Disclaimer: I own nothing.
A/N: Remember this is completely AU after knockout.
Castle was extremely nervous as he walked out of the hospital. He had checked with Amy, and she had promised to tell the night staff to call him if anything at all happened, if Beckett said she needed him or not. He also cleared it with security. It was only a little after 7, but he figured she would be asleep all night. She had only slept for a little while this afternoon, and the extra medicine would probably keep her out for hours. Beckett was right. She would be fine. He didn't need to watch her sleep. He wanted to, but he didn't need to. A real night's sleep in an actual bed was probably a better idea than he wanted to admit. Castle was almost home when he phone rang.
"Hey, Esposito," he answered.
"We got a lead."
"Seriously?"
"Lanie pushed the DNA through like crazy when she got back to the lab. She got a tech to start running it right away and do the whole process straight. It only took a few hours," Esposito explained.
"You got a hit?"
"Yeah, thank God. I don't know even want to know what Lanie did to make this happen. She would have been so pissed if it was for nothing. There was a match in the system, but, here's the thing, it doesn't match the DNA found on the gun."
"Well maybe it was a team of guys that broke in," Castle suggested.
"Yeah maybe. The guy's got a heavy background in B&E's. He was a gang-banger till he joined the military."
"Seems kind of odd."
"Yeah, I know. Apparently he tried to clean up his act, hasn't been booked in years."
"You guys going to pick him up?"
"Yeah, but, Castle, you can't come."
"No, I know. Beckett would flip."
"So you're not with her? Not if you're saying stuff like that," Esposito laughed.
"No, she was exhausted so she's asleep. I'm on my way home. I'm trying to convince myself to stay there tonight because she asked me to."
"Security is all set, right?"
"Yes, and I checked with her nurses too. They'll call if anything happens."
"Ok, yeah man, you deserve some time at home. I have to thank you for taking care of her."
"No thanks needed."
"I don't think I'm going to have time, but I can call Lanie and ask her to swing by the hospital," Esposito offered.
"I think Beckett will be fine. I think she needs some time to herself. We have all been pretty in her face lately. With good reason, but still."
"Yeah, you're right, but she's like my sister. I don't want her alone and hurting."
"Me neither, but I checked with her nurse. The meds are going to have her out all night plus she was drained before she got them."
"Yeah, ok," Esposito sighed.
"Tell me about this suspect."
"Can I trust you with a name?"
"Yeah, of course. I'm not going to do anything."
"He's probably not the shooter since the DNA doesn't match. I can't have you ripping this guy's head off until I get information from him."
"Esposito," Castle huffed.
"Sorry, bro. His name is Orlando Costas. He was convicted of a couple domestic B&E's, but he was suspected of about dozen more as a teenager. He joined the military to get away from the life. He's hasn't been arrested since."
"When are you guys picking him up?"
"Soon. ESU is being organized now."
"You'll call me after you talk to him?"
"After we talk to him or after we pick him up?" Esposito questioned.
"After you talk to him. I need to stay away from this. Beckett is trying to, so I should too. You guys better be careful. I can't deal with anyone else getting shot."
"We will. How much are you going to tell her?"
"Nothing tonight. I'm not waking her up. We'll see how it goes and I'll decide tomorrow."
"Ok, I'll talk to you later. I gotta go," Esposito said quickly. Castle could hear a bunch of voices suddenly in the background.
"Alright, good luck."
"Dad, you're home!" Alexis almost yelled as she jumped off of her chair at the kitchen island.
"Hey, pumpkin. Sorry I haven't been around," Castle said pulling her in for a hug.
"It's ok. We talked about this. I know Beckett needs you right now. I've been super busy with school anyway and you call."
"Thank you. You are allowed to be upset though. I know this can't be easy."
"No, it's not..."
"Alexis, talk to me."
"What do you want me to say?" She asked clearly annoyed.
"What every you want to say." Castle shrugged. He was met with complete silence from his daughter. She wouldn't even make eye contact. "Please," he tried.
"I'm scared," Alexis whispered.
"I'm so sorry you have to deal with all this."
