Author's Note: I know they seem relax here but I wanted to emphasize that they really believe that Castle is fine and he will be found eventually. If he's really gone, they will really feel it.

Chapter 3

Castle's Loft

Kate didn't know how she's going to do this. She stands in front of Castle's door wondering how she's going to look at things that will remind her of Castle. She took a deep breath, braced herself and presses the buzzer.

Martha opened the door. Martha embraced Beckett which caught her by surprise. I should be the one comforting her not the other way around.

'Oh dear, it's nice to see you have you heard any news? Let me get you some wine, it will calm your nerves.' Martha let her in and got back to her wine.

She was supposed to object but Lanie and the guys keep telling her a while ago, she's so tense and tired. So needs it even just one glass. 'I'm so sorry, we haven't had news yet only that the plane was on autopilot when it should be on manual. The plane's oxygen was depressurized leading to fuel starvation and it caused insufficient oxygen to the people in the plane, that's why they we're unconscious. The pilot somehow managed to bring the plane down right away but unfortunately the pilot didn't notice the turbulence caused by the thunderstorm immediately and was caught at the microburst's tailwind. The plane lost control. Somehow the authorities were glad that the pilot decided to take down the plane right away because if not, all the passengers would have been dead by now because of lack of oxygen in the plane.'

'Richard must have notice something was wrong. I really believe now that somehow, even half conscious he might have got himself off that plane.'

'We all believe that too. The other officers are now canvassing the crash site and are checking the town near if they found Castle, Rick there.' Beckett forgot she was talking to Martha and looked away for a moment to hide her embarrassment for slipping up. She can feel Castle's essence inside the room. Oh Castle, Rick, please where are you? 'Martha, how are you doing? Did you get some sleep?'

'I did but I dreamt of Richard in a garden I don't recognize walking away from me, from us and we keep calling to him but he's ignoring us and after that I couldn't sleep anymore. I don't feel good about that dream but they said that dreams are an indication of the person reaching out to you. Alexis is upstairs. It's a good thing it's their vacation. She's supposed to hang out with Paige but she refused to and even tried on going to the precinct. She doesn't want to just sit and wait.'

'I understand how she feels that is why; I called a friend of mine to help us. He's good with his job.'

'I really appreciate that. Thank you. How are you doing?' Martha walked to Kate and clutches her hand. 'I want to tell you that you are welcome in this house. Should there be a need for you to rest and have company.'

'Thank you Martha, I'll just talk to Alexis.'

'Oh, I almost forgot. They sent Richard's things. This one is in his jacket. It's for you.' Martha looks at the letter tenderly. 'I didn't read it.'

Kate looked at the letter in her hands, somehow it scared her that maybe this is Castle's way of saying goodbye to her. She reached the letter slowly and looks at it skeptically. 'Thank you Martha, the guys and Lanie might drop here to check up on you guys.'

'Thank you. I really hope that they find anything right away about Richard.'

'I'm sure they will.'

ALEXIS' ROOM

Beckett slowly knocks at the door, 'Alexis?' she spoke softly afraid that she might be sleeping.

'Come in.' Alexis rose from her bed and faced the door.

Beckett came in and went to hugged Alexis. Her eyes we're swelling from the crying and when she saw Beckett, she looks as if she might cry again.

'Sweetie… shhh… we're going to do our best to find and we will find him.'

'I'm so afraid of losing him; I don't know what I'm going to do if that ever happens. Did you know why he accepted the book tour and signing events?'

'Why?'

'He told me there are things he can't take at the moment. He wants to get away for a while and he said it will also help him from writing his fourth book by getting new perspectives but he will be back before we know it. He's been destructed these fast few days, he couldn't write a single word, he just stares at his laptop, and you know what else he does? '

'What?' Beckett can't help it but think that she somehow has something to do with it. Castle and her had grown close ever since he came back from last summer. She felt crying but she promised herself she's going to be strong for Alexis, Martha and for Castle. This isn't the time to procrastinate and blaming.

'He's cleaning the loft when he's not doing anything. I mean he never cleans. He rarely cleans. He only cleans when he's trying to distract himself or block his thoughts, until Paula called and he accepted it. He packed his things as if he couldn't wait to get out of here. He said the trip would be lonely if he's alone, he wanted me to come with him and I said no cause I wanted to spend some time with my friends and Ashley.'

'I'm so sorry Alexis but he never told me. I didn't even notice. In the precinct, he seems to be his old self.' Beckett chuckled as she reminisce Castle's antics. 'Annoying me and creeps me out by staring at me almost the entire day, and act like a 12-years old with Ryan and Esposito.'

Alexis smiled too but didn't reach her eyes.

'Alexis, sweetie, it's not your fault. Your father understood that you're growing up. In fact he also joked of inviting me as well but he knows my job. He said if I go on vacation, the criminals might got out of hibernation and start killing because their finest detective is on the other continent.'

'Kate, what if we don't see him again? He's the best dad I could ever ask for. He's always there for me ever since. '

'No, that's not going to happen. I have a strong feeling that we're going to find him and when he does, we'll make sure this doesn't happen again. We're going to have lots of time with him doing fun things. Sweetie… believe me, we're going to find him. Besides he promised us that he'll be back before we know it. Right?'

Alexis nodded.

'I know he's not going to break that promise.'

'No, he won't especially with you Kate. He cares a lot about you. He loves you and I hope that you can see it too. I've never seen him care about someone the way he cares for you.'

'I care for him too. Promise me that you're going to be strong and you're going to take care of yourself for your dad. He only wants what's best for you.'

'I promise but Kate, please promise me the same thing and that you're not going to blame yourself too.'

'I promise.' Kate grinned at her while she caresses her hair.

'Did grams give you Dad's letter already?'

'Yes, she did, I'll read it when I get home. Now come on, eat dinner with your grandma.'

Alexis cheered up and follow Kate by the stairs.

'Oh thank God, I know she's the only one you're going to listen to.' Martha held Alexis' face in her hands and kisses her forehead.

'Come on Darling let's eat.' Martha glances at Kate smiling tenderly at them. 'Kate, why don't you join us?'

'No, thank you. I'm not yet hungry.'

'Nonsense, I know you haven't eaten anything healthy in the precinct.' Martha pushed Kate to the dining room.

'Come on Kate, join us. Please.' Alexis pleaded at her with her own puppy dog eyes.

'Fine.' She chuckled to herself as she remembers Castle pulling the trick at her. For a while it's nice to pretend that Castle is just having a vacation somewhere and playing hide and seek and he's winning. I wish that we're the case.