Hi guys I am so sorry about how long this chapter took. In truth I had the worst case of writers block ever and just didn't know how to continue with it. Sorry it is short but I wanted to update. Hope you enjoy x

Chapter 21

When Kate awoke the next morning she was curled up in her chair pressed tightly against Kaylee's hospital bed. Blinking she looked around the room groggily; Rick was slumped in a chair on the other side of the bed. Apart from that they room was empty. She remembered one of the doctors coming late at night wanting to take Livie to a new room to rest. Livie hadn't wanted to go but Kate had convinced her to. Reluctantly she had left and Alexis had gone with her to keep her company. Once they had left Kate had convinced Ryan, Esposito and Lanie to all head home telling them to go see their sons who had been severely lacking their company recently. They had agreed but promised to come back first thing the next morning.

Wincing Kate pushed herself into a sitting position biting back a hiss as the movement hurt her wrists. She knew she would have to be careful for a while so as not to do any further damage to herself but she didn't mind; that would mean she could take a few days off work to help Rick and Kaylee recover.

She looked down at her daughter still lying in the bed. She looked peaceful which was a relief. But there was something missing. Slowly she bent and grabbed the bag that sat beside her chair and opened it, pushing a few items of clothing around until she found Kaylee's favourite toy dog. Smiling she pulled it out and stroked its soft ears gently before she placed it carefully next to Kaylee so that it's soft fur touched her arm. Almost instantly her daughter's hand twitched as she sought out her toy. Carefully Kate placed the dog's leg in Kaylee's hand watching as her fingers closed around it in a vice like grip.

She heard a mumble and looked over to see that Rick was waking up. He had refused to go with the girls back to their room, insisting he had to stay with Kaylee. He looked like he was regretting it now though as he winced as he moved his shoulder. "Hey" he mumbled when he saw that she was awake "How is she" "no worse" Kate murmured looking at her sleeping daughter "how are you feeling" "ah I'll live" he mumbled as he stretched his back.

"Hey mom" she heard and she turned to see Livie and Alexis coming into the room, Livie still hobbling on her sprained ankle, leaning against her older sister for support "hey girls" she greeted standing up to greet them "how's the leg baby" she asked as she hugged Livie "urgh still painful" Livie mumbled "but no worse" Kate smiled and kissed the top of her head before she turned to Alexis "hey Lex" she greeted "How you feeling" Alexis grinned "missing college where the most stressful and life threatening situation is an upcoming deadline" she said and Kate laughed.

Breakfast was brought round not much later and once that was done she and Rick were taken off to have another examination. Kate's wrists were examined carefully and she was instructed to take it very easy for the next few days and to not go back to work for a couple of weeks. Rick was given similar instructions.

They were just finishing up when Alexis came crashing into the room looking flushed "dad, Kate" she exclaimed "come quick, it's Kaylee… she's waking up!" instantly Rick and Kate dropped everything and sprinted off towards Kaylee's room where they found Livie standing with Martha and Jim looking excited as a couple of doctors stood on one side of Kaylee's bed watching her closely. When they saw them entering they beckoned to them "we weaned her off the anaesthetic" the doctor said "it shouldn't be long now, sit with her so she doesn't get scared"

Slowly Kate caught hold of Rick's hand as they both sank into chairs beside Kaylee watching as she began to stir; her little hand clenching and unclenching as it always did before she awoke and her other hand tightened around the toy that Kate had placed there earlier.

Everyone watched with bated breath as Kaylee's eyelids began to flutter and she let out a small whimper. "Shh" Kate whispered gently reaching out to stroke her daughter's cheek "shh baby it's ok.' Very slowly Kaylee turned her head towards her as she struggled to open her eyes "mama" she mumbled and Kate smiled in relief as Kaylee opened her eyes and looked straight at her.

Kaylee stared at her with her big jewel eyes before they slowly travelled over to Rick who smiled comfortingly at her "hey little Kaylee bear" he whispered and Kaylee mumbled reaching up to rub her eyes. Slowly she shifted before she rolled over but Kate quickly caught hold of her to stop her from pulling out the IV. Kaylee let out a little wail looking at her mother before reaching out to her. Instantly Kate lifted her daughter carefully off of the bed and placed her on her lap hugging her reassuringly as Kaylee cuddled up against her mumbling groggily as she clutched at her toy dog.

