Hey guys, I noticed some errors in Chapter 1 so I proofread Chapter 2 to make sure that there were no misspellings of any kind and if I did, I am sorry in advance. Don't hesitate to inform me. Thanks.

I do not own Castle

Chapter 2

Videotapes

Abandoned Warehouse …

Somewhere … God only knows; Castle is strapped to a slab bleeding from the wound he received a few hours ago. One of the men who attacked him this morning appeared from within the shadows with a video camera. Followed right behind were 3XK and the other mystery man and in his hands were 2 very large steel pipes. A huge smile appeared on Jerry Tyson's face, a smile which meant that his torturing was about to begin. As Tyson approached him, he saw the fear in Castles eyes, giving him that feeling of pleasure. "Well Mr. Castle, I do believe it's time to begin. But first, I'm having a video made and sent to the precinct to your beloved Kate. I'm sure by now she's looking for you!" Castle's eyes were filled with tears fearing that this may be the end of his life. But he wasn't gonna give up, no matter what, when he said ALWAYS … he meant it. Tyson looked up and as soon as he did, one of the men nodded letting him know that it was time.

Back at the precinct …

After making phone calls to Meredith, Gina and Paula, confirming that they hadn't heard or seen Castle, she definitely knew that is was not a misunderstanding. Castle was in trouble but she had very little to go on. After submitting a petition for a warrant, she managed to retrieve the video footage of Castles building. That's when Ryan and Espo walked into the bullpen towards Beckett. "Yo Beckett, anything yet on Castles whereabouts?" Beckett shook her head, "No. How did you know … wait, Lanie told you right?" Ryan stepped in this time, "Beckett, if there's anything we can do to help, tell us. He's our friend too. We're gonna find him." Kate nodded her head, trying to keep her emotions under control and headed back to the conference room, closing the door behind her.

The boys knew she couldn't do this alone so they headed towards Gates' office. A knock on the door and walking in, Gates looked up from her desk, confused "Detectives, what's the meaning of this?" Espo spoke, "Sir, we're sorry to interrupt but we'd like to turn over our case to another homicide team. We feel its best that we assist Beckett in Castles kidnapping." Gates rose from her chair, "Detectives, I'm sorry but I'm afraid that's impossible! It is far too late to …" She was interrupted by Ryan, "We understand that Sir but with all due respect, Castle is a part of our team. Cop or not, he's important to us and Beckett can't do this on her own." Gates walked from around her desk, deep in thought and then replied, "I see! And no matter what I say, you're not gonna let this go are you?" They shook their heads in response. Gates knew she didn't have a choice, "Ok Detectives, you have my permission to assist Beckett in her investigation. Your case will be reassigned to Karpowski and her team. I'm never this lenient when it comes to anything but I'll make an exception this one time. You will maintain professionalism! Keep me posted and please, on your way out, brief Karpowski." With that said, she returned to her work as the boys headed out. They were gonna do whatever it takes to get Castle back, not leaving Kate to do it on her own because frankly, she was about to crack and they weren't gonna let that happen. Kate was strong when it came to her work but in this case, it was Castle … her boyfriend. They were gonna find him, one way or another.

Once they were done briefing Karpowski, Ryan and Espo headed to the conference room where Kate was doing her brainstorming. Being out in the bullpen wasn't doing her any good, thus with the constant work ethics going on, she needed peace and quiet. Kate looked up from her work, "What's going on? I thought you guys would be out looking into that homicide?" Espo and Ryan walked over to have a seat, and that's when Ryan responded, "We were but … you need us right now Beckett and so does Castle. We talked to Gates and she gave us permission to help! He's our friend too Kate and we want him back as much as you do." Kate's eyes began to form tears knowing that her partners, her friends were there when she was in a crisis. She nodded her head in acceptance saying, "Thank you."

