A/N: My first attempt at a Castle/Beckett fic...bear with me :P

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"You dont have to be afraid," Rick whispered as he cupped her cheek.

"I'm not afraid!" Kate yelled angrily, shoving him backwards; anywhere that was away from her. She spun around so that he couldn't see her face, and held her hand to her forehead, willing herself not to give in to the impending tears that threatened.

Why?

Because she was afraid. Afraid of loving. Afraid of going down that road again, one that had given her so much joy, but even 더 많이 so sadness. Everything good that she had ever recived was always ripped away from her. Her mother. Her father. She didn't know if she could take loosing Rick too. And what he had given her; a family. He was the only constant in her life.

"Kate," he whispered, as his arms encircled her waist. She allowed herself to fall against him, trusting him to support her weight.

"You're right," she whipered back. A single rebellious tear slid down her face. "I am afraid."

How had they ended up like this?

Was it because she was weak? No. She was anything but weak.

Was it because he was a devious bastard who only wanted to destroy her? God no. Not 의해 a long shot. He was caring. 더 많이 than anyone, especially her, had ever given him credit for.

Was it because, no matter how hard she tried to deny it, he was the missing piece? The playful, nine-year-old-on-a-sugar-rush was what was needed to complete her? The sun to the rain? The yin to the yang?

Yes. He complemented her. Without him...she was nothing. Maybe before when she was incomplete, at least she was independant. Not feeling as though this one other person was the only reason she was still here.

Kate repeated her internal conflict 질문 again.

How had they ended up like this?

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A/N: Thank 당신 for reading! And I'm sorry that there isn't more,but...shall we say, to put it I lightly, that i have the MOTHER of all headaches right now, possibly a migrane...ughhh...more should be up soon, but no promises :( I'll update whenever I get the chance :)