Disclaimer: Castle Belongs to Andrew Marlowe and ABC America.

Um, to the guest reviewer on the previous chapter who wasn't very happy with it... you're aware this is fan fiction, right? I could kill off every character and it wouldn't end the show. That's kind of the point. You can do stuff in fan fiction you can't do in the show. Although, it wouldn't necessarily end the show if Castle left for a couple of episodes. Also, just because you've caught up to where I am in the series doesn't mean it's the last chapter. Did I mark it as complete? Didn't think so. Exhibit A: the next chapter - this one. But I'm glad you enjoyed the series anyway. It's still going but whatever.

Warning: Some of these scenarios are quite sad. If you're a crier, have some tissues readyjust in case. If you can't handle dark themes, skip.

Upload Date: 04.03.13

Chapter Rating: T

Chapter Summary:

Different scenarios in which Castle and Beckett confront each other's mortality.

#50
Déjà

#51
Torn From Life

#52
As the Plane Goes Down

#53
Mole-y mole-y mole

#54
Scared to Death

#55
Last Words

#56
Double Trouble

#57
Stop All the Clocks

#50

When she came to, she found she was tied to a chair, in a locked room. Castle was tied to a chair, too, wide awake.

"Kate! Thank God you're ok."

"Castle, where...?"

"Detective Beckett," came the voice of Jerry Tyson.

"So very glad you could make it."

"Tyson."

"He prefers 3xk."

"Actually, I'm going by Ronnie now. But you already know that, don't you?"

He circled Castle.

"You just had to push, didn't you? You couldn't just leave it alone. I would have left you alone. But, no, you had to dig your nose into a murder investigation in another state."

He leant in close and spoke softly too him; not so softly that Beckett couldn't hear.

"Well, now, you pay... the price."

"Please," said Beckett, "you want to make him suffer? Kill me. He'll have to live with that for the rest of his life and it'll be torture."

"Beckett, shut up."

""You know, this is actually a pretty good love story. Transformation, partnership, self-sacrifice. Tragic ending of course, like all truly great love stories. Unfortunately, if I let him live, he'd go after me for killing his sweetheart."

He pulled out a knife.

"Frankly, I find this repugnant. But thanks to you, I've had to change my MO - again."

He held the knife to her throat.

"No!"

Castle fell to the floor with the chair. Tyson smirked.

"I love you, Castle," Beckett choked out as the blade caressed her neck, ready to puncture her skin.

"Look, Castle. Your girl's given up. Why don't you?"

All of a sudden the door was busted open.

"NYPD!" Ryan yelled. "Drop the knife!"

Tyson complied, reluctantly.

Ryan cuffed him.

"Y'know, I have an odd sense of déjà vu, detective Ryan," said Jerry as Esposito and LT untied Castle and Beckett.

"Yeah? Well, I like this ending better," said Ryan.

#51

"Castle, wake up."

"Mmm."

"Castle."

"Huh? What?" Castle stirred, rubbing his eyes.

Beckett looked over at him, horrified.

"Castle, I'm bleeding."

"Whatever this is, Kate, you're going to fight it," Castle assured her, stroking her hair as he looked down at her in the hospital bed.

""My Grandmother died of Ovarian Cancer, Castle."

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

"Detective Beckett."

Beckett looked up.

"Yes?"

"This is your husband?"

"My boyfriend. I'd like him to stay."

"Oh, yes, I think it's important that he does. You'll want to hear this, too, Mr...?"

"Castle."

She nodded.

"We have your test results, Detective. I'm afraid there's no easy way to say this."

Beckett turned to Castle.

"I love you, Castle. I just wanted to say that now, so you know I mean it. That I'm not just saying it because -"

"Shh, Kate. Just... let the Doctor speak."

"Detective, were you aware that you were pregnant?"

They stared at her in shock.

"Uh, no," she finally managed to choke out.

"Were?" Castle echoed.

"Yes," she sighed. "I'm afraid you suffered a miscarriage."

Castle sat down on the bed, holding her.

"Castle?"

"I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault."

"What about Kate? Is she ok?"

"She's fine - under the circumstances. We'd like to keep her overnight for observation. I'll give you a moment."

She stepped out of the room. Castle stood up, pacing, running a hand through his hair.

"We were careful."

"Birth control isn't full-proof. And there were times we only used one kind."

He stopped and walked back to her.

"Kate... does it make me a bad person that I'm relieved?"

