Once they are out of the building, the Swat team enters. Castle reminded them, "third room on the left side of the hallways 214."

The SWAT team heads up the steps to begin clearing other rooms. As they reach each room, a parade of students exits the building. Castle is still scanning all of the faces for the one face he needs to see, Alexis.

Kate sees his worry. She moves over to where he is standing. "Listen, I know you have no reason to believe me when I tell you this, but I understand what your feeling. The not knowing is harder. It will work out. Alexis is a great kid with a good head on her shoulders. I know she will stay as safe as she can and I know this will work out. I care about her too, you know."

Castle turns to Kate and his voices catches as he says, "I thought I pushed away from ever caring about me or my family. I thought I ruined it. Kate, it is because I wanted to help you, that's all."

"I am returning that right now, Rick. I want to help you now, and I see now how helping someone who is hurting is hard too. I am not sure I am saying the right things, but I know that trying to help is really worth something. Thank you for wanting to help me and for letting me help you."

"The SWAT leader who remained in command outside walks over to talk to the pair. "We are inside and on the hallway right outside the room. They can not see a shooter or students. The plan is to bust the door in and see what they have inside. This is the critical time now. We will know something very soon."

Kate grabs Rick's hand and they lean their head in to each other until they are leaning together. Kate is whispering so only Rick can hear her. "I know it will be all right. Just keep thinking good thoughts. This is all going to work out, Castle. I just know it."

Castle answers her, "God, I hope so Kate." They continue holding hands as the scene plays out. The team leader begins to scurry around. He is calling for ambulances and for the rest of the team to enter the building. He comes over to Kate and Rick.

"They are inside. The shooter shot himself while the students were locked in the science closet. They are safe but scared. The school is asking us to take all students that were in the closet to the hospital for evaluation as a safety precaution. That is the reason for the ambulances. If your daughter is still in there, you can go in now to see her. Everyone was safe, Mr. Castle. Your daughter is safe."

Castle is overcome with the good news. He grabs Kate and hugs her hard while he quietly cries. "Thank you Kate, Thank you for helping me. You were right, Alexis is ok." He pulls back with tears streaming and he sees Kate. She is crying too, tears of relief and happiness.

She manages to say, "Let's go see Alexis together."

He drags Kate into the school and up the flight of stairs. As he enters the classroom, Alexis comes running out to him. She grabs her Dad and the two of them hug and cry as relief just washes over them. Kate walks over to them. Alexis grabs Kate and thanks her for helping and for being there for her Dad. The two hug and Castle is so overwhelmed he puts his arms around both of them. What a little sight they make in the classroom. When they separate, Kate tells Alexis they will be taking her to the hospital for evaluation. She will probably spend the night and be released tomorrow.

Alexis nods but then adds, "I knew him Dad. I knew the shooter. His name was Davis Mc Allister. Kids made fun of him. I thought he was a nice kid and he was in some of my classes. I feel awful for him."

"Kids can be mean Alexis. But I am glad you weren't. I'm sure he appreciated that about you. You are a good soul," her Dad said.

The ambulances arrive and begin taking students to the hospital. They won't let Castle go because they are transporting so many students they need the space. He is to meet Alexis there. He kisses her and tells her that he will see her at the ER.

Kate walks over to Castle. "Don't think for one minute buddy, that I am not coming with you, ok? I intend on driving your butt over there and then see that both of you are well taken care, and I do not want to hear one word. Hear me? You can't just leave me here to wonder, no way. I am in this too. Hear me Castle; I am in this for the long haul. You just won't be able to get rid of me."

Castle smiles, puts his arm over Kate's shoulders as they walk out together to her car.

"Detective, you will never hear a peep out of me. I will do whatever you say, from now on."

Beckett turns around to no one in particular and says out loud, "Did anyone get that on tape? DO I have witnesses to what this man just said? Anyone? Hmmm, it figures no witnesses."

Beckett and Castle make quite a team and this team will be together for quite awhile, since Castle wouldn't have it any other way.