"You all done making yourself feel worse?" The nurse helped Rick lay back down, quickly started the IV again and reattached the monitors. "Now if you will lay down, behave yourself for a little while and let the medicine help you, you will feel a whole lot better and then you can talk to her. She cares about you. I watched her sit by your side for five or six hours. That woman was holding your hand against the doctor's strict orders, even saw her kiss your hand. She was crying too. So what ever you just said or did that got her mad, it was just an excuse for her to walk away. She was scared that she might loose you. She is in there trying to convince herself that she doesn't really care for you. She just needs a good cry and time to think about things now that you are feeling better. So you let her be."
Picking up the cup of ice chips, she put a spoonful near his lips. "Here have some ice chips, let them melt. OK, now swallow gently." The first few spoonfuls were a struggle but his throat did begin to feel a little better. "I brought in some water too. I want you to keep your throat cool and wet. The IV will help with the nausea and cramps but it will also make you tired. OK? Now if you promise to be good, I'll go check on her." Rick nodded in agreement suddenly feeling too tired to argue. As she turned to walk away, he stopped the nurse and reached for her gloved hand. The woman encased in the suit smiled sweetly at him. "Don't bother, save all your sweet talk for that young lady in there. If you need anything, my name is Ruth."
"Thank you Ruth. I'll try not to be such a pain in the ass. Take care of her for me, please?"
Ruth cleared her throat loudly and walked behind the curtain to find Kate sitting on the floor near the shower head in hands. "Sorry to disturb you but I have to take your temperature, check you pulse, respiration and heart." The nurse turned off the water and quickly gathered her patient's information.
"Well you are just fine. If the next few tests come back negative, you both are looking really good to be released by Tuesday night." Getting no response, she bent down to look Kate in the eyes. "Just thought I'd let you know, he tried to come in here to apologize to you. As sick as he is, he actually took a step but then he fell back down on the bed. He is probably sound asleep again. Here you need to take these...pills are better than shots but it's your choice. Good girl, now you need to get some rest. Everything will look better in the morning."
Kate was so tired she barely resisted as the nurse helped her get up and walked her back to the bed. Unable to stop herself, Kate looked over to see Castle was sleeping.
"You didn't eat. Can I get you something?" Kate didn't answer so the nurse just helped her into bed.
"Is he usually this much trouble?"
"Oh yeah, my whole team has two jobs, solving crimes and keeping him out of trouble."
"Well you go to sleep, I'll keep a watchful eye on him tonight for you."
The next morning when Castle finally woke, he still felt horrible but at least the doctor had come, the IV and monitor wires had been removed. He was impatiently waiting for Kate to stir. Some of the things she said yesterday hurt him and he was getting mad. It was time to clear the air. He saw her arm move as she stretched but she said nothing to him. Rick waited but finally the silence got to him. "Kate, we need to talk." He got no response.
"Kate I know you're awake! Just be careful if you get out of bed. A heard of elephants wandered into the room last night."
Beckett turned over in her bed, so now her back was to him.
"Fine, I'm sorry. I have no idea why I am apologizing because when I said come here, that is what I meant, please come closer to me. It hurt to talk. If I could have gotten up and walked to you, Kate, I would have. I tried it and nearly fell flat on my face. You looked sad and tired and I know you sat with me. I wanted to thank you period, no passes or double entendres intended." She didn't respond. "So you're still mad at me?" He waited. "Not talking and pretending to be asleep. Now who is acting like a child?" He waited again but got no answer. "So you are just going to ignore me for the next two or three days?"
"That's my plan. We don't really have anything to say to each other."
"Oh no, Ms. Beckett, you had your say. Now it's my turn. First, if you think I've hung around for the last seven months just for the chance to get you in my bed, let me disabuse you of that notion right now! If all I wanted was sex, there are thousands of "escort" services just in New York City alone that would be happy to provide me with a partner, or partners, in every shape, color, size or kinky fetish I want to indulge and all for a nominal fee. Also, my publicist can line up events for me to attend with a long and growing list of eager young starlets and social climbers who would kill, no pun intended, to be seen with me and "play" with me for free. I would also like to point out that I am under contact to Black Pawn Press; that contact obligates me to show up at launch parties, book signings and to do publicity junkets. I have in the past, and I will hardly deny it, indulged in some hot and sweaty horizontal aerobics with several consenting adult partners after attending these events." He had been talking to her back but slowly Kate rolled onto her back to glare at him.
"That's all it was Kate, just sex! No false expectations, promises or strings attached. I am sorry if that offends your moral code but as much as I love Alexis, I am not a monk. Every once and awhile a man needs to have some fun with a warm and willing woman. It's not how I thought my life would turn out. Like you Kate, and contrary to public opinion, I am or at least intended to be a one and done type guy. What's the phrase, the road to hell is paved with good intentions and believe me both my marriages became a trip through hell. I thought it was me but I've come to understand that I just married the wrong women. You've met Meredith and Gina, so I rest my case." He sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed.
"What we have is not about sex, it is about being there for each other and that is a new experience for me. I know when this all started, being paired with me was not your choice but you put up with me….and I do know that I can be difficult at times."
"At times?" Castle smiled because he knew that she was listening.
"You inspire me Kate, bring excitement back to my writing and give me intriguing new ideas. I flatter myself that I've helped you too. Together we solved some puzzles and found some killers. Yes, I am attracted to you, never said otherwise, playful banter aside. But command you, no! I'd never even try it because I would like to live and keep all the protruding body parts I have...I'm rather fond of some of them. I would never want or expect you to be anything other than who you are because you are amazing! I've said it before and I mean it, Kate, you don't let go, you don't back down and that's what makes you extraordinary! You make me want to be a better man, friend and partner. It's hard for both of us to trust others, to let people see the real person inside. I want that, I do but it's not easy for me, so please be patient with me."
Kate got up and wiped away a few tears. She really tried to stay mad this time but failed again. "You know, you really piss me off!" She walked over to his bed. "And sometimes I think you do it just to see me get mad."
"You are adorable when you get mad. That little crease between your eyes…." He reached out to touch her.
"Touch me and that finger will be a fond memory"
"Got it! Sorry, Kate. I pushed my luck with that one."
"Look at that folks! He can be taught."
"So we are good? Friends? Please?"
"I'm sorry I yelled at you. I was not thinking clearly, tired and stressed out. Yesterday was not my best day. Not much point in staying mad and not speaking in here. OK, friends." They shook hands.
"This a first for me, a woman who is not a wife, lover or family member. I have a friend and partner, maybe I am finally growing up."
"Maybe, they say miracles happen everyday."