She didn't manage fine. Kate Beckett was an empty shell before Castle came along, and she had liked it that way. Everyone knew it; Lanie, Espo, even Montgomery. She'd taught herself to play along, learned the right steps to live life the best way she knew how.

But the dance hadn't meant a damn thing to her until Castle cut in and actually gave it some meaning. She had forgotten how to care about life and he was teaching her how to do it all over again. And Kate wasn't sure she was at the point yet where she could do it by herself.

Kate held him tightly, shuttering a breath and just thankful to have him in her arms again. She was worried this had been it but his words were enough to comfort her in knowing he wasn't going anywhere.

"I never meant to hurt you," she said, still sobbing. "I just don't know how to do this, I don't know how to care about someone this much."