Beckett shook her head. "No. Castle, we didn't even know about this... baby. Wow. We made a baby.
"The point is, all we knew was that there was something wrong with me. We were scared of that. We haven't had time to process this yet. I'm sure it'll sink in, and then we'll start to grieve. I'm not particularly looking forward to that, but apparently that's what healthy people do, according to Dr. Burke."

Castle took a deep, breath, tracing soft circles on her arm.

"Ok."

She smiled sadly back at him.

"Ok."

#52

She always thought if she died on a plane, it would be some kind of hijack situation. She thought back to nine-eleven, to the people on that flight who called their loved ones. She couldn't do that, but maybe she could leave a message...

"Castle, I've grown more in the last five years than my whole life before that," she spoke quickly, recording her message into her phone.
"Castle, I love you. You've been the greatest friend, partner and lover I've ever known.
"If I had to do it all over again, I'd do everything exactly the same - every argument, every misunderstanding, every single cup of coffee, because I wouldn't want to trade a minute of our time together.
"Tell my Dad I love him."

"Ma'am, please put on your oxygen mask," said the flight attendant, as the plane descended lower.

"Ok, Castle, you can let go of me now."

"Nuh-uh. I almost lost you. I'm never letting you go."

"Castle that was three days ago," she reminded him.

"Has no one explained the concept of "never" to you?"

There was a knock at the door.

"Ok, now you have to let go of me."

"Fine," he conceded.

She made herself decent and answered the door, returning to the bedroom with her luggage.

"Oh, you got your stuff back."

"Yeah, all-clear. Water damage was minimal.

She pulled her phone out of a plastic bag, staring at it.

"What is it?"

"I recorded a message for you when I thought..."

Castle raised his head slowly in realisation.

"You want to hear it?"

"You want me to?''

She thought about it.

"Yeah, I think I do."

"Then play it."

She did.

He had a poker-face the whole time he listened. It was extremely frustrating.

"Well?"

Castle shrugged.

"Me, too."

"That's it?"

"I couldn't put it better than you did, Kate. That was perfect. I hope you never have to say it again. I hope that next time, you say it because you feel like it."

She smiled. She felt as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders as she crawled back on to bed with him, kissing him languidly.

She stopped and looked down at him thoughtfully.

"I love you."

He raised his eyebrows.

"I felt like it," she explained.

#53

"Castle, stop pacing."

"Well, pacing's better than sitting around waiting to hear my fate."

"Castle, if it was bad, he would have called you in."

"Maybe that's what the second call's for."

"Why wouldn't he do that with the first call?"

"Maybe he wasn't sure. Maybe he's sure now and any minute he's going to confirm it! Why didn't he tell me in the first call?"

"Well maybe he's busy, like he told you, and he didn't want you to worry."

"Yeah, good job."

"Maybe it's not even related to your mole. Maybe he's after a donation."

"Another one? I just donated to the children's ward last month!"

Beckett raised her eyebrows.

"What?"

She smiled, shaking her head.
"Nothing."

He sighed.

"Kate, I've been shot at a dozen times, nearly drowned once, almost blown up three times, locked in a room with a tiger... To go out because of a weird skin pigmentation - "

"Castle, stop jumping to the worst case scenario," she said, stilling him with her arms. "Even if it's malignant, that's not automatically a death sentence; we have options."

"We?"

"Yeah," she said, her arms around his neck. "You're stuck with me, bub. Whatever he says, we're going to get through it and we're not going to worry about it tonight. We're going to sit on that couch and we're going to kick it old-school, John Woo style."

Castle nodded, his heart warming.
"I'm sorry for freaking out on you."

"You kidding? This is calm for you. I'm proud of how well you've handled this."

The phone rang.

Castle stared down at her, the fear evident on his face.

Beckett released him, squeezing his hand before letting him answer it.

"Castle," he answered. "Yes, Doctor Klein. Mmm-hmm. Uh-huh. I see. Um, tomorrow, one ' o'clock."

Beckett had a sharp intake of breath.

"Ok, see you then."

He hung up, his expression blank.

"Castle."

He turned to look down at her.

"Ok, whatever he said, I want you to know, I'm in this one hundred percent - "

"Kate -"

"Whatever you need - "

"Kate."

"I`m here; because I l- love you, ok?"

"It's benign. Wait - huh?"

"It's benign?"

"Yeah, he still wants to remove it. It's relatively simple a procedure. What was that you said before?"

