Hi everyone, thank you all to those who reviewed, alerted or added to favourites, much appreciated.

This is Chapter one: SPOILER ALERT: this is all Castle, if you have not seen KNOCKOUT or RISE, I suggest you don't read unless you don't mind a spoiler, it is Knockout and Rise – HSLNM version.

Enjoy (I don't own any of these shows unfortunately, otherwise this wouldn't be fiction, it would be reality)

Chapter 1

"Captain" Kate called as she stepped into the dark hangar, her eyes keenly probing the shadows searching for her boss "captain" she called again, "over here" she heard and she instantly stepped towards the sound of his voice. As she did so she heard her phone bleep and she pulled it out as she walked, as she clicked onto the message from Ryan she saw her boss step out of the shadows, then she froze as she read the text, she stared, hoping that it was some sort of sick joke or her mind playing tricks on her, but it wasn't, she reread the message hating every word

'3rd Cop

It's Montgomery!'

Her eyes flashed up to where he stood and from behind his back he produced a gun a large revolver that wasn't his service weapon, and he clicked the safety off. For the first time ever in the presence of her captain, she felt a thrill of fear run through her. She looked up at his face and saw that he was staring at her his face sombre, his eyes full of regret and determination.

Very slowly she put her phone away but as she brought her hand back round she rested it on her gun, it felt so wrong, everything that she was wanted to move away from this place and figure out what the hell was going on, but she was a cop, and it was the cop part of her that took over now "put the gun away Roy" she said, pleased that her voice didn't quiver with hurt, she slowly walked forward one footstep at a time, alert for any movements he might make. "Kate I'm not going to jail for this, I won't put my family through that" he said, still moving forward Kate stumbled for something to say, but there was only one question she wanted to ask "why" she said simply.

Montgomery lowered his head slightly and sighed "I was a rookie when it happened Kate" he slowly walked forward but she took a few steps back now maintaining the distance between them "McCallister and Raglin were heroes to me and I believed in what we were doing, we were just going to snatch Bugadi that night, Bob Armen wasn't even supposed to be there" he continued to walk forward gun at his side but now Kate didn't back away she held her position trying to feel strong and not show how hurt she was "Armen reached for my gun, that's when I heard the shot, I didn't even know it was my gun that went off until Armen went down, then McCallister pulled me into the van, I remember him saying 'it's ok kid it's not your fault, happens in this town every day.

McCallister and Raglin tried to drown it, but not me, I put it all into the job Kate, I became the best cop I could be" she stared at him the hurt now showing on her face, he gazed at her and there was hurt in his eyes to, along with desperation "and then when you walked into the 12th, I felt the hand of God, I knew he was giving me a another chance and I thought, if I could protect you the way I should have protected her"

That lit the fire inside of Kate and she clenched her jaw slightly, as she spoke she could hear the anger and her voice was commanding, demanding an answer "did you kill my mother" she said "no" Montgomery said and Kate felt the tiniest bit relieved "that was years later, but she died because of what we did that night" "then who killed her" Kate asked trying to keep calm, but she just felt so betrayed.

Montgomery stood there and looked at her for a long minute before he began to talk "I don't know how but somehow he figured out what we had done, he could have turned us all in but instead he demanded the ransom money, he took that money to become what he is and God forgive me but that might be my greatest sin" Kate took a step forward "give me a name" she demanded quietly "you owe me that Roy" he looked at her sadly "no Kate I know you, you'll run straight at him, I might as well shot you where you stand"

Anger and fear made her lash out "that's why you brought me here isn't it" she said moving closer so that she was right in his face "to kill me" he looked at her calmly "no I brought you here to lure them, I would never kill you Kate, I would never cause your little girl that much pain" Kate blinked confused "you baited them" she gasped, Montgomery didn't answer, he looked out of the hangar "and now they are coming" he said and she followed his gaze to see the lights of a car "I need you to leave" Montgomery said and she looked at him "they are coming to kill you and I am not going to let them, I am going to end this" she looked at him, did he really not know her "I am not going anywhere sir" she said proudly and defiantly.

