A/N: Back again! Thank you for the great reviews as well as favoriting and following. I'm pretty insecure about my writing, so it's always nice to hear that people like it. I hope you enjoy this chapter!

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Chapter 5

They didn't get very far that afternoon; Rick didn't think they would. He ran back down to his office to get his laptop and grabbed a TV tray on the way back up. He'd bring up a chair later. He set up outside the hallway at first and carefully transferred everything he wanted to save – mostly chapter drafts for his books – onto a thumb drive. Only when he had everything important saved elsewhere, did he bring it into the hall. Gina would kill him cheerfully if he lost everything he'd written on this new mystery he was working on – especially since he'd deliberately brought the computer into a place it could be wrecked.

He hoped Kate and Johanna's spiritual energy wouldn't destroy his computer, but staying in his office or even on the landing outside the door just wasn't feasible. He had been looking at new laptops, because the one he had was getting older and it was nearly time for a replacement anyway. So before he left to visit his mother, he set everything up and told Kate and Johanna to walk (float) around it – manifesting and invisible, and try to interact with it. If it fried, it fried. It was a necessary risk and worth it, he thought. After his mother was home and resting, he'd go to an Office Depot or Staples somewhere and find a whiteboard to set up in the hall.

Rick was thoughtful as he drove to the hospital. He had questions to ask both ghosts – do they have any idea who killed them? If so, is there any proof? What resources do they know of that Rick didn't? And of course, just out of his curiosity, what about Jim Beckett? Would he be interested in knowing about his wife and daughter haunting Rick's home? Would he want to visit to say goodbye instead of just having the shock of murder?

No. That was not even a plan. That would cause unnecessary pain for everyone involved, living and not.

How could he do that to Jim? How could he do that to any of them?

He'd look online to satisfy some of his own curiosity, and – depending on what he found out – maybe try to talk to Kate privately, without her mother overhearing. He didn't know if that was possible, they seemed pretty much to be tied to each other. But he might have to try. He wanted to help Kate and her mother move on and maybe to give Jim Beckett closure as well.

Rick pulled into the hospital's parking garage; his head still filled with questions. Hopefully, he'd be able to get answers to some of them.

XXXXXX

Dr. Kinsman was with Martha when Rick walked into the room.

"There shouldn't be any lasting damage – as a matter of fact, other than your unconsciousness when you were brought in, we can't find anything wrong with you…Oh, hello, Mr. Castle."

Martha reached out for her son.

"Richard, Dr. Kinsman is giving me my instructions for going home."

"Hi, Mother," Rick greeted, leaning down to kiss her cheek. "Already? You don't need to keep her another day after all?" he asked the doctor.

"No, Mr. Castle. Good news this evening." She smiled. "As I was saying, Ms. Rodgers, all the tests have come back showing normal. I do want you to take it easy for a week or so, don't overdo anything and sleep when you're tired. If you've a part in a play, perhaps give it to an understudy."

"No, I was on a short tour before this happened, but nothing for now."

That surprised Rick and made him think back to the conversation when he was on the ladder. She had come home early. She'd startled him so much when she screamed that he had forgotten about her show. It wasn't the first time a play had closed early, but he was a little surprised that she hadn't mentioned it.

Of course, with everything happening, when would she have had the chance? He was on his way into the window, and when he came out, so much time had passed that he had forgotten about the fact she was early. Then the door…and she was here. They would be talking about it on the drive home.

"Good," the doctor was continuing. "So, home relaxing for a week, then get back to your regular life – but still take it a little slow. I'd like you to come in sometime in the next two weeks and we can go from there."

"Thank you, Dr. Kinsman," Martha said. "Richard and I will have movie marathons for a couple of weeks."

Dr. Kinsman laughed.

"That sounds like an excellent rest regimen." She turned to Rick. "Mr. Castle, what we discussed still applies." Rick nodded. "The nurse will be in with the discharge paperwork. It was nice to meet you both."

With that somewhat cryptic statement, the doctor left the room and mother and son alone.

XXXXXX

Kate was floating around the hallway looking for all the world like a stereotypical ghost. All she needed was a mournful wail and she'd be set.

Katie, he's just picking up his mother, I know he said to see if we can affect his computer – is that thing really a functioning laptop? We had a few in the office in '98, but this is so much thinner.

Kate turned to her mother, at first to defend her nervousness, but she smiled instead at Johanna's awe at the laptop. She was 'fangirling' just as hard as Kate and Rick had over his phone.

Technology marches on, Mom, she answered, moving over to the device herself. Ryan got one for Christmas in 2008. It wasn't as bulky as the ones in your office probably were, but it wasn't like this. This one probably has more bells and whistles on the inside too.

Johanna smiled. While her interest in the new tech was real, she had wanted to break Kate out of her funk, and this seemed to have done the trick. Now it was time to see what was bothering her daughter.

Katie, what is it? I know something's bothering you.

It's nothing, Mom.

