Ok so yes, technically this is another post-finale fic, but I swear this one is different. Majority of this takes place in the Hamptons, NOT in a hospital as many might think. Anyway, thank you to anyone taking the time to read this drabble of mine. I have an idea already of were I want to go with this story, and I'm going to try to write and post new chapters ASAP since that seems to be my biggest weakness. You reviews and alerts are great motivators though!

Disclaimer: I don't own Castle or any of it's characters, although frankly Andrew Marlowe is doing a fine job with it anyways.

It had been three weeks since she had got shot.

Three weeks since Josh had spent 6 hours in surgery saving her life.

Three weeks since Castle has uttered those fatal words, only to have them left bouncing within her brain, wondering if they had ever actually been uttered at all.

In three weeks Kate had through a lot. For a good week she hadn't been awake much, often succumbing to the power of the pain killers or the need to no longer feel the pain in her chest. Numerous visitors had come and go; Lanie, the boys, her dad, Martha and Alexis, and of course, Castle. He had barely left her side since she got out of surgery, and though she tried to hide it, she was truly glad to have him there. All her visits had been pleasant, filled with hugs, smiles and well wishes. There was one visit though that didn't end quite so well, and that was Josh.

After fixing her up and ensuring she had what she needed to recover he had gotten back to work, occasionally popping in for a minute or two to check on her. The visits were never long, and the conversations brief, but Beckett could tell Josh was never happy to see the dutiful writer always by her side. One morning, while Castle slept curled up in an armchair in the corner, Josh has come in with a somber look upon his face.

"Kate, we need to talk."

Having had the feeling this was coming she agreed. "I think we do to. Why don't you start?"

Josh sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "Kate, you know that I love you right? And that I would be here for you if I could?" She nodded, but showed no more reaction than that. "Well, good, I'm glad. Cause the truth is, despite that love, I'm never gonna be here as much as you want me too. I thought with our busy career lives it wouldn't be so much of an issue, but clearly it is. You've been through so much in the last few months, and every time I'm the last to hear of it. I'd like to think it's because of my busy work schedule, but I know it's not. I know I'm always the last to know because you have him." At this point Josh gestured to the sleeping writer in the corner. "At some point you figured out I wasn't what you wanted and started finally accepting what Castle had to offer. Look, despite your attempts to hide it, I know there is more going on between Castle and you than you say…"

Kate startled in protest, "But there isn't! Josh I would never lie to you, I swear I never cheated on you."

Stopping to sooth her back down Josh looked at her with sad eyes. "I know Kate, I know. That's kind of the problem. You are too good of a person to ever cheat, and granted I don't know how calmly I would have reacted if you ever did, but that doesn't really matter now. You may have never strayed physically yes, but emotionally I never had you. You've been in love with him for most of this relationship, and I'm finally coming to terms with it, and frankly, so should you. I love you, and I wish I was the one who could put that smile on your face every day like he does, but I know I'm not. You deserve to be happy in hiding away in this relationship will never get you there."

At this point Kate had tears in her eyes, not entirely sure what to say she stroked his cheek with her thumb. "Josh…."

"Goodbye Kate. I wish you best of luck on your recovery. I've transferred you to another doctor. I'm leaving for Haiti tomorrow so I won't be around for a while. Promise me you will at least give happiness a chance? If Castle can offer you that you have to take that chance." Kate nodded, allowing one tear to slowly trickle down her cheek. Josh leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead before retreating from the room, refusing to look back.

At the time, Kate had been sad to see Josh go, but also relieved to be free from a relationship that was going nowhere. Despite the ups and downs of the relationship Kate had loved Josh, and she had spent the next hour or too mourning their relationship. When Castle had awoken to see her cheeks stained with tears he had immediately encircled her in his arms, stroking her hair to calm her down. She hadn't gone into much detail, but she explained the reason for her tears. At first, Castle was angry at Josh for breaking up with her when she was in such a vulnerable state, but after ensuring Kate was fine with the break-up he had calmed down.

Since then, Kate had spent another week or so recovering in the hospital before being discharged on bed rest. Despite Kate's insistence that she could manage fine on her own, Castle had ignored her and taken her to his loft, where she stayed in his guest room while he waited on her hand and foot.

Her time at the loft had been enjoyable to say the least. Besides being able to spend more time with Castle outside of the precinct, she had been able to become much closer to his mother and daughter, having frequent movie nights with Alexis, and long talks with Martha. A few times they had had a girls night were they did at home mani/pedis and homemade facials while giggling over boys in magazines and admiring the latest fashions. Needless to say, her recovery was more enjoyable than she had imagined.

Now, with only a few deep bruises and a slight pain left, Kate knew her recovery time was over. She was getting her stitches taken out tomorrow and after that, she had no reason to be staying at the Castle residence. Knowing that she had some vacation days stored away, Kate had decided to go up to the Hamptons for a while. Despite her physical self being in better shape, her emotional self was worn and ragged. She still woke up screaming in the middle of the night to nightmares of the captain sacrificing himself for her, or the pain of the bullet spreading through her. Her heart still ached from the break-up with Josh, and her unresolved feelings with Castle. By now all the major effects of the pain meds had worn off and she knew that Castle's proclamation of 'I love you' hadn't been a dream. Coupling this with Royce's letter and Josh's parting words and Kate was at a loss. It was clear to everyone it seemed, that Castle and her had something special, something worth fighting for. She knew deep in her heart she loved him too, but every time she tried to let her heart take over, her mind had brought it to a screeching halt, dragging it down with the fear of losing him, losing what they already had.

At this point, Kate had decided that getting away by herself, free from distractions, free from the writer; was the best thing for her to do. As much as she knew she would miss him, she needed time to think, to make sure her possible happiness with the writer was worth giving up what happiness she found in the relationship they had now.

Breaking the news to Castle had been harder than she thought. After getting her stitched taken out, and a fresh bandage applied, Castle had come in to take her back to her apartment. As he helped her into her coat she began, "Castle?"

"Yes Kate?" He had taken to calling her that since the accident. Around the boys he stuck to Beckett, but other than that he had been using it freely.

"I'm going away for a while." For some reason she couldn't bear to look at him as she said this, knowing she would only see pain in his eyes.

"Oh" came the soft reply. "For how long?"

"I'm not sure, a few weeks, maybe a month? I just need some time to be alone and think. It's been a hard couple months." Finally, she gained the courage to look into his eyes, seeing the pain she had expected, coupled with understanding. Of course he would understand, he had been there, he knew. Didn't mean it didn't hurt to see him so sad. Drawing in closer, she cupped Castle's face in her hands, stroking his cheeks gently. "Don't look so sad okay? I'm going to the Hamptons, so I won't be that far away. Besides, it's not like you'll never see me again."

She saw something flash in Castle's eyes, but what she couldn't be sure. She watched him as her brought her hands down from his face, keeping her left tangled up in his right as he spoke. "Well, we never spent that much time apart so naturally it's going to be hard, but I understand, you need some time to heal. Why don't you take the keys to my beach house there? At least I know you'll be in the utmost comfort."

Kate was astonished. She had been planning on renting out this little bungalow not far from the beach, but she had to admit the idea of Castle's beach house sounded much more appealing. "Castle, I couldn't…"

"No objections Kate, you're staying there. Let's get going so I can drop you off and let you get packed. If it's okay with you we'll stop at my place so I can get you the keys and directions. I'm assuming you're leaving soon?"

Kate nodded. "Thursday, at the latest." Castle drew in a quick breath. Today was Tuesday, meaning she would be leaving in just over a day, perhaps less, for a whole month. Nodding grimly he pulled her towards the car, and the conversation ceased.