Hey guys! Wow thank you so much yet again for the amazing feedback I got from the last chapter! I'm delighted to know you are enjoying this so here I am with another chapter!

Disclaimer: No, I do not own Castle.

Castle sat shotgun in Kate's car, staring out the side window watching the bright lights of the stores dart by like lightening while Kate remained focused on the road, as she tried to stop visioning Meredith; her soft red hair, those blue eyes, her expensive designer wear...Alexis mother, Castle first wife. The radio played a slow country song as she continued to follow the cars leading into the city and she took a left onto yet another traffic filled street, people wandering about the place in odd directions. Gripping tightly onto the wheel, she took to the task of overtaking cars, blue and red lights flashing and reflecting off the strips of colour that seemed to continue into the infinity of the street and most likely beyond it.

Castle turned from the window, and then decided to take swift glances at Kate who at this stage was studying the street intensely as heavy lashes of rain pelted down onto the SUV and the windscreen, almost blinding her from her sight beyond the inside of the vehicle. He picked up her cell and she nodded when she noticed him and with shaking hands, he pushed in the keys until they shaped the words ' I'll be home in about 10 minutes, I love you Lexi' and sent it, placing Kate's phone back down in the space for the drink holders and settled back into the seat, wiping his eyes with the front of his fingers until they left small red finger lines beneath his eyes and down his cheeks.

"Can you talk?"

She stared blankly for a moment until she spiralled back to reality and she glanced over at him at stopped lights, pedestrians darting about the road and down the street, huddling next to each other and pulling hoods lightly over their heads while immature students began to scream as they emerged from nightclubs.

"Talk?"

"Talk to me" he pleaded, leading Kate to knit her brows together in curiosity and drum her fingers along the leather of the steering wheel. What could she possibly talk to him about? Funeral arrangements? What detectives should work the case? Endless thought spiralled about her head and she looked back toward the road as the SUV was shot back into the rainbow of colours and she attempted to say something but all failed, when she noticed asking about Gina would be a HUGE mistake. He continued to sit silently in the seat, fiddling about with his thumbs until she finally found something worthy of talking about.

"How is Naked heat coming along?"

Her question had shocked him further and he let his eyes trail up to meet hers and she tilted her head as he too, failed to allow anything to escape his lips. He continued to stare at her in confusion and she turned on the air con as the cool fall weather began to set in. She pressed her foot down hard on the gas pedal and it tore down the road, until she was stopped by another set of traffic lights.

"Naked Heat; My book?"

"Naked Heat, your book" Assuring him, he nodded in a gaze and then rested his elbow along the stretch of plastic that ran along the inside of the passenger side window, he leaned his head against the cold window, clouds of condensation forming along the window.

"Good, I'm almost finished it" he added and she nodded, forcing a smile and he continued to look out the window before he decided he needed to stop acting like this. He had to try and act more humane towards her; he couldn't risk shattering their partnership over his mourning mood.

"When should I be expecting my copy?" she questioned, a grin lighting up her face and he glanced at her, letting out a small 'Tssk' sound and rubbed his forehead, as a small smile pulled at his lips.

"Soon hopefully" he added and she nodded. No point messing with something if it's in the works of getting completed. She was glad to see he smile a little even though he really shouldn't be but she couldn't bare sitting through days without having the usual castle by her side. That smile, would keep her content just for now.

They continued on in the stream of traffic, angry taxi drivers honking aggressively as people tried to manoeuvre here and there on the lane of traffic, only trying to get home. They eventually pulled up outside Castles place. She could see from the road that his loft was brightly lit and she shut her eyes for a moment. She didn't want Alexis to relieve what happened her ten years ago. She would never wish that upon anyone and she couldn't believe a similar thing would shatter her partner and daughter's hearts right at this moment.

"Are you ready?" Kate questioned and Castle stiffly nodded, climbing out of the car and pinched the bridge of his nose, leaning a hand on the roof of her car and Kate watched him until he pulled himself together and walked next to her, his body shaking and he was unable to control it. They entered the building and took the elevator, both dreading for what was to come.

Ooh so what did you guys think? I want to say sorry for leaving you for about 4 months with no updates, I swear I must have had writers block or something because usually I wouldn't ever leave it that long to update. Fingers crossed it doesn't happen again! I hope you can forgive me :) Oh and I'd like to wish everyone a VERY be-lated Christmas hope you all had great holidays and Happy 2011 everyone! Hope you all have a wonderful year ^_^

One more thing! I'm writing 2 more Castle stories at the moment. One is called 'Never grow up' and Its on chapter 8 now and the other one I have to re-name it but I'm on chapter 3 or 4 with that one! I'll post hem soon hopefully and thanks for reading guys! You're the best ;)