"yes you are" he said nodding his head "Castle get her out of here" she turned to see her husband, the husband that she had been unknowingly pushing aside, determined to finish this case, she stared at him for a second as he moved forward "Captain" he began but Montgomery cut him off "don't argue, that is why I called you, get her out of her now" Kate shrugged out of his grip suddenly frightened but not for herself "Captain please just listen to me, you don't have to do this" "Kate" she heard Rick whisper taking hold of her again "no please no" she said her voice beginning to break as she struggled free again.

"no" she begged "sir I forgive you" she saw a hint of doubt in his eyes "I forgive you" she said again "Kate" he said softly "you have a family now, a daughter, I won't let her lose you, because I know she is just like you and she will go after those who killed you and that will lead to a never ending circle of bloodshed" Kate felt tears in her eyes as she stared at him "this is my spot Kate" he said softly "this is where I stand" she felt tears in her eyes and she began to cry as she looked into his eyes, determined, unwavering, "no" she sobbed "no sir please listen to me, you don't have to do this" then out of the corner of her eye she saw the dark shape of a car containing whoever was sent to kill her come speeding forward "Castle get her out of here now" Montgomery shouted she felt Rick grab hold of her lifting her against her will "you don't have to do this" she begged, then she was being carried away "no" she cried out, but it mixed in with a strangled sob "Castle let me go" she screamed through her tears fighting him desperately, he must know she meant it she never called his Castle anymore, but he kept a tight hold on her and managed to get out the back door, desperately she twisted and saw her Captain staring after her, the determination back in his eyes, then he turned to face the car as it screeched to a stop, "please" she screamed, then the door closed.

"no please" she sobbed again, thrashing, then all the grief when she realised that there was nothing she could do came crashing down on her and the fight was drained out of her, she hung in Rick's embrace crying hard, he set her down resting her against the car "shh Kate shh" he whispered covering her mouth with his hand as she sobbed loudly, he brushed hair out of her face shushing her desperately as she sobbed, she lifted a hand and placed it on his cheek, terrified that maybe he too would leave her.

From inside the hangar there came the sound of gun shots, then a pause then more followed, then two final shots rang out and the night was still and silent again. She felt Rick loosen his grip on her, pain in his eyes; she pushed past him still sobbing and ran back to the hangar. Bodies were littered everywhere, but she ignored them all save for one, she stumbled to a stop above him and knelt crying over him, she reached out with shaking hands to touch his face, hoping that he was still alive, but he wasn't, her mentor, her captain, her friend was gone.

XOXOXO

She and Rick arrived back home after returning to the precinct to give a sanitised version of their statement to the cops investigating, no way were they going to let their captain go as anything but a hero. She leaned against Rick as he opened the door and led her in, slowly he took her over to the sofa and sat down hugging her and she finally allowed the fresh supply of tears to come streaming down her cheeks. She heard movement and looked over to see Alexis and Livie all standing there at the bottom of the stairs in their pyjamas, Livie was staring at her tears trickling down her cheeks, she slowly moved forward and crawled onto the sofa next to her mother and curled up against her wrapping her arms around her, holding her, supporting her as more tears came streaming down her mother's cheeks.

Kate hugged her daughter tightly still crying hard, she buried her head into Livie's shoulder hugging her, clutching at her, she was scared now, all around her people were dying, what if Livie was next, or Rick, or Alexis, or one of her friends, no. No one else was going to die. She could feel Livie trembling too and remembered what the captain had said, she was just like her and would hunt down whoever killed her leading to a circle of bloodshed, no she would never leave Livie, she wanted to be with her daughter throughout her life, her whole life, never missing a minute of it. When she had calmed down slightly she saw that Alexis was curled up against her dad, both of them had tears running down their cheeks too. She leaned against her husband feeling him stroke her shoulder gently, trying to comfort her, she hugged Livie too, and they all remained there, wrapped up in their grief.

