A/N: First of all I want to apologize for that rip/rib incident on my last chapter. I really don't know what happened there (I know that it's rib and not rip) and corrected it as soon as you told me about my mistake. Thank you for that!

Also thank you for your nice reviews, I don't know if I answered everyone privately I tried to and hope I didn't forget a comment. If I did, I'm also sorry about that.

I hope you enjoy the third chapter. There is at least one more following after this.

Chapter 3

"They will be here in about two hours," Castle exclaimed as he checked the messages on his phone. They were still cuddled up in bed and she groaned pulling him closer to her, not wanting to get up. Napping for just a little bit longer.

"Who is they?" she asked.

"Ryan, Esposito and Lanie. Gates can't make it," he winked at her and a relieved sound left her lips. At least her Captain was not going to be there. That made it all a little better. Not that she didn't like her, but with her boss around she felt the need to pretend that she was okay.

"If you're really not up to it, I can tell them to come another time," he started after a moment probably startled by her lack of communication. The concern was evident in his voice, but also disappointment leaking through his smiling features.

"No, no," she felt the guilt rushing over her. He did so much for her and she was just laying here in a bad mood complaining about everything he did. Reaching out she touched his face saying, "You made all those cupcakes and just look at the living room. It's really sweet of you. And I can handle the guys for a few hours," rolling a little further onto her side she starred into his eyes. She wished she could wipe that look off his face. "And now kiss me," she tried.

With a growing smile – an honest this time – on his face he leaned in, letting his lips graze hers for a moment. Softly capturing her top lip between his she felt the all too familiar heat rising up in the pit of her stomach whenever he touched her. His teeth touching her tender skin.

After he pulled away she felt the sudden loss of his lips on her. Leaning his forehead against hers she breathed in deeply, he did the same. Nose touching, breathing each other in.

"God, I hate that collar," he whispered suddenly, running his fingertips over the supporting material around her neck.

"Tell me about it," the sarcasm in her voice more than obvious, her voice as quite as his just moments before.

"I just want to kiss your neck," this statement came without a warming, his eyes darkened with unfulfilled lust as she inhaled sharply, "I want to run my fingers over your cheek, down your jaw," his fingers were now traveling over her cheekbone, trailing down the front of the collar.

Closing her eyes she let his words consume her. "I want to brush your hair out of the way, and slowly place my lips on your neck. Right here," his fingers brushing over her pulse point, but not being able to touch her skin, "you tilt your head to the side to grant me more access."

She gulped wanting nothing more than to get rid of that thing around her neck and letting him do exactly what he just described.

"You're eyes are closed. And I hear that sound escaping your lips," a heavy breath left her, "Right, that sound. More than a breath but not quite a moan. I love when you do that."

He guided his mouth from her ear to the side placing his lips on her cheek, his hand running through her hair.

She swallowed hard, that man would be the death of her, that she was sure of, "You know," her tone was raspy, voice slightly shaken, "You really can't say such things when you're not able to do what you've just said."

He chuckled. Seriously? He turns her on like that and then he just chuckles? And the only thing she wanted to do more than strangle him was kiss him.

"I promise, as soon as the collar is off. And I mean doctor-approved-off and not just you're taking-a-bath-and-took-it-off-but-still-can't-move-your-neck-off. As soon at it's off I'm doing exactly what I've just said."

Damn that collar.

"I'm going to make you dinner now before the guys come. Chicken soup for my sick lady," his change of subject was sudden as he pressed a short kiss to her nose before getting up.

"I'm not having the flu," she protested not ready for his touches to stop.

"Chicken soup always helps."

"Okay, but I need to take a shower," she said a little quieter. Asking for help again. Great. But she wasn't quite sure how to shower. A bath would be good but she knew once she was in she would never be able to get out of the tub, at least not without a lot of pain. Taking a shower was the only answer.

"Really, Beckett? I only talked about kissing your neck – your beautiful neck – and you need to take a cold shower? Wow, I'm really that good, right?" he actually pretended to be shocked.

"No cold shower, Castle. A shower. I haven't had a proper shower since, well... that morning before I went to work. And even then, I wouldn't call it proper with you in there with me." But a cold shower wouldn't be that bad, after all.

"Let me tell you, you still smell amazing," he stated. Rolling her eyes in return she grabbed the pillow from his side, lightly throwing it in his direction.

"Okay, okay," holding his hands up in surrender he laughed, "Do you want me to run you a bath?"

"No, I think a shower is easier."

"Then a shower it is. Come on, get up," walking back toward the bed he reached out both hands in order to help her.

She let him guide her to the bathroom, hand sitting on the small of her back.