Kate looked up as one of the doctors cautiously came closer and still in a groggy state and with her head buried in her mother's chest Kaylee didn't react to the doctors examining her, taking her pulse, measuring her breathing and listening to her groggy mumbles. She protested a bit when they took her blood pressure but they were quick and after checking her IV they backed off. "Well she doesn't seem to have any complications from the anaesthetic" one of the doctors said "she is still malnourished of course so we'll have the kitchen send up some special foods which are full of protein etc, try and get her to eat as much as possible and keep the IV line in if you can but if it is causing too much distress give us a call and we'll take it out"

Kate nodded looking down at her daughter who was struggling to keep her eyes open. "One thing we need to keep an eye out for is something called emergence delirium" the doctor continued "now because of her age Kaylee is more likely to experience this than say you or I after anaesthetic. She may go back to sleep and then have very real night terrors… she'll be frightened and hard to calm down especially as she will most likely thrash and scream as if she is awake but in fact isn't. Due to what happened to her I am concerned she might be more likely than most to have this"

Kate swallowed looking at Rick who was looking at Kaylee "what do we do if she does experience this" he asked looking back up at the doctor who sighed "generally there isn't much you can do except try and comfort her even if it doesn't appear to be helping. Shut the curtains and make the room as dark and as quiet as possible and that should help her calm down and go back to sleep" Rick nodded and thanked the doctor who smiled and told them to press the call button should they feel worried about Kaylee before he left.

Once he was gone Kate looked down at Kaylee and rubbed her back "hey baby girl" she whispered and slowly Kaylee looked up at her blinking groggily and Kate smiled "you ok munchkin" she asked and Kaylee nodded mumbling before she looked around the room uncertainly. Kate felt her tense slightly as she spotted the rest of her family standing by the wall and she stared at them before relaxing slightly. "Who's that my girl" Kate whispered "is that grams and grandpa? And Livie and Lexie, aren't you lucky, they all came to see you, Lexie came home specially to see you."

Very slowly Kaylee loosened her grip on Kate's shirt as she stared at her family, "Lexie" she mumbled "leeevee." Both of her sisters smiled "hey bub" Livie said with a smile as she and Alexis slowly came closer to crouch in front of their sister "hi baby girl" Alexis whispered "haven't you gotten big hmm"

To Kate's relief a small smile slipped onto Kaylee's face as she stared at her two sisters before she reached out to grab hold of Livie's hair like she usually did making Livie grin. "Go see Lexie and Livie then" she whispered and after a moments hesitation Kaylee held out her arms and Livie quickly scooped her up into her arms and carried her over to the bed where she and Alexis settled with Kaylee who sat between them looking around confused as she continued to rub her eyes tiredly as Kate turned to her father and Martha.

"Have you heard from the boys" she asked and her father nodded "we called them to let them know that they were going to wake Kaylee up" he said "Ryan said they were going to be down first thing though they might have trouble getting into the hospital"

Kate frowned "why is that" she asked "my dear have you not looked outside" Martha asked "there are reporters everywhere waiting for some news."

Frowning Kate rose and moved over to the window peering out. She felt her stomach clench when she saw all the reporters camped outside.

"Hey" came a voice and she turned to see Ryan and Esposito enter "man it was hard to get in" Ryan said "they saw our shields and literally swarmed us. Esposito had to threaten bodily harm to get in" "apparently they even have the back entrance covered" Esposito added.

"What are they after" Livie asked from where she was sitting with her arm wrapped protectively around Kaylee who was eyeing Ryan and Esposito uncertainly. "All of you" Esposito said.

"What" Kate exclaimed "why?"

Esposito raised his eyebrows "because of everything that has happened to you all over the last few days" he said "your husband - a famous novelist was shot by a serial killer. Your daughter was abducted. Your other daughter was hit purposefully by a van. You were threatened and blackmailed by 'a currently unknown third party' before said serial killer tried to murder you and your baby daughter before going after your other daughters in a hospital causing mass panic as he holds them at gunpoint... Did I miss anything out?"

Kate sighed "no I think you covered it all" she said softly. Ryan and Esposito looked at Kaylee who was still eyeing them uncertainly. "Hey little one" Esposito said softly bending in front of her "how's our big brave girl then?"

Kate smiled as Kaylee grinned shyly at her uncle as she cuddled her toy tightly. "How are we going to get out" Rick asked "none of us are in any state to end up being harassed by the paparazzi especially not Kaylee, I mean she is pretty nervous about everyone she doesn't know, she won't fare well with all those people crowding her and shouting at her"

Rick looked at the boys who nodded "don't worry" Esposito said "we'll try to find a way out." Kate looked back at her daughters sitting on the bed before she moved over to sit on the edge of the bed with them reaching out to gently brush a few curls away from Kaylee's face. Kaylee looked up at her with her big blue eyes wide before she held up her arms and slowly Kate lifted her daughter into her arms hugging her close as she snuggled close. A nurse came in just then with a tray of food for Kaylee so Kate settled down at the small table with Kaylee on her lap and offered her some of the food. Her daughter was uncertain at first but after she cautiously took the first bite she must have realised how hungry she was because she ate the rest eagerly and Kate couldn't give it to her fast enough. "Slow down sweetheart" she whispered stroking her hair "you'll make yourself sick baby."

