30. Chapter 30

After Knockout

By

UCSBdad

Disclaimer: I've checked again. I don't own Castle. Rating: K Time: See above.

"Hey, bro!" Esposito spoke sharply into Castle's ear.

Castle sat bolt upright, looking around him. "Huh? What?"

"Go home, Castle. You're falling asleep. If you don't get some sleep you'll be making mistakes. That's not going to find who shot Beckett. Go home, get some sleep and come back later."

"No, Espo. I'll be fine. I'll just get some coffee…"

Espo grabbed his arm. "No. I've seen this happen before with cops and in the military. What you're doing is so important that you push yourself. You push until you don't know what you're doing and that's when you make mistakes. You'll miss something and that won't help Beckett one damned bit."

Castle leaned back in his chair. "Javi, I screwed up. We had a fight the night before Montgomery was killed. I wanted her to stop investigating her mother's murder. I was afraid that she'd get shot and that's exactly what happened to her. It ended with her telling me that we were over. She told me to get out. I shouldn't have pushed so hard. I should have told her that I'd stand with her no matter what. When she spoke at the funeral, she said that Montgomery had told her that if you're lucky, you'll find someone to stand with you when you have to make your stand. She looked right at me. The guy who didn't stand with her."

"You should've told her you loved her, Castle. When you had the fight."

"What? How…"

"Easy. Once I made sure Lanie and everyone else was okay, I went to Beckett. I was right over your shoulder when you told her you love her." Esposito slapped Castle on the back. "Bro, everyone knows you love Kate Beckett. Well, I don't think Beckett knows, or maybe she just can't accept it. I'm not sure."

Castle shook his head. "I've been with her for over two years now, Espo. Nothing's happening. If she had any interest in me, other than the guy who brings her coffee, I'd know by now."

"So, if you feel that way, what are you going to do?"

Castle grinned. "Bring her coffee every morning. What else can I do?"

"You might be surprised at how Beckett feels."

Castle stood up and stretched. "Yeah, and my friendly, neighborhood unicorn might give me the winning lottery numbers tonight, too. I'll see you tomorrow, Espo."

Castle walked to the elevator, but was stopped by Ryan. "Heard anything about Beckett?"

Castle shook his head. "She's still in the ICU in stable but critical condition as far as I know. Her father is her only relative, and he's the only one the hospital will release any information to. He'll let us know if anything…" Castle couldn't finish that sentence.

Ryan put his hand on Castle's shoulder. "Castle, don't worry. We'll get the guy who shot her and we'll get the guy who hired him. We're not going to let this rest."

Castle shook his head. "Thanks, but I don't really care. I'd love for Beckett to just forget about this whole thing. I'd like to just take her to the other side of the planet somewhere. Somewhere she'd be safe. Yes, I know her mother was murdered. But I also know that everyone connected with this case has died. I just want Beckett to be safe. That's all."

"She's never going to go for that." Ryan said, giving Castle an odd look.

"Yeah, I know. I'm just being an author, looking for a happy ending." Castle took a quick look around. "Look, Ryan, if you need anything looking for these guys, anything at all, that you can't get through the NYPD, you know to come to me, right?"

"Sure." Ryan grinned. "You never can get anything you need, when you need it, through channels, right?"

"And just remember, I mean anything at all. Anything. One thing about me. I always know a guy."

Ryan nodded. He just realized that Castle was telling him that if they needed anything illegal, Castle would provide it. They had focused on their target being wealthy enough to hire first class professional killers. But Castle was a multi-millionaire himself. Would Castle arrange for a hit if it came to that? It took Ryan only a split second to decide that Castle would. He'd spend every penny he had if it kept Beckett safe.

"Sure, Castle. Anything at all. But, don't go off by yourself on this. Javi and I are in this with you. Talk to us. We know some guys, too."

"I'll remember that. Thanks." Ryan and Castle shook hands and Castle went to the elevator. Ryan stood there considering the fact that he'd agreed to commit a crime, maybe even be part of a murder, for Castle and for Beckett. "Well, who would you rather see dead?" he whispered to himself. "Beckett or some crooked killer? Who am I kidding? That's a no-brainer." He walked back to his desk. He decided he'd tell Javi about Castle's offer, but let his partner draw his own conclusions.

Castle stopped the elevator at the morgue's floor. He got off and stuck his head in the morgue's doorway. "Lanie? You here?"

"Castle?" came her voice from the back. "Oh, Castle." Lanie ran out and hugged Castle, then looked him in the face. "God! You look like death warmed over. How do you feel?"

"Death warmed over would be an improvement. Esposito sent me home. I'm so tired I'm useless. That's exactly how I feel. Completely useless."

Lanie chucked Castle under the chin. "A good night's sleep will do wonders for you. Trust me, I'm a doctor. Look, I have a friend at the hospital. I talked to her about fifteen minutes ago. She's agreed to keep me informed about Kate. If I hear anything, I'll call you, any time of the day or night, okay?"

"Thanks. If there's anything I can do for you, let me know."

"There is something you can do. I've known Kate for years. I know what she was like before you came along. She had no social life, except for me, and she hardly ever smiled. She needs you. She doesn't seem to realize it, or maybe she's fighting it. But she needs you, more than ever now. Whatever you do, Richard Castle, you stay with that girl. Will you stay with her?"

"Always."