Thank you for the continued support.

I hope Kate's revenge lives up to everyone's expectations. Everyone here has such great imaginations I'm sure there are hundreds of much better ideas currently reading this story.

Disclaimer: Still don't own Castle.

The hamburgers were excellent. It occurred to her after her first bite that this was the first nonhospital food she had eaten since the shooting. She shivered a little at the thought and immediately looked up at Castle. Of course he was watching her.

Go ahead, ask.

What was the little shiver about?

I just realized this is the first real food I've had since the shooting. She shivered again. Still not used to talking about it.

Talking is supposed to make it easier, but it has only been three weeks. Everything is still raw, both emotionally and physically. Just take it slow.

Slow, Castle?

Ok, not slow, slow, more like Kate Beckett slow which for the rest of us mere mortals is super human.

Kate swallowed. "I admitted I loved you Castle, you don't have to flatter me."

"It's not flattery Kate. It's the truth. Only the truth."

She blushed despite herself. "Then I will accept your compliment and simply say thank you."

"You are welcome."

As they finished there burgers Castle began cleaning up the kitchen. As he washed the dishes he turned his head toward Kate, "It's been a long day. I'm game for just sitting down and watching movies."

"What, are you going back on your offer of a tour?"

"Right, the tour. Of course. Well, you have seen the kitchen, so let's complete the downstairs portion."

Kate was amazed at the house. The den with the amazing fireplace and two sofas bigger than her bed at home simply screamed lounge her all day. The entertainment system in the den cost more than her motorcycle. There was study that looked more like a library. She couldn't wait to go through the collection of books. What she tried to stop was the squealing fan girl in the back of her brain screaming about how so many of her favorite books and characters were written right here. She refused to squeal, not in front of people, and certainly not in front of Castle. The formal dining room was the sort of thing she remembered not thinking existed when she use to see them on TV shows as a child. Obviously, she was very wrong. There was also a formal living room that didn't look as if it had ever been used.

"Do people ever actually come in here?" She asked looking around the room.

"Mother likes using it when she has friends over. I personally like the den better. More comfort and more electronics."

"Of course." That's when it hit Kate. "Castle, what do you do up here? You are always up to something, into something. Here there isn't the city. How do you cope?"

"You are going to be shocked by this I know, but there are times that I just like to relax and be. And I know this is the Hamptons, but it is still nice to be away from the hustle and bustle of the city."

Kate looked skeptical.

"Seriously."

She gave him a smile. She was getting tired and stretched right up until the pain hit. She sucked in a breath as the pain hit.

"And you've overdone it for the day Kate." Castle said grabbing her elbow as she curled in on the pain. "Maybe it's time for you to lay down, get some sleep."

"Yeah. I think you are right." Kate realized her mistake immediately. "Alright, that was a slip up because of the pain and exhaustion and if you are gentlemen you won't hold it against me."

"When have I ever been a gentlemen?"

"Hope springs eternal."

Castle helped her up the stairs to the guest bedroom. Both of them knew she was going to need help to get out of her clothes and change the bandages, but neither was sure how to start the conversation. Kate decided to break the stalemate.

Alright Castle, we both know what has to happen, it's why I'm here so you can help, and we are both adults.

"So now I'm an ad…"

"CASTLE!" Pain and exhaustion, remember.

Right.

Castle cleared his throat and reached for the hem of Kate's shirt. Kate closed her eyes as he pulled the shirt up and helped her get her good arm free, over her head, and then down her bad arm. Kate still didn't open her eyes as Rick began moving the bandages. She didn't know if it would be worse if he was staring or not staring. She felt the bandage on her side come off.

"The stiches look good and the swelling has gone down even from yesterday. Everything looks really good." And I mean everything.

Kate bit the inside of her cheek. She wasn't sure whether she was trying not to smile or just be quiet. She knew he didn't mean to let that slip. She hoped he didn't see her blush even though she could feel slight heat in her face. Apparently he hadn't because she felt a new bandage being applied without comment or hesitation.

"Now let's see about that other one."

Kate bit her cheek a little harder, bracing herself. It was right in the middle of her chest, there was absolutely no way he couldn't look. She didn't want to say anything rude. He was helping her, caring for her, protecting her. Somewhere in the part of her that she buried deep at the age of nineteen she reveled in the feeling.

"This one is doing even better than your side." I'll need to turn the air down I didn't think it was that cold in here.

He had to be nervous. That was the only reason that thought could have possibly slipped out. She released her cheek from between her teeth and opened her eyes. "It's not the temperature Castle. Now can you please concentrate on putting on the bandage?"

"Oh crap! Kate, I'm sorry. It just slipped. I wasn't looking. Well I was…It's. Not. The. Temperature?"

