I promised it would have a happy ending, and i always deliver :) Enjoy & review!
Kate made Rick stick to his promise, so that night he went to the Ryan's for dinner. He was back early the next morning, and when he arrived, Kate and Javi were chatting. Javi was dressed in his street clothes, and he was sitting on the edge of Kate's bed.
"Hey, check it, Castle," Javi said, holding up his wrist. "Kate and I have matching bracelets."
Rick laughed. He was glad Javi could make light of the situation.
"Nice," Rick said, holding out his hand for Espo to feed the birds. "Pale pink is your color."
Espo wrinkled his nose. "Thanks, man." He smiled. "I gotta go, they said I could be released this morning. Ryan's gonna to pick me up soon."
Kate nodded. "I'm glad you're okay, Javi. Thank you, for trying to help me."
Javi shrugged it off. "Of course. Kate, you're a sister to me. No way I'm gonna stand around and watch some dirty drug lord mess you up."
Kate grinned. Rick put his hand on Javi's shoulder.
"Thanks, man."
Javi nodded. "Of course, bro."
Rick sat down on Kate's bed. "Hey, have you heard from the nurses yet?"
"No, but I should soon." She looked worried. "Rick, how bad was it? No one has given me details."
Rick took a deep breath. "Well, your face is pretty badly scraped up… you also broke quite a few ribs, one of which punctured your left lung."
Kate frowned. "Same side where my scar from last year is."
Rick nodded. "Yes. Your right ankle is also twisted. It may be a fracture, but they can't be sure until they do more tests. They wanted to wait until you were awake. You were put in surgery as soon as possible, to fix your lung and your ribs."
Kate nodded. "Okay. So what's left to test?"
"I can answer that." A doctor entered. He stood at the end of Kate's bed, holding his hand out to shake Rick's.
"I'm Dr. Stevens, and I've been in charge of Kate's case for the last 2 days. I want to help you to understand what happened to you, and how to move forward."
Kate nodded. "Okay."
"So, all your tests came back with good results... as far as we can tell, there is no brain damage or risk of complications. Your surgery went perfectly, and aside from some pain in your ribs for the next few weeks, everything is okay. Your ankle is most likely fractured, I will take a look at it right now. Do you remember much from the fight?"
"Not much," Kate said, shaking her head. nodded.
"Okay, good. I read your file, and the more you remember, the harder it will be on your pre-existing PTSD. We also would like to prescribe some painkillers for your ankle and your ribs, but we need to check with your therapist, and make sure the painkillers don't conflict with your antidepressants."
"Okay," Kate said again. She glanced at Rick, then looked back at Dr. Stevens.
"So, what's next?"
"We take a look at your ankle, and then get you home by tomorrow, if possible."
Dr. Stevens left them alone again, and Rick lifted Kate's hand to his lips, kissing it.
"Thank god you're okay," he said, smiling at her. She nodded.
"I can't wait to go home," Kate said, closing her eyes and yawning. Rick let go of her hand and stroked her forehead.
xxxx
Kate could feel his eyes on her the entire time she was awake. She thought she could escape his piercing looks while she slept, but it was the opposite. She knew he didn't mean to, but the way he watched her, as if she were a china doll teetering on a shelf, made her feel guilty for doing what she did. For being irresponsible.
"I can feel you staring," she mumbled, her voice hoarse. Her lips barely moved as his head turned and she peered at him through one open eye. The bed creaked a little as he leaned against it and she hissed as the bed dipped slightly.
"Sorry," he said as he backed off and leaned his elbows up on his knees. He watched her lovingly and protectively. She smiled back at him with as much strength as she could, to satisfy him.
"How's the patient?," Nurse Annie asked as she knocked and stuck her head in.
"Ready to go home," Kate said eagerly, as she opened both her eyes and sat up. Rick grabbed an extra pillow from the bed beside her and Kate hugged it. She gave him a grateful smile.
"Well, you'll have to stay with someone. I assume that won't be an issue. The prescriptions will be ready, your fiance already told us which pharmacy to send it to," the nurse said.
"We live together. I'll make sure he stays off her feet, "Rick said, smirking at her. "I work from home, so she won't have to lift a finger."
Kate shot him a look. She's wasn't paralyzed, she could do things for herself. But I guess when you're engaged, you have to let your fiancé (especially if it's Rick Castle) wait on you.
"What about work?," Kate sighed. She knew the answer already, but she was hoping for a little freedom.
"I heard you're a bit of a workaholic," Nurse Annie said with a small smile. "You can't go back until those ribs heal. Give it a couple weeks, then we'll do an X-ray and make sure they're okay. Be careful with the ankle, too. We'll give you crutches and do another x-ray in 2 weeks. Get plenty of sleep and let your friends and family help you out." Nurse Annie smiled at Rick and he nodded happily.
"Make her rest if she refuses, there are some sedatives we added to the prescription bag. She should sleep sitting up," the nurse said to Rick. He nodded.
"Oh, and Kate? The more time you spend off your feet, the sooner that ankle will heal. I know it will be hard, but if you can stay in bed for the next 2 weeks, you'll be back to work sooner. "
Kate sighed and nodded. "Okay." Rick gave her a placating smile.
"Any questions before I get the discharge papers printed?," the nurse asked.
Kate shook her head and looked down at the taped cotton ball that now sat on her wrist. She hated having blood drawn. It made her feel weak, and right now, she was sick of feeling weak. She wanted to feel strong again.
"Kate, look at me," Rick said gently. She played with the tape and sighed as he lifted her chin.
"So you need help for a few weeks. We won't hold it against you. I'm sure I can find a girly apron and wear it. Maybe a crown for you. We can pretend you're a queen or something and I'm your servant," Rick said with a serious look, only smiling as a small smile appeared on her lips. "I know you hate it when I wait on you too much or don't take care of myself, but this is not negotiable."
"For a writer, you sure suck at this whole plot thing. And don't make me laugh," she grumbled as she took a shallow breath in. She was definitely more awake and aware (and pissed off) than she had been when she woke up the day before. Rick knew it wouldn't take long for her frustration to sink in.
"I'm glad you're alive, Kate, " Rick said seriously.
"I'm glad, too," she said back to him. She took his hand in hers and entwined their fingers. She was alive. She would live to keep the bad guys off the streets for another day. And perhaps the servant thing wouldn't be so bad. After all, she would have the rest of their lives to return the favor.
