Okay, this may be a short chapter, but maybe it's because Beckett is just more descriptive than Castle is... Or maybe it was simply the season finale. I did not feel like writing much after that, even though I loved the episode... Ah well. Either way, I hope you enjoy!


Chapter Twelve

Castle came in through the front door, grocery bags in tow. It was errand day for him, and he had been out all morning, doing all sorts of things.

Martha was relaxing on the couch, having a bit of an uneventful day herself. Upon hearing the front door open, she turned her head toward the sound.

"Hello darling," Martha called out, waving her hand in the air as Castle closed the door.

"Hello Mother," Castle replied as he crossed his way to the kitchen. He set the bags down on the counter when he noticed something. "Where's Beckett?" he asked out loud. Something didn't feel right, not having her in the apartment.

"She's at the precinct," Martha answered, having crossed paths with her in the morning.

"Oh," Castle responded as he started putting the groceries away himself, no thanks to Martha staying put. When he was done, he grabbed a glass of water and sat down on the couch.

Martha put down the play she was reading and looked at Castle. Something was on his mind, and it wasn't the first time, she felt; she had seen that look before.

"Something on your mind?" Martha asked him.

"No," Castle responded as if it were reflex.

Martha kept her steady and loving gaze on him. She could tell something was bothering him, and whether he liked it or not, he needed to talk about it.

Castle had cast his gaze downwards, but he looked up for a second at Martha. Knowing his mother wasn't returning to her routine, he knew his poker face wasn't working, no matter how hard he tried.

After a little time of neither side giving in, Martha decided to speak up. "What's wrong kiddo?" she inquired as she reached out and patted Castle's knee, facing him more directly.

Once again, Castle wanted to brush Martha off, but he knew he couldn't. Not when she used the word "kiddo."

"It's Beckett," Castle simply stated as he shifted himself to face Martha more, and once again, cast his gaze down.

Martha could tell Castle was shielding himself a little. Normally, this wasn't like him, and yet, Martha could tell why this was happening; it was just a matter of him opening up.

"Oh yeah? What about her?" Martha asked.

For some reason, that was the question that made Castle want to start opening up. He didn't know why, and he didn't know how, but Martha hit Castle's nerves in just the right way that he had to start letting it out.

"I like having her here," Castle started, bringing his gaze back up. "There's something about her being here that's made me feel... different. In a good way, of course." He paused and took a small sigh. "I dunno, she just makes me feel..." He was trying to search for the right word, but couldn't seem to find it.

"Alive?" Martha filled in the blank. Castle revealed a small smile, acknowleding she had found the right word. Now it was Martha's turn to speak a little. "Look, you care about her, and that's great," she said with a grin. "But with everything you're doing, there's an underlying message, I bet." Castle didn't say a word. "There's something goin' on, and whether or not you see it, others do."

"Someone needed to take care of her," Castle retorted. "She was hurt."

"Yeah, and you could've let someone else do it," Martha replied. "But you were the one who brought her in."

Castle let the pause linger before he continued. "Well I wasn't about to leave her at the hospital."

"Uh huh..." Martha let out, knowing he did have one point, albeit small.

"I dunno, she kinda reminds me off..." Castle's voice trailed off a little, his gaze set off in the distant, as if he were recalling a memory.

"Kyra Blaine?" Martha filled in again.

"Yeah," Castle replied.

"Kiddo, women like her are hard to find," Martha stated as her wisdom came out. "Don't let this one get away."

"Yeah," Castle replied. A small pause later, he finally admitted: "I like Kate."