Hello dear friends...our story continues...Yes, poor Kate..actually poor Castle...Remember she is a survivor...it will be OK...The story will be wrapped up in a few chapters...and I won't leaving you hanging..

To my friends...your support is invaluable...

Everyone...let me know what you think...Enjoy

XXOO, Melody

His time to console Kate was interrupted as Alexis came flying through the door, breathless from running.

"Dad, what happened?" Alexis had been given access to the treatment room. She moved to her father and looked down at Kate. The sight of Kate's condition made her audibly gasp and she began to cry.

Rick pulled his daughter into his arms, kissing her forehead. "She'll be okay, we'll take care of her."

"Of course." Alexis was staring at Kate, her heart aching for her.

The door opened with Esposito, Ryan and Lanie entering the room. Lanie went straight to Kate's side. She had spoken to Steve in depth and knew what they were in for. This would be another extended period of recovery.

Steve re-entered the treatment area with two of the medical team in tow. "The room is ready, let's go and get settled."

The gurney was pushed through the door, down the hall and towards their room.

Following the gurney, Rick sighed and licked his lips. "She is going to be okay, right?" He realised he was afraid of Steve's answer.

"Yes, Rick, she'll be okay with time. Fortunately you two had worked hard, getting her physically stronger and tougher. Her body is thin, but hardened. She is an amazing woman." Steve shook his head in admiration.

Entering the room, the medical team guided the gurney up against the bed. Each member grabbed the sheet that held Kate's body and lifted it, moving her to the bed. The movement, though performed with ultimate care caused Kate to groan and cry out in pain. Rick dove towards her, but was restrained by the two other Detectives.

Steve had joined the medical team, getting Kate positioned in bed. Steve patted her forehead and turned towards the group of concerned friends.

"She's fine and already settling down. Everyone needs to take a deep breath, Okay?"

The group began to pick out their place, no one was leaving, not for a while anyway. Steve had arranged for several couches and chairs to be placed in the room. Coffee, food and water had also magically appeared.

Kate was sleeping from the various medications. Rick sat by her bedside, his fingers intertwined with hers, knowing all he could do was wait.

A small moan escaped from Kate, she tried to turn, but was unable to move. She opened her right eye, looked around and spied Castle. A crooked smile appeared on her face as she spoke, her voice hoarse and her words slurred from the pain of talking.

"Hey, Castle."

Rick was on his feet and leaning into her. He kissed her bruised lips softly.

"Hey beautiful" he replied, nuzzling her neck.

"Beautiful? not... hardly." Kate replied, laughing which only made everything hurt.

"What... happened?" She remembered little of what had occurred after Maddox had cut her down.

"Later my love, you need to rest." Rick talked softly as he stroked her face.

"Take...me home...please. I...hate this." Her eyes imploring him to help her escape. It broke Rick's heart to tell her no, so he remained silent and looked away.

Lanie overheard their conversation, walked over to Kate, leaned in and whispered in her ear. Kate's face turned grim, she frowned and turned to face Rick. Her face hurt, it hurt to talk, but she needed to talk to him.

"You...lied...to me." Her words came out soft as she struggled to talk, licked her swollen lips and continued. "You... told...me you...were fine and you...weren't." The force and passion of her words made her head, throat and face scream in pain. Kate's hand reached towards her head, but Rick stopped it. He pressed her hand to his lips.

"You're right, I just couldn't let you go through the case without me. I wanted to be there to help. I'm sorry. Forgive me.". His features grimacing, his eyes pleading for forgiveness. He didn't care that all of their friends and family were witnessing his confession.

"Kate, Steve said you should stay here for a week. With my side, I can't care for you - I'm sorry. When Steve clears both of us, we'll go home. Until then, I'll be here with you every minute, you understand?"

Kate squirmed her hand from his grasp, brought it up to Rick's hair, clutched his hair and tugged him to her. She whispered for only him to hear. "I ...promise to...behave, but...you...lie to me...again and I'll...rip off...your...balls, do you... understand?" Her voice low, weak and rough, but filled with determination.

"Yes, um." his face filled with a smile and relief, he now knew she would be fine.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Kate was exhausted and in obvious discomfort. Lanie made sure she received pain medication on a regular schedule, knowing Kate would deny the relief if asked. Kate drifted in and out of consciousness, each movement bringing her awake and leaving her unable to sleep.

