"Alexisssss" Kate hissed at her, her cheeks turning a flaming red.

"Awww you're cute when you're blushing Detective Beckett"

Martha just shook her head and smiled. She had been heading down when she had heard the conversation between her granddaughter and the detective and had decided to wait upstairs. Though she had heard every word that had been exchanged, she pretended she hadn't. She was just happy the detective had finally gotten her act straight. It was about time. Between their talk in the hospital and this Martha had no doubt in her mind that her son was in good hands. Hopefully he would have enough sense to marry this one and then have the sense to stay married to her!

"So what are you going to do about it Detective?" Martha's eyes twinkled mischievously.

"About what?" Kate was still blushing furiously. For an intensely private person, the last few minutes had been a ….revelation. She was still coming to terms with the fact that she had just unloaded on Alexis and confessed undying love for the girl's father.

"About what you just told Alexis. And you have my word; I will not breathe a word of it to my son. But only if you promise to…..breathe said words to him." Martha waved her hand as if to say you get the point.

Kate nodded and said softly, "I fully intend to. But I don't want to do it right away. Like I said I don't want him to think I am only saying it now because of what happened yesterday. I want to show him how I feel, so that when I DO tell him, he will know I truly mean it." She paused and continued, "Which brings me to my next request." She gulped and said, "I have weeks of vacation stacked up that the Captain has wanted me to take for some time now. I am thinking of taking her up on that offer. Since Rick has to stay off his feet I thought maybe I could take the time off and help you guys here. That way YOU don't have to take time off AND I get to spend some time with him" She stopped again and then said all at once, " Butonlyifyouareokaywithit." When both women continued to stare at her, she started talking again, "I know you have been busy travelling and doing so much for your school. And Alexis has school too. So I wanted to see if you would be okay with me helping Rick…."

Kate realized she was rambling but didn't know how to stop. She was so afraid one of them was going to tell her that she had some nerve. She needn't have worried though. Martha came to her rescue saying, "That sounds like a wonderful idea dear. Don't you agree Alexis?" Alexis nodded enthusiastically and Kate felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She closed her eyes and said softly but sincerely, "Thank you. You have no idea what that means to me."

"I think we do dear, I think we do."

They finished their breakfast and Kate helped clean and put away the dishes while Alexis checked in on her dad. He was knocked out. Between the pain meds and sheer exhaustion, Kate didn't think he would be waking up anytime soon. Kate also managed to convince Martha to take a nap herself. She could see the exhaustion in the older woman's eyes. Kate had a harder time convincing Alexis to do the same but finally got through to her with logic. There was no point in all of them being exhausted and running on adrenaline she explained. Rick was going to need a lot of help and they wouldn't be any good to him if they were all dead on their feet. It made more sense to take shifts. And since keeping crazy hours was part of her job description, it only made sense that she takes the first one. After a moment of thought Alexis finally gave into the exhaustion and went upstairs on the condition that Kate woke her up when her dad woke up.

Once she was alone Kate quickly made a call to the Captain and put in her request for vacation. Given the situation and that the Captain herself had been pestering Kate into taking some time off, her leave was approved immediately. She quickly texted updates to Ryan, Esposito and Lanie. With all the logistics taken care of she quietly made her way into Rick's bedroom. She felt weird being in here with him. Before today they had never spent any time in his room. She slowly made her way to the bed and sank down next to the sleeping form.

Kate felt a wave of tenderness sweeping over her. She couldn't resist herself and bent down and gently kissed his cheek. He didn't even stir. Kate smiled and stood. She grabbed the armchair that had been sitting in a corner by a small desk and dragged it close to the bed. She sank into it gratefully and propped her feet on the bed. She had only been meaning to rest for a bit. But her eyes drifted closed of their own volition and she was soon fast asleep. She had no idea how long she stayed that way but she was jolted out of her sleep by a sound.

