So did everyone see the Castle season 6 promo. AHHHH haa haa . It was so awesome. For those who don't know. I was in it. AHHHH. I was the second fan video shown after the words "Have waited five years". That's me squealing with all the hair going everywhere. If you haven't seen it yet go to you tube. Castle Season 6 Promo #1 (HD) By televisionpromosdb. Is a good one to check out. If you want to see my reactions to being in the promo check out my video. My Reaction Castle season 6 fan promo By NelieFirefly and if you're interested check out my reviews of the eps and other stuff I have posted. AHHHHHHHHH

On with the show

Beckett groaned as she heard her phone ringing. She reached over to the bedside table and snatched it. With blurry eyes, she looked at the screen and saw a number she didn't recognise. Swiping her finger across the phone, she sleepily held it to her ear.

"Beckett,"

"Kate. Hi, I didn't wake you, did I?"

Beckett sat up in bed.

"Rick! Are you okay? What's wrong? Are you okay? I'm awake," she rapidly fired out.

"I'm okay, considering I've been shot,"

Beckett trembled. He sounded so weak and unlike him on the phone. He was talking, though. That was a good sign.

"Why didn't you tell me being shot hurt this much?"

Beckett smiled. Well now that was Castle.

"Well, you know what you're like, Castle. You like to act out the scenes yourself. You probably wouldn't have believed me if I told you."

She heard him scoff. "Yeah probably."

Beckett bit her lip. She wasn't sure what to say now. It wasn't a conversation to have over the phone. When she heard a knocking on the door, she was glad for the reprieve.

"Can you hold on for a second, Rick?"

"Umm sure. Not really going anywhere."

Beckett tapped the hold button on her phone as Martha pushed open the door.

"I wasn't sure if you would be up this early. I heard you get up a few times last night."

Beckett winced. "Sorry."

Martha waved her off. "No problem, I couldn't sleep either. No matter how old your children get, you still worry about them when they aren't at home."

Even though at times Martha appeared flighty, and Castle grumbled about his childhood, it was clear that the woman loved her son.

"I'm just on my way to the hospital. I thought you might sleep in and I was wondering if I should take some of Richard's things to him. I can wait for you if you'd like."

Beckett shook her head. "I'm on the phone with Rick now. I'll bring his things in with me. I need to make a stop on the way there, but I should be there in 2 hours max,"

Martha nodded. "Well, say hello to him for me darling. Tell him not to worry. Mommy's going to be there soon take care of him."

Beckett couldn't contain her smile. She wasn't sure how Castle was going was going to respond to that. "Okay. I will."

She waited until Martha had closed the door before taking the phone off hold.

"Are you there Rick?"

"Yep, still here by my lonesome."

Beckett immediately felt guilty. She wasn't there with him, but that was so Alexis could stay. Beckett frowned. "Where's Alexis?"

"I sent her to go and get some breakfast."

"How is she? She was trying to keep it together yesterday."

Alexis had done a better job than she had.

"She is playing the parent as usual, fussing over me. Almost makes it worth getting shot, having my little girl take care of me. You think if I offer to get her that pony, she will move back home?"

Beckett smiled. She knew how hard it was for Rick to have Alexis gone from his home.

"I think she'd prefer you being out of hospital better."

"Yeah. She told me you flashed your badge to get her to see me in recovery. Thank you."

Beckett shrugged even though he couldn't see her. "I would have pulled my gun out if I needed to. She needed to see you,"

"And you?" he asked. "Didn't you need to see me?"

Beckett sighed - it was time to stop lying. "So much, but I didn't know if I could handle seeing you like that,"

"I find that hard to believe, Kate. After everything we have seen."

Beckett noticed the slight trace of anger in his voice. She bit her lip.

"I am not the woman I used to be, Rick, and even I am finding that hard to believe. I have seen a lot of terrible things in my time. By far the worst thing I have seen apart from my mother's crime scene photos was you lying on the ground bleeding. I guess it's different when it's someone you love."

"I'm sorry, Kate. I didn't mean..."

