A/N

Ok, I didn't have a heart to keep you waiting too long :D

Again, shorter chapter but ... I think you'll forgive me ... I don't know how it would be with my time in next week ... just saying ...

And huge thanks to Caskett Lover Always, sorcier, red2013, cacorn158, and conservativegirl for review and everyone who favourited and followed my story :3

And sorry for bad description of hospital scene ... =.='

enjoy, anyway!

He managed to jump out with Nick and hide behind a thick column. Gunshots echoed around them, and just when Rick felt a tickle of fear that their opponents will get them in every second, police sirens were heard.

'What's going on?' Castle heard boy's quiet question.

'The backup came' he answered with a smile appearing on his face.

Still hidden, he saw a group of police officers, including Esposito and Ryan, knocking down and cuffing Boss and his people. Then, a scream came to their ears. A scream, which froze the blood in their veins. It was Nicole. They run out from behind the column, to see that horror scene. Rick felt as his legs weakened. No!, he thought in a panic, No, it can't be happening! Not again!

Grabbing Nick's arm instinctively, he rushed to Kate, lying still on the ground, and to Nicole, who was kneeling next to detective, sobbing. Javi and Kevin was just right there, one of them already calling for an ambulance.

'Castle, take the kids home' said Ryan, breaking through Castle's raising panic mode. 'We'll stay with Beckett.'

Writer hesitated for a moment, holding children close to him, but not turning his sight from his wife. Esposito was now next to her, trying to reduce the blood loss from the right side of her back.

'Go, Rick …' Castle heard Kate's weak voice. 'Take them … out of here … I'll be fine …'

'I'll call to tell you to which hospital she would be taken' added Ryan.

Richard signed and nodded. He didn't want to leave Kate alone now. He didn't want as hell. But she was right, kids shouldn't be here.

'Keep me informed, ok?' he said to Ryan, taking Nicole in his arms.

Kevin confirmed that he will be informing the writer, and just as they heard the ambulance coming, Rick took Nick's hand, and walked away to his car. On their way back to the loft, the writer tried to cheer twins up, at least a little bit. Girl was still sobbing quietly, now embraced lightly by her brother.

'Hey …' Rick glanced in the mirror at children. 'Everything is alright. You're safe now, and the guys who took you, they are behind the bars ...'

Twins didn't respond. A few minutes later, their ride ended. Just then, when they got out of the car, Nicole grabbed Rick's hand.

'Kate won't die, right?' she asked quietly, looking at him with her big eyes, now filled with fear.

Castle crouched before her.

'Oh, of course not, baby' he said, desperately wanting to believe in it himself. 'She's the the toughest woman I ever knew. Now, let's go home and wait for a call from uncle Kevin, ok?'

9-year-old just nodded, and then, three of them entered the building. Martha and Alexis were inside the loft expecting them, and after Rick told them what happened, all of them were waiting for call. The adults though were doing their best to not show the worry they were feeling to children. 9-year-olds minds have been firstly occupied with Martha and her health. Both Nick and Nicole were beyond happy to see the older woman in good condition. And two hours later, when writer persuade Nick and Nicole to get some sleep, his phone rang.

They get to the hospital in few minutes. Both Javier and Kevin couldn't help themselves to compare the situation to the one that took place four years ago. It was ridiculous, because the doctors were assuring them, that Kate's condition was quite good, and the woman herself was still conscious. The wound wasn't very deep, no organs were damaged. The worst was the blood loss, but it was soon taken care of. After all the examination in hospital and when all treatments ended, time finally slowed down for them, and they could breathe with relief.

'You're so damn lucky, boss' said Esposito, when Ryan leaved Beckett's room to call Castle. 'Inches left, and we might have had a replay from Montgomery's the funeral … I don't think ...'

'Espo, shut up …' she cut him off with a tired voice. 'I'm fine, ok?'

'I know, I know … but you scared a crap out of us … all of us.' said Javi.

Kate signed.

'What happened with those bastards?' she asked after a second of silence. 'And what were you doing there at the first place?'

'Castle asked me and Kevin to organize some backup for you. So we did … but we came a little too late …'

'You came just in time, Javi' said Kate, feeling the waves of gratefulness for her team.

In that moment, Ryan came back.

'Castle's informed, he said that kids are just after baths and are about to go sleep.' Kevin sat by her bed. 'I also called to Thommson, he helped us to organize the backup team. The guys are behind the bars, charged of kidnapping and attacking a police officer. And Thommson have the key, so it's safe.'

Beckett relaxed visibly, and smiled lightly.

'Thanks guys … and when I'll come back to the precinct, I thank Thommson too ...'

When the guys left her a quater later, she lay in her hospital bed, awake, but with closed eyes. Though her body ached, she felt more reliefed than ever. All she wanted now was to be home again, with Castle and twins. Then, her heart fastened a bit, when Nicole's voice echoed in her head.

'... mommy ...'

Kate felt asleep with a light smile on her face.

Rick closed the book he read, and looked at sleeping kids. They were on couch together, and right now, he defnetly didn't have courage to separate them , or even move from here. He stood up, trying not to wake the kids, but as he made a step away, he felt the movement behind him.

'Rick? ...'

'Sorry ... go to sleep, sweetheart' said the writer.

'Here?' asked Nicole, making herself comfy.

'If you want. Goodnight, baby.' Rick covered them both with the blanket

'Night, daddy' they murmured in unison.