Previously on Turning Tables:

"He hit his head," Kate sighed. "We were playing laser tag and he tripped over a stupid coffee table and hit his head. I don't think he was unconscious but he was slow to respond for a few moments. Then when he fully came to…oh Lanie, he was livid." Kate heard her voice break as she uttered that final sentence.

Lanie looked at her friend with sad eyes but said nothing. Kate looked at her, hoping for some mind-blowing advice that would solve everything but she knew that wouldn't come. There was a long silence before Lanie spoke again.

"Sweetie, are you sorry about lying to him or are you sorry he found out?"

"I'm sorry about lying to him," Kate immediately responded. "I'm sorry I tried to take away years of his life. I'm sorry I prevented him remember time with Alexis. I'm sorry I made him suffer like that. I'm sorry I tried to make him forget about Ryan and Esposito and you. I love him, Lanie, and I just wanted to protect him but it blew up in my face. I'm sorry about everything."

"Then you need to tell him about that, Kate. Call him, text him, meet up with him; show up at his house, you just need to tell him everything you just told me. And I'd do it sooner rather than later."

"Thanks, Lanie," Kate said standing up. She hugged her friend before turning to the door.

"And Katherine Beckett, don't think I didn't catch the "I love him" part. I'm just waiting to grill you about it when you're in a little better mood."

Kate let herself laugh as she sorted out how to apologize.

Three days. It'd been three days since Rick Castle found out the most important people in his life were lying to him about the past three years of his life.

It'd been three days since he stormed out of his loft.

It'd been three days since Alexis blew up at Kate.

It'd been three days since Kate realized she needed to find Rick, apologize, and clear everything up.

It'd been three days and Kate still hadn't done it. Not because she didn't want to or wasn't trying, it was because Castle had dropped off the grid.

Kate called. Kate texted. Kate emailed. Kate showed up at the loft, twice.

Nothing happened. No one answered the phone. No one responded to her texts. No one emailed her back. No one answered the door.

Kate went to work and acted like nothing was wrong. She went home and texted Castle. She ordered take-out and fell asleep on the couch.

On the third morning there was a knock at the door. Kate rolled off the couch, still groggy from sleep and headed to the door. Once the door flew open, Kate was caught in a whirl of red head passing her and heading inside. Unlike the previous times, this hair belonged to Martha.

"Good morning Katherine," Martha said cheerfully.

"Martha? What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to tell you to 'suck it up buttercup' and go have an actual conversation with my son, one where you are both being brutally honest."

"Believe me Martha, I have tried. I've called and texted and gone to your house but he's not responded."

Martha moved to Kate and pressed a piece of paper to the palm of her hand.

"What's this?" Kate asked.

"Directions to our house in the Hamptons. It's where Richard has been hiding out."

"Why are you giving me this? And three days after he found out?" Kate questioned.

"I'm giving it to you, Katherine, because I know you care very much for my son and even though you weren't right to lie to him, you did it out of love but now you have to apologize. Alexis and me, we're family and he can't stay away from us forever. But you, Kate, you're not family. It will take him longer to forgive you." Martha saw the look of fear and disappointment that shot across Kate's features. "But that doesn't mean he never will.

"I waited to give this to you because I think Rick needed some time to cool off. I think you both did. But it's been a few days and I'm sure you haven't stopped thinking about what you're going to say to him, so go find him Kate."

Kate pulled Martha into a fierce hug, her eyes stinging with unshed tears.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"My Richard has been a better man since he met you, Kate. You brought out the best in him and I think he does the same for you." Kate smiled.

"He does…But there's something I have to do first."

"Alexis! Come on, open up. I know you're in there," Kate called as her knuckles rapped gently against the large oak door of the Castle loft.

"Actually, I'm not," said the voice behind Kate. Beckett leaped out of her skin before swiftly turning to the sound of the voice, her hand unconsciously reaching to where her gun would be.

"Alexis! Oh my gosh, you scared me. Why aren't you inside?"

"I have school," Alexis replied icily. "I was on my way but I forgot one of my textbooks."

"Oh," was Kate's response.

"Is there a reason you're here?" Alexis asked moving towards the door and putting her key in the lock and quickly stepping inside.

"I am going to see your dad." Alexis flew around, her gaze locked on Kate. The detective could barely read the redhead's expression but it looked mostly like confusion. "But I wanted to talk to you first."

Alexis grabbed her textbook off of the counter and turned so she was face to face with Kate.

"I'm listening."

"You were right." That got Alexis's attention. "When your dad told me he love me I was scared out of my mind but not for the reason you think. I was scared because I care about him so much that I didn't want to mess up anything we had and lose him. But it looks like I lost him anyway. I swear to you Alexis, I only wanted to protect him. I deluded myself into thinking that lying was the best thing but it was because I wanted what was best for him—"

"I know, Kate," Alexis cut her off. Kate looked at her quizzically. Alexis continued. "I know you were trying to protect him. I could tell by the way you two look at each other. I was just mad and confused and worried and scared and I'm sorry for yelling at you." Alexis watched the tension leave Kate's shoulders as she let out a long sigh.

"Thank God. I really didn't know what to expect. And thank you. It was wrong of me and I seriously doubt your dad will ever forgive me but I'm glad you understand." Before Alexis knew what was happening Kate pulled her in for a fierce hug.

"It was wrong of all of us," Alexis stated as Kate let go. "But it's nice of you to try to make him understand. He sent me a text that he's going to be gone for a few days to process everything but he won't return my phone calls. Now, go talk to him before I'm late for school."

Kate smiled and walked with Alexis out of the loft, bracing herself for what was to come.