Hi all! Well here's the next chapter as promised. I really don't know how I feel about it, but I've gone over it several times, writing, erasing and rewriting to the point of giving myself a headache and I just don't know what to do different. I find that writing myself into these tough situations is fairly easy, but writing myself out is a totally different thing. My brain feels so jumbled right now that even writing this A/N is almost more than I can accomplish!

I'm really frustrated and unsure of this chapter, but that's happened before and several of those chapters turned out be your favorites, so I hope that's the case here too. If it's not... please be kind!

Thank you guys for all the feedback and kind words. I know it's never easy to see or read about our favorite characters being in a bad situations, but I felt like it was a realistic situation and was also a good way to showcase that Kate was growing closer not just to Castle but his daughter too.

Also in regards to my thanks... I love seeing that so many people suddenly added me or my stories to their favorites and alerts. It a real honor to know that after all this time people are still doing that! Thanks guys!

Have a wonderful weekend! Monday will be here soon and with a brand new episode! Can't wait!

Disclaimer... Um I've got nothing. I'm sure you know I don't own anything though, so I'm not too worried.

Chapter 37

Kate paced in her bedroom while she waited for a reply to her text to Rick. It had been almost ten minutes since she sent her message:

R U awake? We need to talk.

She had hoped that by sending the text first instead of just calling, maybe she could ease the blow of the news she had to tell him.

Just as she was about to give in and call his cell, her phone began to ring.

"Rick?"

"Baby what's wrong?"

"Everything is going to be fine, but I need you to sit down and listen to everything I have to say. You can ask questions when I'm done."

"Kate, you're really scaring me. What happened?"

"Tonight Alexis went to a party, and it looks like someone slipped her a roofie."

"A DATE RAPE DRUG!" Rick shouted. "Oh my God! Alexis! No! Noooo!"

"Rick! RICK! CASTLE!" Kate shouted over his voice. "Listen to me! She's OK. She was not raped!"

"What! Then why did you say..."

"Her friend found her before anything could happen, got her out of there and then called me. She's been checked by a doctor and is upset but is otherwise fine." Kate felt that omitting that Lanie was the doctor was probably wise for the time being, because under the circumstances, she was sure Rick would insist on Alexis being seen by a "real" doctor, not just his trusted friend the MD.

"You're sure nothing happened?"

"Yes. The doctor said there were absolutely no signs of assault. Aside from a couple wrist bruises, she fine."

"How did she get the bruises?"

Kate wished there was an easier way to tell him these things, but honesty was probably the easiest in the long run. Her voice lowered as she choked a bit on her own emotions. "We think the guy pinned her down but a commotion in the main room scared him off."

"Do you know who it is? Have you reported it?"

"Not yet, but the description her friend Dani gave of the guy she saw leaving the room, matched the description of a guy Alexis ran into earlier in the evening. Lanie is with her now. She's still pretty upset and half out of it, so we'll go down to the station tomorrow for the paperwork. I've got Ryan an Esposito on it though, and they're attacking the case like she was their own daughter. I swear they won't let you down."

"No, I know they won't. None of you will. Thank you Kate, for being there for my baby girl when I couldn't be."

"I would do anything for Alexis."

"I know. It's one of the reasons I love you." There was a brief pause, that to Kate sounded like Castle sniffling. "Can I talk to her?"

"Yeah, but go easy. She's scared you're going to freak out."

"Of course I'm freaking out!"

"I know, but she needs support and compassion right now, not a manic father."

"Ok, I'll try my best. Hey, when I'm done talking to Alexis, I'm grabbing the first flight I can find, even if I have to charter something. I'll call you when I get in."

"I figured you would. Be safe."

"I will, and Kate..."

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

"Always."

Alexis spent about ten minutes on the phone with her father, mostly reassuring him. A few tears were shed at the beginning, but by the time they hung up, Rick had somehow even managed to coax a smile from his daughter.

After Alexis was asleep, Lanie left and headed back to the lab to start processing the blood and stomach contents she'd collected. Hopefully they'd find some more answers.

