FYI- I plan on switching it up next chapter. It will be a flashback in Castle's perspective while we wait for our writer to wake up. Thanks for the increased support on this fic. Enjoy! (Also, thanks to Soprano009 for catching my Laney/Lanie error.)

"Well, well, well… isn't it the prodigal daughter returning to save the day. Wow, Kate. Glad you can grace us lowly folk her in New York. Did you have to wear scrubs… wouldn't want you to dirty your new image after all" Lanie saucily answered the phone.

"Hilarious Lanie" Kate deadpanned, "I'm glad you took my call. I wasn't sure you would … after the way we left things."

"Castle's in the hospital. I know you are with him in the hospital. Don't go thinking this about us and our friendship Kate Beckett. I'm pissed as hell at you and a phone call won't fix this. However, I am willing to talk to you about Castle because I can handle a situation without running away."

"Lanie… ugh! I… don't even know why I called," she replies dejectedly. "Just… if we are going to make this about just Castle, will you please tell me what happened? The boys are just as pissed at me and I would really like to be filled in on what went down. Is that too much to ask?"

Lanie paused for a minute, "This isn't my story to tell, Kate. I don't even know all the details. You gotta put on your Federal Agent panties and ask the boys for that."

"I'm scared Lanie," Kate whispered. "I am scared for Castle, that he won't recover. I'm scared for Alexis and Martha… I promised to keep him safe. I broke my promise to them! I have failed the only man I've ever loved and I can't fix it." Her voice broke as she said, "I can't fix the relationships that mean the most to me. I am so sorry, so sorry."

"Sorry, sweetie, but this isn't the time you get to break down. You are right, you broke that promise. This wasn't your fault, because even if you'd been there you still couldn't have stopped what happened. What you are responsible for now is getting your shit together, figuring out what is important to you, and whether or not you can be here to pick up the pieces you left behind. Because let me tell you, best friend or not, I will kick your ass if you leave again. You don't get to come in here, play the hero, and break everything again. I can't go through that again. The boys can't. Castle… he can't do it, Kate."

"If I stay, will it even matter? It seems you guys have been fine while I was gone."

With a dark chuckle Lanie replies, "You have no idea what the hell you are talking about. I don't ever want to hear you say that again. You aren't the victim here, so stop reaching. Figure out what you want, and if you are willing to bust your ass to get your friendships back. It won't be easy, it won't be quick, and it might not even happen at all. This was your decision Kate, now you get to live with the consequences."

Just as Kate is about to reply, she sees the boys through the glass. They were approaching the room, and she could only hope they came to share the circumstances behind the shooting.

"Listen Lanie, I made mistakes. I will own up to them, and I will fight to make this right. You'll see. The boys are here so I need to go, but I'll talk to you soon…" She paused for a moment and continued, "I have missed you . So much."

She heard Lanie hang up on her end of the conversation. No, "I missed you too" but she knew that was bound to happen. In some of the ways Lanie talked, it seemed that things were bad after she left. She would have to analyze it later, because right now she needed to focus on the boys who just walked in.

She hadn't noticed the last time they were here how different they appeared. She was too shocked that they were even in the same room with her to really look at them. They looked worn out, beaten almost. Both looked like they hadn't eaten in a while, and that they hadn't slept more than a few hours at a time. Oh, boys. What have I done?

"Beckett. You brought the case files. Want to take a look?"

Short Chapter… I wanted to finish up the Lanie stuff before I got into the "why and how" of the shooting. My plan is to get that up tonight.