Once the plate was clean Kaylee turned back into her chest snuggling close and Kate wrapped her arms tight around her holding her close as she had been praying to do so for the past few days. Livie's doctor came in and examined her ankle. "Well considering all the excitement you had yesterday and how you antagonised the ankle you are lucky you didn't do any more damage" he said giving Livie a pointed look as she frowned "hey it wasn't like I had much of another choice" she complained and the doctor nodded "I know" he said "but I want you to stay off school for a few days and no physical exercise for a couple of weeks ok." Livie scowled "so I can't see my horse" she asked and he shook his head "and when you do start up again in a couple of weeks, go slow, gentle exercise ok, no jumping or galloping." Livie's scowl deepened.

"Other than that though I would say you can be discharged very soon" the doctor said "as long as you take it easy" Livie grumpily nodded. "As for you Mr Castle" he said turning to Rick who instantly looked apprehensive "I would say you too can be released as long as you don't use your arm and stay at home too" Rick huffed and Kate smiled "Looks like we are all having a few days off" she said and Rick and Livie brightened at that.

When Kaylee's doctor reappeared she was much more awake and a lot more wary, she clung to Kate with her arms wrapped tight around her neck burrowing her head into her shoulder refusing to look up. "I don't think being here is helping her much" the doctor said "how about you take her home, we'll tell you what to watch out for and you keep an eye out for it ok, just try and get her back into a normal enough routine. Let her play with her friends again and eat what she usually eats. You might not want to but put her to bed in her own bed tonight. She needs to go back to a normal routine, you don't want her developing a fear of going to her own bed. If she wakes yes go to her but try not to encourage her coming to you." Kate nodded as she looked down at her daughter thinking that might be slightly difficult.

So after lunch the doctors signed all their release papers and Rick called the driving company he used and asked them to pick them up at the back entrance as the front was still swarming with the press. Ryan and Esposito followed them down after they had packed up their belongings and they quickly headed to the back where they waited for the car to arrive. Kaylee was still in Kate's arms seemingly determined not to let her go.

Unfortunately for them the press wasn't stupid and when they saw the car slipping round the back they followed it and the moment they stepped outside they were swarmed by them shouting questions and snapping pictures that flashed, almost blinding them. Kate felt Rick wrap an arm around her waist and urge her forward as she kept her head low and clung to her daughter feeling her tremble. "Keep walking" she heard Rick murmur in her ear as he pushed some cameramen aside. Glancing up Kate saw Ryan and Esposito shouting and pushing people away trying to guide Livie and Alexis through who were being bombarded by questions and cameras. Esposito was doing a very good job of shoving cameras aside threatening to break them though.

Finally they arrived at the car and Kate quickly slid in still shielding her daughter as Livie and Alexis scrambled in followed by Rick. "We'll meet you at the loft" Esposito shouted before he shut the door and banged on the roof signalling for the driver to do and he quickly pulled away carefully pushing his way through the paparazzi and Kate was relieved that the car had tinted windows.

"Phew" Rick said as he leant back "I swear I have never been so popular with the media" Kate gave him a weak smile as she bounced Kaylee gently. "Is she ok" Rick asked and Kate nodded "she should be" she said "but I don't think she is going to want to go through that again." Rick sighed "unfortunately I am pretty sure they are going to be waiting at the loft" he said and Kate bit her lip.

Unfortunately Rick was right and the press were waiting outside for them. Luckily Ryan and Esposito pulled up behind them and with the help of the doorman they managed to clear a path. Kate pressed Kaylee's head into her shoulder as she shoved her way through trying to ignore the flashing cameras, she felt Livie right behind her not used to all this publicity. Once they were in Rick turned and gave a short statement explaining that they were all ok and that none of his daughters had been harmed by the serial killer but he asked that everyone give them their space and warned the reporters not to harass them again as it was scaring Kaylee who was still very scared.

Then ignoring the questions being shouted at him he turned and with Ryan and Esposito right behind him he ducked into the building and they all headed up to the loft. "You ok" he asked Kate and Livie who slowly nodded "I think I prefer it when you aren't so famous though" Kate said and he smiled "at this moment in time me too" he said.

It was a relief to walk into their home where a delighted Martha and Jim were waiting impatiently and after assuring them that they were ok, Kate breathed a sigh of relief as she headed over to the couch and sat down with Kaylee.

She saw Rick catch hold of Livie's shoulder and steer her carefully over to the couch "sit" he said "you are meant to be keeping off that leg." Livie pulled a face but sat down grumpily next to her mom who smiled as she began to help Kaylee out of her coat which was difficult as Kaylee still had her arms locked around her neck but after some coaxing she lifted her head and upon seeing that they were home she cautiously relaxed though she remained on her mother's lap.

