The hazy glare of the too early sun shot through window, open just a crack. The usual New York sounds blared in the background, the car horns and shouts of random passerbys. Beckett groaned slightly and turned over, smiling at the dark overshadow of her boyfriend's profile. She curled up into a ball against the brisk air and gently nudged him awake with a slight shake. He warily opened one eye and then the other against the overwhelming brightness and shot her a sheepish smile.
"Sorry I stayed over, I know you're sick..." Kate grinned and rolled her eyes, propping herself up on one arm so she was facing him directly.
"Thanks for staying over Castle, what you did yesterday was, surprisingly sweet."
"You could sound a little less shocked you know. I have a kid, I know my around a sick day." Castle protested, and she shot him a look.
"Kid's sick days consist of chicken soup and Disney movies, it's not exactly the same thing." she scoffed.
"Lattes and cheesy romance films aren't too different. You just have to know how to manage the patient."
"Call me a patient one more time and I make sure you become one," she threatened sweetly, bursting into laughter as his eyebrows shot up and his mouth dropped open. "I'm gonna take a shower." She stood up and walked around the bed, all to aware of his eyes on her. She made her way to his side and bent down, tenderly landing a kiss to his temple.
"Thanks Castle."
As the door closed he sat up, gazing at the space she had slept in. As if in a haze, he shook himself slightly and made her way to the kitchen, brewing a fresh pot of coffee.
"The world's most difficult woman," he sighed slightly. "And she chose me." He beamed to himself and continued with the coffee.
The fresh smell of the dark brew lured Beckett out of her bathroom, draped in a towel with the same slippers from yesterday on her feet.
"Yet you wonder how you get sick." Castle commented as she reached his side. She shot him a questioning glance as she wrapped her thin fingers around the smoking mug.
"Walking around like that, you'll get pneumonia." he warned.
"Sorry Castle, I wasn't aware you had a problem with me walking around, like this." At the last words she let the towel slightly droop forward, revealing the pale skin underneath.
"I'll shut up now" Castle near whispered, as he made a beeline for her.
"Mhm" her lips curled into a sly smile as they met in the middle of her kitchen. "How about if you keep me warm?"
He laughed and wrapped his arms tightly around her, leading her back to the bedroom.
The shrill sound of her phone inturrupted the pair from their sleep, once more. She groaned and slung her hand over Castle's body to the nightstand where her phone rang.
"Beckett," she answered hoarsely, coughing slightly.
"Yo, it's Espo." Echoed the detective's voice from the other line. "You feeling better Becks?"
She smiled at the nickname and said "Yeah sure. There a body?"
"Sure is, come to the precint first, Gates wants to see ya."
Kate hung up the phone and turned around, shooting Castle a smile.
"There's a body." She said teasingly.
"So, I'll be showering alone?"
They both laughed and Castle made his way to her shower, pulling off his shirt and stepping into the shower as Kate eyed him mockingly.
The steam from the shower fogged up the entire bathroom, and Castle wiped the mirror hurriedly as he shot the bed a glance. He burst out laughing at what he saw, his girlfriend, curled up cat-like, fast asleep. He flicked some water at her and grinned as she jumped up, wide awake.
"Morning detective, there is a body you know, better get ready." he said teasingly. She shook her head and made her way to next to him, grabbing her hair brush.
Instead of getting ready, Castle stood and stared at her for a minute or two. The way she tilted her head way to the side, letting her hair fall like a curtain as her brush was tugged through it, the grimace she made as she hit a tangle, her nose crinkling and eyebrows furrowing.
"Take a picture Castle, it'll last longer," she said sarcastically, eyeing him from the mirror.
"Might as well, the guys are gonna love this. Domestic Beckett..." he laughed as she flicked his head, with a warning and a death threat or two.
At long last the pair was finally ready, Beckett in her favorite leather jacket and Castle with her favorite shirt of his on, the light blue button-up, rolled up at the elbows. Making their way back to the precint, recovered from her sick day.
