Set later. Yeah. Later. May be a tad unrealistic. Just for a heads up.

#5 / Til Death

They all keep vigil over her, but Castle doesn't leave. He knows he must look like crap, but he doesn't care. She was shot. Again. Seriously. He doesn't know what time is worse, when she was shot it the heart or now that she's been shot in the head. He keeps playing it over and over in his head, it's on replay. Honestly he can't close his eyes, can't think of anything else and if she wasn't in front of him, he's not sure he would be able to breathe.

The bullet, small caliber, Espo told him, shot her on her left side of her head, clipping her ear and chipping her skull. They'd been optimistic when they'd done scans and confirmed that only minor bone fragments had embedded into her brain. They'd been far more conservative when he'd asked what that would mean for her in the long run. They'd removed the bone fragments and the surgeon had confirmed that he was pleasantly pleased about the reconstruction of the top part of her ear and the surgery scar on the side of her head. Castle felt that they were being far to flippant about the fact that she'd just had brain surgery. And he still didn't know if there would be any brain damage. Then they'd explained the benefits of an induced coma and how long she'd be under for. So far were up to day two of five. They said they'd be starting to wake her up tomorrow, all things going well.

They checked the incision twice a day, to monitor her and check for infection. He'd seen it and almost lost breakfast. Still bloody, still red raw, he didn't really know what to think or feel and then it all started replying in his mind. From that point on he'd made himself look at the incision, asked the nurses questions (what would it look like? Should hair grow there?) so he had answers when she woke up. He'd made his peace, he hoped that she would be ok too. What was one more scar?

She was going to be so pissed that they'd shaved her head.

He'd been with Espo, spotting him as he sat on the roof. It had boded well that he'd been researching snipers and spotters, and always one for first hand experience he'd volunteered. Espo had agreed after Castle had promised the Ferrari and Kate had agreed, mostly, he thinks, to get him out of the way. In hindsight, he'd wished he'd stayed in the car. The events of that day so burned into memory.

Kate and Ryan had called him out, the suspect, and ex-military commando, who had murdered two people in a double homicide. He'd come out with two others, all shooting with dead accuracy. Espo shot from above, Ryan from the left and Kate took the right.

He'd like to say that it all happened in slow motion, but all he saw was bullets flying and Kate going down. It's later, when she's in surgery, his mind can't stop replaying it, again and again in all it's hi-def glory. His squeak and scramble from the rooftop was enough to make Espo stop, check the scope and radio down, radio for a van and then with dead accuracy put the suspects down. With the ambulance on it's way, they stay close to her, her head in Castles lap, pressure applied. Espo had no idea that she'd still been conscious until later when he was talking to Ryan. Ryan can't stop shaking his head, like he's trying to get rid of the memories, Castle does what he does best and talk. Talks about the suspect and how he's taken care of, how she's gotta get a safer job and how he's so so proud of her and the words that keep playing in Espo's mind are the unending declarations of love. Espo can't stop pacing, there, at the hospital, outside her room.

Castle braids that right side of her hair the next day. The left side is just lacking. They've taken off the bandages, leaving only the covering for her ear and head. He gathers her hair and begins the process. Alexis walks in ten minutes later, placing a vase on the bedside and shakes her head at her dad.

"You never knew how to get the side bits," she says carefully. "Can I try?"

Castle pulls away keeping one hand on Kate.

"Sure."

Alexis takes over, gently pulling her fingers through Kate's hair. It's so long compared to the other side. She can't help the tears that drop down her nose as she finishes up. What if she's not the same Kate as before? The one that she drinks tea with, talks about college and nut out problems like only girls can. The sturdy voice of reason behind her Dad's childish happy-go-lucky nature. She's come to realise that Kate never puts her dad in harms way, contrary to that, she'll put herself into the firing line. No one has really told her what's happened, it's more silent words and worried looks. She holds one hand and her dad holds the other. They're taking her out of the coma today, it scares Alexis more than she cares to admit. At least when she's asleep, Kate is more like Shrodinger's Cat, either whole or not, but no one knows which. Her dad's more of the 'lets see what we're facing' kind of guy. But she's scared.

