"Hi Richard"

"Hi Josh"

Castle tried to remain unmoved at the sight of him while in his mind he was cursing Josh in any language he know for being there in that moment. Rick had no time to lose because him, Beckett was awake and he had to be near her not there to talk with that motorcycle boy.

"I'm sorry but i have to go to her. I will speak freely with you later". Castle pointed to the door of the room as he spoke and began to turn towards it, using all his willpower to not to run away from Josh ang run in that room, but he had to stop again when the doctor recalled him.

"I believe we should talk instead". Josh's tone left no doubt. Talking was the last things he planned to do at the time and Castle had no way to escape from this torture. Puffing he turned to the doctor not care to hide his discomfort.

"Unless you want to talk about the health of Beckett you and i have nothing to talk about. So tell me how she is so then i can go in person to make certain". The patience of Castle was truly at the limit. He brought his arms to cross the chest and the doctor began to explain. What emerged from the mouth of Josh was not what Castle expected, or at least what he wanted to hear at the time.

"You're not welcome here Richard. Your place isn't there." Josh said simply, mimicking the gesture of the writer, wanting to challange him on the same livel.

"And who decided? You? Or was Beckett to tell you this?". His hands itched like never before and the only reason he hadn't thrown a punch in the face of the man was to avoid the intervention of security and therefore risk to being expelled from the hospital in a bad way and cannot be able to see the detective.

"I decided. Thinking about what was the best for Katie". The battle had begun. Both care of Beckett and neither would have given up so easily. Josh had on his side to be her boyfriend but Castle knew Kate very well, in a way that the doctor could never, even after a millions years.

"you aren't her father. You cannot decide what is or what is not best for her. So stop wasting my time and let me go to Beckett. " Nonsense. Only nonsense coming out from the mouth of Josh and stay there to hear it wasn't worth the effort. Castle tried to walk away but Josh stopped in front of him, blocking him by placing both hands on his shoulder.

"What the hell..". He said to him abruptly, taking away his hands from him.

"I will not be her father but i'm her boyfriend. I worry for her and i don't want anything to happen to her. ". Tempers began to heat up even more and the voices grew more and more louder. The people around watch them but didn't intervene even if more than one nurse were more than ready to stop them if thing had degenerated. TO hear that statement Castle couldn't not hel but laugh as he walked away a few step from Josh.

" You say you care?. You don't want that anything happen to her? So tell me dear doctor where were you when she needed? Where were you when she was sick thinking about her mother?Where were you when they shot her in that damn cemetery?" For every clarificarion Rick hit him harder and harder on the shoulder using his index finger, being now face to face with him.

"I have responsibilities, I have to save lives". Josh spoke trought clenched teeth not dropping his gaze from Castle but keeping his eyes fixed on him.

"Beckett is your responsibility. You weren't around when you had and now you try to find in me the cause. You are wrong. I'm not going to your game. And now step away please.". Castle did to overcome him but Josh was too quick for him and took him by extending his arm and pulled Castle against the wall, making him slam his back against it. Castle cursed by pain when he heard the voice of a nurse.

"I remind you that we are still in a hospital. If you have problems fix it outside the building. Here there are people who are sick and they don't need to hear yours bickering".

Josh loosened his grip on Castle but not broke away from him hadn't finished yet.

"I've been always been around when i could" Josh still pressed on, wanting to prove at all costs that he was a great boyfriend but Castle could see very well that things were different.

"I stand correct. You could be with her only when she allowed it, because when she was hurt you don't have the courage to go there to comfort her. Why don't you see that you aren't capable of this while Beckett understood this. Did she ever talked about Royce with you? And the journey made in Los Angeles to find his murderess? Or did she see you all the reports about the murder of her mother that she keeps hanging on the windows?"

Seeing the surprised face of the doctor and his sudden lack of words Castle knew that he had felt the blow and that he now was in the lead.

"As i thought. You dont' know any of that. Maybe it's time to wonder why". Rick was sure of winning, and on his face had already formed a broad smile of victory. Nothing now could change things. He would go to Beckett, to be near her, and when her wounds had healed he would tell her what kind of jerk was her boyfriend and that was time to leave him for someone better. Him.

But for the third time in a few minutes Josh was able to stop him from his intentions.

"It is so hard to understand that the reason why Katie and i cannot live how we want our story is you?". Now Josh spoke with broken voice. Now in it there was more despair. Castle felt a lump in the throat and he was no longer able to take another step foward. He watched the door of Beckett's room, a few step away, but yet he couldn't move. . He understood what Josh was feeling. Rick was sure that Kate felt something for him, she had made it clear with that kiss, inside the container, in front of the bomb. But suppose it was one thing, hear it another. And what Beckett said was that Josh was her boyfriend, that she wanted give him a chance and so the writer began to wonder if he really hadn't play an important role in their story.

"Beckett has chosen you. If something is not right isn't my fault.". He knew that those words didn't correspond to the truth but he wouldn't admit it, Castle was so afraid that he remained with his back to the other man, not having the courage to look in his face and see his suffering.

"She chose me only because she couldn't have you. But i really love her and if only Katie realized that she is so important to me things would be better. I want her to be happy. That she relies on me, and not on you as she doing. But until you'll be nex to Katie i will never have the opportunity to be the boyfriend i want. I will always compared to you and let's face it, i have no chance of winning". Josh slide along the wall until he found himself sitting on the floor with his head between his knees, looking at his shoes. Castle didn't expect this behavior from him that looked like a superhero, strong and fearless. Never in his life he had taken a decision so difficult. He also wanted the best for Beckett and perhaps Josh could give it to her. He gave one last look at that room, imaginig she pale but alive, smiling to him, her beautiful voice bring him back on earth. As would be nice if only. If only.

"You have your chance Josh. Don't waste it". Rick said passed next to him before going over the elevator, take it and leaving his heart in that corridor.

Outside the hospital he heard a voice call him with increasing insistence.

"Castle. Hey Castle i'm here."