Within the few hours, Beckett, Ryan and Espo ran through video footage, possible contacts … every lead they could think of but there was nothing. Gates had gone home for the day but before leaving; she informed them to keep her updated. It wasn't until later that L.T. walked in, "Excuse me, sorry to interrupt but Detective Beckett, you have a package." She looked confused, "Do you know from whom?" L.T. shook his head handing it to her, "No return address. Just your name." Beckett took the package and L.T. returned to his work duties in the precinct. She then immediately opened it revealing a DVD marked with her name "Detective Kate Beckett". Placing the DVD inside the computer, she braced herself. But, she didn't expect what was to be revealed … the one person Castle tried to tell her that wasn't dead months ago on that bridge … 3XK.

DVD in motion

"Well Hello Detective Beckett! If you're wondering why I'm contacting you … it's because I have something no … (laughing) … I have someone that is extremely important to you. I'm sure you can take a wild guess but instead, I'd rather show you." Within that time, the camera was pointed in the direction of Castle … who was in so much pain from the single stab wound. Beckett gasped in horror as tears formed and fell from her face. Then the camera was turned back towards Tyson, "As you can see … you're beloved partner/ boyfriend is tied down to a slab. Now, he's not doing too well as you can tell. That wound is pretty bad and with the cold air in this building … it doesn't help. Now detective, if you want to see your boyfriend again, I suggest you figure out where I am within the next 48 hours. If you're not here within that time, you're beloved boyfriend here will be DEAD! You're time starts NOW! Oh, and let Detective Ryan know that I said hello. I'm sure he's there with you. (Laughing) … Until then, enjoy the show."

As Kate, Ryan and Esposito watched Tysons goons torture Castle, in that brief moment, Kate broke down, seeing the love of her life in so much pain. She tried not to let her emotions get the best of her, determined to stay professional like she said she would, but this … this was too much. Ryan grabbed Kate and embraced her in a tight hug as Espo shut the DVD off. They'd never seen her in so much pain, so scared, she felt helpless. If she'd believed him months prior, she would have continued this manhunt for 3XK. But she brushed it off assuring Castle that he was indeed dead and that he had nothing to worry about. Once she had calmed herself down, Ryan sat her in a chair and let her be for the time being.

Espo pulled Ryan aside, "She can't deal with this tonight. Look at her!" Ryan turned and he could see the pain that she was going through. As hard as she tried, nothing could take away the image of her boyfriend being beaten by these sick assholes. He turned back towards Javi, "Call Lanie and have her escort Beckett home. We can't have her drive … and she could use a friend right now. In the meantime, you and I are gonna continue looking for that sick son of a bitch and put him away once and for all." Javi nodded as he pulled out his phone to dial Lanie.

Ryan walked back to Beckett, and had a seat next to her. Grabbing her hands, "Hey! How are you holding up?" She looked at him, eyes red and puffy as more tears left them. Nothing Ryan could say or do could take away the pain that was burning in her heart. By then Espo came by with some tissues, handing them to Kate. She accepted, whipping away her tears, she took a deep breath, trying to respond but the words were caught in her throat. Ryan intervened, "Its ok. You don't have to say anything but Javi and I want you to go home and rest." She shook her head, "No!" More tears escaped from her eyes as she stood up from her chair, protesting in anger. "I'm not leaving until we find him. He needs me." Within that time, Lanie had arrived, Javi spoke, "Beckett, we're gonna find him. But you can't work in this condition. If Gates sees that you're emotions are getting the best of you, she will pull you from this case. You need to go home and rest! Get some sleep and come back with a fresh start in the morning. Ryan and I will stay here a little while longer and keep looking for this psychotic son of a bitch."

By then Lanie approached her, "Honey! Listen to the boys please. You need to go home and sleep. Castle wouldn't want you to work in this state of mind." Kate took in what her friends were saying, and they were right. "Ok. Ok I'll go home. But if anything and I mean anything comes up … you call me!" Ryan nodded as he stood up from his chair, "Of course. We're not giving up Kate. He's coming home. We'll see to it that he does." Kate gave him a small but sad smile indicating that she understood. Lanie handed Kate her stuff, "Come on … I'm taking you home. And if you need me to stay, just say the word." Kate's eyes were still filled with tears, and she didn't want to be alone tonight, "Please … stay." Lanie grabbed her friends hand and then pulled her into a tight hug, "Of course I will honey." With that said, Lanie and Kate walked to the elevator as Javi and Kevin stood observing the two women. As they entered the elevator, Kate just broke down in her best friend's arms, and then the doors closed.