XOXOXO

"Captain Montgomery once told me that for us there is no victory, there are only battles, and in the end the best you can hope for is to find a place to make your stand" she paused and looked over the sea of mournful faces looking up at her "and if you're lucky you'll find someone, willing to stand with you" she looked over into those clear blue eyes that she loved, "until the end" she finished softly, he gazed back at her and she knew that he would stand with her.

She continued to speak, slowly and carefully, struggling to hold herself together, she could see Martha sitting with Alexis and Livie, their faces sombre as they paid their respects to the man who had helped bring their two separate families together.

Suddenly she heard Rick scream out "Kate" and then there was a loud crack, then pain. She heard screams as she was knocked backwards off her feet by Rick and shouts of "Beckett's down, Beckett's down", she fell to the ground in his arms, then she heard a familiar scream, Livie screaming in terror, screaming to her, she could hear Ryan shouting at her to get down, she gazed at Rick as he cradled her "don't leave me Kate, come on stay with me" he whispered desperately "I love you, I love you Kate, stay with me" she couldn't speak, she just gazed at him frightened.

"Mom" she heard someone scream and then Livie was falling to the grass amongst the tomb stones beside her crying in fright "no mom please" she begged. Kate took a long breath struggling, the edges of her vision were going blurry "please mommy don't go" Livie was crying "you promised me it would always be us together, always and forever you said, don't break your promise, I didn't last year" she could see Rick crying as he pulled Livie towards him against his chest "I love you mom please" Livie begged, she tried to speak but she couldn't, she managed to raise a hand and it found Livie's who clutched it, crying, still sobbing for her not to leave her.

She couldn't leave her, she wouldn't leave her, but it was too hard to fight the blackness now that was pressing in on her, she gazed at the two of them as she succumbed to the darkness. Her last sight was of her precious daughter, crying her eyes out, begging for her to not leave her, telling her that she loved her, she was pressed against Rick's chest, her husband was still whispering that he loved her. Then she couldn't hold on any more and she closed her eyes and allowed darkness to take her, unwillingly leaving her loved ones.

XOXOXO

The crack of a gun echoed around the cemetery, Livie saw her mom's eyes widen and she let out a gasp as the bullet buried itself in her chest, then Rick had knocked her backwards off of her feet. Everyone instinctively ducked and then began to scream in panic but not as loudly as Livie did, she saw Esposito pushing Lanie down who was shouting out in horror to her best friend and shouting to everyone else, she screamed out again and began to stand to run to her mom, but Ryan grabbed hold of her pulling her back to the floor shouting out "Livie get down" whist shouting into his radio, as was Esposito that her mom was hit, she struggled desperately and Ryan hung on for as long as possible, trying to keep her out of harm's way worried that the shooter might still be out there before she yanked herself free, she staggered upright no longer worried about getting shot, all she wanted to do was get to her mom, she flung herself down next to her, she was lying in the grass, blood staining her white gloves, Rick was bending over her whispering to her, how much he loved her, her mom looked so confused, her eyelids kept fluttering as she struggled to keep them open as she struggled to breathe.

"mom" she screamed again, as she fell to the ground beside her, her mom gasped, eyelids fluttering, they were wider now sudden panic filling her "no mom please" Livie sobbed, she placed her hand over the bullet wound feeling hot blood soak her fingers "you promised it would always be us together, always and forever, don't break your promise I didn't last year" her mom managed to raise a hand to her and she caught it, sobbing.

Her mom couldn't leave her, she was her mom, and more, her best friend, always there for her, her mom had always told her that she would never leave her, and now everything in her family history was repeating, and the daughter was losing her mother. No her mother was not going to die, Rick had pulled her against his chest hugging her as she cried, he was gazing at her mom, pain in his eyes, but he still tried to comfort her, "I love you mom" she whispered still begging for her mom to speak to let them know that she was ok really and that she would pull through this.

