Title: The Biggest Heart in the World

Summary: Kate has been shot while protecting Alexis and her friends. Laying in her hospital bed on heavy medication can make her listen to people that maybe she shouldn't, especially if her friends and loved ones aren't there to tell her not too.

Disclaimer: Apparently I don't own them; Nathan was not in my stocking on Christmas morning.

A/N: Hahaha there isn't one!

Chapter Ten: Is That Love?

A week after the shooting:

Kate lay in her hospital bed she could tell it was late at night and she could tell she was alone. But she had been sleeping. She did remember hearing Rick talking to her and kissing her forehead but she didn't remember what he said, anyway she was waking up to an empty room. Surely everyone wouldn't leave her alone like that after she had saved Alexis and her friends but it was her fault that Alexis almost got shot. Maybe he blamed her and wasn't in love with her anymore.

The door opened and she opened her eyes again hoping it was a member of her family but it was her doctor, she thought she asked her dad to get her a new doctor. He smiled at her. "Hey Detective Beckett, how are you feeling?"

"I'm tired, where did my family go?"

"Your dad said he was going home to shower and eat then he would be back later."

"I'm talking about my other family too my fiancé, his daughter and his mother."

"Oh so that's who you were seeing? I didn't know, he never said anything, just came in and picked them up then left. I mean he told your dad he appreciated what you did but then they left. Not at all acting like a man that his fiancée could have died."

"I don't believe you, that's not Rick at all."

"So don't believe me I mean I can't prove it but when your dad comes back ask him."

She was fading and he knew it, he smiled to himself she would be sleeping when her dad came back and he had told Rick, Martha and Alexis that only her dad would be able to come back that night. "Why are you here anyway, I thought nurses did nightly meds."

"We had a few call-ins and I was ending shift so I told them I would do just a few before next nursing shift came on and then I'm going home. You've made some great improvement so anyway it looks like you'll get to go home earlier than we thought, maybe even the day after tomorrow."

She closed her eyes. "Well if I don't see you before then thanks doc."

"Think nothing of it."

He walked out of her room but as he walked out Esposito walked up to the door and looked at him. "Why are you coming out of Beckett's room? You were relieved as her doctor a week ago."

He looked at the room number and shook his head. "Oh sorry, just tired and confused I'm working a double but when I saw her in the bed I turned right around and left. I don't want any trouble from anyone and she's sleeping anyway. I just got the room numbers confused."

Lanie walked up the hallway. "What the hell are you doing hanging around her room?"

Esposito looked at Lanie. "He said he's working a double and got room numbers confused."

Lanie nodded. "That better be all it is but if anything in there is off in any way or I find out you did anything to her I will have your medical license is that understood?"

He nodded. "Totally understood Dr. Parish but I swear I just mixed up the room numbers." He walked off and then down the hallway he looked back and smiled. "Good luck proving it when she won't even remember it."

Espo and Lanie walked in and saw Kate sleeping so they sat down; soon Jim walked in and joined them. They told him about seeing the doctor but he shrugged his shoulders and said he wouldn't worry unless something came from it.

About Two hours later:

They all walked over to the bed when they saw Kate stirring around. She opened her eyes and looked at her dad. "Hey dad I need to speak to you can you raise the bed?" He nodded and rose up the head.

Lanie looked at her. "So before you talk to your dad I need a quick word with you sweetie. I need to know what you want us to pack for your trip to the Hamptons. Castle, Martha and Alexis want to take you to the Hamptons to recuperate and of course they have been gracious enough to invite us to visit. He even invited your dad to come up for most of the time you're there. So I just need you to make a list of what you want to take so I can pack for you."

Kate looked at her friend. "Can I get back to you on that when I've had time to think about it?"

Lanie smiled but not as much and nodded. "Sure you can call me or whatever. Let's go Javi so Kate and her dad can talk."

Espo leaned in and whispered to Kate. "None of this was your fault, I know how your head works so don't go there Beckett." She nodded and her friends left.

Jim sat down in a chair beside her bed and crossed his arms. "Okay Katie, what's going on here?"

When Rick got ready to leave do you know why he left?"

"No, I assume to get things ready to take you to the Hamptons. They all have to pack, he has calls to make to get the house ready, and he had to make sure the doctor was in town there, he wanted to make sure the tutor was there for Alexis since she was refusing to go back to school. He left with a few weeks of book signings to go so he had phone calls to make, I mean Katie he didn't leave to just leave."

"When he left dad did he shake your hand and say he appreciated what I did for Alexis?"

"Yes he did but I know you're going to take that for something different than what it meant."

Suddenly he saw the tears on her face and knew his stubborn daughter would not back down. "Dad I want to stay with you for awhile, I think Rick blames me."

"Katie he does not and whoever said he did is lying to you."

"Dad I know Rick and I know why he does things, so why isn't he here right now?"

"I told you why."

"He could be making phone calls from here and if he were here no one could pull me away, I love him more than he loves me obviously. Just please dad, let me stay with you and let us work on this. Maybe we got engaged too quickly. Let me tell him myself tomorrow."

"I can't help but feel this is a mistake but whatever you want Katie."

TBC

So I hope everyone got what they wanted for Christmas… you might have noticed that I made mention of no Nathan in my stocking again this year…what's with that? I mean how many years do I need to ask for him? I will take him under the tree (that just did not sound right).