Kate spent the night on the floor of Alexis' room just in case she'd need her. The girl slept rather peacefully; the detective did not. After fighting the dragons that were her dreams for several hours, Kate decided to do something that she wasn't sure she should do, but somehow felt right. She stood up and walked to Alexis' bed and then climbed up and sat on blankets next to her.

"Kate?" Alexis asked still half asleep.

"Yes, Sweetie, its me. Just sleep."

Alexis turned toward Kate and flung an arm around her waist.

Kate berated herself for feeling that she needed to be closer to the teen to feel like she was really protecting her, but apparently Alexis didn't mind. This time when Kate fell asleep it was a blessedly dreamless sleep.

XXXXXXXXXXX

Rick's chartered flight landed just before five in the morning. He tried texting Kate several times but never got an answer, so he hoped that she was just getting some rest.

When he entered the loft, he dropped his bag at the door and took the stairs three at a time and was soon standing at his daughter's open doorway.

The sight before him froze him in place.

Kate was half propped up against Alexis' headboard, with her hand resting protectively on his little girl's shoulder and Alexis was curled tightly against her side.

So many times in Alexis' life, he was in Kate's place. Nights when she was sick, had nightmares or been afraid of a passing storm, she wouldn't sleep without daddy at her side. Last night, when she was again hurt and afraid, she needed the comfort of a parent and Kate was there for her.

As much as he wanted to be the one to always watch out for his child, he held no resentment toward the woman who now shared that responsibility. No, what he felt was gratitude, relief, and love.

Rick tramped down the impulse to join them in bed, afraid that it would wake them. Instead, he pulled out the desk chair and just stared at the two loves of his life, watching them sleep.

Alexis woke up before Kate and flew from her bed into her dad's arms.

Alexis' quick departure startled Kate awake, but when she saw Rick, she understood.

Rick's arms crushed Alexis to him. He didn't know how he'd ever be able to let go of her again. He wanted to protect her from all the evil of this world, and it terrified him that he couldn't.

"Dad, I'm sorry you had to come home, but I'm glad you did."

"Don't be ridiculous Alexis. I'm your father. You were hurt. There's no where else I would be." Rick mirrored his mother's words to him from a couple months earlier.

XXXXXXXXXXX

When Rick and Kate took Alexis in to the station, they took her strait into Montgomery's office. After talking with Kate earlier in the morning, he had all the papers and forms ready and waiting.

"How are you doing Alexis?" asked the Captain compassionately.

"I'm OK I guess. I'll be happy when this is all over."

"I'm sure you will, and coming forward with any information you have will help bring this guy a step closer to justice."

Alexis didn't know what to say so she just nodded.

"Castle, why don't you take Alexis over to Ryan and start filling all of this out." The Captain handed him a handful of papers. "Beckett, I'd like to talk to you, alone."

After the Castles left the office, Kate closed the door and sat down in front of her boss and friend.

"How's she really doing?"

"As well as can be expected."

"And Castle?"

"Miraculously, he hasn't started his own personal man hunt yet, if that's what you mean."

"Well, then maybe he's a bigger man than me. If someone ever laid a hand on my daughter, I don't know what I'd do." The pencil in the captain's hand snapped in half, punctuating his statement.

"I'm starting to understand how you feel."

"I'm sure you are. How are you doing after all of this? It's a big responsibility when she isn't even your own child."

"I'm dealing with it. Seeing what we see day in and day out, certainly doesn't make it any easier. I guess I'm mostly just relieved that it wasn't worse than it was." Kate turned and looked out the office window at the pair sitting with Kevin. "I've come to love her as much as I love him. They're my family. I'd do anything to spare them from this kind of thing."

Roy reached out and patted Kate's hand that was gripping the edge of his desk. "I'd say that they're lucky to have you, but I think the truth is, you're just as lucky to have them."

Kate looked down in her lap to hide the raw emotion that she couldn't hold back. She swallowed hard before Montgomery handed her a tissue. Without looking up, she wiped at her eyes and drew a shaky breath.

When she felt like she regained her composure, she brought her gaze back to the man in front of her. "Do we have any leads on this guy?"

