CLOSE TO YOU
CHAPTER FIVE

The sky is grey with the very beginning of dawn when she wakes.

She sits up quickly and groans, lays back down when the pounding in her head returns with a vengeance. She takes a few deep breaths as she tries to reorient herself, and after several deep breaths, she's able to sit up again, slowly this time.

Her apartment is dark, and she stumbles to the bathroom, managing to use it without throwing up, much to her relief. She quickly brushes her teeth, but when she makes her way towards the living room, she freezes.

It's quiet. Too quiet.

Panic bubbles in her chest for a brief moment before it comes back to her. She'd become sick when Reagan started to feel better, talked to Rick for a few minutes, was going to call her dad-

Oh.

She retreats back to her room, where she remembers having her phone last, and finds it in the pile of blankets at the end of her bed, the battery still relatively full. She goes through her notifications, noting that most of them came almost ten hours ago, shortly after she fell asleep. There are a few from her dad around ten, informing her that he took off work Monday so he can keep Reagan an extra day, and she breathes a sigh of relief. Even though she feels better by leaps and bounds, she'll take the help.

Rick had texted just before midnight, wishing her good night and to let him know when she wakes, no matter the time.

When she reads his last text, she narrows her eyes in confusion.

There's soup in your fridge.

She goes to check, and sure enough, there's a container of chicken noodle soup on the middle shelf.

What-

How-

Her fingers fly over the keyboard before she can stop herself.

Did you put the soup in my fridge?

It's barely five o'clock on Sunday morning, so as she expects, Rick doesn't answer right away. She takes the time to force down some toast and water, and within just a few minutes begins to feel good enough to attempt a shower.

Her phone rings just after six, as she's tugging on clean clothes, and she smiles and swipes to answer. "Good morning."

"Wow, you sound so much better," Rick says by way of greeting. "Not that you sounded bad before, but-"

"Oh, I did," Kate interrupts, ignoring the desire that begins to swirl in her lower abdomen at the low husk of his voice in her ear. He must have just woken up, his voice gravelly, and she imagines waking up next to him with his words in her ear, whispering sweet nothings as he slips into her, as they make slow, sweet lo-

"Did you see my text?" she asks, pushing away those intrusive thoughts. Now is not the time.

He chuckles, low and deep and oh my god so sexy, and she's definitely feeling better if she's this tempted to surprise him with nothing more than her bare body.

"It was your dad's doing," Rick explains. "I ordered it, and he picked it up on the way to get Reagan. He said he told you, but you probably forgot. Apparently you were dead on your feet. Oh, hang on."

There's a slight rustling, and she hears him mumble something.

"Sorry," he says into the phone. "Alexis is up. I better get going with breakfast. Do you think you're up for visitors? Can I come by later?"

"Sure. Maybe let me know when you do, so I can be presentable?"

"Two days ago I watched you grind against my lap until you came so hard I'm surprised you could even breathe. If that's what you mean by presentable, we won't ever leave your bed."

Heat rushes through her at his words. She can't remember the last time she's felt this much raw desire from someone. The desperate lust that accompanies every relationship's honeymoon period, sure. Usually it begins to fade once she gets to know her partner more, and she inevitably pulls away, then the relationship fizzles.

But so far she likes what she's seen with Rick, and she can't wait to see more.

Just…not when she's still worn out from her brief bout with the flu.

"Rick," she whispers, her mind going blank of anything else.

"It won't be today, but soon. I want more of you. I need more."

"So do I," she admits.

There's a low growl, a sound almost primal in nature, and she flushes. Dear God, if he's getting worked up just from a brief, suggestive conversation…

"I'll bring you lunch. Don't worry, I'll call first."

He knocks on her door promptly at noon, having dropped Alexis at a friend's birthday party, and she can't hide her surprise when he's carrying not takeout, but two grocery bags.

"I know you suggested Chinese," he explains, "but I didn't want to unintentionally make you sick again with rich or fried food. So I'm making us grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup."

Kate follows him into her kitchen and leans against the counter, watches as he unpacks the bags. "So you disregarded our discussion and decided for me what I should eat?"

