A/N: Ok with Christmas approaching I wanted to get one more chapter in just because I felt bad for leaving you guys hanging!

Also, yesterday I'd just watched the dual How I Met Your Mother episode (which was AMMAAZZZIIINNGGG BTW like best episode evverr) and the song at the end was sooo good so whilst I was writing this, I was listening to Let Your Heart Hold Fast by Fort Atlantic. Such a simple song yet so effective. Please listen to it!

Hope you like it and merry Christmas everyone!

UPDATED 10/1/2013

Hello my pretties! Long time no post! Anyways, the timeline for the kidnapping so far goes like this:

Chp1- 3 hrs after the kidnapping

Chp4- 1 day after kidnapping

Chp6- 2 days after kidnapping

Chp10- 10 days after kidnapping (I know it's a big jump but it fits with the storyline!)

Moving on...

C xx

Chapter 10

Jim's emotions were running high as Castle saw the frantic look on his face, 'Why did no one come and get me?'

In that moment Castle really understood the pain and worry Jim must have been experiencing all these years whilst Kate had been in the police force, saving people's lives. Although Kate might say that she's ok, she often forgot to realize that by putting herself in danger, she was putting so much stress on her father. Jim didn't even know how to cope, especially as a recovering alcohol addict.

Castle rested a hand on Jim shoulder, 'We tried to call you but you weren't answering-'

'I was on a fishing trip with mates but one phone call doesn't cut it!'

Jim continued to yell at Castle before he had enough, he was in as much pain as Jim, even more. His anger was pent up and he was hoping he wouldn't take it out on someone around him but it got too much.

'Jim we tried! We just seem a bit preoccupied with the fact that Kate, my girlfriend and my daughter Alexis are currently being held hostage and that I think their safety is more important that trying to contact someone who can't be contacted! So excuse me if I was a bit busy trying to save my family!' With that, Castle stormed back into the observation room and slammed the door, watching the interrogation continue.

He really didn't mean to yell at him like that but he was sick and tired of people not doing enough or not listening or just simply putting the blame on him. He was doing his best. Surviving on roughly four hours sleep for the past two days, Rick felt like an emotional and physical train wreck.

He knew that Jim felt as if they hadn't bothered but they really did, but Castle had hoped that Jim would realise the safety of his daughter was the most important thing. Castle knew that this worry was going to get to him.

For the millionth time today, Castle felt like punching a wall. Why, why, was everything moving so slow? Why was everyone moving so slow? No one seemed to want to do anything around here!

'We'll be transporting you back across town so we'll keep in touch.'

In the interrogation room, Esposito and Ryan stood up, looking frustrated and waited as uniforms took the gang member from the room. Esposito looked at Castle through the glass shaking his head. Castle groaned and met them outside of the rooms.

'He didn't talk?'

'No.'

'Dammit. Does nothing want to go our way today?'

They walked out towards the break room but the two cops held the prisoner hostage.

'Richard Castle, how lovely to see you again.' A sly grin spread across the man's face.

Castle held his best poker face and kept silent, trying to keep his mind off the hatred of this man. His oily black hair and slimy facial features seem to aggravate Castle even more.

'And how's Kate doing? Oh wait, she's not here.' He cackled under his breath.

Castle's fist clenched tightly, turning his knuckles white. He could feel his muscles in his arms tingling as the need to punch the SOB grew.

The guy smiled as he watched the desired affect take over Castle, watching his jaw clam shut, 'I've heard a couple of things on the grapevine,'

Castle glared at him as he said that. The O'Reilly member grinned at him, 'I heard that she's pretty tasty.'

'You son of a-' Castle launched himself at the guy, Esposito and Ryan catching his arms just before he could punch him. Castle was thrashing around as uniforms led the man into the elevator. Every inch of him felt the need to bash this guy's head in, probably because he felt this man was to blame for the situation at hand, even though they couldn't prove it.

'Let-go-of-me!' Castle stared the man down, ready to throttle him.

'Castle calm down, he's just trying to provoke you!'

Rick ripped his arms from the detectives' arms and strode through the desks for the stairwell but a harsh voice stopped him in his tracks.

'Castle. In my office. Now!' Gates' voice tore throughout the silent precinct and Castle slowly stopped walking and retraced his steps to follow Gates into her office.

Castle slowly made his way to her office, his anger still controlling his mind. Gates opened the door and made her way to her neatly organized desk.

'Close the door and sit down.' Castle silently did as she asked before sitting down and waiting for the wrath of Gates to unleash on him.

Gates was pacing behind her desk before she took a big sigh and settled down in her chair.

'Castle, as your boss-'

'But you're not my-'

'As your friend,' she gave him a pointed look and Castle quickly shut his mouth, 'I need you to go home and get a full night's sleep.' Castle went to protest but Gates looked about ready to rip his head off so he bowed his head, 'You look exhausted and to be honest you are no use here when you nap on the sofa or drink all the coffee.'

'Now,' Gates got up and start to pace again, 'I know that I'm not supposed to know, but if there ever were a relationship between you and Detective Beckett, which of course there isn't, I would say that she would be worrying about your health as much as you are about hers. And because you two aren't in a relationship, I hope not to see any overreactions or actions that don't belong in the precinct to be seen. Am I understood?'

'Understood,' Castle held his calm demeanour but deep inside he was jumping for joy at the fact that Gates had practically confessed her knowledge of their relationship and had chosen to ignore it. And then the weight dropped in his stomach because it didn't matter. Kate wasn't here anyway.

'Now go get yourself cleaned up and I won't see you until the morning. Clear?'

Castle stood up, 'Clear.' He made his way out but paused with his hand on the door,' Captain Gates?'

