A/N:

Chapter 13 has arrived. As usual, hope it is worth the wait. Thanks for your reviews, alerts and favorites. Oh and patience. All are very much appreciated. Very cool of you to take the time to submit them. Enjoy!

Chapter 13

It seemed like forever before Kate surrendered once again to sleep. Even then, Castle forced himself to stay awake. Battling his own exhaustion, he stood guard anticipating another round of dreams. He didn't have to wait long. Kate's sleep quickly turned restless and her breathing became ragged once again. Watching such a strong woman wrestling the demons of her past humbled him. Unlike before, this time he knew exactly what he needed to do. Without even the slightest hesitation Castle gathered his courage and wrapped her in his arms. Holding Kate against him, he broke his silence only to reassure her that she was safe. That he was there. Cradling her tighter, he felt her body eventually relax. It was only when he was convinced that holding her helped ease her nightmares enough that she could sleep a little more peacefully that Castle gave into his own exhaustion.

An hour or so later, Castle can't help but think how cozy he is. Under the circumstances he knows it's the last thing that should be on his mind. This has been a terrible night. Kate's upset. He's worried. Still, with his arm securely around Kate's waist and his leg over hers he's quite content. Even better, it appears that his partner is as well. To his delight, some time ago Kate switched her grip from the fuzzy blanket in favor of his arm. Ending up in this position may not have been his intent but being so close to her, he can't help but relish in the discovery that this woman is a perfect fit in his arms.

Opening her eyes, Kate smiles at the sight of Castle's arms around her. She's positive they hadn't fallen asleep in this position. Afraid of what her dreams would bring, she fought sleep until her eyes felt so heavy she couldn't keep them open. As the unpleasant dreams descended upon her, she was surprised to feel Castle pull her into his arms. Drifting in and out of sleep, she felt comforted by his presence. His voice, gentler and calmer than what she was used to, seemed to be constantly reminding her that she was safe as his thumb softly brushed her cheek. Each time she startled awake, he tightened his grip. Every so often she felt herself holding on a little tighter too.

Now, laying cocooned within the arms of the friend she never so much as hugged before feels oddly familiar. Safe. Nothing like the panic she would have expected. Less unexpected is that she likes it. Likes the way the weight of his body feels against her hip. The way his face keeps brushing against her hair. The way her head fits in the crook of the arm that he's offered up as a pillow. It makes her feel loved. Shifting slightly, she slides her hand further up his arm and positions herself so that her head is leaning more on Castle's shoulder than his arm. His breathing tells her that he's awake and she knows she should make her way out of his arms. That is the right thing to do. Still, she's in no hurry to move away until she can no longer ignore the nagging voice in her head taunting her about the line they are dangerously close to crossing. That is if they haven't crossed it already. It's only then that she forces herself to speak.

"Castle"

His eyes closed, Castle takes in the sweet scent that is so uniquely Kate. He's missed that smell. Missed her.

"Rick. It's not that difficult of a name Kate. You can do it."

Any other day such a cocky correction would be met with an eye roll. Not tonight. Tonight she appreciates what Castle's trying to make sure she understands. Why it's important that she use his first name. It's his way of reassuring her once again that tonight's just for them. Private. Grateful for that, Kate gives in.

"Rick"

"Very good. Now that wasn't so hard was it?"

Resisting the impulse to let his face rest against hers, Castle pulls Kate closer to him. He's content to keep her in his arms for as long as she'll let him.

Even with her resolve to escape slipping away, Kate feels the tiniest flash of panic. Being here with Castle is easy. Too easy. It's not as if she's never imagined being in his arms. A few times she's even convinced herself that a relationship between them could work out. Of course, that was short lived as she quickly came up with ironclad counterarguments as to why it wouldn't work. Why it was better that it didn't work. That's exactly what she's doing now. It's the only way she'll be able to ask him to let go.

"Um"

"Yes Kate"

Trying to salvage the last remnants of sleep, Castle doesn't open his eyes. Yet, as tired as he is, he cannot stop his lips from smiling as he says her first name. He wishes he could say it more often.

Kate knows he's doing it on purpose. Saying her name that way. It makes her forget that they're in an emergency room. Makes her mind flash forward once more to life with Rick Castle as her boyfriend. Sharing their lives beyond work. It makes her forget that they're partners. Friends. Nothing more.

"Um, I think…maybe you should…"

It takes a second for Castle's tired mind to break through its haze of denial before he understands what Kate's trying to tell him. A realization that is quickly followed by disappointment.

"Oh…you mean…right…of course."

Reluctantly, the writer untangles himself from his muse. Backing away to create space between them, he immediately misses the warmth of her body against his own. Struck by how very far away she seems now that she's out of his arms.

Turning around, Kate can't miss Castle's relief that she's facing him again. She also can't miss the wet splotches on his once crisp blue shirt. It's only then that she notices the dampness of her own clothes. Unsure if it's from her fever breaking or the stress of the dreams, she looks down as she feels her cheeks getting warm. Taking a deep breath, Kate sneaks a glance up at Castle. In an instant her embarrassment vanishes. In its place is amazement at how the man before her can still have a huge grin on his face when he's stuck here in the middle of the night wearing a shirt covered in someone else's sweat. Only Rick Castle.

