Richard Castle and Alexis were enjoying a fun family day out. There were no plans other than to enjoy time at the park. Mother nature agreed as the sun was out and shining and everything was bathed in a warm glow. Castle could barely get his hands around the large chili dog while Alexis enjoyed her favorite ice cream.

"Ah, this is what I love about the park," as Castle took a large bite out of the chili dog and began chewing. "You sure…"

"Eew, Dad," Alexis turned her head when he started talking with his mouthful but couldn't help but laugh.

They walked, talked and ate around the park. It was the largest in the area. As the walk went on, Castle could feel that the chili dog just wasn't sitting right in his stomach and began to feel discomfort. He pointed to a park bench overlooking the lake.

"Let's watch the boat race," he said. Just something to take his mind off it. The worse thing he did was take another bite of the dog and he wasn't even sure why. Perhaps it was to convince himself that nothing was wrong and if didn't finish it, Alexis would pick up on something.

Castle sat down carefully, wincing ever so slightly. The action didn't go unnoticed. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Alexis keeping an eye on him discreetly.

"Are you feeling alright?" His daughter asked. "We can go home if you're not well."

Castle didn't want to ruin the day since these were few and far between. "Nah, I'm good. I just think my stomach's having an argument with the chili dog." He explained. That's what it felt like.

"Are you sure?" Alexis asked.

"I think it's just a skirmish anyway. Come on, Lex. I've faced worse things than a chili dog." He pointed to the boats going around fast, especially an RC Black boat that looked like it jumped over another one.

"Wow," Alexis said as they stood up.

"Oww, Oh dam it," Castle said. His stomach seemed to protest at standing up. He deliberately dropped the chili dog so he wouldn't have to eat anymore and made more sounds to cover up being in pain.

"Hey why don't you see if they have a club, Sweetie. Perhaps you can join and get to race one yourself. Or if you don't want to… you can enquire for me. Looks like fun," Castle sighed in relief when Alexis didn't argue and was happy to do that.

Castle knelt down to pick up the chili dog. "I could step on you for what you've done to me," Castle laughed. Perhaps on the way he could stop by a Pharmacy and pick up something for his upset stomach. When he went to stand up, his stomach lurched and tensed up. For awhile he just knelt there willing himself to his feet.

He clutched his stomach as he stood up and the world spun a little bit. "Okay," he said to himself. But the moment passed and he just shrugged it off.

"Dad…" Alexis came jogging over. "I found out that there is a club, I have a couple of cards she pocketed one and gave dad the other.

"Thanks," Castle looked at it before putting it into his left pocket. That was where he recently put his wallet and phone and it caused his trousers to slightly lean. It seamed each step was giving him more discomfort. Not that he thought that that was possible. The walk seemed to take ages.

When in the car, Castle slumped over the steering wheel in an attempt to breathe through the rising nausea. Alexis was worried, her usually upbeat dad was just too subdued.

"Dad?" She began to say.

"I just need a moment," he responded as he adjusted the seat so he could like back and close his eyes.

"You're not good. We should go to the doctor. This doesn't look right," Alexis suggested, worry evident in his tone.

Castle didn't move. "Give me a few moments. If I don't feel better soon I'll see a doctor.,, Deal?" He asked.

"Deal, Dad," Alexis waited in silence. She didn't know how long soon was going to actually be. But her Dad was always honest. She drunk some water from her bottle and offered it to Castle.

Castle waved it away and he folded his arms across his abdomen being careful to not touch some spots in case it hurt but he felt himself fading, his vision was going in out of focus. He pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes again.

"Alexis?" Castle asked with a strained chuckle.

"Dad?" Alexis answered. "We should go now. Don't lie to me."

"Can you drive?" Castle didn't elaborate.

Alexis reached into her dad's pocket to retrieve his phone. As she did, Castle let out a gasp of pain which he tried to hide. But Alexis was on high alert.

"Sorry,, Dad," she said.

Alexis searched through the contacts of his phone until she found Kate's number. It wasn't a number that she would never think of calling but this was serious. Too serious for her to know what to do.

"What is it, Castle?" Becketted answered the phone. She was barely whispering. Clearly she was in a meeting because other voices could be heard.

"Detective Beckett."

"Alexis.., What's wrong?" Kate's mood changed.

Alexis tried to compose herself. Blubbering on the phone definitely wasn't going to help things. "Sorry. But it's Dad."

"What has he done now?" There was a hint of light heartedness in her tone.

"It's not that. We're at the park and I Dad's really sick and unable to drive. He needs to go to the hospital. We're at Hyde Park at the West Entrance," Alexis said.

It took Kate a bit of time to respond. There was a hint of concern that Kate wouldn't do anything. She breathed a sigh of relief when she came back on the phone.

"You're being brave," Kate assured her. 'I'm on my way now. Keep him comfortable and let me know if anything happens," Kate said.

Alexis closed the call and looked at her Dad who's eyes were opened, But just staring at the roof. "Dad, Detective Beckett's on her way," Alexis assured him.

Castle didn't want to call Beckett especially. Lately their relationship was rocky at the moment and he was sure Kate saw him as a pain in the ass and the last thing he wanted to do was to prove her right.

"Lexie… You shouldn't have called Beckett. She's an extremely busy woman. I'm sure they have cases… And the last thing she needs is to be disturbed by us," Castle regretted talking that much as his side began throbbing once again.

Alexis' eyes began to well up. She could feel a tear running down her cheek. It was hard to believe that her dad would have a go at her for summoning help.

"Dad."

Castle saw the pain that his words had caused his daughter. "Sorry sweetheart. It's I didn't want to burden Kate. Come here," Castle motioned her to come closer.

Castle wore a bit of a grin. "Hey perhaps Kate would come here with her sirens blaring. It'd be a drama that'd outdo gran's latest play," Alexis nervously laughed. Castle laughed but regretted it as it seemed to make him feel queasy again and the pain just wouldn't go away.

"She'd be here soon," Alexis assured him.

"I know," Castle responded.