2. Heavy Thoughts

Two lovers lie awake in each other's arms. Their uneven, heavy panting the only sound in the room. Tethers fragile, the stick of their flesh the only entity binding them together in embrace. Kate Beckett's eyes remain open. Her thoughts travelling beyond her body, beyond this room where she lies in Will Sorenson's arms.

She sighs gently, pulling herself from him, leaving his side, curling into a ball, exposing her back to him. She pulls the covers over her flesh, as a chill runs over her skin; the heat of his body no longer keeping her warm.

Will, unsure what to do with his arms now that her weight is not with him, pulls his hands to his chest, and looks up, watching his ceiling fan spin, attempting to follow a single blade in its rotation.

They remain like this for some time, their breathing subsiding. The quiet ticking of his clock taking up the space between them.

Finally he turns his head and remarks, "You're thinking rather loudly."

"I'm sorry," she says flatly, refusing to offer anything further.

"You want to tell me what's bugging you?" he asks.

When silence is the only thing returned to him, he rolls onto his side and edges nearer to her, drawing a hand up to her shoulder. Gently he pulls her toward him, laying her on her back. "Is it about your mother?"

She looks to him, nodding slightly, turning her gaze to the ceiling fan above them.

He runs a hand slowly over her, smoothing the blanket at her stomach. He sighs, diverting his eyes away from her as he says, "Maybe you should hear what he has to say."

She pulls away from him abruptly, cutting him away from her, returning to her previous position, but he pulls himself along with her, in line with her body. Hands reach up to her again, he rests his head against hers, lightly kissing her shoulder.

"I didn't mean to upset you. I'm sorry," he pauses carefully choosing his words, "I just think that maybe it will help. Put her to rest, so to speak."

She groans heavily, sitting up, hanging her legs over the side of the bed, "Well Will, that's just great. I guess everyone knows what's best for me, don't they."

He lies back, bringing his hands to his face, grunting, "God Kate. I don't want to fight. I just think-"

He is cut off by the ringing of her cell phone; the sound causing them to jump uneasily. Beckett reaches for her phone flipping it open.

"Beckett."

The other line is inaudible to Will who props himself up on his elbow as he sees Beckett's mouth open slightly, worry striking her brow.

"Oh. Ok." she says choking, "I'll be there as soon as I can." She folds her phone, and stares at it for a few moments, letting the news sink in.

"Another body?" Will asks genuinely.

"No," she says matter-of-factly, turning to face him, eyes beginning to well, "It's Castle. He's been shot."