Author's Note: Hello all! I know, I know. I should be working on Maybe We Should…, but what can I say? The finale is the only thing I can think of right now. In fact, it's been the only thing on my mind all day. I wrote this in class, so it isn't perfect. It's actually an odd take on the scene. You know the scene… the one with Kate. AH. I can barely even type it. I don't think it's for everyone. But please let me know what you think!

Also, if you want a Castle fanatic to discuss the episode with, come find me on Twitter SkyyTweet. I'd love to talk about it. So here we go with my story...

Lastly: The title is inspired by the song "After the Storm" by Mumford & Sons. And I own nothing here. *sigh*

Pain.

Blinding, sudden, unexpected pain.

Hit. She was hit.

A burst of weight collided with her and she was on the ground. In shock she'd reached for her hat, but it had fallen out of her reach.

Castle.

Gun.

Shot.

Pain.

Kate's thoughts came in short, simple spurts. The blood on her chest seeped through her uniform and covered her white gloves.

Castle.

He was right on top of her. His face only inches from hers. The pain was blinding, overwhelming, but the look of desperation on Rick's face was worse than all of it.

He looked terrified and devastated; like she was already gone.

A tear ran from his eye. He was talking, rambling at her. Trying to make her stay awake, to stay with him. Desperately holding her and begging her to stay.

And then,

"I love you. I love you, Kate."

The words were all Beckett could hear as she succumbed to her pain. She wanted to answer him. To tell him she loved him too; that she always had, always will, but the pain was everywhere. The pain had all control now.

She wanted to tell him that he was everything. He was it. Her partner, her best friend, the only person she truly trusted to be vulnerable in front of, her one and done, but all she knew was pain. Her mouth couldn't find words, as hard as it tried.

Pain, hitting her like a freight train, rendering her speechless… Castle's face was the last thing Kate saw as her world turned to black. His words, his proclamation… the last thing she heard. But even those words were fading now into darkness.

"Kate, baby… Are you awake? Kate…"

The words were blurry and warped, but they were there. Kate's head pounded when she tried to open her eyes to the bright room and she shut them again instantly.

"Castle," She mumbled in response to the voice.

No answer.

"Rick…" She said again, her voice cracking. She lifted her hand weakly, trying to find his; trying desperately to touch him, to feel him, and know that he was here.

Beckett couldn't place where she was. She hurt everywhere, but she couldn't remember where she was or what was happening. She couldn't remember what had happened at all. All she knew was that she needed to find Castle.

Castle always helped. He always knew what to say. He would explain all this. He would inform her of whatever cruel joke was being played.

Her thoughts still came in blurs but she knew she needed to open her eyes.

Ignoring the pain that came with meeting the lights, she looked out at her surroundings.

The room was white and clean. A hospital room. Fuzzy or not, her mind instantly made that connection.

And next to her, Josh.

There was Josh, looking at her in a sad way. Josh, the boyfriend who she had completely forgotten about during her hectic thoughts. Josh, the man that she found she still wasn't worried about.

If she was in a hospital, where was Castle? He should have been there, by her side, waiting.

Kate's throat was dry and her words came out small and weak.

"Where's Castle?" She asked, trying to ignore the pang of hurt in Josh's eyes when she asked about the writer.

When Josh only looked at the ground without an answer, Kate grew panicky and angry.

"Castle…" She said again, trying to meet Josh's eyes.

He looked up at her and ran a hand through his hair.

"Damn it, Josh. Where is Castle?" Thanks to her throat, Beckett's words were a raspy half-shout. She couldn't yell like she normally would, but Josh got the point.

"He's fine, Kate. Fine. In the waiting room." Josh said, while handing Kate a glass of much-needed water. She took a deep drink before speaking again.

"He's fine? Not hurt, or anything?" She asked quickly.

"Fine," Josh said with a sigh. "Aren't you wondering at all what happened to you?

Of course… That had completely slipped her mind. Worry for Rick had taken over completely for a moment.

"You were shot." Josh said, not waiting for Beckett to question him further. "At Roy Montgomery's funeral, someone shot you. You were hit in the chest. I was able to patch up the severe internal bleeding. With a little time off your feet, you should recover in full."

"Wait… You were able to patch up the bleeding? Josh, you did the surgery?" Beckett's head was absolutely swirling now.

Josh nodded and wrung his hands.

"Thank you," Kate replied softly. She was feeling increasingly guilty for the way she'd treated the man; her own boyfriend.

"It's my job," His voice was purely professional and Beckett knew he was mad. He could be mad. He had that right. She had repeatedly called him Castle, asked for Castle, and now all she could think about was Castle. Even now, she was still thinking of Castle!

Josh seemed to read her mind. He stood with a slight shake of his head and walked towards the door. "Kate, I'll just send him in. We can talk later. You get some rest after he leaves. You'll need plenty of rest."

Again Beckett felt guilty. Josh was a good man. A kind, good man, but he wasn't him. Josh, as good or kind as he might have been, wasn't who she wanted to see right now.

Josh was barely out the door before it opened again. Richard Castle, looking more distraught than Kate had ever seen or imagined, entered from the hallway.

Author's Note: So there's what I've got. I just had to write something down after that finale. I suppose I'll continue if enough people ask me to. I hadn't really planned on it. Just let me know what you all think!