"Dad" Alexis screamed as she ran into the room and flung her arms around Rick's neck, a smile appearing on her face as the tears streamed down her cheeks, the door opening once more to reveal Martha who lent against the wall and crossed her arms.

"My son the drama queen" Martha muttered as Rick stared at her, Alexis clinging to him as she continued to sob.

"Thank you mother dear" Rick laughed as Martha smiled at him and beamed before walking over slowly and kissing his forehead gently and sighing. "I appreciate your love and care in my hour of need" he declared as she rolled her eyes and sat in a nearby chair.

"Dad where's Kate, is she alright, she didn't get hurt did she" Alexis asked as she stared at her father who patted her hand and sighed. "Oh my god is Kate okay" Alexis panicked as Rick shook his head causing Alexis to shut her eyes as the door opened and Kate walked in.

"Sorry am I interrupting" Kate asked as Alexis opened her eyes and stared from the woman in the doorway to her dad, a smile appearing on his face as she frowned.

"Dad you horrible liar" Alexis announced as she hit him gently and he stuck his tongue out at her, a smile appearing on his face as she groaned. Climbing off the bed, she smiled before she ran over and hugged Kate who smiled. "I'm glad you're okay, although I wish dad was worse off right now".

"What's he done" Kate declared as she stared at Rick who smiled at her. "You're supposed to be relaxing and making sure you get back into good health Mr Castle".

"Yes, seeing that you have a book tour coming up" Martha declared causing him to grab the blanket and pull it over his head. "Richard Alexander Rogers you do this every time there's a book tour, I don't care if you've been shot, in three weeks' time you will be well enough to sit and read an extract and smile for some photographs" Martha declared as he groaned under the blanket again causing Kate to smile.

"Oh don't worry Martha, I'll make sure he's up and running for these tours of yours" she announced as he pulled the blanket down and stared at her.

"Kate you're supposed to be on my side, as my girlfriend you're supposed to stick up for me occasionally and especially now I've been shot" he declared as she shrugged, a smile on her face as she did. She was feeling better because Rick was feeling better and being surrounded by a loving family seemed to be rubbing off on her slightly.

"Rick I'm only on your side when it's a good cause" she announced as Alexis laughed. "And I'm sorry but you've been annoying me at my work so it's about right that you go on the annoying bit of yours".

"But I won't have you there with me" he declared as she shook her head.

"Why don't you go as well Kate, it's not like you don't need a break to after everything that's happened" Martha suggested as Rick smiled.

"I like that plan" Rick declared causing Kate to groan. "Come on Kate, when I was lying on that sofa bleeding everywhere I promised I'd take you away and what's better than a Castle book tour".

"Umm, let me think" she announced as the room went silent. "Not going on a Castle book tour and having a nice relaxing time after all the rubbish that I've been going through".

"And what about me then Katherine, I've been shot and I would like to spend some time getting to know my girlfriend slightly better without the stress of work or a maniac ruining it" Rick declared as Martha put her hands on Alexis'' shoulder.

"Let's go and have a coffee Alexis, leave these two to have a good old bicker" Martha announced as she led her granddaughter out of the room causing Kate to stare at Rick who was looking at her.

"You've chirped up for a man who was shot only a few hours ago" she muttered as he laughed and smiled at her, his smile causing her to groan.

"Look Kate you know you want to come on this tour with me, just me and you without the work and without having to think about Demming or life really" he declared as she stared. "You know that you want too Kate and you know I'm not going to give up until you say yes".

"Rick, you know what book tours and I'm not stupid, I've worked with you for three years, there stress and being pushed around and schedules and I would rather be at work than being pushed around because it's not fitting in with everyone else's times" she declared as he sighed, watching her as she sat down and stared at him. "And anyway you know I don't give in easily".

XOXOXO

"Have you two stopped arguing yet" Alexis asked as she stared at the couple who were completely separate, Kate completely submerged in a book Esposito had had in his car and Rick was fast asleep.

"Yeah we've stopped but only because your dad's meds kicked in, I think he's the only man I know who can talk for the whole of America and still keep going" she laughed as Alexis laughed and walked in, sitting down in the free seat beside Kate. "Are you okay, I guess this is a shock for you".

"He's going to be okay, that's all that matters" she mumbled as Kate nodded, her arm wrapping around the girl slowly as Alexis sighed and rested against her. "I was terrified when I found out he'd been shot, I was scared I'd never get to say goodbye and tell him how much I'd miss him" Alexis whispered as Kate sighed, the memories of her mother and fathers untimely deaths flooding back to her. "But it doesn't matter because he's fine and as you seem to be saying he's being his normal self" Alexis mumbled.

"Yeah" Kate sighed as Rick groaned and opened his eyes, staring at the two women who were looking at him. "Evening…".

"Those doctors are trying to kill me Kate, I think you should arrest them, they must not like my books" he announced as she sighed and walked over, kissing his forehead as she did.

"Rick, it's pain medication it does the same thing to everyone, there's no need for you to feel special" she laughed as he smiled at her, Alexis watching as she saw the look in her dad's eyes as he stared at Kate. She'd never seen him look at someone like that and she knew that it meant Kate was special to him, more special than any other woman he'd been with and she'd prayed for weeks that he wouldn't screw up what he had because in her opinion, Kate Beckett was the best thing to ever happen to him.

"Alexis you're thinking about something" he declared as Alexis looked up and nodded. "Want to tell me or are you going to leave me contemplating".

"Dad, you're supposed to be resting" Alexis mumbled. "Asking questions and getting into arguments doesn't exactly fit with that does it" she announced as Rick groaned, knowing sometimes his daughter was more adult than he was but he knew he'd never want to change her because she was perfect just the way she was and he loved her more than anything in the world.

"I agree with Alexis Rick and if you don't start doing what the doctors order, we'll leave you alone with your mother and see how you survive with her discussing the plans of the book tour" Kate declared as Rick sighed and shut his eyes. "Rick if you don't rest you won't get better and if you don't get better there's not even a slight possibility of me coming on this tour with you" she teased as he stared at her.

"Wait, does that mean you're thinking about" he asked as she winked and sat down in the chair next to Alexis, pulling her book out once more so she could stop herself from staring at a rather pleased with himself Rick.