"A one year trip around the world." Kate Beckett leaned back in her chair. Castle frowned. "Don't sound so wounded." he said, sarcastically. "So, when do you leave for this... expedition, Castle?" she said, with a slight tease. He shifted uncomfortably. "Tomorrow." All she did was stare. After a minute of silence, she said, "And you just thought to tell me now?"

"Well... you just kind of seemed busy before..." She laughed. "Well, enjoy your trip, Rick."

He opened his mouth to say something, but before he could say it his phone rang, and she answered it mid-ring. When he got up, she pondered what it would be like not having him around for an entire year. She sat back and watched mixed expressions come on to the faces of her team as Ryan, Esposito, and Lanie listened to him go on and on about this trip. Eventually, Castle waved goodbye to all and left the precinct. Lanie eyed Beckett, and when their eyes Kate looked away quickly. The rest of the day went by, and although quieter, it went quite boringly. She left the precinct feeling off, and when she arrived at her apartment there was a package at her door. She picked it up questioningly, until she saw that it was from Castle. She took it inside and set it down on the counter. She practically forgot about it until she was eating breakfast the next morning, and it was still sitting there. "I'll open it later." She said to herself, but it continued to remain unopened.

(2 months later)

At every new place Castle and Alexis visited, they sent the precinct a postcard. Beckett and her team continued to solve case after case, and Beckett found herself looking around sometimes, expecting some witty remark from the man who normally stood above her. That night, she started feeling different. The past months she had been feeling a little off her game, but it was different now. When she slept she had nightmares about being alone, and being lost and unable to be found. She woke up every night with a cold sweat, shivering. "What is happening to me?" She decided to call Lanie. Of course, since it was 3:00 in the morning, Lanie asked, in an aggressive tone, "This better be worth it."

"I need to talk to you."

"Then start talking."

Kate sighed. "A couple weeks ago, I started having these weird nightmares. They scare me, and I always wake up freezing cold, and sweating."

"That's normal, dreams can do that to you."

"Yeah, that's not it. I always wake up thinking about Castle."

"Mmhmm." Lanie left out a soft laugh.

"What?"

"Goodnight, Kate." Lanie hung up and left her to wonder what everyone else seemed to know that she didn't.

(6 months later)

Kate woke up yet again from her nightly... well nightmare. She got out of bed and took a long shower, trying to let the hot water wash away her troubles. Sadly, it didn't work. She arrived at the precinct early, and stared into the coffee she had made but not drank. When Esposito and Ryan arrived, they were delivered another postcard. "Wow. Can you believe it's been 8 months since we've seen Castle?" Esposito remarked at the postcard which was from Auckland, New Zealand. "Yeah. The guy leaves and takes all the interesting with him." responded Ryan. Beckett came in with a fresh cup of coffee after hearing their comments. "At least he left the espresso machine." They smirked but left their eyes on her. "What?" They looked at each other. "You don't seem to miss him very much." She looked into her coffee cup. "It's easier to get work done when it's quiet."

"Whatever you say, Detective."