Chapter 5

The next few hours were hectic.

Martha and Alexis were in, and the overwhelming sense of love filled the room.

They were all so elated. And Castle was beaming because truthfully, he didn't expect to survive.

They stayed for a while, but then left to go back to the precinct. Multiple messages had been left on both Castle and Beckett's phones from the precinct but they agreed Martha and Alexis would be the first to know.

After they left, it was well into the evening. They had brought food for everyone to eat, and could see that Kate was tired from spending the night awake. They could also see she wouldn't have had it any other way.

A couple of minutes later, the doctor came in.

"Ahh. Mr Castle. I see that you're awake now, and this lovely lady is taking care of you."

"I wouldn't have it any other way" Castle replied, staring into the eyes of his fiancé and exchanging loving glances.

"Now although your condition is serious, there is nothing else that we can do for you here at the hospital, so you will be just as well off at home. Usually the body needs constant support, but miraculously, yours is recovering quicker than I've ever seen. You must really want to be home with this beauty of yours. If that's what you want, of course."

"Well I'm not sure, There's this doctor I like, his names Josh-"

"Castle." Kate chucked a pillow at Castle, giggling. She knew he was making light of the situation, but Josh Davidson need never be mentioned in their relationship ever again. She gave her his look, and he continued.

"Actually it's nothing. Home is where I'll be heading. "

With a slightly puzzled look, the doctor went through all the necessary information, took the last few checks, and gave the all clear for Rick to be checked out.

"I'm done here. You can collect your stuff now, and leave when your ready."

It was what they needed. They had been in the hospital for over 24 hours now, and it was calling them, beckoning them.

Despite the doctors words, Kate was worried. She acted to Castle as home was the best thing, but she had experienced the shooting. Would one day be enough in hospital?

Nevertheless, she was not going to leave his side at his loft, so she knew he would be in capable hands. And he did too.

Castle attempted to get up from the bed, he hadn't yet walked around since the shooting, and Kate found it odd that the doctor had dismissed this and agreed for castle to go home.

The extent of the tests didn't seem particularly great, and she was genuinely concerned for his well being.

She wrapped one hand round his waist, and took a hand into hers, and allowed him to push himself up into her grip.

He seemed unsteady, but he hasn't walked yet, so Kate thought that this was just the effect of the medication wearing off.

He was uneasy as he made his way to the door. He couldn't walk particularly fast. It was more of a shuffle, too big a steps could cause blow to the wound.

She continued to support him as he ambled towards the door.

His stuff. It was all unpacked, everywhere, and he hadn't collected it all up to take with him.

In all his desperation to get home, he hasn't even thought off collecting his belongings that were strewn around the room. She sat him down in the visitors chair, and set to work collecting belongings.

"Sorry Kate. I forgot that, you just...sidetracked me I guess. I've never been able to take my eyes off you and I can't believe that throughout everything, you're mine."

"Castle. Rick. Don't worry. This means more to me than anything I've ever done in my life. Don't apologise for the best thing that's ever happened to me."

With that said, she set to work picking up his things.

She never failed to amaze him, her gorgeous structure, and sexy body drew him in as she worked her way round the room collecting what belonged to him.

He sighed, she was his fiancé. And that's all that mattered.

If she hadn't of said yes, he said he would be okay with that. Truthfully, he knew he would be distraught. Inside he did wonder though, if not for the shooting, would the answer be the same?

The thought made him tense in his seat. After all they had just talked through, he shouldn't be doubting their new commitment. But they had agreed to talk about these things. He knew what he had to do.

"Kate?" She turned around instantly, her golden locks sweeping over her shoulders as she levelled with him from the opposite side of the room, book in hand to be placed into his bag. Martha and Alexis had brought things with them this morning that they thought would comfort him, and though they had only been here for a few hours, the possessions had found themselves in all corners of the room.

"Yes Castle." She noticed the somber look on his face. "What is it?" She waked to his side, kneeled infront of him, took his hands in hers, and placed them on his lap.

"Kate. If this... This. This event hasn't occurred. Would you have still commuted?"

Silence descended.

"If I hadn't have got shot, would you still have said yes?"

It made Kate think, and usually, these questions would have her panicking, looking for the nearest escape she could leap into to hide her feelings. But things were different. She had to face it.

"Truthfully. No. I would have said no"

The colour drained from his already pale face. "Then is all of this a lie-"

"Castle. You didn't let me finish. I would have said no, and probably regretted it in the long run, and once realising my mistake, come back to you, only to find that you had moved on. It would have pained me, knowing the mistake I had made, and I would regret it. If I had of said no, signing minutes, I would know it was the wrong decision. I needed a life altering moment to occur for me to realise. I never thought it would have been as fatal as this, but when I saw the life drain from you, I knew that I couldn't live without you. That would have killed me, seeing you leave me. And in reality, that's what me saying no would have done. So I'm not saying I'm grateful for what happened, hell I'm furious, but it got us to a better place and an understanding with each other. We're finally talking about what we want for us. And it's made us stronger. And we will continue to grow strong. Together Rick."

Although he didn't expect the answer, it shocked him to realise that it made perfect sense. He was supposed to be angry that she would have said no though, but in truth of it all, it was the perfect reason, and he knew it had made them become something better.

"Kate. That answer was the most perfect answer you could have given, and I'm so happy. "

Kate gave him a long passionate kiss, and she picked up the packed bag, and they walked out of the operation room hand in hand.

Little did they know, they would be walking right into the trap of the one who had put a bullet straight through the heart of both of them.