It's not 'nothing' and you know it. Now, spill.

Castle's mom wants us gone. She told him she wanted him to help us, but it's just because she wants us out of her house.

Well, whatever her reasoning is, it's all right. We want out of her house as well.

And I told Castle that. It's just…

Just what, Katie?

I want to apologize to her. I need to apologize. Castle asked if I would like to meet her – you too if you can manifest – and I said I'd be willing, but she has to want to. But I'm afraid that if she's not in a forgiving mood, she won't come upstairs.

Well, that's a possibility. And if she won't meet you – us – you'll just have to deal with it. The main thing is that Rick wants to help, and his mother won't stop him. That may be the only concession we get from her, and that will have to be good enough.

Kate nodded. She didn't like it much, but realized she didn't have much choice. Right now, all she could do was wait – and hope.

XXXXXX

The drive home was silent for about a half hour until Martha finally addressed the elephant in the car.

"What did you and Dr. Kinsman discuss that 'still applies'?" she asked.

"What happened – what's going on upstairs. She doesn't want me to talk to you about it."

"You told me anyway," Martha pointed out.

"Yes, you already know a good chunk of it anyhow, and I'm not going to lie to you about it, so I've told you almost everything."

"Almost everything?"

"I haven't gone into details. I want to look at my notes so I don't leave anything out."

"So are you helping the 'ghosts'?"

"That's the plan. We're just getting started, setting up for research and all that."

"Did you tell your 'Kate' I wanted them out?"

"I did. Mother, she wasn't offended if you're wondering. She wants out. So does her mother."

"Hmmm…"

"So," Rick began. "You mentioned to the doctor your play ended, what happened?"

"No, the play is still going on, I bowed out."

"You did?" Rick asked in surprise. "Mother, that is so not something you would do. Why?"

Martha sighed.

"I'm worried about my son," she answered and held up a hand. "I don't know exactly what you've gotten into, you seem to physically be all right, but I'm not so sure about mentally.

"Mother."

"You do understand why I'm worried about you, Richard? I just wish you would talk to me – the truth and not some ghost story."

Rick closed his eyes. He still hadn't gotten through to her.

"Would you like to meet Kate? And Johanna, though she may not be able to appear. Manifesting is difficult for her. Kate says she's willing, but only if you want to."

"How long is that going to take for you to set up?"

"What do you mean? I just said Kate's amenable."

He looked at his mother's expression.

"You think I… Damn it, Mother! I thought you were beginning to accept the truth here! You want me to help them leave? Why the hell did you say that if you don't believe me?"

"Richard, I've had time to think about this and I want you to look at it from my point of view. You've been blocked with your writing," she held up a hand. "Don't try to deny it, I know you've tried to keep it hidden from me, but you're not as sneaky as you think. You're also an incorrigible practical joker. I think your bored. You can't write because nothing is coming, so you need something to bring you out of your funk."

Rick just shook his head.

"This time, however, it isn't funny. I accept that you're not using drugs – thank God – but unless you're writing it, this particular story has got to stop."

Rick was silent for a moment, trying to figure out how the hell to convince his mother.

"No, Mother, it's not funny," he began. "And I'm sorry you were frightened, and I'm happy you believe me about the drugs. But I am not lying about this, and I am not playing a joke on you. If you don't want to meet Kate and her mother, that's up to you. But I'm going to do whatever I can to help them – which may I remind you – you wanted me to do. I'm just sorry you have so little faith in me."

Now it was Martha's turn to be silent.

"I'm sorry, Richard, but you have to agree that this story is far-fetched to say the least."

"And I'm not denying that, Mother. But at this point in the 'joke' – if that's what it was – you know I'd stop if you really weren't happy with me. You know I'm not that cruel."

Martha just nodded.

Rick didn't know what to make of that. Had he pushed her too far with this even though he was telling the truth? Had he just lost his mother?

XXXXXX

The rest of the drive was silent. Fortunately the traffic lightened enough to get home fairly quickly – before things got too oppressive.

"I'm tired Richard," Martha said when Rick helped her out of the car. "I'm going to lie down for a little while, perhaps take a nap."

"That's a good idea, Mother," Rick replied. "I'll start dinner in about 15 minutes, so maybe hold off on the nap. You do need to sleep through the night."

Martha nodded and went inside.

Both were stiff with each other and Rick was at a loss. He understood she was freaked out – and why – but she'd never dismissed him like this before. He had thought meeting Kate would help her believe, but not if she thought he'd 'set things up' as she'd put it in the car.

He heard his mother start the shower in her en-suite. Good. Washing the grime from the hospital stay was a great way to relax. He'd do the same after dinner.

The soothing sound of the water made Rick's mind wander, giving him an idea. An idea first alluded to during the conversation in the car. An idea he should have had before his mother was hospitalized.

He bypassed the stairs and ignored the siren that was Kate, and went to his office. He needed to do this.

