Castle: Beckett's Security Blanket

Chapter 3: A Restless Night

A/N: In case I haven't told you enough already, you guys are seriously amazing. It's because of you all that I'm posting another new update today. You deserve it for the overwhelming support you've given me for this story. So thank you. And now, please enjoy...

Kate jolted awake in a cold sweat as her nightmare came to an abrupt end. She sat up fully, gasping for air as the flashing violent images in her mind began to fade away. She put her hand on her chest in an effort to control her racing heart and with a few deep breaths she was finally able to slow it down to a somewhat normal rhythm.

"Get a grip Kate" she quietly scolded herself as her eyes peered around the blackened room trying to make out anything other than the bright glowing red light of the clock that sat on Castle's large wooden desk in the middle of the room.

She squinted to read the numbers; 3:14am. Damn. It had been less than a half an hour since she had woken up the last time and at this rate she would be lucky to get a total of a few hours of sleep before her alarm on her cell phone went off. Which, might as well be nothing if it was interrupted sleep as it had been so far. She needed sleep. There was no way she'd last a whole day on her feet if she went through the rest of the night like this. With a heavy sigh she pushed the blanket off her body and swung her feet around until they were planted on the floor. She ran her tired hands through her hair and over her face before pushing herself up off the couch and warily making her way towards the door to Rick's bedroom; mindful not to bump into anything on her way there.

She slowly pushed open the door and immediately brought her gaze to fall upon Rick's sleeping form to make sure she hadn't woke him by opening the door. His curtains on the large window were tied open and the full moon outside cast a small pool of light onto his bed brightening the room just enough that she could make out at least where in the room the large objects of furniture were so she wouldn't bump into anything. She had decided that she should try taking something to help her sleep and came into Castle's room in hopes of finding some over-the-counter sleeping pills in his bathroom medicine cabinet. She took one final glance at him to make sure she hadn't woken him and then tip-toed her way to the bathroom. She got just a couple feet from the door when she apparently misjudged the space she had between her and a large potted plant that had been pressed against the wall beside the bathroom door and her toe crashed into it, causing her to let out a small yelp of pain before her hands quickly retreated to cover her mouth.

"Kate?" Rick groaned groggily as he pushed himself up onto his elbow and rubbed his eyes. "Is that you?"

"Yes" she whispered. "Sorry, go back to sleep"

"What happened?"

"I stubbed my toe on your stupid plant" she grumbled and the faint sound of her hopping up and down on one foot made him chuckle softly.

"You okay?" He asked; trying not to sound like he was laughing, but come on, someone stubbing their toe is almost as funny as seeing someone slip on a patch of ice. Even if it's your own grandmother you wouldn't be human if you didn't let out at least a tiny chuckle under your breath.

"Fine" she huffed as the hopping finally stopped.

"What are you doing up anyway? It's not 7 already is it?" he asked groggily; patting his nightstand beside him to find his watch.

"No. I just had trouble staying asleep, I was going to check your bathroom for sleeping pills"

"Oh, don't have any, sorry" she couldn't see him frowning but she could hear it in his tone.

"It's alright" she sighed softly. "I'll be fine. Just, go back to sleep, sorry I woke you" she apologized with her voice slightly shaking almost as if it was about betray her. She could feel tears coming on, she was so damn tired. The last thing she wanted was to break down in front of Castle so she quickly turned herself around to get ready to flee.

"Kate, wait" he called out before she could retreat back to his office. "Are you… I mean, why can't you sleep?"

"It's nothing" she waved him off even though he probably couldn't see her doing it. "I'm just really tired. I got startled awake a couple times, it's nothing really. I'll be fine, Castle. Don't worry about me"

"Kate" his voice was different now. Not half asleep, or weary. It was empathetic. He was worried about her and needed to do something.

"It's okay, really" she tried, but he wasn't buying it.

"Come here" he whispered into the darkness and Kate bit on her lower lip. She really probably shouldn't, but she was so tired. So very, very tired and had little left fight in her to argue with him.

'What the hell' she thought. She wasn't getting any sleep any way. What other choice did she have? So with that she slowly made her way across the room and to his very large bed. He pushed himself back slightly from the edge so there was room for her and opened the blankets up for her to crawl in which she did willingly. She lay down with her back pressed snug against his chest and he draped his arm over her to hold her close; offering her all that he could, his comfort.

"Okay?" he whispered quietly, wanting to make sure his body contact with her wasn't unwanted and she simply nodded her head in approval.

"Get some sleep" he whispered once more and she closed her eyes hoping to be pulled back into a peaceful and hopefully uninterrupted sleep. The steady rhythm of his soft breathing and the feeling of the rise and fall of his chest against her back had a very calming effect on Kate. Her breathing fell into pace with his and before she knew it she had succumb to the darkness once more and drifted into a deep sleep for the final time that night.

