What's this? A fic on a Wednesday? Yes! This one is the shortest of the bunch and I didn't feel like it was 'fair' to post it on Sunday when people are expecting a longer fic. So, here it is. I still kinda love this one and it is set a lot further in the future than most of the other one-shots. Enjoy!

Kate felt the coldness of her wedding ring scrape against her eyebrow. Subconsciously shielding herself from the vision in front of her. The angry black and blue bruises were a stark contrast to the normally smiley face of her oldest son. The same face that had quickly kissed her cheek and smiled a goodbye to her after breakfast that same morning. His normally boyish floppy hair styled to the T (just like his father) in disarray and molded to his forehead.

With shaky hands she moved the locks of deep brown hair from his face, which only revealed another gash that had been neatly stitched up. She quickly retracted her hand that her husband took in his.

"I feel so guilty, Rick." She whispered after a long period of silence. Castle shook his head, pulling his wife closer.

"It is not your fault, Kate."

"Well he's lying unconscious in a hospital isn't he?" She hissed.

Castle knew she only directed her anger towards him because she didn't know how to handle her emotions "Listen to me, you know how responsible Jake is. The police report clearly said it was a drunk driver that did this to him." Rick felt another surge of anger boil up for the asshole that decided that he was fine to drive a car while having had more than a few drinks.

"But if I hadn't gifted him my Harley he wouldn't be in here." She exclaimed. More angry with herself than with anyone else.

Castle sighed, "Kate, you know that that isn't true..."

"Oh, really how do you -"

Kate was suddenly interrupted by the familiar yet faint sound of her son's voice,

"Don't argue" Jake said, a faint smile on his face.

Kate let out a relieved, but shaky, laugh and bent over, rearranging his hair yet again, and cupping his face in her hands.

When Jake was a little boy, he would always go in between his parents whenever they'd argue about something (mostly very benign) and stated, "Don't fight!" with a very determined facial expression, which always made his parents chuckle. Of course, whenever the couple did have a real argument they never did it in front of their children.

"Welcome back, son." Castle said relieved. Squeezing the young man's arm.

Jake closed his eyes again, trying to adjust to the bright hospital lights. "How's the Harley?"

Kate huffed; of course it was the first thing he'd ask, "Total-loss from the impact."

Jake let out a grunt, "Damn it!"

Kate shook her head; "You didn't think I'd let you drive off on it again after this, did you?"

Jake opened his eyes again. Making his head throb. "It wasn't my fault!" He exclaimed. "I'm always careful, you know that!"

Kate shushed him. "We know, we know. It was a drunk driver. Not you."

Jake huffed "Son of a bitch," And relaxed back into the hospital bed, "that car just came out of nowhere. I loved that bike…"

Castle sat next to his son, "Don't you want to know about your injuries?"

The teen looked at his bandaged leg, "I'm guessing, broken leg?"

His father nodded, "Yeah, double fracture and two broken ribs. But no additional internal bleeding. Just a few bumps and scratches. You've been super lucky."

Jake just nodded and closed his eyes. He was relieved to know that he was going to be fine but still miffed about his bike. He loved the feeling of being so free, the roaring of the motor, and the feel of the leather.

"Jake, please don't scare us like that again." Kate muttered to her son.

Jake opened one eye and smirked "Oh well, you'd still have my duplicate."

"Not funny, Jake."

Jake closed his eyes again, drowsy from the pain killers "…A little funny."

'till Sunday!