She hugged him.

"I'm so glad you're going to be ok."

"Kate - "

"I said 'I love you'. I meant it."

He brightened.

"This is a much better day than I was expecting."

#54

"Castle, for the millionth time, you are not going to die."

"Liar. We're all going to die."

She rolled her eyes.
"Yes, but you have no way of knowing when.

"Right, we don't. I could get hit by a by a bus or choke on a chicken-bone tomorrow."

"Right, or you could die of old-age in a warm bed fifty years from now. Either way, life is too short to be worried about a DVD."

"What about all those stories you hear about people who foresaw their own deaths in visions or dreams?"

"Law of probability. In a world with this many people, someone's gonna be right once in a while. They don't talk about all the people who have no idea they're gonna die, or all the people whose dreams are wrong."

"Just humour me, ok? Now, I know I haven't been the best boyfriend..."

"Castle - "

"I screw up and I don't always show my appreciation for you as much as I should. I just want you to know that it's not lost on me how lucky I am to be with you, that you let me in. Every day with you is literally a dream come true. Please promise me you'll keep an eye on mother and Alexis - "

"We already had this conversation the last time you bought into a phoney bologna myth and thought you were going to die, remember? I agreed to look after Alexis, and Esposito's gonna "get rid of" your porn collection."

"Oh, I've already gotten rid of my porn collection."

"What?"

"Yeah, I threw it out a week into our relationship when I realised how many years I'd been wasting my time with useless information and images when I could have been doing that. Besides, if I'm ever in an emergency situation where I need porn - unlikely but not impossible - that's what the internet's for."

She rolled her eyes.

"Remember that first night, when you - "

"How can I forget? That was your favourite part, as I recall."

He nodded, his smirk slowly fading.

"Anyway, I've changed my will - '

"Ok, this is getting ridiculous."

"I just don't want you to be surprised when you see how much money I've left you. It's not that much, anyway. Just enough to keep you secure. I'd like Stairway to Heaven to play at the funeral; although the theme song to "Miami Vice" is fine too. I'd like to be buried in my Bat-Suit but if Mother objects, I won't mind a tuxedo a'la James Bond, providing you put a little gun in my pocket. Oh and maybe a walkie-talkie and some snacks, just in case I'm accidentally buried alive - "

"Ok, enough. Just... stop talking about being dead ok?"

"Kate, I didn't mean to upset you."

"Right, why would I be upset thinking about what I'd have to deal with if the man I love died? You really think I want to know what kind of coffin you want? What is wrong with you, Castle?"

Castle choked.

"Castle?!" Beckett asked, alarmed. "You ok?"

"Yeah," he said, recovering. "I was just... choking on my own spit. I didn't expect - "

"You're surprised that I love you? That your death would upset me?"

"Not surprised that you feel it, I'm just surprised that you're saying it."

"Well maybe it's 'Open up your big stupid mouth' day."

"Kate, I'm sorry. But I can't help what I believe."

"Damn it, castle."

"Hey, prove me wrong. Please."

"I'm sure Lanie will figure out C.O.D soon enough and we'll have a logical explanation for this. Until then, you're going to have to trust me."

He looked down at her intense gaze.

"Now that, I can do."

#55

"Hey, Rick."

The use of his first name surprised him, but he leaned forward nonetheless, watching the DVD with an open mind.

"I'm not sure how to do this." Kate's image on the screen ran her hand through her hair. "Maybe I should have prepared something. That's what you would have done."

She sighed.

"Where to start. If you're watching this tape, it either means I died or... you went through my stuff. If it's the latter... Castle! Take this out right now and put it back."

Oh, how he wished it was that simple.

After a moment, she softened. "If it's the former...
"I don't know how much time I have left,. None of us do. Life is fleeting, and I figured I should be prepared.
"Castle, you know I don't believe in an afterlife. But you do. If you're right, then, I'm gonna spend it keeping watch over the ones I love.
"Yes, Castle, that includes you. But you already knew that."

He let himself smile. Yeah, he did but... hearing her say it was getting him choked up.

"Castle, if I died under suspicious circumstances, I know you're gonna want to investigate. I of all people understand that. Just be careful. Don't do anything too stupid - I know that's a challenge for you. Think about your Mom and Alexis. Don't let my death take over your life. Let Ryan and Esposito help you. Don't be afraid to ask for help, because frankly, when it comes to this stuff, you'll be pretty much lost without me."

