Disclaimer. Not mine, even though I asked really nicely!

Confessions?

Kate watched the older woman as they reached the car. She had grown very fond of Martha Rogers since she had been working with Castle. Then as her relationship with the author had progressed she had grown to think of her as a friend. The feeling of distrust in the pit of her stomach was not something she was used to or had expected to feel.

"Kate." Martha sighed as she got into the car. "The theatre are not expecting me. My understudy can fill in for me tonight. They were very accomodating, actually."

"Good." Kate tried to smile as she started the engine. She knew the conversation they were going to have was not going to be the easiest. Everyone had joked about her marrying Castle, but the fact that her potential mother in law was hiding something with Castle was still in hospital worried her. She drove in relative silence, grateful that Alexis had decided to stay in the hospital with her father. It was not a conversation she wanted to have with the teenager around.

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Ryan stared at the coffee table as Julie pottered about in the kitchen. He hated to admit it but the cases were really beginning to get to him. It wasn't as if he had never worked a murder case before but this was too close to home. He closed his eyes and tried to force all thoughts of dead teachers, lawyers and injured friends out of his mind. He was not going to make the mistake so many other police officers had before him. He was not going to loose his family and friends because the job destroyed him. He just hoped Beckett and the others felt the same.

"Kevin? Honey?" His eyes snapped open as he heard Julie walk into the den.

"Yeah? Sorry, I was so tired."

"I know." She smiled as she perched on the arm of the chair next to him. One hand made its way to his hair as he closed his eyes again. "I tell you what, I'll order take out. I know I hate it but a little pizza once in a while is good for the soul." She smiled as he opened his eyes.

"Where's the phone?"

"Oh I thought that'd wake you up." She kissed his forehead as he debated whether Vegetable Supreme or Pepperoni was the way to go.

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"Lanie? Lanie?" Esposito spoke to the closed bathroom door. The medical examiner had been ensconsed behind the closed door for a little over ten minutes. When there was no answer he pushed the door open and felt his heart stop in his chest. Lanie was laying on the bathroom floor, a bath of sweat as she shook uncontrollably. He knelt beside her as he tried not to panic. I'm a homicide detectective, an ex army Ranger, I do not panic. Oh Lanie. Oh please be ok, please be ok. Don't panic Javier. She needs me.

"Hey." He felt his pulse return to normal as Lanie opened her eyes.

"You ok?"

"No." She smiled slightly as he pulled her into a sitting position. "I feel like crap."

"You look like it." He ran a hand over her hair. "What happened?"

"I felt sick." She stated. "Real sick, and I was."

"A bug."

"Maybe." She rested her head against his chest. "But I think I fainted."

"You need to go to the hospital."

"No." She sighed. "I just, I just need to get some rest."

He paused for a moment. The fear abating slightly. If Lanie Parish was arguing then she was definately feeling better. He kissed her tenderly on her forehead.

"Lanie. You can't just go home. I get you're tired. So am I. This case is a nightmare." He watched as her eyes closed for a moment. He didn't like how pale she was or how she seemed to be behaving so differently to normal.

"I just need to be near the bathroom and to rest." She opened her eyes as he scooped her up into his arms.

"Javier."

"Hospital. Now. Please, Honey. For me." He smiled slightly as she glared at him. He knew he had won that argument.

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"Martha." Kate started as she threw her keys on the table next to the telephone.

"Look, this isn't easy for me."

"I understand that. But Martha, this is serious." Kate held the older woman's gaze as she sat opposite her. Martha rested her head on one hand.

"I know." She snapped. "My son was almost killed. There isn't much more serious it can get."

"And you were seen" Kate paused "Leaving the hospital with a young woman."

"She was from the theatre."

"Why don't I believe you?"

"Kate, please. I had to talk to her. She told me some things." She blinked as the tears filled her eyes.

"What things?"

"Kate, please it's personal."

"Not when Richard is laying in a hospital bed barely able to remember who he is." Kate stared at her. "Martha, do not hold out on me."

"I'm not."

"Then talk to me." Kate leant forward and stared at her. "Please Martha. Alexis and Castle were really worried about you."

"I am sorry about that." Martha was beginning to get agitated. "The woman is Diane Matthews. She used to work at the Theatre. A stage hand."

"Ok."

"She was sacked about three months ago. I hadn't seen her again until today." Martha looked away, as if trying to order her thoughts. Kate didn't want to push her but she knew that she was going to clam up if she didn't press her.

"Martha."

"She said she knew why Richard was in hospital. She said she knew who shot him."

"And you didn't tell me this? You didn't think someone coming to you with evidence was not a good idea?" Kate wanted to scream. Martha closed her eyes.

"I am clearly not explaining myself very well. You have been looking for someone with a grudge against Richard. Now the only person I would have ever thought of was Meredith but she would never do such a thing. She hates violence. No, it's someone who wants to hurt me."

"I see."

"No Kate. No you don't." She closed her eyes. "Thirty five years ago my life was not stable. Richard was a baby by the time I sorted myself out." She watched as Kate narrowed her eyes. "I was in debt and I got into trouble. I knew the authorities would take my son and put him in foster care. So, when another actor was into drugs I got scared. I ran. The police arrested him and I gave evidence. Now he has found me."

"Martha, the person that shot Richard was a woman."

Martha sighed. It all made sense to her. It was just as she had been warned.

"I know."

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A/N More soon.