Disclaimer: The wording is mine but the characters aren't

NB: Still writing this so, the updates won't be daily, sorry.

Collaboration

OOOO

"Wow," his voice was on the top of her head.

"It's a good thing this back-slab allows for swelling or I'd be dragging you back to the hospital right now. Or to Lanie."

"I'll get some ice."

"Not that it'll do much good through all that."

"I'll find a way. There's a reason Lanie works with dead people- she's scary."

OOOO

"So was there a reason you decided to take off and go running in a sling?" she meant to raise the subject lightly but at the mention of his excursion, her partner's face fell somber again.

"Nothing happened," he mumbled, shifting the small cooling pads on the exposed skin.

"Was it cooking? I saw your mess, but Castle, no one expects you to try and cook with just your left hand."

"I wasn't cooking," he denied looking a little bitter.

"I saw the office too. Almost tripped on the stress ball Alexis gave you meaning you must have been using it. What happened there? I was told it was purely for decoration."

He ran a hand through his hair and made as if to yank a handful out and she considered maybe she was pushing too hard. If Castle was anything like her, he was very sensitive when he was hurt. Maybe he just needed a little space.

She moved forward to inspect his hand but was surprised when he answered her question.

"I needed to write."

"The laptop was on. Couldn't you find the program you were talking about?"

He pulled away from her hands and started pacing in tight circles. She looked at him in alarm. She had never seen anything have this effect on her partner.

"There was just so much going on up here," he gestured none too sanely at his head. "And when I went to write, I just couldn't keep up one handed and it was just…there. It was right there and I couldn't even do that."

"Okay," she tried to soothe him. "You want to write."

"I just had to get it all out of my head."

"So you went for a run."

He didn't acknowledge her.

"And from the looks of it, it's all back and demanding your attention again," she sighed. "Okay."

"Okay?"

"Okay," she repeated. "I'll help you."

"You'll help me write?" he looked confused.

"You know when I came back to work after the summer and you thought I was too thin?"

He looked a little guilty.

"Don't think I didn't notice, you were trying to push food on me the moment I wasn't talking. I felt like I ate for two weeks solid."

"You needed it." It was low but his face was stubborn.

"You know why I was that size?"

"Because you were recovering?" he hedged.

"No. Because when I wasn't at work I was always running or with my trainer trying to get back to 100%. I trained so I could train more."

He just stared at her.

"Don't tell me it doesn't make sense. You know what I mean."

"No, I do," he reassured her. "Your determination to get back to normal almost drove me insane when I wasn't proud."

Her face froze but he didn't retract the words. She worked her throat for a moment before she could continue.

"Not being able to do even the easiest things for myself drove me mad. I guess I went a little overboard when I was able to do some of those things again."

"Kate," he started to say but she cut him off.

"But you and I are different people."

He looked at her in question.

"Because you are going to let me help you."

"You're going to help me?"

"Are you trying to insult me?"

"What? No."

"Good. I know what you really want to do right now is write, but before that I'm going to help you clean up and get you showered."

He was still looking at her blankly.

"You smell, Castle."

He blinked. "I can't shower." He looked at his arm.

"I'll just make sure you don't get your cast wet. And you should probably take some of your pain medication."

"I don't want it. It makes my head fuzzy."

"Well, considering what you were saying earlier, maybe that wouldn't be too bad, at least not until we get you settled and I can help you get some of your thoughts down."

"I guess."

"Plus, you're really going to start feeling that arm. Especially after you decided to go and bounce it around for an hour or so." She started to lead him through the loft towards his bedroom.

"Guess I didn't think about it when I left."

"You didn't feel it when you were running?"

"I was too busy trying not to be grumpy. Being here with nothing to do is punishment. I can't remember being so bored."

She shook her head in amusement and slipped his arm out of the sling and pulled the aid over his head. Next she moved her hands to his waist and took hold of the bottom of his T-shirt.

"Okay lift up."

He obliged. "This is embarrassing."

"You think this is embarrassing," she muttered.

"Sorry."

"Don't worry about it. I'm not."

"I mean it's just one hand, I should be able to do this stuff."

"Isn't that exactly why you're freaking out? Because you should be able to do this?"

"I'm still freaking out?"

"You kind of are. Don't worry. In a couple of days you'll have sorted out how to do this stuff for yourself and Alexis or Martha will be able to give you a hand."

"Beckett," he sounded aggrieved.

"Sorry. Completely unintentional. I meant they will be able to help you. Head forward."

She pulled the T-shirt over his head and was presented with a view of his pale wide back.

He pulled out his uninjured arm and waited for her to work the sleeve over his cast.

"Alright put this on and I'll tape it." she handed him a plastic bag.

