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It had been three days since she showed up on Castle's doorstep with fear in her eyes and a pounding heart. She had stayed at the loft the whole time, Castle's hand constantly grabbing hers, insisting that she not leave. She had rarely left his side, not that she minded, but she was worried that he wasn't past the shock yet and she was out of ideas to help him. But right now she stood outside Lanie's door knocking softly. Her thoughts momentarily left Rick when her friend opened the door with a big smile.

"Hey! How did you manage to escape?"

Kate matched her friends smile. "It was hard, but he was having the whole argument with himself anyway because he knew it would be easier to tell Alexis and Martha without me there, but he didn't want me to leave, so yeah. He has pretty much been talking to himself the whole morning."

Lanie led Kate into her kitchen and opened the fridge. "So Alexis and Martha are coming back today?" Kate nodded as Lanie pulled a bottle from a shelf. "Wine?"

"Please." Kate answered.

"Are you worried? And don't even think about lying to me girl."

"A little." She shrugged, her eyes meeting Lanie's glare. "Okay, fine. A lot." She watched as Lanie poured the wine and handed her one. "Thanks." They walked into the lounge room and sat down on the coach as Kate studied Lanie for a moment. She seemed much better, more at ease, less tired. It made her relieved, but she had to be sure. "How are you?" She asked seriously before adding, "And don't even think about lying to me." She smiled then took a sip of wine.

"I'm okay, I guess." Lanie paused, her eyes on Kate's. "I'm not quite sure yet, but damn I'm relieved girl. I was finally able to get some real sleep. I guess it's going to take a little time to adjust, but to be honest, I couldn't be happier. You're safe, you're here and that's all that matters."

Kate could feel tears in her eyes, but quickly blinked them away. "Thanks Lanie. I want you to know that I really am sorry."

"I know, but it's over now Kate and hopefully everything will return to normal." She took a sip of wine and swallowed quickly as a thought popped into her head. "Speaking of normal, what's going on with you and Castle?"

Kate sighed. "I don't know."

"Well are you still together?"

"I don't know Lanie. I mean it's not like we broke up, but I don't know what he wants. I've been staying with him for the past three days and he has been practically glued to my side but he doesn't want to talk. He keeps on touching me and taking my hand to make sure that I'm not a ghost, but that's all and I'm afraid to ask what we are or what he wants. What if he doesn't want anything?"

"Kate Beckett, do not think for a second that he doesn't still want you. The guy is crazy about you, he loves you. He just needs some time to make sure that you're not going anywhere. The guy has been on edge for three months and then you show up out of nowhere alive and well, I'm surprised he hasn't cuffed you to him." Kate smiles at this, remembering when that actually happened. "The point is, he went to hell and back while you were gone and now he has you back there is no way he is going to let you go."

"I hope you're right."

"Girl, I'm always right." She smiled and took her friends hand. "It's going to be okay Kate. I promise."

Castle paced the kitchen nervously as he waited for his mother and daughter to arrive home. Kate had only been gone half an hour and his mind was frantic with worry. She only went to Lanie's, he kept telling himself, she will be back. He ran his hands through his hair and over his face as he heard the door open and close followed by, "Dad?" "Richard?"

He smiled when he saw their arms full of luggage and happy grins on their faces. He immediately walked over to them, pulling Alexis into a hug and kissing his mom on the cheek. "So how was the trip? Did you wear sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and a long sleeve shirt every time you went into the sun?"

"It was good." Alexis said, dropping her luggage and walking with her father to the kitchen.

"You got that right darling!" Martha echoed, following them and making herself comfortable on a stool. "The sun, the beach, the half-naked men, just what the doctor ordered."

Rick turned to Alexis. "Please tell me you didn't go to her doctor?"

Alexis just smiled and sat next to her grandmother her eyes on her father. "So what did you get up to?" She asked casually.

Martha's expression turned serious as it became apparent that they weren't holidaying anymore, it was back to the real world, the one where Kate was missing and her son was falling apart.

"Not much." He answered honestly because he hadn't really been doing anything. "But there is something really important that I have to tell both of you."

Martha and Alexis looked at each other, worry evident on their faces as panic swept through their bodies.

"What is it Richard?" Martha asked.

"Yeah dad, is everything okay?" Alexis tried to keep her voice steady as her heart pounded in her chest.

Rick looked at them both for a moment before taking a deep breath, you can do it, he thought, you have to do it. "It's good news." He tried to reassure them, but the air remained tense. "I just need you both to stay calm, okay? Because it is a lot to take in."

Hours later Kate arrived at Castle's door, a smile on her face. Her time with Lanie had been a long time coming and she was overjoyed by the fact that her best friend seemed to be okay with everything. She sighed happily as she opened the door and walked in closing the door behind her. She walked into the living room and suddenly felt arms tighten around her. She jumped, her heart thudding in her chest before she looked down slightly to see beautiful red hair that she knew so well. She tightened her arms around Alexis as tears welled in her eyes. Alexis had her head on Kate's chest, her tears streaming down her cheeks. Kate stroked her hair as she looked up to see Castle and Martha walking into the room. Martha stopped when she saw Kate, her mouth widening in shock and relief before walking over to join in on the hug.

"Oh my God! Kate, darling!"

"Hi Martha." She replied shyly before looking up at Rick to see him smiling.

Martha pulled back and stared at her, eyes wide, but a smile gracing her lips. It was rare that Martha was at a loss for words. Alexis pulled back, but kept a hold on Kate's arms, her eyes red and tears on her delicate cheeks. Kate carefully wiped them away with her finger, looking into the younger girls eyes. "Hey Alexis, it's so good to see you." She smiled softly before Alexis hugged her again, her grip tight, but comforting. "I'm so glad you're okay." She whispered through her tears. "I missed you."

That was all it took for Kate's tears to finally fall. "I missed you too. So, so much." She kissed Alexis' head. "I'm so sorry."

Alexis pulled back again, keeping an arm around Kate, like everyone else, she was afraid that she would disappear.

Rick moved closer to them, tears in his eyes. He cleared his throat. "Why don't we all make something to eat?" he suggested, his memory flicking back to the numerous times they had spent together in the kitchen music loud, singing and dancing without a care in the world.

They all nodded, realising how hungry they were and walked into the kitchen. Rick opened the fridge, a smile on his face. "So…" he began, "what do you feel like?"

He looked from his mother, to daughter then to Kate.

"How about pizza?" Alexis suggested looking at the others.

"Sounds good." Kate agreed.

Martha nodded before announcing in her show voice, "I'll go put some music on!" Martha danced from the kitchen and moments later the steady beat of 'Pinna Coladas' could be heard growing slowly louder and louder. Rick pulled things from the fridge in time to the music as the lyrics began and Alexis and Kate began to sing before they were joined by Martha. When the chorus came they were all laughing as they danced around the kitchen, cutting up ingredients. Martha, encouraged by the song, decided to make Pinna Coladas and soon they were all sitting down eating and drinking just like they did so many times before Kate was forced to become a ghost.