I know you're all worried about what's wrong with Kate, but don't be. She's perfectly fine. Nothing that a good dose of Castle can't fix, at least ;)

I don't own Castle. Or anything, really. Except this snazzy laptop and pain in the butt phone.

Reviews are welcomed :3


"You didn't tell her."

"Neither did you."

Kate fell back onto the bed, her head hurting from the strain she had put on her ears trying to hear what the doctor and her partner were saying. Didn't tell her what? Her eyes squinted as she tried to ignore the pain going through her body. She was sore as all get out and wanted nothing more than to give in and ask for pain medication, but she wouldn't.

Her eyes slipped close as she gritted her teeth and forced down the whimper that threatened to leave her lips. This time she heard the door open when he came in, the small sound grating her nerves as her headache worsened.

"What didn't you tell me?" Her eyes flew open to land on him with an accusing glare, letting him know that she had heard enough.

She watched as he physically flinched, his eyes closing momentarily before he crossed to her bedside. He hesitated beside her before sitting down, careful not to touch her.

"This isn't the first time you woke up," he told her quietly. Fear flashed through her eyes before he continued. "You've woke up at least five times but you've fallen back asleep each time and you don't remember when you wake up again."

He nervously ran his hand over the back of his neck, studying her and her reaction. This had to be a lot of news to take in at once. He hadn't even wanted to believe it, and he had been the one to live through it and remember it.

"Is it anything serious?" She pushed the fear back, regretting that she had allowed it to show on her at all.

"The doctor said it was just your body's way of healing, a psychological thing even. That's why he isn't so keen on you leaving quite yet.." He offered her a weak smile.

"I don't want to stay," panic flooded through her as she pushed herself up straighter. "I'll go stay with my dad or Lanie but I'm not staying here."

"We both know you won't put that on your dad," he rolled his eyes. "And Esposito is at Lanie's way too much for you to be comfortable."

She shot him a knowing look, telling him he was right. She would never go to her dad's, or Lanie's, without worrying about the proposition it would put them in.

"I don't have anywhere else to go, Castle," she gave an exasperated sigh.

"There is a perfectly good guest room in my house that is not being used. I know Alexis and Martha would be thrilled to have you there, as would I."

There it was, that feeling again. The same feeling she had had after Castle had kissed her forehead. It twisted her stomach into knots as she fought to hide the blush on her cheeks by turning away. Graciously, Castle pretended that he didn't see anything.

"I don't want to impose," she muttered half-heartedly, knowing that he would win.

"You wouldn't be imposing," he told her seriously as he tilted his head towards her. "Plus, you make a mean breakfast."

She rolled her eyes, punching his arm and quickly realizing it was a bad idea. Pain coursed through her, her lips betraying her and emitting a small whimper. Her eyes closed tightly as her grip tightened on his upper arm. When it had passed, she opened her eyes to find him studying her closely - obviously worried.

"You just want me for my cooking ability," she replied out of breath.

"Of course," he replied jokingly before getting serious. "But also so I can take care of you."

Fear skittered through her once again but she had no chance to reply to this as the door opened once again, a petite red-head walking through the door.

"Hi, Mr. Castle. Detective Beckett, it's nice to see you awake and talking. I'm nurse Jackie."

xxxxx0xxxxx

Castle stepped back as Jackie made her way over to Kate's bed, his eyes still focused on the surprised face of his partner. He knew he could've picked a better time to say what he had but it just felt right. Smirking as she fought for words, he looked away.

"Nice to meet you," she replied politely as the nurse helped her turn in the bed.

He couldn't help but let his eyes wander around the room as the two women got her sitting the right way, a clearing of the throat catching his attention. Realizing it was Beckett's, he turned his head to her.

"Mr. Castle, she might need your help when she first stands up." Jackie was polite as Beckett shot her a glare, the smaller woman shrinking away.

"Behave, Beckett. She just doesn't want you to fall and break anything." Castle chastised her as he made his way back over to her bed, holding his arm out.

"Sorry," the detective muttered before taking hold of the writer's arm for support.

"Not a problem, miss, I know what it's like to hate hospitals. I only enjoy it when I'm here for work. Now, lets try to walk around the room first and then if you are comfortable with it we can try the hallway."

Castle placed his other hand on Beckett's lower back, smirking when he felt her try to jerk away from him. His eyes purposely avoided hers as they moved slowly away from the bed, her feet moving stiffly from being in the bed for so long.

"It tingles," she muttered in his direction.

"You've been stuck in a bed for three days," he whispered back, knowing fully well the nurse could hear them both.

They made it around the room slowly before Beckett turned to the nurse with an expecting look. Taking the hint, Jackie nodded.

"You two can hit the hallway for at least five minutes and I'll go get your paperwork together."

"Thank you," Castle spoke up as she let go of Beckett and walked away. She was barely out of the room when the brunette beside him fell against him. "You okay?"

"I was stuck in a bed for three days," she repeated his words back to him and then nodded for the door. "I want to get this over with so I can go."

"Alright, alright." He shook his head slightly at her but gladly held her weight as they made it out of her room and down the hall. By the time they had made it to the end of the hallway her head was on his shoulder, almost completely depending on him for support.

It wasn't until he saw the nurse heading for them that he nudged her gently, making her stand up straight. The nurse flashed him a look as if to say 'I saw that' but graciously didn't mention it as she joined the two.

"I'll need you to sign the last two pages and then you are free to go," she handed the papers to Castle, a slight smile on her face. "I'll be back soon to get the papers."

They both nodded before Castle turned them around, his head tilting slightly to look down at Kate. Her lip was secured between her teeth as she concentrated on moving her feet, something that slightly worried him.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay at least one more night?" His voice was quiet, knowing he had to approach this carefully.

"I can't stay," she replied weakly into his side.

Deciding not to press the subject farther he helped her into the bedroom and then onto the bed, making sure she was comfortable before looking at the paper. Grabbing a pen from the side table, he pulled the tray over to her bed.

"You need to sign it on the first page and then initial and sign on the last."

He held the pen out to her as her eyes quickly glanced over the paper before signing and initialing where he pointed out. When she was done, she handed the pen back to him and allowed her head to find comfort in the pillow behind her.

"Go find her and get me out of here, Castle."

It wasn't so much of a demand as a request, one that broke his heart and had him nodding before gathering the paperwork. He pushed the tray out of her way and headed for the door, knowing that the next couple of days were going to be rough - on all of them.