Disclaimer: All characters, settings, etc. associated with Castle are the properties of their respective owners. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

A/N: First, thank you so much for the wonderful reviews! They were so encouraging I just had to finish this chapter. I tried to inject as much Casketty goodness as possible while still keeping it authentic to Castle and Beckett's slowly developing relationship, so I hope you enjoy. The title for this fic belongs to a great song by The Avett Brothers, 'As It Spread,' which you should check out if you get a chance. Cheers.

Streams of scalding water flowed over her bruised body, eddying around her feet as the building's ancient plumbing struggled to keep up. She'd always considered hot water to be one of life's simple luxuries. Now, instead of being a release it was simply a distraction, a convenient alternative to the otherwise painful sensations filling her mind and body.

Beckett inhaled deeply, relishing in the heat of the fragrant steam. Her skin was raw and burning, but she didn't care. She was happy to stay here until the water ran dry, only she was sure Castle would suspect she was trying to drown herself if she did.

Castle. Again her thoughts turned to the writer, for what seemed the hundredth time tonight.

She was sure he would be sitting patiently on the floor next to the bathroom door when she finally emerged, right where she'd left him. She'd tried to tell him to go home, to insist, however improbably, that she was fine, but he knew better. And so he waited.

Beckett sighed. As much as she wanted to, she knew she couldn't leave him waiting all night. Eventually she would have to face the pity in his eyes, the way he held his breath around her as if she might crack at any minute.

She hated the thought of it. After her mother was killed everyone had looked at her with such pity, like a bird with a broken wing, even her own father. No one had understood that all she needed was the truth, not their sympathy. No one, until Castle had come along anyway.

Finally, the water starts to run cold. She steps out, wrapping a robe around herself, and wrings the excess water out of her long hair. The steam lingering in the small bathroom quickly vanishes when she pulls open the door, the cold air seeping in instantly.

As she fully expected, Castle is sitting on the floor by the door, flipping through what looks to be her copy of Flowers for Your Grave.

'Castle,' she said, stepping past him into the kitchen. Opening the refrigerator, she took out a pitcher of water and poured herself a glass. 'You didn't have to stay. I told you, I'll be fine, really.'

Castle stood up, following her into the small, but well-kept space. 'Yeah, well, I never could resist a thrilling, impeccably well-written mystery,' he joked, pointing to his own book.

'I know what you're trying to do Castle, and I appreciate it, I really do, but I promise you it's really not necessary.'

Castle gestured to himself, a mockingly innocent look on his face. 'Me? I thought you'd know by now, Beckett, I'm just naturally this charming. It's a curse, really.'

In spite of herself, she grinned. She knew full well he was trying to keep things normal for her sake, for which she was secretly grateful. The last thing she wanted was for Castle to be afraid to be himself around her.

'Trust me,' she replied, 'that, I know better than anyone. But it's late. You should really go home and get some sleep. I'm sure your family is worried about you.'

He sat down on the barstool across from her, turning his phone over idly between his fingertips. She could tell he was exhausted, as much from the way he carried his weary body as by the heavy bags under his eyes. She was sure she looked just as bad.

'I called Mother before we left the bar to let her know I'd be late. I told her you weren't feeling well, that I was going to take you home,' he answered.

Beckett could feel herself go red before he'd even stopped talking. She hadn't even considered how uncomfortable it would be to tell people what happened, though she knew it would be impossible to keep from those closest to her.

Castle jumped quickly from his seat, his phone skittering across the countertop. 'I didn't tell her what happened, Beckett, I would never-'

She put up her hand, stopping him mid-sentence. 'Relax, Castle, I didn't mean to get…to make you think….' She stopped, taking a deep breath. 'I know you would never do something like that.'

He let out a breath, visibly relieved. 'I'm glad.'

She smiled at him. 'Really though, I'm just going to go bed. It's been a long night.'

He smiled back at her, but she noticed it didn't really reach his eyes. 'I'll stay then, until you fall asleep at least.'

'Castle-'

'No, really, I don't mind-'

'Castle-'

'I'll let myself out-'

'Castle-'

'Beckett, please.'

She stopped. All trace of humor was gone from his voice. Instead his face was pained, his tone urgent.

'I don't want to leave you alone,' he said, turning away from her suddenly. When he looked at her again, she couldn't help but be taken aback. He seemed…reserved. Unsure of himself. It was unnerving. 'What happened tonight, when I saw you like that, it…scared me.'