The first thing Kate notices is she can't breathe. Even with gulping breaths, she can't breathe. This seems a bit like déjà vu, and something that she's dreamt before. The second thing she notices is that her head, hurts. These two things together almost make her white out with pain. The pain that sears through her head feels like when you've hit it hard on something or when you get up too fast and the dizziness makes you sit down again. The hyperventilation doesn't help at all either. Why is there someone sitting on her chest? Why is there something down her throat. She tried to open her eyes but they aren't responding immediately. Her arms flail, she can feel someone nearby taking her hand and holding it close. Why can't she breathe?

The first thing Kate notices is that she has a sore head. Well that's an understatement, pounding head? It's localized too. She tried to put her hand to it. Maybe if she touches it, holds it, it will stop. Stop. Her hands are gripped, she doesn't have the strength to pull them out of the hold. But her head hurts. Maybe if she tells someone.

The first thing Kate notices is her head hurts. Her throat is dry and she can see Castle sitting on a chair next to the bed. Where are they? White curtains, single bed, bed rails. A hospital? She tries to get Castle's attention. He's got her hand and she squeezes it as hard as she can.

"Cast-l?" She tries, hmm that hurts,

She sees him peering, leaning forward. And smiling. She tries to smile back, but her head hurts. Maybe Castle can help.

The first thing she notices are bright lights, above her, beside her and a man in a white coat. Oh. Yeah. Hospital. She tries to avoid the light. Then they touch her head. She tries to move away. Tries to ask them not to but her tongue feels fat, and her mouth is dry. Her body isn't quiet responding either.

The first thing she notices is Castle's a voice.

"Hagrid looked at Harry with warmth and respect blazing in his eyes, but Harry, instead of feeling pleased and proud, felt quiet sure there had been a horrible mistake."

He's reading to her. She opens her eyes.

"A wizard?.."

He looks over to her. Surprisingly her head feels a dull ache, a pounding but nothing compared to before. Almost manageable. Let's try again,

"Cast-"

His face cracks into the widest grin she's seen in a while.

"Hi sweetheart. You're ok, you're in the hospital, you were shot, you're going to be ok."

She reaches for him and he immediately takes her hand.

"I'mok, harrypotter?"

He looks at her, confused, then holds up the book.

"Yep. Gotta start them young."

This doesn't really compute. Her head hurts. Why would he play mind games if her head hurts?

She tries again.

"Hea-urrs."

He looks down at her.

"One more time Kate?"

"Head?"

"Your head hurts?"

She nods. Hmm shouldn't do that, that hurts.

"Ok I'm going to gets the doctor."

She shakes her head. Shit. Should definitely not do that again. Ever.

"Dongo."

"Alexis is here, I'll be just down the hall."

She turns her head to see Alexis on the other side of the bed. She smiles and Alexis smiles back and mouths 'hi'.

Kate closes her eyes.

The next day, maybe, she finds herself awoken. They preform assessments and tests on her which make her work. And hurt and just want to go back to sleep. Castle is there throughout the whole ordeal. She's in tears by the end.

"This hurts." She whispers to Castle,

"You're doing great," he smiles, encouragingly.

She gets put back to bed and is asleep within minutes.

"You're sure?" He asks. The doctor nods.

"She's ok to go home sometime this week."

"But she..."

"Mr. Castle your wife's surgery was two weeks ago, since then we've complete the necessary neural and motor assessments. Aside from mild aphasia and being pregnant your wife's recovering surprisingly well."

Castle breathes.

"You're sure?"

The doctor sighs.

"I wouldn't be telling you or discharging her if you I wasn't."

Castles whooshes out a breath.

"Oh, Mr. Castle, may I suggest that you tell your wife she's pregnant? The sooner the better would be good."

"Um. Yes, right! Sure! Can you tell the nurses thanks for keeping it on the down-low?"

The doctor nods and smiles. "Just tell her Mr. Castle."

One more chapter to go! Thanks for sticking with it! Again, all those who've reviewed, I can't thank you enough. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement.

Also for those not in a medical field; The difficulties of people with Aphasia is a speech/language disorder which can range from occasional trouble finding words to losing the ability to speak, read, or write, but does not affect intelligence. Some people have severe aphasia and can hardly speak a word. Other people have very mild aphasia and you may hardly notice that anything is wrong. But the person may tell you that they can't "remember" friends' names or that the exact word they're looking for won't come to mind. It's similar to always having the word "on the tip of your tongue." Just FYI.

Thanks again.