She used her good arm to reach up and touch the side of his face. "Shhh. It's fine. I admit I'm a little embarrassed by the predicament, but I'm just as nervous as you are. This isn't exactly how I pictured the first couple times you would see me without a shirt on."

"So you've thought about it?"

"Oh yeah. Now, we don't need to have this conversation every time we do this. You will look, you will comment, unconsciously of course, and I will blush. However, there is absolutely no reason for either one of us to be embarrassed." She leaned forward and kissed the very edge of his mouth. "We will talk more about this tomorrow, I promise. And when I'm better? Well. "She dropper her hand to play with the fine hairs at the back of his head and looked at him through sparkling eyes. "Right now, just help me finish getting ready for bed."

The rest of the routine went without incident. Kate laid down on the guest bed, settling deeply into the soft mattress and high thread count cotton sheets.

A girl could get use to this.

"I heard that and I hope that you do."

You were supposed to.

"Good night, Kate." Castle said heading toward the door.

"Good night Castle. Sweet dreams."

If Castle had seen the look on her face as she uttered her final sentence he would have known he was in trouble.

Kate awoke four hours later when her phone beeped. She rolled over and checked the time. Castle should absolutely be asleep by now. She laid there for a moment gathering herself because rolling out of the bed was going to hurt. She slowly rolled onto her good side and then pushed herself into a sitting position. The physical therapy was obviously paying off.

She got out of the bed, walked to the door, and entered the hall. Looking both ways she could see Castle's room doors closed at the end of the hall. The thick carpeting made her steps down the hall completely silent. Reaching his door she came to the hardest part of the operation. From her time staying at the loft after the bombing she knew he was a heavy sleeper. It would be just her luck for him to wake up when his door opened. She turned the handle, cracked the door open, and slipped into the room.

She waited a few minutes for her eyes to adjust to the darkness. The first thing she noticed was a small sitting area near sliding glass doors going out to a deck. She sat down in the large chair and lifted her feet up onto the ottoman.

Now, how had Castle done this? She stared at him trying to see his thoughts. After a few minutes it became apparent that this was not working. Maybe she was trying too hard. Maybe this was like shooting. If you concentrated too hard you started to shake and over think everything, completely destroying your ability to shoot with any precision. She leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes allowing her mind to wander. After a few minutes she began to see images in her mind.

Castle watched the speedometer run up to hundred miles an hour. The Batmobile was one amazing machine. He was on his way to help Catwoman. She had called for a meeting claiming information about something big going down in Gotham. He slammed the brakes and opened the cockpit roof. He vaulted from the car and used his grappling hook to ascend to the top of the ten story building. Catwoman was already there waiting. Of course she would be early. She marched toward him in six inch heels and leather. As she got closer he could smell the cherries.

"You called this meeting." He said in a dark low voice.

"Well, yes I did, but it's possible that I really don't have any information."

"Are you wasting my time?"

"Never." She stalked forward and grabbed his head and pulled him into a long, slow kiss.

Castle toes curled and his head exploded. He pulled his head back to look in her eyes.

"MEREDITH!" He began back pedaling. He fell over the sofa. Sofa? He was back in the loft.

"Want to try for a top ten, Kitten?"

"NO! No. I do not. Go away. Away." He turned in a circle and the loft was empty again.

He put his hands over his head and took a deep breath. "Thank goodness." When he brought his hands down he was in a club. It was the club where he went undercover with Beckett to get that drug dealer. There she was on the dance floor in that sinful blue dress. He had dreamed and thought about her in that dress for months. Out of the dress even. She turned and looked at him, caught him looking at her swinging backside, and began to walk back toward him. His throat went dry, his palms went sweaty, and his blood went south. As she neared him she grabbed his hand and pressed her body up against him.

"Hello Castle." She whispered into his ear. "See anything you like?"

"Oh yeah."

"Well?"

He ran his hands through her hair and tipped her head back. He leaned down and placed his mouth over hers, closing his eyes. Instantly something felt wrong his eyes sprang open.

"BECKETT!"

Castle sprang awake in bed. He instantly heard giggling mixed with small noises of pain coming from the sitting area.

"I just kissed a hippo wearing a sundress."

"I know. She was very attracted to you. She seemed like such a nice girl." Kate responded and immediately began another fit of giggles.

"I had that coming."

"Oh yes you did." She was starting to calm down. "You shouldn't mess with someone else's dreams."

"Consider my lesson learned. I will never influence your dreams for my amusement ever again."

"Good." Kate stood up from the chair with obvious effort. "Now, help me back to bed."

Even in the darkness she could see him wiggle his eyebrows.

My bed.

Kill joy.