At first she was a little disoriented, but then it all came back to her. She was in Castle's room and the sound that had woken her up was Rick thrashing around in his bed. It looked like he was having a nightmare. She quickly moved to the bed and grabbed his shoulders.

"Rick. Shhhh its okay. It's just a nightmare….wake up Rick." She thought he hadn't heard her. But then his eyes snapped open and he was stared at her like she was a vision.

"Kate?" he asked hoarsely.

"Yes it's me." She stared at him for a minute and then suddenly placed her hand against his forehead. "My god Rick! You're burning up." She pulled the comforter down to his waist and saw that the scrubs top from the hospital was soaked in sweat and sticking to his skin.

"Water…. Can you get me some water?"

Kate ran out of his room and got a glass from the kitchen. Filling it with water from the bathroom, she set it on the nightstand.

She bent down and said gently, "Lift your head up."

When he did as she instructed she eased herself slightly behind him to support him and then held the glass of water to his lips. He drained the whole glass and muttered a barely audible "Thanks". He sank back against her chest and all Kate wanted to do was wrap her arms around him and stay like that forever. But he needed medical attention and in his current condition Kate was worried even the ride to the hospital in the car would be too much. But what other option did they have?

"Rick we need to get you to a hospital" Kate eased him back down and sat next to him.

"No hospital."

"Rick….you're burning up! You NEED to see doctor and we can't do that by staying here."

"We can. 43C – Dr Janet Shelley. Get her."

At first Kate couldn't understand what he was saying. But then she got it.

"Your neighbor is a doctor?"

He just nodded, too tired to speak. Kate quickly walked over to the dresser and started rummaging through the drawers looking for a t-shirt. She found one and returned to Rick's side.

"Let's get you out of this wet shirt first." When he didn't respond she held his face in her hands and said gently. "Come on sleeping beauty, let me change your shirt and then you can go back to sleep and I will go get your neighbor." Although Kate would have been much more comfortable with a hospital she could see that there was no way they could get him to a hospital by themselves.

Rick finally opened his fevered eyes and made a valiant effort to get up. Kate quickly supported him and propped some pillows behind his back. Once he was upright, she gently urged the scrub top up and over his head. Just as quickly she brought the clean t-shirt over his head and smoothed it down his chest. She smiled when she saw that the t-shirt she had grabbed had a picture of superman on the front.

"Okay I am going to go get the doctor. You gonna be okay for a bit?" He nodded slightly but kept his eyes closed.

Kate quickly got up and left his room. She almost ran into Alexis who was on her way in from the study adjacent to Rick's room.

"What happened? Is it Dad? Is he …?"

"He is fine Alexis. But I need you to do me a favor. Can you go over and get your neighbor from 43C?

"Janet?" Alexis had an even more worried look on her face now. "What's going ok Kate? Why do we need Janet?" She had started to move towards Rick's room by now.

Kate didn't stop her but said quickly but forcefully, "Rick is running a fever Alexis. He needs to be seen by a doctor ASAP. But given his current condition, he suggested we call Dr Shelley first."

Alexis had reached her dad's room by now and took a quick peek in before turning back to Kate and gathering herself up.

"I'll go get her. It will be so much faster if she sees a familiar face." Her eyes were still troubled but she marched resolutely towards the door.

If Rick could have seen her then his eyes would have shone with pride. Despite her concern for her dad's health Alexis had made a quick and smart decision.

Kate walked back into Rick's room and sat down on the bed next to him. Within minutes Alexis was back with a stunning blonde woman. Kate quickly got up and introduced herself. Once the introductions were out of the way, Janet sat down next to Rick and started doing a thorough examination. She checked his vitals and then his wound.

"I don't see any kind of discharge or redness around the laceration. Plus he isn't exhibiting any of the other signs of an infection." She looked at Alexis and said, "Given what you told me, I think this fever he is running is probably due to the trauma his body has been through in the last 2 days rather than an infection. Here is what I would suggest - watch him closely. Take his temperature every few hours. If it starts going up too much, you need to take him to the hospital. I doubt it will come to that though. I think this is simply his body's reaction to what he has been through. The next 48 hours or so are crucial. If his fever doesn't break by then or goes up, or if you start seeing anything unusual in his wound; take him to a hospital ASAP."

