A/N – Hey boys and girls. I promised this chapter to my mate Erin who is not feeling the best. We just spent an hour chatting on the phone, with her asking me what was going on.

So here it is Erin!

As for you guys, please read, enjoy and review!

Chapter Eight – You Make The Whole World Smile

Beckett hung back as Castle all but physically tackled the nurse to find out when Alexis was. Considering that they knew nothing about what happened, even her imagination went nuts, let alone Castle's. His imagination needed no excuse to run rampant. When they went into the room where Alexis was, Beckett instantly felt better. She had a bump over her eye and some bruising on her cheek but nothing more that she could see. Castle strode into the room and instantly pulled her into a tight hug. Alexis gasped and Castle released her quickly.

"What?"

"Bruised ribs."

"Oh."

Beckett remained standing and waited for Castle to stop fussing before she spoke.

"What happened?"

Alexis sighed, rearranging herself on the bed.

"I was going to the movie with Hope and Sammy. I thought it was a good idea. Hope needed a distraction. We went to the Silvian Theatre, it had an advanced screening of the new Adam Sandler movie."

"Did anyone aside from you three know what you were doing?"

"Sammy's parents dropped us off. We booked online this afternoon. Not even Dad knew what we were doing."

Beckett nodded, moving her hands to encourage Alexis to keep going.

"We got to the theatre and grabbed the tickets. We were early so we decided to go to the 7 Eleven down the road to get some food to smuggle in. When we came out, there was this….person waiting for us. We ignored him and kept walking. But he followed us. I had my phone in my pocket and dialled 911. When he attacked us, the operator was already tracking the call. He punched me and kicked me when I went down."

Alexis started to cry and Castle gripped her hand tighter.

"He leaned over me and said 'Back off. Tell them to back off. Or it is going to get much worse."

Castle flicked his eyes to meet Beckett's. They were getting too close. Alexis shook her head.

"I don't understand why they would attack us."

"Alexis, were the other girls hurt?"

Alexis nodded.

"Sammy sprained her wrist and got a black eye. I don't know about Hope. We were separated fairly quickly when we got here."

Beckett moved around the bed, coming to stand behind Castle.

"Alexis, what is Sammy's last name?"

"Jones. Like Sex and The City."

Beckett offered her a small smile, glancing at Castle.

"I'm going to track Sammy and Hope down. You good here?"

He nodded and then his attention was turned back completely to Alexis. Kate made her way back into the hospital corridor. She nabbed the first nurse she saw and quickly flashed her badge before asking about Sammy and Hope. The nurse gave her the information easily, pointing a few doors down the hall. It was there that she physically bumped into Spencer. He opened his mouth to apologize and then registered who was standing before him and instantly became standoffish.

"What are you doing here?"

Beckett indicated up the hall.

"Alexis was attacked too. I just had a couple of questions for the girls."

"Are you going to accuse them of murder too?"

Beckett cocked her eyebrow.

"Really? Here I am thinking that you would like to find who hurt the girls."

Spencer huffed but Beckett saw the move of his body and she slipped past him before he could protest any further. Sammy was out of bed, perched on the edge of Hope's.

"Hi girls."

Hope offered a slight smile.

"Hi Detective Beckett. Did Alexis tell you what happened?"

"Yeah she did. But I need to hear it from you guys too."

They both went over the story again, much the same as Alexis. Except, it appears that having a father who writes crime novels and works with the police force made Alexis a lot better with listening to her gut when something wasn't right. Neither of the girls really noticed the person who attacked them. Face covered, gloves and very little said. Both girls were being discharged in the next hour or so. Beckett said nothing as she left the room, working her way back around Spencer. She went back into Alexis's room just as the doctor left.

"What's the diagnosis?"

Alexis smiled as she got out of the bed slowly and carefully, her hand in Castle's.

"I get to go home. They did the tests and decided that I don't have a concussion."

"Great."

Alexis disappeared into the bathroom and Castle folded into himself slightly. Beckett moved closer and put her hand on his shoulder.

"She's fine, Castle."

His voice was muffled as he spoke.

"I know. But we're getting close, aren't we? Why else would someone attack the girls?"

Beckett put her hand on his shoulder, giving it a squeeze. His hand travelled up from his lap to cover hers.

"I don't know. Considering only Sammy's parents knew where they were going."

"It was planned. Which means someone told that guy where they would be."

"But even if they did, how in the world did they know they were headed for the 7 Eleven?"

Beckett removed her hand from his shoulder and sat on the edge of the bed facing him.

"I'll get Gates to set up a protective detail."

Castle shook his head.

"She won't do that."

"Yeah she will. She gave me the all clear to do what is needed to get this sorted. And even though she's not your biggest fan, she would never put Alexis at risk. She's not a complete monster."

Castle smiled.

"I don't know."

"But for now, I'm going to get Espo to pick you up and drop you off. He'll keep you two company until we get the detail in."

"Espo-"

"Won't mind. Just feed him and he'll be happy."

Castle laughed. Kate pulled out her phone and called Esposito. After a quick conversation he agreed to be at the hospital as quickly as possible. Next call was to Gates, who quickly confirmed that she could have the details on the Castle's home in the next couple of hours. Kate put her phone away.

