Authors Note: Sorry for the wait, but thanks for the lovely reviews, they really make me smile. *Hugs all reviewers*

Well, guess what? I just failed my physics prelim xD but that means i only have 2 prelims left then i get a week off! So i promise you that in my free time i will definitely do some more chapters! I've written chapter 7 and started 8, so hopefully 2 chapters next week? Aren't you all lucky ;D

Disclaimer: I still don't own Castle. Unless... no, wait, still don't.

CHAPTER 6

Kate wasn't there. The boys had opened the door as soon as they'd arrived and seen the blood. They'd done a quick sweep and called CSU and the precinct. Lanie and Montgomery arrived soon after, with several other officers from the precinct, and they'd done a thorough sweep of her apartment. Nothing.

It was like she had just disappeared. Lanie took a sample of the blood from the door and left to get it tested against Kate's ASAP. They all prayed it wasn't a match.

Realising Kate wasn't in her apartment, Castle sank down onto the floor and buried his head in his hands. He couldn't believe she was gone. There had to have been a mistake. She was out shopping or something. He laughed at that thought. Kate shopping, no, she would be at the gym. And when she found out he was worried she'd laugh at him. She'd tease him for a few days about it, and then everything would go back to normal. Things would be okay.

He was snapped from those happy thoughts by a hand on his shoulder. It was Ryan.

"She'll be fine." Ryan said, in what he hoped was a reassuring manner. Castle stayed quiet so he continued to speak. "I know this is difficult, and today's been tough, but I need to get a statement from you." Again he stayed silent. "Look Castle, do you know what happened here? Or where she went last night? I know you've been through a lot today..."

"I've been through a lot?" Castle roared, suddenly angry and fed up, "I've done nothing, It's Kate you should worry about." He stood up, dragging Ryan with him by the collar and slamming him into a wall. "She walked home. Alone. I should have made her take a cab, or walked with her, or something. And I'm sorry for that, I really am, but I can't change it now. It's my fault, okay? The only thing I can do now is try to help find her. And hope that when we do she'll forgive me." He relaxed his grip suddenly realising what he was doing to his friend. Then sank back down to the floor again, covering his face.

"I'm sorry man, I didn't mean it like that. It's really not your fault" Ryan croaked, massaging his windpipe.

Esposito appeared beside Ryan. "Ryan, Montgomery wants you inside." He turned to Castle as Ryan scuttled away. "Look, Castle, It's not your fault. You know what she's like when she gets an idea in her head, she won't let it go. There was no way you could have persuaded her not to walk if she had already decided. She won't blame you, and besides, Beckett's a big girl. I'm sure she's fine."

As Esposito turned away from him and walked back into her apartment he sighed, he'd only said those things to help Castle. He had no clue where she was and he was getting worried. There was a lot of blood on that door. He just hoped it wasn't Beckett's.

Authors Note: Okay, there we go. Next chapter will be up soon (i promise). And here comes the beg for reviews bit. I just want to know what you think. Personally I think the chapters are getting worse and worse as the story continues. But i would love to know what you think, any suggestions you have, or even if you want me to shut up and get on with the writing xD I really appreciate all those who review, or Story Alert, or even just read. Especially the ones who can be bothered to read the author's notes bits :P x