Beckett slowly began to stir as the inviting aroma of a strong coffee assaulted her senses. She screwed her eyes shut for a moment as she let out a long yawn and stretched her body. Slowly she opened her eyes and was for a brief moment confused as to where exactly she was until her brain clicked in and reminded her that she had come to Castle's room in the middle of the night and had slept in his bed. Pushing herself up on her elbows she blinked several times as her eyes adjusted to the bright sunlight pouring in through the bedroom window.

"Morning sleepyhead" a warm voice greeted her and her lips automatically curled up into a small smile as Castle sat himself down on the edge of the bed in front of her.

"Morning" she mumbled through another long yawn, fully pushing herself up now so she was sitting with her back against the large wooden headboard.

"Coffee?"

He didn't even need to ask, she was already stretching her arms out in front of her in anticipation of receiving the steaming mug of caffeine.

"Yes please" she answered enthusiastically. "I could smell it coming a mile away" she smiled.

He let out a small laugh at her eagerness, then turned serious. "Okay so, don't be mad…" he began and she immediately brought the cup down from her lips and glared at him.

"Hey, I said don't be mad. You're already mad and I haven't even told you anything yet" he whined in that truly Castle way that was just as frustrating as it was adorable.

"What, Castle?" she prodded impatiently.

"Um" he frowned before reaching his arm to the alarm clock on the bedside table next to her and turned it around so she could read it.

9:52 a.m.

"Oh my God, Castle!" she practically shrieked as she hurled the covers off her body and scrambled out of the bed, placing her coffee mug down on the table and scurrying into the bathroom.

"How did I not hear the alarm on my phone? I know I set it last night!" she was yelling through the bathroom door; not angrily, just so that he could hear her. She was clearly frustrated.

He winced and screwed his eyes shut before continuing his confession. "I kind of turned it off before it had a chance to go off..."

"You did what?" she was now back out of the bathroom and standing before him with a toothbrush hanging from her mouth; Castle was kind enough to lay her out a fresh one when he had gotten up this morning, and if she wasn't screaming at him right now he'd have to say she looked pretty damn adorable in the morning.

"I'm sorry, it's just, you were so tired last night and…" he rambled nervously in front of her but her death stare remained fixed on him.

"Look, it's going to be okay" he continued in a slightly calmer tone now. "I already spoke with Ryan and Esposito and they're covering for you with Gates, she thinks you're tracking down a lead. Everything is fine, okay?"

She didn't answer, just simply rolled her eyes and stalked back towards the bathroom with a huff; closing the door behind her. Truthfully it was better than what he could have hoped for. He knew this was her way of thanking him, because if she wasn't thankful she would still be standing there yelling at him. She had no qualms about giving him a piece of her mind when she felt he needed it, so the fact that she didn't was a good sign. He breathed a sigh of relief and then took the liberty of finishing her coffee for her; no need for it to go to waste he figured.

He heard the shower being turned on and decided it was time he left the bedroom to give her her privacy so he headed back through his office and into the main part of the loft where he noticed Alexis busying herself in the kitchen.

"Hey kiddo" he smiled at her.

"Hey dad" she smiled back. "Um, not that it's my business or anything but… Did I hear Detective Beckett's voice coming from your room?" She asked, raising a quizzical eyebrow at him.

"Oh, yeah, she uh…" he suddenly felt awkward, though he didn't know why. It's not like they had done anything, unfortunately for him it wasn't that kind of sleep over. "Something happened at her place last night" he finally continued. "She needed a place to stay but since Gram's is in the spare room she stayed in my office"

Well, it was mostly true so he didn't feel too badly about leave the last part out of it. With Alexis working alongside Lanie all day he knew what a gossip the M.E. was and how she could get information out of just about anybody without even trying. So, the less Alexis knew the better because Beckett would definitely kill him if Lanie learned she had slept in his bed, regardless of the fact that nothing had happened between them.

"Is she okay?" Alexis asked in genuine concern.

"Yeah, I think so, for now" he sighed. "It's not over yet so she can't go back home yet but sweetie I'd really appreciate it if we kept our home lives separate from work…" he tried to stress the importance of it and Alexis quickly nodded in understanding.

"I won't say anything Dad" she assured him and he smiled before approaching her and placing a kiss on her forehead.

"Thanks for being the best kid ever" he told her as her arms circled around her and rested his chin on the top of her head. She giggled and squeezed him back "I love you too Dad"

A/N: That's it for now folks, but stay tuned because there's lots more to come. The grind continues for Beckett as the team delves further into the case and it only causes her more stress and sleepless nights so she finds comfort in the only place she can, Castle's waiting arms. But seriously, there's only so much cuddling a man can take… R&R :)