Case 41319 was the toughest case he'd ever come across. Rick managed to pull a few strings at the NYPD and got their old friends Detectives Javier Esposito and Kevin Ryan to pull out the case file. While going through the case files with, Rick realised that there were a lot of loop holes and discrepancies in the investigation. He managed to go back to the scene of crime a few times and finally came to a conclusion that she was framed for murder. But whoever murdered Doug Maclain was very careful. The crime scene was completely wiped clean and their only lead was not cooperating. However, Rick manages to convince the DA for bail and the case was re – opened for investigation. He had even personally bail Kate out.

"Do you have a place to stay?" Rick asks.

"I'd probably crash at my dad's," Kate replied. "What difference does it make to you?"

"I was just looking out for you," he uttered.

"I don't need you to look after me," she replied. "I learnt how to do that a long time ago. Thanks for the bail though."

"I'll drop you off," he offered.

"No thanks," she declined.

She walked passed him and hopped into a cab. Rick knew he couldn't change her mind. At the end, all he could do was just stand there and watch the yellow cab disappear into the busy New York traffic. He was frustrated. Frustrated but happy. He needed her to talk to prove her innocence. But how? That conversation was the most he got out of her since their so – called "reunion". Slowly, he walks back to his car. Not too long later, he is found drowned with alcohol at the Old Haunt.

That night, Kate couldn't even sleep a wink. She was back at her own bed where her own memories haunt her. She curled up under her sheets and cried. She cried for everything that had hurt her, all the lost and the pain.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Instantly, she wipes her tears away and opens the door. There stood the one and only Richard Castle, drunk. He looked straight at her and noticed that she had been crying. That puffiness around her eyes, that semi – wet cheeks that she tried to dry, and that unfocused gaze. The last time he saw Kate in this condition was at her mother's funeral. (Or was it during their fight just before he left?) She looks away tried to avoid contact with his eyes. Kate knew that she couldn't lie to him, at least not now, not like this. Despite being drunk, Rick knew Kate too well. He felt bad for her and he knows that the last thing she wanted was company, especially his. Nevertheless, she invites him in.

A drunk Richard Castle? Kate thought. When was the last time I saw him like this?

He sits at the couch, his face buried in his hands. She wanted to hold him once more as she did when they were younger. But times have changed, she reminded herself. They were no longer young and in love. They are adults now. And to make matters worse, he is her lawyer and she is a suspect in an on-going murder investigation.

"What do you want from me, Rick?" Kate asked.

"Your confession," he mumbled. He shifts his attention to Kate who had just sat in front of him. He felt as if they were back in the prison. Back to square one.

"I told you," she replied in a harsh voice. "I did it. I killed Doug Maclain."

"Then where is the knife?" Rick asked. "If you stabbed him, where is the knife?"

He could see a little streak of panic on her face. Rick knew he had asked the right question.

"I threw it away," she answered in a calm voice, trying to conceal her real feelings.

"And you did," he replies sarcastically.

"What does that supposed to mean?" Kate asked.

"It means you're not the killer," he replied. He pulls out the case file and shows her the picture of the victim. The knife was stuck on the victim's chest.

"It's been awhile," Kate lied, raising her voice a little. "Why do you care anyway?"

"That's because I'm your lawyer," he replied. "And as your lawyer, I have the authority to act on your…"

"I know what a lawyer can and cannot do, Rick!" Kate shouted cutting Richard short. "We met at law school, remember?"

"Yeah," he said as he stood up. He walked over to Kate and knelt down beside her. Instead, she stood up and walked to the other side of the room. "Look, Kate, you have to trust me. Trust me and I'll…"

"Why should I trust you?" Kate asked. "After all that we've been through, how am I supposed to trust anything that you say?"

He paused. He knew whatever happened between them didn't end well and to escalate the situation, he was the one who left. He let her get away. If only he had listened to her. If only he had stayed. But it was too late. She stared at him waiting for an answer. He lets out a little sigh and looks away. She knew he couldn't answer. She didn't want just any answer, she wanted the truth.

"Fine," he uttered. "Don't."

She bites her lower lip and looks out the window. She wasn't disappointed at the answer but neither was she satisfied.

"I never wanted to hurt you, Kate," he continued. "I loved you. I know the way things ended were bad. But I can't be blamed entirely."

Kate remained silent. The truth hurts but Rick was right. She knew she was as guilty as he was but she was not going to admit it.

"You know, Rick, we're done," she said as she shifts her attention to Rick. His blue eyes meet her green. "If you don't mind, I'd like to spend the rest of tonight alone."

He looked deep into her eyes; they were different than he had seen when he visited her in jail. This time they were not cold anymore but perhaps afraid? It all made sense now, she was afraid of something or someone. That's why she confessed, there was something she was afraid of. Something bad. Now, he's even more determined to find out.

"No, Kate!" Rick said as he took a step closer to her. "You are not going to kick me out, and you are not going keep me in the dark anymore. I came all the way out here to help and I'm not going to stop till I get my answer."

She was stunned by his words.

"Rick," she said as she walked towards the door. "If you ever want to see me again, I suggest you get the hell out of here. NOW!"

She opened the door motioning for him to leave.

"You can't hide whatever you're hiding from me forever" He stated and the next second, he was gone.

She shut the door, went to her bedroom and climbed into bed.

Thanks for reading. I'm still kinda new to this writing stuff so the chapters might be a bit short.

Reviews are appreciated.