Spoiler Alert:
4x05 – Eye of the Beholder
4x06 – Demons

Again, Kate comes in frustrated because I had her phone confiscated – like she had no warning it was going to happen for the third time in a row. And again, she has cooled down (about that particular topic) as our session has progressed.

"I just – I wish I could really understand why he's so adamant about believing in the supernatural," Kate is saying now, fingers curled around her coffee cup. "And why he's so determined to convince me that it's real."

"You don't believe in demons or ghosts, then."

Kate's already told me about this week's case – the ghost hunter who witnessed a murder as a child murdered himself in the same room where the murder he saw took place. I do not believe in it either – my training has taught me to see the underlying psychological condition in what many would call demonic possession – but what I think about the topic is not terribly relevant. This conversation is about Kate and what she thinks. And feels. And allowing her the space to say those things.

"I believe in facts," Kate's voice hardens. No doubt she is bristling on the inside at my words. Perhaps she feels I am insinuating that there is a problem with what she believes. "Evidence. Not speculation or conjecture."

Yet Kate walks around like her mother has a ghost that is following her around, watching her and judging whether she is passing or failing in her efforts to find out what happened. Interesting.

I write it down.

"Evidence proves speculation," I say.

"Or disproves it." Kate's rebuttal is quick, and sharp. "More often than not."

"Lack of evidence doesn't make speculation false, though, does it?"

The expression on Kate's face eases a fraction. "No. It just keeps it from being either absolute fact or total fiction."

I nod. This is another discussion I have been desirous of since Kate Beckett walked back into my office. If can understand the things she does believe in, I can better understand her. The better I understand her, the better I am able to help her.

"Besides facts, what is it you believe in, Kate?" I ask now, pen poised and waiting for an answer. "A higher power? The universe? Nothing?"

Her expression eases a little bit further. "Love. Honor. Sacrifice. Family."

The love of one Richard Castle, specifically. Kate's been careful this week to not mention him in any way that might suggest where his love lies. After last week's visit and her non-answer to the question of whether she was scared of him waiting or not waiting for her, I can't say I'm surprised. Kate Beckett tends to move on quickly from topics and not mention them again until she has to face them again.

Whatever the answer ended up being, though, it hasn't prompted a significant change in their partnership. And her frustration with his desire for her to believe in the supernatural suggests Serena Kaye was a fleeting interest at best. Whether Kate is scared of it or not, he is waiting for her.

"What specifically about love do you believe in?"

Kate's mouth is opened to answer the question when the phone on my desk chimes, telling me there is someone on the line who cannot wait until the end of this session. Because I have been blessed with a receptionist who is good at determining what needs attention immediately and what can wait, I know this is urgent.

"I'm sorry, Kate," I say, getting up and walking over to it. "Give me just a few minutes…"

"Of course." Kate nods. Her eyes dart around the office as I sit at my desk and take the call. It's my wife, Sarah. She had picked our son, Michael, up early from school for a doctor's appointment, and there was an accident on the way home. The car is headed for the shop, and they're on their way to the hospital. Michael passed out briefly, so they want to make sure it's nothing serious.

"I'm in the middle of a session right now," I tell Sarah now. "But as soon as I finish, I will be there. I love you."

"I love you, too, Carter," Sarah says. "See you soon."

I hang up the phone shortly thereafter, and see Kate standing up, shrugging into her jacket.

"I don't want to keep you from your family," she says when she catches my eye. "Go, Dr. Burke. We can finish this next week. Or I can come in at lunch sometime in the next couple of days, and finish then."

She is not going to leave me with room to argue, and I am not going to fight with her. Even though Michael seems to be fine right now, and Sarah is more than capable of getting herself and Michael home on her own, I do want to be with them.

"Thank you," I reply.

"No problem."

Author's Note #1:
Yes, I skipped over 4x05 – Eye of the Beholder. Since there was already a therapy session in that episode, I didn't feel the need to revisit Dr. Burke's office. For that same reason, I'll be skipping Kill Shot and any other episodes in the future where Kate goes to see him.

Author's Note #2:
Again with the lack of updates – Dr. Burke and Kate both deserted me in my hour of fan-fiction writing need! It's taken a lot to get this much out of them! And I don't expect to be updating this story this week (paper, oral exam, and then finals next week to study for), so I apologize in advance for the lack of continuation. But since the next part will be 4x07 (Cops and Robbers), I believe it will make up for it!

Author's Note #3:
This story is not beta-ed, so all the mistakes within are my responsibility and mine alone. Point out any errors. And review, please? I don't want to beg, but I'm much more motivated to get these guys to talk when people are telling me what they think of things!

And finally, disclaimer:
Nope. I have no involvement with the development of Castle whatsoever. If I did, I would already know why they've been so secretive about Cuffed… and I wish I did, because the excitement is killing me!