He smiled sadly. That was true. He needed her to rein him in. Needed someone to carry the gun, pull out the badge. Someone to bounce ideas off of. He found himself wondering how he would be able to do that without Kate-

Ok, get a grip, he scolded himself.

"Hopefully, you'll move on like I did. It could take a few months, it could take a lifetime. It's not gonna be easy. You owe it to yourself and your family to try."

She took a deep breath, looking uncomfortable.

"Now, by 'move on', I don't mean 'sleep with other women', but if after an appropriate amount of time has passed, you meet someone mature, intelligent, someone kind, who deserves you, and strong enough to put up with you, and loves you enough to be able to take care of you - don't hold back because of me. I'm dirt and worms at this point, Castle. And even if I'm not, I'll just... look away during those times you need privacy. Maybe I'll haunt Mark Ruffalo if he's still hot by the time I -"

She sighed again.

Castle cracked a smile.

"Castle, I'm so glad you wormed your way into my life. I'm so glad I let you. You've taught me so much. And I've had so much fun.
"Like the time you pretended not to have seen Forbidden Planet in order to go out with me - even though I was with someone else - "

"You knew about that?!" he said out loud.

"Yes, I knew."

It was Beckett's voice, but it didn't come from the tape.

Castle stood up, wiping the tears from his eyes and turning around to face the real Beckett, who did not look happy.

"Castle, what the hell are you doing?" she demanded, storming over to the DVD player and ejecting the disc.

"You were not supposed to see this unless and until - ugh!"

"I'm sorry. I was looking for something - "

"I don't keep your stuff in my underwear drawer, Castle."

"You seriously thought that would be the last place I'd look?"

"I trusted that you would respect my privacy. We've talked about this. I thought you understood."

"I'm sorry," he said, eyes downcast.

Beckett studied him for a moment.

"Oh, Castle."

"What?"

"Castle, look at me."

He obeyed.

She stroked his chin gently with her thumb.

"It's just in case, Castle; I'm not going anywhere."

"I know. Just... hearing you say that stuff - I don't want to - "

"I get it. I'm just being realistic. It's a possibility.

He nodded.

"Ok. I'm sorry."

"I forgive you. I think you've been punished enough."

"Do you think you could maybe... put something dirty on there?"

He expected her to roll her eyes; instead she simply simpered.

"You haven't seen the rest of the DVD yet."

Castle's eyes widened.

#56

Castle had left a cup of coffee with a note saying Alexis had had car trouble coming back from a party and he was picking her up. The coffee was cold and he still wasn't back. He must have crashed at the loft.

She tried his phone and it went straight to voicemail.

"Castle, it's Beckett - again. I'm leaving now. You've got the address for the crime scene so, I guess I'll meet you there if you get this on time. Otherwise I'll see you at the precinct. Ok, bye."

After hanging up, she opened his drawer on a hunch, not at all surprised when she found his charger. That's why he wasn't getting his messages. She tried calling his landline to no avail. Figuring he must be asleep at his place, she shrugged and left.

"Hey, guys," Beckett greeted a very grim looking Ryan and Esposito. "What we got?"

They exchanged uneasy looks.

"What?"

"Uh, Beckett - " Kevin started.

"Maybe we should go somewhere a little less crowded," Esposito suggested.

"Why should we do that?"

They exchanged looks again.

"Guys, what's going on?" she demanded, quickly running out of patience.

"Have you heard from Castle today?" Ryan asked.

Her heart dropped to her stomach.

"He left me a note. He went to pick Alexis up; she had car-trouble. Why are you asking me about Castle?"

"What time was that?" Esposito pressed.

"I'm not sure. A couple hours ago, maybe. What's going on and what the hell has this got to do with Castle?"

"We're not sure yet," said Ryan. "It could be nothing but..."

"Perlmutter ID'd the body as Castle's," said Esposito.

She had to hold on to one of the squad cars for balance. Straightening up, she maintained her composure.

"Well, what about you guys?"

"We... were building up the courage to go see," said Ryan.

"Well, if you two don't have the balls, I will."

"Beckett, I don't think that's a good idea," said Esposito, grabbing her arm.

"Hey, I'm the team leader, I was called to this investigation, let me see the victim."

Espo held her back as she struggled against him.

"Let me see him!"

"Bro, you go."

Ryan nodded grimly.

"Beckett, relax."

"Let go of me, Espo."

"Kate."