Rick freezes, his hand hovering over one of the bags, his mouth open in shock as he stares at her. "Oh-no-I didn't mean-"

Kate snickers. She'd tease him more, but judging by the horrified look on his face, he gets the point. "It's okay, Rick. You have good intentions." She sidles up to him and wraps her arms around his waist, leans back so she can look up at him. "But a text would have been nice."

Rick cups his hands on her shoulders and rubs her upper arms. "I'm sorry. It's not an excuse, but I'm used to taking action and fixing things. Single dad, former nurse," he adds. He leans down and brushes his lips against her forehead. "I'll consult with you next time. I promise."

Kate fists her hands in the back of his shirt and props her chin on his sternum, enjoying this closeness. She doesn't want to stop looking at him or touching him, and she hasn't felt like this for a very long time.

God, she's smitten with this man.

"If we're going to do this relationship thing, we're doing it together," she says. "Especially if we already talked about something."

"Does that include surprises?"

Kate tilts her head, pretending to consider it, then lets a slow smile curl at the edges of her mouth. "No. I like surprises."

Rick mirrors her grin. "Good." He lifts one hand to cup her jaw, and his gaze darks and drops to his mouth. "I know you're not a hundred percent, but do you feel good enough for a kiss?" he asks, his voice deep and full of longing.

She quirks a brow. "Very few things would make me turn down a kiss," she teases. When he hesitates, she chuckles. "That's a yes, Rick. I absolutely feel good enough."

Even though she still feels a little bit under the weather, the first touch of his mouth to hers awakens new butterflies in her stomach and sends blood rushing lower. She tightens her grip on his shirt when their tongues meet, and she hears a moan, unsure whether it comes from him or her or both of them.

The noise makes him snap.

Before she can react he slides his hands under her thighs and lifts her onto the counter, his mouth not leaving hers as he steps between her legs. The groceries fall to the floor, but she can't bring herself to care, not when he tastes like toothpaste and coffee and he's kissing her like he'll die if he stops.

She loops her arms around his neck, holding him to her, although judging by the way his fingers are digging into her legs, he's not going anywhere.

He pulls his mouth from hers and ghosts it across her cheek, nipping at the skin under her ear before trailing down her neck. She tilts her head to the side to give him more space, and he grunts against her throat, slides his hands up to squeeze her hips before pulling away.

Her eyes fly open at the loss of his touch, and she watches as he shakes his head a few times and lifts his gaze to hers.

"Why'd you stop?" she manages, her voice more breathy than she'd intended.

Rick steps back until he leans against the opposite counter. "I didn't come here for that. I came to make you lunch," he explains, motioning to the fallen food.

Kate smirks at his choice of words, leans back on her hands, and parts her legs a little more. "You are making me lunch," she teases.

"I mean make lunch for you," he clarifies after clearing his throat. "I'm here to feed you - don't give me that look, you know what I mean." He moves around the counter and starts picking up the food from the floor. "You've barely eaten all weekend, Kate. I'm making you a sandwich, or three."

Kate grins and hops off the counter, grabs a skillet. "Okay, fine. But maybe we can continue later?"

Rick smirks, his gaze darkening. "Absolutely."

Much to Kate's dismay, later is delayed when Rick has to pick up Alexis. They do make plans for the next weekend, though, and she begrudgingly says goodbye, their parting kiss long and lingering and full of promise.

She's knee-deep in closed cases on Tuesday afternoon, trying desperately to catch up before her three o'clock meeting at 1PP, when her desk phone rings.

"Beckett," she barks, answering without looking at the caller.

"Someone here to see you, Captain," the desk sergeant announces. "Can I send him up?"

Kate narrows her eyes. She rarely gets visitors at work, and if she does it's usually her dad, who everyone knows well enough that she doesn't get a call ahead. "Who is it?"

She can hear the teasing in his voice when he answers. "He asked that I not spoil his surprise by telling you, but he has coffee, so you'll probably want to see him. He checks out, Cap."

Her shoulders relax and she smiles.

It must be Rick.

"Go ahead and send him up. Thanks, Sarge."