"All done."

Alexis came out, redressed in her jeans and t-shirt. She had tugged her hair into a loose ponytail and she sighed as she handed her shoes to her father.

"Bending, not so much fun with the ribs."

Castle laughed and with practiced ease, slipped the shoes one her feet, tying them neatly. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

"We are going to have some company tonight. Detective Beckett giving you a protective detail."

Alexis's eyes widened as she turned to Beckett.

"Why?"

"Because they focused on you. Hope and Sammy were less injured than you. They also didn't hear what he said to you."

Alexis frowned.

"How am I the focus? I don't understand."

"Neither do we but we will get there."

Kate moved closer to Alexis.

"It's just a precaution okay? Esposito will hang out for a while at the loft then someone will stay outside the door. I just want to make sure you are safe. I would rather feel stupid tomorrow when we have wasted the time of the poor guy who will be sitting there all night than have something happen."

Alexis nodded slightly.

"You do know that Dad will never let you forget it if you do waste the poor guys time?"

Kate cracked a smile.

"I can live with that."

A few minutes later Esposito arrived and with casual ease, had a night planned with Alexis. Castle let himself drop back, matching his step to Beckett's as they made their way out of the hospital.

"You are welcome to join us."

Beckett offered him a smile.

"That's ok. The only thing I see in my future tonight is a hot bath."

"Nice imagery. In terms of relaxation I mean."

"Good save. Call me if you need anything."

Beckett stood back and waited as they piled into the car. When she lost sight of them, she hailed a cab and headed home.

She hadn't been lying when she said her night would involve nothing more than a bath. She had ordered in takeaways and set them aside once they were delivered. She drew herself a deep bath, lighting her favourite candles and using her favourite bubble bath. She sunk into the welcome heat and closed her eyes. But her life was never that easy. Behind her lids played out the case. Kaylee, dead and broken as well as the masked man who had threatened Alexis. More annoying, how did he know that they would be there at that exact moment? The question kept going around and around as she soaked. An hour later, relaxed and deliciously wrinkled she pulled on her robe and padded into her kitchen. She threw some of the takeaways in the microwave and poured a glass of wine while she waited. She glanced at her phone, feeling better when there was nothing there. When there was a knock on the door, she almost jumped. She glanced at the clock realizing that after midnight, there was little expectation of guests. And after their threat, she was not going to take any risks. She got her Sig from the counter and flicked off the safety. She approached the door quietly, frowning when she saw who was on the other side. She flicked the safety back on and unlocked the door before pulling it open.

"Castle?"

The man in question looked pale and tired, his face pinched. His hair was tussled and she could see the side that he had been attempting to sleep on. He looked at her through bloodshot eyes.

"I couldn't sleep."

It was then that Beckett realized that this wasn't new. She had assumed it was the grief that caused the red rimmed eyes. He hadn't slept since they found Kaylee.

"You need to sleep."

"I can't. Sorry, did I wake you?"

He realized the time and took in her damp hair and fluffy robe. She shook her head as she pulled the door open wider.

"Come in. Want to eat? I ordered Chinese."

He settled himself on the sofa as she went into the kitchen and got a plate for him. She took a seat beside him, served him up some spicy beef noodles and curled her legs under her.

"Everything ok with Alexis?"

Castle nodded as he swallowed the noodles.

"She's fine. She was sleeping when I left. Espo refuses to leave. He was passed out on the sofa."

"Man on the door?"

"That too. Castle loft is fully protected."

Beckett put aside her noodles and sipped her wine.

"Is this what it is like for you?"

She cocked her eyebrow at his comment.

"Sorry?"

"With victims. When you close your eyes, do you see their faces?"

Beckett sipped the wine again. She remained silent as she poured a glass for Castle. When she spoke her voice was soft.

"Yes. I see all of their faces. It's worse in the middle of the case. Once it's closed, they kind of leave me alone."

"You sound crazy."

Beckett snorted.

"You're one to talk. Why the sudden curiosity?"

"I keep seeing Kaylee. I can't shake her."

"She's your ghost."

"Can I get an exorcism?"

Beckett couldn't help the burst of laughter that shot out of her. She clamped a hand over her moth, waiting to see Castle's reaction. He joined her. Her concern and frustration gave way to the small intimacy of laughter. When it started to die and Beckett wiped the tears from her cheeks, she glanced at Castle. He still had a smile on his face but it had faded to almost nothing.

"It feel's wrong, laughing."

She nodded softly.

"I know. But it hurts less than the alternative."

They ate in silence, cooling their mouths with the deep red wine. When the food was gone and the wine glasses empty, Castle stood.

"I should go."

"You don't have too, honestly. I was going to watch an old movie."

"Which one?"

She thought frantically through her collection. She hadn't been planning to watch anything but frankly, she didn't want to leave him alone. If he left, who knew where he would end up? He needed a friend.

"Singing In The Rain."

"I love that movie."

"Me too."

Castle shook off his coat again and settled back down on the sofa. He curled up on one end, she on the other. After a moment's thought, she pulled the blanket from the back and placed it over them.