Thank you all so so so much for your amazing patience and support with this story. It makes me so happy you are enjoying this. I hope you like this next chapter.

She awoke with a start, lurching for the toilet before she was even coherent. She retched violently, feeling intense camps the entire time she was throwing up. She was vaguely aware of a hand on her back, rubbing soft circles. She collapsed backwards once her stomach had finally rid itself of all its contents.

"I gotcha," Castle said, running his hands through her hair. Tears were flowing down her face against her will, but she was too tired to wipe them away.

Once her stomach was less upset, Kate noticed she felt strange. She looked down and immediately figured out why. There was a gigantic stain of blood all over her pajama pants. A deep blush overtook her fevered cheeks as mortification set in.

"Castle," she said, trying to push him away, "Get out. You don't need to see this."

"Kate," he said, catching her as she tried to stand and nearly fell over from pain and exhaustion, "I don't mind. I have seen Alexis through many situations worse than this. Let me help."

She was too exhausted to fight, tears began running down her face as he pulled her close to his chest, trying to comfort her. He held her until her tears tapered off.

"I'll be right back," he said, getting up, careful not to jostle her too much. He returned a few moments later with a pair of pajama bottoms she guessed she had left there at some point in time, and one of his t-shirts she had claimed as her own a few months before. He also had the little bag filled with pads and tampons.

"Could I shower?" she asked weakly as he handed her the items.

"Of course," he said, "Can you do it yourself or do you need my help?"

"I should be alright," she said, weakly, attempting to turn on the shower, but finding herself too weak to pull the handle to start it.

"I got it," he said, easily pulling the handle, "Are you sure you can do it alone?"

"I'll call if I need anything," she said, feeling a wave of intense nausea hit her, sending her back to the toilet bowl.

"Kate," he murmured, stroking her soft hair. She finished throwing up a few seconds later, not having much left in her stomach to throw up. They sat there for a few seconds until she decided it was time to get in the shower.

"Go Castle," she said, shoving him toward the door as best as she could without getting up, "I'll be fine."

"Alright," he said, getting up, "Call out if you need me."

As soon as he was gone, she stripped off her soiled pants and sweaty t-shirt. She then carefully took off her underwear which were now more red than their original pink, and stepped into the shower.

As soon as she was in, she felt faint, and grabbed the side of the tub for support. Once she felt more stable, she grabbed her cherry scented body wash she kept at his place and quickly applied it to the wash cloth he had placed in the shower for her.

She scrubbed her body until she felt somewhat clean, knowing she needed to get out soon for three reason: 1) her stomach was starting to protest the standing and she was sure she would be praying to the porcelain god if she didn't get out soon, 2) she was starting to feel light headed and really didn't want to pass out in the shower, and 3) Castle was probably freaking out and as much as she loved messing with him, right now, she wasn't in the mood for his antics or stories.

She turned off the water and grabbed the towel he had set out for her, drying herself while holding onto the counter for support. She got her feminine products in place before pulling on her new pajamas, relishing in his scent which was on the t-shirt.

As soon as she was dressed, she opened the door slightly before doubling over as a cramp hit her like a ton of bricks.

"Come here, Kate," he said, pulling her close and wrapping his arms around her as tears began to fall from her eyes. They sunk down to the floor just outside the bathroom, her head on his lap as he attempted to massage her stomach without making her throw up again. After a few minutes, she uncurled her body slightly.

"Want to go to bed?" he asked, stroking her hair gently.

"Please," she said, sitting up slightly. She started to push herself up, but Castle stopped her, picking her up gently and carrying her bridal style into the bedroom, laying her gently on the bed. He carefully turned off the lights before placing a bucket next to her on the floor, just in case, and crawling in next to her. He smiled as she snuggled into him, her back against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, gently rubbing her stomach as she drifted between consciousness and sleep.

Suddenly, she shot up, grabbing the bucket and retching into it, bringing up nothing more than stomach acid. He rubbed her back as she continued dry heaving, gripping her stomach the whole time. When she finished, he pulled her close.

"This sucks," she said, tears flowing down her face, "Why can't this just stop."

"I know," he said, stroking her hair, "I know. But you'll feel better soon, alright?"

She nodded, snuggling into his chest, rubbing her temples as a headache began to gather in them.

"Do you want to try some more rehydration solution?" he asked, knowing dehydration caused massive headaches.

"Not really," she said, "I would, but I will just bring it back up."

"Let's try," he said, kissing her forehead, noting the warmth radiating from it.

He got up and grabbed the bottle from the counter in the bathroom where he had left it. He opened it and held it to her lips, knowing her shaking body wouldn't be able to hold it without spilling. She drank a few sips before stopping, curling back into a ball on the bed. He recapped the bottle, placing it next to the bed before curling up next to her, praying the solution stayed in his girlfriend's sick body long enough to help her.

I hope this pleased all of you. Please let me know if this should wrap up soon or what should happen next. Thanks so much for reading.