Author's Note: Since my update was so late yesterday, here's an early, longer one. Where the last chapter was nearly impossible to write, this one was ridiculously easy. Sometimes I swear these characters write themselves. Enjoy and if you have the time after reading, let me know how you liked it!
The rest of the day was spent with visitors. After Martha and Castle arrived back with bags upon bags of food, which they refused to let Beckett pay for, Martha and Alexis had said their goodbyes and been on their way. Alexis had hugged Kate again and sworn to come back and visit.
Castle looked sadly at the door when it had closed and Kate was reminded of just how much he was missing by being here with her. She rubbed his arm for support and looked into his eyes, hoping he could see in her expression just how thankful she was, even if she didn't have the nerve to voice it.
Soon after Martha and Alexis were out the door, Jim Beckett arrived for a visit. Despite Kate's continued protests that she really was just fine and that he could get on with his normal life, he'd stuck around.
Castle had stood immediately to give the two some alone time but Jim had insisted he stick around, saying "You've been here for Katie all this time, there's no need for you to leave now."
Beckett had felt the deep red of blush creep onto her cheeks but Castle had only respectfully nodded and taken his seat again. He listened intently as Jim and his daughter talked, but never once interrupted unless spoken to.
Jim had left only an hour after arriving. He had hugged Kate for a long time and clapped Castle on the shoulder. Right before heading out the door he'd thanked Castle for everything and again Beckett felt the familiar blush on her face. Rick had the decency not to call any attention to her embarrassment, though Beckett could have sworn she'd seen a slight smile on his lips when he'd turned to face her.
A light dinner was fixed from the groceries that Martha and Rick had picked up and soon, after discussing how the return to the precinct would be, the writer and detective were ready for bed.
At Beckett's first yawn Castle had ushered her away, still claiming that she needed her rest, despite the fact that she really was feeling much better. She fell asleep almost instantly, but her dreams didn't allow her to remain asleep through the night.
When Kate woke up and rolled to look at the clock, she found that it wasn't morning yet. The clock read 2 in the morning, but the detective could clearly hear music coming from the living room.
She rubbed her eyes and climbed carefully out of bed, ignoring the pain in her chest that was always easier to feel after just waking up.
Always aware, Beckett grabbed the gun that she kept on her bedside table and crept out into the living room.
"Castle?" She asked quietly, lowering her gun when she saw her partner sitting with his laptop in hand on the couch.
The room was fairly dark. Only one small lamp illuminated it. Next to it the radio was playing a song that Kate had never heard. It was soft and sweet.
"Hey, Beckett," He said, closing the computer. "Did I wake you up? I'm sorry. I'll turn that off." He stood quickly and walked towards the radio.
"No, don't," She said, thoroughly enjoying the music. "I was awake anyway. I… I've been having nightmares a lot lately." She said, running a hand through her hair.
"I know the feeling," Castle mumbled. "Here, sit down." He stood while she took a seat on the couch beside him.
"How are you feeling?" He asked after she'd gotten comfortable, referring to her injury.
"I'm fine really. Almost normal, in fact," She said, but a dull throb from her chest reminded her otherwise. "It's worse in the mornings." She said honestly. "Or… when I first wake up," She said, remembering that it was really not a normal hour.
Castle's deep eyes stared into hers and suddenly she felt the need to speak again. "So, what are you listening to? This isn't one of my CDs." The music had turned now to another slow song. This one sung by a man and woman.
"Ah, it's something of Alexis'. A CD Ashley made her actually." Castle chortled at himself.
"And you have it why?" Beckett asked.
"Don't worry!" Castle said, realizing what she'd thought. "I didn't steal from my love-struck daughter. I made a copy."
Kate stifled a giggle.
"Hey, the songs are nice!" Castle said, clutching at his chest dramatically.
"Yeah, okay." Beckett said in a playful, doubting voice. "I'm sure you actually just dance around alone to them, dreaming of your one true love." She grinned.
"You've caught me." He said with a wink. "Care to dance, detective?" The man stood without warning to his feet and reached his hand out in a royal gesture.
Kate found the idea preposterous, but the look in Castle's eyes made her forget the silliness. She stood and clutched his hand. "Sure," She purred, standing gingerly to her feet.