"Your shirt. Sorry."

Castle doesn't take his eyes off of her. His shirt doesn't matter. All that matters right now is Kate.

"No problem. Actually, I think I could do pretty well in a wet t-shirt contest. Not as well as you, but I think I could hold my own."

Instead of responding with a snarky comment of her own, Kate simply watches the writer she's admired long before she ever interrupted his book launch party. Trademark smile in place. Unreadable eyes sparkling. She's never met anyone with Castle's passion. Not for murder or anything else.

When he gets neither a laugh or a roll of the eyes Castle starts to worry. Thankfully, his concern is short lived when Kate does something much better. She unleashes the smile. The shy one that she rarely reveals. The one that starts with her eyes, lighting up her very pretty face in a way that makes it absolutely stunning.

For a few minutes they lay side by side without exchanging a word. Each lost in their own thoughts as they plot their next move. They may both be tired but it's still their game. They've played it every day since that first meeting. Happy to trade the upper hand throughout the day to keep things interesting. This time, though, they both suspect that the stakes are much higher.

Castle's eyes recognize the look on her face. When she lowers her guard enough for him to see it, he thinks that maybe, just maybe Kate's willing to consider a different future with him. It's a hopeful look filled with an unspoken desire for something they're both afraid to say out loud. He's seen that look before. She had it during the whole British secret agent debacle. That time he'd realized it too late and almost lost her. Castle's determined to do whatever he can not to let the moment slip by him again.

"Kate"

"Yeah"

She feels naked under his gaze. In the beginning she thought he was gawking but she's come to learn that's not always the case. He's studying her. The flirting merely a fun distraction as he draws out as many answers as he can without asking a single question. It's a tactic that works rather well for him.

Castle watches as Kate bites her lip in anticipation of his words. Sometimes the woman's a walking contradiction. He can only imagine how exhausting it must be for her to always wrestle with what she really wants versus what she'll allow herself to have.

"So I was thinking"

"Yes"

Her voice sounds more expectant than she'd like. If it ever comes up, she'll blame it on the fatigue of a long night. She fights the urge to look away as butterflies take over her stomach. She can count on one hand how often Castle's given her honest to goodness butterflies. The first time he leaned in and kissed her cheek. The first time he whispered in her ear. Then there was the Heat Wave party. Swept away by his book dedication, Kate was sure he was going to try to ask her for something more. Sure that she would have said yes. She still remembers how hurt she felt when that moment ended with talk of murder and a fight.

Believing that this could be their second chance, Castle moves a little closer to Kate. A smile plastered on his face, he fumbles for the right words.

"Maybe we…"

Kate jumps at the sound of the curtain being opened. Turning away so quickly that she misses the disappointment etched on Castle's face.

"Detective, I'm Liz your nurse for the night. At least for the few hours that are left of it."

Castle stares at the nurse in disbelief. If he didn't know better, he would swear that Esposito sent her. They share the same rotten sense of timing and a mischievous look when they know they're interrupting.

"Kate. You can call me Kate. Hi."

"Alright. How are you feeling Kate?

Nervous. Like she was 16 again and just got caught making out in her boyfriend's car by her father. Only Castle's not her boyfriend and they certainly weren't making out.

"Better. I feel better, thanks."

Liz had been warned by almost everyone working in the emergency room that night to watch her step around Kate Beckett. Stories of her dislike of hospitals and her short fuse had spread like wildfire. Liz even heard that she made one of the other nurses cry when she demanded to leave shortly after her arrival today. Seeing her now looking relaxed and smiling, Liz has a hard time imagining that or any of the other awful things she's heard. The detective seems friendly and looks happy. Well, as happy as any patient can be in her situation.

"Since you're awake we'll take your temperature. It's just about time for your next round of Tylenol."

Propping herself up in bed, Kate can't hide the shiver that goes through her. Within seconds, Castle's next to her wrapping the blanket around her shoulders.

"Ever the gentleman Castle."

The writer proudly accepts her compliment well aware of the sarcasm behind it. He's relieved to see more of Beckett shining through. It's a sign that she's feeling better and they'll be out of the hospital sooner rather than later.

"Some might even say a knight in shining armor."

"Easy there Lancelot. You gave me a blanket. I don't see any dragon slaying going on."

"The night's still young my lady. Liz do you think my friend here could get a new gown when you have a moment? Think it might warm her up a bit."

Liz does her best not to smile as she watches the pair. It doesn't go unnoticed that Castle has yet to take his eyes off of Kate. The mystery of their relationship is another reason nobody could stop talking about them. Once people got passed the panic of Kate's wrath, the emergency room was buzzing with news that the author and the detective who inspired his books were there for the night. The curiosity was becoming too much for all of them, especially once they were spotted laying in bed together. Liz had been given strict orders by her peers to get the dirt while she was in there.

"Sure. I can grab it right after I take Kate's temperature."

Like any good patient, Kate takes the thermometer and sets it in her mouth. Then, avoiding Castle's gaze, she picks an obscure spot on the wall to stare at. The whole time knowing that Castle is watching her every move however slight it might be.

