AN: I want to thank all of you for reading this story and for telling me your opinions. It's insane how many people read this. Thank you so much for your support, it means a lot to me.

I was told that Kate won't let her baby with a stranger. Well, that's the idea of fanfiction, it could happen as the writer wants it. And I wanted to see and write about a more relaxed Kate, not one who only sees work. Not everyone has to like this, but it's how I imagined Kate to be.

That being said, enjoy chapter 9 :D

CHAPTER 9

After Kate talked to Montgomery, he agreed to let Castle help them. He was the only one who knew about these crimes. Well, about the fictional ones.

The thought that someone is trying to copycat his fictional crimes was so terrifying. How can someone do this? And because of his books. God, he was kind of responsible for this.

Kate saw the look on his face and knew what he was thinking about.

"It's not your fault for what happened."

"It is. If I wouldn't have written the books-"

"If you wouldn't have written the books he or she would have found other books. You're not responsible for the murderer's behavior."

"But it is because of my books. Not Patterson's, Connelly's, or Lehane's. Mine. I am as responsible as the murderer."

"Rick, listen to me. You could ask anyone in this world, cop or not, and they would tell you the same thing as me. You are not responsible for this. You are responsible for making people feel better, for making them forget about their problems for a time, but not for these crimes, okay? It's a good thing the captain agreed to let you work on this case. This way you're going to see that the murderers don't need the motive to kill someone. And maybe you're going to feel better when the case will be solved."

"I know it's not my fault. I didn't put the weapon in his hand, but- I don't even know how to explain how I am feeling right now. But you're right. Helping you solve this case would make me feel better. So, what now? We're going to the precinct?"

"I can't go today." And she looked at Alexis who was playing with Monkey Bunkey.

"Ah, you're right. That means we will go tomorrow. I don't know your colleagues and I don't think they will let me interfere. If it's okay with you, I will leave. I can't concentrate on anything right now, and I need to think about today's events."

"It's understandable. If you need to talk to someone, I'm here." Whoa, Kate, where did that come from? But something about him told her he's not like the papers portrayed him. And Alexis calmed down immediately when he picked her up. She wasn't comfortable with everyone, and that told something about Rick. He's more than he's showing.

"I might take you up on that. It's just too much for me now, and I need to be alone. Sorry."

"No need to be sorry. Take your time. And if you don't want to come to the precinct tomorrow, we will understand."

"I will think about it and I will let you know tonight or tomorrow morning. Bye, Kate!"

"Bye, Rick! And try to not be so hard on yourself."

"I will try. Thank you!" And he was out the door. Just then, Alexis decided she wanted to eat, so Kate made something for her and planned their activities. A walk in the park would help both of them.

The hardest part of the day was when it was Alexis's bedtime. She wanted to spend more time with her mommy and try to stay awake as much time as possible when Kate was reading stories to her. Of course, Kate saw that, but her heart didn't let her tell Alexis it's time to stop and go to sleep, so she read until her baby fell asleep.

When Kate went to bed, she couldn't help but think about Rick, so she took her phone and at the same moment, she received a text from him. How the universe works.

'I know you're probably asleep, but I wanted to thank you for what you told me today. I can see things differently now.'

'Not asleep. I was about to text you, to see how you are. You don't have to thank me. It was the truth. I think you would have done the same thing for me.'

When she saw he's not going to respond, Kate decided to put her phone away and get some sleep. A few minutes later Kate's phone rang. It was Rick. What if something happened?

"Hey, Rick."

"Hey, Kate. Sorry to bother you, but I'm not in the mood for texting. And you told me I can talk to you if I need someone. I hope the offer is still on."

"Of course! Maybe I can cheer you up. So, tell me, how are you? How are you feeling?"

"I won't lie to you. It's hard. I know some writers would be so happy that someone is copying their fictional crimes, but not me. This is not something to be happy about. And I'm angry, frustrated, but determined to help you solve this."

"That's good! But you know we have to put away your case for now, right?"

"Oh yeah, about that. I know we don't have anything, and I was thinking that maybe we should give up. There's nothing in this world I want more than to meet my baby, but if the parents don't want to, no one can help us."

"If you're sure, okay. But if and when you want, we could start again."

"That's good to know. Now I will let you sleep, cause if you're not Wonder Woman, you can't resist without much sleep and a baby that requires your attention all the time. And besides that, you're a cop. You might as well be Wonder Woman."

That made Kate laugh. It was one of the best sounds Rick heard in his entire life. He would do anything to hear it again.

"I am sure I am not Wonder Woman but thank you! So, I will see you tomorrow?"

"See you tomorrow! Good night, Kate!"

"Good night, Rick!"

The next morning, when Kate got out of the elevator Montgomery called her in his office.

"Close the door, detective."

This has to be something case related, and he didn't want to be heard by everyone.

"Please, take a seat. I called you to brief you about this case. I know Esposito didn't send you all the details about it. But first, I want to ask you something."

"Sure. Ask away."

"How is Rick doing? If I ask him, he will tell me he's okay. Maybe you saw something I didn't."

"We don't talk about the current case now, are we?"

"You're not one of the best detectives for nothing." And he motioned for Kate to continue.

"He told me to stop investigating. We don't have any lead and he told me no one can help us. He's trying to be strong, but… I wish I could help him more, but I don't know how."

"By being there. Maybe you didn't lose your baby, but you lost your mom. I know there is no term of comparison between the two situations, but just like you did a few years ago, Rick needs someone to be there for him. Yes, I know you two just met, but I think you are the only one that understands how he feels. Well, I know that too. That's the reason I gave you the case."

"You do? How so?"

"When Evan was only 2, I took him to his first baseball game. There were so many people, and even if I told him to stay with me, he saw another kid and left me. I lost him for two days. I felt so useless, as a dad and a cop. I couldn't find my son so how could I solve crimes? But Evelyn helped me so much to get out of that rabbit hole. That's the real reason I gave you the case. And now Rick is the one who needs to get out of his rabbit hole, and we are the only people who can help him. I was thinking about making him a temporary consultant for your team. That way he has something to occupy his mind with, but only if you agree."

"I think that's a great idea, sir! But we have to ask him too."

"And now we can." That's when Kate saw him coming out of the elevator.