Chapter 4.

The rest of the day was fairly laid back. Beckett normally hated days like this, those days when she missed being at work and having something to do. It wasn't generally her style to sit around doing nothing but despite her restlessness, it was nice having Castle around, even if it was to do absolutely nothing.

By lunch time Castle had made sandwiches for himself, Beckett, and Jim.

"Martha or Alexis," Beckett asked when she caught Castle looking at his phone.

"Both actually," Castle replied.

"You should go back," said Beckett.

"I'm not leaving you," said Castle, "If I do you might not think I'm real."

Beckett blushed and both Jim and Castle noticed.

"I'll take that as my cue to clean up," Jim said as he began picking up their plates. "Thank you for lunch Rick."

"My pleasure, sir."

As Jim got up and went to the kitchen, Castle's phone rang again."

"Castle, you should go back," Beckett repeated.

"And leave you? What kind of boyfriend would I be if I left you?"

"The kind of boyfriend who still has a mother and daughter who need them," Beckett told him.

"You need me too."

"I know I do but Castle, they're your family." Beckett then smiled and teased, "They still don't know where you are do they?"

"I've been otherwise preoccupied."

"You've been ignoring their calls."

"What if I don't want to leave?" asked Castle.

"Castle, you only brought one pair of clothes and you're wearing them."

"I've procrastinated on things before."

"And don't I know it but I won't be the reason you miss a deadline or put off your family."

Castle took Beckett's hand, "Shouldn't I be the one looking after you?"

"I'm pretty sure it goes both ways, Castle. You should go. I'll be okay without you for a while."

"You're sure?"

"I did manage without you for a week if I recall."

"Yeah how did you do that anyways? I mean I know you're a take care of yourself kind of woman but I'm curious."

Jim cleared his throat, "I do know how to take care of my daughter, Rick," Jim said from the desk in the living room where he was doing paperwork.

Beckett looked down and smiled as she shook her head.

"Right of course," said Castle, "Sorry sir."

Jim just smiled to himself. Rick had been with them for close to ten hours and given their newfound status as boyfriend and girlfriend Rick was most likely gonna be sticking around. He had remembered those days with Johanna. How the relationship was brand new despite being friends prior to taking the next step, how the world seemed to only revolve around the two of them and how awful it felt at even just the idea of being apart for a few minutes.

As it was, Jim had never seen his daughter so smitten before, so in love and lost within the man she was with. She'd had boyfriends before certainly but somehow none of them seemed to bring out the light in his daughter's eyes that he'd noticed since Rick Castle arrived. She was acting like a young woman in love for the very first time and in a sense she was. None of the other men seemed to make her feel this way and it hadn't even been a full day yet.

Jim set his pen down and walked over to the table where the couple was still seated, figuring it was probably time for some ground rules.

"You know, Rick, if you are going to be sticking around you're more than welcome to the guest room."

"Dad, what are you-,"

This was different than all the times before. Prior to her mother's murder her father hadn't been too fond of her boyfriends. And shortly after, her father had gotten too deep in the bottle to care about who she dated or slept with. Even when she had been with others during her time as a cop, he hadn't had much say but now he was offering to let Castle stay with them, something he never did.

"I like this one Katie," said Jim, "You have a daughter too don't you Rick?"

Of course Jim knew this: from the conversations the couple had just now to having seen the pictures in the loft, having briefly met her when he showed up to Castle's apartment for the first time and then having seen her at Montgomery's funeral and later at the hospital.

"She's what, seventeen?"

"Yes sir, about to start her senior year of high school," Castle answered.

"Good age," said Jim, "Tough age but good. Well she's welcome to stay with us too if you'd like since I'm guessing this is where you'll be most of the time."

Beckett smiled at Castle and reached across, rubbing his arm slowly.

"I appreciate the offer, sir and I'll be sure to extend it to Alexis."

"That's settled then," Jim said as he went to gather his paperwork. He then returned to Beckett. "Katie, I'll be upstairs in the office. Holler if you need anything," he said placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Thanks dad."

Shortly after Jim had gone upstairs, Castle and Beckett stood from their spot at the table. It was still hard for Beckett to move like she used to.

She had all ready scheduled a doctor's appointment for a week from now when she hoped the stitches would be removed. With her type of gunshot wound and surgical incision, stitches normally came out between one and two weeks.

"Still sore," Castle asked.

"I'll be alright."

"You don't have to put on a brave face for me you know? If you're in any pain or discomfort you can tell me."

Beckett smiled. "I know."

It had only been five and a half hours since she'd taken her painkiller and she wasn't going to be taking anymore if she could help it.

"I'm fine though right now, Castle, really."

"That you are. And it's not like you'll be alone when I leave so that helps."

Beckett and Castle made their way to the front door and opened it.

"I should probably figure out my cover story now before I head back," said Castle.

"I'm not sure you really need one," Beckett replied, "My dad just did extend the guess room invitation to Alexis too."

"So what do you suggest I tell them?"

"If they ask tell them the truth, tell them you were with me."

"You're sure?"

"Castle, they're your family. My dad knows about us so they should too but only them okay? I'm not ready for it to get out to Lanie or the boys."

"That I can work with."

Castle looked at Beckett and took her hand. "Hey, I'm coming back. I'll only be gone from the time it takes from here to there, some time with mother and Alexis and back."

"Take your time, Castle, don't rush it. You need to spend time with them too.'

Castle leaned down and Beckett reached up, their lips meeting for a smooth kiss.

"I love you," he whispered.

"Love you," Beckett whispered back.

"See you soon."

Beckett reluctantly released Castle's hand, Castle just as reluctant to leave but he did and Beckett stood by the doorway, watching him go.