3. Flight

The quick, high heeled footsteps of Detective Kate Beckett echo loudly down the hallway of Lenox Hill Hospital in the Upper East Side of Manhattan Island. Fists clenched by her side, her gait shortens as she edges nearer to the doorway of Room 2203.

The hallway, a buzz of commotion, Beckett looks up to see Detectives Esposito and Ryan standing talking to an officer in uniform. Esposito nods to Beckett as her hand reaches out to open the door.

Beckett enters quietly, letting the door close behind her. She looks up timidly to the back of the room where a curtain is drawn around a single bed; the other three beds in the room are unoccupied.

The quiet of the room fades away suddenly, melting into the giggling of two female voices, accompanied by Castle's charming, haunting chuckle which floods Beckett's ears with familiar sound. Confusion treads across the Detective's face as she quietly edges to the back of the room, hand reaching out to draw the curtain aside.

"Ladies, ladies," Castle utters, suave and debonair, "There's more than enough Castle to go around."

The curtain is drawn to find a blonde and a brunette nurse, hands feeling the sides of Castle, a blood pressure cuff around his arm. A white bandage covers his shoulder. As Beckett stares at the events in front of her, mind attempting to wrap around the present situation, Castle looks back at her with amazement, a satisfactory grin widening his features.

"Hello Detective." He says, eyes intent on her as her face turns to disgust.

He leans toward the blonde nurse and utters, "Do you mind if we continue this later ladies?"

They nod smiling, disconnecting Castle from their work, allowing their eyes to run over Detective Beckett as they exit, talking amongst themselves.

"It's good to see you Kate." Castle says once they are left alone.

"I wish I could say likewise," she says coldly, "I was told you were shot."

"I was," he says pointing to his right shoulder, "They say I might even get a scar out of this. How cool is that?! My very first battle scar."

She crosses her arms, motioning her head toward his shoulder, "How on earth did you manage to get shot Castle?"

He smiles again, bringing his left hand to his elbow, pulling his injured arm up onto a pillow, "Apparently I need to be more careful whilst cleaning my gun."

Beckett makes her best attempt at choking back a laugh at Castle's expense, and then, "Castle? Since when do you have a gun?" Her features lightening for a second, she returns her hands to her side, her thumbs tucking into the front pockets of her jeans.

"It might surprise you Beckett, but I've always had a thing for cold steel." He pauses, thinking back to their time in the shooting gallery. "You didn't really think you were that good of a teacher did you?"

"Well I'm glad you're not dead..." she trails off, looking at him, finally turning on her heel heading toward the door.

Castle jumps out of bed, heavy footsteps draw nearer to her. He catches her arm before she has a chance to leave. "Wait," he says breathing heavily.

"What Castle?" She sighs turning; head cocked, looking up at him.

"Stay with me. Talk with me." Pleading, needing.

"I have nothing to say to you."

"But I have something to say." His hand runs down her arm to her hand, drawing her fingers in his own.

She pulls her hand away. "Castle, I told you-"

"Kate, you need to hear what I have on your mother's case. This new information will help a great deal."

"Did you not hear me?"

Frustration attacking his nerve, "I did. But let's be honest. Running away from this is not the Kate Beckett I know. She would stay and fight. She would solve this."

"Well maybe you don't know me as well as you think you do." She turns away from him, heading toward the door, hand reaching out for the handle.

"You're wrong," he says, his voice rising, cracking with emotion. She hesitates by the open door, he continues, "I know you all too well. You're running away from this. You're being a coward."

He is sorry for what he has said before the words escape his lips. "Kate, I-" he offers, but she has already left him, his words echoing in the dark room.

Ooooo... I wonder what will happen next... intrigued? Anyone?

Thanks to all who have written reviews and are following my stories... I can't tell you enough... greatly appreciate it indeed...