Kate leaned forward in her chair, propped her elbows on her desk and ran her fingers through her hair. Honestly, she just wanted to put her head down and go to sleep. Her stomach had been feeling off since Thursday and the weekend at Castle's hadn't helped. He's adorable when he cooks, but god help whoever has to eat his food. Smorelettes? Definitely didn't help her appetite; or lack thereof. A shiver ran through her and she shuddered pressed the back of her hand against her forehead. It was burning hot. Great, she thought. I can't get sick. I don't get sick, it just doesn't happen.

"Yo Beckett," Esposito started but stopped midsentence when he saw her. "You feelin' alright?"

"Yeah, you look awful." Ryan added. Espo gave him a "look" and smacked his shoulder. "I-I mean you don't look 100%." He tried to correct himself. It was fine, she knew what he meant. She probably did look like hell. If that was true, she should probably clear out before Castle got in.

"I don't feel that great actually." Beckett stood up and grabbed her things. "I'm going to talk to Gates, I think I'm going to take a day." Ryan and Esposito nodded.

"We can hold down the fort for a day." Esposito reassured her. She tried to give them what she thought was her most appreciative smile. It probably looked more like she wanted to throw up.

As she moved past her desk a piercing pain struck her right between the eyebrows and she winced. Pressing her forefinger hard against the pain, she knocked on Gates' door.

"Come in." Gates voice came from inside. Kate pushed the door open and walked in.

"Sir," Kate said, "I think I need to take today off. Recuperate. I'm not feeling 100% today." Gates looked up from the paperwork she had in front of her and her eyebrows shot up, as if just noticing Beckett for the first time.

"I think that might be a good idea Detective." She waved her hand dismissively. "Go home." Kate furrowed her eyebrows. She had expected more of an argument. What the hell do I look like? She thought, thoroughly concerned now. She felt like she'd just been hit by a semi. Maybe that's what she looked like.

"Thank you, sir." Kate stepped out of the office, waved to Ryan and Esposito and hit the down arrow for the elevator. Home. She thought. Bed sounded like the perfect place to be right now.