Previously:

It was even larger than she first imagined, six bedrooms, six bathrooms, a small library, two studies, a games room, immense kitchen and living room and of course the beautiful dining room were all included. Seriously the place was massive for a relatively small family. She soon found herself standing in the missing boys room. Looking around she saw a stack of school books on his desk, all with the name James on the front. Flicking through, she saw that just like Amelia this kid was exceptionally smart. He had multiple pre-med books, advanced maths, English, the works. Glancing around the room she was struck by the mass amount of photos of him and his friends covering the walls. He was the exact opposite in that account to Amelia. It was then that she was overcome with the realization. No it couldn't be...it just couldn't could it? It was impossible, that had happened years ago and she had left it behind. No one else knew about it. Expect for him.

She went home in a daze, not paying attention to anything; really it was amazing that she got there in one piece. Memories of 16 years ago flooded her mind, stealing all other thoughts of looking after herself. She collapsed in a heap on her bed, wishing for it all to go away.

She spent the night drifting in and out of sleep; the small amount of time spent asleep was riddled in nightmares that jolted her awake and covered her in sweat. She was thankful when 5am came around because she could convince herself that it was a sensible time to get up.

Taking a much needed shower, she tried to persuade herself that the previous day was simply full of coincidences. That of course didn't work no matter how hard she tried. By the time she got out of the shower, got dressed and applied makeup in the attempt to hide the dark circles beneath her eyes; food was the last thought on her mind and she was resolved to head into work and find something, anything that would prove her traitorous brain wrong.

She had worked for a good hour or two before Esposito and Ryan walked in.

"Hey Beckett, you go home at all last night?" Rolled off Ryan's lips.

"Yeah, remember we left at the same time last night?"

"But you were heading to a crime scene, who knows how long you were there." Esposito jumped in.

" I wasn't there that long" And at seeing the doubtful glance they shared added in an annoyed tone "seriously I was home before 9. Okay guys, how about you do some work yourselves?" Which she emphasized with a glare.

They nodded in a chastised way and walked off to their desks. Maybe she had been a bit harsh on them but seriously she could look after herself. That meant she wasn't going to apologize, hadn't they learnt not to bug her when she obviously wasn't in the right space of mind to answer them properly, really they asked for it. Thinking Castle would be heading in soon she stalked away from her desk towards the ladies room.

Yep, just as she thought, she looked like a zombie; great now she's thinking like Castle as well. Her cheeks are washed out and no matter how much makeup she put on this morning the circles under her eyes are still apparent. Hopefully Castle won't notice...yeah right he always notices and then he will get in her face about it and she really can't handle that today.

By the time she has convinced herself to go out there and face the music, Castle has already arrived and left a steaming cup of coffee on her desk, as well as a bear claw. Glancing around she's a bit disappointed not to see him, though she will never admit that; really it's probably a good thing that he doesn't see her before she's at least revived herself with the amazing cup of coffee.

Sitting down at her desk she takes a sip of coffee whilst going over the case files for another time. Halfway through she hears Castles booming laugh break out from across the floor and seconds later his wandering his way towards her, giving friendly hellos to those sitting at the desks in the distance between them. She determinedly stares at the file in front of her, so as to not let him see her face. She knows that it is pointless, but hey can't stop a girl from trying.

He sits down in his chair and it squeaks loudly, she knows his trying hard to keep quiet and allow her to finish, what he thinks is important, because otherwise she would have looked up and said a quiet hello like usual. She continues to stare down with her hair providing a barrier between them, allowing her to hide the fact that she is hiding from his gaze. He is obviously finding it hard as he starts fiddling with everything and anything that is within his reach and what he hopes won't make her angry with him.

Resolved to get it over and done with she looks up at him and says "Hey Castle" waiting for him to say something.

His pupils widen, but he doesn't say anything. Espo and Ryan must have warned him about her obvious bad mood. She is thankful for his silence, but a small part of her is saddened by the fact that he is letting her poor appearance go. Just as she was about to go back to reading the case files; for real this time, when his hand reached out and covered hers, startling her and forcing eyes to meet his penetrating gaze. He only rested his there for a few seconds but that combined with the emotions he was portraying with his eyes, told her he was very concerned about her and that he was there for her in whatever way she needed for him to be. She held his gaze unwavering hoping he got the message, the hidden thank you. He always could read her like a book (ironic how she was always reading his), answered with a nod of his head.

Their intent staring at each other was broken by Ryan's light cough. She jumped back as if burned and quietly asked "Ryan, what do you have?"

Ryan saw it as it was, an apology and started speaking "Was looking into James phone records and I found he had been calling the same number repeatedly, with no answer. The first time he called, the person answered; but they only talked briefly. Whatever was said obviously didn't satisfy him as he had continued to call right to the time of his abduction. I am currently looking into who was on the other end, but came up with some difficulties as it is a private and blocked number that has recently been shut off. Hopefully something will pop so, but don't hold your breath."

"Thanks Ryan, in the meantime can you look to see if Amelia had called this number as well. This might be the connection between the two." Nodding his head he turned away and headed back to his desk. She meanwhile said "Castle, can you look over these files, I need a fresh perspective on them."

"You mean crazy theories?" He replied with a hesitant smile.

"Really anything would be better than what we have presently. I'm going to go...um...look into something. Call me if you need me."Grabbing her jacket and heading towards the elevator, she really hoped that what she was looking into turned into a false lead.

She took her car and drove. It seemed to take forever to get there. Walking up the same steps she had 17 years ago she reflected on how much had changed. Back then at the mere age of 17 she had just lost her mother a few months before. Her Dad had been burying his sorrows in the bottle and she had struggled through the past few weeks of her schooling career. She had been doubting whether she was going to go to onto college, but even if she did she knew she wouldn't; couldn't become a lawyer like she and her Mother had planned. The weeks following her Mothers death she lost herself, merely going through the motions at home and at school. She tried to ignore the fact that her life had been changed forever. At times though it all rushed back and she took her emotions and got rid of them only way she knew how. It wasn't the best way she knew that, but she couldn't stop. Her actions are what led her this dark manky building far from Manhattan and the life she had known at the time.

Stepping inside she couldn't believe she was right back here, when she had told herself never again.