Alexis entered the room cautiously. The tension in the room was palpable. She sort of wished she had just left, or sat outside until they were finished talking. That probably would have been the smarter idea. Unfortunately, she wasn't making very good decisions today. She had shown up earlier that day, gone crazy on Kate and then her dad, and then left to run errands. Truthfully, she was a little embarrassed by her actions. She had felt so out of control and helpless when she got the call from Kate. She was scared for her dad and took a lot of her emotions out on Kate.

Yes, she was pissed at Kate. She didn't trust her at all, and was hoping her dad would just move on like he always had done in the past. Alexis knew that this relationship was different though. Her dad wasn't going to bounce back from this one as quickly, if at all, which is why she feels the need to protect him. Kate promised her she was back for good, but her promises didn't really mean much to her. She had promised her once before that she would always protect her dad. She was visiting him in the hospital bed, so that promise was broken too.

She had shown up originally to check on him. She had been gone for a few hours, and wanted to go back to make sure he was still doing ok. Her dad was such a baby when it came to being sick or hurt, and he was probably going crazy being cooped up in the room. Her dad needed constant stimulation and attention, and she was hoping to distract him for a few hours. She wanted some one on one time with him. She missed him.

Alexis also knew she needed to apologize for the way she had acted earlier. She had overreacted a bit and was rude to Kate. She didn't forgive her, or really want her around, but she could recognize that she shouldn't have said all of that to Kate. It really isn't any of her business at this point anyways. She will tell her dad that they can talk later, she will wait.

"Hey Dad. Kate."

"Hey, Alexis" Kate replied. Trying to smile. She really hated that they were just interrupted. Not to mention she knew Alexis was going to chew her out again. Especially if she overheard their conversation…

"How much of that did you hear, Alexis?" Of course leave it to Castle to ask the awkward question.

"Enough," Alexis said. She looked right at Kate, "I need to apologize. I'm sorry for the way I talked to you earlier."

"Alexis. You don't have to apologize to me. You were right…"

"No, I was shocked you were in his room and I shouldn't have taken my anger out on you like that."

Kate nodded. "You have a right to voice your opinion."

"Dad? I also need to apologize to you… for not being patient. Kate, I have my opinions, and I think you both know where I stand, but I should've waited to talk to Dad. Alone."

"We will talk, as soon as I get out of here. Ok?" Castle replied.

"Ok. Great. So um… do you need anything?"

"No, Kate got us a late lunch earlier. I'm good. Kate?"

"No, I'm fine. Thanks Alexis."

"I'm going to leave you guys alone then. Sorry for interrupting."

"You don't have to leave sweetie. We can talk later…"

"Don't worry, Dad. We will have plenty of time to talk about when you get home. I'm going to use this time wisely while I can… get my break away from you before the diva in you comes out." Alexis replied with a smirk.

"Hey! I am NOT a diva. I require a certain amount of attention and delicacy when I'm sick, but that doesn't make me a diva. It takes a lot out of me to be this wonderful." Castle joked back.

"Uh huh. Sure! Keep thinking that, Dad." Alexis replied. "Oh, and just so you know… I think you both are acting like idiots."

With that, Alexis turned and walked out the door and closed it on her way out. She smirked to herself as she saw their slacked jaws as she passed the window. She heard Kate talking about her kidnapping, and she had to admit that it was nice knowing Kate cared about her. Then, hearing the two of them talk about their break up was… annoying? They both are so incredibly dumb for how intelligent they are. It was obvious they still loved each other, but whether they can work out their differences wasn't clear at this point.

"Did my daughter just call me an idiot?" Castle finally said.

"No, your daughter just called us both an idiot." Kate replied.

"How much do you think she heard?"

"Not sure. I didn't notice any one come in. She could've been there the whole time…."

"That was… unexpected. She usually gets upset, calms down, and comes back to apologize because she is amazing like that, but I honestly didn't think she would this time. I've never seen her act like this before."

"I am fine with her being angry with me. I'd hate me too if I was her."

"Lucky for us, my daughter is a better person than us both."

"She is wonderful, Castle. You did a great job raising her."

"She is, but it was nothing I did. I tried so hard to corrupt her, but she would put me in time out." Castle joked as a way to deflect the compliment.

"I'm serious. It's one of the first things that attracted me to you."

"So you do admit to liking me from the beginning!"

"No! You're crazy Castle. I thought we had decided this already. You were an ass, and I didn't like you. Yet." Kate ended with a smile. She had almost forgotten that conversation so long ago. She hadn't forgotten the bomb she stood on for hours, and she hadn't forgotten how wonderful it was to have his company with her.

"Denial."

"Incorrigible."

They were both smiling. It was nice to be able to joke around, reminisce. This part of their relationship was always so easy for them. If nothing else worked, they still had a strong friendship.

Kate's phone, which she had placed on an end table next to the chair, began to vibrate. She glanced down at, sucked in her breath, and then silenced the call.

"Who was that? One of the boys? Lanie?" Castle asked. He hadn't heard from the team all day and thought they might have more news.

"Uh, no. It was Stack."

"Oh."

"Yeah…" This was awkward.

"You can take it, I know they are probably wondering when you are getting back."

"I'm not going back, Castle. I told you already."

"You can't quit your job, Kate."

"I can and I did."

"Don't be stupid. I know that it is important to you. I don't want to be the one to keep you from this opportunity."

"I'm not leaving."

"You just told me that you took the job to get Bracken. You won't start your life with me or have a family until you take down Bracken. Now you are telling me you have quit and aren't going back?"

"When you put it that way…" Kate was certifiably crazy.

"There is no other way to put it! If you quit now, then the last 4 months were for nothing."

"I'm done with the separation, and I don't want to go back. Do you?"

"I told you before that I would go to DC with you."

"But DC isn't home. New York is. My friends are here. My family is here. You are here."

"What about Bracken?" Castle asked.

"He isn't going anywhere right now."

"That doesn't cut it. I can't wait around, watching you wait, for your next opportunity to catch him. I'm tired of putting my life on hold because of this guy. I won't do it again."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying… I don't want that piece of shit Bracken to determine my life anymore. I will not give up my life for it, and I won't waste my happiness for it. No more." Castle reiterated, feeling stronger about this decision.

Kate looked at him with a strong, determined look. "You are asking me to choose between you and him? Between you and justice?"

"I guess I am." Castle was already preparing for her answer. He knew what she was going to pick, and he knew just what she was going to say before she storms out of his room, out of his life. He hated that it had come to this, especially since he still feels partially responsible for reopening the case to begin with.

"You." Kate whispered.

"Wait. What?" Castle couldn't believe what she said. His ears didn't hear right.

"You." Kate said again, stronger. She lifted her head, looked him straight in the eyes. She had tears running down her face, and he could tell how hurt she was. "You," Kate said again.