"Better, he's in custody. Bryan Donahue, 21 from Brooklyn. Right now we've got him on possession, thanks the bag of coke we found on him and also distribution of alcohol to minors. When Ryan and Esposito went to the house last night they found at least three minors and four others, including him, at the scene, only one of which actually lived there. We've brought them all in and are investigating further.

"Where is he now?"

"He's sharing a cell in holding with a transvestite prostitute and a three hundred pound gang banger that goes by the name 'The Fist'."

"Well that's a start. Now it's my turn." Kate started to get up but was quickly halted.

"I don't think so, Beckett."

"Please Sir, you have to let me question him."

"No way. We already can't use any of the evidence you and Dr. Parish got since you took care of things privately. I'm not saying I blame you, but we can't leave any more open ends. You and Castle are waaaaaaaaaay to close to even think about it."

"Roy, I need to do this. I need to bust him for her."

"Let the guys fight this battle for you. They want him almost as bad as you do."

"Please?"

"No. If you and Castle can control yourselves, I'll let you watch from the other side of the glass, but that's the best I can do."

Defeated, and knowing there was no way to change his mind, Kate hung her head briefly. "When are they going to question him?"

"Processing should be done soon."

XXXXXXXXXXX

After completing the necessary paperwork, Alexis left to meet up with Dani and Paige for coffee. She needed the comfort of good friends.

Rick wasn't thrilled with her leaving him, but gave in without a fight after Kate caught his eyes for a silent conversation.

Less then an hour later Lanie showed up. Whether Espostio had spoken to her or she came on her own, Kate didn't know, but was glad that she was there too.

About ten minutes after the uniforms escorted the suspect into the interrogation room, Esposito and Ryan grabbed the files from their desks and went in too.

The Captain stood behind the glass with Lanie, Castle and Beckett who all looked capable of murder. Castle kept his arms crossed across his chest to stop himself from banging on the glass. Kate had her hands on her hips and rocked impatiently side to side.

"Bryan Donahue, I'm Detective Ryan and this is my partner Detective Esposito." He looked at the young man briefly before reading from the thick file in front of him. "I see here, you're not exactly a stranger to the police station. Among other things, you have a history of disorderly conduct, public intoxication, and solicitation."

"And now distribution of alcohol to minors and possession. Your Parole officer isn't going to be happy about this" added Esposito.

The suspect leaned back in the metal seat and rolled his eyes. "Look, it wasn't my place or my party, it was just a case of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. I wasn't giving anybody anything."

Ryan stared the kid down "Right. I suppose the dime bag of crack we found in your pocket wasn't yours either. What, were you just being a kind soul, and hanging on to it for a friend?"

Bryan sneered into a smarmy smile. "Exactly. I knew you guys would understand."

The cocky jackass was getting on Javier's last nerve. "You know what I don't understand, Donahue? Assaulting a woman!"

Esposito's voice raised with almost every word, and a vein in his neck throbbed.

This caught Bryan's attention, causing him to sit up straighter. He narrowed his eyes at the cops.

Ryan's jaw was clenched. Esposito's fists looked ready to throw a punch.

"Whatever that little bitch said, is a lie. She knows she wanted it."

Behind the two way, Beckett and the Captain both had to physically restrain Rick.

Esposito was too angry to speak, fortunately Ryan was able to maintain his professional composure enough to continue the questioning.

"If she wanted it so bad, why'd you have to slip her something to get her to comply?"

"I didn't..." Bryan tilted his head and stared at the man in front of him. What are you talking about? I didn't give Erika anything. She was into it from the beginning, until it came time for her to put her money where her mouth was. Then she decided it wasn't a good idea. Someone had to show her that you don't just get a guy there and then not give it up."

Obviously this guy had quite a busy evening the night before. They didn't know about any other attacks, but if he wanted to incriminate himself more, all the better.

"So you forced her to have sex with you?"

"I wouldn't say it that way."

"Enlighten me, how would you say it?"

Donahue paused. "Let's just say I gave her a convincing incentive."

"What? With your fists?"

