Hello. I want to let you know that this story will actually be short pieces/scenes that are connected to each other. I am at a confusing time in my life and I don't think I have the brain power to make it an actual story with all the details etc. But there will be continuity, the scenes will complement each other and there will be a clear progression.

I hope you guys still like it.


It turned out that the fainting was a result of dehydration and low blood pressure. It made sense considering she was pregnant and upset, and didn't really eat much in the past days. The doctor just told her to take it easy and rest for a few days and also to not be alone for long periods, just in case.

Castle offered to stay with her for a few days and even though she objected at first, she reluctantly agreed in the end. If she was being honest, there wasn't anyone else she wanted with her at the moment. No one other than Lanie and Castle knew what was going on and Lanie was out of town at a training.

That was how they ended up at Kate's apartment, Rick putting away the groceries he bought from the nearby store and Kate taking a long overdue shower.

Rick was in deep thought. Kate's news was shocking to say the least. He had fallen in love with her long before that. That he knew. And he would always be there with her. He knew that too. He actually secretly wished for Kate and Josh to break up so that maybe someday she could be with him. He had a feeling that she liked him too. He just didn't know if she would go for it, if she would let him in.

And now there was a baby in the equation. Things were a bit more complicated. A lot more complicated, actually. This was a baby, a whole new person... A life.


Kate took her shower, got dressed and went to the living room. "Hey Castle, what are you doing?" she asked.

That's what brought him out of thoughts. "Oh hi." he said.

They looked at each other for a moment and he gave her a small smile.

"I was just preparing some salad and toast, might be a good time to have lunch." he said.

"Thank you, Castle. I really appreciate it." she said.

They each took a bowl and ate on the couch. It felt really good to have fresh greens, turned out she was hungrier than she realized.

After lunch Castle went to the loft to get a few clothes and his laptop because he would be staying at Kate's for the next few days. He left her sitting on the sofa with a cup of mint tea and a fluffy blanket, letting her know that he would be back within the hour.

As she was sitting there, she was thinking about everything that happened in the past month. She had broken up with Josh. And she had done it because finally she had realized that she loved someone else. A certain writer… Her partner… Castle… She'd broken up with Josh because being with him wasn't fair to anyone, not to her, not to him, and not to Castle. She knew he had feelings for her, she knew he was around because of it.

She had her demons and insecurities and he had a reputation, which made her doubt this decision at times. However, she finally decided to at least see where it could go. In the past few years he had shown her time and again that he was different now, that he could be trustworthy, despite his reputation. And she just had to find a way to be and do better herself. She had this feeling that they could be something, if they gave it a serious and sincere try.

Then she found out that she was pregnant and all that didn't matter anymore. She couldn't go to him while pregnant with some other man's baby. It was so unfair to him. He didn't have to deal with this. He didn't have to face this kind of a choice and carry such responsibility. He had his own life, his own daughter… She couldn't ask to be a part of their lives now. She felt a few tears run down her cheeks.

She loved her baby. Ever since she found out about the pregnancy, she felt this overwhelming connection and love to it. She'd do anything to keep her baby safe and healthy and happy. But she was scared, even though she wouldn't admit it out loud. She was scared.


Just then the door opened and Castle walked in. She quickly wiped her tears but he could see that she was crying. He contemplated for a moment whether it would be better to let her be but then he decided he didn't want to do that. So he went and sat next to her.

"Hey, Kate, are you okay? What's wrong?" he asked. She didn't look at him at first but her eyes welled with fresh tears. He brought his palm to her cheek and tilted her face so she would look at him. "Did something happen?" he asked, wanting to make sure nothing happened when he was out.

She shook her head no and that made him smile. "Feeling overwhelmed?" he asked. Fresh tears welled in her eyes and she bit her lower lip as she nodded yes. These pregnancy hormones were doing a number on her.

"Oh Kate" he said softly. "It's so normal. I was so happy but also terrified when I found out about Alexis and I wasn't even the pregnant one with all the hormones going haywire within me." That earned him a smile and he whispered "come here" and pulled her into his embrace.

"Please trust me when I say that you are not and will not be alone, Kate. I am here, I really am." he said in a soft tone.

She couldn't hold back the urge to get lost in his embrace and she curled towards him, resting her face on his chest. He was shocked at first but got over it quickly and wrapped both his arms tightly around her.

That's how she fell asleep and stayed asleep for the next two hours as Castle held her firmly, as if to protect her from any sadness, any worry, and any demons.


There you go.

With love.