"No," she cut him off. "It's fine. I guess I'm finally understanding what it was like for you, when it happened to me. Although, according to Lanie, you kept it together at the hospital. I'm going to be honest with you Rick, I was hysterical."

"But I'm fine Kate; it was just a shoulder wound."

Beckett suddenly felt agitated. "Just a shoulder wound. Rick, you were shot! Do you not understand how serious it is? It could have hit an artery. The bullet could have ricocheted off bone. You could have lost all ability to use your arm. You could have died because of me,"

"Kate, this is not your fault,"

"How can you say that? You were there because of me!"

"Do you blame me for you getting shot?"

Beckett frowned. "What?"

"When I was at the hospital waiting to find out if you were dead or alive, I told mother the same thing. That it was my fault you had gotten shot. I looked into your mother's case. I brought it all on."

Beckett pulled the blankets around her more tightly, suddenly feeling very cold.

"You never told me that before."

"Because Mother made me realise that it wasn't my fault. I was there for you, I stuck by you. That's what is important."

A tear rolled down Beckett's cheek. "But I didn't stick by you Rick. I ran off to do my job."

"Good."

Beckett sniffed back a tear. "What?"

"Good. You went after the guy that did this to me. Do you know how many times I have thought I should have gotten off the ground and chased after the guy that shot you?"

Beckett shook her head. "That's ridiculous Rick. There were plenty of other cops there and they didn't catch him, what could..." Beckett stopped. She really shouldn't finish that sentence.

"What could I have done?"

Beckett gritted her teeth. Damn him for being able to read her mind.

"You're right, Kate. What could I have done? I didn't have a weapon or any fighting skills, yet I still wanted to go after him to get justice for you. You have the skills to take down a gunman, Kate, when no one else at the playground did. You got justice for me, there was nothing else you could."

"I could have stayed with you,"

"While others got killed? Kate, I passed out within seconds of being shot because I'm a wimp and couldn't handle the pain. I didn't know the difference then if you were with me or not."

"But I know the difference," she told him.

"And I know that. I know you wanted to be but couldn't. That's okay. I don't blame you Kate, but I do miss you. I woke up and you weren't here and I wondered why?"

Beckett wiped away her tears although more threatened to fall. "They would only let one of us stay. For once in my life, I decided not to be selfish. Your daughter needed you. I wasn't in the right state of mind to be staying either."

"Alexis told me she offered to let you stay."

"I could never come between you and your daughter Rick."

"I know you wouldn't. Alexis knows that, too. She was really worried about you yesterday. Alexis said you were acting very unlike Beckett. She told me she would have been okay with it if you stayed. That's why I'm calling you. Alexis practically insisted I do it as soon as I woke up."

Beckett didn't say anything, she was in shock. When Rick had first told Alexis about them, she had acted out. It was only later that they found out it was more to do with going to college than their relationship. Admittedly, Beckett had spent a lot more time with Martha than Alexis over the past year. She got along well with Alexis, but never tried to overstep the boundaries by trying to be a mother instead of a friend to her. When Alexis had been kidnapped, she had kept it together for Rick and Martha, but inside she a mess. She really cared about Alexis. The fact that Alexis was worried about her spoke volumes.

"Your family really cares about me, Rick."

"This surprises you?" he asked.

"Yes."

"It shouldn't, they cared about you long before we started dating."

"I'm starting to realise that. Your mother especially, I don't think I could have gotten through this without her."

"How is she?"

"She's hiding it well, but she is worried about you, Rick. She is on her way to the hospital now."

"Oh. How do you know?"

"Well, she was just here. That's why I had to put you on hold,"

"My mother was there?" he asked.

"Yes. She's wearing a new dress, by the way. It wouldn't hurt to mention it. Try and lift her spirits a little. She said to tell you Mommy is on the way to take care of you, by the way."

"Why didn't my mother just call you?"

Beckett sighed. "Because unlike you, your mother can walk the ten steps to your room to talk to me."

"You're at the loft?" he asked surprised.

Beckett snuggled down deep into the bed. "Yeah, I am."

Silence hung in the air for what seemed like an eternity.