She could only stare at him, her mouth hanging slightly open. His admission hung thick in the air between them, heavy like a cloak.

'Castle,' she began quietly. 'I will be all right.'

He sighed. 'I know you will. I know you're stronger everyday then most people are at their very best, but what happened tonight- what almost happened-'

He closed the distance between them, placing a hand at her elbow. 'When I think of what could have happened, if I hadn't-'

But she stopped him. 'Then don't. You were there, Castle. You were there when I needed you.'

She covered his hand with her own, and felt him squeeze it in return.

'Always,' he said softly.

She released his hand, feeling the dull ache of exhaustion settling deep in her bones. 'I'm going to sleep now, Castle. There might be something in the fridge if you get hungry,' she said, picking up her gun from the table on her way to her bedroom.

'I don't think I'll get that hungry,' he replied, his trademark grin back on his lips. 'I'll just hang out here until you fall asleep,' he said, gesturing to the couch.

'Ok. Goodnight, Castle.' She hesitated before shutting her bedroom door. 'Castle?'

'Yes?' he said.

'Thank you.'

Sweat. Heat. The stench of rotting garbage and stale beer. Rough, biting asphalt under her skin, a dark figure looming overhead, reaching to strike, coming closer, again and again-

'No! No!'

Beckett bolted upright in bed, sweat slick on her body, and fumbled blindly in the dark for her gun. Her hand fell over the cold metal as the door to her bedroom was forced open with a bang, outlining the silhouette of a man.

'Stay where you are!' she cried as she pointed the gun upwards, her brain still foggy with the remnants of her nightmare.

'Kate?' she heard a familiar voice call out.

Instantly she relaxed her grip, lowering the weapon. 'Castle?' she asked angrily. 'What are you doing? I could have killed you!'

She climbed out of bed, throwing back the mess of tangled sheets. The cool night air hit her body, still saturated with cold sweat, and she shuddered in her thin pyjamas.

'You were screaming in your sleep,' he answered, stooping to pick up the quilt on top of the pile. Slowly, he took a step closer to her, wrapping the blanket around her shivering frame. 'I thought something was wrong,' he finished quietly.

She accepted the blanket without arguing, glancing around her darkened bedroom. The light outside her window was pale and quivering, the last traces of moonlight lingering just before dawn. The streets were quiet, for now, as if they were the only two people awake in a city of millions.

She drew the quilt closer around her. She couldn't stop shivering. Adrenaline was still coursing through her veins, her breath ragged and shallow. The fear refused to leave her, setting her nerves on fire as easily as the thought of the figure in her dream, hovering over her, ripping her clothes, reaching back his fist-'

'Kate? Kate?'

She started, looking at Castle. He was holding her arms, shaking her gently, a look of concern etched across his face. 'Are you all right?'

She inhaled sharply, but for some reason the oxygen suddenly couldn't get to her lungs fast enough. Her eyes were burning with tears, and she swiped at them angrily. This was silly. She was being silly. There was nothing to be afraid of. Nothing.

'Castle, I'm fine,' she said shakily, a treacherous lump forming in her throat. 'I'm fine, it was just a dream.'

'Beckett-'

But she couldn't look at him. 'It was just a dream, Castle, it's nothing, it's silly-'

'Kate,' he whispered harshly, forcing her to look at him. 'It's ok. You don't have to pretend in front of me.'

His words were like a small stone that started an avalanche. Her body trembled violently, her tears finally spilling over, unable to contain the awful, sick fear she'd felt constantly since this terrible night had begun.

Castle pulled her into his arms without hesitating, resting his chin on top of her shaking form as her tears bled through his cotton shirt, stopping when they reached his skin.

Minutes passed as he continued to hold her, neither of them saying anything, neither of them needing to. The solace he provided her, however temporary, was enough to subdue her fears, at least for a little while. She knew in the cold light of day she would feel ashamed to have broken down so completely in front of him, but right now she couldn't bring herself to care. She rarely sought out comfort, even when she needed it. It was enough to know that Castle was willing to stick by her, even at her worst.

Eventually, she loosened herself gently from his embrace, her body still. For a single, fleeting moment she was sure she could feel a pang of regret course through him as she pulled away, but like lightening it was gone. His face was a mask of empathy and respect, his opinion of her written as clear as stone on his refined features.