Both Kate and Alexis nodded in response to the doctor's orders.

"Okay, I am going to be home for the next two days. I'll come by to check him again in the evening. We can reassess his condition then. In the meantime just make sure he's getting enough fluids."

After Kate had thanked the doctor, Alexis walked the woman out and Kate returned to her vigil by Rick's bedside. The next 48 hours were a blur to Kate. The women took turns watching Rick. Although his fever hadn't broken yet, it hadn't gone up either. Janet had been by twice a day as promised and had not seen anything alarming in Rick's condition. She had also changed his dressings and announced that his wound from the laceration seemed to be healing very nicely.

It was now day 3 since they had gotten back from the hospital. Rick's fever had finally broken and they had all breathed a collective sigh of relief. Martha had retired to her room after having spent a good amount of time with her son. Alexis was with him now. Kate had volunteered to clean up after dinner giving Rick and her some father daughter time. Rick had been feeling better by the hour. He was up longer and talking a lot more. He was also looking better than he had in a while.

Just as she had put the last glass away and was walking out of the kitchen, she saw Alexis walk out of her father's room. She gave Kate a quick wink and whispered conspiratorially; "He's all yours." Kate gulped and gave Alexis a wan smile. She was at once really looking forward to and dreading this. It would be the first time in a long time that she would be spending time alone with Rick; other than the couple of minutes they had been alone at the hospital. Wiping her sweaty palms on her jeans she made her way to his room.

The door was halfway open and she took a quick peek in before opening it all the way and rushing to his bed.

"Rick, what the heck are you doing?"

She stared agape at the man in front of her. He had somehow managed to get both his legs off the bed and was currently trying, rather unsuccessfully – to stand up on his own.

"Kate? What the heck are you doing here?"

Rick saw a flash of pain cross her eyes and cursed to himself. He hadn't meant for it to come out like an accusation. He was just surprised to see her here still. His brain was still fuzzy from the last two days and he thought he had seen her by his bedside urging him to drink something or take some pills. But he had convinced his pain and fever addled brain that she was just a fiction of his imagination. And yet here she was now– in the flesh; Standing before him looking vulnerable and strong at the same time.

"Stopping you from trying to kill yourself!" Her words snapped him out of his musings. She stood in front of him with her hands on her hips and a stern look on her face. "What are you trying to do?"

"I just want to go to the bathroom." He gritted out. Suddenly a vision of Kate and Alexis helping him into the bathroom came to his mind and he closed his eyes. He had been so out of it the last two days, it was a wonder her hadn't wet his bed. At least he didn't think he had. He absolutely hated feeling like an invalid, but he would die before he spent another minute in the stinky bed, in his smelly clothes. He needed a shower and by god he was going to get one.

"I need to take a shower. I smell like shit and feel like it too. So unless you plan on giving me a sponge bath, I suggest you help me into the bathroom. If not – then leave me the hell alone. "He knew he was acting like a prick. But he was beyond caring. He was tired, his leg hurt like crap, and he really needed to pee. Plus, he hated the fact that after all this time, he finally had Kate Beckett's undivided attention and he was not looking or feeling his best. So now, all the anger he had felt, but had suppressed since her parting words that awful day; seemed to suddenly be bubbling up to the surface.

Kate on her part was having a hard time maintaining an even face. Although she knew she deserved every ounce of his anger and that he was just simply cranky given his condition; it still hurt.

She squared her shoulders and looked down at him. "Okay then let's do this together. I'll help you up and you can try taking a few steps. If you can do it, we can continue to the bathroom. If not, then we'll use the wheelchair for now. I'll help you into the bathroom and then give you some privacy. Let me know when you're done and we can figure out the shower part." She held her hand out in front of him.