Back at the abandoned warehouse …

Castle had awoken from his last beating. He'd been beaten senselessly, the uncontrollable pain running through his body wishing it was a dream. Cuts, bumps, bruises, broken bones and the stab wound … he was living in a nightmare that wouldn't end. He felt like a punching bag, there anger being taken out on him and all he could do was take it.

He slowly moved his head up to look at his body, wincing in pain, he saw blood streaming from the wound, and his rib cage was turning purple indicating that they were probably broken. Pain was shooting up his legs, not even to move them just a little. He laid his head back down and as he did, he felt his whole world flash before his eyes as he thought back to his family … his daughter, Alexis … the little girl that brought joy to his life the day she was born, his pride and joy. His mother, Martha … who struggled to make ends meet but managed to be the best mother he could ever ask for. And then there was his girlfriend, Kate … the detective that would put up with his childish behavior, the woman that changed him for the better, the woman that he loved more than anything in this world. Tears started forming in his eyes, desperately aching, wanting to go home to his family … to Kate. He had to be strong, he was determined to get through this no matter how long he had to and he knew that Kate was determined to find him no matter what it took.

In that time, 3XK appeared from within the shadows of the darkness, stepping into the light where Castle was. "You're awake! Good! (Laughs) I love seeing the fear in your eyes. I let you get away from me once; I was determined to not let it happen again." Castle inhaled slowly before speaking, "I knew you didn't die on that bridge. Something inside of me was telling me that you never were." Smiling he said, "And your girlfriend didn't believe you did she?" Castle looked away and Tyson continued, "If she had … if she along with detective Ryan continued to find me, you wouldn't be here and I'd probably be back in custody serving my life sentence. It's her fault if you die." Castle spoke this time breathing heavily, "I would never blame them for your idiotic choices. No one forced you to become this psychotic son of a bitch. It's your fault … everything that you're doing, what you did to those girls. You're a psychotic wake job who preys on young women to get what he wants. You … are … a … disgrace … to … society!"

Tyson came closer, hands behind his back, "Having a hard time breathing huh? (laughing)Well, as much as I would love to hear your negative thoughts about me, there's really something else that I'd rather do." With that he turned to retrieve a knife that was lying on the table behind him. Walking closer with the knife in hand, he smiled and ran the knife slowly across his skin.

Castle … thinking to himself

Come on Castle … don't let him see your fear. That's what he wants; he wants to see that you're letting him win. You have to stay strong for your family … for Kate.

Looking at him, Castle finally spoke, "I'm not gonna give into you Tyson. I let you get the best of me months ago when you framed me for murder. But no matter what you do … I … will … never … ever … give … into … you!" Kate will find me and when she does, she will see to it that you are put away … for good. Tyson just stood there, and with no hesitation, stabbed Castle in the arm. As painful as it was, he held in his screams and took it like a man. Smiling, Tyson pulled the knife from his arm, "I'm counting on it! And you will crack again. This whole macho man scene can only last for so long. Anyway, in the meantime, sleep tight. Until tomorrow Castle … until tomorrow." Tyson disappeared into the shadows of the night, leaving Castle alone. Fear wasn't going to bring him down. He needed to think of all the positive things in his life … the determination of getting out of this alive. Closing his eyes he thought: Alexis … mother … Javi … Lanie … Kevin … Jenny … my love, my heart, and my life … Kate! God … I love you Kate! I love you!

That is the end of Chapter 2. Tell me what you think. Thanks to southerngirl1 and uofmcowgirl for reviewing and to all the viewers and followers from the bottom of my heart. There's more to come in Chapter 3 … coming soon.