The day of, Kate woke alone, curled up in Martha's old room (Martha had moved to Los Angeles for a role on some soap opera). Despite her expectations, Castle had not attempted anything funny that night, just tucking the blanket around her and kissing her forehead before departing to his room. She sat up, and tossed her long legs over the edge. Castle had loaned her a pair of his pajamas, which were about three sizes too big for her thin frame, but were quite comfortable to sleep in. The alarm clock next to the bed was flashing 6:47, which meant that she had to be at the precinct in a bit over an hour.

She pushed the door open slowly and snuck out of the room as quietly as she could. Castle enjoyed his late nights and she didn't want to wake him up this early. Her plan was to just get some juice and head back to her apartment, but, to her surprise, Castle was already in the kitchen, futzing with something on the stove.

"Ah, you're up! Just in time too: I'm making pancakes!" he exclaimed joyfully, causing Kate to laugh. The last time he had made pancakes, a body had been planted in front of her door, and Ryan and Esposito had accused the two of them of having sex. "There's juice and coffee on the counter," Castle said loudly, ignoring her laughter. He looked half-asleep at this point, and Kate smiled at the idea of him burning the pancakes.

"Thanks, Castle. That's really sweet, especially since you look like you're about to pass out into the batter." Castle grinned sheepishly, and yawned. "Here, give me that." She took the spoon from his hands and ladled out the rest of the batter onto the skillet. "Since you're up, do you want to come into the precinct with me?"

"Sure. I could always use another cup of monkey pee and battery acid." Kate laughed, agreeing with him that the coffee there tasted as foul as Castle had said.

X

Kate and Castle walked out of the elevator together, and down the hallway to her desk. Castle had two coffees and was attempting to gesticulate with them. Laughing, Kate took one of them and took a long sip. She was always grateful for Castle, especially when he took her mind of off something that was bothering her. They sat together at her desk, Castle in his usual seat and Kate in her wheelie chair. Castle was still talking away about something Kate was half-listening to, but she smiled anyway, enjoying his passion about leotards or leopards or whatever he was talking about.

Castle's phone went off suddenly causing Kate to chuckle; what had possessed the man to make California Gurlz his ringtone was completely beyond her.

"It's Alexis' favorite song!" he tried to explain.

"Well, what's my ringtone?" she prodded with a grin. He didn't answer, instead opening the phone.

"Hey, sweetheart. What's up?" He rolled his eyes at Kate, who turned back to her desk and started reading from the file on her desk. Castle disappeared around the corner, talking animatedly over the phone and gesticulating wildly again. Sometimes, Castle just infuriated Kate, but times like these made her glad she had kept him on as a partner. He was a really good guy.

"Kate," a cold voice said behind her, causing her to jump. She closed her eyes and inhaled slowly.

"What do you want, Josh? I'm working."

"I just want to talk." The coldness of his voice was giving her goosebumps.

"Josh, I kicked you out. I don't want to talk to you." She heard a click behind her and cold metal at the back of her head. Her blood ran cold at the sound she knew all too well.

"I think you want to talk. Conference room." She stood, feeling the gun pressed against her back and Josh inches from her, breathing on her neck. A shudder ran down her spine. She opened the door and walked in, glancing around for something she could use to defend herself. Oh, what's the point? I can't defend myself from a shot point-blank. She turned to face him. The gun was aimed at her chest.

"What's this about, Josh? Are you mad that I kicked you out?"

"Oh, we both know you didn't mean it." His voice was unnervingly calm. "We both know that you were just mad and that I would come back tonight to my girl."

"No, Josh. You tore my mother's murderboard out of the window."

"It was just a piece of paper."

"Josh, she was my –" A loud pop echoed through the small room. Kate stood frozen for a second before her legs gave out under her. Her breathing came in short ragged gasps. Her hand found its way up to her shirt, soaked through with blood. Oh my god, he actually shot me. Somebody help me. He shot me.

"That oughta hold you." Josh turned on his heel and stormed out of the room. Kate heard someone male scream her name, another pop and saw the Captain hit the floor, his eyes glassy and unmoving. Captain. He killed the Captain. Come on, get up, Kate. Get up and get out of here. She pulled herself upright and staggered for the hallway. The door felt like it was made of lead, but she heaved it open, the effort making her head spin. She could feel blood dripping down her torso, and fell to her knees again, the room slowly going black.

"Kate! KATE!" She saw a shadow running towards her. "It's okay. We're gonna get you out of here! Somebody call an ambulance!" Pain shot through her body as rough hands pressed on her stomach. "You're gonna be okay. I promise." Someone was shouting, and she could see someone close the Captain's eyes. She opened her mouth, trying to formulate a coherent sentence. She always thought she would die from a bullet, but not from her ex-boyfriend. The son-of-a-bitch shot her. Only one word was running on a loop in her head as she lost consciousness.

Castle.