She stands, tugging her blazer down and swiping her palms on her thighs. Her desk is messy, but if she wants to head him off at the elevator, she doesn't have the time to straighten up. Ignoring the questioning looks from a few of her detectives when she rushes through the bullpen, she arrives at the elevator just before the doors open.

"I hope this is okay," he says as soon as his eyes meet hers. "Me showing up without asking. But you said you couldn't leave, and frankly, I missed you." He holds out the cup in his left hand. "Your usual."

Kate lifts her lips in a small smile. She would have preferred a call ahead, but she's quickly learned that he's prone to acting first and thinking later, especially when it comes to courting her. Besides, the pink tinge on the tips of his ears tells her that he's sufficiently apologetic.

She jerks her head towards her office. "Come on back. I can spare a few minutes."

She sips her coffee as she leads him through the bullpen, and she hears his steps slow, the awe in his voice at the "oh my gosh" that he can't quite keep to himself. She glances behind her, notices his eyes fixed on the murder board on the other side of the room.

It's one of Ryan and Esposito's, she notes, a divorce lawyer found murdered in her office, and by the looks of it, they're rich with suspects and motives but light on true leads. She's looked at the board a handful of times today, mostly on her way to and from the bathroom, but hasn't had the time to dedicate more than a few moments to it.

Rick's brows furrow as he approaches the board, and she briefly considers stopping him, wanting to shield him from the crime scene photos. But he was a nurse, she reminds herself, had told her once that he cut his teeth in the ER before transferring to Labor & Delivery. She's sure images like this aren't entirely new.

"It doesn't look like they've gotten far," he mentions, shoving his free hand in his pocket, the other holding his coffee.

Kate has to take a moment, just stands to the side, staring at him. With his plaid shirt and light jacket, his shoulders relaxed but eyes serious, he looks like he belongs here.

She has a brief flash of him pinning her against the board and slipping her pants down her legs, but she shakes her head, clears her throat to push that out of her mind. They want each other, desperately, but she has a week full of meetings and bureaucracy, so any significant alone time has to wait until their date on Saturday.

"Yeah, they're at the victim's office now, trying to find something significant, a thread to pull on," she explains. She steps up to him and nudges his elbow with hers. "Come on, let's go to my office. I don't have a lot of time."

Her touch seems to break his concentration, and he turns to her, his smile wide. "Does your office have a door?"

She chuckles. "Yes, but don't get any ideas."

"Too late."

She shuts the door behind him and leads him to the couch along the wall, across from her desk. Although she sits facing the door so she can see if one of her detectives or officers approaches, her attention is entirely on Rick.

It's only been two days since she saw him last. But one part of that encounter has played on a loop in her mind: his mouth hot against hers, the sure grip on her thighs as he lifted her onto the counter, the desperation in his touch as he'd buried his fingers in her hair for their parting kiss.

Her cheeks warm, and she crosses her legs, using the movement to try and hide that she clenches her thighs in an attempt to alleviate some of the growing pressure between her legs.

God, if she's worked up from literally just being in the same room as him, she's going to die on Saturday - assuming they do sleep together, that is.

When she catches Rick's eyes on her legs, notices how dark they are as he watches her cross them, she takes a large drink of coffee.

Oh, they're definitely sleeping together on Saturday.

Note to self: don't forget to shave.

Although she doesn't think he'd care.

"So," she manages, her voice cracking. She clears her throat and he tears his gaze from her legs. "How's work today?"

Rick sips his own drink. "It's fine, pretty slow. I've spent most of the day writing, or attempting to, anyway," he adds with an adorable embarrassed smile. "I realized last night that I had a procedural detail wrong, so now I gotta fix the unlawful search and seizure so the killer doesn't get off on a technicality." He shrugs. "But I wanted to see you before I tried to figure it out."

He stretches his arm across the back of the couch, the tips of his fingers brushing against her shoulder. "I missed you," he admits in a quiet voice, his gaze lifting to hers. "I don't care if it sounds childish or silly because it's only been a couple days. I missed you and I wanted to see you."

