It didn't make any sense. Three weeks had passed since the day the Kelly Nieman decided to resound her fixation on Kate's beauty. In truth, Kate found it difficult to decipher if Dr. Nieman was behind the murder, or if Jerry Tyson was tormenting Castle once again. Regardless, Kate found the fact that the two remained dormant for just shy of a month unsettling. For this reason she lay in bed staring off into the dark silence above her. Her mind preoccupied by the dissection of nuances of the two psychopaths when a salient detail struck her with bitter ferocity.

"Something isn't right." Kate said causing her to jolt upright. The cold air struck her bare arms where the bedding no longer remained.

"Babe, what are you talking about?" Castle replied not yet awake.

"I don't know. It just feels like someone's watching us." She felt ridiculous for sounding so paranoid.

Castle didn't reply prompting Kate to wonder if he'd fallen asleep once again.

"Castle." Kate whispered. "Are you still there?"

"Yeah." His response passive." I was just thinking."

Kate didn't appreciate the vague response. It invited a multitude of scenarios to flood her mind, all with unpleasant conclusions.

"And what were you thinking about?" The strain in her tone betrayed her.

Castle sat up and nuzzled closer to Kate, drawing her into his arms. She relished in the sensation of his fingertips gliding across her arms, their warmth disputed the chill of the loft. She loved this man and admired his character more with each passing day. He had always brought out the best in her and she endeavored to do the same for him. Kate had almost released all worry, when her husband's voice called her back to reality.

"I've felt it too." He sighed regretful of his confession. "For weeks now. I can't place my finger on why though."

"I think you should have your mother and Alexis extend their 'vacation' just to be safe."

"I'm already ahead of you. I spoke with both of them earlier today."

"Oh, good." She said relieved at the news. Her hands were now caressing his thighs with a marked affection.

"So what do we do?" Castle's voice was rigid and protective. "I'm not risking your safety in any way."

"The best we can do is increase the security here, but you and I both know that Tyson and Nieman border on sociopathic genius." She offered a dim smile in attempt to reassure him.

"Well, Mrs. Castle, I can't sleep." His intonation playful in an attempt to divert the conversation.

"I can't either." She looked at her watch on the night stand, 4 A.M. "The good news is that I have an hour before I have to get ready for work."

"That's good news?" He countered in disgust.

"Of course it's not!" She teased. "You know how much I love working a 12 hour day without sleeping at all the night before." Even though she knew that her husband couldn't see her she rolled her eyes, her trademark.

"Well, if you have an hour..." He breathed into her ear.

"Castle." Her reply dry. "Is that all you ever think about?"

"Not all, but I am a man. So the majority of the time, yes."

"Good." She smirked at him. "Then I'm doing something right."

"Richard Castle, you make it difficult to leave this bed." Kate scowled with sarcasm at her husband.

"I can't help it. I'm ruggedly handsome." He shot a sheepish grin back at her.

"And smart." She kissed him with a hint of tease. "And witty." Another kiss. "And strong." Another. "And an amazing husband and father."

"Do you have to get up?" He said with a pout.

"Yes, unfortunately."

"In that case, I'd like to report a homicide." He said picking his phone and pretending to dial.

"What?" Kate inquired, genuine in her confusion.

"Yes, my wife. She's killing me."

"Oh, Castle." She said rolling her eyes at him. "You come to work with me. Most husbands don't have that luxury."

"It's not work I'm concerned about."

"Babe, I need to get ready." She responded ignoring the prior comment and getting out of bed.

Defeated Castle laid back down tempted to fall asleep once again while Kate ventured into the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee. She was going to need it to make it through her day. He heard her make her way into the walk in closet to grab some clothes to lay out. Soon a crash in unison with Kate's audible gasping jolted Castle.

"Kate!" Castle leapt up and made his way to the closet where his wife paused in front of her vanity.

He didn't need her response to see what prompted her reaction. He looked to the mirror where a message written in blood red lipstick glared at him. His heart sank and he immediately felt sick. By this point Kate found solace huddled up on the floor detached from her surroundings. They weren't safe anymore, this was proof. He sat beside his wife and held her in desperation and attempted to offer his security while he read the ominous message again.

You didn't think that I'd forget you so easily.

You're beauty is rare.

I'll never forget.

Our reunion grows closer.

Xoxo

- K

To the right of the message was a picture of Kate, no doubt taken under surveillance. He held her closer as he noticed her face adorned surgical markings preparatory for plastic surgery.