Her skin still tingled from the remnants of her tears. 'Castle…' she began, entirely unsure of herself. 'I don't really know what to say.'

Grinning, he tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. 'Don't say anything,' he answered quietly. 'You don't have to explain yourself to me. I'm just glad you let me help you.'

She exhaled slowly, allowing herself the privilege of returning his smile. 'That's not something I have an easy time with,' she replied. 'In case you haven't noticed.'

The look of skeptical disbelief on his face was answer enough. And though she was still unsure of what exactly she was doing, she forced herself to continue.

'Castle, you know more about my mother's case than anyone, but there's still something I haven't told you. Well, not about the case, really, but about her death.'

Castle said nothing, sensing her need to continue uninterrupted.

'When my father told me how she died,' Beckett continued, 'I was so hurt, and angry. It didn't make any sense. My mother could never hurt anyone, had never even spoken a bad word against anyone in anger. She didn't deserve to die the way she did.'

She watched his features soften as she spoke of the indescribable pain, his heart breaking for her even as he yearned to take it all away. She'd learned long ago that nothing could do that, not even Richard Castle, but the sight of him standing next to her was enough to send her stomach churning with a strange lightness all the same.

'The day of her funeral, when they…when they lowered her into the ground, that was the first moment I really believed it was true, that it had really happened. I felt so helpless, I wanted to rip the top off the casket and shake her until she woke up, until it wasn't real anymore.'

His eyes never left her as she spoke, a cool, wide ocean taming the rich earth that was her gaze.

'I promised myself, after that day, that I would never feel that helpless again. It's the reason I became a cop, Castle. I couldn't protect her, but I could protect other people from feeling what I did that day. I would protect them.'

She wrapped her arms tight around her body, shutting out the memory of how she had felt earlier. 'Tonight was the first time I've ever felt that helpless again, Castle. That's what frightened me so much. Not what almost happened, not really, but the fact that I couldn't do anything about it.'

She waited for him to respond, the silence stretching between them as the seconds ticked by. Doubt crept up her spine, the same lingering uncertainties she'd always carried. She'd said too much, too soon. Overstepped her bounds. He was her friend, sure, but even friendship had its limits. And she'd just dumped all her problems on him in a heap, expecting…

Expecting what? She didn't know.

She drew back from him, eager suddenly to take it all back and forget she'd said anything, but Castle stopped her. He tightened his hold on her.

'Beckett,' he began, as if trying to find exactly the right words. 'Kate.'

She stared into his eyes, unable to look away.

'I know I've spent most of my life being superficial. Cars. Women. Money. But you- you gamble your life and your sanity everyday for complete strangers, and never ask for anything in return.'

He paused, his eyes burning into hers. 'Whatever you tell me, it could never make me think any less of you. I'm not going anywhere, Beckett.'

She exhaled, letting out of breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Her heart started to beat again of its own accord, the blood flooding to her cheeks in a traitorous blush.

For the second time tonight, she had no idea what to say. But she knew it didn't matter. She knew he would understand.

'Thank you, Castle,' she said, knowing somehow it would be enough. 'For everything.'

'You're welcome, Beckett,' he answered simply, the ghost of a smile on his lips conveying more than words ever could.

Outside the window, the first weak rays of morning light were creeping over the rooftops, calling the silent city out of its slumber. Another day. Another test.

Except now, she knew she didn't have to face it alone. Not if she didn't want to.

She reached over and drew the curtains closed, at least for now. 'I'm going to go back to bed, Castle,' she said. 'You should go home, get some sleep.'

He nodded, the weariness falling over him. 'I think that's probably a good idea,' he agreed.

She followed him to the door of her apartment, the quilt still wrapped around her for warmth. Opening the door, he stepped out, but looked back at her before he left.

'If you need anything…,' he said, leaving the question unfinished.

'I know,' she said quietly. 'You'll be there.'

He smiled wide, the action lighting up his face. Leaning over the threshold of her door, he placed his hand behind her unkempt hair, and kissed her softly on her forehead.

His lips lingered above her skin for only a second before he drew away, and she instantly missed the warmth of his breath. He grinned at her one last time before he shut the door quietly, waving as he went.

Beckett turned off the lights one by one as she made her way back to the bedroom and climbed under the sheets, for once not feeling guilty about the possibility of sleeping in late. Sighing, she closed her eyes. She was sure she wouldn't have any more nightmares tonight.