But her mom's breath was coming in short sharp gasps and they were gradually getting weaker "please mom don't leave me" Livie begged, she felt Rick tighten his grip on her, as they watched her mom gaze at them desperately, then her eyes slowly closed.

Livie screamed, she screamed to her mom to wake up, she screamed to her to not leave her, she begged and begged, then she felt Rick stand and take her shoulder but she shrugged away from him angrily, still clutching her mom's now limp form, then he put his hands under her shoulders and pulled her up ignoring her struggles as Lanie fell to the ground beside her mother, her hands replacing Livie's as an ambulance appeared and her mom was lifted onto a stretcher and driven away with sirens screaming.

She continued to fight angrily, then it was like the reality of her situation just hit her and her legs buckled and she felt the weight of the world on her shoulders, she collapsed, falling to the ground sobbing her heart out, she could see everyone watching her sympathetically, feeling her pain maybe but not understanding it, Rick crouched next to her "hey hey Liv" he said, she gazed at him through her tears, he pulled her into a hug and she clutched at him desperately needing his support, without him and his family she would now be all alone, "come on" he said and took her to his private car and ordered the driver to take them to the hospital as fast as possible. The whole drive there he held her as she cried, terrified of her mother leaving her.

XOXOXO

They came skidding into the hospital car park seconds after her mom's ambulance did and Livie scrambled out as she saw her being wheeled in, Lanie crouching on top of her, hands pressing over the wound, she had tears in her eyes and she was shouting at her best friend that she wasn't going to die, she wasn't going to leave her perfect daughter without a mom. Livie ran after the gurney past the reception desk ignoring the people calling her back, she could hear Rick behind her but she kept her eyes focused on the gurney, it went through some doors and once she had burst through them she saw Lanie standing there her hands stained in blood, as were hers watching her mom get wheeled away.

Lanie stared at the blood on her gloved hands before turning and spotting them, Rick looked down at Livie who was now staring at her hands stained in her mother's blood, a single tear splashed onto her red palms, leaving a small area of white, more tears fell, before Livie lowered her hands as though afraid of washing away her mother's blood, as if washing it away would be like washing all chances she had away. She looked so frail and vulnerable again, just like after what had happened almost 10 months ago, small and terrified, her black dress covered in blood and stains, tears sliding down her cheeks from red, puffy eyes. Lanie moved forward and pulled the young girl into a hug and held her as she sobbed, she looked at Rick who stared at her and saw the pain he felt reflected in her eyes, Lanie guided Livie over to some seats and sat down next to her still hugging her and they waited.

After what felt like hours they heard shouting and the sound of arguing, all three of them looked up as Ryan and Esposito came storming in still talking angrily into their phones, they each made a sharp last order before hanging up and spotting the three of them. "how is she" Esposito asked quietly, Lanie glanced at Livie who was staring at the floor, unmoving as though if she kept staring at the same spot for long enough, everything would be ok. "they just to her into surgery" Lanie said standing and moving towards Esposito "but…" she couldn't finish but she didn't need too, Esposito pulled her into a hug cradling her tightly, Rick felt the pain in his chest expand as he stared at the couple wishing that he could hold his other half in his arms now.

"what happened to the shooter" he asked, Ryan looked pissed "he was gone" he said quietly "gone" Rick exclaimed and he saw Livie's head snap up, suddenly full of fear and anger, he put one hand comfortingly on her shoulder "how can he be gone" Ryan gazed at him, his eyes full of sorrow "I don't know but he left his weapon behind" "it was Marko 11, a modified sniper rifle" Esposito said "favourite for special forces, we are checking for prints now".

At that moment there was a cry from behind of "dad" and then "oh Richard, oh Livie oh my god" they all turned to see Martha and Alexis come hurrying forward, Alexis hurled herself at her father and he hugged her and his mother tightly, still struggling to hold himself together, he was determined to remain strong, for Livie, Alexis released him and then ignoring the fact that she was covered in blood wrapped her arms around her little sister hugging her tightly, tears in her eyes.

