AN: Mentions season 4 episode 23 and season 5 episode 1. Thank you again to everyone for following, favouring, and reviewing this story. Here's the next chapter everybody, enjoy. Don't forget to Review. :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Castle or it's characters.

Out of the Loop

Things have been a roller coaster ride for the past few months. Aunt Kate and Castle have been getting back into the groove of things, just like old times. Then an unsuspecting twist came when my grandma's and Captain Montgomery's murders came back into the forefront. My aunt Kate was enthralled in the investigation and wasn't going to let it go.

No matter how much we wanted her to let it go, she wanted to crack this case wide open. She didn't even care that she was putting her life in danger. All she wanted was justice for my grandmother and captain Montgomery. I felt bad, but there wasn't much I could do, a recently turned ten year old only has so much stuff up their sleeves.

I could tell everyone was worried for her, from everyone at the precinct to Castle. Of course Castle was worried about her, he loved her, but my aunt was really pushing him away this time, and all he was trying to do was keep her safe. My aunt was pissed at him for withholding evidence, so she kept proceeding with the case, even though all the warnings she got, and not just from Castle, but from everyone.

Aunt Kate made some stupid judgment calls during that time and it wound up getting her and Esposito on administrative leave. Yet my aunt went out on a limb and threw her whole life away by resigning. I don't think it's for good though, I think she just made a rash decision and sometime soon she'll go crawling back to the precinct.

She loves her job, and I could see it eating her up inside when she came home that day. She barely spoke any words to me. I decided to leave her alone that night, so she can get her thoughts together, I heard her leave the apartment. I had no clue where she was going, especially since it was raining like cats and dogs. I felt bad for her, but I knew this was something she needed to get through. Everything was falling apart around her and I knew that feeling all too well.

She never came home that night and I wondered where she was. I hoped she was okay, but its aunt Kate, she can pretty much handle herself. So when the morning came around and there was still no sign of her, I did what any concerned child would do, well I panicked of course, but then I called my aunt's phone.

It rang and rang until she finally picked up the phone, "Emily, are you okay?"

"Yeah, are you okay? You never came home last night," I said.

"I'm fine, I'll be back soon. I just needed to work some things out."

"Okay, see you later."

"Okay."

My aunt came back a little after we got off the phone and for some reason she seemed a lot more chipper then yesterday.

She smiled brightly at me and said, "Hey Emily. How are you?"

I looked at her dumbfounded and said, "I'm fine. Why are you so chipper?"

She let out a small chuckle and said, "I'm always chipper Emily."

She walked passed me and ruffled my hair, making her way to the kitchen. I followed her and said, "No you're not."

She leaned against the counter and said, "Listen Em. Things have been really crazy lately, but last night I found myself. I think resigning from my job is really going to be good for me. Maybe we'll spend more time together and have some fun."

"Really, you're happy about it?"

"Yes I am. I think this'll be good for us. I'm going to get changed and then we can have some breakfast."

"Okay."

She smiled and gave me a peck on the forehead, heading off to her room to change. I leaned against the kitchen counter, resting my head in my arms and thinking about the sudden change in my aunt. I have no clue why she's so happy and chipper after the past few days she had. Maybe quitting her job lifted a giant weight off of her shoulders, and I'm happy if she's happy. I smiled to myself, maybe things are looking up, and hopefully she'll make up with Castle too. I don't want to see their blooming friendship go out the window.

"All right, Em. What do you want for breakfast?" she asked as she sauntered in with a new pair of clothes.

"How about waffles?"

"Okay, waffles it is."

We made some waffles and put some fresh fruit on them, I had blueberries and she had strawberries. We ate happily together and talked about everything but her old job. It was honestly really fun, and I can definitely see a big difference in her. I just wish I knew how she got over everything so fast. I just hope it stays like this.

After we cleaned up, we were about to go into the living room and watch some TV, but there was a knock on the door. She opened the door, and standing there in all his ruggedly handsome glory was none other than Castle.

"Hi Castle. Give me a second," she said and let him in.

She walked over to me and said, "Emily why don't you go to the park."

"What why?" I asked.

"I need to have a grown up conversation with Castle," she said.

"But…"

"No buts. Please, Em?'

"Okay," I said.

"Thank you Em."

I nodded my head and grabbed a jacket.

"See you later guys," I said.

I walked out and went to the park. I wondered what they were talking about. I hoped they were making up after the tough year they've been having since the whole sniper incident. Maybe I can put my plans into action now that things have been lightening up.

I spent about an hour at the park and when I returned to our apartment, my aunt Kate and Castle were just about to leave.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"We're going to work on some leads we got from Ryan," my aunt said.

"I thought you were done with the case."

She put on a small, sad smile and said, "I know, but this could get out of control if we don't stop this man soon. I'll see you later."

"Okay," I said.

"Don't worry mini Beckett, I'll watch out for her," Castle said.

"Thanks Castle," I said.

He gave a short nod and then they were out the door. I actually thought it was going to be over and now they're going deeper into it. They better catch the guy who is trying to kill Aunt Kate. I don't want her to die anytime soon, or ever. I know everyone has her back, I just hope that's enough for this particular case.

Night time was coming around and three people came walking into the apartment.

"Hey, Em," my aunt said.

"Hi, how'd it go," I asked.

"Don't ask," Castle said.

I nodded and said, "Nice to see you Esposito."

"You too, mini B," he said.

