A/N: I had trouble posting this chapter last night...so hopefully it works now. There should be one more chapter after this and possibly a sequel if there is enough interest. Writing this has been so much fun, I may continue the adventure of writing fanfics. Thanks for all the feedback. It really does help! Special thanks to Jo ( fan1bsb97) & Janna.

Disclaimer: I do not own Castle or any of its characters. I wish!

Chapter 9

When she got off the phone with Esposito she started to feel a little paranoid. She didn't feel safe in the hospital and felt like any hospital employee could be Tyson or one of his minions in disguise. They needed to get home.

Beckett quietly walked toward Castle's room before pausing at the doorway. She smiled at the love of her life as he slept. Even though he was connected to all sorts of medical machinery, he had a hint of a peaceful smile on his face. The timing of her news may not have been ideal, but she was excited that their family was growing. When Kate broke the news to him, she saw the look in his eyes. Part of him wanted to wrap her in bubble wrap, hire a private security team, and pack up their lives to hide from the danger. The danger of Tyson looming over them; waiting to try to ruin their happiness any further than he already had. However, Castle knew better. He knew that Kate wouldn't run; she would not let Tyson make them afraid. So as much as she knew that he wanted to bring up the overprotective idea, Beckett was appreciative that he didn't vocalize all the fears and thoughts that she knew were brewing in his head.

Tyson was going to pay for everything he had put her friends and family through. She wasn't going to risk her life, and she would be careful-but he would get his in the end. Adrenaline was pumping through her body, making her heart race. Motivated to end this and end this now, Beckett gave her sleeping fiancé one last looked before she walked off in search of his doctor. She was getting him out of there and she needed to do it before sun rise.

The hospital seemed safe enough. All the staff that they'd encountered had all been helpful in their own way. It just wasn't home. She needed the boys close by to have their backs if something went wrong. Pride couldn't get in the way this time. They were not going to let stupidity and recklessness allow Tyson to outsmart any of them. There was a tiny little space in Hell waiting for him. She would see to that.

Kate walked down the hospital corridor toward the nurse's station until she found someone who had been caring for Castle. She asked to speak to her privately so less people would be aware of their situation. After Beckett explained that it was vital that his doctor meet her in Castle's room, Kate found Martha sleeping in the waiting room. Both her and Alexis were suppose to go home, but the thought of them leaving the hospital without Castle…Beckett completely understood what they were going through. She hated waking her future mother-in-law up, however this was necessary. "Martha…" she whispered, gently tapping her shoulder.

"Hmmph…oh Katherine. What is it darling?" The woman slowly sat up while wiping the sleep from her eyes.

"Martha, I'm going to talk to Castle's doctor and try to get him released now if it's medically safe for him. We need to get back to city…"

After a lot of persuasion from all involved parties, the doctor finally agreed to release Castle even though he told them it would be more beneficial for him to stay for at least another night. Maybe in a world of black and white…maybe then Castle could stay in the hospital for another day without the fear of being attacked or the fear of being abducted again. Kate wasn't sure that either of them would be able to handle a second abduction. They were strong, but their strength within was slowly chipping away. Tiny hair line cracks were forming in their resolve. In all actuality- they wouldn't fully heal, totally get their complete confidence back until Tyson was gone for good. Beckett usually had full faith in the law and the system- however all that faith did not include Tyson. Somehow he was too connected, had too many friends that allowed him to circumvent the law. Until he was permanently handled, buried six feet under…then maybe she could feel safe.

Castle looked up at her, gave her a look of concern. A look that said he felt it too. They had been in sync with one another for so long. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she would ever be able to communicate with someone with one look and be able to know the thoughts that played within their mind. He was still injured and healing, but he was concerned about her and their expanding family.

The drive back to the city had everyone on edge. Any vehicle that appeared to follow too close or cut them off in traffic left their suspicions on overdrive. Sure, they were being paranoid, but the paranoia was not unfounded. They seemed to avoid Tyson while in the hospital, but he could be following them or watching them. This needed to end. No one could live life while constantly looking over their shoulder.

They arrived at the loft and met Ryan and Esposito at the front of the building. "We swept the entire building and searched your loft. It's secure." Ryan informed them as they walked into the lobby.

