Sorry I haven't updated in a while, things just get hectic sometimes! Thankyou so much for your patience and your lovely reviews for the last chapter :)

It was 2:46am and Kate sat on a stool in the kitchen after reluctantly leaving the warm confines of Castle's bed and arms. The light she had turned on cast shadows around her as she ran her fingers absently down the full glass of water she had poured herself at least an hour ago. Her mind was too awake for her to sleep. She just couldn't stop thinking about anything and everything. She hated staying at Castle's without knowing what they were or where they were going. She hated that he was keeping her there, begging her not to leave. He would look at her with sad eyes every time she suggested even going outside and she would give in to him, every single time. But, God, she didn't want to leave. It felt so good to be back under the same roof as him, to have his arms around her tightly while she slept, but at that moment she felt like they might as well be miles away. She was scared that he was just keeping her here until it all sank in and that one day he would wake up and not fight her when she says she should go. She felt tears well in her eyes at this thought. What if he had moved on? What if he didn't love her anymore?

She pushed the glass away from her and rested her elbow on the bench, her head in her hands. She fought the urge to run, to cry out. To leave before she was left, but she couldn't do that to him again. This time she would let him decide. It was only fair. She didn't come back to make things worse, yet she had to admit that she was naïve to think that things would go back to how they were. She had become filled with desperation while she had been away. Her mind had beaten the loneliness with fantasies about her return and at some point she had believed them. She had convinced herself that he would take her back, no question. She never thought that she would be his willingly confined prisoner, just waiting for the tables to turn, waiting for when he set her free. But life without him, without Martha and Alexis – that was no freedom.

She ran her hands through her hair as she heard a soft thud from upstairs. She sat up straight, adrenalin seeping through her veins. There was another, a little louder this time. She stood up quietly and walked over to the stairs, taking one at a time in the semi darkness until she reached the landing. Her eyes glanced around and upon seeing light from the cracks in Alexis' bedroom door sighed with relief. She walked over to it slowly and knocked lightly.

"Alexis, are you okay?" She whispered through the door.

After a moment the door opened to reveal Alexis, her eyes tired, red and puffy. Tears tracks stained her pale cheeks and Kate's heart immediately broke at the sight of her. She reached out to Alexis, pulling her into a hug and stroking her hair as the young girl began to sob. Kate shut the door quietly and walked over to the bed still cradling the crying girl.

"It's okay." She whispered, tears in her own eyes. She kissed Alexis' head. "It's okay."

Alexis slowly calmed down, her head on Kate's chest. She carefully pulled back, Kate's arm still tight around her.

"I'm sorry." She whispered.

"It's fine, sweetie." Kate reassured her. "I was just in the kitchen and I heard a noise so I thought I should check it out." She stroked Alexis' hair, smiling softly. "What were you doing?"

Alexis shifted her gaze from Kate to her open wardrobe. "I was trying to get a photo album out, but I couldn't reach it."

"I can get it for you." Kate offered before getting up and walking over to the wardrobe. "Where is it?" She asked turning to the young girl.

Alexis got up and joined her, pointing at a shelf. "That one. It's light blue."

Kate nodded before looking up at the shelf. After a while she spotted it and reached to get it on tiptoes. She felt her hand come into contact with it and pulled lightly. "Got it." She smiled as she gave it to Alexis.

"Thanks."

Alexis walked back to the bed and sat down. Kate watched her curiously before asking softly. "So what are you doing awake so late looking for a photo album anyway?" She sat next to Alexis.

"I couldn't sleep." She admitted sadly.

"Am I the reason for that?" Alexis nodded, her eyes down. "I'm so sorry Alexis. I really didn't want it to go like this. I didn't want to hurt anyone."

"I know." Alexis whispered, looking into Kate's eyes. "I'm really happy you're back. I missed you so much."

Kate pulled Alexis into another hug. "I missed you so much too."

After a while she let go and cleared her throat. "So what's in the album?" She asked.

Alexis looked down at the light blue album in her hands and opened the cover, turning it so Kate and herself could see. "I started this album after you and dad got together."

Kate looked at the smiling faces in the pictures and she couldn't help but smile back. Alexis, Rick, Martha, her – all laughing. One of her and Rick. One of Alexis and Martha. Alexis turned the page.

"After you disappeared I looked at it every night for a month, but then it got harder to see you every day without actually seeing you." Alexis turned the page again. "So I put it up in my wardrobe and haven't looked at it since." She paused, her eyes glued to a photo of her and Kate snuggled on the couch, fast asleep. "But you're back now and I just had to look at it again. To remember how things were before, I guess." Alexis looked up at Kate, her eyes hopeful. "Are you and dad still together?" She asked shyly, but desperate for an answer.

Kate sighed before admitting, "I don't know Alexis. I would really like us to be, if that's still okay with you?"

Alexis looked horrified for a moment. "Of course it's okay with me!"

Kate smiled at her. "But it's up to your dad. We haven't talked about it. I think he is still in shock. So I don't know."

"Don't be worried Kate." Alexis said after seeing the fear in the older woman's eyes. "He loves you so much. But maybe you should talk to him. Maybe he doesn't want to push you." Alexis looked at Kate her eyes desperate. "Just, please talk to him? For me?"

Kate laughed softly at the cheeky expression on the younger girl. "Okay, I will. Just for you." Kate yawned. "I should go back to bed. You too, missy. It's late."

Kate started to get off the bed but was stopped by a hand pulling hers. "Could you stay?"Alexis whispered timidly. "It would help me sleep."

Kate nodded as a smile crept to her lips. "Okay, I'll stay."

Alexis put the album on the bedside table and climbed under the overs, lifting them for Kate to get in. They snuggled together tightly as Alexis reached for the remote to turn off the light.

Kate kissed the young girls head softly before finally drifting off to sleep.

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