She looked up at him from the file she was now scanning through, peering at him through her dainty glasses, 'Yes?'

Castle gave her a small grin and whispered, 'Thank you.'

Castle swear he saw the smallest of smiles flit across her face for half a millisecond before her stern look came back, 'Scram!'

Castle scurried out of the precinct, a new development of respect for the Captain coming to mind.

As he made his way towards the elevator, he passed one of the Homeland security agents who was on his way to Esposito for an update. That was when Castle was struck with a great idea.

'Michaelson?'

'Mr Castle what can I do for you?'

'I know you must be busy, but um- if there were any way that I could somehow contact Kate through your agent-'

He frowned, 'That would be highly dangerous-'

'I know,' Castle cut in quickly, 'But if I could send her a small note, could he get it to her?'

Michaelson frowned and pursed his lips, 'No names, no notations, no numbers, no places and give it to me within the next minute? I can definitely try.'

Castle's heart leapt in joy, 'Yes! Thank you so much! I-'

Michaelson gave him a pointed look and made a hurrying motion with his hands.

'Oh right-' Castle quickly scrambled to the nearest desk and quickly got a pen and paper before hastily writing down a short message. He handed it quickly to Michaelson who raised an eyebrow, 'Really? All that effort for that?'

Castle smiled and shook his head, 'You wouldn't understand. But Kate will, and hopefully it'll get to her and she'll know we're still here.'

Michaelson shrugged his shoulders, 'Alright, I'll try my best.'

Michaelson strode past him to see Esposito and left Castle in his wake, a happy smile on his face, one of the only smiles he'd given in two weeks.

Castle snapped out of his trance and pressed the button for the elevator, grinning at the thought of Kate receiving the note.

Kate was bored. Not worried. Well, maybe a little worried. But now, mostly bored.

And cranky.

And was craving cake.

Chocolate cake.

Chocolate mud cake.

With sprinkles.

She groaned in frustration glancing at Alexis who was currently planking on the mattress, face down.

'Kate,' She heard her name muffled by the pillow, 'I'm bored.'

Kate sighed, 'Me too, Hun.'

Alexis glumly raised her head, 'I'm not even upset anymore, just bored. Well, maybe I miss Dad and Grams but gahhhhh,' She turned over, threw the pillow across the room, and rolled over in frustration, 'This is terrible! They came with food yesterday but I'm still hungry!'

Kate agreed with her, 'And the hot water has run out. It's been nearly two weeks! Get me out of here!' Kate put her forehead against the wall, closing her eyes in boredom.

For the first time in days, feet were approaching the door and Kate and Alexis were no longer afraid of what was to come. But just in case, Alexis stood to stand beside Kate.

The door swung open and Grayson strode in with the two thugs behind him. Grayson had a black eye on his left side and his top lip was swollen and bruised. He winced as he brought his arm from behind his back, obviously in pain and walked towards Kate.

The thugs stood with their arms crossed as Grayson approached the pair and slowly handed Kate the bag. Kate jumped slightly as Grayson slipped a piece of paper into her hand, quickly slipping it up her sleeve swiftly. Grayson turned around swiftly and hobbled to the door. The thugs luckily hadn't seen the exchange and pushed Grayson out the door and quickly grabbed the door handle and slammed it shut. The click of the lock echoed and Kate stood there.

'He didn't look too good.'

Kate frowned and bit her lip, 'They probably ratted him out about getting too friendly with us.'

She was starting to worry because their only lifeline to the outside world could quite possibly be taken away from them and then they would really have no clue about what was going on.

'Kate are you ok? I've called your name like three times!' Alexis touched her shoulder and drew Kate out of her daydream.

'Yeah yeah, I'm fine.' Kate looked at her and put up a fake smile, beside the fact she was ready to jump out of her skin to discover what the note said.

Alexis eyed her suspiciously, 'Okaaayyy, well I'm going to go clean my teeth and change into my pj's so don't do anything stupid.'

As the bathroom door closed shut, Kate quickly grabbed the note from her sleeve, unfolded it and read the only two words on the paper:

Always, R

Kate gasped, struggling to cope with any words. To someone besides Rick and her, this note wouldn't make any sense and would seem stupid. She knew how much it would have taken for Homeland Security to get this note to her and she appreciated. They're probably thinking what a waste of time, sending the note. But to Kate, it was anything but.

She stumbled backwards, reaching for the wall behind her for support. The only contact they had for weeks was now resting in her hands.

That one word, Always, held something to Kate and Rick. It meant that no matter when, where, who, what and how, that they would come in a blink if they could. That their partnership or relationship held such a strong bond that nothing could break it apart. That no matter how far away they were from each other, that this one little word could bring them closer faster than any car or plane could get them.

By this one word, Kate knew that Rick would never give up searching for him and knew that he would spend every minute of his spare time searching for them. As her hand scrunched that small bit of paper closer to her heart, she knew that somewhere out there, Richard Castle was working his butt off trying to find her and Alexis, not going to rest until he had them in his arms again.

A small tear escaped her eye and she hastily wiped it away before giving a watery sob of happiness. She didn't care if anyone saw her, Kate would be happy to admit that she was happily crying. This one word had given her hope when there was none, providing her fragile heart with even more reason to love this man.

She heard the shower water turn on and Kate sat down slowly in the nearly broken chair next to the table.

She wasn't scared anymore of the future because she knew he was coming for her.

A/N: How was it? Any criticisms? Any comments? I didn't think it was too bad. Anyway have a merry Christmas everyone!

Also, I am probably going to update some of the older chapters and fix them up cause some of them are dreadful! UPDATED: have done a brief update of the chapters, not much changed!

Please R&R!

C xx