She shifts to face him and drops a hand to his knee, brushes her thumb across the fabric of his jeans. "It's not silly, or childish," she assures him. "Truth be told, I missed you too. I-"

Anything else she wants to say dies on her lips when an alarm goes off. She mutters a curse under her breath, recognizing it as the alarm she'd set on her phone signalling the time to leave for her meeting. She silences it, then grabs her briefcase and offers Rick an apologetic smile. "Sorry."

Rick stands and shrugs. "Don't worry about it. Before you do that-"

She pauses with her hand on the doorknob, feels her breath catch in her throat when she turns to find him inches from her.

His hand cups her jaw, and he slides it to the back of her neck, tangles his fingers in her hair. "Okay?" he asks, his grip just firm enough to tilt her face up to him.

She nods even as his lips touch hers.

It's a soft kiss, no more than a tender meeting of their mouths, but she melts into him, wraps an arm around his waist. She remains fully aware of where they are, of the busy bullpen - and curious detectives - just on the other side of the door, the meeting she can't be late to. So after just a few moments she forces herself to pull away.

"Thanks for the coffee," she whispers, her eyes opening to find his already focused on her, dark with longing.

"Can I bring you another tomorrow?" he rasps.

She winces. "I don't know if I'll have time. I'll let you know how my day shakes out."

"'kay." Rick steps back and takes a deep breath, then reaches past her and opens the door. "After you, Captain."

"So, Rick's coming over here, is he?" Lanie teases on Saturday, leaning against the bedroom door.

Kate pauses packing her daughter's backpack just long enough to glare at her best friend. "He's picking me up," she clarifies, grabbing Reagan's favorite stuffed koala.

"Mommy, I'm done!"

She sighs and shoves the koala into Lanie's arms when she passes her. "Make yourself useful, will you?"

"I'm just saying," Lanie calls out while Kate helps Reagan in the bathroom, "it's been ages. You should be prepared for anything."

Kate rolls her eyes. Lanie's not wrong, but this is hardly a conversation that should happen in front of her five-year-old.

"What's been ages?" Reagan asks once they've rejoined Lanie in her room. Her eyes light up when she spots her koala, and she grabs it and holds it tight to her chest.

Lanie plops down next to her on the bed. "Since your mom's had a date," she says in a stage whisper.

"What's a date?"

"Well-" Lanie pauses for a moment. "It's when your mom has special time planned with a boy. Like to hang out, but just the two of them. And your mom might get dressed up like she will tonight, and the boy will treat her nice and make her smile a lot."

Reagan nods, her small brows crunching in thought. "But it hasn't been ages. Mommy's been on lots of those with Rick." She leans close to Lanie. "Mommy smiles a lot with Rick."

Kate's face burns at the look she gets from her best friend. "Lots of dates is a gross exaggeration," she mumbles. "We've had, like, two."

"Girl's night tomorrow. Don't argue. We have a lot of catching up to do." Lanie pulls out her phone, and moments later Kate hears the notification from their group chat with Jenny and Maddie.

Well, hopefully they'll have even more to talk about after tonight.

Lanie smirks and grabs Reagan's backpack. "Well, squirt, I think we need to let your mom finish getting ready for her date. You want pizza or mac and cheese?"

Reagan grins. "Pizza!"

Kate follows them to the door, gives her daughter a long hug. "Be good for Aunt Lanie, okay?"

"Of course," Reagan sighs, almost impatient, forcing Kate to bite back a snicker.

Any amusement turns to dread when she hears Lanie start to ask for details about Rick as soon as she and Reagan disappear down the hall.

Her friends are going to kill her for holding out on them. She's told them a little about Rick, but nothing since the previous week, has kept the couch incident - as she's calling it - to herself.

As she closes the door, she catches a glimpse of the time and hisses a curse. Despite her hunch that they might not leave her apartment, she's still preparing for it like a normal date, and she has to finish her hair and makeup before Rick arrives.

Whether or not they end up going out, she's determined to make his jaw drop.

A/N: If you don't like M rated content then you'll want to skip chapter six and re-join in chapter seven. If you do like M rated content...you're welcome.