As soon as she was up Castle had gently lifted her in his arms. His hands grasped her hips firmly and he placed her so that her feet were standing on his own, rather than the ground.
"Castle, what are you doing?" She snapped, now standing only on Rick's sock covered feet.
"Don't think I've forgotten that you're supposed to be resting." He said strictly, moving slowly to the music. He picked his feet up as if Kate wasn't even there, as if she was as light as a feather.
"There's no point in even arguing, is there?" Beckett said, looking up at Castle. The height difference when she wasn't wearing heels really was ridiculous.
"No point at all," He said, his voice rumbling in her ear.
Instead of fighting it, or telling Castle that she was perfectly capable of dancing on her own two feet, Beckett relaxed. The feel of floating across the floor with Rick was too comforting to argue with.
She leaned her head against him and closed her eyes.
He kept his hands firmly around her waist, holding her close so that she wouldn't fall backwards away from him. The feel of his body so close was more soothing to Kate than anything had been since she'd been shot.
In his arms she suddenly felt protected enough to close her eyes and drift off. Maybe those nightmares wouldn't bother her quite as much if she'd only pulled Rick into her bed.
Instead of thinking anymore or letting her thoughts run as rampant as usual, Beckett focused on the music and the feel of Castle's arms around her.
After two songs had passed, he leaned towards her ear and spoke. "Awake down there?" He asked quietly.
"Sort of," She mumbled, tightening her hold on the man.
"You really need to sleep." He said, breaking her peace again.
"Castle," She groaned. "Shut up."
He ignored her and moved to the couch. Carefully he laid Beckett onto one of the cushions. "There," He said, admiring her like she was a finished draft of one of his stories.
"Let's just watch a movie," The detective mumbled, scooting over so there was room for her partner on the couch.
The space she left for him was small, but Castle didn't argue. He popped a movie in, something Beckett had said was fine, and slid next to her.
In all truth, Kate was exhausted. She just didn't want to be alone and asking Rick to come into the bedroom with her didn't seem like the best idea. She didn't want him getting the wrong idea.
Within ten minutes of the movie Beckett was asleep with her head leaned against the shoulder of the man beside her.
Castle had done his best to remain calm when Kate had leaned against him. This is what friends do; he'd tried to convince himself.
When he heard her breathing grow long and regular, he glanced down. Beckett was fast asleep. She looked as beautiful as he'd ever seen her. As much as he enjoyed feeling the weight of her on him, Rick knew that she would wake sore from sleeping on the couch.
He gently turned and reached to cradle her in his arms. She shifted when he picked her up, but didn't wake. Castle carried Kate into her room and set her on the bed as carefully as he could.
When she hit the bed her eyes opened slightly. "Castle?" She mumbled, looking up at his face in sleepy confusion.
"Shh…" He murmured, pulling the covers to cover her. "Don't worry. I'm leaving." Even though the room was black, Kate could feel his smile.
And unexpectedly, without really realizing she was doing it, Beckett spoke. "No; stay." She said quietly.
"Kate," He said, his voice losing all humor.
"No, Castle," She said, desperately wanting him to stop questioning everything. "The, uh, the couch isn't very comfortable. We're both adults. We can share a bed and sleep. Come on." She wiggled over as if to emphasize that she was serious.
"You're sure?" Rick asked, doubt shrouding his voice.
"No funny business," Kate said with a nod as she scooted further over.
Castle shot her one last look before slipping into the bed beside her. He was tense and afraid to move but Beckett paid him little attention as she turned over and fell quickly back to sleep.
The bed was plenty big enough for two people but the warmth from the detective still kept Castle awake. He listened to her steady breathing and watched her chest rise and fall until finally he began to grow tired.
He closed his eyes and fell asleep to the sound of Kate's breathing. As they moved closer in the night, without either even realizing it, both Castle and Beckett slept better than they had in a very, very long time.
Author's Note: I hope you all enjoyed this one. I know I loved writing it. I'd love to hear your opinions and we're getting back to the almost one-shot type interactions between Kate and Rick next so I'm taking ideas! Thanks always for reading and reviewing.