Hearing the words and seeing the hand she held out in front of him, Rick felt like a heel. All she was trying to do was help him. And instead of being grateful he was acting like a complete ingrate.

"I'm sorry Kate. I shouldn't have snapped at you. I'm just so…."

"It's okay Rick." She sat down beside him and turned so she was facing him with one of her legs drawn up. "You can be as cranky as you want. Just don't hurt yourself trying to prove a point okay? I'm here to help and there is nowhere in the world I would rather be." She smiled gently and put a hand on his knee. "Also I was worse when I got out of the hospital remember?"

Rick rolled his eyes at the memory," I remember the frying pan you sent sailing in my direction that one time. If I didn't have better reflexes, it would have had a Rick shaped face etched into its bottom" She laughed and gave him a friendly punch oh his shoulder.

"Point taken! Now do you want to just use the wheelchair for now? Or do you want to prove you superpowers of walking with one leg?"

He gave her a sideways glance and then conceded reluctantly, "Wheelchair for now. Super powers for later."

"Good choice, my friend." She walked over to the wheelchair in the corner of the room. They had been wheeling him over to the bathroom in in for the last two days, so Kate had become and expert at it. She quickly helped him into it and wheeled him towards the bathroom. Once there she helped him out of the chair and had him resting his hip against the wall just inside the doorway to the little enclosure that housed the toilet.

"You gonna be okay?" Kate's brow had furrowed and she was watching him carefully.

He had been resting against the wall with his eyes closed, but they snapped open at her words.

"You volunteering to help Beckett?" One eyebrow had gone up and into his hairline.

Kate turned beet red at the comment. She had been so focused on how he was feeling that she hadn't realized where his dirty mind had gone.

"Ha ha! Dream on Grandpa."

Rick narrowed his eyes and said ominously, "I may be slightly incapacitated right now but wait till I am back in form and I will get you for the Grandpa remark. AND leave no doubt in your mind that no part of me is in 'Grandpa' territory yet. Capice? "

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Promises…promises." And with that she closed the door on his astonished face.

Kate walked back into the bedroom and sat down on the edge of the bed. She was fanning herself with one hand. Trust Castle to make sexual innuendos in his current condition. And shame on her for wanting to rip the Superman t-shirt and scrub pants of his body and have her way with him.

A few minutes later she heard the sound of a flush followed by him calling out her name.

She walked back into the bathroom to see him standing a few feet from where she had left him earlier. He looked even more tired than he had earlier.

"Castle, forget the shower for now. For one, you look like you will keen over in there. And two you aren't supposed to get the dressing on the laceration wet for a few more days." She was about to continue her speech but was surprised when he interrupted her by saying tiredly, "Fine. How do you want to do this?"

She opened and closed her mouth like a fish a few times before walking over to his side with the wheelchair and having him sit in it. He sank into it gratefully and then looked at her expectantly.

"Let me go grab you some clean clothes. Why don't you try and get out of that t-shirt and we can tackle the pants together." Yet again the eyebrow made the journey to the hairline.

"Oh, jeez Castle! Get your dirty mind out of the gutter."

His laughter followed her into the bedroom where she began rummaging through his drawers looking for a fresh set of clothes.

"Kate close and lock the door while you're there."

Exactly what was the man planning, that would require them to lock the bedroom door she had no idea. But she did as he said and then walked back into the bathroom. Rick had managed to get out of the t-shirt by then. Kate quickly set the clothes on the counter and grabbed a towel from the towel rack. She ran some warm water into the sink and added a splash of his shower gel to it. She soaked one end of the towel into it and handed it back to him. He make quick work of 'washing' his torso with it. Water and soap had never smelt or felt this good to Rick before. Once that was done they were faced with the prospect of the lower half of his body.

Kate cleared her throat and then said in a slightly husky voice. "So how DO we get those the pants off Rick?"

