Kate thought the first day would be awkward, but it wasn't. Castle had the radio on, singing loudly and occasionally off-key to make her laugh. They arrived shortly before six o'clock and Kate was swept up into gentle, lopsided hugs careful of her sling, then hustled into the house for a tour that left her head spinning. Castle had years ago seemed to figure out that Kate was more comfortable in diners and places where jeans fit the dress code. Even knowing his loft, it was easy to forget that he was really very wealthy.

The Hamptons house couldn't avoid broadcasting his money. Vaulted ceilings, ocean views, and a kitchen to make any chef weep with joy. The decor was understated and unassuming. Though everything was in pristine condition, Kate had no difficulty believing that a four-year-old Alexis had been allowed to roam unattended without fear that she'd break something expensive. The house was big enough to comfortably hold a dozen people, but small enough that Kate didn't feel like she'd need a map to find the kitchen.

Tour done, Castle ushered her into the living room. Kate hid her reaction as she tried to memorize the feel of his hand on her lower back while he guided her to the couch. He left her there with a mug of hot chocolate and a promise that dinner would be ready shortly. Martha settled in a nearby chair and kept Kate distracted with stories of theatre life and the antics of Castle as Alexis was growing up.

By the end of dinner, Kate was struggling to keep her eyes open and suppress her yawns. She'd barely finished her food before Martha was herding her up the stairs to her guest room, clucking in a motherly fashion as she made sure Kate had everything she needed. Kate sighed in relief as Martha closed the door behind her.

Alone at last.

Now that Kate was tucked in bed with the light off, her yawns deserted her. She was left staring at the ceiling, trying to find a position to lay in that didn't bother her shoulder. She could faintly hear the muffled conversation from the living room as Castle, Martha and Alexis did whatever it was that they usually did after dinner while on vacation.

She contemplated getting up and joining them, but this was the first real privacy she'd had in almost two weeks. She hadn't been alone for a minute in the hospital. Even after Esposito stopped acting as her bodyguard, Castle had stuck to her like glue. He'd only left for brief forays to the cafeteria, and even then she'd still had two uniforms outside her door and the normal noise of a busy hospital ward.

Thoughts of the hospital led to thoughts of the shooting, which led to thoughts of the case. Kate still couldn't entirely wrap her mind around the concept that it wasn't her concern anymore. She replayed all of her conversations (interrogations?) with Gates, trying to see if there was anything she'd left out, any connection she hadn't made. There was nothing. Whatever else could be said about the prickly captain of detectives, she was relentless and meticulous. Every impression, every hunch, every instinct had been discussed and dissected from multiple different angles.

The voices from downstairs were silent and the last of the daylight had stopped leaking around the heavy curtains by the time Kate roused herself from her thoughts. She might even have slept lightly, waking up into the same ruminations in which she had fallen asleep. The clock on the nightstand said it was still a few minutes shy of 11 o'clock. Kate tried to reach for sleep for another several minutes before giving up and sliding out of bed. She padded barefoot down the stairs towards the kitchen, planning to make herself a cup of tea to try to soothe her worries.

There was a light still on in the living room. She could see Castle stretched out on the couch holding a book, but it looked like his eyes weren't focused on the page. Kate hesitated in the doorway while she debated interrupting his thoughts. Castle glanced up. Kate froze like the proverbial deer as she tried to read the expression in his eyes.

"Hey. You're awake." Castle broke the moment, setting his book on the table as he stood to approach her. Kate gave a rueful laugh.

"I don't know if I actually slept. It's more like I got tired of staring at the ceiling. I thought I'd come down and make myself a cup of tea."

"How's the arm?" Castle turned and headed for the kitchen, Kate trailing after him.

"It's fine."

Castle snorted his disbelief. "Of course it is."

"No, really. I took a pain-killer after dinner. I'm okay, Castle."

He stopped in the doorway and turned to search her face with his eyes. Kate held still and forced herself to let him look without trying to hide anything. It was surprisingly difficult to override the instinct to shield her weaknesses. It felt like trying to voluntarily step off the edge of a cliff. She kept up a quiet mental chant that Castle was safe. There would be no harm from him.

Castle's expression softened as he watched the internal struggle being played out across her face. He brought up both hands to cup her cheeks, fingers trailing softly over her skin. Her hand came up to cover his.

"I love you." He held her gaze as if he could will her into believing him. She focused on remembering to breathe.

"Yeah."

Castle's lips twitched and his eyes crinkled with suppressed laughter. He dropped his hands and took a step back, turning again towards the kitchen.

"Come on. I'll make you a cup of tea. Then you really should try to get some sleep."

Kate took a deep breath and followed after him. She'd found firm ground beneath her feet after the fall.