Disclaimer: I still don't own them, never have, never will, but will always admire those who do.

Authors Note: Ok then, here goes nothing. Shorter one this time I think as I'm aiming for two updates in one week! Aim for the stars, that's my motto... or at least it would be if I could be bothered to have a motto.


Previously on A Simple Search…

Just as she was about to lay into him for not doing what he was told, yet again, something obviously caught her attention. He saw a small frown appear on her face and before he knew what was happening she was off and running without even speaking a word in his direction; Moving around his position and into the oasis.

He heard her yelling "Stop! NYPD" as she headed through the exit on the other end of the oasis and towards the parking lot behind the building.


Chapter 4

Rushing through the open gateway, out of the garden and into the parking lot behind the building, Kate couldn't help but think it was a good job she liked to run. She conditioned herself to run with a burst of speed that rivalled some competition athletes and as she kept her quarry in sight she used that edge to gain ground on the fleeing man as they rounded a corner.

As Castle ran down the surprisingly bright ally behind the parking lot in pursuit of Kate, who in turn was in pursuit of a guy in a hooded sweatshirt, he couldn't help but admire per persistence and stamina, not to mention her physique. He convinced himself she'd be disappointed if he didn't take the opportunity to admire her as she rounded a corner and he did his best to keep her in sight. Despite his efforts he did lose sight of her, however before he could make the corner himself there was a muted crash and couple of muffled shouts.

He slowed as he got to the corner; he didn't feel like getting shouted at for interrupting a stand-off or something, but as he peeked around the wall the man and Beckett were nowhere in sight. He frowned as he stepped around the corner and into the ally trying to figure out where they'd gone, but before he could move much further he heard a distinct shout he'd have known anywhere;

"Castle!" He could tell Kate was seriously irritated; her voice carried down the alley and he found it coming from a set of stairs hidden from view by a dumpster.

"Beckett?" He moved down the stairs and a decent pace now he knew where to go.
As he moved through the door at the bottom of the steps, Castle came to a halt for a second before moving over to her side.

"Took you long enough Castle, get over here, I need a hand" She'd managed to drag herself upright against the wall, but the suspect was cuffed to a set of pipes not too far away; he wouldn't be any trouble though as he was out like a light.

"I think we need to get you to a hospital. Your ankle should not be that large."

As Kate took a few steady breaths through gritted teeth, she still managed to pin him with a cold stare. "Thanks for pointing that out Castle, the agony didn't even give it away. Besides, it's not just my ankle. I think I may have sprained my wrists …."

She paused as she cradled her arm in her lap and let out a slow breath,

"Call the guys and get them to collect our suspect and get a bus down here as well." Resting her head against the wall Kate closed her eyes only to have them pop open a second later after a rude awakening by a certain writer and his overprotective nature.

"Don't go to sleep! You might have hit your head. You shouldn't sleep!" He took a breath at her frosty look, "What happened?"

"I'm not sleeping Castle, with the pain I'm starting to feel I doubt I'll be sleeping much for the next 48 hours at least. I fell because of that idiot over there and those couple of steps behind you. Make the call already, I'll stay here and try not to throw up"

Castle had already dialled his phone and was in the process of trying not to look at her rapidly swelling ankle, the gash on her wrist, or the bruise on her forehead. He hoped her ankle was only sprained, and that everything was superficial; otherwise Kate was going to be way more than just frosty when they got to the hospital.


To be continued...

A/N Pt2: Let me know what you think. All nice reviews welcome.