Bound Together: Storm of the Heart

Chapter 1

Kate Beckett leaned heavily on the sink; her knuckles white as she gripped the porcelain. She gasped, the reality sinking in like a punch to the gut. This couldn't be happening. Not now. Not like this.

Her thoughts spiraled back eight weeks ago, to the night she'd made a mistake born of heartbreak. That night, she had planned to tell Castle she wanted to go with him to the Hamptons. She had broken up with Tom Demming, knowing her feelings for Castle were too strong to ignore. But when she found out Castle had rekindled his relationship with Gina, the hope in her heart shattered. Devastated, she drank too much and ended up sleeping with Tom. It was a mistake—one she couldn't undo. Two weeks later, Tom was killed in the line of duty, leaving her reeling with grief and regret. Castle returned early from the Hamptons after hearing about Tom. Kate tried to keep an emotional distance from Castle, not willing to let her heart break any further.

Wiping away her tears, Kate steadied herself and exited the precinct bathroom. She was grateful Castle hasn't come back from his meeting at Black Pawn—probably off somewhere basking in Gina's glow. At least she had some space to figure out her next move. Taking a deep breath, she pressed the elevator button and headed to the morgue.

Lanie Parrish was focused, her scalpel gliding expertly through the sternum of a deceased 35-year-old man. She didn't bother looking up as she heard the click of heels approaching.

"Girlfriend, I told you I need two hours to get you the prelim," Lanie said, her voice calm and precise.

Kate didn't respond, and Lanie turned, her eyes narrowing when she saw her friend's pale face.

"Kate, what's wrong?"

Kate managed a weak laugh that dissolved into a sob. Lanie dropped the scalpel, her professionalism giving way to concern, and wrapped Kate in a tight hug. The medical examiner's smaller frame meant Kate had to slouch, resting her forehead on Lanie's shoulder.

Pulling back, Kate's voice cracked as she groaned, "I'm pregnant."

Lanie's eyes widened in shock, her mouth opening as if to speak, but no words came out.

She pulled Kate back into the hug, holding her as tightly as possible.

"What am I going to do?" Kate whispered.

"It's Tom's, isn't it?" Lanie ventured cautiously.

Kate nodded, her shoulders trembling. "I didn't even know until after he was gone. I… I don't know how to handle this."

Lanie's voice softened, but her words carried weight. "Kate, I'm so sorry. Losing him was hard enough, but this… this is a lot. Are you okay?"

Kate's voice trembled. "I don't know. I've been trying to process it, but it's like every time I think I'm getting somewhere, I hit a wall."

Lanie crouched down beside her, rubbing her back in soothing circles. "Do you want to keep the baby?"

Kate's voice cracked as she admitted, "I don't know. One day, I hoped to be a mother, but this job… my mom's case… it made that dream feel impossible. And I wanted to do it with someone I loved."

Lanie nodded knowingly. "Like Castle?"

Kate's head snapped up, her eyes wide. "What? No. That ship has sailed."

"Has it? Because the way you continue to talk about him says otherwise."

Kate sighed, burying her face in her hands. "It doesn't matter. The day he left for the Hamptons with Gina… I was going to tell him I wanted to go with him. I had ended things with Tom, but after I saw him with her, I… I couldn't deal with it. I drank too much, and Tom was there, and…"

Her voice broke, and Lanie pulled her into another hug. "Kate, listen to me. You're not alone in this. Whatever you decide, I'll be here every step of the way."

Kate managed a faint, grateful smile. "I need some time to think. The captain gave us all a long weekend after the Henderson case, and Karpowski's team is handling the new one. I think I'll head up to my dad's cabin."

"Good idea. You need a break."

Before Kate could respond, the morgue doors swung open, and Castle sauntered in, though his usual energy seemed dimmed.

Kate groaned.

"Hey Castle. Why the long face? Ryan finally beat you at Madden?"

"As if. No, it's Gina. I don't know why I thought starting anything with her again was a good idea. She's worse now than when we were married. We broke up at the beginning of the summer and she's still mad about it."

Kate swore softly under her breath. "Son of a…"

"… and honestly," Castle continued, "I'm relieved it's over. But it's still awkward working with her on Nikki Heat edits."

His gaze shifted to Kate. "Have you been crying?"

"No," Kate said quickly, her tone defensive. "I was just asking Lanie for allergy meds."

Castle frowned but nodded. "Okay… I hear Roy gave you all a 4-day weekend?"

"Kate's going to her dad's cabin," Lanie interjected with a sly look.

Castle's expression lit up. "Really? You always said you'd take me there. Can I tag along?"

Kate shot daggers at Lanie, who feigned innocence. "Castle, I never promised you that."

Castle waited, his boyish grin in place, "Oh, I guess I dreamed you did."

That look of his always did something to Kate's resolve. She tried another tactic, "It's rustic, Castle. Not up to your standards."

"I can do rustic!" Castle insisted. "I'll bring camping gear."

Kate shook her head, "I just need some quiet time."

Castle hesitated, then smiled gently. "Please let me come with you. I can be quiet. I promise."

"You? Quiet?" Kate laughed. "I'd love to see that."

"You will if you invite me!" Castle said. "I'll even chop wood and help you prepare for the big storm."

Kate squinted her eyes wondering if he was being truthful, "What big storm?"

"There's a storm coming and the weatherwoman, you know the one I love to watch"?

Lanie and Kate say in unison "because you love her assets."

Castle waves his hand to say "no" and continues "she says upstate will bear the brunt of it."

Kate bites her lip and says, "Maybe it would be a good idea to go and make sure the cabin is ready for a storm."

"I can help with that. I just want a distraction from the craziness of my life."

"You and me both, Castle."

Lanie breaks her observation of the two clueless lovebirds and takes the opportunity to whisper in Kate's ear, "Come on Kate, take a chance."

Kate turns Lanie away from Castle and softly says, "how will this help me decide what to do?"

Lanie leans away and says, "best to get clarity on that front" (pointing towards Castle) "before deciding the next 18 years."

Kate shakes her head. "Ok, Castle. You win. I'll take you to the cabin,"

"Oh boy, can I drive. I have a brand-new SUV I want to test out on the backroads."

"Well, I won't say no to taking your car, but I'm driving."

Castle doesn't say a word, too afraid Kate will rescind the offer.