Hey guys! Back with another chapter... There's some feels in this chapter so BEWARE! :)

Disclaimer: Not my people.

They all nervously stood in the elevator. Lanie was still crying, and Esposito was still at her side, comforting her.
Jim broke the silence. "I just want to let you all know that I am unbelievably thankful that you saved my daughter. Thank you all so much."
"Your welcome, sir," Ryan replied. "But really it was Castle who found her."
"Yes, but the fact that you all dropped what you were doing to find Kate is amazing," Jim said. "She is lucky to have such incredible friends."
The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open. They all stepped out into the brightly lit corridor, and started walking.
"406, 407," Castle said. "Here it is. 408."
They all hesitated for a long moment, then Esposito motioned to Jim. "After you, Mr. Beckett."
"Are you sure?" Jim questioned. "You all have done so much."
"We'll give you a little time with your daughter," Ryan said. "We'll be in in a little bit."
"Okay," Jim said, still slightly skeptical. He pushed open the door, and stepped inside. He went in and sat by his daughter, her broken and bandaged hand in his, whispering, "Katie," over and over again between sobs.
Ryan peeked in after a few minutes. "He's still doing the same thing," Ryan said to his friends.
"It's hard on him, I'm sure," Castle said. "Speaking from experience, it's hard when something happens to your own child."
Finally, Jim emerged from the room, closing the door quietly behind him. His eyes were blood red from crying, his hands trembling. "You can go see her," he said weakly. "I... I need some coffee." He walked slowly down the hall.
The friends looked at each other. Then Castle turned the doorknob and slowly pushed the door open.
He gasped at the sight that greeted him. Practically buried under bandages and casts and IVs and cords, there was Kate, sleeping peacefully.
He pulled a chair over to her and took her frail hand, gently rubbing circles on top. He brushed a strand of hair from in front of her eyes, revealing more bruises and circles under her eyes as dark as night. She looked twenty years older, but Castle was even more in love with this woman than he had been just days ago.
Soon, Lanie, Esposito, and Ryan walked in. Lanie began sobbing, unable to control her emotions any longer. Esposito made no move to comfort her, as it wouldn't help much and he needed comforting himself. Ryan stood against the wall, eyes lifeless, staring at Beckett.
Castle didn't notice the tears running down his face until Ryan walked over saying, "She's going to be okay, man."

Castle said nothing, just sat with Beckett, willing her to wake up.

Hours later, nothing had changed. Beckett was still asleep with Castle sitting next to her. Lanie was still crying softly. Esposito and Ryan sat, unable to move.
Finally, Ryan stood. "I need to get home," he said, rubbing his eyes. "Jenny is going to be worried, I'm sure."
"Yeah," Esposito said quietly, and he stood also. "We should all go home," he added, putting a hand on Lanie's trembling shoulder.
Slowly, Lanie stood, shaking. Esposito wrapped her in a hug, and she obliged as he whispered, "Everything's going to be okay," into her ear.
Ryan looked at Castle. "Come on, man. You can't sleep here. You know Alexis and Martha will be worried sick."
"Alexis and Martha are in the Hampton's," Castle said softly. "I sent them there right after Beckett disappeared. Just in case, you know?"
"Yeah," Ryan answered. "But, still, man, you need to go home. Get some rest."
"I know," Castle whispered. "You guys go. I'll leave in a little while."
"Promise me you'll go home," Esposito said. "Promise me, bro."
"I promise," Castle mumbled.
Esposito realized that that was the best he was going to get out of Castle. "Call me when she wakes up," he said.
Lanie nodded. "Me too," she said.
Saying nothing more, the two walked out of the room in each others' arms.

"Get some rest, Castle," Ryan said as he followed Esposito and Lanie out the door.

"That'll be 42 dollars," the cashier said. Martha handed the cashier her credit card, and Alexis picked up the bags off the counter.
The cashier swiped the credit card, then handed it back to Martha. "Have a nice day!" she said cheerfully.
"You too," Martha replied as she and Alexis walked out of the store.
"Well, dear, I think we've pretty much covered everything, don't you?" Martha said.
"I'll say!" said Alexis, who was loaded down with shopping bags containing everything from dresses to shoes to hats to eyeliner. They had shopped all day, and eaten lunch at the food court, so Alexis was exhausted.
"Should we head back now?"
"Um, yeah," Alexis said. "I don't think I could carry any more if I tried!"
Martha laughed. "Let's go get some dinner."

Alexis nodded, and they headed out to the car.

Hope this was a good chapter... More coming soon! :)