Well, that could have gone better. A lot better. When Alexis gets here… that will be quite the showdown. Hopefully Castle or Martha will be there to act as a buffer. Wow! She would force an injured Castle to protect her from his very protective daughter.

"Hey Daddy! I was just wondering why I hadn't from you yet today. What's up?"

"Hi, Alexis. This is Kate, uh… Beckett."

"Oh" she spits out sharply. "What the hell do you want and why do you have my dad's phone?"

Kate had expected anger and hurt, but she hadn't expected it so sudden, so apparent in her voice. She had never seen the girl really mad before. Alexis was always easy going, so she was caught off guard for a moment. Trying to rein in her emotions and accept the hurt Alexis was about to put Kate through.

"Alexis, I'm calling because your father was shot earlier this morning. I was notified that he had been taken to the hospital, Mount Sinai, and that he needed someone to come sign his medical paperwork. I got here as quickly as I could."

There was a gasp and long pause as Alexis processed this information. Kate hated this. So much

"Is he… alive?" Alexis managed to say through the tears now streaming down her face.

"Yes. He is going to be ok. The doctors aren't sure what damage was done, but you will see your dad alive as soon as you get here." There was no doubt in her mind that Castle wouldn't leave his family.

"Ok… ok. I, um, need to call Gram. Figure out what to do…" Alexis whispered.

"I just called her, so she knows what's going on. She will fly in as soon as they dock in the next town. How can I help you get home?" Kate said, hoping to sound strong and sure.

"I don't know. Agent Beckett, I really don't want your help." Ouch.

"Ok, well let me know if I can do anything. I promised Martha I'd stay with him. He won't be alone."

"I think it's a little too late for that. Don't you think?" With that Alexis hung up the phone.

Ya, I think it might be… Kate thought as she reflected upon the conversation they had 5 minutes ago.

It seemed crazy that it was barely after 1 pm and so much had happened. Everything in her life was turned upside down. Uprooted. She was back in her city, with the man she loved, in a hospital she spent too much time in, crying for the mistakes she had made months ago, and knowing that it was all her fault.

She laid her head down on the bed, with her hand in his. Kate could feel the strength return to her slowly with the close proximity to her writer. She hadn't really thought too much about what Castle might say when he wakes up. That will surely be fun…

"Beckett."

Kate whips her head to the door to see Espo and Ryan standing in the doorway. Their faces flashed with a multitude of emotions ranging from concern, worry, shock, and finally anger. Well, looks like she had one less phone conversation to make. It made her feel slightly better that her team, ex-team, was there already for their fallen friend.

"Hey guys" Kate said and she stood and turned toward the door the boys still had yet to fully enter. She kept her hand in his.

"What are you doing here?" asked Ryan. It appeared that he was going to be the spokesman for this conversation. Esposito already had that look she had seen so many times when he was pissed at the person sitting across from him in an interrogation room. It was cold, calculating, and unwavering. His arms crossed over his chest proved just how shut off he was from Kate.

"I was called… a nurse said Castle still had me written down as his contact. How did you guys know he was here?" she asked.

"We were with him… where you should have been." Ryan said with little emotion.

"Oh. I… didn't know. So, you guys are on it then? That's good, really good."

"We just came to make sure he was ok. We need to get back." Ryan looked back at Espo and received a head nod. They both turned to leave, but stopped when Kate called out.

"Wait! Please… I know you owe me nothing. I know I've lost your trust, and probably your friendship. Just… can you let me know how the investigation is going. Please?" she begged.

"Maybe. When we get more information, we will… let you know. Bye Beckett."

Both boys walked out the door without looking back. Yup, that could definitely have gone better.

To Be Continued