/

"I hate that," she whined as he turned on the water for her. She stood behind him, arms crossed in front of her. He helped her undress and she insisted that she could shower alone. She put up quite a fight. He felt how she slowly lost patience and wondered how long it would take until she wouldn't let him help her anymore.

He knew that she probably could have undressed herself but he couldn't stand seeing her in pain. Being able to take care of her – her letting him take care of her – was more for his benefit than for hers. He knew that she only let him help her the way he did because she knew he needed to. Needed to help her in order to heal himself. She wasn't the only who suffered through that accident.

"I know you do," he said turning back to her as the water had the right temperature. Standing before him she looked smaller than usual. Padding in his direction she reached up to remove the collar.

"Woah," Rick said taking another step forward until he was just a few inches from her.

"Nothing you haven't seen before, Castle," she reminded him smirking and he shook his head. Bending down he gently touched his fingers to her hip. Dark blue bruises covered her side, some parts started to get purple already. Just now it occurred to him that he hasn't seen her without clothes since that morning before she was hurt.

"That. Woah. God, Kate, how can you even move ?"

"Looks worse than it is," she said pulling him up to her. Putting on hand on his bicep she smiled that reassuring smile that always had the power to calm him down, "I promise."

"Okay, okay. Let's get you in in the shower then?"

"I can shower on my own," there was a stern tone in her voice and this time it was his turn to smile. How could anyone be that stubborn?

"Call me if you need anything, okay?" he asked.

"Yes, sir."

"Right. I'm just in the kitchen. You just need to call and I-"

"Castle," she warned.

"What?"

"Get out of here."

/

She was back on the couch, Mr. Stuffles behind her, supporting her like a pillow. It, he, was actually really comfortable. The shower and the chicken soup she had earlier really worked wonders. Especially the shower. It wasn't easy and a few times she was just seconds away from calling Castle but in the end she managed to get clean on her own. Fresh clothes and even a touch of makeup later and she didn't look and feel like death anymore.

Ryan texted that they were on their way fifteen minutes ago, they could knock on the door every second. Castle took the cupcakes out of the fridge and placed several beers and even champagne on the table.

She reminded him it were just the guys coming over but he didn't want to listen. She ached her eyebrow as he handed her a glass of water.

"What? You're still on meds," he answered shrugging. She kept watching him. "I put lemons in for you," was his final answer for her silent plea to give her a glass of champagne or even coke but he refused to give her anything but water or tea. At least he promised her coffee in the morning.

A knock on the door interrupted them. Swinging the door open he let their friends walk in. It was Lanie who came to her first. Gently pulling her into something that should be a hug. Eying Mr. Stuffles for a second she looked back at Kate. The words written on her face, eyes opened wide.

Really?

"You know Castle," she said smiling as Lanie fell down on the couch beside her.

Despite the fact that she didn't want to have any visitors that day – or the next couple of days for that matter – it was a good evening. Castle did most of the talking because honestly, when was he not, and because she didn't really feel up to it.

She knew what he was doing. Trying to cheer her up. Some part of him must have thought that she needed entertainment. Or maybe he was trying to cheer himself up. Making her smile to make him feel better.

She knew she scared him, that he was still worried about her. And she tried everything in her power to make him understand that accidents could happen. And yes, she was hurt and yes, she was really lucky but she was still there. She wasn't going anywhere, not if she had a saying in it. She just hoped that his worry and hear would subdue within a few days. She hated that look on his face when he thought she didn't see him.

It was Ryan who said he had to go home first, his pregnant wife waiting for him or more like the ice cream he promised to pick up on his way home. And with him they all went home, telling her to get well soon.

It was a long day and it didn't feel like she was released from the hospital just today. All she wanted to do for now was sleep. Sleep for days. And then when she woke up she wanted the pain to be gone and the collar so Castle could keep his promises.

/

She fell asleep mere moments after her head hit the pillow. Not that it was wondering him. He saw the exhaustion building up in her the whole evening, hoping that their visitors would finally leave but not wanting to throw them out either.

Maybe he should have invited them a few days later, he thought. But it was nothing he could change now. She promised him that she was fine and while yes, it was a stressful evening on her, he did not need to worry.

Except he did. Because he loved her and he was never good at seeing someone he loved in pain. Not when Alexis learned how to ride a bike and scratched her knee – he made his daughter stay on the sofa for a day and do nothing but watch TV and eat ice cream – and especially not now.

Rolling over he kissed her temple, letting his lips linger for a moment longer. Her hand finding his under the blanket, squeezing his fingers tightly.

"Rick, I'm not going anywhere," it was just a whisper in the dark, her voice drunk with sleep. Right now, it was all he needed to be able to close his eyes; knowing that tomorrow she was still there. Her warm body next to him. Save and alive.

A/N: Tell me what you think, please!