"It's fine... I'm just..." She trailed off, but after a second she let her thoughts out, "I hate that everyone is in danger. I hate that I have to have a body guard follow me to school. I hate that you could get hurt. I hate that you could be killed. I hate that Beckett almost was killed. I hate that I'm mad at her. I don't want to be mad at her. She didn't do anything, but she did! She brought you into all this. I hate that nothing makes sense."
"Oh, Honey." Castle wrapped her up in his arms and held her close. She sobbed on his chest in a way she hadn't done since she was small enough that he had hold in his arms for her to even reach his chest. When had she gotten so tall?
"I'm sorry," she sniffled.
"No, no don't apologize. You have every right to feel this way. If anything it's my fault for not being here to help you. This isn't a conversation we could have had on the phone. I'm the one that's sorry."
"Beckett needs you. I can handle myself for a few days without you."
"I know you can. I don't doubt that, but this is a special circumstance. I didn't just go for a book tour for a few days or something," Castle said and Alexis over to the couch so they could sit.
"Still.."
"You know, you and Beckett are a lot alike. You're both so strong and independent, but everyone needs help once and a while."
"I just want things to be back to normal," Alexis said quietly.
"Just give us a little more time. If I'm being honest, things might get worse before they get better, but they will get better."
"What do you mean get worse?" She panicked.
"Well Beckett has a lot of recovering to do. Even though she is doing well and getting stronger, it's not going to be easy..."
Alexis nodded in understanding, but she could sense he had more to say.
"Ryan and Esposito got a lead today on the man that broke into her apartment. I'm happy about it, but I'm a little nervous too."
"You think someone is going to get hurt?"
"I don't know, honey. I just hope the arrest goes smoothly," Castle said.
"You've always told me how good your team at the 12th is. They can do it."
"I don't doubt that Ryan and Esposito are good at their job, but the man behind all this is very powerful."
"And the guys are a member down without Beckett," Alexis agreed.
"Yeah, but they are taking a full swat team. It should be fine."
"But you still worry?"
"Yeah, I do. And I know this has to be harder on you because you don't know what's going on most of the time," Castle offered.
"I don't really like when you go with them on big cases... or any cases. It's dangerous."
"Beckett and the guys always look out for me. This case is special. It's different."
"I don't really understand why. Was Beckett's mother killed by like a super villain or something?" Alexis asked. The tension in the room was becoming too much for her. She had to break it.
"It kinda seems like it," he smiled.
"You're not going to arrest the thief with them, are you?"
"No. Beckett would kill me. We are both staying away from the case, and Ryan and Esposito are supposed to extra careful."
"Good, I agree with her."
"It's ok to be a little angry with her," Castle offered.
"I can't be mad at her for getting shot."
"You're not. You're angry that you have to worry about things you've never had to before. You're mad that something bad happened and that something else could happen."
"I'm being selfish," Alexis said quickly.
"No, you're not. You realize you are being unfair, and you are trying to work through it. That's very mature. You're not being mean or rude to her."
"Yeah, I guess."
"Just give it time, sweetheart. I'm here to talk anytime you want. No matter what. I don't want you worry about what I will think or if I will pick her side. I'm always on your side, remember that. We are all going to get through this."
"Thanks, Dad," she said softly. and he pulled her in for a long hug.
"I think it will be easier once she is out of the hospital," Alexis offered as they separated.
"I agree. You're still ok with her staying here? I don't want you to feel pressured."
"Yeah, I'm fine with it. I want to help. I really do like her."
"I know. I just wanted to make sure."
"I actually think it's a really good idea. There is enough space and people here to help her, it is probably the best place."
"Thank you, Sweetheart."
Alexis nodded, "Have you eaten? We should make food."
"No, I haven't. I think food is an excellent idea."
A/N: So that was kind of just a filler chapter, but I think it was important info. I never thought I would write a Beckett-free chapter, but she'll be back in the next one. I would like to thank everyone for reading. This story passed 200 followers, and I am absolutely blown away. I'm going to try to respond to some of the reviews from last chapter soon too. Thank You guys so much. Let me know what you think of this one. Reviews make my day. To everyone that commented about wanting a Caskett kiss, it's coming soon :) And someone asked about Mr. Smith a couple chapters back. I'm not 100% sure what I'm doing with him yet, but he doesn't call Castle till after Beckett is back at work so I'm not bringing him in anytime soonish.
Meagan
