A/N: Oh Holy crap, what a response. It's insane how fast my inbox filled up right after I posted this. Thank you, all. Also, just a tip, by reviewing you are unintentionally (or intentionally) inflating my ego… and inflating my ego makes me happy… Happiness makes me want to write. Ergo, you reviewing makes me want to write. It's funny how that works, eh? ;)

Anyhow, I had to write this as quickly as possible for you guys. I owe you for your reviews. I hope you like it. It's a bit transitional but I'm satisfied. We're getting into the good stuff now.

This update is made possible by Starbucks Coffee, iTunes and my insufferable insomnia.

Disclaimer: Still own nothing…

Time was jumping for Richard Castle. He had no concept of how much time had passed. Seconds were becoming minutes; minutes turning hours. All he knew was that Kate Beckett needed every single one of them to last as long as possible.

He had somehow shifted her half onto his lap. He was cradling her head in his right arm while his left hand was trying, in vain, to hold as much blood as possible at bay. He had done a lot of medical research in his life for his multitude of novels. He knew that the human body held around six quarts of blood and the heart pumps blood around 12,000 miles in a single day. None of that was helping now. His hand was squeezing her side almost violently. It had to hurt. Even without the wound there it would have been uncomfortable, but he wasn't willing to let her lose a drop of life if he could help it. He was doing what he did best these days; staring at her; but this time she was staring right back instead of rolling her eyes or telling him to "knock it the hell off." It was unnerving to say the least. He knew he needed to talk to her, to keep her alert until help arrived but his tongue was stuck to the roof of his mouth and his throat still had the invisible had around it, choking him.

"Kate, you're going to be fine. I promise you. Help is coming." He managed to choke out.

She nodded at him gently and her expression quickly turned serious. Her mind had gone from slow as molasses on a cold day to racing around in circles thinking about every person in her life. She could feel the darkness creeping in and she was beginning to panic. Her need to reassure him was suddenly gone and she spoke.

"Castle…" She gasped. "I need you to take care of my Dad. You have to make sure he doesn't fall back… Promise me, Rick." She had reached up and grabbed a fist-full of his shirt to emphasize her point. She knew by the look of shock crossing his features that he'd understood what she meant. She was about to speak again when her breath hitched and she let out a deep cough that set her entire body into a fiery pain.

He watched her cough and held her tight, wishing he could take her pain away. She was scaring the hell out of him. The red that appeared on her pristine white teeth did nothing to help him in his blind panic.

"You don't need me to promise. You're going to be fine. You can take care of him yourself." He stuttered.

"No. Promise me, Castle." She was looking at him with such desperate attention that he had no choice but to agree.

"Ok… I… I promise." He nodded.

A sudden anger crept into his mind. This was Katherine Beckett for God's sake! She was as close to a superhero as one could get! This wasn't happening; not to them. It wasn't supposed to be this way. To boot, she was giving up. She was resigning in the fight for her life. The imaginary hand around his neck released violently and the stale air of the diner rushed into his lungs. He wanted to jump up and down. He wanted to scream. He wanted to run away. He wanted to cry. He never felt so many emotions at once and it was overwhelming him. He did the only thing he knew how, he resorted to his words.

"Kate, you listen to me." He spoke while stroking her hair with his right thumb. "I'm a selfish man and I'm going to be selfish now, do you hear me? I need you. I need you to be in my world. I need you to be ok and I'm demanding that you fight this." His voice was strong and determined. In his ears, he could sirens and he silently thanked the NYPD and FDNY.

"Castle," She began but he cut her off.

"NO, Kate." He all but yelled, "You don't get to do this! You don't get to give up or give in. You're Kate Beckett, Damn it! You're going to be fine."

Her condition was deteriorating, he knew that. Her breathing was shallow and her chest wasn't rising and falling as equally as it should have been. Her eyes were becoming cloudy and he knew she was fighting unconsciousness.

"Listen to me. When this is all over, I'm taking you some place warm." She smirked at him and he nearly wept at the sight. "I'll call the mayor if I have to, but you and me, we're taking some time off."

"You're just trying to get me into a swimsuit." She replied unevenly, the strain of talking becoming a bit too much.

Castle laughed and stroked her forehead some more. He had never had her so close to him. He had dreamed of holding her many times but it was never like this. This was not something he ever wanted to experience. He never thought the first time he would hold her could be his last as well. He felt his eyes burn and a traitorous tear leak from his right-eye. He was hoping she didn't notice, but he knew she did. Kate Beckett didn't miss anything.

"Don't, Rick." She whispered. She went to say something else but the sound of the Diner's door crashing open broke their gaze.

The cavalry was here and the charge was being led by Ryan, Esposito, and Captain Montgomery.

CLICK ITTTTTTT :)