Authors Note: Wow guys, thank you! Your feedback on the first chapter was remarkable. I hope I won't disappoint you with this one.

Chapter 2

A firm knock on the door brought her out of her thoughts. Without giving her the chance to answer her visitor entered the room. But it wasn't a person she saw coming in.

The first thing she saw was a giant teddy bear; at least half her size and pink. To say that it was ugly and exceptionally cheesy was a huge understatement. And then the balloons; the bear had several neon colored balloons tied around what should be it's paw. Three in total. Each with a different message.

'Get Well Soon', 'We Love You Beary Much' and 'Hospitals Suck' they said.

A broad arm slung around the plush belly of the teddy bear. Moving it slowly to the side she could see her visitor. A big smile plastered his face. The excitement radiating from him seemed more like he was going to spend the day at an amusement park and not pick her up from the hospital.

Despite all this cheesiness and neon colors this was more than just adorable. Thinking about this clearly, she wouldn't have expected anything less of him. Always the child. Never letting the chance go to pull something big; outdo himself and completely exaggerate.

Not wanting her face to break out in a smile she bit down on her lower lip.

"Someone is getting home today," he sang cheerfully sitting the bear down on the food of the bed. She lay on top of the covers; the nurse helped her dress this morning. It was just before lunch and she couldn't wait to get out of here.

The head of the bed had been turned up and she was in a sitting position. She had spend two nights in the hospital and she felt already a lot better. Every move was still really painful and she tried not to move at all; but thanks to the painkillers and a lot of rest at least her head was was better and she could finally start thinking clearly again.

Leaning over he pressed his lips to her temple, before sitting down at her waist. And like so many times before she found herself not being able to take her eyes off of him. Wondering how a private and hard-to-get-to-know person like her deserved the love of someone like him. They knew each over for five years, being together for almost one and still she couldn't stop the butterflies in the pit of her stomach and the want to just crawl under the blankets with him.

Yes, she was happy to go home today. Home. Or more like his place. Which was like home. Not only because she spent almost all her time there but because he was there. He was home.

"Uhm. Who is that?" she asked pointing to the bear. Was it possible that his smile just grew bigger?

"That, Beckett, is Mr. Stuffles; he's a stuffed animal you know," he explained.

"Mister?" she asked her mouth open, "You did realize that he's pink, right?"

"He's metro-sexual," he stated matter-of-factly and she couldn't hide the chuckle any longer. Bad move, she thought as pain shot through her body. Broken ribs really were no fun.

"And nice messages. I like the Hospitals Suck the most," reaching for his hand, she kissed his fingers, folding both their hands in her lap afterward.

"That's actually a funny story," he laughed, "I was running some. Uhm. Errands this morning with Alexis and Mother and I just wanted to pick out the lame Get Well Soon, but Alexis said the Hospitals Suck would be so much better and we already had the bear and Mother then found the other one and we couldn't decide and then we just chose to get them all."

"That's so nice," she said, "And you know I love you all beary much, too," she laughed painfully, pressing a hand onto her side, but was actually fighting with her emotions. She was glad he didn't call her on either; the hand against her ribs or the burning in her eyes. Within those last 48 hours she again realized how much his small family had become hers over the past years.

Two days ago – after the accident – Castle drove over to her apartment to pick up some clothes and toiletries for her. To her surprise he came back with Martha. In her words she had gotten a call from her frantic son standing in front of her dresser not knowing what a woman needed for a two night stay at a hospital.

And then yesterday. In between classes Alexis brought her coffee. What was it with the Castle's and bringing her coffee? They chatted some time even thought Kate was tried but she was just glad she and the young woman were getting along.

For a while she was afraid that Alexis didn't accept her on her fathers side. But two months ago after Alexis abduction their relationship shifted. She didn't know what it was that made a difference; she was just glad that is was that way.

"You want to get out of here?" his voice hopeful.

"Yes," she answered and sat up a little too eager. Closing her eyes as the pain shot through her back she tried to stifle the groan. The back was even worse than the ribs.

"You're alright?" he asked, a sudden concern in his voice, fear evident on his face. His eyebrows drawing together, his hand gently grabbing her shoulders in an attempt to steady her. Of course he wouldn't brush her pain off three times in a row.

"I'm fine," she mumbled once the pain subdued a little.

"Let's take it slow, huh?" he asked, helping her sit up.

Taking it slow sounded like a really good plan.

/

"Are you ready?" he asked excited. He held Mr. Stuffles in one arm, her duffel bag over his shoulder the keys to his loft in his free hand. Turning he watched her. Supporting herself with her flat hand on the wall, slightly crunching forward the discomfort more than clearly written all over her face. But still; with her messy side braid, the dark green loose shirt, black leggings and trainers, no make up, pale and bruised skin, she was extraordinary beautiful.

"Ready for what?" she hesitated, looking up at him. He could hear the annoyance in her voice but quickly brushed it of.

Swinging the door open he revealed what was waiting inside. The first thing you heard was, "Welcome Home!" and the first thing you saw was a big banner hanging in the living room, also saying 'Welcome Home'.

Martha and Alexis sat on the couch but were getting up now, walking in their direction. Big smiles on their faces. There were paper streamers and confetti in the whole living room. He spotted the cupcakes he made last night on the living room table. Chocolate chip with a pink icing, each decorated with motivational messages, similar to the ones on the balloons.

He watched Kate; she was starring – open mouthed – at the scene in front of her. Supporting herself on the door frame she was speechless, "What. Uhm. I was. Gone for two nights," she muttered.

"Welcome home," Castle said pressing a kiss to her temple.

"Oh Richard, let your lady get in," Martha suddenly exclaimed stepping forward. Grabbing Kate's arm she helped her through the living room.