"Listen Rick, I'm still in bed. I should get up and shower. Before I come to the hospital, I have a few things to do, but I'll get there as soon as I can."

"Oh, okay," he replied, the sadness evident in his voice.

Beckett bit her lip. "I shouldn't take too long. I just have to sort some things out, okay?"

"Yeah okay."

She could tell he was still upset over that.

"I'll be as quick as I can."

"I'm not going anywhere. It's fine."

Oh, how she hated that word. Fine. It wasn't sunny and clear, nor was he healthy and well. The word fine was often used in the wrong context. People often said they were fine when really what they wanted to say was, 'this sucks but there is nothing I can do about it.' Well, she would just have to deal with it when she got there.

"Bye."

The words had barely left her mouth when she started trembling. Bye. She now understood why Rick said until tomorrow. It did bring hope.

Somehow she managed to hang up the phone. Leaning against the headboard, she looked around the room. Castle's room, their room. At least, that was the way it felt. Even though she hadn't been there in days, there were her touches all around the room.

After her breakdown the night before, her father asked her to stay with him but she had declined the offer. She had gone home with Martha, who had insisted she didn't need to be taken care of. It hadn't been the reason she had gone. Even though the bed had been cold without Rick in it, sliding between the sheets felt wonderful. It wasn't the sheets that had caused the elated feeling. It was all about location, location, location. She felt more at home here than she had ever since she her mother passed. Even her parents' home didn't make her feel that way anymore

Beckett forced herself out of bed and quickly dropped to her knees. She felt stronger now but that wasn't why she was on her knees. Reaching under the bed, she pulled out the small suitcase Castle always took on his travels. It was always packed with his essentials for travelling, he'd once told her. Opening the case, Beckett smiled at the contents. His essentials comprised of his phone charger. Handheld game system and charger. Camera and charger. Travel battleships and checkers. Two decks of cards, one of a pornographic nature. Pens, notebooks and a few crossword puzzle books. In other words, it was Castle's bag of toys. It made perfect sense why he hadn't brought this bag with him to the Hamptons. He had her to play with then.

Taking the bag with her into Castle's study, she unplugged his laptop and slid it into the special built-in section. She added his charger and his special pen of the week. A pen to him was like a gun to her. It had to feel right in his hand. Beckett then moved on to the kitchen. Hospital food sucked, and she had no doubt he would be complaining and trying to bribe the nurses for a decent meal. Opening up the cupboards, she went in search of Castle's favourite items that he had hidden and didn't think she knew about.

After clearing out his secret stash and hiding some in her own secret hiding spot, Beckett returned to the bedroom. She pulled out another bag, and this time filled it with what she called the essentials. Just small insignificant things, like UNDERWEAR! She also added socks; his large personal bag filled with way too many hair styling products. While in hospital, Castle was going to have to dress casually. Much to his dismay no doubt. She knew what a fashion diva he was. A few pairs of sweats and button up short sleeve shirts later and she was done packing.

It amazed her how she didn't even need to think where his items were. She just packed them like she had been doing it for years. The comfort and ease with which she moved around Castle's loft never dawned on her until now. Stripping off her clothes, she headed for the shower. She needed to start the day off with a clean slate.

Beckett walked out of the elevator and ignored the stares she was receiving. She was used to getting looks, but she knew she was receiving them for another reason.

"Yo Beckett, what are you doing here?"

Beckett smiled at her friend. "Nice to see you too, Espo."

"You're in a better mood today. Is everything okay? How's Castle?"

"Yeah, how is Castle?" Ryan asked as he headed over.

"I spoke to him this morning. He said he was okay." They actually hadn't really talked about his injury. Whoops.

"You haven't seen him yet?" Ryan asked surprised.

Beckett shook her head. "I need to do something first then I am going straight there."

"You guys are okay, right?" Esposito asked, concerned.

Beckett nodded. "Yeah, we're fine. I just need to speak to Gates."

Esposito always playing the big brother. There were times when he was so dense and had no idea he had interrupted a heated moment. Then there were times when he picked up on the slightest difference in her.

Beckett walked to her desk, pulling Castle's suitcase behind her. She tied the balloons in her hand to his chair, hoping they would still be there when she got back.

