This is idea just wouldn't go away. What would happen if one or both members of Caskett could read the other's thoughts. I would clear up some miscommunication, but other things would definitely be interesting. I'm not sure this turned out the way I wanted it to, but I definitely want to hear what other people think about it. I probably should have picked a happier, more upbeat situation, but this is what came to me.

If there is response, I have an idea or two for other situation that this could happen in. Heck, even if there isn't response, I may write them anyway.

He stopped just before opening the door. He looked to make sure the flowers where right and then thought to check his hair. This was the big moment. He had confessed his love for her. How would she react to what he said to her?

"Alright, time to face the music."

He walked through the door. He saw her sitting in the bed and Josh right there beside her.

Castle! Thank God! He really is alright.

"Hey Castle."

He stopped for a second. What was that? I'm hearing things. He walked over to the bed as Josh left the room.

"Hey."

Please stop looking at me like that. Not this broken person. Remember Nikki Heat. Remember Detective Beckett. Not like this.

"You are staring at me. I must look really bad."

There is was again. He heard her say to separate things, but one of them was not coming from her mouth. He had finally lost it. He had finally cracked under the stress. "No, I just thought I would never see you again." He answered softly.

Me too. Never see those blue eyes again.

Don't bring her down. Keep it lite. "I heard you were opening a flower store, so I thought I would pitch in."

We are keeping it lite. That's good. I can handle lite.

"They were all here when I woke up. I think they are mostly from the precinct. I don't think I'm going to live this one down Castle." Kate answered.

"Oh, Probably not." Well that answered both questions, so that was cool. He was hearing her thoughts. This would have been so cool under much different circumstances.

Ok, Kate, here is the hard part. Let him down easy. Like it never happened. He can walk away from you. You are a target and he almost took a bullet intended for you. He can't throw his life away.

Kate let out a sigh. "I hear that you tried to save me."

"Yeah I ah…you heard? You don't remember me tackling you?" What is this? What was she doing? She remembered. She just thought it.

Keep it simple Kate. He can see right through you.

"No, I don't remember much of anything. I uh, I remember I was on the podium and then I remember everything just going black."

"You don't remember…the gunshot."

The gunshot. You tackling me. You almost getting killed. You saying you love me. You mean do I remember that?

"No. They say there are some things that are better not being remembered."

This is awful. I'm awful. Please Castle. Please. Don't make this harder than it has to be.

"Yeah." He couldn't believe it. She doesn't feel the same way. How could I have been so wrong? She was letting him walk away.

Hold it together. Time for the push. Forgive me for playing on your guilt Castle.

"I keep seeing his face Castle. Every time I close my eyes. I see Montgomery lying on the hangar floor. You should have let me go in there." Kate pleaded.

"They would have killed you." Surely you have to know that.

I know they would, that's not the point. Drive the wedge home. Push him away. Keep him safe.

"You don't know that."

"Kate…" What are you doing Kate? His life was falling apart in front of him.

I'm not going to be able to keep this up much longer.

"Castle, I'm really tired, right now."

Sadness washed over him "Of course, of course we will talk tomorrow."

No

"You mind if we don't. I just need a little bit of time. "

"Sure, sure, how much time?"

"I'll call you ok." No I won't.

"Sure." She didn't love him. He was just a partner. Nothing more. They would be nothing more. How had he been so wrong? At least he got to leave with is dignity more or less intact.

Goodbye Richard Edgar Alexander Rodgers Castle. I love you too.

He came to a dead stop at the door and whirled around at her.

"Excuse me?"

Kate looked at him "I didn't say anything."

"Goodbye Richard Edgar Alexander Rodgers Castle. I love you too." He started walking back over to the bed. He watched the little bit of color in her face drain. "Why are you lying to me Kate? If you love me too, why are you pushing me away? Why are you lying to me?"

"What?" Kate looked confused and scared.

"You remember everything. You love me. You are pushing me out because you are scared for me. You are worried about me."

What the hell? Is he reading my mind?

"No reading, hearing. I hear your thoughts. Everything you've thought since I walked through that door I've heard."

"Castle, this is the worst time in the world for humor."

Or the worst time in the world for this to be true.

"It's true. Think something else."

OK…To really get Josh going, I take my tongue…

"NO!" Other staff and patients jumped in the room. Castle turned and looked at around apologetically. He turned back to Kate. "Please, please don't finish that thought. Please."

"OH MY GOD, CASTLE!" Kate hissed. Even in her current condition she could still looked fearsome. "You can hear my thoughts. You've heard everything I've thought? Then why were you going to leave?"

"Because I thought you didn't feel the same. But, when you said you loved me, I couldn't walk away from that. From you."

I am not going to cry. I am not going to cry. Crap. I'm going to cry.

"So, what happens now?"

Well, pay attention Castle. I don't know what happens next. I don't know. I'm hurt. I'm drugged. I'm tired. I'm hallucinating obviously.

"Beckett. Kate. That's not what I meant. Can I come back tomorrow?"

Yes, Castle. Yes, you can come back tomorrow.

He leaned over and kissed Kate's forehead. "Rest Kate. Till tomorrow."

Till tomorrow Castle.