Rick smiled and winked, "You have no idea how long I have waited to hear you say that. But in the present circumstances I think the best option would be for me to get them off and the clean ones on by myself. I don't think my body can handle the excitement if you tried to. But I promise to holler if I get stuck. "

Kate smiled and nodded, "Okay but don't try any stunts. I'll be right outside if you need me." And with that she walked out. While he changed into the fresh set of clothes Kate stripped the bed of the linens. She had no idea where he kept his linens and rather than hunt them down, she decided on waiting for him.

"You doing okay Rick?" She knocked lightly on the bathroom door.

She heard a crash and a muffled curse from inside. Kate hesitated a second and then rushed into the bathroom. She saw Rick standing on one leg by the sink brushing his teeth. By his feet lay the shattered porcelain hand wash dispenser. Rick looked at it and then her and shrugged. She quickly grabbed some paper towels and cleaned up the mess.

"So where do you keep your linens Rick? I just took the sheets off your bed. I figured you'd want clean ones there as well. Just point me to a fresh set and I will have them on in no time. "

Rick gave her a dismayed look and then said, "Kate you didn't have to do all that. Or this-"He pointed to the mess she had cleaned up earlier in the trash.

"You can make it up to me later Rick." Kate smiled at him sweetly and his heart melted. He wanted to sweep her into his arms and kiss her senseless. But he didn't. And if he was honest with himself, he was scared. He didn't know how long this Kate would last. Sooner or later there would be some break in her mother's case and she would be off running with scissors. He didn't know what he would do if anything happened to her again. Also he didn't think his heart could take anymore abuse. So he tamped down any romantic feelings he was feeling at the moment and sat down in the chair saying, "Lead the way detective."

Changing the sheets on Rick's bed with him watching was a strangely intimate act that had Kate blushing. For once Rick made no comments and just watched her.

"You're staring Castle."

"Am not."

Kate blew the hair out of her face and came over to where he waited patiently by the bed.

"Come on big guy let's get you back into bed."

Rick stood up with Kate's help but did not release his hold on her once he was up. He also made no move to get into bed. Instead he just watched her. Kate could smell the fresh scent of toothpaste mingled with his shower gel. It was an intoxicating combination that seemed to draw her in. "Rick…" She whispered as his thumb grazed her cheek and came to rest at the corner of her mouth. Kate leaned into his touch and wrapped her own hand around his wrist. Rick thought she was going to remove his hand from her face when she surprised him by turning her face into his palm and gently kissing it. She looked up into his eyes and he saw such raw need there he couldn't help himself. Despite all his promises to himself about not getting too close, he bent down and grazed her lips with his giving her room to draw away if she wanted. But she did just the opposite. She deepened the kiss and drew him closer. Leaving one hand around his waist, she threaded the other hand through his hair and pressed her lips to his. Rick angled his head to deepen the kiss and was surprised when he felt her gently nip at his lip and then her tongue was caressing the bite. They were both so lost in the kiss; they had forgotten Rick's condition. The next thing he knew, his good leg gave out from under him and he was flat on his back on the bed, with Kate sprawled on top of him. Thankfully she had missed his injured leg and landed half on the bed and half on him.

"Oh my god Rick! Are you okay?"

"Yes", he managed to squeak. "Other than the fact that I may not be able to father anymore children I am just peachy." The last word ended on a painful breath.

Kate looked at him confused for a second and then went red with embarrassment. When she had landed on him in an unceremonious heap, her knee had ended up in his crotch.

"Oh no! I'm so sorry Rick." Without thinking, she moved to check the part of his body she had kneed him in.

"Kate!" He caught her hand just as it was making its way towards his nether region.

She quickly scrambled off him and stood by the bed. She puffed out her cheeks and blew the air out. "Okay let's just get you settled into bed."

Rick nodded and scooted back towards the head of the bed and rested his head on the pillow. Kate pulled the fresh comforter up to his neck smiled at him. "Good night Rick. Sweet dreams."

She switched off the lamp on his nightstand and turned to go when he caught her hand. "Thanks….for everything Kate." She smiled at him again and then squeezed his and walked out, gently closing the door behind her.