She froze at the shock of hearing her first name.

"Relax. Perlmutter doesn't know Castle that well, ok? This could all be a misunderstanding."

"Right," she nodded. "Right. What if it's not, though?"

"Beckett, don't panic. Because if you start to panic, I'll start too panic."

"I think you're a little late there, Espo!"

They watched Ryan as he approached the body. Upon looking down at the victim's face, he froze, a horrified look of recognition on his face, which drained of colour and all of a sudden, she was lost.

No. God, please no.

Then, a split second later his eyebrows raised, he relaxed and bowed his head in relief and suddenly she could breathe again.

"It's not him," he called out.

Espo released her and she bent over, grabbing her knees.

"It sure does look like him," Ryan said as he approached "at least at first glance but... it's not him."

"You're sure?"

"I'm positive. Go see for yourself." His face suddenly brightened. "Or better yet, turn around."

She complied.

"Hey," greeted the man behind her. " I didn't know if your coffee went cold so I brought you a new - oomph!"

She wasn't quite sure how it happened. One minute she was staring up at his smiling face, hearing his voice, the next she was in his arms. Some of the hot coffee spilt onto her back but she barely took notice, holding onto him, placing kisses all over his face and neck.

"Whoa, Kate, not that I'm complaining but... crime scene."

"I love you, l love you," she breathed.

He looked down at her in awe.
"Ok, what did I miss?"

She took one more moment to bask in his presence, cupping his face in her hands before dropping them down to his chest, where she hit him.

"Ow! Ok, seriously what did I miss?!"

"Keep your phone charged and answer your landline next time, jerk!"

She promptly turned around and stormed over to the body.

"Uh... guys? Little help?"

"Perlmutter made a little... error," said Ryan.

Castle glanced over to see Beckett engaged in a heated discussion with the ME.

"What kind of error?"

"Well, he might have sort of given the impression that you were... dead, a little bit," Ryan replied.

"What?! Why would he think that?"

"Well, the body does kind of bare a resemblance to you," said Esposito.

Castle narrowed his eyes and walked over to the body, recognising him instantly.

"My look-alike. This is the second time he's gotten me into trouble, poor bastard."

"Uh yeah, I'm ..." Perlmutter started.

Castle quirked an eyebrow.

"Sorry," he spat out the word like it was bad seafood.

"Apology accepted, Perlmutter," said Castle.

"Speak for yourself," said Beckett.

Castle stopped smiling and moved closer to her.

"Castle, crime scene."

"Kate. Look at me."

She deliberately avoided his gaze.

"Kate."

She finally looked at him.

"I'm ok," he whispered, leaning in. "I'm here."

Beckett said nothing, just stood there breathing him in.

"Ok," she whispered. "Ok!" she said, a little louder. "I'm good."

"K - Beckett... we'll talk about this later."

Beckett nodded and then short one last death-glare at Perlmutter before heading off to talk to CSU.

"So, Perlmutter, maybe if you'd gotten to know me a little better, this wouldn't have happened. What do you say - "

"Look, Castle, I'm glad you're not actually dead but whatever you were about to say, no."

"Fine, Mr. Grouchy."

"That's Dr. Grouchy to you."

#57

Castle and Beckett decided to exit the old Haunt through the back-door. Esposito and Lanie followed.

"Thanks for the free drinks, Castle."

"No problem. Have a good night."

"Night," said Espo and Lanie.

"Night," said Beckett.

"Well, there you go, that wasn't so bad," she elbowed him playfully.

"I guess not. I just hope we don't get dragged into their drama."

"Theirdrama?"

"Uh, yeah. One year and counting. They've only been back together a little while. Our relationship kicks their relationship's ass."

Beckett chortled, her arm around him.
"Yeah, ok."

"Excuse me?"

They turned.

"Oh, my God! Richard Castle?!" a young woman exclaimed.

"Uh, yes?"

"Oh, my god! I'm, like, your biggest fan."

"Really?" Castle smiled.

Beckett rolled her eyes.

The young woman went to dig something out of her bag.
"I have a copy of Frozen Heat in her somewhere. Will you sign it?"

"Of course.

Beckett let go of his arm, smirking as he pulled out a pen.

"Where would you - ?"

"Castle!"

She hadn't realised that what the woman was pulling out of her bag wasn't a book until it was too late and Castle was on the ground, a knife in his chest as the girl smirked.

Beckett tackled her to the ground.

"Lanie! Javi!"

