Disclaimer: I do not own Castle, which is probably a good thing because even though I love the show, I could never write mysteries well enough.
An hour after they left the loft-
Frustration served as the only block to the well of emotions trying to find their way to the surface. Frustration and a steady gait. Taking the corner in a blind turn, Kate started the last few feet to her apartment in a rush, the sound of Rachelle's hop skipping quick step sounding behind her, as the young woman tried to keep up. She couldn't let herself think, couldn't let herself picture the look in his eyes, couldn't let herself feel the desire to patch the hole she saw in his heart. Digging for her keys, she reached for the knob of her door.
It was slightly ajar.
"I know your upset but—
Kate held up a silencing hand, and drew the gun at her side.
"Stay here," she whispered, casting a glance towards Rachelle before taking calculated steps forward, weapon at the ready. Peering through the small crack between the door and the frame she checked for any presence waiting within view. Clear. Nudging the door quietly open with her shoulder, Kate side stepped into the apartment, and immediately put the wall to her back. Keeping her heart rate steady she made to check behind the door.
"Detective, to your left!"
Rachelle's warning fell too late. Kate wheeled around in time to see ceramic slicing towards her, before her world went black.
...
A few minutes after Kate left-
Castle finally released the grip he held on the door's frame, trusting his legs to hold him up. Closing the door behind him, he took his first tentative steps, heading for the couch in a mind bustling haze of emotions, each hitting him wave upon wave. Taking a seat on the edge of his sofa, he ran a hand through his hair uselessly trying to give it something to do besides helplessly reaching for the vision imprinted of her in his mind. His heart pounded in his chest, echoes of its voice beating in his ears. He flicked his eyes towards his jacket over the arm of couch. She was calling for him, deep down she was crying for him. And, he would come to her; he would come to her, undo what he had done to her, kiss away the tears, love away the sorrow. Grabbing the jacket, he threw it over his shoulders as he got to his feet. In one swift motion he picked up his cell, and started for the door, the number for his car service already dialed and ringing.
…
The city streets passed by to slowly for his taste. Ten minutes already wasted waiting for them to get to my apartment. Looking out the window of the car, he could just see her apartment building coming into view several blocks ahead, along with a line of bumper to bumper traffic stretching, it seemed, into the distant future. Damn, I could walk faster than this. Barking a quick word to the driver, he exited the car before it even came to a complete stop at the curb, and started a brisk pace down the side walk, caring little for the odd stares he received from passersby. A sidewalk florist sat just outside her apartment, and without waiting to receive his change, he bought a dozen of the reddest roses available, looked up to count the number of floors to her apartment, and charged inside.
***Author's note: Told you the action would pick up ;) I know this is the shortest chapter possible but, I just didn't know how else for it to go. I needed to get from a too b rather quickly, and I think the time for inner turmoil has almost run its course in this story. Hopefully it is as close to being in character as possible, especially for Castle. I originally contemplated having him contemplate but as I started that scene, I realized he wouldn't just sit there, knowing she is in emotional pain, and crying for him on the inside. I really felt he would get up from that couch in a rush, and go. The most important thing being her.***