Oh, wait a minute, he'd left his computer upstairs. He went back and climbed the stairs. The door was shut and that made him curious. Kate hadn't 'spoken' in his mind yet either.

"Kate?" he called.

Nothing. That was odd.

Though, she did say she 'went' somewhere sometimes and didn't know where. Apparently she'd done that now.

He tried the door, and it opened easily.

"Johanna, Kate? Are either of you here? No manifestation necessary, if you don't want, just somehow let me know you're around?"

Nothing.

Okay, he guessed they were both resting. Rick wondered why this kind of disappearing didn't count as moving on. He guessed it was because they kept coming back. He figured they wanted to know too.

He took the computer off the tv tray, and went back downstairs. Plugging it in, he ran diagnostics on it, and everything looked as if it still worked. Thank goodness. Needing a new one or not, Rick really didn't want to trash this one.

He pulled up the Beckett file and printed everything off, the obituaries, the newspaper articles, notes on the exorcisms Johanna had gone through, and his thoughts on the whole thing. The details he'd mentioned in the car. He wouldn't give the file to his mother until dinner – he did want her to rest – but he wanted to give it to her before he talked to Kate, so maybe it was just as well the spirit was gone for now.

XXXXXX

Standing under the spray, Martha contemplated her son's story.

Ghosts.

Spirits.

Apparitions.

Phantoms.

Spooks.

Could it really be a prank?

Martha had almost wanted it to be, the reality was so alien – there was another possible synonym. She smiled to herself, then frowned again.

But he was right. Any other time when he'd gone a bit too far with a practical joke, he'd stopped. He would never truly antagonize her that way, they were too close. It had always been just the two of them.

Maybe that was it? Was he getting 'revenge' for not having a strong male influence in his life?

No. She didn't believe that. She had asked him once about missing his father, and he'd told her that his father could have been anything. Sometimes Richard imagined him as an astronaut, other times a spy. He'd never known his father, so he didn't miss him. Not knowing him gave Richard the imagination to write the stories that made him famous, so no. The lack of a father figure didn't hurt him or make him angry.

So while this story gave her pause, Martha decided to give him the benefit of the doubt – for now.

XXXXXX

Twenty minutes later, Martha swept into the kitchen, acting much like her usual self.

"What's this?" she asked, eyeing the pan Rick was cooking their dinner in. "Steak Diane? To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Rick leaned down and kissed her cheek. "You were just released from the hospital, Mother, of course I'm making your favorite dish."

Martha smiled and went to the refrigerator for a pitcher of water.

"Dr. Kinsman told me to hold off on the wine for a few days – unfortunately – just to make sure everything is all right health-wise."

"Good plan," Rick said. "Why don't you pour and have a seat? I have something I'd like you to look at."

Martha stiffened as Rick thought she might.

"Ghosts again?"

Rick sighed.

"Yes, Mother, ghosts again."

Martha sat at the table and picked up the manila folder.

"That's all the research I've done – online and talking to them," he continued. "I printed it off for you, but I think it's a good idea to have a hard copy as well as the laptop. I'm not asking you to join the cause, just…read it, and accept that I'm doing this."

Martha eyed her son, looking for any prevarication. She found none. Remembering her decision in the shower, she replied. "Fair enough, Richard. I'll read it tonight. For now, let's just be ourselves and celebrate coming home."

Rick smiled.

"Let's do it."

XXXXXX

Castle? Where are you? Are you home?

Rick shot out of bed, standing before he realized what he was doing.

"Kate?" he rubbed is eyes, trying to get some of the bleariness out.

Yeah, I thought you'd come upstairs after getting your mother situated.

That had originally been the plan. Once dinner had been eaten and the detritus cleaned up, his mother situated with the file, Rick had intended to go back to his office, collect his laptop and go back upstairs.

That hadn't happened.

Fatigue had set in as soon as he stepped into his bedroom to change into a pair of sweats and a T-shirt. Everything caught up with him all at once – the door upstairs opening, meeting Kate, getting tossed out on his ass, making up with Kate, meeting Johanna, culminating with his mother being shocked and ending up in the hospital. Sure it had only been a week or so, but still.

"Um…I was going to, but um…You know how I told you earlier that I needed to rest too?"

He said it out loud, knowing she could hear him – though she wasn't manifesting here, he wondered if she could see him too.

Yeessss… Kate answered, the word long and drawn out.

"Well, I didn't get much rest. Just a few hours early this morning."

I see…

"So, like I said, I was going to come up, but I fell asleep."

Oh. Well…I'll let you get back to it.

"Kate."

No, I have things to tell you that you'll find unbelievable. I want you to be awake and willing to believe. Goodnight, Castle.

"Goodnight, Kate."

Confused, but too exhausted to ask more questions, Rick fell back into bed, asleep before his head hit the pillow.

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A/N2: Shorter chapter this time, but I think it works. I hope you do too. I'd love to hear your thoughts!