"No, I ain't no broad beater. I just know things that she wouldn't want others to know. It helped her remember how desirable I am."

The charges were piling up on this guy but they needed more. For Alexis, for Castle, for Beckett, they needed to know they had the right guy.

Esposito was back in the game again now, and was on fire. He slammed his fist on the table in front of the filthy little shit. "So now you've just admitted to rape! Now tell me about the one that got away! The one that wasn't into it from the beginning! The one that was never interested in you at all! What happened Bryan? It must kill you that you never got what you wanted."

Donahue looked away.

"Look at me you little asshole. Tell me what happened."

Bryan still didn't speak, he just sneered.

The tension in the small room next door was palpable. All four people were charged and ready to go off. Even Captain Montgomery was ready to hurt this kid. Right now, if Rick tried to get at him, Roy didn't know if he'd even try to stop him.

Ryan cracked his neck and squared his shoulders before speaking in a cold steady voice. "I know what happened. You're at this party, with young beautiful co-eds all around; one catches your eye. You try to talk to her but she barely gives you the time of day. This infuriates you though, doesn't it? How dare she not even give you a chance. So you decide you don't need her to be interested, you're going to get what you want whether she's into you or not. So you slip her roofie and then watch for it to take effect. You notice her go into a bedroom alone and know this may be your only chance. So you follow her in to find she's still conscious but slipping fast. You act concerned and say you'll get some help, but you don't, do you Bryan? No. You shut the door and make your move. She's not quite out of it yet though and fights you. You grab her wrists and shove her down. She's going to pay now. But then you hear people in the next room yelling that the cops are there. There's no way you can finish what you started, so you run out of the room and leave her there until someone else finds her." He paused. "Sound familiar?"

"I didn't rape her."

"No you didn't. Thankfully you didn't get the chance. But that's still attempted sexual assault and another drug charge on top of everything else. And let me promise you something..." Detective Ryan got directly in Donahue's face. "... I will make it my personal mission to make sure you get nailed with every charge we can dig up on your sorry ass. You will do prison time, and I will make sure it won't be easy for you. You may think its some kind of game to just take what you want, but let me tell you, payback is a serious bitch."

Esposito opened the door for the uniformed officers outside to take Donahue away. "Boys, make sure my friend here gets a choice cell mate. He could use the company."

XXXXXXXXXXX

When the two detectives went back into the bull pen, Lanie and the Captain were there to meet them and praise them for a job well done.

Kate turned to Rick; they were still in the observation room. "They got him."

"Yes they did." Castle's voice was deep and gravely. The pain of the entire ordeal was etched into his face.

"Are you OK?"

"I will be, some day."

Kate reached out her hand and squeezed his arm.

"I've never felt that kind of rage before, Kate. I could have killed him. Seeing him there, listening to him, knowing what he did to that other girl, and knowing that he was going to do that to my girl, stirred something in me that I didn't know I had in me."

"I know the feeling." Kate leaned into Ricks side. "It's not easy but try to take comfort in knowing that it didn't happen to Alexis. She's safe and she's already moving on. And he'll be rotting in jail instead of praying on victims again."

"I know and that is a huge comfort. I just... I don't know."

XXXXXXXXXXX

After Kate and Rick got home that evening, he decided he needed to go for a run.

He was gone for almost two hours, but felt felt a bit closer to normal by the time he returned.

When he entered the loft he found Kate and Alexis sitting together on the couch each with a pint of Ben and Jerry's.

"Hey Dad! Feeling better?" Alexis asked.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?"

Kate scooted over so that he could join them.

"I'm doing a lot better. I mean, it was a scary situation and everything, but its over now and I'm OK."

"I'm so glad. I worry about you."

"I know you do, and even if it drives me crazy sometimes, I love you more because of it."

Rick smiled thoughtfully and opened his arms to accept Alexis' giant hug. Then she stood and handed her dad her half eaten ice cream and spoon. "Here, you can finish this. I know it's still early but I'm exhausted. I think I'm going to bed."

"Goodnight Honey." Rick and Kate said in unison, earning a smile from Alexis.