"You want to lie down or is sitting fine?"

"Sitting is fine," Kate said and Martha helped her sit down in the cushions, "Thank you."

"What. Wow. Guys, thank you," she mumbled when she sat comfortably, and he saw the confusion clearly on her face. And the exhaustion. Maybe it was a little too much, he wondered. Considering she was hit by a car just two days ago.

Alexis handed them each a cupcake as Castle sank down on the sofa next to her. Leaning in he put his mouth close to her ear. "You're okay?"

"Yeah," she smiled. "Tired. Just glad you didn't invite the guys."

He bit down on his lip, thankful that the the boys and Lanie had to work. They would probably come over later, he even invited Captain Gates. He just hoped that Kate got a few more hours of sleep until then.

/

She was bad company and she knew that. She felt guilty but she was tired and with each minute her head started to pound harder. That way she was glad that Alexis had to get back to class and Martha had people to see – whatever that meant.

The couch was getting uncomfortable on her back; the collar and her ribs making it hard to move.

"Castle?" he was standing in the kitchen, back turned to her, putting some of the cupcakes in the fridge. Turning around after she called him the smile was back. "I-", trailing off she tried to shake her head just to realize that it wasn't working. This was really hard. She hated asking for help. That wasn't her but she was in pain and truth be told she needed help. "I'd really like to lay down in the bed for a while."

"Of course," he abandoned what he was doing without hesitating. Helping her off the sofa the pain still shot through her. She wouldn't be able to avoid this for a while. For a while they just stood; she knew he was waiting to make sure she was okay. His arms slung around her waist, making sure not to put any pressure on her. Her own hands holding onto his biceps as she leaned in to touch her lips to his.

Opening her mouth to him she really wanted him to take her to bed, peal of her clothes piece by piece. It felt like an eternity since she felt his weight on top of her. "God, I want you so much," the words were out of her mouth before she had the chance to stop them.

They barely saw each other for a week, except for the hospital. Which didn't count.

"Me, too," his voice was a mumble as he brushed her hair out of her face. "But I'm taking you to bed right now."

"The bed is fine," she said chuckling, regretting it directly, her ribs protesting by the sudden movement of her lungs.

Raising his eyebrows he kissed her once more, "Detective Beckett, I like the way you think. But you need to rest and I'm doing my very best to take care of you."

She wanted to make another sarcastic comment about how he could take care of her but his face made her swallow her words. It was like she really looked at him for the first time today. She hadn't noticed the circles under his eyes before. He hadn't been sleeping much at all those past two days. On top of that he spent almost all the time at he hospital with her. She told him to go home, most of the time she was asleep anyway. But every time she opened her eyes he was there, watching her. Slowly she started to realize that his accident had taken as much of him as it had of her; if not more.

She hated to ask for help and she hated to be taken care of in the way she needed to be taken care of right now. And as much as she usually would protest she knew that it wasn't just about her. She needed to let him take care of her for his sake.

"Then let me take a nap. Would you lie with me for a while?"

/

He managed to get her into bed safely. She even let him tuck her in. Rolling on her uninjured side as best as possible she looked at him. Tucking one arm under his head, holding her stare, he reached for her again. He seemed not to be able to stop touching her. It's been 48 hours and he still felt the urge to make sure that she really was there. Afraid that when he closed his eyes for a second or turned around for too long she was gone.

"How are you?" she asked, lacing their fingers together.

"Shouldn't I be the one asking that question?" he didn't. He knew how much she hated that question.

"I am fine," she insisted. "I really am. I'm in pain, yes. And I hate not being able to move but seriously Castle? I know you're scared my mind goes where it went... last time. That I shut you out again. But it's different."

"How's that?"

"Well, first off all, it was a random case, a random person. And second, he didn't want to kill me. I guess he didn't care but if it had been Esposito or Ryan in that alley it wouldn't have made a difference. He just wanted to stop us from arresting his accomplice," freeing her hand from his grab she ran soft circles over his cheek, smiling reassuring.

"It feels exactly the same," he whispered.

"Rick-," she started and he could almost hear the lump in her throat, the use of his first name warning. They didn't talk about the shooting. They didn't talk about her lying on the ground, almost bleeding to death in front of him.

"Listen me out," his own lump growing bigger with each word. "I got the call and all I could think about was how this time I wasn't there. How this time I couldn't- how you couldn't be so lucky twice. How a person has a limited amount of strength and that you-," he was unable to continue. For a writer he sure as hell lacked to find the right words sometimes.

"Rick," she said again, "I am still here. I survived," pronouncing every word, starring into his eyes, "And we both know I won't promise anything that I can't keep. There is always the chance that at the end of the day I'm not coming home. But you know," her lips tucked up into a small smile, "I have a pretty fine partner who saved my life more times than I can count."

He knew she was right; she couldn't promise him anything. And he knew that from the start. But sometimes – in moments like these – reality hit him hard.

"Good for you that I counted," he flashed a smile at her, she rolled her eyes in return.

"You did not," she dared. A conversation they had over a year ago flashed back into his mind.

"Oh, I so did," moving closer he pulled the blanket higher up her body running his fingers softly over her cheek.

She rolled onto her back. Taking his hand into hers she rested her fingers into the spaces between his, letting them lay down on her stomach, "I need to sleep, and so do you."

"Yeah," he mumbled the exhaustion catching up on him. He barely slept those past two nights without her by his side. "Need to be fit. The boys, Lanie and maybe Gates are coming over later."

He heard her groaning in frustration next to him, sleepy mumbling something that sounded like, "You can't be serious."

He chuckled before he also closed his eyes, slowly drifting off to sleep.

Authors Note: What do you think?