Wow…just wow. I don't even have the words. I woke up this morning to so many reviews and alerts and favorites and follows—I can't tell you how much it made me smile. Writing is something really personal to me—so I've been really hesitant to share it—but now I am SO glad that I did. Fast updates aren't a problem since I just finished the story yesterday . I might make some little changes but it's all there! I'm not sure how many chapters it will wind up being, but I'm excited about it! So…here is another chapter!

"Oh…oh Kate." He didn't know what to say. So, for a long time they just sat there. He finally spoke, "How long?"

"I…it doesn't…"

"How long Kate?" he interrupted firmly.

"Umm a…a couple months."

His eyes got big, "A couple months! Kate…why didn't you talk to me?"

"I…I couldn't…I can't Castle I…"

"Ok, ok," he said gently, "What's happening to make you think this? Have you seen him?" Kate just shook her head no. "Ok, then what's going on?"

"I'm wrong Castle, I'm…I have to be wrong."

"Kate, tell me what happened."

"He just…he's been acting like he did when he was drinking—dodging my phone calls, sounding off when I talk to him." She stopped as her breath got shaky.

"And what Kate?" he asked softly, squeezing her hand in encouragement.

"I haven't seen him for four months." she whispered.

"What?" Castle asked confused. That was weird. Usually she saw her dad once a week…or at least every other week when they had a busy case. 4 months…something was off…

"He doesn't want to see me. Every time I actually talk to him I ask if he wants to meet up—he says he's busy. I ask if I can come by—he says he's not gonna be home. I ask him to come over—he says he can't."

"Why haven't you just gone over there?"

"Because, as much as I keep telling myself I'm wrong…I'm afraid I'm not and if…if I go over there and I'm not wrong I…I don't…"

"Then we go over there together."

"What?" she asked surprised.

"We do it together. So, if you are right. I'll be there with you. You won't be alone."

"You…you would do that for me?"

"Kate," he said, gently grabbing her face to make her look him in the eyes, "I would do anything for you."

"I…I don't, I don't know what to say…"

"Say you'll let me come with you. Say you'll let me help you."

"I…I need you to come with me and…I…I'll try."

He smiled, "That's all I can ask. Now, there is a guest bedroom with your name on it."

"Rick no. I…"

"Hey," he said, standing up and pulling her with him, "you said you would try and let me help you. So humor me? Let me get you a tee shirt and a pair of boxers so you don't have to drive home this late. Let me make you a good breakfast before we go to your dads in the morning."

"I…"

"Kate, please. Tomorrow is Sunday so you don't have to be at the precinct. I can't make you stay but I…I really don't want you to go home and be alone ok?"

She bit her lower lip, considering his offer. She really shouldn't, should she? No, she shouldn't…but, but that bed was so comfortable and in Rick's clothes and him being close…maybe…maybe it would be the comfort she needed to get a good night sleep finally. She sighed, "Okay."

"Thank you," he smiled. "Go on up and relax and I'll bring you some clothes."

She nodded, returning his smile before she turned to walk up the stairs.

15 minutes later he walked down the hallway to the guestroom. "Sorry Kate, Alexis came downstairs and I was…" he stopped talking when he walked in and saw her lying on top of the covers, fast asleep. He sighed—man she was exhausted. He knew something was going on…he knew it. He should have confronted her sooner. He should've…he should have done something. He set the clothes on the nightstand and gently covered her with the blanket that was at the foot of the bed. He watched her sleep for a few moments before walking out of the room, turning off the light and quietly shutting the door.

Kate brought her hand up to knock on her dad's door the next morning, then suddenly paused and looked at Rick, "Castle…what, what if…"

He grabbed her hand, "Hey, that's what I'm here for remember."

She nodded and took a deep breath, then knocked. Castle squeezed her hand as they heard footsteps.

The door opened and revealed a very surprised Jim Beckett. "Kate. Rick…hi."

"Hey dad." She said shyly.

"What are you doing here Katie?"

"I…I just…" She looked at Rick for help.

"We just wanted to say hello Jim." he jumped in for her, "Wanted to see how everything was going. Mind if we come in?"

"Oh..sure, sure come in."

"How are you daddy?" Kate asked, walking through the door and giving her father a hug, "I haven't seen you in a while."

"I'm just fine Katie. You?"

"I'm good dad."

"I'm...oh I'm so sorry, where are my manners? Do…would you kids like anything to drink? Some iced tea?" Jim asked, obviously nervous and uncomfortable.

"Sure." Kate said, and Rick nodded.

Rick put a hand on Jim's arm to stop him when he started walking off, "Let me get it Jim.""Oh..oh no…no don't be silly," he said getting more flustered.

"Really, let me. You and Kate visit." Rick replied and before Jim could say another word he was off.

"So, what have you been up to dad?" Kate asked as they sat on the couch.

In the kitchen, as soon as Rick opened the refrigerator he sighed, immediately seeing the two twelve packs of beer. "Aww man," he muttered to himself. He grabbed the iced tea and shut the refrigerator. He opened a few cabinets before he found some glasses and quickly grabbing those, he made his way back into the living room.

As soon as he walked in Kate and Rick locked eyes and she saw the look on his face. He nodded affirmation to her silent question as he set the tea and glasses down. "No," she said softly, shaking her head as she jumped up and ran to the kitchen.

"Katie," Jim yelled as he went after her. Rick quickly followed them and got to the kitchen as Kate was slamming the refrigerator door shut.

"Dad?"

"Katie it…it's not what you think. I haven't…"

Kate walked over to the trashcan and took the lid off, revealing the numerous empty beer cans. She looked at Castle then back at her dad, "You haven't what dad? Finished the 24 cans of beer you have in the fridge? Yeah, I see that!" she snapped, and then went to run out of the kitchen.

"Katie…" Jim started, grabbing her arm but she shrugged it off.

"Don't! Just…just don't dad! I won't watch you do this to yourself again." she yelled, then ran past him. Castle tried to stop her but she shrugged him off too, running out of the apartment.

Jim went to go after her but Rick stopped him, "Jim, let me."

"Rick…I…"

"Jim I know. I'm a father so I know….but please. Please let me go after her." Jim nodded and Rick quickly grabbed Kate's purse and ran after her.

There we have it—hope you all enjoyed it! What did you think? I actually have a question for you all—I have another story that I'm almost done with. It is kind of a change up of a scene from one of the episodes from Season 4. However, I don't remember the name of the episode…so do you think y'all can help me? What is the name of the episode where the boys go to Atlantic City and dress up like Elvis and Alexis winds up accidently throwing a huge party at the loft because she's left alone?