It’s total chaos as Beckett is rushed to the hospital after being shot by a sniper. Lanie rides atop the gurney. She’s doing her best to save her friend. Castle is close behind. Trauma doc Josh isn’t supposed to operate on someone close to him, but time is critical. After the replacement surgeon arrives, Josh shoves Castle into a wall. He blames him for pushing Beckett into solving her mom’s murder. Castle believes the guy has a point.

Once Beckett is stabilized, Castle learns that she doesn’t remember much about being shot. That means she doesn’t know that he said he loved her. Beckett claims she needs time to heal. She’ll call when she feels up to chatting again. Months pass without Beckett ever once picking up the phone. When she finally returns to work, Castle is nowhere to be found.

Captain Victoria Gates (Penny Johnson Jerald) is the newest face in the precinct. Her tough, by-the-book style earned her the nickname “Iron Gates.” She prefers to be addressed as “Captain” or “Sir.” One of her first orders of business was to kick Castle to the curb. Ryan says, “Apparently, her precinct’s got no room for a dilettante writer playing cop.” Dilettante writer? Really? This lady truly doesn’t know Castle!

Beckett finally approaches Castle at a book signing for Heat Rises. He’s mad at first but settles down once he learns that Josh is officially out of the picture. Beckett makes it clear that she’s never going to be able to be part of a true relationship until she puts the case involving her mother’s murder to rest. Castle promises to help. And, after a call to the mayor that totally ticks off Captain Gates, he and Beckett are partners once again.