with him there.

An hour had passed before Josh entered the room. Kate was glad to see him at first but then she saw that Castle had immediately exited the room when he made his presence known. For some reason she didn't feel as comfortable or safe as she was when he was in the room.

Kate shifted awkwardly as Josh came to sit beside her and lightly placed a kiss on her forhead.

"How do you feel?" Josh asked as he rubbed her shoulder.

Kate was still a little frazzled from the uncomfortable feeling in the room since Castle left. "Uh, yeah. I'm okay I guess. I kinda feel like I've been hit in the chest wtih a bullet." she let out a small laugh and let the corners of her mouth lift just the slightest bit.

Josh smiled back and checked her vitals. "Well you should be back on your feet in a couple days. You are not, however, allowed to go back into work for at least another week." As he said this he raised an eyebrow then showed his teeth again.

"As you wish doctor," Kate spoke with a real smile this time.

Everyone had continued talking amongst themselves as Josh left. Kate waited for Rick to come back in the room but he didn't ever come back. Lanie noticed her staring at the door and walked over to her bedside.

"He has been here the whole time since you were shot," Lanie saw Kate try to act innocent. "Girl, You know who I am talking about. He probably just went home to change."

Kate relaxed knowing that Lanie and her were on the same page.

"He really cares about you. He was an emotional wreck before you woke up. If I had a man that loved me that much-" Lanie couldn't finish.

"You've got Esposito," Kate was able to tell her.

"That is true. Look all I'm trying to say is that you can't keep pushing those feelings away that we all know you have deep inside. Plus, I'm sure Castle doesn't want to see you with Josh. He stayed all night holding your hand and your just going to consider him a partner or friend?"

Just then Kate realized 'That is why he keeps leaving everytime Josh enters the room.' She faked a smile at Lanie and asked how she was doing.

"Don't you dare ask me how I am doing!" Lanie was not letting Kate avoid the subject. "You need to do something about this now! Well speak of the devil..." Lanie lowered her voice when she said those last couple words.

Josh had come back in. He had changed and looked like he was about to head home. Lanie gave her a look that she knew meant 'Do something... NOW!"

Kate fixed her look upon Josh and prepared herself for what she was about to tell him.

Hey guys! Don't be afraid to tell me if I have made a spelling or grammar mistake. Thanks! Who wants to know how this whole Josh thing is gonna go?