AN: Short and sweet, based off of Season 7 Episode 1. Thank's to everyone for following, favoriting, 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.

Castle's Alive

Two months have gone by… Two long, dreadful, months and there were still no answers, until today. We got the news that Castle was found, so Mrs. Rodgers, Alexis, and I were heading to the hospital in a patrol car. I was so excited to see Castle again, I was really losing hope that we would never find him, but I'm glad we did.

We pulled up to the hospital, and I felt so giddy to see Castle again. We got out of the patrol car and practically ran towards the elevators. We got to Castle's floor and every twist a turn we made towards his room built up the anticipation. We finally reached his room and I saw that Aunt Kate was already there, holding his hand gently. Alexis ran into the room first and said, "Dad?"

"Richard, darling," Mrs. Rodgers said as she went up to his bed, but he was still unconscious.

"What's wrong with him?" Alexis asked.

Aunt Kate wasn't quite sure herself and she looked a little shaken up by this whole ordeal. I didn't really blame her though, it's the first time we've all seen him in months and he's still out of it. But I'm sure he'll pull through, he's Castle.

We were out in the hall and a male nurse was talking to Alexis and Mrs. Rodgers. I was standing away from them along with aunt who was leaning against the wall. I was leaning my back into her chest and she held me close as we listened to the nurse talk.

"Mr. Castle hasn't sustained any serious injuries, and his vital signs continue to improve. But he is recovering from the effects of exposure and dehydration," he said to them.

"Why hasn't he regained consciousness?" Mrs. Rodgers asked.

"We're running some additional tests to find out, but at this point, we don't think there's any cause for alarm."

"But we'd like to stay with him, keep him company, if that's all right."

"Of course."

"Thank you."

They walked off to Castle's room and Aunt Kate pushed me away slightly and whispered, "Go with them."

I looked back her questionably and she nodded towards the way Mrs. Rodgers and Alexis went. I figured that she probably wanted to be alone, so I nodded slowly before making my way towards Castle's hospital room.

We spent hours at Castle's side, eating gross hospital cafeteria food, and taking naps on the lumpy hospital couch and chairs. But it was all worth it because we finally had Castle back. He even woke up just minutes ago, and the first person he asked for was my aunt Kate, which was pretty awesome.

We stayed with him until Aunt Kate came back from working on his case. Apparently they got a lead in his case about where he could have been before he was found in a dingy in the middle of the ocean. But we still have a lot of questions to answer because being missing for two months is a pretty long time.

Eventually Aunt Kate made her way here and Mr.'s Rodgers filled her in while Alexis and I went to the cafeteria to eat some lunch. We figured Aunt Kate would want to be alone with Castle for their semi-happy reunion, so that's why we went to eat. I mean all the stress that's Aunt Kate's been through, not knowing where he is or why he was missing, that really hits hard.

Alexis and I made some small talk as we finished our food and then we went to meet Mrs. Rodgers in Castle's hallway. She was getting some coffee and they started chatting briefly. I mostly kept to myself as I watched the nurses and doctors walk up and down the hall.

Aunt Kate came out of Castle's room soon after and started to discuss how Castle didn't remember anything form his two month hiatus. All he could really remember was the accident and then waking up in the hospital. Something crazy was going on, but I guess this has been a nightmare for everyone, especially Castle since he has no clue what's happened to him.

They decided to consult with a doctor to see why Castle has no recollection of his two month absence. After she was finished talking with him, we gathered around and my aunt asked, "What do you think is going on with him?"

"Well, Mr. Castle shows no sign of a psychosis or break with reality. Nor does he exhibit cognitive deficits other than his inability to recall the last two months," Dr. Swann said.

"So is it possible that he underwent trauma and he's blocking it out?"

"He may have, although I didn't see any evidence of that."

"Maybe his memory will come back once he's had some time to readjust," Alexis said.

"It very well might."

"Then what he needs, maybe, is to get back to his life, his routine, the people who love him. Can't we just take him home?" Mrs. Rodgers asked.

"You'll have to speak with his doctors."

"Of course, of course. Oh, thank you so much."

Mrs. Rodgers grabbed my hand and we followed Alexis down the hallway, so we could go talk to Castle's doctor about letting him leave. Aunt Kate stayed behind with the doctor though, probably to get a little more insight from Dr. Swann.

I really hope that Castle gets his memory back because we could all sure use some answers, but if his memory does comes back, will it open a whole other can of worms that we might not be able to handle. If his disappearance is linked to something greater than we think it is, we could be in a whole lot of trouble. For now though, we just have to stay positive and be grateful that he isn't dead.

After all the long and rough weeks and months, Castle was finally home and we were celebrating. They still weren't sure what happened, but we weren't worried about that right now. We'll figure a lot more out down the road and maybe Castle will start remembering bits and pieces as he continues to process things.

Mrs. Rodgers popped some champagne and said, "I do believe a celebration is in order."

"Here, here. I have not had a glass of champagne in months, that I can remember anyway," Castle said.

"Dad," Alexis scolded.

"Too soon?"

"Yeah."

Mrs. Rodger sand Aunt Kat made their way over with the drinks and Mrs. Rodgers said, "All right, now. One for you"

Castle grabbed his champagne flute and said, "Thank you."

"One for you," she said, handing one to Alexis.

Aunt Kate handed me a flute, but mine had apple juice in it instead of the champagne. I was fine not having any alcohol because that beer I had with Mike, Leon, and his friend's was super gross. I don't think I'll be having it again anytime soon, and if I did, I'll probably be grounded again.

Aunt Kate took a seat in between Castle and I on the couch, patting my leg softly as she scooted in.

"Oh, and a particularly full one for me," Mrs. Rodgers said as she grabbed her champagne glass and took a seat on the coffee table

"Well, in the immortal word of Dorothy, There's no place like home," Castle said.

"Here's what I don't get. Why would someone do this to you, Dad? Where did you actually go for two months?" Alexis asked.

"Well, those answers lie within the vast and insidious conspiracy behind all this. A tangled web that I fully intend to untangle."

"Enough of that. I'd like to propose a toast," Mrs. Rodgers raised her glass and made her toast, "To safe returns."

"And no more departures," Alexis chimed in.

"And to my amazing mother, my wonderful daughter, my adorable soon to be niece, and the love of my life," Castle said as he clinked all of our glasses.

"And to coming home," Aunt Kate said.

We all drank from our glasses and then we had a lighthearted conversation before we all went off to bed. At least this time we'll all be able to sleep soundly, even if we do have a lot of unanswered questions. But all that matters is that Castle's alive, and I'm grateful for that.