Three days after, Castle checked Kate out of the hospital. She had recovered from her wound spectacularly, although it was nearly impossible for her to walk. Castle had spent every moment with Kate, playing card games and reading aloud chapter drafts from his newest, and thankfully unnamed, Nikki Heat novel. Ryan and Esposito had been by to visit as well, bringing flowers and good news: Ryan had seen Josh shoot Kate and had managed to catch up to and arrest him on the sidewalk outside the precinct, allowing Kate to exhale in relief.

Castle had called a town car to pick them up and take the two of them back to his apartment, despite Kate's protests that she could take care of herself. Castle had effectively demanded that she stay with him and Alexis until she healed, and Kate had finally conceded. Thus, she found herself dressed in a t-shirt and sweats that Castle had brought for her, seated in a wheelchair that the writer was pushing towards the exit. Already should could see the camera flashes from the paparazzi that would inevitably interrogate her. The second the automatic doors opened, the cacophony started.

"Nikki! What happened?"

"Castle, when'll you release your book cover?"

"Nikki!"

"Who shot you, Detective?"

"Are you two official yet?"

"Nikki! Over here! Give us a smile, won't you?"

The flashbulbs were making Kate's head spin, and, in her efforts to look away from the blinding light, her stomach had reacted with agonizing pain. She turned to look up at Castle, who was trying his best to wheel her through the crowd. When he looked down at her, she gave him the most pleading look she could manage, and he looked sadly down at her, nodding.

"Pardon me! Excuse me!" Castle shouted over the din. "The detective is injured and she needs rest!" Somehow, the paparazzi parted enough for the two of them to squeeze through and reach the car. Being a cordial gentleman, he opened the car door for her before putting her arm over his shoulder, effectively lifting her up and putting her in the car. As he closed the door, Kate could see him wave at the paparazzi, flashing them his charming grin, before he circled the car and climbed in on the other side.

"Tim, my apartment, please," he said.

"Of course, sir," the driver responded before the partition buzzed up, leaving them in peace.

"Thank you, Rick," Kate whispered after a few minutes of driving in silence. She was staring out the window, watching the skyscrapers pass. She felt a hand squeeze her shoulder and heard the voice that had come to reassure her whisper back.

"Always."

X

"We're here, Mr. Castle," Tim said quietly.

"Thank you, Tim. Best to your wife," Castle responded, handing the man a few bills. Tim opened the door for Castle, who scurried around to open Kate's door. "Kate," he whispered; the detective had dozed off. He set the wheelchair up next to the door before coaxing Kate awake. "We're hear, Detective." She rubbed her eyes, sighed, and yawned, before sliding herself out the door. As Castle lifted her to her feet, she groaned, pain radiating through her torso again, before staggering to the wheelchair and slowly lowering herself in.

"Well, Kate, what shall we enjoy for dinner this fine evening? We could order in?" Kate rolled her eyes, but felt herself blushing anyway. She had never had a man other than her father treat her this kindly.

"You're enjoying this far too much, Mr. Castle," she said, smiling slightly at his gentlemanly habits. He laughed heartily as they boarded the elevator.

"Well, since you put it that way, Detective, I am. I like you a bit incapacitated." Kate let out a snort and swatted his hand, making him yelp. "Ow! Alright then. How 'bout Chinese?" Despite herself, Kate smiled.

"Chinese sounds perfect," she said as Castle pushed her off the elevator towards his apartment. "Is Alexis home?" Her question was answered as Castle opened the door.

"Detective Beckett!" The redhead was on her immediately, squeezing the detective's shoulders gently, but enough for the injured woman to grimace, a gesture that Castle saw.

"Easy, Alexis," Castle said, a note of concern in his low voice. "Let her rest a bit."

"It's alright, Rick. I'm fine, Alexis, just a bit sore, that's all," Kate interjected. Castle offered her an arm, and slowly lifted her off the wheelchair and onto the couch. "How about that take-out, writer-monkey?" she probed with a grin. Castle smiled back, nodded his agreement and turned towards the kitchen. Once he was out of earshot, Alexis sat next to Kate, her bare feet tucked up under her, and stared at Kate, who was looking back a bit nervously. "What's up, Alexis?"

"You called him Rick, and you didn't look like saying it tasted bad," Alexis stated as though she was explaining the simplest fact in the world, and Kate felt herself flushing.

"He saved my life, Lex," she stammered. "The least I can do is respect him enough to refer to him by name." Alexis raised a thin eyebrow.

"Did he tell you about your ringtone?" Kate laughed.

"How did you know? And why didn't you tell me?"

"Oh, come on. He's my dad! I know everything about him. I practically set up his phone for him. And I didn't tell you because he asked me not to." They were silent for a minute before Alexis said something that made Kate erupt into laughter so raucous that her stomach whined with pain.

"You kiss him yet?"

"Alexis!"

"What, Detective? I may only be a teenager, but I've seen the way you look at each other. He loves you, and I think you love him too." Kate's flush had turned her entire face bright pink. "You did kiss, didn't you?" Kate rolled her eyes, a smile cracking the corner of her lips. Alexis grinned and leaned back on the couch. "I knew it," she declared. "It's about time, too. You make him really happy." The doorbell rang suddenly. Castle came darting out of the kitchen, a glass of water in hand, and opened the door. Kate could see the delivery boy standing in the doorway, a stack of cartons in his hand. Castle paid the delivery boy and brought the cartons into the coffee table, sitting himself heavily in the armchair.

"Chicken for Alexis and beef for Kate," he declared, handing each woman her box. They ate together, watching an Abbott and Costello movie. Alexis left about halfway through, claiming something about homework; however, as Alexis walked up the stairs, Kate could see her pause, glance down, and smile just a bit at Kate and Castle before disappearing into the loft. Castle took the disappearance as an opportunity, and he got up to shift himself to the couch that Alexis had vacated. Kate had stretched out a bit, her brown eyes half-closed.

"Rick, don't even think about it," she whispered with a smile that Castle returned. He stretched his arm out over her shoulder, and coaxed her into his chest, an action she accepted, resting her hand on his stomach.

"I wouldn't dream of it," he whispered back.