They got the crash cart. " Kate " he said fighting back tears, and reaching out for her.

" Please move back " they said to Castle. " Charge to 100 joules." There was

nothing. " Charge to 150 joules. " there was still nothing. " Charge to 200 joules. "

" We've got a pulse " said the female medic. Then they were at the hospital. They

wheeled Kate into the hospital and down the hall with Castle hot on their heels. They

reached a pair of double doors. " I'm sorry sir, but you'll have to wait here " they

said to Castle. Castle knew there was no us in arguing and slid into a chair in the

waiting room.

It felt like hours before somebody finally came out. " Kate Beckett ? " inquired the

doctor. "He jumped up. " How is she doctor ? " he asked worriedly. " I'm afraid it's

not the greatest news I could give you " said the doctor. " Just give it to me straight "

said Castle. " Alright " said the doctor.

" Detective Beckett sustained a concussion, three broken ribs, various abrasions

and contusions, a bruised spine, and a dislocated shoulder " she replied. " She was

also sexually assaulted, and the bullet entered through the abdomen and lodged in

the spinal tissue, causing a significant amount of damage and blood loss " said the

doctor.

" She's gonna be okay though isn't she ? " asked Castle worriedly. " Well we

managed to stop the bleeding and got the bullet out, but the blood loss was

so significant, that she's going to need a transfusion " said the doctor. " She's in ICU

right now, and the next twenty-four hours ar crucial, if she makes it through the night

there's a better chance for recovery " said the doctor.

" There is one thing though, there's a chance that she may never regain use of her

legs " she continued. " Can I see her ? " asked Castle. " Of course but only for a little

while, she needs her rest " replied the doctor. " She's in room 108 " said the doctor.

" Thanks " said Castle before heading down the hall.

He slowly walked into the room. Then he saw Kate. He couldn't believe the state she

was in. She had tubes and wires attached to her and the bruises and cuts were

made very visible by the pallor of her skin. She just looked so lifeless laying there.

He pulled up a chair next to the bed and sat down. " Kate I'm so sorry " he said to

her fighting back tears. " I just can't help but cause problems " he went on.

He delicately brushed back a strand of hair. " You gotta hang on, you here me,

remember you don't let up and you don't back down and that's what makes you

extraordinary " he whispered to her. He sat by the bed and talked to her for a little

while longer until a nurse came in. " Sir I'm afraid you'll have to go now, we'll take

good care of her " said the nurse smiling.

He planted a kiss on Kate's forehead. " I promise I'll be back " he whispered. Then

he left and walked back into the waiting room where Lanie and the rest of the gang

were waiting. " How is she Castle ? " asked Lanie. " It's bad " replied Castle. He

walked past them and began to pace back and forth. Then without warning, he

punched the wall. Everyone was shocked because they had never seen Castle like

that. He pulled his hand back and his knuckles were bloodied. Lanie walked over to

him and grabbed his hand.

" Could one of you please help me ? " asked Lanie. Esposito went over to the

nurse's station and asked the nurse for some gauze and antiseptic. She handed

them to him and he took them back over to Lanie. She cleaned the blood of Castle's

hand with the gauze. " Ah " he cried out in pain. " Well hold still " said Lanie. " You

know that was pretty stupid Castle " said Lanie. " Please don't lecture me right now

Lanie " said Castle in a snappy tone.

" Do not get testy with me Castle, we are all worried about Kate, and injuring your

hand, or inflicting damage on that wall is not going to change what happened " she

said. Then came his hoarse voice. " I'm sorry " he said, his voice barely audible and

tears forming in his eyes. He got up and walked outside. Lanie started to go out

after him. " I got him " said Montgomery following Castle outside.