"How did you know where that was?"

"Are you nervous that I've looked through your house Castle? You hiding something?"

"What?" he scoffed. "More worried that you broke into my house. How did you get in by the way?"

"I used a key, caveman."

"I never gave you a key," he sounded giddy. How could he be happy she had borrowed and copied his key?

"Well, if it makes you any better I really had to look for the tape."

"Don't avoid the subject."

"If you want me to help you, you better shut up, Castle."

"So not fair," he grumbled, watching her wind the tape around his arm. She took her time, hoping it would give her the opportunity to get her blush under control.

When she was sure no signs of her embarrassment were visible she looked up and faced him squarely. His eyes were already intent on her and she felt her breath get a little higher.

"Okay let's go."

"Let's go?" he repeated.

"And get you clean."

" 'Let's', meaning both of us?"

She blushed a little and groaned inwardly. "Yes Castle. I was going to wash your hair over the bath and then you can shower."

"Oh." He had the decency to look abashed and let them to the bathroom without further comment. He hit the light switch on the way in and she was able to fully appreciate the size and the furnishings of the room.

"Thanks. You have a bucket or a container I can use? Oh, and some towels."

"Yeah, just hold on a sec and I'll get something from the kitchen."

She watched him leave, noting the ways she could see the muscled in his back move subtly as he walked. He wasn't hard, but he wasn't as soft as she had been expecting. When he disappeared from view, she stepped into his shower and retrieved his shampoo and conditioner. She noted the marble sheathing was very handsome. A little extravagant perhaps, but tasteful enough that it wasn't offensive.

"It has a steam option, too," he announced from behind her. She felt her nerves kick but was proud that she kept it internal and hadn't allowed herself let out more than a blink at his sudden reappearance.

"It's nice," she told him as she stepped out and herded him towards the bath.

"I like it," he smiled and handed her the plastic jug he had brought with him. She took it with a nod and he set down a folded towel to kneel on.

She waited until he was settled and then stepped into position behind him, filling the jug with warm water. She put her hand in the run off from the bath to test the temperature and felt his stare. She ignored him, refilling the jug.

"Alright, head down," she commanded.

He complied without comment and she began to slowly drench his hair, starting from the base of his neck and moving forwards, trying to shepherd the water away from his ears. She refilled the jug and used her other hand to grip his chin and gently reposition his head to one side so she could reach the rest of his hair.

His eyes were soft as he watched her and she had a strong suspicion that her face must have been betraying a small measure of the contentment she was feeling so she let out a small cough to draw his attention away.

"So are you going to tell me about this book?"

"I don't want to," he muttered as she gently poured water over his head and worked it in.

"What?" she was surprised. "Why not?"

"Because I want you to read it," he said in a small voice.

"Of course I'll read it, Castle." She set the jug on the floor and reached for his shampoo. Sea breeze. Didn't have much of a fragrance at all.

"But, you'll know if I tell you."

"That's not going to change the way I'll see your work."

His face was still downcast, looking at the bottom of his bath. "It won't be the same."

"Castle," she sighed, not understanding. Was this some writer thing?

"I write them for you," he mumbled, causing her hands to pause as she reached out for him. "It won't be the same if you know what happens."

"You write for me?" her breath hitched.

He looked up and studied her face. She had no idea what he saw there because she couldn't put a label on what she was feeling, but whatever it was, he began to close back up again.

"Look, I'm sorry. If you could just help me do my hair, I'll see you at the precinct in a couple of days."

"Oh no you don't." She took a handful of hair and pulled his head up to meet her. "You are going to let me help you."

"I shouldn't have said that."

"Did you mean it?"

He tried to look away but she used her convenient hold on him and made him meet her eyes.

"Castle, did you mean it?"

"Yes. I write about Nikki but you're the audience I think of when I do. I write her for you."

"Why?" She demanded softly.

"So one day you will see how extraordinary you are," he forced his eyes to her startled gaze. "You have no idea, Kate. I write because I know you admire Nikki and can see some of yourself in her. But Kate, Nikki could never live up to you."

Try as she might, she couldn't force any words to mind, let alone through her mouth but he seemed to understand. After a lingering look, he faced the bath again, letting her attempt to process his confession.

Almost mechanically she massaged the shampoo through his hair. The movements prompted her mind back into business.

"Thank you," she let her hands rest in his hair, just holding him.

Thank you for having so much faith in me. Sorry you have too much faith in me.

The thought threatened to close her throat. She would be better. She would just have to live up to his trust.

"Castle," she managed. "Here is something just for you. As much as I love your books, you don't know how much it would mean to me if I could help you give people justice. You help me get justice for people everyday. This time I want to help you."