Hi. My name is AngelicDragons and I'm an addict. I need reviews. Need them. I have to have reviews. I crave them. (Ok, I'm done.)

The next installment. Still making progress. I actually like this slow boil.

Disclaimer: I don't own Castle.

Kate awoke to the smell of something wonderful. She couldn't place exactly what she was smelling but it was making her mouth water. The delicious aroma was reason enough for her to roll out of her bed and head toward the kitchen. As she approached she could tell that a wonderful meat was searing on a grill, vegetables were cooking, and there was something else she couldn't quite put her finger on. As she came down the stairs, reaching the end of the hall she found Castle in the kitchen completely immersed in the meal he was preparing.

"It smells heavenly, Castle."

Castle startled a little, having not heard her approach. "Good grief woman. Stop using you super ninja skills to sneak up on people. It's not polite. Especially when they are cooking your dinner." He flashed her one of his million watt smiles.

"So what are you making?"

"Ah, I am making grilled chicken, steamed vegetable with rice, and baked potatoes."

"Are we having company?" Kate was a little nervous about people showing up. She wasn't even close to being at her best and she really didn't want anyone intruding on her Castle time.

"No. Just us." Castle continued to move around the kitchen with practiced ease.

"So then, why so fancy?"

Castle stopped his actions. "Not fancy, just complete. So far I've fed you pancakes and a sandwich. What sort of host is that? This is a dinner fit for a guest of honor like yourself."

"I would hardly consider myself a guest of honor Castle. I'm more like an over bearing relative that needs constant supervision."

…were related…dream…someday…

"What was that Castle? I didn't get all of that." Kate looked at him quizzically.

He looked her in the eyes and used the smile that said he had a secret. "You weren't supposed to get any of it." He continued to move around the kitchen preparing things. "So how was your nap?"

"Excellent." Mostly because there weren't any bad dreams. I actually had good dreams.

"I'm glad. You deserve it."

"You did it."

"Well if all it takes is the smell of good food to make you sleep better, I'll cook all night."

Kate let out a soft laugh. "It wasn't the food Castle. It was…" I can do this. I can say it out loud. "…it was your touch that helped me fall to sleep. It…it kept the bad thoughts away and that kept the bad dreams away."

Castle froze holding a piece of chicken with a pair of tongs in mid turn on the indoor grill.

That is, without exception, the single greatest compliment I have ever been paid.

"Castle." Kate said shyly.

"No. Really. I don't know what to say." Castle set the chicken back down and moved across the kitchen to the stool Kate was sitting on, gently wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her deeply and fully.

Kate grabbed the front of his shirt and fisted it in her hands pulling him closer.

They stayed like that for long moments before they both reluctantly pulled back but still gazing into one another's eyes.

"The chicken, Castle."

"I'll order out."

"I would like the chicken." She said smiling up at him.

He unwrapped his arms from around her and walked back over to the stove top pulling the grilling chicken up and plating it.

Castle wanted to eat in the formal dining room but Kate refused. She liked the intimacy of the sitting area in the kitchen. They had been eating for a little while when she decided to bring up the topic she had been avoiding. She was incredibly nervous about it but decided that she could at least use the conversation for entertainment. Castle had just taken a drink of wine when she spoke up.

"So, I was hoping you would let me sleep with you in your bed tonight."

She was rewarded with choking and spitting noises as she watched Castle begin coughing into his napkin. It took him a minute to get over the fit.

She couldn't help but laugh quietly while she watched.

"Ok, I admit that was mean, but very, very funny."

"So, are you serious?"

"Yes." Kate sat down her fork and reached for Castle's hand. "Rick, all you did today was rub my side while I fell asleep. I had good dreams Rick. Good dreams. That's not something I had often before the shooting. I'm hoping that being close to you, having you there will make sleeping easier. Make me feel safer."

"Of course you know you can."

"I don't want you to think I'm leading you on, though. I know we are going to move forward in this relationship, but I'm not in any…

"Kate, you don't have to put out that disclaimer anymore." Rick smiled at Kate. "You are not leading me on. I'm not using you for your body." Yet. Rick wiggled his eyebrows at her.

"Nope, I'm using your body…" Kate paused to let Rick's mind wander. "… to get a good night's sleep."

Kate Beckett you are a wicked, wicked woman.

You have no idea.

The evening passed quickly for both of them.

It passed quickly for Castle out of excitement. This was something he had dreamed about for years. He felt like a high school boy right before picking up his prom date. It was ridiculous to feel this way, but he couldn't help it. Kate Beckett was going to be sleeping in his bed.

Kate on the other hand was just plan nervous. She was going to sleep with Richard Castle. She didn't sleep sleep with men she was having a relationship with. She or they always left. On top of that this was Richard Castle. She had had a crush on him since she was nineteen. There had been the year and half where she wasn't exactly his biggest fan, but that had long since passed. Now she was going to use him for all intents and purposes as a security blanket. The fading vestiges of her pride bristled at the thought of needing someone to be brave.

She wasn't going to back pedal on this. It was time to move forward with her life. If that meant asking for and accepting help, then that's what she would do. There was no reason to deny herself comfort. Castle wasn't going to hurt her and he certainly wasn't going to judge her. The reason he had invited her here and the reason she came was to rest and recover.

Kate completely missed the last half hour of the movie they were watching because of her mind racing. She didn't even notice Castle stand and offer her his hand until he called her name.

"Kate?"

"Huh?" She looked up to see him standing there offering to help her up off the sofa. "Oh, thanks Rick." She took his hand and allowed him to help her upstairs.

"We still need to change your bandages. If you want to go to the bedroom, I'll go get the bandages and meet you there."

"Ok."

This time the change went relatively smoothly. Castle still had the stray thought or twelve but Kate just smiled at him and he didn't seem nearly as embarrassed as he had been.

After finishing, Castle stood up and looked at her "Which side do you want?"

"It's your bed Castle."

"You're the guest."

"I'm gonna have to choose aren't I?"

"Yes."

"The right side."

"The right side, my lady." Castle made a bowing gesture as he walked around to the left side of the bed.

As they both laid down and got under the covers, Kate wasn't sure who was more nervous, her or Castle. After a moment of just lying there on her back, she finally spoke up.

"I won't bite Rick."

"Well, that kind of sucks the fun out of everything don't you think."

Kate rolled her eyes in the dark and let out a laugh. "Castle."

She felt the bed shift as he moved closer and then the warmth of this hand as it slid across her midsection. Goosebumps followed in the wake of his touch.

When next he spoke, this voice was too deep, to close, and the warmth of his breath against her ear was to perfect.

"I don't make the same promise."

Castle.

Shhh. Go to sleep. Wake me if you need anything.

With that she felt his hand begin to make small circles on her stomach. In moments she faded into sleep.