Finally Falling

Chapter 1

When Kate Beckett woke up, she found herself in the hospital. Then she remembered what happened and she burst into tears. Her heart monitor started beeping as her heart rate accelerated. She sat up and started screaming. Richard Castle was the first to rush into the room.

"Kate! Kate!" he shouted as he shook her.

Beckett looked up at him and instantly she calmed down. Castle let out a sigh of relief as he pulled her in and hugged her. A few nurses came and gave her a sedative to calm her nerves. Castle sat on a chair beside the bed, holding her hand.

"Hi," he said.

"Hi," she said wearily.

"How are you feeling?"

"Like my body is on fire," she said.

He nodded as he gently brushed his thumb on her knuckles.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"I'm... Afraid," he said quietly.

"Of what?"

"Of losing you. Just... The thought of losing you kills me," he said.

"I'm sorry, Castle," she said.

He nodded as he brought her hand to his lips and he kissed her knuckles gently.

After a few days, Kate was discharged from the hospital. Rick didn't think that Kate should be alone as she recovers so he let her stay at the loft. The moment she walked through the door, Martha Rodgers attacked her with a hug.

"Katherine, you had us all worried," Martha said before pulling away.

Kate gave the woman a small smile but her eyes displayed pain and sadness. Then she saw Alexis Castle, Rick's daughter, walk down the stairs and greeted Kate with a smile.

"I hope you're feeling better, detective," said the younger red head.

Kate smiled, "Thanks, Alexis," she said but the smile soon faded. Everything seemed so strange. It was as if those months she spent together with the Castle-Rodger family didn't happen. It was as if Kate Beckett was just another colleague of Richard Castle. No more, no less. Kate felt her heart drop as she took a step back and tried to catch her breath.

"Kate, are you alright?" Castle asked as the two redheads rushed over.

Kate couldn't answer him. She felt a piercing pain on her chest. It was probably her scar, right above her heart. The apparent fall must've taken a toll and added stress on it. After a moment, Kate straightened and gave them a weak smile.

"I'm fine," she said, " It just hurts a little."

"What does?" Rick asked.

"My scar."

"Oh..."

"Why don't you lie down?" Martha suggested, "I'll make you some tea."

Kate started to make her way to the couch when Alexis stopped her.

"You can't use the couch. It's uncomfortable," the redhead said.

"Yeah, you can sleep on my bed," Rick offered.

"I'll sleep on the couch."

"Castle, I can't-"

"You can and you will," Castle said.

Not wanting to start an argument, Kate agreed. She walked towards the familiar room and looked around. Nothing has changed much. Then again, none of her memories were real. At least that's what people tell her. Kate sat on her side of the bed and noticed that Castle had entered the room with a cup of tea that Martha had prepared.

"It's still hot," he warned.

"Thank you," Kate said gratefully.

"Kate... I don't want to pressure you into anything but if you need to talk, I'm here for you," Rick said.

Kate gave him a genuine but weak smile, "Thanks, Castle," she said.

"Go get some sleep. I'll wake you in a few hours for dinner. Okay?"

Kate nodded before the man walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. Kate laid on the bed and was soon asleep. When she opened her eyes, she found herself frozen in place in an apartment. She looked down slowly and then looked up to find Castle's eyes on hers. Then it hit her. She was standing on a pressure sensored plate that could set off a bomb. She looked at Castle and tears filled her eyes.

"Rick," she said as her voice broke.

"I love you," she said as if it was the last time she'd be able to say it.

He gave her a small smile, "I love you too," he said before he was escorted out. Kate leaned her head back, looked up at the ceiling and shut her eyes as she remembered every little moment she had with her partner. Even after everything, he had stood by her because he simply loved her. She hated that it took her so long to realize it. Kate then heard Castle calling her. She opened her eyes and found herself lying on the bed in Castle's loft. She sat up and her eyes met his. He stood by the door with a smile on his face.

"Dinner's ready," he said before walking out. Kate noticed that she was covered in a thin layer of sweat. She headed towards the bathroom to freshen up before she headed out for dinner. She didn't realized how hungry she had been. She ended up eating a lot. When she looked up, she saw everyone at the table looking at her in surprise. She sat up and slowed down her pace. Rick let out a light chuckle.

"You must be hungry. I've never seen you eat so much before," he said.

Kate looked down at her food, slightly embarrassed. She then mentally smacked herself in the head. After dinner, Alexis and Martha did the dishes while Kate retreated to Castle's room. She entered and noticed Castle enter not long after with clothes.

"Lanie dropped this off. I thought you might like a change of clothes," he said.

Beckett smiled as she took the clothes from him. Before he left, Kate stopped him.

"Castle?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you. For taking care of me. Thank you for everything," she said.

He smiled, "Always," he said before walking out. Kate felt as if someone had just stabbed her in the heart with a dagger. It hurt so much but she didn't know what else to do.