Always.

Twenty-Three.

"He's out. Josh is out."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"How is that possible?"

"I don't know. He, he..." I couldn't talk, or even think, for that matter. I was absolutely shocked.

Castle came and sat next to me, and engulfed me in a hug. I burrowed my head into his chest, and I let it all out.

After a few minutes, I looked up at Castle. It was time. He needed to know, what with recent events.

"Castle?"

"Yes, Kate?" He wiped away some of the tears traveling down my face.

"Josh, he..." Ugh, there I go again. Stuttering, not able to get the words out.

"Kate, you can tell me anything. And, if you want it to be just between us, your wish is my command." He said, squeezing my hand.

"Josh raped me. Or, at least, he was going to. He was so close."

Castle didn't say anything. He didn't need to. I could feel his rage. The speed of his heartbeat rising, his grip on me tightening. The vein in his forehead even puffed out. Though, he was also comforting, he was also pissed.

We stayed like that for a few minutes, and then Castle spoke, breaking the silence.

"So, what now? It's still against the law for me to kill him, right?" That earned a smile from me, a smile through tears.

"I think, I think they plan to take it back to court."

"Okay..." Castle was thinking.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Oh, it's nothing." I gave him a puzzled look, yet he didn't seem to notice. "Why don't you get dressed, and we can go eat? You look hungry."

My stomach growled it's response. "Yeah, I am." I got dressed, and then went into the dining room to join Castle. I tried to look strong, like Josh wasn't just released. But that is not at all how I felt.

I felt afraid.