Rick had finally agreed to some pain medication and Kate made him promise to rest. While he was sleeping, Alexis sat next to Kate's bed holding her hand, assisting her whenever she needed help. She moistened her lips and encouraged her to drink protein shakes. Alexis and Kate had formed a strong bond, she had such a way with Kate, getting her to do what was necessary when no one else could.

Three days went by without much drama. Kate continued to do everything she had promised. The hardest task was getting her to eat. She had no appetite, nothing tasted good. Lanie and Kate fought over her food intake, leaving both frustrated. The only person who could get her to eat anything was Alexis.

She could hardly move without excruciating pain shooting through her. She tried to refuse medication, but relented, knowing she wouldn't heal without it. She had learned her lessons from the previous illnesses, knowing she had to be honest with everyone.

On the fourth day, Alexis was cajoling Kate to finish the protein shake, when Captain Gates entered the room. The three boys were playing hearts with Lanie refereeing the action. Gates' appearance froze everyone, no one sure of what to say. Martha broke the ice by inviting their Captain in.

"As you can see, we've set up house here and until Kate is released here we stay."

More of a challenge than a statement, but each person nodded in agreement. They would not be at the precinct until Kate was safe at home.

"I'm aware of that. I just wanted to stop by and see Detective Beckett for myself. I must admit you look somewhat worse that Steve described." The Captain shaking her head in concern.

Kate made an effort to smile, but her attempt only resulted in pain and was quickly aborted. "Thank... you... for coming, Sir. " Her words were difficult to understand and she was not quite sure why the Captain had come.

"I thought everyone would want to know the Inquiry Board looking into Cole Maddox's shooting has ruled it a justified shooting. Detective Esposito, you have been cleared of any wrong doing. They will return the 9mm backup to you next week."

Kate was stunned, she thought Maddox getting his head blown away was wishful thinking. She looked to each of the three men. They were too quiet, each glancing away from Kate's line of sight. Realising the Captain had said Maddox was shot with Esposito's backup, a 9mm, she knew something was awry. Esposito did not carry that calibre of gun.

Her eyes narrowed as best she could manage and she was trying to understand what she was hearing. As she thought about it, she glanced in Ricks direction, realising he had given Esposito a rapid glance and looked away. Ryan looked away as soon as Gates had started speaking.

Kate was still in a drugged haze and her mind tried to make sense of each thing she had witnessed. Her eyes penetrated into Rick's face and suddenly she knew. Esposito hadn't shot Maddox, Rick had. Her heart sank, as she realised the gun wasn't Esposito's backup, it was hers. The one she kept in the bottom of her desk drawer.

The enormity of this realization made Kate's already pale face lose all remnants of color as the room began to dim, she thought she would pass out and closed her eyes. Rick was watching her and could tell she had figured out what had transpired at the scene. He kept silent, wanting to go to her, but knowing he couldn't give Captain Gates anything to suspect.

Captain Gates could tell something was amiss with her Detective, but was reluctant to push so said her goodbyes and left.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Kate gradually opened her eyes which were anguished. "Martha, Alexis, could...you guys...go and...get some...coffee, maybe...something...to eat. I need to speak to my partners.". Her voice a mere whisper, hoarse, strained and shaky with emotion.

"Of course, my dear. Let's go flirt with those cute residents." Martha spoke as she led Alexis out.

"Come..here. Al...l of you." Kate was furious and terrified.

"What...happened? Tell ...me...everything." Her voice was cold with fury.

"Kate, you're still sick. It can wait." Rick tried to dissuade her.

Kate pushed herself off the bed and tried to sit up in the bed, but her progress was cut down by the enormity of the pain that tore through her. She fell back against the bed, gasping, clutching her side and panting for relief.

"Fuck...Damn it...tell...me...everything...NOW." Her words conveying the physical agony she was experiencing.

Rick squeezed Kate's hand, rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand. He gazed in Esposito's direction and gave him a simple nod. Esposito came to Kate's bedside and sat one hip on the foot of her bed, Ryan was close beside with Lanie holding on to Espo's shoulders. They were partners in every aspect.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Espo began to tell their side of the story. The three of them arrived at the warehouse, entered, heard voices and moved towards the sounds. They each drew their gun, Castle drew Beckett's backup. They progressed forward slowly, afraid of what they would find. They separated so they could flank whoever was speaking, hopefully preventing any more injuries.

Each of them halted, shocked at what they saw. Beckett's body was tethered to the wall, it was bruised, bleeding and totally exposed. Her captor was in her face, taunting her. They watched as Kate lurched forward, slamming her head into his nose. His response was brutal, her three rescuers were sickened, unable to help for fear of causing her greater injuries.