The couple ran back, speeding up when they saw what was happening.

Espo took over with the woman while Lanie started working on Castle.

Beckett called an ambulance, putting Lanie on the line to keep them informed, while Esposito called for back-up.

Beckett sat back, watching them in shock trying to -

Something.

Castle was struggling to breathe; and he was bleeding out... everywhere while Lanie improvised.

"We came in a cab," she explained. "I'm sorry; I don't have my - "

"Just help him!"

No, no, no, not again. Not like this. Not another alley. Just - no.

At least he wouldn't be alone.

Shut up, Kate, don't even think that way.

"Sandra Donnelly," said Esposito, who had the woman pinned to the ground, as he read her id.

"You are under arrest for assault with a deadly weapon. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you do say will be held against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney."

"Ooh, officer," Sandra giggled, "those hand cuffs are a little tight."

He pulled tighter.

She laughed.

"If you cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed to you. Do you understand these rights as I have read them to you?"

"Oh, yes, officer. I heard you quite clearly in that sexy voice."

Beckett stared.
"Why? Why did you do this."

"Beckett, take a step back."

"No, I want to know," said Beckett standing up while Sandra continued to laugh hysterically. " Why did you do this?!"

"Kate," said Lanie. "Come over here. We might not have much time left."

"What?" She ran to his side like a shot, kneeling back down. "No, the ambulance is coming, right? You're - you're gonna save him."

"I'm doing my best, and they're on their way, but Kate, he's lost a lot of blood."

"Kate -" he croaked.

"Castle," she rasped, stroking his hair.

"Shh, honey, don't talk," Lanie instructed, "save your air."

"Hey," Castle smiled through his pain, "you - just said I m- might not - make it. Just - l - let me talk to my girl, ok?"

Beckett grabbed his hand.

"Castle," she whispered, fighting back tears.

""T-tell mother and Alexis - I'll be there for them, no m-matter... what."

"Tell them yourself, Castle you're gonna be fine."

"Right," he made a sickening sound that might have been an attempt at a chuckle . "It's just a scratch."

"Shh," said Beckett, unable to stop the tears flowing down.

"Kate - "

"It's ok, Castle, just... let Lanie help you."

"I have to - know that you're gonna be... ok. Please don't - let this consume your life. Be happy."

"No. No, you listen to me, Richard Castle. You are not giving up, ok? If you die, I will kick your ass, you hear me?"

"Kate - "

"Castle... we've got her," she said to appease him. "Nothing's going to consume me. Three witnesses. Judging on her... attitude, most likely a... confession. Case closed."

"Our last case," said Castle. "Bit of an anti-climax.

"Stop it."

"Thank you. For helping me grow up."

Castle stared him down, unable to hold back sobs any more.

"Castle - Rick, stay with me, please."

"I'm sorry, Kate."

"No, please, hold on."

"Say it, Kate. One last - one last time."

"I'm losing him."

"Press harder!"

"Any harder and he'll die faster!"

"Don't say that word!"

"Beckett, you're not helping him," said Esposito.

"Kate, please."

She stared down into those blue eyes. She was breaking from the inside out as she watched the light that had burned sp bright it had consumed her in flames of passion these last four years fading and she still couldn't accept it. But she knew.

"Always," she managed to push out, her lungs heaving in agony.

"Got to admit, this is a pretty cool way to go out."

Beckett shook her head, laughing in spite of herself through broken sobs.

"I love you, Castle" she managed to croak out. "I love you."

He smiled weakly.

"I lo -"

He suddenly went limp mid-sentence.

"Lanie?"

Lanie checked his pulse.

"His heart's stopped."

And with it, the rest of the world.

They tried to revive him. So did the paramedics.

So did the surgeons.

She couldn't let herself believe it, even when they told her; even as she allowed herself to fall to the hospital floor in a heap of tears, not bothering to keep her composure as the first waves of grief washed over her; even when they let her see the body, and she looked down at it knowing her Castle wasn't in there anymore; even as she leaned down to kiss him on his still-warm forehead. And even when she shut his eyelids with shaking fingers, she couldn't let herself face the cold, hard truth:

Richard Castle was dead.

So... yeah. *Ducks for cover*.

Edit[12.0313] For some reason, people have been getting to this point and stopped reading because they thought it was the end. Trust me; it's not. I just outlined the next nineteen scenarios this morning. Press that "next" button and you'll find another chapter, and another after that.