Then from behind there came another familiar voice "where's Katie" they all looked up and Livie leapt up and ran towards her grandfather who hugged her tightly, anger and pain in his eyes, he looked up at them all "where's my daughter" he demanded, "what happened". Esposito sighed "sniper" he said quietly "at a funeral" Jim Beckett said in disbelief, "I tried to save her" Rick whispered, he looked at Livie who gazed at him still scared and frightened "but I wasn't fast enough, this is all my fault" "hey" Ryan said "this is not your fault" "yes it is" Rick said his voice getting louder "I am the one who pushed her into looking into her mother's murder, everything is my fault, I put her in the crosshairs" "no" Livie cried suddenly and everyone looked at her in surprise for this was the first time she had spoken in a long time, she stood there with her hands over her ears, plainly hating everyone blaming themselves "stop it" she cried again, she moved towards Rick and hugged him "Livs I am so so sorry" he whispered hugging her back "Livie is right" Jim said "everyone stop it, I don't want you all acting like this when my daughter is fighting for her life"

Everyone became subdued then, Rick sank onto a chair looking at Livie who just leaned against the wall, before sliding down it wearily, she still looked a state, covered in blood and crying an endless supply of tears. They waited for hours in the hall; nobody knew what to say to Livie, they wanted to comfort her but she wasn't a child, she knew the truth. At long last a tired looking doctor stepped out and called "Mr Beckett" Jim's head snapped up and he stood instantly "yes" he said, not daring to hope. "your daughter is out of surgery" the doctor said Livie's head snapped up "will she be alright" Jim asked "well during the surgery she experienced cardiac arrest" everyone shifted uncomfortably, Livie half rose from the floor, looking terrified, "we were able to get her heart beating again on its own but we will need to watch her very closely" Jim nodded and swallowed "may we see her" he asked looking at Livie. The doctor sighed and looked at him begging for him to understand "I don't think it would be wise, maybe tomorrow" he paused "I don't think it will be best for her" he nodded at Livie "to see her mom like this, she doesn't look good" Livie winced, everyone looked at her, she gripped Alexis' hand for support, but gazed round the doctor towards the door that he had exited. "I think it would be best if you all went home" he said "get some rest, you can see her in the morning if she is more stable", he turned then and went back through the door closing it behind him.

"I don't know about you" Esposito said "but home is the last place I am going, I am off to catch the son of a bitch who did this" he turned and left, Lanie and Ryan at his heels, Rick looked after them and then at Livie who was now standing staring through the door as though hoping to see her mom, as much as he wanted to go find the man who had caused the girl so much pain, he knew that right now, his job as her father was to help her whilst she was in this pain and if possible, ease her through it. He moved towards her "hey Liv" he said, she didn't respond, she just continued to stare through the window in the door, he touched her shoulder and she looked at him "come on" he said softly as everyone else moved away to give him some space to talk to her "you aren't going to do your mom any good by sitting out here, you know she wouldn't want that" Livie looked at him and he saw the same anger and determination that was always in her mom's eyes, but slowly it was replaced by realisation, that he was right "we will be back here the moment we hear anything" he promised, and she nodded before allowing him to lead her out and into the car.

XOXOXO

When they arrived at the loft, she still wasn't speaking and she slowly headed up the stairs and they heard the sound of her bedroom door open then close, Alexis glanced at them and then she headed up after her and they heard her knock on Livie's door before tentatively entering, Rick sighed and then went up to exhausted and worried to do anything, but his weariness didn't stop him checking all the locks and shutting all the curtains tight, when he poked his head round the door to Livie's room she was lying next to Alexis gripping her hand tightly, both of them staring into the distance, as he entered though they both looked at him, he gave them a weak smile that didn't reach his eyes before shutting the curtains and moving forward he gave them both a hug, but as he made to leave Livie grabbed him and looked at him pleadingly, still not talking, he nodded and then sat on the bed next to her, shifting into a comfortable position, then he took her other hand and that was how the three of them eventually fell asleep, together, supporting one another.

