A.N. My dear readers, I am incredibly sorry that I have kept you waiting for so long to read the next chapter of my story but I have been run off my feet this year and I have only had the chance to write because I have the flu, again. I look forward to hearing your responses to this chapter and any constructive criticism that you may have to offer me. Happy reading!

The thing about eyes it that they speak what words can't say. And at the moment, hers were screaming 'don't hurt me' and 'don't leave me' and I felt the steely pang of anger at Josh for sending her into this state.

It was in that defining moment that I leant down and gently met my lips to hers and, again, spoke what words can't say. When I pulled away from her, I lent my forehead against hers and whispered.

"Let's go home."

It was a long and silent drive back to the loft and it was depressing because it was normally filled with playful banter and her famous eye rolls that at his moment in time, I would have accepted gladly. Once I had parked the car back in it's spot in the underground parking lot, I helped her with her bag, slinging it over my good shoulder and wrapped my arm around her only to, again, have no argument from her.

This was not good at all.

Once in the elevator, I felt her immerse herself in my arms and grip onto me tightly. I wrapped my arm around her gently and muttered to her softly.

"We're almost there. Then we can do whatever you want."

"Just hold me, Castle." She murmured back, burying herself deeper into my neck and my jacket, almost as if she was hiding and believed that I was the thing that would make her invisible. I let out a sigh and wrapped my arms securely around her as the elevator continued to go up. We simply stood there like that until the elevator dinged at my floor and once the realization set in, we stepped through the threshold together and through the carpet strip that covered the wooden floorboards of the hallway. Beckett reluctantly settled for clutching my hand instead of hugging me as we walked slowly towards my loft. We took our time, which also allowed me the time to think of how to explain to Alexis and mother what I was doing showing up with the lovely detective with her in this state. When we finally made it to the door, I reluctantly let of her hand and knocked on the door, currently unable to fetch the keys from my pocket. I heard footsteps rushing up to the door before I was greeted by a sea of red hair and a beautiful face with a pair of captivating blue eyes and a confused expression.

"Detective Beckett? What are you doing here?"

"Hi pumpkin." I greeted her as I walked in, avoiding the question, kissing her head as I walked in. "Go sit on the couch Kate, I'll go put this upstairs. I'll be right back." I gave her a small smile as I watched her nod in acknowledgement. She walked expressionlessly to the couch, but not in the way she normally did to not portray her emotions. She was expressionless because she had none to express. It pained me to see that yet another thing about my beloved detective had disappeared, but I found the strength to smile when I saw Alexis come to sit next to her and look at her with genuine concern and even slip her hand into Kate's.

That's my girl

When I walked back downstairs, Beckett's head jerked in my direction quickly and watched as her eyes followed me as I walked down the stairs and over to her.

"Come on, Kate. I'll make you something to eat. What would you like?" I asked as I walked over into the kitchen and opened the fridge. I wasn't exactly surprised when I felt a pair of arms snake around my middle and I found myself unable to prevent the smile that spread across my face as I and reached down to cover her hands with mine.

"You never told me what you wanted to eat." I murmured, still fossicking through the contents of the fridge.

"I'm not fussed." She replied. "I'll have whatever you're having." I felt her burry her face into my back and tighten her hold around my middle.

"Alright then. Pancakes and bacon it is!" I exclaimed, thrusting my hand up in the air. It was at that precise moment that I felt a gentle vibration against my back, followed by the soft chuckle.

My Kate was coming back. Slowly, granted, but coming back never the less.

"You need any help?" She asked softly. In actuality, I probably should have taken her up on her offer but I wanted to do this for her and just let her relax. Even if all of this added stress was killing my shoulder.

"Nah, I got it. Thanks though." I smiled at her and while I had my eyes on her, she managed to sneak around me and take the frying pan from my hands and nudge me out of the way with her hip.

"It wasn't a question, it was an order."

"It certainly sounded like a question to me." I contradicted.

"Open your ears then, Castle. It's the least I could do for all that you've done for me. Plus, you have your shoulder to worry about and I'm sure that it is killing you doing this."

"Maybe." I mumbled with my chin to my chest in shame. "Actually that reminds me, I have to go to the Doctor today to get a check up for my shoulder and hopefully get the stitches out." I ran my fingers delicately up and down the outside of her upper arm. "I was wondering if after breakfast you would want to come to the appointment with me."

"Sure, Castle." She smiled over her shoulder at me.

"Thanks." I smiled back. "Alright, you can cook the food and I shall prepare the coffee." I exclaimed, perhaps too loudly for so early in the morning. Well, early for me anyway.

Between the two of us making breakfast for three, it took no time at all and before I knew it, there was a massive stack of pancakes stacked on a plate in the middle of the table, two freshly brewed Coffees, Kate's just they way she likes it, and an orange juice for Alexis. As we all sat down together, I found myself in the awkward position of being in the middle of my two favourite girls.

Well this was going to definitely make for an interesting morning.