Title: Heat
Author: snarkysweetness
Characters/Pairings: Beckett/Castle
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Sexual suggestions, mostly on Castle's part
When: After 'Tick, Tick, Tick'
Summary: Castle tends to Beckett after the events of 'Tick, Tick, Tick'. Mindless fluff with sexual humor and Beckett snark.
Disclaimer: Not mine, though how I wish I could have my own personal Natha-I mean Castle.
Author's Note: This is a short, silly piece that I just couldn't get out of my head.
"You know, when I pictured us playing naughty nurse, I never thought I would be the nurse." Richard Castle looked down at his 'partner', a cocky grin on his face.
Kate Beckett rolled her eyes. "I never took you for the cross-dressing type, Castle."
Castle wheeled her into his apartment, smiling. At least she was in good spirits. Watching Kate Beckett lie in a hospital bed for over a week had been a frightening experience, to say the least. It was a miracle she'd gotten out of that explosion alive, let along mostly unscathed. He'd been a constant, annoying presence at her side.
Apparently without Beckett, he wasn't allowed in the police work. Too bad too, he would have loved to have been there when they nailed the bastard.
"Welcome home," he announced.
Now that Beckett had no apartment and she still needed help recovering, Castle had insisted that she come to stay with him. With his mother gone, they had an extra room, not to mention his guilt was still eating away at him.
She'd been targeted because of his book. Sure, killers would be killers, but she'd have been left alone otherwise and no matter how much she denied it, everyone knew it was the truth.
"Remember the rules, Castle-"
"I know; no hanky panky until you're better."
"Or ever."
Castle kneeled in front of her so their faces were inches apart. "You know, someday, I think you'll admit you like me."
Surely, someday she would see how charming he was and fall madly in love with him. He would just wait patiently until that day came and if some other women happened to do the same before then, well, he couldn't deny them. Maybe one of them would get her jealous enough to see what he knew was there; they were perfect for each other.
Beckett gave him one of 'those' smiles, one that told him she was willing to pat him on the head like a child. "Castle, leave your fantasies for Nikki Heat, will you?"
"I don't know, I feel heat coming off of you."
"That would be the second degree burns."
"Touché."
One week. He gave her one week of being in close proximity before her walls started coming down enough for him to penetrate them.
"You'll be sleeping in my room, Beckett. Try not to let the excitement overtake you." She'd be back on her feet within a day or two, but until then he planned to torture her while she was stuck in bed.
"Only if you promise to wear the nurse's uniform."
Castle hissed. "Good one. I'll be sure to find a stethoscope."
She chuckled. Such a rare, yet sweet thing.
He was getting to her already.
"One week." He shook his head and left her to go order dinner and more flowers.
"One week until what?" She called.
"Until you succumb to the heat," Castle whispered to himself. If she didn't, at least he got to drive her crazy and that was always a fun game to play.