XOXOXO

Rick woke up the next morning lying in Livie's bed which confused him till he remembered what had happened, then the pain came crashing back down on him suffocating him, he fought again determined to hold himself together, he looked over and saw Alexis curled up sleeping, but no Livie, she had barely slept that night just lying there, he had seen her silent tears and heard her stifled sobs and after a while she had started tossing and turning, showing how little sleep she eventually got. He looked up and saw that the door was open so slowly he exited the bedroom and checked all the rooms before heading downstairs where he found Livie curled up on the sofa staring into space, hugging one of her mom's jumpers to her face, breathing in the scent. She didn't move when she heard him enter though her eyes flicked briefly over to check that he wasn't a threat before they returned to the ceiling.

He watched her for a minute trying to figure out what to say, but what could you say to a teenager who knew the truth herself, and would it do any difference when you felt the same as she did. He busied himself with breakfast, trying to keep his mind busy and to not think of the sight of his wife lying in the grass, closing her eyes as the life was drained out of her. Alexis came down after a few minutes and silently began to help him, seeming to want human comfort Livie moved over and sat watching them, still not talking, she looked like she was in shock. Once breakfast was done Rick gently placed a plate in front of her and she looked at it blankly before looking up at him "come on Livs" he said "you have to eat", she lowered her gaze again but to his relief picked up her fork and began to slowly pick her way through her breakfast, slowly nibbling at it before realising how hungry she was and eating slightly faster, she hadn't eaten since before the funeral and had refused any food they had offered her at the hospital, they all ate delicately not talking, he couldn't remember the last time he had had such a quiet meal.

When she was done Livie got down and placed her plate in the dishwasher before moving upstairs to get dressed, she was followed by Alexis and once they were gone he pulled out his phone and called the precinct "Ryan" the agent responded. He sounded exhausted "hey it's me" Rick said quietly "have you found anything"

Ryan sighed "no, we worked through the night but we have nothing, have you heard anything from the hospital, how's Livie doing" he asked

Rich sighed then "haven't heard anything, going to call up soon though, Livie… well I don't know, she hasn't spoken, she just sits there in shock, I don't know what to do, I had to encourage her to eat this morning"

Ryan groaned "I feel so sorry for her, after everything she has been through she doesn't deserve this"

"I know" Rock said, he glanced up when he heard footfalls on the stairs and saw Livie descending dressed in jeans and a simple T-shirt with a button down blouse thrown over the top left open, it felt good to see her in her usual style of dress, a small attempt made by her to make everything normal again. "ok I gotta go buddy, call me with an update" "likewise" Ryan said before he hung up

He had barely placed the phone on the cradle before it was ringing again "hello" he said listening "yes" he said rising half out of his seat, Livie looked up from where she had settled on the bottom step "yes" he said again "ok, yep, we will be right there" he hung up and looked at Livie "come on" he said quietly, he called Alexis and then the three of them left and headed to the hospital.

XOXOXO

When they arrived Rick went to the reception and asked after Katherine Castle, the nurse called up and a few minutes later the doctor from last night appeared and lead them up the stairs talking quietly to Rick, Livie felt panicky as she followed and slipped her hand into Alexis' and smiled weakly as she felt her squeeze her hand back. They stopped at a door to a room and the doctor left them, Rick looked over his shoulder at the two girls and then held out his hand, Alexis released Livie and stepped behind them, Livie chewed her lip and stepped forward to take his hand, he squeezed it and then led her into the room.

Livie closed her eyes worried about what she would see when she opened them, she felt Rick squeeze her hand again and she slowly allowed them to flutter open, she stared at the bed and as she did so, some of the pain in her chest intensified slightly before disappearing, she felt tears in her eyes and then the tiniest smile of relief slip onto her face as she stared at her mom, who was sitting up in the hospital bed gazing at her in relief, she looked exhausted but she was alive, there were bags under her eyes which were full of pain, for the first time she looked vulnerable and scared, her hair was tied in a loose messy braid from which it was escaping.

