Author's Note: So, it seems I've been hit with another batch of ideas and my muse has spoken. Sorry for the shortness of the new chapter, but I got some things I'd been wanting to happen later in the story out there now. I don't know when the next few chapters will be or when it will be out, so I apologize if there's another long wait between this chapter and the next. Or who knows, I might publish another after this. I've been bitten by the writing bug.

I would also like to say a much deserved thank you to all of you. You've been patient, at least I think you have, and I hope that the next bit of the story continues deserving your readership and all the amazing, great things you've been saying. It honestly warms my heart every time you guys post a review.

Hope you all enjoy XOXO

She woke up, not knowing how long they had been there but knowing it had been enough time for Ryan and Espo to possibly come looking for them. At least, that's what she thought at first. Then she realized what had been the situation when these idiotic goons took her: Castle and she were on a vacation. They weren't set to be back until September 13th. It shocked her to think that all of this had happened within a few weeks of Montgomery's 'death'. It felt like forever.

"Kate," she heard whispered near her. Beckett turned to see a shodow of a figure in the darkness, but couldn't make it out. Her brain was still fuzzy, so she was shit out of luck for recognizing the voice. "Kate," the voice whispered again, looking around in the wide, open warehouse to see if anyone were within ear shot or could see. She didn't see anyone, but she figured that Gates' goons weren't that far away. Though they were stupid, they weren't that stupid.

"Who's there?" she asked quietly, looking next to her at Rick who was still asleep. They had knocked him out again when he had started saying some rather colorful remarks about their boss and where they could shove their guns. It sort of made her love him a little bit more.

Josh came out of the darkness and kneeled next to her chair, looking at her with all the sincerity in the world, "When did she get you?" Josh asked, looking around still to make sure no one could see or hear them.

Kate thought back, not sure exactly what day it was but sure it had been at least four. "She got me on the 4th. What day is it?" she asked.

Josh seemed to accept her knowledge of the day of her capture and ignored her question, "So she took Castle a little after you. Good, good. We still have some time," he mused, frowning slightly.

Kate was about to ask what he meant when he pulled out a gun from the back of his jeans, "Good for you I don't have to kill you yet. I've got a score to even with you," he growled, his eyes narrowing and his frown deepening. Kate felt her eyes widen and her throat dry up. She didn't have to ask to know, or at least guess, what that 'score' was. But would he really be that pissed with her? It was sort of stupid if you asked her.

LINE BREAK

Ryan hung up his phone and frowned as he stared at it as Espo came in, "Dude, looking at it won't help if you want it to ring," he said, smiling slightly.

"I'm not waiting for it to ring," Ryan offered with a twinge of worry coloring his tone. Or at least what he thought was a slight hint of it. Either way, it was enough for his partner to look up and frown, asking what was wrong. "I've tried to get into contact with Beckett and Castle for the past three days. They haven't answered. I would have thought Beckett would have been calling begging us for a case to call her back home by now."

Espo felt his stomach drop, knowing that really wasn't good. Even on vacation she wouldn't have gone this long without talking to them. "Maybe she's a bit…busy?" he implied, smirking a little.

Ryan was about to answer when someone spoke up, "I'm afraid you're quite mistaken, gentlemen."

Both men looked up, as well as everyone else in the room, at the sound of the oh so familiar and oh so missed voice. All felt like they were hallucinating, but they weren't. What they saw was very, very real. Captain Montgomery was back.

LINE BREAK

Kate hadn't blacked out after that, thank goodness, but now she was nervous. Seeing that Josh was a part of this and worrying what he would do to Castle when their time ran out honestly made her a bit scared. She had just gotten him. She didn't want to lose him when they had so long left to go. It would have been too unfair.

"Castle," she whispered, looking towards her boyfriend to see him still unconscious, "Rick, wake up." When he didn't respond, she raised her voice, "Rick, please wake up, baby. Please."

She couldn't reach for him and try to poke him awake, but then he seemed to shoot up. He looked around, his eyes wide as if forgetting where he was for a moment before looking towards her. "Kate, are you alright?" he asked, his eyes bright with concern.

Kate nodded, smiling a little, "Yeah, I'm fine. Are you?" she whispered.

Rick nodded, "I've got a bit of a headache, but that's nothing I haven't handled from an all night writing session before," he offered with a small smile. It's not up to his usual par of jokes and trying to lighten a bad situation, but it'll work for her. All she cares about anyway is that he's alright, awake, and seems to be safe. It's enough for the time they have left.