priceless
chapter 13

Castle stands there in shock, he's not really sure what to think of this. He gently places his arms around her, which only makes her grip tighter around his neck. Holding Beckett in his arms is something he always wanted but not like this. She seems to have been shaken up by something. He tries to think about what. Maybe she just had a flashback about being lead away. But the only thing he asked was for his mother to take her to get cleaned up why would that...then the thought of the clothes thing that came to his mind. Oh, no...they.. He swallows.

She puts her head closer to his, and whispers, "Thank you." which again throws him off. He smiles as that melts his heart for that is her way of forgiving him for the things that he does wrong like following her today. He was glad, but it should have been him to be thanking her. He steps back to look at her but Beckett didn't let go of him, she just moves with him.

"Just hold me, Castle." She whispers and he could hear her sniff. Was she crying not wanting him to part with her? When seeing his mother approach he swooshes her off. He didn't want to lose this moment with her. Selfish maybe but he wanted to be in her arms just as bad. He closes his eyes for a moment taking in the now faint scent of her hair. He knew the moment would end any second. He opens his eyes and she was still holding on to him. He shrugs at his mother. He tries to step back again and she follows in step with him. He mouths to his mother that she's not alright. He really didn't know what to do, he did the one thing that he could think of doing. He reaches in his pocket and takes out his phone.

"We should let the boys know..."

"No!" Beckett grabs the phone from Castle and throws it towards the kitchen. It hit the counter.

"Why did you?" He sees his mother trying to pick the phone up. "They need..."

"I said no, Castle." Beckett starts to change into a different, person. What is she so scared of. Castle wonders.

"Okay, Beckett, calm down girl." he moves a few steps closer to the couch, "We don't have to. I promise I won't call them." He tries to put a fake smile on now. Something was really going on with her. And he was scared for her. She was so traumatized and he didn't know how to handle it. He loved having her in his arms but not like this, and as her partner, it was up to him to get her the help that she needs.

"Here let's sit on the couch," Beckett sits with him, real close. She so scared that I am going to what abandon her, that must be it. He gives his mother a 'help me' confused look.

"You want some coffee dear," his mother asks.

"Yes, that would be nice." A few moments later, his mother brings back to coffee cups for them. She sees that Beckett has placed her head down on his shoulder now with her eyes closed. Castle rubs the back of his neck. He is getting more confused by the moment.

"Here you go sweetie, drink some of this." Beckett lefts her head and takes the cup.

Beckett sips the coffee, then smiles at Martha, "Thanks, Martha, this is just what I need." Martha sees the trauma, scared look in her eyes. She knows that Beckett is not over whatever happened to her and hopes that her son can see it too. That she will just let it all flow out.

The door opens and Alexis walks in, scaring Beckett enough to make her jump.

"It's okay," Castle grabs Beckett's hand, "It's just my daughter."

"What's going on?" his daughter asks not thinking anything to be any different, for she has seen Beckett there before. Then she sees the phone, she was about to bring it to her dad when Martha grabs her. "I don't..."

"Let's not disturb them." Martha drags, Alexis to the kitchen and explains about Beckett's ordeal well as much as she knew, which was all that much. "Oh," Castle could hear her say. "then he needs to call, her detective friends or..."

"No," Castle, the best he could, sitting on the couch turns her direction.

"Why dad?"

"Cause I promised her I won't call." He taps his fingers together, hoping she understands his message.

Beckett glances up at him. "Thanks," he holds her closer, trying to make her feel that nothing was going to change.

"I never go back on a promise, and she doesn't want them here. I have to respect that." He once again when Beckett wasn't paying attention to him, taps his fingers together. Alexis nods leaving the room with the phone. He gives her a thumbs up.

"Castle," Beckett smiles at him. "Thanks for saying that."

"I don't go back on my promises, ever. That's what kinda gets me into trouble, a lot actually."

Upstairs Alexi starts to text Ryan telling him that Beckett was safe and at the loft.

TBC...