Wow you have been very nice to me. I even received a couple of messages. Thank you. As a reminder, these chapters were written a while ago. No one has read them; I just post them so that I can clear some space on my desktop. Thanks again for the reviews, I honestly wasn't expecting any. Well, I won't keep you any longer.

The tea kettle went off rousing a sleepy castle from his bar stool. Slowly he made his way around the counter and filled a cup and with heavy footsteps he shuffled towards his bedroom. His fingers were too big in the slender handle, the heat that came from the cup was making him wince as he made hasty run towards the nightstand. Setting the ceramic cup gently on the table he proceeded to gather up the mountain of tissues that had piled up next to the pillow and placing them in a bin.

Castle sat at the edge of the bed and ever so gently, he ran his calloused hands and slowly rubbed her shoulder. "Beckett, c'mon, it's time for your medicine. Wake up." Beckett let out a whimper and a hearty cough while she snuggled her pillow closer to her.

Letting out a heavy sigh, he bends down and kisses her shoulder. "Kate, you need to take this." Then turning her gently around he places his hand on her neck. Running his thumb over her cheek provokes her eyelids to open slightly. Exhausted, Kate tries to sit up but her body betrays her and she feels a rush run through her head. Castle helps prop her up with pillows and covers her with a blanket.

Fully awake Kate replies, "Rick, can't I just take this in the morn—"Castle winces, her voice isn't the authoritative yet delicate one he is used to hearing.

"That would be a no. Now take this" Slipping a pill into her palm. "And, here's this, drink up. It's got honey too; it should help with the sore throat." He hands her the cup which has now become comfortably warm. He walks around and slips into bed and scoots close to her and locks his fingers with hers.

Kate closes her eyes as the warm tea soothes her throat. After a couple minutes of comfortable silence she places the mug back on the table and leans her head on his shoulder. A loud and wounding cough attack causes Beckett's eyes to water. Without a word, Castle wraps his arm around her and pulls her closer and covers both of them with the comforter. With Kate's head on his chest he starts playing with her hair as he kisses the top of her head.

"Castle, I know you're tired. Maybe I should go home you're not getting any sleep because of me." Castle took a deep breath.

"Nonsense, you're sick and you will stay here until you get better. It's my job as your partner to protect you." Kate moves her head to make eye contact. "Protect me from what? The germs that have already invaded my body?"

A smirk appeared on his face, she's starting to banter with me again he thought. "Well, you're still too sick and what if you're alone in your apartment and something happens? Who's going to save this lovely damsel in distress?" He places a quick kiss to her forehead.

"A Damsel in distress? Really, Castle?" Suddenly her playful demeanor is replaced by a scrunched up expression as she suppresses a sneeze. Castle hands her a tissue and once she throws it in the bin he bends down and kisses her lips. As he puts a strand of hair behind her ear, Castle tries to convince her once more. "See you're still sick. So you're staying here. Let your boyfriend take care of you."

As the kiss ends she bites her lip; she finds his perseverance endearing. Since she and Castle have been together, Castle has shown her a new side of him. He's sweet and gentle with her but not in a lovey –dovey kind of way. The last two months have been all about living in the moment. He has been nothing but supportive as she tries to figure out what to do. She too has become more open with him, emotionally. Yet, the dynamic they had before is still there. She still has her place, her independence, they still drive each other crazy and she couldn't ask for more. They are so in sync with each other and normally Kate wouldn't let anyone see her this ill and yet here she was, in Castle's bed.

"Well then, we can be sick together and have a movie marathon. I can even get Alexis to make us her famous get well pancakes…..with chocolate chips!"

"But –"

He interrupted her and raised his eyebrow, "No buts, you're staying here in bed. Plus, I'll keep you warm." He gave her a wink and pulled her in closer, dropping a kiss on her forehead.

"Fine but if you get sick, that's all on you, Castle." As she snuggled closer her head under his chin.

"As long as you'll be my nurse, it'll be worth it." Kate looked up and gave him her signature eye roll, "Fine Rick, but I'm not wearing an outfit for that."

"Wait, you would be open to wear an outfit if I weren't sick?" At this she settled her head back on his chest as a smile spread on her lips.

"Castle, this damsel is in distress and needs her sleep. Shush."

And with that they both fell into a deep slumber.