This is my first attempt at a Castle fanfic. This story is set right after Castle and Beckett are shot by Caleb in the series finale.

Rick held her hand as tight as he could. His best friend, his wife, the love of his life. Both of them were currently lying on the kitchen floor, bleeding out. Neither one of them would be able to make it to a phone easily. They could only hope and pray for a miracle for survival, "Kate?" Rick gasped in pain.

"Yes?" she asked squeezing his hand harder.

"I love you," he whispered. He was going to enjoy his last few moments on Earth with her.

"I love you too," she said.

Alexis arrived back at home and quickly stuck her key in the door. After a long hard day, she was hoping her father had a nice meal prepared for the two of them and for Kate as well. She entered the room and quickly took a look for the said couple before she found the two of them lying on the floor, "DAD! KATE!" she shouted in a panic rushing over to them.

"Alexis," said Kate, "Call 911."

Alexis nodded and ran to the phone as fast as she could. She dialed 911 and waited for the operator to respond, "911, what's your emergency?"

"My Dad and my Step-Mom are both lying on the floor bleeding. One from the chest and one from the abdomen," said Alexis as calmly as she could.

"We were shot," said Kate, "By Caleb Brown," she said pointing to where Caleb was also lying on the floor though he didn't appear to be breathing.

"They were both shot. And their shooter is here too but I think he's dead," said Alexis.

"What's your address, we'll send ambulances immediately."

"425 Broome Street, at the corner of Broome and Crosby Streets, apartment 125," informed Alexis, "Please hurry."

"Try to stop the bleeding as best as you can. Paramedics are on their way," informed the operator.

Alexis quickly found some towels and started to put some pressure on the wounds, praying that the ambulances would make it in time. Kate had already survived one fatal shooting. She couldn't die of another one, she just couldn't. She unlocked the door when the paramedics arrived and observed them quickly get to work. She finally let the tears that had been building up spill loose. Rick and Kate couldn't die. They were meant to be together. Always.

"Mam," one of the paramedics touched Alexis on the shoulder, "We're taking them to New York Presbyterian. You may follow ride with either one of them in the ambulance."

Alexis nodded and followed the paramedics to the ambulance. She got into the ambulance with her father while Kate was put in another one. Once they had begun their journey to the hospital, rick reached out for his daughter's hand, "Hey Kiddo."

"Dad, not now," said Alexis. They arrived at the hospital and rick and Kate were immediately rolled into surgery to try and find the bullets. Alexis called Martha and let her know the situation. Half an hour later, Martha arrived at the hospital and immediately found Alexis in the waiting room, "Gram, I'm so glad you're here," said Alexis, the relief in her voice evident.

"Darling," said Martha embracing her granddaughter, "Richard and Kate will both be fine. They're two of the most stubborn human beings I know. Are they still in surgery?"

Alexis nodded, "I haven't been updated."

A surgeon approached the two women, "Ms. Castle, and you are?" he asked Martha.

"Martha Rodgers, I'm Richard's mother and Kate's mother-in-law. How are they doing doctor?"

"Hello Ms. Rodgers I'm Dr. Owens. Well we managed to remove the bullet from Mr. Castle's chest. Thankfully it didn't hit any of the major organs. He should expect a full recovery with some rest."

"And Kate?" asked Alexis.

The surgeon sighed, "We also removed the bullet from Mrs. Castle's abdomen. But there was considerable damage done to her uterus."

"Did you? Did you, um?" asked Alexis.

"No we did not have to perform a hysterectomy. I managed to save it, but this injury could've been enough to make it impossible for Mrs. Castle to ever bear children, depending on how it heals. We just don't know at this point."

The two women nodded, "Can we see them?" asked Martha.

"They're being moved to ICU now, you should be able to see them soon," said Dr. Owens.

Martha and Alexis nodded as they followed Dr. Owens to the ICU. They were both nervous but were relieved that rick and Kate were both alive at this point. Alexis entered the room her father was in and quietly closed the door. Rick stirred when he heard the noise, "Hi Dad," said Alexis.

"Hey Kiddo," said Rick moaning a little in pain, "What happened?"

"You were shot, by Caleb Brown. Paramedics took you and Kate into surgery to remove the bullets…"

"Wait, Kate was shot too?" asked Rick he obviously didn't remember much after he had been shot.

"Yes, in her abdomen. And you in the chest. Dr. Owens managed to remove the bullets. You both should make a full recovery less unforeseen circumstances."

Rick took a deep breath as he absorbed all of the information. He then immediately regretted taking a deep breath since it hurt too much, "How's Kate doing?"

"I haven't seen her yet," admitted Alexis, "I'm going to see her after I'm done visiting you. Gram is here, I'm sure she wants to see you." Rick nodded and let go of Alexis's hand to allow her to leave, "Oh Dad one more thing," she said turning around to face him. Rick looked up at her, "I think this information might be best either coming from the doctor or from you. Kate's uterus was severely damaged. They managed to save it but she may never be able to have children."

Rick gasped, but not in physical pain. He had never discussed having children with Kate, but now that they might be able never have kids together, he suddenly wished more than anything for the opportunity to be able to see Kate become a mother.