The rest of the afternoon passed with good conversation and laughter. Kate was actually enjoying herself. It was weird that she fit in so well with Castle's family, she didn't really want to think about it. Castle ordered pizza for everyone around 6, and they played poker while they ate. After dinner, Martha and Alexis went home, so the teen could get back to studying.

"You can go to," Beckett told Castle as he said good bye to his mother and daughter.

"I'm good here unless you want me to go."

"No, it's fine. I just don't want you to think you have to stay."

"I don't," he answered firmly.

"Ok," Beckett smiled.

Castle and Beckett sat in silence for a few minutes. It was comfortable.

"Have you heard from Ryan or Esposito?" Beckett asked after a moment.

"No, not today."

"You think they found anything?"

"Hopefully, but I don't want to get my hopes up."

"Yeah me neither," Beckett agreed.

"They are probably still at the precinct," Castle said looking at his watch. "It's only a little after 7."

"I think they would have called if they found a lead. So, they probably didn't."

"Yeah, I can see how they wouldn't want to call and give bad news. But if there is anything to find, they'll find it," Castle said firmly.

Beckett just nodded. She wanted nothing more than to be able to get back to work and help.

"Are you nervous about the new captain?" He asked. The last time he had talked to Esposito he had mentioned that they were starting soon.

"A little," she admitted. "I know nothing will ever be like it was before. Plus, I'm worried they won't be as accepting as Montgomery was of you."

"I'll just call Bob," Castle shrugged.

"Turns out your buddy doesn't really have that much power over the NYPD. Montgomery told me that he could have kicked you out anytime he wanted. He didn't have to listen to the mayor. Not for all these years."

"I'm confused."

"Montgomery liked you, Castle. He wanted you there. Actually, he told me that he kept you around for me," Beckett explained.

"For you?"

"After we fought, I went to see him. I told him that I wanted you out of the precinct. Roy told me that he could have kicked you out years ago, but he didn't because he thought you were good for me."

"I'm not so sure I would say I'm good for you. I mean, I am at least partially responsible for you getting shot," Castle admitted softly.

"How do you figure? The way I remember it you tried to jump in front me."

"I opened this case up. I pushed you to look into it."

"Rick, you had nothing to do with this. Even if you never would have looked into it, I still would have opened when new evidence came to light. Lanie still would have noticed the wound similarity with Jack Coonan and taken the case to Dr. Murray. He still would have confirmed it, it would have just taken longer since he wouldn't have already been familiar with case," Beckett said with conviction.

"Yes, but then I transferred that money and let Dick Coonan take me hostage and forced you to shoot him. That's a solid lead lost because of me."

"There is so many things wrong with that. You cannot possibly apologize for giving me 100 thousand dollars, and you did not Let Coonan take you hostage. I think the word hostage implies you did not want to be there," Beckett said shaking her head. This was ridiculous.

He didn't respond. Castle was just staring at his shoes.

"Plus Raglan still would have gotten Lymphoma and came to see me reopening it then," she added.

"Yeah, I guess."

"Please do not feel guilty."

"I'll try," he shrugged, but he had yet to meet her eye.

"I'm serious. You did nothing wrong. You did everything you could to keep me safe despite how difficult I made it."

"It's ok. You had a right to be mad. I probably went too far and said things I shouldn't have."

"Can we just agree that this was no one's fault and put it behind us," she asked in a low voice. She was too tired to have this conversation right now. It was too important for her to talk about when she didn't have the energy to make him listen.

"That is probably for the best."

"Good. Now can you help me up? I have to use the restroom," Beckett said in an attempt to change the subject.

"Sure."

The pair had gotten better at the process of getting her up and down. Beckett was getting a little stronger every day, and they were generally more comfortable with the process.

"Come here," Beckett said tugging his hand towards her gently as they stood in front of her bed.

"You ok?" Castle asked quickly.

"Yeah, I just want to do this," She answered and slowly wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned into him. He quickly circled his arms around her back and gently hugged her.

"I love you, Castle whispered.

"I know. You too."

"Come on, let's get moving so you can get back in bed," Castle said as he gave her a gentle squeeze and stepped back.

They shuffled over to the bathroom and back without too much trouble. He helped her get back in bed and get comfortable.

"God, why am I so tired. This is crazy," Beckett sighed.

"It's fine. Go to sleep."

"I don't want to," she huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Kate Beckett, are you pouting?" He laughed.

"No… Yes."

"It's ok. You're allowed. I'm just surprised."

"I want to go home."

"I know you do," he replied and took her hand.

"This sucks."

"What can I do?"

"Nothing," she shook her head.

"Why don't you close your eyes and I'll read to you for a bit? See if you can fall asleep."

"I'm not a child, Castle!"

"I didn't say you were," he answered quickly.

"You want to read me a bedtime story."

"I'm an author. I'm sure many people have read my stuff before bed. It's no big deal."

"It's different if it's being read to me."

"Yeah, it's better," Castle smirked.

"Better?"

"Of course. You get your own personal, private reading. Do you know how much money people would pay for that and you get it for free."

"Wow, lucky me," Beckett said sarcastically.

"Seriously, it will be fun."

"Fine, I'm too tired to argue, but if there is a sex scene you better just skip over it."

"Afraid you'll get all hot and bothered, Detective?"

"Castle."

"Right sorry that was inappropriate."

