This story is so tender and raw and Kate's reactions are just unexpected enough to make them feel more dynamic and less stereotypical.

It's done? It's over? Against All Odds won't pop up in my alerts again? That makes me incredibly sad! I loved the chapter, a worthy ending to such a wonderful story, but I'm very sad nevertheless. Thank you for taking us on this AU journey! It was great!

"Do you really think," he starts, can't help the way his voice catches, "that I could date anyone else, knowing you're alive and alone somewhere?" Love the wording of that- how he made the issue about himself to keep her from feeling guilty.

Lovely glimpse of who they once were there at the end of the chapter.

Another great chapter. It was so painfully kind of Kyra to tell Castle the story of what she'd told Kate.

I'm so glad that even though Kate doesn't have the fortitude to be around anyone else she's letting Castle stay close, for both their sakes.

Kate's reaction seems very true to who she is, She is affected and broken, but didn't lose her sense of self. I love how cautious and so dang sweet Castle is while he's being mindful of what she'd been through.

I also appreciated that you wrote Kyra as being so gracious. She'd have to know Castle's heart would always be Kate's and if she really loved him, she'd need to release him rather than try to guilt him into staying.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Sorry it's over. I have to find another one of ur stories.

Poor Castle! I felt his jitters and could feel the guilt rolling off of him.

"God, it hurts. He keeps expecting his chest to blow open under the force of it one day, his heart too heavy, saturated with all the love he can no longer give. Little pieces of ribs and lungs and flesh scattered all over his living room."

You really did justice to Castle's situation, his reluctance to move on and him eventually settling for the reality he knew. Now, though . . . oh man, what a mess.

Great Great Story sorry it has come to an end.

No sooner had I thought of the irony of Castle choosing his misery over his daughter's pleas than you brought Jim in for the most poignant father/son scene I've read, maybe ever. You weren't kidding about the angst. I'm feeling all kinds of depressed right now. Sigh.

so so so glad you are continuing this! please keep it going to get them through the dinner (which I assume is the first time they meet up since she's back) and her first interaction back with alexis and until they ... something :)

Thank you for such a well written story. Truly sad to see it end. Thank you for giving us something to look forward to, something to enjoy and help us get through a long summer hiatus. One of my favorite fan fics of all time.

I have read the epilogue for this story...now I am going to start from the beginning again and really take my time and enjoy it thoroughly. This story is amazing.

im so sad this story is over! i love it and its one of my favorite caskett stories

Great, fantastic, lovely job. And glad to see the others joined them in the end. I hope you do a sequel!