Beckett had kept her head down the whole of Alexis' funeral. She didn't want to look at, couldn't look at Castle's face. If she saw him broken, she was sure to break as well. She had to be strong for them both. But she couldn't help not to worry about her husband, so she looked up to see his blank face staring straight ahead, tears pooling in his eyes. She laced her fingers with his, rubbing small circles on the smooth of his hand with her thumb. The only response she got was a tight, heartbroken squeeze.

After the ceremony, Beckett didn't want to leave Castle, but she couldn't help but notice that Meredith had come, and no one had said much to her the entire time. Whispers followed her as she went. "What is she doing here?" "Now she wants to be a parent?" "Yeah, some mother she is." Every time she would join a group of people, they would become quiet, thus, shutting her out.

Beckett saw her run out. "Meredith, wait."

Meredith turned to face Kate, noticing how poised she was, even at a funeral. "I'm sorry, I just couldn't." She paused, tears spilling over.

Beckett felt awkward, still not completely sure how to handle Meredith. She was one thing that she wanted to leave unsolved. "Do you need a hug? Or, something?" She hesitated slightly.

Meredith practically jumped in for a hug, wrapping her arms around Kate's shoulders.

"Okay, just get right in there, don't we." Beckett stood rigid for a moment before wrapping her arms loosely around Meredith. She was never really one for hugs, and hugging with her husband's ex-wife was just strange.

"Thank you, Kate." Meredith sniffed.

"For what?"

"For being a parent to my baby girl. I was young and scared and not at all ready to settle."

"Meredith, I was just her step mom. You will always be her mother. That's something that no one can take away from you. She loved you so much, no matter what."

"Thank you, and I know. But if I could chose anyone better for her, it would be you in a heartbeat." Meredith wiped her eyes, looking Kate dead in the face.

"Thank you, that means so much." Kate gave her a small smile.

Meredith did the same, squeezing her shoulder. "So, given the circumstances, how is everything?"

"Everything's fine." Kate had to force it out, but she wasn't an actress like Meredith.

"What's really going on?" Her need for gossip outweighing any other emotion.

"Can I trust you?" Kate decided to spill the beans, because Meredith wouldn't take no for an option.

"It will stay between us."

"The night Alexis died, I was going to tell Castle I was pregnant, but then we got the call." She paused.

"And it wasn't the right time."

"Do you think?" She trailed again.

But Meredith knew that she worried Castle wouldn't be okay with it. "He will be. Just give him time."

Both exchanged smiles, holding the others arms in a supportive embrace.

Beckett re-entered the room, scanning the crowd for him. He was among a group of his old college friends who had known and loved Alexis. They were all casually drinking, exchanging stories about Alexis over the years.

One friend, though, who Castle didn't like nearly as much as the others, caught sight of Kate. "Hey, Rick, what's your new wife doing here? Shouldn't you be here with Meredith?" Cole, the ass, who had been drinking the most, turned to Rick.

Castle set his drink down on the bar, lowering his head.

"Come on Ricky boy, it was a joke. And no wonder you put a ring on it, bud. If I had something that hot, oh I would have some fun with her."

Castle had had enough. The heartbreak and insults were enough. He pulled his arm back, punching Cole straight in the nose. Cole lost his balance and fell to the floor.

"Castle!" Kate went to his side, grabbing his arm.

"Stay away from my wife if you know what's good for you."

Cole stood, wiping his bloody nose. "Don't have to tell me twice. But I don't think that's going to stop her from coming to me like Meredith did. No way is something that hot staying with you." He looked Kate up and down, alcohol thick on his breath.

"You , unable to control even a thought in his head, wound up again, and socked Cole in the gut.

"Hey, Rick. Enough!" Kate pulled him backwards, searching for a more private room.

"Don't ever talk that way about my wife." He pointed a finger at him before giving into Kate's pull on his arm. When they were alone, he wrapped his arm around her waist, resting his head on her forehead.

"Calm down, okay?" She rubbed circles on his back while his breathing slowed down.

He looked at her then, and pulled her in and kissed her. "Let's go home." He let go of his hold on her waist in exchange for her hand, and led her out the door.