:::::::::::::::::::: Dr. Weston's office ::::::::::

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Kate eyed her watch, her time was running out. She had spoken for seven minutes straight, covering all the main events of her relationship with Castle for the hundredth time, trying to explain what she meant by 'He saved me.' She looked up to see if Paul had finished the notes he was jotting down. Yep, busted, he saw me eye the watch.

"We can arrange for another session if you are pressed with time Kate. I know you are very busy...-"

"Another session? Wait! This is supposed to be my last one. My reinstatement plan specifically stated 20 sessions. I don't understand what more you want from me..."

"Kate?... This isn't about what I want. It's what you want. Kate, what more do you want from yourself, from your -what did you call it? - partnership with Castle?"

"Paul, we went over this a million times!" Kate assumed a matter-of-fact tone "I was living my life through my mother's death, and that nearly got me killed. I pushed everyone away." She saw him scratching his head, he was not amused. She recoiled "I am aware of this and I have dealt with this in the past too and got over it. I'm over it, and I am stronger now."

"Stronger?"

"Yes, stronger." She lifted her head as she was struck with the memory of that session a month ago, the one Paul had labelled as a 'breakthrough'. She grinned as an eight year-old girl that knows the right answer to the teacher's question. "I have help now. I have people willing to take a stand with me. I don't have to do it all alone."

"You mean Castle?"

Kate frowned annoyed, why does he have to go there?, but nodded "Yes, Castle, Lanie, Esposito, Ryan and my father."

"But mainly Castle, right?" Noticing her annoyed frown he continued, pointing at his notes, although nothing of what he was saying was on there. "You've said so yourself Kate, Castle has been instrumental in the handling of your mother's murder case."

"Yes, that is true."

"Castle has been key in several other situations that arose in the field. Castle saved you.

"Yet you want to get rid of him"

"No, getting rid of him is not what we're talking about. We're talking about how you can't let go. See, he's done all that, yet you want even more, you want him to continue shadowing you, to follow you around daily. Am I wrong with this statement, Kate?"

Kate hesitated and wondered where was he going with this, "No, you are not wrong."

"Are you not capable of doing your job without him?" He paused and took on a concerned tone "Explain this to me, because I am lost here. Why do you need him, Kate? Why would you need him?" He leaned forward, trying to act calmly. Would she break now? He thought? What will it take to break her? He decided to play the cards on the table. "I am offering your job back, the thing you said and I quote, was the only thing missing from your life, yet instead of jumping at the chance that is being given to you by your superior and your therapist, you are challenging our recommendation. Why?"

"You're not understanding me."

"Why?" Paul insisted.

"Why? No you tell me this, why do you and the Captain want to break us up?" Kate outburst.

Paul remained silent to let her words sink. Her wide eyes flinching as she replayed that line in her mind. Paul fought the urge to use the stereotypical shrink catchphrase but he knew he had no choice other than to use it. "And how does that make -"

"Me feel?" She bit her lower lip and looked away. She squinted her nose and closed her eyes. "I swear doc..." She shook her head and whispered to herself 'grant me the serenity to accept...', she clenched her fists and said "Don't make me choose."

"Choose Kate? I am asking you how would it make you feel if you two 'broke up'? How would it feel to lose Castle as your partner?"

"Don't make me choose..." She looked up at him, wholeheartedly, "Please."