Castle packed up Kate's belongings and shouldered the bag, helping Kate to stand up so she could walk to the car. He was taking her home, something she had been looking forward to for the last two days. Castle had spent all of his time at the hospital with her, making her laugh and smile.
"Rick, can we pass by the precinct? I want to thank the guys for saving me," said Kate.
"Sure. I need to face the consequences for ignoring Gates anyway."
"You ignored Gates? Why?"
"To come to the hospital and see that you were okay with my own eyes. When Ryan called from that house the guy tortured you in and said that Esposito was taking you to the hospital, I had to go. I hung up on Ryan to come to you, and nothing was going to stop me. Not even Gates."
Kate smiled. She loved how nothing stopped Castle from doing what he wanted to do, even if that meant trouble for him. She loved that he was sweet and sensitive, though no-one ever saw that side of Richard Castle except for her, Alexis and Martha. "You're in for it now Castle," she laughed.
A smile was the only response from him as he finally pulled into a parking spot at the precinct car park. They walked up to the squad room together, hand in hand, until they were met by Ryan at the break room door.
"Beckett! Welcome back. I thought you wanted time off?" he asked.
"I am taking time off. I just wanted to come see you guys first. Where's Espo?"
"Behind you Beckett." Esposito tapped her shoulder. "Why did you want to see us?"
Kate dropped her voice. "To say thank you."
"For what?"
"You guys saved me."
"Of course we did. You are our friend, and friends stick together no matter what. Speaking of which, where's Castle?"
Kate looked over at Gates' office. "In there," she pointed out.
"What's he doing in there?" asked Ryan.
"Apologising for ignoring her. He said he felt bad since they were starting to get along."
"I don't remember him doing that."
"Apparently, it was after you called him to tell him I was at the hospital Ryan."
"I think he had the right to run out." Esposito laughed.
Kate and Ryan both laughed too as Castle continued to talk in the office.
"Mr Castle, what can I do for you?" asked Gates.
"I need to apologise."
"For what?"
"I ignored you when you asked where I was going the other day. I didn't mean to, but I wanted to get to Kate and make sure she was okay."
"That's okay. I'm not angry with you. I figured that was where you had gone."
"Thank you. I better go, take Kate home so she can rest."
"Can I have a word with her first?"
"Sure. I'll let her know."
Castle left, whispered something to Kate. Then, Kate was in her captain's office, talking.
Esposito looked in through the window. "What are they talking about?"
"Not sure, but I'll get Kate to tell me later."
"You have to tell us man, as soon as you know."
"Of course I will. You know I can't keep a secret."
At home, Castle forced Kate to rest on the couch while he made them some lunch. He wanted her to be comfortable.
"Hey, Kate, tell me something. What were you and Gates talking about?"
"She welcomed me back, said she was glad I was okay, and that she wanted me to know I am lucky to have you in my life. Like she needed to tell me that."
A smile lit Castle's face. "You're amazing and wonderful, you know that?"
"I do." But Kate couldn't keep a straight face and she started laughing with him.
"I love you Beckett."
"I love you too Castle."
Castle came over with a tray of sandwiches. He put the tray down and kissed her head gently.
"Hungry?" he asked.
"Starving actually. You're slow." Her smile was contagious and he grinned too.
"I made a variety. Roast beef, peanut butter and jelly, vegemite and cheese, and egg salad. You pick first."
"They all sound yummy. I think I'll have egg salad today."
Castle handed her a sandwich. "And I'll have roast beef then."
They continued to banter with smiles on their faces as they enjoyed lunch and each other's company.
The End
A/N: For those of you that do not know, or are unsure about, vegemite is a spread in Australia. Salty, and foul, but some people love it.