Just A Heartache

A post series story in which we find out that Kate and Rick don't always have the best sex life on the planet.

All standard disclaimers apply.

AN: Just a little throw away that stuck in my mind. Not sure what this says about me though.

The door to the Castle loft flew open as an obviously frustrated Captain Kate Beckett-Castle strode into the room. Rick knew immediately that his wife needed his attention. His special attention. He reached her side and quickly helped her off with her coat. He pulled her into a hug, then kissed her.

"Bad day I take it?"

"That would be the understatement of the year." She used her left hand to work out some tangles in her long hair. "Karpowski was out so I covered and led her team out on a call."

Castle slid his palm across her cheek. She leaned into it.

"Tough case?"

She shook her head. "Not really, but the scene was a mess. Our vic was found lying right in the middle of a large pool of sewage back up. I think I ruined my favorite new boots." She stuck her leg out to show that discoloration to high heeled leather boots.

Castle knew he shouldn't say it, but he couldn't help himself. "Well, it's a good thing you married a millionaire."

She pinned him with her 'Beckett glare'. "Smart ass." She bent down and pulled her boots off and tossed them into the hall closet.

Castle put his arm around his very tense wife and led her over to a stool at the kitchen island. "Well, you just sit there and look beautiful while I prepare something scrumptious for dinner."

"I'm so frustrated, and angry right now." She plucked a cherry from the bowl sitting on the island in front of her. She popped the small fruit into her mouth, letting a small moan escape her lips just before the cherry stem was pulled from her mouth nicely tied in a loose knot. "I'm not really hungry… for food."

Her eyes changed color from hazel to a deep emerald green. Her smile was positively feral.

Rick's brow raised, and his mouth curled into a smile. "Hmmm, I might just have something that might be to your discerning taste."

"Really?"

"Oh yes, I have it on the best recommendation that madam would be very satisfied with this particular entrée. It is always firm, but not too tough. Easy to swallow, but long lasting pleasure."

"We're not talking about food anymore… are we."

"Nope. We're not talking about any old horseflesh. A different sort of thoroughbred. A real stud. One that can go the distance.

Kate smirked as she nodded. "I hope so because I plan to ride that beast like you did way back in Central Park all those years ago."

It was Castle's turn to smirk. "You mean naked?"

She slipped off the stool and reached out and grabbed his hand. "Yep." She pulled him in for a breath stealing kiss. "Come on, Stud. The night's a wasting.

Kate rolled over onto her back and pushed her sweat slicked hair out of her face. She had to take a moment to catch her breath. What was it with her husband? She was ten years younger and no slouch in the ways of sexual gratifications, but she was continually pushed to her limits by the wonderful man she had been finally smart enough to claim for her own.

She turned her face toward him and smiled. One would have thought that after their fourth time around that he'd finally be worn out. She was almost at her limit and she had always been able to outlast the men she knew. But Castle just laid there returning her smile.

Once again, as she had cause to think of it, she was glad that Martha had her own apartment and Alexis had a small apartment on campus. Kate had always been notorious as a 'noisy' lover. The morning after their first time together, Castle had phoned a contractor and had soundproofing installed around their bedroom.

Her throat was sore. Of course, that wasn't only because of her screams. Castle reached over and traced her lips with his finger. His grin was almost silly. "Are you ready for round five?"

She ran her tongue along her lips. "You think you can take another round old man?"

"Ooh, those are fighting words." Kate screamed as he grabbed her and pulled her onto him, and round five began.

The pair of lovers laid their sweat soaked bodies on top of their sweat soaked sheets. Kate stared up at the ceiling which she could barely see in the darkness of the room. Dawn was still an hour or so away.

"You still with me old man?"

"Still here."

"Not bad for someone of such an advanced age."

"Advanced age, my butt."

Kate giggled and pinched his ass. "Nope, it's my butt now. All mine." She crawled over him and shoved her tongue down his throat. She could feel his arousal ramping up again.

"Argh!" The scream was ripped from Rick's throat as he shoved Kate off of him.

Kate quickly sat up and looked on with concern. "Rick! What's wrong?" She reached over and turned on side table lamp at her side of the bed. It was just enough to see what was going on with him.

Rick's pallor had suddenly turned almost grey, and his face was scrunched up as in great pain. "Rick, what's wrong? Are you hurt?" He was scaring her. His fist clenched over his chest and he was having trouble breathing.

Kate's minimal training in first aid gave her a clue. "Omigod! Rick, I think you're having a heart attack! I'm calling 911."

Castle reached over and put a hand on her arm, stopping her. "No, don't. It's not that bad. I think it might just be heartburn from dinner."

"Bull shit. We didn't have any dinner."

She grabbed her phone off the side table, she would panic after she made the call.

"911, what is your emergency?"

"My husband is having a heart attack! Send help!"

The operator was able to calm Kate enough to get their address and some basic instructions until the EMTs arrived.

