Chapter 8

"She's got her gun, but she'll need backup." Ryan yelled quickly. They both ran to interrogation.

"Hey. Wait for me?" Castle asked. Then bolted off after them. The officer told him to stay out of the room, so he ran around the corner and watched through the glass. Ryan, Esposito and Montgomery were standing in front of the door with there hands on their guns, ready to pull them out at a moments notice. Beckett and Sanchez had there weapons pointed at each other and they were circling the table, staring the other down.

"Mr. Sanchez. Put that knife down. You're not a killer. I know you didn't kill Justin Moore. But you feel guilty, that's why you almost committed suicide. You feel betrayed, and don't know who to trust. But listen to me. You told me the wires were fine. It was not your fault. Please just put the knife down."

"That's where you're wrong. It is my fault." There were tears in his eyes. His knife fell a little, "I took a bribe. I knew the wires were cut, but I didn't report it. 50,000 dollars. I let a man die for 50,000 dollars."

"It's okay. You didn't know what else to do. Killing other people though, won't make the pain go away. It doesn't work like that."

"How can I make the pain go away?"

"You can't really. It goes away in time. But you can make steps to feeling better."

"Can you tell me?"

"There's only one way." Beckett saw her chance. "First you are going to have to put your weapon down and step back." Sanchez seemed unsure of what to do. But then Beckett seemed to feel something, that everyone watching couldn't place. Her firing arm came down and she set the gun on the table.

"Beckett. What are you doing?" Montgomery, Esposito and Ryan all said together. She ignored them, and they took that as she knew what she was doing. Sanchez felt some kind of trust circle build in the room and he slowly put the knife on the table.

"Now, you just have to forgive yourself." Beckett said. One tear slipped out of her left and eye.

"How?"

"It's hard at first. But after a while it comes naturally."

"And then the pain goes away?"

"Most of the pain. And only time can heal the rest." Montgomery walked behind Sanchez, handcuffed him and sat him back down in the chair. Beckett left the room without taking any of her things with her. She met Castle behind the glass.

"Beckett?" Castle asked, quietly.

"Hmm?"

"How much of that was real?"

"All of it." Beckett's eyes closed.

Montgomery came in. "Beckett. Can I talk to you in my office?" Beckett nodded and left behind him.

"What is it?" Beckett asked.

"Not out here." He opened the door and let her in. Shutting the door behind him. "Beckett. I've never seen you like that. I think it would be the best thing for you if you took the day off."

"Captain. I'm fine. Let me stay on this. I can-"

"I'm not taking you off the case. I'm just giving you the day off. No argument."

She sighed. "Okay." She left the office space with Montgomery looking after her with a worried expression.

"Beckett?" Castle called.

"Esposito's in charge. I'll be back tomorrow. Call me if something comes up." Montgomery opened his mouth to say something. "On second thought, don't." And with that the elevator closed.