By now Ryan and Esposito have fallen into the habit of protecting Kate. For whatever reason, something about her is off. Murder calls that would normally have her racing to the crime scene are now glanced at quietly. The new Beckett is no longer her high strung self. This one is quiet and not very observant. At first it was a little forgetfulness, which they thought would resolve itself. Only Kate is getting worse in front of their eyes day after day. Every once in a while Kate does seem okay. She builds detailed theories. But those coherent times are mix in with her being quite cranky and fidgety. Kate's unpredictable.

So the boys chose to leave her out of picking up suspects, feeling it's safer for her this way. She doesn't seem to notice. It wasn't a planned agreement on their part though. It just happened and from then on they let it continue.

"We've got an address for our suspect."

"Okay, I'll be there."

"Or you could just catch up on paperwork."

"Umm, yeah, sure I can do that."

"Paperwork? Since when does Beckett agree to paperwork?" Esposito demands as soon as Ryan gets off the phone.

Ryan shrugs. "Not sure, but I think she just needs time off from her job."

"Do you know something I don't?"

Ryan shakes his head, wishing he actually did. It's a blessing for her that Montgomery is off on an intense conference for the summer. As close as Montgomery and Beckett are, there is no way that he would continue to let her work in this condition. Where would that leave Beckett?

"Hey Espo, do you think you can do me a favor?"

"Yeah, sure. What do you want?"

"Do you think you could press Lanie for info about Beckett? Maybe she know what's going on. We could be worrying for nothing."

When Lanie answers, she too knows nothing about Kate, but makes a good promise to them to interrogate her the next chance she gets. Only Kate seems to be elusive. Obviously she needs some space since she won't even answer Lanie's calls. Lanie has half a mind to go up to the homicide floor herself and interrogate her, but decides against it. The only time she ever sees Kate is at the crime scenes. Kate keeps her distance and doesn't say much. Lanie wishes crime scenes are a little less hectic, so she can get a better look at Kate.

"Maybe it has something to do with her mother. Give her time." Lanie decides to advise the boys.

Weeks go by. Nothing changes about her. Esposito considers pushing some sensible thoughts onto her. The old Beckett would be receptive to his 'toughen up' ways. Ryan starts to consider possible options, but nothing comes to mind. He almost wishes Castle were here to spin some wild theory. Who knows, with the way she's acting, anything seems plausible. Or at least, Ryan is willing to consider it is it means Beckett will get better.

Each day at the precinct has become a new Beckett theory day for Ryan in addition to their cases. By their cases he means Esposito and himself. Beckett seems to have found herself a new calling filling out paperwork.

"Do you think it's a brain tumor?" Ryan asks Esposito.

"Naw, those things give you headaches, I think."

"But they can also change your personality if it's in the right position."

"I don't know. The other symptoms would be showing too, if the tumor is big enough to cause this type of change. Then again, I'm not a doctor."

So the next day Ryan tries another theory.

"You think she could be pregnant? I've heard pregnancy brain can make you seem crazy."

"By who?"

"Well Demming? Or some other new guy…" Ryan trails off.

"That might be true, but why hasn't she told us yet?"

They agree that theory makes the most sense, or at least because they are hoping it is. Better pregnant than a tumor. Except Beckett should be showing by now, with how many weeks she has been acting strangely.

That night, Esposito stays up worrying about Beckett. As cool as he is trying to play it, Ryan's concern for her has rubbed off onto him too. At last he decides to call Castle, wherever he may be off in the Hamptons with his blonde bimbo ex-wife. Sure, he can have a relaxing vacation, and leave them here with a messed up Beckett. Castle doesn't answer the call.

The next day, Beckett accompanies them to the crime scene, like she does every once in a while. Everything seems to be normal until they see Castle in the window of a bookstore next to the crime scene. Apparently he got some writing done since the new Nikki Heat is out. Why didn't Castle call all summer?

"He didn't call us." Ryan thinks, not realizing that he also said it out loud.

"Yeah, and now he shows up in town with that big smirk on his ruggedly handsome…"

"Oh quit whining about your boyfriend. We've got a crime scene to look at." Beckett interjects.

So this is one of her more aware times apparently. If only Castle could come back and see her somehow, Ryan decides.