The next time Castle woke up was to his mother stroking his hair. She had tears in her eyes and a look he was unfamiliar with. He could easily identify the love reflecting there, but it was overshadowed by… fear? That is what it was. Fear. As a parent, he could easily identify with the gut-wrenching fear of finding out your child was in danger, no matter their age. After all, he had gone rogue in Europe to recover his daughter this year. Yup, he totally understands the look in her eyes now.

"Oh, Richard…" she whispered, "You didn't need to go and get yourself shot. You could've been less dramatic and called to tell me you missed me. Always trying to show off I see." Her voice grew stronger and she tried to joke away the intense emotions she felt.

Being able to see him, touch him, helped relieve the ache deep within her heart. She had felt panicked and out of control since the phone call with Kate the day before. It had been just about 24 hours since she received the terrible news, and she felt 10 years older in that short amount of time. She loved her son more than anything in the world and it felt wonderful to be with him now.

"Yes, well Mother, if I had decided to be as dramatic as you I would've gotten myself killed!" he smirked.

The smile immediately fell from her face. "Don't you dare joke about that, Richard. It isn't funny."

Oops. Too soon. Ok, maybe that wasn't such a good joke. "I blame the drugs, Mother. Sorry. So, how did you get back here so quickly? I am… um… glad to see you."

"Kathryn actually helped me a lot. She arranged for the flight and everything."

Castle didn't respond to this information. It was nice that she was so helpful and considerate to his mom, but that wasn't going to change his mind about her. Speaking of…

"Where is she?" he asked.

"I asked her to let me have some time with my son. She said something about going to her dad's to shower and change. I think she is planning on returning in an hour or so."

"I don't want her here," he spoke in a low tone. Martha wasn't shocked by the statement, but by the lack of emotion behind his words. She was curious if the sudden reappearance of the Detective would be welcomed or if he would hold on to the anger and hurt. She wouldn't blame him for either reaction. She wasn't too thrilled with the girl at the moment, but she would go off of her son's decision. However, her feelings on the matter took the back burner right now. She cared far more about her son's health than the unhealthy relationship problems between her son and his muse.

"That's fine, Richard." She paused, "How are you, son?"

"I'm fine, mom. I don't really feel too much pain at the moment. Just uncomfortable and can't move. How are you?"

"Oh, kiddo. I was so terrified." Martha knows that they usually joke their way through emotional issues, but she just didn't have it in her right now. When Alexis gets here she will return to her bright demeanor, but right now, she needed to be the concerned mother.

"I'm ok, Mom. Really." He could tell that she was barely holding it together. She was going to need reassurance and time to heal this wound he caused her. It truly was almost worse to be the one waiting, than the one hurt. Although, once physical therapy starts and the drugs wear off he might feel differently. He would play the good son for his mom if that is what she needs right now.

"It's not okay, Richard! What were you thinking going in to that situation without any back up?! I know you fancy yourself unstoppable, but did you not think of me, of Alexis?"

"Of course I think of my daughter! I think about her every time I step into a crime scene. Mother, I realize you are upset, but please don't lecture me right now. I know how stupid I was. Nothing you can say will be worse than what I've already said to myself a million times. I was an idiot and selfish for going in to that crime scene alone, and I promise it won't happen again."

His anger was barely in check and he was worried that at any moment it would be more than he can control. Martha didn't deserve the anger he currently was feeling. Castle looked at his mom, really looked at her, and realized her anger was another mask of that parental fear.

"Mother. Look at me. I am here. I'm not going anywhere. You've still got years left to bleed me dry of my hard earned money." Maybe he can joke her out of this mood. Help return things to how they usually are.

"I already know that I get half of everything you own when you die, kiddo. It would be easier, actually, if you weren't around to spend your money. Less work for sure." She could joke too.

"Hey! You said I wasn't allowed to joke about that!" He replied half-heartedly.

"Oh, stop being so dramatic, Richard." Her smile was genuine after this little exchange. She felt better that her son was going to be ok.

"Mom? I'm really glad you're here." He felt better already.

"There is no where I'd rather be." She whispered as she leaned in to hold him.

"Katie?"

"Hey, dad. Can I come in?"

"Oh! Sure, yeah, come on in." Jim Beckett opened the door and quickly ushered his daughter in. Once the door was shut, he turned to her and grabbed her. They generally weren't big into physical displays of their love. Occasionally they will grab each other's hand, a quick hug, or even a kiss on the check or head. This hug was so much more than that. Jim knew his daughter so well, and with one look at her he could tell she was barely holding it together.

"Daddy…" her voice broke. She missed this, her dad, so much. They spoke on the phone just as often as they had when she lived in New York. In fact, she thinks they probably talk more now they ever had before. She was very reluctant to befriend her co-workers in DC. Her friends here weren't speaking to her anymore. So, her relationship with her father grew and became strong. In fact, that is one regret Kate does not have about her DC move. However, being able to see and hold her dad was something she didn't realize she had missed so much.

Kate cried into Jim's shoulder for a good ten minutes. She was holding on to him like he might disappear on her. Jim returned the embrace with the same amount of rigor. She needed a physical lifeline, and he was so happy that she turned to him for this support. After the loss of his wife and his addiction to alcohol, Katie hadn't ever been able to truly trust him with her heart. She loved so deeply, but once she was burned she would retreat. This was the first time since he had been sober that she sought him out as a comforter.

"Katie, can you tell me what happened? Why are you in New York?" he finally asked when her tears seemed to slow.

Kate pulled away from her dad's arms. She hadn't felt so comfortable and safe in his arms in years and it was so great to have his support right now. However, the explanation he was seeking needed to be done without his arms around her. She was a coward, and hiding behind his embrace would feel like the last straw. Kate was determined to take responsibility for actions.

Jim led Kate over to the sofa and sat down. She told him everything that had happened in the past 30 hours. She didn't leave out a single detail, even when it hurt to retell the information. It took her over 30 minutes to tell Jim. Sometimes it would be so difficult to get her emotions under control that she had to pause for several minutes. It felt oddly cleansing to confess to her father her actions and emotional reactions to the events. She knew no matter what she said that her dad would still love her. Her only ally.

"Well, Katie," Jim finally spoke, "It sounds like you have some decisions to make. I asked you a few months ago what was important to you. You decided the job opportunity was more important than your personal life. That decision was yours to make, and you did what you had to to make it work. Now, I'm asking you again. What is more important to you?"

Without hesitation Kate said, "Rick. I want Rick."

"Then go get him, Katie."

"It isn't that easy, Dad. What am I going to do about my job? My friends hate me. Castle can barely look at me. When Alexis gets here she is going to kick me out if Castle hasn't already done it. Dad, this mess… I don't think I can fix it. I screwed up too much."

"Then give up. Go back to DC and forget about your friends and Rick."

"No! I won't give up! I love him too damn much to go out without a fight." She nearly yelled at her dad.

Smiling, Jim Beckett looked at his daughter and said, "Then do it. You know what you have to do. I think you might even have the determination it will take to accomplish this. You do need to know it won't be easy. You will have to fight. This could possibly be the hardest trial you've had to face, but if he is worth it to you then you need to be strong. Own up to your mistakes, and show your friends that you mean it. I can't guarantee they will accept your apology, and I can't guarantee it will happen quickly. Katie, you are strong. It's time to show your heart to those you've hurt and be the person to them that I know you can be."

"I love you, Daddy" and then she launched into her father's arms. She needed a game plan. She worked better when she had a goal and plan to achieve it. Sitting in her father's arms helped her gather the strength she would need for the next battle.

"I love you too, Katie Bug."

To Be Continued