"Okay, let's get upstairs and we can plan our next move. Castle, we need to give you your next dose of meds and you should probably lay down…"

"I don't need…" Castle quickly started to object to her statement before she placed a loving hand on his bicep, nudging him into the elevator.

"Babe, you need to heal and rest. Once you're 100%, then you can help. But now, if you don't allow yourself to get better, you won't be able to help." She reached up to place a kiss on his lips and then walked out towards their loft door. "I love you and need you around- but if it makes you feel better, I won't go with the boys until you can. I'll stay and nurse you back to health." Beckett smiled at her fiancé as his eyes lit up for a moment.

"Since you mentioned nursing me back to health…how about that sexy nurse outfit?" He laughed for a moment. Then the realization hit…they weren't alone.

Alexis cleared her throat and rolled her eyes at him. "Seriously, Dad…know your audience…" Beckett smirked at that father-daughter duo, patted Castle gently on the chest and walked into the loft. At least spirits were getting back to normal, whether forced or not. Their lives wouldn't solely be based on fear.

While Castle slept, they went through all the evidence that Ryan and Esposito collected on Tyson. There were some witness accounts that they were reading through but nothing was helpful. She didn't want to lose hope, but there wasn't much to go on. Not even a direction to look. While Castle and Beckett were in the hospital, the boys along with local authorities canvassed the area around the building…searched the surrounding area after they didn't find any evidence in the building. All that was for not. He basically disappeared…he was a ghost. They were going over things for hours now and her eyes were drooping. Coffee stopped helping an hour ago...

"Beckett, why don't you get some sleep? We have a detail on the loft and all entrances to the building are guarded by a uniform. Javi and I will go down to the precinct and retrace our steps…"

"Yeah, if Ryan and I find anything we'll call right away. In the mean time, take care of yourself and writer boy." She sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. The idea of cuddling with Castle in their bed and then taking a nice long bath- she could definitely use a break. It wasn't like she was completely better. She'd been through hell herself and the pregnancy was sucking some of the energy from her system as well. Not that she would admit any of that to anyone.

"Fine, but seriously. Anything significant, I want to know. We aren't going to stay prisoners in our own home…" She walked her partners to the door, looked around the hallway, and latched all the locks on their front door. Looking around the room, she half expected Tyson to jump out at her. She knew it was insane, but after everything they'd been through, anything seemed possible with him. What she really could use was be a nice glass of wine, but in her current state she had several months to wait to enjoy a glass.

Kate slowly padded her way to their bedroom where Castle was softly snoring. He looked so peaceful but he was sprawled out in the middle of their bed. Laughing softly to herself, she realized she wouldn't be getting any rest anytime soon unless she disturbed his sleep. "Bath it is then…"

Wrapping herself in her robe after her bath water finally turned cold, Kate stepped toward the mirror above the sink. She stared at her reflection for a moment analyzing the dark circles under her eyes and all the tiny cuts and bruises from their time in Hell with Tyson. To think that not even two weeks ago, she was wearing her mother's wedding dress and feeling like she was walking on air. She felt beautiful…before her world crashed down. Her current battered state was far from that. This was not how a bride would look and to be completely honest, she didn't even want the big wedding anymore. All that mattered was that her and Castle were united. She didn't care if they just went down to city hall and just made it official. The mayor himself could probably perform the ceremony if Castle asked…the time for flowers, white dresses, and traditions were out the window.

When Kate walked back into their room, he was finally just on his side of the bed. Relief washed over her system as she crawled into bed next to her love. She cuddled up to him and closed her eyes. The rest of the world could wait for a bit. She wanted to lose herself in this moment with him.

It didn't seem like she was sleeping for long when her phone started to buzz. Note to self: next time completely silence the phone… She looked down at her cell about to ignore the offending caller when she noticed it was the Precinct. "Beckett…"

"Beckett, hey- I know it's only been a couple hours since we left…" Couple hours? She looked at the clock and sure enough. Apparently her eyes were closed for more than a couple minutes…

"It's fine, Ryan. What is it?" She heard his hesitation on the other end, which caused anxiety to start fluttering in her stomach.

"We found him…Tyson. Tyson- he's dead…"

TBC

Thoughts?