AN: Sorry for the late update, life has gotten in the way and I have only recently got back on track. Hopefully this won't happen again but I can't promise anything; I only hope you will continue to read. So once again sorry and enjoy, the story is finally coming into shape.

Previously:

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.

It was in nearly the exact same condition as it was back then. It was quite shocking, but oddly comforting. The tiny entryway had the same multicolored rug that she had vomited all over that fateful night. It had taken many hours of scrubbing to get the stain out, but she had thought she at least owed Jason that. Knocking on his office door she couldn't believe that these were the circumstances that had her retracing her steps. The quiet "Come in" caused tears to well in her eyes. Pushing it all behind her and silently cursing her emotions she opened the door a crack. "Hey, Jason..I..um.."

"Katie! Come on in. Look who's all grown up." Apart from her father Jason was the only one with the rights to her nickname. Stepping inside she got a better look at years had been kind on him and in fact he looked almost the exact same. The same crazy grey beard and hair (though there was probably a fair amount more white scattered through it), the same type of brown suit and quite disgustingly large glasses.

"What brings you back after so long? Not that I'm complaining mind you." He said in his posh British accent after she had taken a seat opposite his with his desk in between.

"Can't I just be here for a visit?" she replied not wanting to actually begin the much needed conversation.

"Katie... I think I know you better than that. After you got back from the hospital and started packing your belongings I knew you wanted to shut this part of your life out forever. So I ask you again, what has brought you back?" His quiet, calm voice calling her to respond truthfully.

"Well, I guess you need to know who I am today to understand that. After I left I signed up for the police academy, wanting justice not only for my mother but for myself, as well as helping others getting the justice they so deserve. But as you know you can only choose one path in the once you get off the streets, so it was either getting justice for those like me or those you lost someone just as I lost my mother. I of course choose the later because...well because she was my whole world and whilst what happened to me was horrific it didn't effect the people I loved as much. I started homicide and have been working it ever since. A few days ago I got a case; a really terrible case and the guy behind it had murdered a whole heap of kids and kidnapped one. He left two messages one calling me to find her and the other alluding to another crime. He made it personal and I originally thought it was because of the press that occurred when the Nikki Heat movie was announced. Right Nikki Heat is..."

"Katie just because you left didn't mean I didn't care what happened to you. I followed you as much as I could." He cut in with a small smile.

"Right... anyway... the girl who was taken name is Amelia and she's 17. I didn't think much of it, but you know, I couldn't not think about it as well. Then yesterday the second crime occurred and a boy was taken. He was also 17 and his name is James. I thought it was to much of coincidence; so here I am. To my knowledge you are the only person who knows what happened other than the people who did it to me."

"Yes Katie, I didn't speak a word to anyone. Though Miss Romeonsurre was quite insistent."

Chuckling quietly she replied "Lily never could stand not knowing. It would drive her insane when I came back from a day out and not tell her a word about what I had done all day."

"Ah yes the illusive days out at the hospital and clinic." He responded with a smile on his face. His smile dropped shortly after though."So you believe that Amelia and James are...?"

"Yes, I mean what else could it be? I just have no idea who would do this or even why, but once I saw the photo of him with his adoptive family then I knew. I can't hide from it anymore. I just don't know how to tell everyone at the precinct, they have no clue about any of this."

"My dear, if what you believe to be true is; then you must face it fully, including diverging the details of 17 years ago to your close friends and coworkers. And I will be here for you if you need me; just as I was back then."

"You're right. Um...thank you for this and then. I don't even think I thanked you back then and it was due to you that I was able to become the person I am today. So thank you."

"It is no problem, you are like the daughter I never had."

Standing up he motioned for her to copy. Once she had he walked around the desk and gave her a tight hug. They stood there hugging until the emotions were to great and she had to pull away. Staring at her feet she pondered when would be the best time to break the news.

"Katie, you will be fine, be the strong independent woman I know you to be." And with that Jason walked out, leaving her to her own devices.

Taking a few minutes to regroup, she walked back out of the place she had stayed for eight months. Not for the last time. When this was all over she would have to come back. She was wrong to hide away from the past, no matter how painful. Jason was an important part of that and she should never have left him behind. Heading out she sent a group text to Castle, Lanie, Esposito, Ryan, Captain Montgomery and her father inviting them all out that evening to talk. Thinking she may as well get it all over and done with in one sitting.