They got some beers and went into one of the rooms to discuss the case. While they all stood around, conversing with each other, I just listened to some music on the couch. There was some noise coming from outside, so Esposito and my aunt held their guns at the ready while Castle grabbed something to defend himself too. My aunt gave me a silent command to stay behind Castle, and I did as I was told.

Esposito opened the door, and it turned out to be Ryan with some paper he got from the scene they were at earlier. We let him in and they poured the bag of paper onto the table, trying to sort it out. It was one giant puzzle that I wouldn't have the patience to solve. While they spent the night sorting out the thousands of shredded pieces of paper, I went to bed because I don't think my aunt really wants me involved.

The next day I heard a commotion going on out in the front room. I decided to go check it out, and I found Ryan, Esposito, and Castle looking frazzled.

"She's going to kill senator Bracken," Castle said.

"Who is?" I asked.

They all looked over at me, and apparently I wasn't supposed to here that.

"Nothing Emily. Just stay here okay," Castle said.

"Is Aunt Kate going to get herself into trouble?"

"Not if we get to her in time," Esposito said.

"Don't worry mini Beckett, we'll get you aunt out of this mess," Ryan said.

"Stay here okay," Castle said.

"Okay," I said and watched them leave.

Was my aunt really planning on killing the senator? They better stop her because I don't want to have to visit my aunt in the slammer. I honestly don't think Aunt Kate would be stupid enough to kill him, but when you've got your mind on revenge, it's hard to think clearly.

Aunt Kate came home later that day and said, "Hey Em."

"Hi Aunt Kate. You didn't kill the senator?" I asked.

"No I didn't. I just had a little chat with him."

"That's cool."

"So Emily is it okay if I go back to work."

I smiled at her and said, "Yeah, definitely. It's what you love."

"Yeah," she smiled and pulled me close.

"I love you Aunt Kate," I said.

"I love you too."

That was two weeks ago and in a few days my aunt Kate will be returning back to her job because her suspension was almost up. Since it was the summer, I had a lot of time on my hands and since Aunt Kate was off too, we spent a lot of time together. Today I went to the skate park and met up with Mike, Leon, and Shawn.

We all dared each other to do wild tricks, thankfully no one got hurt, but we did come close a few times. After that we got some ice-cream from a new shop that opened up a block from the park. They had incredible flavors and there was so many to choose from, it was hard to decide what we should get. We all decided to get something different and then go around the table tasting each other's ice-cream.

Things have been awesome lately and it feels like I've entered into a whole new dimension. Alexis graduated, Castle and Aunt Kate have been getting along swell, my aunt and I have been spending a lot of time together, and life is really looking up. I headed home after my fun afternoon and when I opened the door, what greeted me was a very peculiar sight.

My aunt was up against the wall with Castle very close to her body and they were kissing with passion. My eyes went wide as I stood there in shock, watching Castle practically devour my aunt's mouth. It was pretty gross. My aunt took a glance over at me and her face pretty much matched my own. She pushed Castle away and he landed on his butt just a few inches away from her.

"What the heck?" he mumbled.

Castle followed her eyes and saw me, then his face practically lit up in horror.

"Em…" my aunt said slowly.

I looked between them and said, "I don't know whether to barf or congratulate you two. I'm leaning more towards both."

My aunt rolled her eyes and she tried to fix her rumpled shirt.

"How long have you been there?" Castle asked a he got up, his hair was disheveled and his cheeks were lightly tinged pink.

"Long enough for my ice-cream to come back up," I said.

"Emily, you can't tell a soul," my aunt said to me sternly.

"So you two are together? How long?" I asked.

"Yes, we are. It's only been about a week. Promise me you won't tell anyone," she said.

"You can count on me," I smiled.

"We're doomed," my aunt said.

"We can give her the benefit of the doubt," Castle said.

"Castle, remember the New Year's Eve party?" she said.

"Oh yeah… We are doomed," he said.

"It was an accident," I said.

"Yeah, and we can't afford another accident, especially one of this extent," she said.

"I understand. Wait, am I the only one who knows?" I asked.

"Sadly yes. We were going to wait before we told anyone, but it looks like it didn't work out that way," she said.

"Oh, so your mom and Alexis doesn't even know?" I asked Castle.

"Nope, I'll probably wait until they get back from Europe," he said.

I nodded and my aunt said, "Em, please don't tell anyone."

I looked between them and said, "I'll do the best I can."

"Thank you," she said, giving me a hug.

"Thanks mini Beckett," Castle said.

"No problem. So, is Castle gonna be my uncle?" I asked.

"Okay, let's not get ahead of ourselves," she said to me.

Behind Aunt Kate Castle nodded his head, and mouthed the word, "yes."

"Castle, I can see you," she said.

"Well, I mean it would be nice," he said with a shrug.

She smiled softly and said, "Yes it would, but we just got together. I'd like to take this at least a little slowly."

"How slow?" Castle asked nervously.

"Not that slow. At least until we actually announce our newly kindled romance," she said.

"Okay, but that could be awhile," Castle said.

"Yeah I know, but don't worry Castle, it'll be worth it," she said with a smile.

He smiled back and said, "It totally will."

I smiled and said, "This is awesome, I wish I could tell the whole world."

They gave me a look and I said, "Which I won't. I was just saying."

They laughed at me and I got to spend the rest of my day with my two favorite people in the world. I'm so happy they are finally together after this long. Maybe one day they'll actually get married, but until then, I have to try to keep my lips sealed and not spill the beans. This is going to be very, very hard.