A/N: Ahhh! Reviews are like my heroin! Actually, heroin might be a little dark...lets go with chocolate (can anyone name that interview?). :) Thank you for your continued support and, don't worry, Castle will be with Beckett soon enough! But what's a good story without a little tension and anticipation? I have to say to LittleLizzieZentara: totally made my day with your reviews! I love how into each chapter you get :) Thanks to everyone! Now, moving ahead...

Chapter 4

She opened her eyes slowly. She felt weighted down, heavy as she tried to brave the fog that the drugs and sleep had induced. His face finally came into focus. He must have noticed her shift because he turned his attention from the television to her curled up position on the opposite end of the couch. She must have been out for over an hour. Whenever she remained in the same position for long her torso became stiff like a knotted muscle and she unsuccessfully stifled a small yelp as she unfolded and tried to stretch out. He was immediately up and over her, concern evident in his expression as he said nothing but gently took her legs, one at a time, and slowly helped her stretch them down the length of the couch. She grimaced and guarded against the pain but didn't try to hide it as his attentions were focused on his hands supporting her calf.

The wave of discomfort subsided as it always did in these instances and she exhaled in relief.

"You okay?"

She offered a tight lipped smile, "Yeah, Castle, thank you. You know how it's worse right when I wake up. I just get so stiff."

She expected some one liner in reference to her being an arthritic old lady but he simply smiled gently at her and rubbed the palm of his hand along the top of her foot. "Yeah, I know."

Wait, this wasn't right. He wasn't supposed to be sweet and understanding, he was supposed to diffuse the tension and awkwardness with inappropriate, Castle-flavored humor. Quick, change the subject!

"So, uh, did you finish the movie?" Good one, Beckett.

"Oh, yeah, mostly. But we have to start it over anyway! This is one of her best films!" Well, at least the segue seemed to work. They had been making their way through all of Audrey Hepburn's films since he brought her home (well, to his home) from the hospital. Roman Holiday was his favorite.

"We don't have to, Castle. You've already seen the whole thing!"

"No, you don't understand! Roman Holiday is a requirement in your healing process. It has been clinically proven to reduce pain and lift spirits."

She regarded him skeptically, "Well, I watched the first 45 minutes! Shouldn't that have helped a little?"

"Ah, see, you forgot to read the fine print. Its full efficacy can't be achieved unless paired with some 'Castle TLC'!"

He had taken his seat again on the other end of the couch and now opened himself by extending his arm towards her and raising his eyebrows a few times.

She looked as though her eyes were stuck in a permanent roll, "I don't think so, Castle." But she couldn't help the stubborn smile that kept betraying her lips.

He gestured with his head, "Get over here, Beckett."

Guess he won that round. She shook her head a little and slowly and carefully began to inch her way towards him. Her eyes widened in surprise as he gently grasped her hips to help pull her to him.

"My intentions are pure, remember?" He reminded as he let go after smoothly scooting her close, allowing her to fit herself along side him.

She leaned her head into the crook his extended arm left against his chest. She tucked one arm half behind him but struggled with the position of the other one. It naturally wanted to fall across his chest but she wasn't sure she wanted to use him as her body pillow. He watched her arm hover over him for a few seconds, and how it jerked like a butterfly as she tried to decide where to let it land. He stilled her movements by taking her hand and pulling it down to his chest. Once he felt her hand relax he lessened his hold but kept his hand over hers. She could feel his warmth along her slender fingers. Too much.

She opened her mouth to stammer in protest but he cut her off, "Ah! Don't resist the 'Castle TLC'."

She smiled, he could have this one, and relaxed into him as he started the movie again. Her chest protested this new position with what was sure to be achy, persistent pain but she didn't dare move. This was the most comfortable she had been since having her mother hold her after a bad day. The black and white movie flitted across the flat screen as she listened to his heartbeat, felt herself move with his steady breathing, and she was so...grounded. She felt as his arm left the back of the couch and circled around her shoulders, his fingers whispering up and down her upper arm.

Who needs the movie, she thought, this TLC is some powerful stuff. And she felt herself drift to sleep again.

Her eyes fluttered open as her subconscious picked up the absence of movement from the SUV. She looked at her watch: a little after six. No wonder it seemed darker outside than it had been. She moved the arm that had been pillowing her head and tried to stretch. The small groan that escaped not only surprised her but Jensen and Masters as well.

"Detective, you alright?" Masters.

"Uh, yeah. I don't do well on long drives right now," she added a little bitterly, "Where are we?"

"Rockland, Maine."

"Maine? Then why have we been on the road for almost 12 hours?"

"We wanted to make sure we shook any tails so we took a lot of detours. It would have taken some serious commitment from anyone who tried to follow." He seemed to forget his "men in black" air for a second as he fist bumped Jensen.

Beckett rolled her eyes. Rookie. "So where am I staying?"

Jensen cleared his throat. Why did feds have to be so awkward?

"Right up the street there." Masters gestured to a row of shops that had upstairs attached apartments. "The owner of the deli is retired FBI and he lets us use the apartment upstairs from time to time."

"When do we go up?" Kate was long overdue for some alone time.

"Just waiting for the all clear."

Thirty minutes later, after the surrounding shops and their respective apartments had been swept and deemed safe, Kate found herself alone in her makeshift home at last.

The owner had taken care of it nicely and it was adequately furnished with the basics: TV, couch, dinette. And the bedroom was actually a little cozy, especially when the incandescent lighting hit the red brick walls, bringing out a little warmth. The problem was, as cozy as the place appeared, nothing was familiar. Everything smelled foreign.

She sighed and sat on the bed with her suitcase. It was safe, and that's what mattered. She had a protective detail (Jensen and Masters) staying two apartments down from her and the Captain on speed dial, on a secure line of course, in case she needed anything.

She turned a bit and unzipped her luggage pulling out the silk robe she had hastily thrown in that morning. She ran her hands over it again and brought it up to her face to feel the smooth texture on her cheek. Breathing in she imagined she could smell just a little bit of him on it.

She could feel the pain in her chest starting to rear its ugly head again. Must be from the car ride. She dug in her purse and took another pain pill, chasing it with a glass of water. She supposed she should head out and get something for dinner but despite the lack of food she'd taken in the last 24 hours, she wasn't hungry. Instead, she laid down and curled herself around the silk.

She shook her head angrily when she felt the warm wetness brim and spill over onto her cheek. She couldn't tell if the tears falling in small rivulets were a result of pain or loneliness and, frankly, she didn't feel like defining them anyway.