"Balloons for Castle?" Ryan asked.

Beckett nodded. "I figured he would like them better than flowers."

"Everyone is going to sign a card for him or something," Esposito told her.

Beckett nodded. She imagined it would be one of the female officers who would organise that. Men were hopeless at that sort of thing.

"We'll bring it by later if he can have visitors then."

"Yeah, it should be fine. Is Lanie coming too?" Beckett asked as she headed towards Gates office.

Esposito nodded.

"Good. I'm sure Castle would like to see all of you."

Beckett turned and knocked on the Captain's door.

"Come in."

Beckett nervously entered and shut the door behind her.

"Sir,"

Gates had been looking at some files on her desk and but had looked up when Beckett spoke.

"Detective, what are you doing here? I thought I told you to stay home. If we need you for anything, we'll call."

Beckett nodded. "I appreciate that Sir, but I need to speak to you about something."

Gates stood up and crossed her arms across her chest. "Well spit it out."

Beckett took a deep breath. "I know you are probably going to be disappointed in me and think I am committing career suicide, but I have decided to decline the job offer."

Gates stayed silent but raised her brows at Beckett.

"I see."

"I've been offered a better position." Beckett told her.

"Really?" Gates questioned.

Beckett nodded. "I'll be able to stay in New York and see my friends and family. It's a job that I know will constantly challenge me. There will be times where I will want to draw my gun but won't." Beckett laughed. "And I'm pretty sure my boss will want me to use my handcuffs every now and then."

Gates frowned. "Just what exactly is this job?"

Beckett bit her lip and smiled nervously. "Wife."

Gates eyes widened. "Wife!"

Beckett nodded, nervous about the reaction she was going to get from Gates.

"I'm guessing by the two peeping Tom's at the window your partners don't know about this."

Beckett turned to see Ryan and Esposito looking at her through the window. When they realised they had been caught, they turned and pretended to be hard at work.

"No. They don't know yet."

Gates walked over to the window and closed the blinds. She then turned and faced Beckett.

"Congratulations Kate."

Gates then threw her arms around the detective and hugged her. Beckett would have been less stunned if Gates had punched her.

"Umm Sir?"

Gates pulled away from Beckett and smiled at her. "This is wonderful news."

"It is?" Beckett asked confused.

"Of course it is," Gates told her. "You're not getting cold feet already?"

Beckett looked down at her feet and then back up at Gates. "No. I'm just surprised. I thought you would be disappointed."

"Never begin to think you know what I am thinking, Beckett. This is fabulous news. I love my job Detective, but I love my husband more. Coming home to him makes putting up with you knuckle heads so much easier. Yes, you have given up a great job opportunity, but you are also taking on an even better one. The trick is to find a balance between your work and home life. I am glad to see you're finally doing that. So when is the wedding?" Gates asked, walking over to her desk and looking at her calendar.

Beckett was still trying to get over the fact that Gates had hugged her.

"Umm I'm not sure. I still need to tell Rick."

Gates looked up at her shocked. "You haven't told Mr Castle yet?"

Beckett shook her head. "He asked right before he got shot."

Gates waved her away. "Well then, you need to get out of here. Go to your man. Take as much time as you need taking care of him. Tell him I said congratulations too,"

Beckett smiled. "Umm thanks Sir."

Beckett quickly exited the office. She wanted to get out of there before Gates changed her mind. That and her captain was scaring her with all the niceness.

"What's going on?" Esposito asked.

Beckett shook her head. "Nothing. I just needed to ask Gates for time off."

"You couldn't do that over the phone?" Ryan questioned.

"Nope," Beckett told them as she untied Castle's balloons. "I'll see you guys later."

Authors note: Ok so I originally had written a final chapter in different sections and then pieced them all together in one word doc. I then deleted each section. I than went to send the doc to my Beta and discovered only half of it was there. Had this full major freak out but then managed to find the other pieces. I then started doing a final edit and started adding little things here and there. I ended up expanding it and made it into another chapter. So you get a little bit more from me. Hope you liked it.

Review please and send your love