Kate helped Castle to a sitting position. "They should be here in about 5 minutes. I suppose it would be a good idea if we had clothes on."

With considerate help from Kate, they got Castle into a pair of sweat pants and a Batman T-shirt. She shoved a pair of slippers on his feet. Castle was still grimacing in pain.

Kate fought down her fear as she quickly pulled on a pair of jeans and pulled a light sweater over her head. She felt sticky from the drying sweat covering her body. She grabbed a hair tie from the bathroom and pulled her hair into a pathetically limp ponytail.

Five minutes and forty three seconds after her phone call there was a knock on their door.

Rushing out to the front entry, Kate opened the door and let the medics into her home. As she led them to Rick she gave them a significantly censored version of what had happened.

They had him strapped down onto the gurney and on their way out the door in less than three minutes. Castle complained that he would be fine the whole way down to the ambulance.

Kate had been pacing in circles since they arrived at the Mt. Sinai emergency. She was going crazy. She'd been there for nearly an hour and still hadn't heard anything from anyone. A kindly orderly tried to suggest that she make herself more comfortable by sitting. She glared at the young man until he left her alone.

After 87 minutes and two near panic attacks someone who looked like a doctor came to find her.

"Family of Richard Castle?"

Kate rushed up. "That's me, I'm Mrs. Castle."

A middle-aged woman with a stethoscope around her neck smiled at Kate. She was a walking clique but that didn't matter to her. She just needed to know about Rick. And if she didn't start talking soon Kate was going to strangle her.

"I'm Doctor Susan Thompson and I examined your husband. First off, your husband is fine. He had a mild heart attack."

Kate flailed her arms like a mad woman. "He's fine! You tell me that he had a heart attack and you say he's fine?"

She smiled at Kate, she'd seen plenty of concerned spouses. "Yes, we ran a battery of tests and he passed them all. There doesn't seem to be any permanent damage. He should be okay after a good night's sleep and a day or so of only moderate activity."

Kate shook her head. "What caused this to happen? I've known Rick for years even before we married. I never saw anything that would indicate that he might have a weak heart?"

Dr. Thompson patted Kate on the arm. "Mrs. Castle, I wouldn't say that your husband has a weak heart, but he is in his middle forties. Has he possibly over exerted himself lately? Might he have pushed himself too far doing something? Maybe over did some exercising or working out?"

Kate ducked her head to try to hide the blush on her cheeks. She bit on her bottom lip. "Possibly."

"Well, with a little rest he is going to be fine. He's in room 383. You can collect him there and once you sign a ridiculous amount of paper work my nurse will have for him you can take him home."

Kate grabbed the doctor's hand and pumped it vigorously. "Thank you very much doctor."

They exchanged smiles as Kate made her way to room 383.

Two very tired individuals trudged into the loft. It was already late morning.

"I'm going to make us some breakfast." Castle moved into the kitchen.

"No!" Kate led Rick over to the couch. "Here, why don't you sit and read the paper." She handed him the newspaper she'd collected as they came through the door. "I'll make breakfast. Anything special you want?"

Rick gave his wife a questioning look, then shrugged. "Won't you be late for work?"

Kate shook her head. "No, I called in while at the hospital. They will call me if there's an emergency."

"Oh, that's good." He wiggled his brows for her. "Now we can have the whole uninterrupted day all to ourselves."

"You just shut down that train of thought right now mister." Your doctor says that you should rest and that's just what you are going to do. Besides I have some things I need to do this afternoon." He pouted. "How about pancakes?"

"With bacon?"

"Of course." He smiled.

There wasn't much conversation during the late breakfast, but there was plenty of hand holding. Once they had finished, Kate had relocated Castle back onto the couch. With another shrug he watched her walk toward the bedroom while he began to channel surf.

Castle had been ensconced in his chair, his attention riveted to a Discovery Channel documentary about "Finding Bigfoot". He loved those shows.

His subconscious noted that Kate seemed to be occasionally walking back and forth in front of him, but he managed to ignore it because the show had captured his attention. Once the show had ended Rick looked up and noticed Kate walking by with an arm load of clothes.

"Kate, what are you doing?"

Kate was startled when she heard him speak. She nearly dropped a load of underwear. She turned toward him with a determined look on her face.

"I'm moving my stuff into the guest room."

"What? Why are you moving your stuff?" He reached out and placed his hand over her arm.

She pulled away and continued to the stairs. "Because I love you."

Castle shook his head in bewilderment. "You'll have to explain that one to me."

Tears began to slip down her cheeks. "I love you Richard Castle, I will always love you. But we are never having sex again."

And with that she ran up the stairs.

Rick stumble over to the bottom of the stairs, looking up in confused horror.

"Kate? … Kate ... Kate!

Fin

AN: So there you have it. Just a touch of tongue in cheek. Read and Review if you choose. Stay safe.