Livie let out a small sob and took a small step forward, her mom smiled exhaustedly, delight at seeing her in her eyes though "oh Livie" she sighed in relief, Livie stumbled blindly forward unable to see through her tears and fell forward, reaching out until she felt her mom's hand which pulled her into a hug, her mom was whispering her name over and over again running her fingers through her hair. Livie clung to her as her mom clung to her, burying her head carefully into her shoulder crying her eyes out again, she hugged her carefully, but firmly never wanting to let her go again. She felt her mom pull away and she did the same to gaze at her. Her mom cupped her face in her hands "hey what's wrong kiddo" she asked "having too much fun without me" Livie just sobbed again, tears still leaking out of her eyes, her mom used her thumb to brush them aside "hey" she said firmly "I am ok, kiddo I promise, I am not going anywhere" she smiled at her daughter "I kept my promise, always and forever honey" Livie managed another smile and then leaned forward hugging her tightly, sitting on the edge of the bed to curl up at her side.

Kate looked up at Rick to see that he had tears in his eyes, she gave him an exhausted smile as she cradled her daughter against her chest, she ignored the pain, originating from her heart where the bullet had entered, he moved forward to her other side and leaned down, she released her daughter with one arm to hug him, clinging to him slightly as he hugged her tightly, "oh Kate" he whispered pressing his lips to her brow "I so thought I had lost you, don't you ever do that to us again" she smiled and kissed him back "will try not to" she whispered. He smiled and then stepped back, and Alexis stepped forward relief written all over her face "hey Lex" Kate whispered reaching up to hug the teenager, who bent to hug her back, she felt tears land on her shoulder "hey now, everyone stop crying" she said looking around "I am fine I swear, you all need to stop worrying" she got mock glares back from all three of them and smiled, Rick pulled out his phone "well I promised to call if there was any news" he said and backed out into the hall to make the call.

When he came back Alexis was sitting in the chair next to Kate and Livie had transferred herself to another chair but had pulled it tight against her mom's bed and was resting her head on the edge of the bed and her mom had one hand resting on her back, she was dozing exhausted. Kate smiled exhaustedly as he entered again and he found himself another chair and pulled it next to his daughter's. "Well Lanie will be here in a matter of seconds" he joked "and the boys are coming down with her" Kate grinned "how do you feel" he asked, she gave a small chuckle "like I was shot" she said, and he smiled before looking at her sombrely "seriously Kate don't you ever do that again, god I have never been so worried, more for Livie than anything else"

Kate frowned at him "why what happened with her" she asked "was she ok", he looked at her gravely "do you remember what happened" "parts of it" she whispered "do you remember Livie with you" Kate closed her eyes and saw parts flashing before her; Rick bending over her, whispering, Livie falling down screaming in terror to her, crying her eyes out, begging desperately, then fresh pain, then nothing" she nodded "well" he said glancing at Alexis "times that by 10 and you are still not nearly close to how bad she was, she was screaming to you, begging, fighting us, then it was like her voice got switched off, she just collapsed sobbing silently and she has barely spoken another word since then, she was inconsolable, she was so lost, we didn't know what to do, we stayed with her last night but she barely slept and I have to say I had to encourage her to eat this morning, I don't know what I would have done if…" he hesitated "if things had happened differently"

He saw the pain in Kate's eyes and wondered if he had made the right choice to tell her, yes he wanted her to know, just so she was aware of what had happened, and maybe to stop her being so reckless in the field though he doubted she would stop. She smiled softly at him "thank you for taking care of her" she whispered "always" he said with a smile, and she smiled back knowing that he meant it, just as she had known that he would always be willing to stand with her, until the end…

Hope you liked it

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Thanks Mysticgirl