Castle's partner

You're Right

She smiles.

"I guess you're right."

Then she crosses her arms over her chest.

"What was your nightmare about?"

"Something I don't want to repeat."

"Why? I don't think your dreams can get much worse than what you've had."

"It is when it's something that already happened. The thing that caused all of my pain. All of it."

"What could have possibly-"

"My mom's death. I saw it again. Beckett unlike you, I saw my mom die. I watched her die, and I didn't get to say goodbye."

"Samantha-"

"I don't want your sympathy. I'm fine. Can I go home now?" I snap.

"Yeah, but you need to eat some of your breakfast."

"I'm not hungry."

She gives me a sad look.

"Alright, but you need to eat later."

I glance at Espo.

"What'd you do with Brandon?"

He seems stunned for a moment.

"We took him to jail."

"You didn't take him to the hospital first?"

"Why would we take him to the hospital?"

"How badly did you hurt him?"

"Not badly enough to need to go to the hospital," he mutters.

"Mmm hmm."

"He almost killed you, what was I supposed to do?"

"Hey, don't get your knickers in a twist I was just asking. I am well aware of the fact that he almost killed me, more times than you know."

"What else is there that you haven't told us?"

I start laughing. I laugh heartily, and I can't stop. I end up in tears.

Soon the rest of them join in, laughing at my laughter.

"I...can't....breathe!" I shriek, which just makes me laugh harder.

I fall backwards against the hospital bed clutching my stomach.

When my laughter finally dies down, I have to wipe tears from my eyes.

We all have goofy grins on our faces.

"Why was that so funny?" Asks Espo.

"There's so much I haven't told you, so much you don't know about me. Despite what you think."

"Like what?"

I smile. "Hi, my name is Samantha Ross."

"What's your middle name?" Asks Ryan.

"Let's make a bet. I'll bet you can't guess my middle name in six months. But, you can't look up any names or look at my birth certificate and you only get two guesses a day. If I win, you let me go into the box with you on whatever case is happening that day. But if you win, I'll actually listen to what you tell me about suspects and crime scene."

"You should be doing that anyways!"

"But I don't."

"True. Alright fine, I'll make that bet. It can't be that hard."

"We'll see."

Beckett walks in again.

"Can I go now?"

"Yeah the nurse is coming in a minute, but you have to rest for a day or two. This was a close call, we don't want it happening again. Promise me, three days of rest?"

"No! One!"

"Four."

"Two!"

"Fine, that's all you need anyways."

"Did you just use reverse psychology on me?"

"Maybe."

"Damn. That was good."

"I know I am," she smiles.

-----------------------------------------------------

Ryan opens the door to the apartment, and immediately it smells like cake.

"Kevin? Samantha?" Jenny calls out.

We follow her voice into the kitchen where there is a cake sitting on the table with candles in it.

She hugs both of us.

"Are you feeling better?" She asks me.

"Yeah I'm okay." I furrow my eyebrows. "Why did you make a cake?"

"To celebrate!"

"Celebrate what?"

"Well two things. One, Brandon is now in jail. Two, I realized I wasn't here to celebrate your birthday with you. I want to do it now."

"Jenny, you didn't have to-"

"But I wanted to. C'mon, I'll light the candles."

She takes out a match and does just that.

We sit down.

"Make a wish and blow it out," she says softly.

"Let's all do it together." I take her hand.

She nods. We all shut our eyes and make a wish.

"One...two...three..." Ryan counts.

And we all blow out the candles. Together. Like a family.

Jenny proceeds to cut it, handing each of us a thick slice.

We don't care that it's barely lunch time.

I slowly dig my fork into the soft lemon cake. It's two layers, with lemon curd in between and lemon frosting on top.

The three of us enjoy our cake and each other's presence.

When we are done, I take our plates and put them in the dishwasher.

When I come back to the table, there is a present where my spot is.

"It's for you. I didn't get to give you one before."

"Why are you doing this?"

"Why not?"

"I don't want you wasting time and money on me."

"I'm not wasting anything! Just open it, okay?"

I look at the blue bag sitting in front of me. The present is covered by white tissue paper.

I carefully take the tissue paper off and look in the bag.

Inside, there is a small box.

I open it, and resting neatly inside is a silver, sparkly hair clip in the shape of a small butterfly and a note that reads, "be my bridesmaid?"

I gently run my thumb over the clip, and re-read the note about twelve times.

"So? Will you?" Jenny asks.

"You really want me to be?"

"Of course I do!"

I smile. "Well I don't really like dresses but, I guess I can make an exception for you."

Jenny leans over and kisses my forehead.

"Thank you. Now go get to bed, you need to rest. I'll wake you up for dinner."

I nod, not wanting to argue.

"Thank you. I love you guys."

I hug them both and then head off to bed. I fall asleep quickly, wrapped in the warmth of my blankets.