As Espo relayed the story, Kate trembled, her eyes darting to each of the three men and up to Lanie. She understood how difficult this had been for them, how terrifying.

Espo continued the story. There was never a good shot at Maddox until he released Kate's restraints. When her body fell, Espo and Ryan attempted to gain a good angle at Maddox, keeping Kate out of the line of sight, but they were unable to gain an advantage.

They shook her heads indicating they didn't have a clear shot. Castle nodded his head in the affirmative, never blinking or moving his eyes from Maddox. At the moment Maddox grabbed her head, Rick fired, confident of his aim. After the shooting, the three agreed Esposito would take credit for the kill, keeping Castle, as a civilian, safe from investigation.

Kate's eyes were shut tight, tears streaming down her face, she was moaning and whispering, "Oh my God" over and over.

Rick leaned into her face, nuzzled her neck and raised his head. His eyes focused, steely with conviction.

"I regret nothing. I would do it again. You are my life, period." His words final.

"Beckett, we are a team, each of us would die for the other, and if necessary, kill, without hesitation." Ryan was secure with his words, he spoke what all of them believed. As he finished, his eyes went straight to Beckett's face with no apologies.

"We were not going to lose you again. I was...we all were...there...at...the...cemetery.". Ryan's shoulders slouched. Javier was struggling with his emotions, Lanie resting her face on Javier's head.

Kate sobbed and reached towards the boys, Lanie and Rick. After her shooting when she returned to the precinct, she had been convinced she was alone in the world, but she was so wrong.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

After a time, their hands joined on top of Kate separated, the two detectives and Lanie understood, Kate and Rick needed to be alone and excused themselves.

Kate pulled Rick close, the intensity of her sobs escalating. Her heart swelling with what each of them had done for her.

"Shhhhh, Kate. Calm down, come on."

When she finally let go Rick saw the exhaustion and pain swallowing her up.

"I'll get the nurse."

"No, don't leave..I..." Kate's words were stilted, her voice weak and she couldn't catch her breath.

Rick called for a nurse to help them.

"Kate, needs something for pain, it's really bad.". Ricks voice conveyed the situation and the nurse could tell her patient was in agony and having difficulty breathing. She called to the nurse's station and requested the needed medications while she stayed and attempted to get Kate's breathing under control.

The nurse placed oxygen on Kate's face and softly compelled her to slow her breathing down, breathing in and out. As her nurse worked with Kate, a second nurse came in and started to inject the medications when Kate objected.

"No...I don't..want ...to be...knocked out...not now..." Her words faltering, her voice shaky.

"Kate.."

"No, I...can get...through..." She was unable to continue, grimacing at the effort.

Steve had arrived to check on his patient and was surprised by what was occurring.

"What the hell is going on?". Steve demanded

"It's a long story...I can't tell you, but we told Kate something that upset her and now she can't breathe, but won't take any medication."

Rick was in agony, his partner had gone through enough, they hadn't wanted her to know the details, at least not yet, but she had pushed as only Beckett could.

Steve came over to Kate. Her eyes were flashing in both desperation and anguish.

"Kate, we have to give you something to break this cycle so you can breathe easier and relax."

"Don't ..knock ...me out!" Kate was in a panic, afraid of once again being out of control..

Steve asked what the nurses were going to give her and then made another request. The nurse went to get the different medications.

"Kate, listen to me. I'm going to give you a couple of medications that will help with the pain and settle you down, but won't incapacitate you like before, Okay?'

She only nodded, completely worn out by her pain and her efforts. After she had been given the medications, Steve expertly examined her, upon completing his assessment, he turned back to Rick.

"She's okay, no problems. I was afraid she had started bleeding or had punctured her lung. I'll repeat the blood work and x-ray, I think she's fine."

"Thanks." Rick replied absently, his focus completely on Kate. Her eyes were now closed, she had begun to unwind and her breathing slowed down. His hand smooth her hair.

"Does she need the oxygen?"

"No." Steve commenting, indicating to the nurse to remove it.

After Steve left, Rick carefully moved Kate over to the left side of the bed and crawled in by her right side. His left hand stroking her cheek, his right holding her right hand. His lips were against her ear as he whispered. "I'm so sorry, Kate. I'm so sorry." Her response was a muffled moan as they both fell into an exhausted sleep.

So, comments?

your document here...