It was an hour later that Lanie and Jenny arrived with Danny and Jake and informed them that the paparazzi had mostly disappeared much to their relief. Kate was even more delighted when upon seeing her two best friends Kaylee cautiously slid off her knee and toddled over to see them. They greeted her enthusiastically so Jenny and Lanie quickly pulled them to one side and told them firmly to be gentle with Kaylee. They seemed confused by this as Kaylee was usually the most boisterous of them all but eventually the three of them settled on the rug by Kate's feet to play with some blocks.

Kate watched Kaylee play as she sat there with one arm around Livie's shoulders as her daughter leaned against her wondering how long it would take Kaylee to recover. As her father had said whilst Kaylee had been missing, she was a strong little girl but she had gone through an awful lot whilst she had been missing and had nearly died. It was going to affect her. Kate just hoped it wouldn't be as hard for her to recover as it had been for Livie.

"So what happened to Tyson" Rick asked and Kate looked up at the boys "Oh he is going to secure lockdown" Esposito said looking slightly smug "and we may have mentioned that he had abducted a little girl and we all know how much other inmates hate child sex offenders" Ryan added and Kate couldn't hold back a small smile at the thought of Tyson getting what he deserved.

"What about the other man" Jim Beckett asked "the third party? You caught him too right?" everybody hesitated looking at Kate who shook her head. She knew she couldn't let her father know that it was Bracken. It was still too dangerous. "No" she said "I don't know who he was, I never saw him, but I don't think we will be seeing him again, he wouldn't risk coming after us again."

But she knew it was a lie, Bracken had the file now, there was nothing stopping him from killing her except the knowledge that her friends and family knew about him; they would know should something happen to her that it was he who was behind it. He would lay low for a while

For now it was over. But it wouldn't be over forever.

XO

After everyone had left and they had eaten, Kate carried Kaylee up to her bedroom where she sat with her playing with her until Kaylee's eyelids were drooping and she was struggling to stay awake. Then she slowly changed her into her pyjamas and sat with her on the edge of the small toddler bed that Kaylee had moved into a few weeks ago and read her some of her favourite stories.

Kaylee clung to her listening to the stories as her eyes travelled over the brightly coloured pictures. After a while she began to point to little things in the book and giggle and try to turn the page herself which was a sign to Kate that she was beginning to relax. When she could read no more Kate very carefully lay Kaylee down and knelt beside the bed to gently tug the blanket over her and hand her the toy dog she adored. Kaylee lay there staring at her as her thumb slipped into her mouth and she shifted around.

"Night night Kaylee bear" Kate whispered stroking her hair gently before she pressed a kiss to her forehead "go to sleep and I'll see you in the morning" slowly she lit the little night light that sat on the table and plugged in the baby monitor that hadn't been used in a while before she backed out of the room closing the door half way before she stepped away.

She waited a few minutes in case she shouldn't settle before she moved slowly back down the stairs to where Rick, Alexis and Livie were all waiting. "She ok" Rick asked worriedly and she nodded "she seems to be" she said "I plugged this in though" she said holding up the other half of the monitor "just in case"

Rick nodded and held out his arm and slowly Kate slipped over. "How are your wrists" he asked and she looked down at the bandages "seem ok" she said "didn't they tell you not to do any lifting" Alexis asked and Kate shrugged "someone needed to carry Kaylee and she didn't seem to be letting do of me anytime soon" Rick gave a small smile as he kissed the top of her head and Kate sighed happily as she leaned against him.

For now she wasn't worried that Bracken had gotten away; she was here with her family and she didn't want to be worrying about him. She would figure out a way to keep her family safe at least. She wouldn't let them get hurt. She found her gaze drawn to Livie who was curled up next to Alexis with her injured ankle resting on some pillows. She thought about what Bracken had said, how Livie was very much like her and she remembered what Booth had told her in DC about how Livie had told him that if her mom had died at the hands of that sniper, she would have sought out revenge, she would have been angry and not stopped until she had gotten her justice.

And that scared Kate; searching for her mother's killer had consumed her from a very young age, she had spent all her free time searching for her killer. The only reason she hadn't become obsessed was the fact that she had had a very young daughter at the time; Livie had probably saved her from losing herself in her mother's murder. That was why even though she had had Livie at such a young age she viewed Livie as her little saviour. Her little miracle. And after losing her mom, Livie had become her sole reason for living.

She had to keep her family safe, and to do that she had to stay alive. It wasn't going to be easy. But she wasn't done fighting yet.

Hope you enjoyed that.

Sorry again for how long it has taken.

Please review.

Also if you have any ideas for this story please don't hesitate to let me know.

Thanks

Mysticgirl