Castle watches as Kate shifts nervously on the bed, wiping away the hair that falls in her eyes from her messy ponytail. One day he's going to have lots of fun teasing her about her fear of hospitals. He'll have to get Ryan and Esposito in on the action too. She won't be able to catch all of them.

Grabbing the thermometer, Liz's eyes move between author and muse.

"Well, your temp's lower but not quite low enough. I'll be right back with some Tylenol and a change of clothes."

"Thank you Liz," Castle in his most charming voice then answers Kate's glare in his most innocent, "What?"

Kate rolls her eyes at how easily Rick reverted back to his charming writer persona. It reminds her of all the doubts she's ever had about him. Annoyed she tries to maneuver herself off the bed. Standing she's hit with a sudden wave of dizziness and spaghetti legs.

As she falters, Castle is there grabbing her arms to help her keep her balance, "Woah there. Let me help you. Where are you going anyway?"

Her frustration building, Kate shoots him a death glare. She may be letting him help her but that doesn't mean that she can't walk to the bathroom or anywhere else she wanted to go on her own.

"The bathroom Castle. Last time I checked I didn't need to ask permission. I'm not an invalid ya know."

"No but do you really want to spend another night in this place?"

His words end her stubborn protest. Refusing to tell him he's right, she simply takes Castle's arm and lets him guide her and her IV pole into the bathroom. Opening the door she turns and puts her palm up to Castle's chest.

"This is as far as you go Big Rick."

An involuntary grin breaks out across his face as he basks in the glow of his favorite nickname. Then he leans in until their noses are only inches apart.

"You sure? I've been known to do some amazing things in bathrooms."

Hand firmly on Castle's chest, Kate shakes her head and rolls her eyes. He really is incorrigible. Not that she'd have it any other way.

"No. Not in this bathroom you won't."

"As you wish."

He holds his ground while raising an eyebrow in a final appeal. They have a momentary stand off before Kate steps further inside and shuts the door almost hitting Castle in the face.

"Not funny! You could've broken my nose."

Her privacy secured, Kate laughs at Castle's whining on the other side of the door. Leaning on the sink, she closes her eyes and exhales. When she opens them again she's not happy with the image staring back at her in the mirror. She looks worse than she thought. Eyes all red and puffy. Face flushed. Multicolored goose egg on her forehead. No wonder her head hurt so badly. As if that weren't enough, she's a sweaty mess. For what must be the hundredth time tonight she wonders what she was thinking letting Castle see her like this. The knock at the door startles her. Of course he can't even give her five minutes alone. Not even in a bathroom. She summons her best exasperated tone ready to hammer home her point that she is too independent to have him hovering.

"I haven't changed my mind Cas..Rick. If you…"

"Kate, it's Liz. I have that change of clothes for you."

Rubbing her face, she hopes Castle didn't hear her. Who's she kidding? Of course he heard her. He's probably out there with that cocky smile on his face right now.

"Kate?"

"Oh, right. Come in."

"Everything okay? You look a little flushed."

"Everything's great! Ready to put something dry on. I just need some help with these ties. Castle must've been a boy scout or a sailor or something the way he made these knots."

Kate sighs as she turns around so that Liz can start untying the gown. She's not exactly sure why she's rambling about Castle and knots. She should be able to shut up. Instead, she's showing about as much self control as he normally does.

"You know, It's not uncommon to have night sweats when you're running a fever. Are you still having nightmares?"

Nightmares. The word makes Kate cringe. As her body tenses she can feel her face getting warm.

"Yeah but they're better than they were earlier tonight. Castle's helped."

"Better is good. So your boyfriend seems real nice."

If she wasn't standing here naked and freezing her butt off trying to change gowns, Kate would whip around and give Liz one of her most intimidating interrogation stares. Of course, remembering she is in a place where they could pretty much stick her with needles anytime they wanted, she bites her tongue and uses her nicest voice.

"Castle? He's not my boyfriend."

Grateful to be standing behind Kate, Liz's jaw drops. She was certain they were dating. Over the years, she's seen many couples come through the emergency room and very few of the men were nearly as attentive as Rick Castle is to this woman.

"Oh, sorry. I just thought…you guys looked so…"

Getting the second gown on a bit faster, Kate happily put them both out of their misery.

"Liz, it's okay. Really. I think I've got it from here. Thank you."

"Sure thing. I just need you to take these meds for me."

Kate swallows the pills and smiles awkwardly as Liz walks out. By herself once again, her mind goes to the question of whether there could be a future where Castle is her boyfriend. Surprisingly the thought did not terrify or offend her nearly as much as it would have at one time. If Kate's honest with herself, she can even admit that she doesn't mind the idea at all. She's always liked Castle. Will saw it the first day he'd spent with them. It's not like it's the first time she's imagined it. Looking in the mirror, she finally asks herself the one question she's been trying so hard to avoid.

"What the hell are you doin' Kate?"

The truth is she has no idea.

A/N:

Hope you liked this update. So only Chapters 14 & 15 left to Just Another Layer. I'm going to do my best to wrap it up in March. Thanks again! You guys rock!