Disclaimer: I don't own Castle.

Prompt #37: Ring - It hung from her neck like Marley's chains, its links forged not from mistakes, but regrets.

Words: 597

The first time he saw the ring was when Beckett was explaining her drive to be a cop. She pulled out the chain it hung from, showing a beautiful wedding ring that sparkled in the light from her desk. It was called a memento for "the life she lost" and a partner to her father's watch, worn to represent "the life she saved."

That conversation haunted Castle for hours after he left the precinct. It kept him awake, made him unable to write or even brainstorm Nikki Heat. All he could think about was the amount of grief he'd sensed from Beckett when she revealed her mother's wedding ring to him. Remembering the story she told him was a heartbreak in and of itself.

After knowing of its existence, sometimes Castle found himself glancing at the chain barely visible around her neck. He'd seen talismans of sadness before, and he knew people who hung on to such talismans. They needed them to function, to force themselves through the day without cursing the world or collapsing in grief.

Although it tied her to a bloody past, the ring kept Beckett strong, and tough, and compassionate. It had made her the exceptional, spectacular detective he'd come to know and respect.

The next time was when he had to collect Beckett's personal effects after she was shot at Captain Montgomery's funeral. He managed to charm the nurse on duty to give them to him before Doctor Motorcycle Boy could.

Her mother's wedding ring glittered under the harsh florescent lights like cheap jewelry. Castle shook it out of its plastic bag and closed his fingers over the ring, as if protecting it from the horror that had befallen its wearer. It was cold in his palm, icy even, almost like an omen. Almost like it knew what had brought Kate to this place had something to do with the murder of its previous owner...

His writer's brain was really pushing the line if it had started associating culpability and blame to a piece of jewelry. Castle let out an exasperated huff and shook his head to rid himself of those dark thoughts. No, Kate's going to be fine. She'll be fine. She'll be...she's going to be...

Castle swallowed and tried to focus on the positive. Beckett was a fighter. Always had been. She wouldn't give up after coming this far. It wasn't in her nature. That was the remarkable Kate Beckett he'd fallen in love with.

Squeezing his fist tightly over the ring and chain, he slipped it into his pocket and went to rejoin Martha and Alexis by the OR, the ring a comforting weight against his skin.

The third time was after she showed up on his doorstep and they finally, finally gave into the feelings four years in the making.

As Beckett slept peacefully beside him, Castle noticed the necklace where she'd put it on the nightstand. He reached over and picked up the ring, admiring it in the dim light of the city from his window.

It had seen her through so much hurt, so much pain, and he was glad it had. Despite the painful memories, Beckett had kept it close to her heart.

He replaced it on the nightstand, pressed a kiss to Beckett's forehead, and laid down beside her again. "You've been with her through everything," he whispered to Johanna's ring. "Now it's my turn. I'll keep her safe. I promise."

So, how epic that they've coined Caskett on the actual show? :)

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