(6x22 one shot and a little out of character)

Beckett broke away from Castle's hug reluctantly.

"I can't live without you." Castle said between sobs, still holding onto her hand.

"I know, babe, but I need to put an end to this." Kate tried her best to be strong even though she was so close to beaking.

"Let me go with you." Castle was desperate.

"No, Castle. This is my battle, not yours." Kate shook her head, biting her lip.

"But what if I lose you, Kate?" The way he used her first name made the tears blur her vision.

"Don't build a wall up like I did. Let people in." She just couldn't look at him.

"If something happens to you, I'll never love again."

"Cas."

He cut her off. "No, Kate, you're my one and only. No one could ever come close to you."

Beckett placed her hand on his cheek, finally looking him in the eyes. She stroked his face with the pad of her thumb, and wiped away the tears that were silently streaming down his face. She moved closer, rubbing her nose with his. Her voice was barely a whisper. "Cas."

He cut her off again, pulling her close. "No, don't you dare say goodbye. Just tell me that you love me."

"I love you so much, Rick." She breathed out heavily, a last ditch effort to stop the tears. She went to turn, but he grabbed her wrist and turned her back around. "Please, Castle."

"Kate, please don't do this. Please don't leave me." He pleaded with his eyes; the saddest eyes she'd ever seen.

As tears rolled down her cheeks, Kate reached for the necklace hanging in its usual spot. She slipped it from around her neck and placed it in his palm.

"Kate."

She moved his other hand on top of it, closing it in his grasp. "It's yours now, Rick. If something happens, I'm always with you."

"I love you." He pulled her close, kissing her with everything he had in him, trying desperately to memorize everything about her; everything that was her.

They broke apart, staring into each other's eyes for a moment more, before she turned and walked to the door, tears rolling down her cheeks.

Alexis tiptoed down the stairs to where Martha was sitting, watching Castle in the living room. "Hi, Grams."

"Hello, darling." She whispered back to her granddaughter.

Alexis was quiet for a moment. "He's still holding her necklace, isn't he?"

Martha nodded, a sad expression on her face. "He's just so heartbroken."

It was quiet for another moment, this time Alexis' voice nothing more than a whisper. "She's not coming back, is she?"

"We don't know at this point. But we can only hope she makes it back to us."