"Yes, it was," Beckett agreed, but she was smiling so Castle didn't take her firm tone too seriously.

"Lucky for you, I believe you are in a PG-13 section," Castle said as he picked up his iPad and opened up the manuscript. He had managed to convince Gina that no one at the hospital was going to steal it and publish it online off his iPad.

"Thank God for that."

Castle had only read for about 10 minutes when he looked up and saw Kate fast asleep.

Ryan and Esposito had been working nonstop trying to solve Orlando Costas's murder. They knew finding whoever hired and killed him was the likely key to finding out who was behind all this. They had been sifting through paper work and reports all day. The lab was rushing everything from the Costas's murder and the break in at Montgomery's house the previous day.

"Maybe we should call it a night, Bro," Esposito huffed.

"What time is?" Ryan asked.

"Almost 9."

"I probably should get home. Jenny has been worried sick the past few days."

"I don't think we are going to get any further tonight. We have to wait till morning to talk to the bank."

"Yeah and the rest of the CSU reports should be in by then too," Ryan agreed

"Ok, let's head out."

"Be safe," Ryan said, and they separated at their cars. Esposito called Lanie as he headed to her place.

"Hey," She answered.

"Hey, how was your day?"

"Good, I guess. I can't complain."

"I'm on my way over. Do you want me to bring food?"

"Yeah, that would be great. I actually just got home. I stayed to finish Costas's autopsy and reports."

"Did you find anything?" Esposito asked.

"Not really. There was nothing special just the 2 GSWs like I said at the scene. I sent the slugs to ballistics."

"Ok, maybe we'll get lucky."

"Here's hoping."

"I'll see you soon."

"Ok, be careful," Lanie said

"I will," he promised and hung up.

About a half an hour later, he arrived and Lanie greeted him at the door. She kissed him quickly and grabbed the bags of food from his hand.

"Hungry?" Esposito laughed.

"Shut up. I skipped lunch to go see Beckett. I ended up staying at the hospital longer than I planned."

"How is she?" Esposito asked all sense of laughter gone from his voice.

"Good. Ready to go home."

"I can imagine. She is probably ready to climb the walls by this point."

"As soon as she has the energy to be out of bed for more than a few minutes at a time, I expect her to."

"How's it going with her and Castle?" He asked.

"Good. The man has not left her side," Lanie smiled.

"I'm kind of surprised she is handling that."

"Yeah, well… " Lanie trailed off.

"Well…"

"You know I won't tell you anything."

"Come on. I need some happy news these days," Esposito pleaded.

"There is no news. I have nothing to tell you."

"Lannnie," he whined.

"No. All you need to know is that she is doing well. Her doctors were worried about infection, but a dose of antibiotics took care of it," she responded. Lanie knew that Beckett would not want to look weak appear in front of her fellow detectives so she left out some details.

"Beckett's tough. I'm not worried," he shrugged. Lanie rolled her eyes in response. She wasn't buying his nonchalant attitude. She knew he cared about Beckett and that he loved her like a sister. However, she was not in the mood to push him on it. No good would come from it.

"Do you want some wine?" Lanie asked moving on from the topic.

When Ryan walked in his apartment was almost completely dark.

"Jenny?" He called out.

"I'll be right there," she yelled from the bedroom.

He headed into the kitchen and opened the fridge to grab a beer. He saw a couple of Tupperware containers stacked neatly and smiled. Jenny must have cooked.

"Hey, let me heat that up for you," she offered coming into the kitchen.

"I can do it," Ryan said as he leaned in and give her a quick kiss.

"I got it. Sit down. How was your day?"

"Ok. We didn't find anything, but hopefully tomorrow we will get some more information to work off of."

"I'm sure you guys will figure it out."

"Thanks, Hon," Ryan answered and sat down at the kitchen table.

"I'm glad you got out of there before midnight tonight," Jenny smiled as she stuck his plate in the microwave.

"Yeah, I'm sorry about the last week. It's just Beckett…"

"No, you don't have to explain. I understand. How's she doing?"

"Good. I didn't talk to her today, but yesterday she looked a lot better."

"I still can't believe she got shot. I know your job is dangerous, but I never really thought that something would actually happen …" Jenny trailed off and took a seat next to her fiancé.

"I know. It became real for me too. I've known people who had got hurt on the job before but nobody on my own team has ever been seriously injured."

"I know how close you guys are."

"I already have enough sisters running around causing trouble. I didn't need to pick up another," Ryan said shaking his head.

"I know. I do," Jenny offered and placed his hand over his.

"I just want to catch this bastard."

"I have faith in you guys."

"Thanks," he leaned over and kissed her cheek. The microwave beeped, and she got up to grab his food.

"You didn't have to cook tonight. I could have just made a sandwich or something."

"No way. I wanted you to be able to have a decent meal when you got home. I knew you were going to be late, so I just cooked for me earlier and put it all away so you would find it."

"Thanks, it's a nice surprise," He agreed. "I just want to eat and go to bed. The new captain is starting tomorrow."

"I'm sure he won't be too bad."

"It's a woman, and she has an awful reputation."

"Maybe it's professional jealously. Maybe she's brilliant."

"Doesn't matter. She's not Montgomery."

A/N: I'm too sure what I think of this one. It was kind of a struggle to write and I don't really know why. The next one is much better lol it's almost done. Anyway, let me know what you think. Thanks for reading.

Thanks,

Meagan