Castle walked into his apartment, not knowing what t expect when he entered. He placed his keys on the end table, and shut the door. He put his damp jacket onto the dining room chair as he walked, still looking around for Alexis, or his mother.

"Hello? Anybody home?" Castle yelled. Nothing. He opened the fridge to grab some milk, and then got out some Frosted Flakes cereal. He poured the flakey cereal into a white bowl, then the milk. He put everything away and began eating his breakfast. He stood at the kitchen island, wondering where his daughter was. She had been so upset about him not being home that morning and yet where was she. He finished his cereal, and put the dish into the sink. Castle made his way to his bedroom doors across the apartment. He walked into his room, yawning, and he kicked off his shoes. He sat on the bed to take off his socks, then unbuttoned his dress pants as he stood up. He pulled his red shirt up over his head, he could smell the scent of Kate as he did this. His insides melted like they had when she kissed him goodbye. He smiled as he tossed it onto the bed. As he did that he remembered the dark gray shirt he had forgotten at her apartment, he shrugged and figured he'd get it back later. He walked into the bathroom and took a hot shower.

Twenty minutes later….

"Dad I can't believe you are even thinking about going back!" Alexis yelled. They were standing in the living room. Alexis had been home, but had her headphones in her ears when Castle had called up the stairs earlier. Once Castle had come out into the living room, Alexis was sitting on the couch waiting for him. He told her that he had stayed the night with Beckett, without going into any details of course, and then started talking about going back to work once Beckett was ready for him to.

"Alexis I..."

"What if it's you next? Have you ever thought about that dad?" Alexis asked, getting more heated. Castle looked at her sadly. He was so torn now. She made a point. He looked at his daughter, she was so grown up now.

"Alexis…"

"No, dad, first Beckett gets shot, what about you? I can't believe that you would just go running back to work, and it's not your job. It's not safe, it never was. I'm thinking about you, dad, and what if I lost you? What if one day you don't make it home, and it's you in the hospital."

"I want to help. I need to help. And Beck…" Castle went.

"Please don't even use her as an excuse. Why can't you be a part of her life without being in her work life? You're a writer, you're suppose to stay in your office with your laptop, not parading around the city with a bulletproof vest. You're a writer…so start acting like one." Alexis stormed out of the office. Castle looked down with a sad look on his face, and his heart breaking. He was so confused. He didn't know what to do.

Beckett's Apartment later that night…

"I need you to leave. They're coming to kill you and I'm not gonna let em, I'm gonna end this." Montgomery spoke. They both looked out at the parked black truck out in the distance.

"I'm not going anywhere, sir." Beckett said, stepping forward. It was dark, and they stood there facing each other.

"Yes you are. Castle, get her outta here." Montgomery ordered. Beckett whipped her head around surprised to see Castle stepping out from behind the helicopter. Castle looked worried.

"Captain I don…" Castle went.

"Don't argue. That's why I called you, get her outta here now!" Montgomery yelled at him. Castle grabbed Kate's right shoulder to pull her back.

"Captain please, just listen to me you don't have to do this." Beckett pleaded, on the verge of tears.

"Kate." Castle said softly.

"No, please." Kate begged as she shook Castle's hand off her right shoulder, "Sir, I forgive you. I forgive you."

"This is my spot Kate." He closed his eyes, "This is where I stand." Montgomery said softly to her. She began to cry.

"No!" Kate cried, shaking her head at him. Castle watched.

"Castle." Montgomery said. Castle stepped forward towards Beckett, as he looked out in the distance at the black car approaching slowly.

"No! No, sir, please listen to me. You don't have to do this." Beckett begged. Montgomery shook his head.

"Castle, get her outta here now!" Montgomery yelled even louder now. The mysterious black car was speeding now towards the hangar they were arguing in. The roaring of the engine was getting louder as the truck made its way across the lot.

Castle grabbed Beckett from behind, holding her back from staying. Both his arms were wrapped around her slim body, and her fighting arms.

"You don't have to sir." She cried.

"Kate!" Castled said through his teeth, picking her body up off the ground, forcing her to go with him. She kicked her heels up into the air like a helpless child. Crying, and unable to even stand.

"NO!" She begged, "God, Castle, lemme go!" Castle turned with her and still holding her tightly, as they disappeared around the helicopter towards the door.

"Let go!" as she kicked, "NO! Please!" Beckett screamed, and pleaded with Castle as he quickened his pace for the exit to safety.

Kate's eyes opened. She could see her white ceiling above her, as she lay in bed. The images from that night Montgomery was shot were as clear as day. She turned her head to her alarm clock- 2:24 a.m. She let out a breath and felt her neck, a trickle of sweat dripped off. She sat up and ran her hands through her long hair. A few tears fell from her face onto her comforter. She wished she could change it. She wished she could have saved him that night. She somehow found the strength to get out of bed, and walked to the bathroom to get a drink of water from the sink. She cupped her hands under the running faucet, feeling the cold water hit her shaking hands. She took a few gulps, and then turned it off. She dried her hands and walked back to her bed. She knew she wouldn't be able to sleep. She reached for her phone, and saw it blinking. It had been on silent all night. Castle hadn't called her, and she figured he must be spending time with Alexis. She set the phone back down and laid back into bed, pulling the covers over her body. She stared up at the empty ceiling, hoping she would drift off into a deep sleep.

She laid there tossing and turning every few seconds, not being able to find her way into a comfortable position. And how could you? After dream, a nightmare like that- and it was real. Beckett got out of bed and walked out of her room to the living room. She was going to turn on the television, but didn't want to wake her brain up more. She creased her brow and made her towards the windows, she bit felt a huge gap in her heart. She didn't know what to do to fill it again. She looked up at her bookshelf, and saw the answer. She reached up and grabbed the book. She walked back into her bedroom, climber back under the sheets, and turned on her bedside lamp. She opened Heat Rises to the dedication page, it was to her, the twelfth, and also Roy Montgomery. She ran her fingers across his bold printed name on the white page. She turned to the next page to chapter one, and began reading- hoping to get lost in the words of the man she loved.