Shot.

Castle. Rick. Shot.

Yup, she is about to go into a full blown panic attack. She never thought that he would still need protecting after she left her city. Without her, Castle was supposed to stay safe and happy and away from her world of death and guns.

Kate couldn't remember everything the nurse, Sandy…?, had said. Basically that he was brought in by ambulance with a GSW to the back, located too closely to the spine. The extent of the injury was still unknown as the surgeon had yet to give an update.

Kate didn't need to know anymore right now. He was alive, and she began to pray like she had never prayed before. "Please let him be ok" was the never ending plea in her head while she grabbed a few things. Any other outcome was unfathomable.

She would text Clemmons, her new boss, to let him know she wouldn't be in and that it would probably be a while before she could return. Her partner, ex-partner, was shot and that was all that she could think about. Screw her job.

Oh… that is what she should have said 4 months ago. Idiot.

With a bag full of underwear, a few shirts, jeans, and 3 socks along with her cell phone charger, she grabbed her keys and left. It was a 5 hour drive to New York from DC, but there wasn't any other flights leaving that would get her there quicker. This was going to be the longest 5 hours of her life.

Apparently, Alexis was still in Costa Rica and Martha had decided to join a group of friends on a cruise to Alaska. They were both unreachable at the moment. However, the phrase "We called you, Detective, because Mr. Castle has you listed as his next of kin."

Next of kin? Sure, that would have been the case 4 months ago. Perhaps he had forgotten that he wrote her name in, but that doesn't explain why he had her name written down at all. He could have chosen Alexis or Martha. Hell, he could've even had one of his ex-wives down. She was his partner, his girlfriend. Not next of kin worthy.

She didn't want to admit that he was still her next of kin, by choice.

Either way, she was glad that she was notified. She wants to see him. Needs to see him. With tears in her eyes, she starts the drive with hope that he will be ok, regret that he was even in this position, and pissed at whoever pulled that trigger.

Yes, that is something she could handle. She can find out what happened to him. She will find out what happened to him. They will pay. Esposito and Ryan will help… possibly. Even if they are still upset with her leaving the team, they would never make Castle pay. Kate just hopes they even take her call.

She sure hopes a lot… for a girl that doesn't deserve it. Castle does. Alexis does. Martha does. Yes, she will do this for them. She will push aside her selfish, scared ways and do what is best for Rick. Find the shooter, get justice. Just like they always do.

To Be Continued