Robert Nielsen, (my beta) you are the best! I am learning with your kind encouraging words. I love the way you show me how to improve the story. I struggle transferring the thoughts in my head to paper, wrtiting the proper sentence structure and puctuation, so the words turn into a story. Your wise council is truly appreciated. "Wax on, wax off-"

Diane

Thank you for reading.

Rick woke up, his alarm was beeping on his phone, he blinked repeatedly, desperately trying to focus. His eyes felt like a sandstorm blew across them during the night. His head was pounding. When he threw back the covers he felt a chill. Shower, he would feel better after a shower. He hadn't felt good for a few days, he blamed it on being exhausted.

After his shower, he stood with a towel wrapped around his waist, it was a struggle to wipe the steam from the mirror of the hotel's bathroom. The image appearing before him did not look good. The harsh glare from the overhead florescent light wasn't helping. The person staring back at him looked alien, red eyes with dark crescent shaped moons underneath, skin pasty, even his trade mark hair was lackluster. He felt as bad as he looked.

Paula was going to be pissed.

"Dammit….." his cursing was abruptly ended by a fit of coughing.

He dug in his overnight bag in search of Tylenol. He popped a couple of them and chased them down with large gulps of water. He tilted the bottle, nothing. He looked at the empty bottle feeling like it betrayed him. His throat burned, he wanted more. He threw the offending bottle in the trash can.

He steeled his gaze telling the man in the mirror he is not sick. He will not get sick….then he doubled over in a coughing fit. He gasped for breath between coughs.

He was still coughing when he heard his phone ring. He shuffled back to the bed, and snatched the phone off the nightstand. Speak of the Devil; His agent was on the phone. He knew she would be screeching, so he held the phone away from his sore head.

"Hello Pau..," he started coughing. He heard her say she was on her way to his room. He nodded his head between coughs, "water" he managed to croak out. He struggled getting dressed, afterward he lay back on the bed exhausted. He closed his eyes, the next thing he heard was Paula beating on his door.

The next thing he remembered, he heard voices, he just wanted to sleep. He felt his body moving but he thought he might be dreaming. The light is what woke him up. Someone was holding his eye open and blinding him with light. He tried to lift his arms to stop the light; he was stopped by a tether.

He felt something cool, the sensation was traveling thru the veins inside his arm. "Kate talk to K…," he was out.

Paula switched on Rick's phone, she was going to call his family and let them know he was in the hospital. She stopped when she saw he screen saver. A picture of him in the arms of the detective, the very one he was currently on tour to promote a book he'd written about. It clicked; she was the reason for his attitude change.

Paula was already thinking of the promotion possibilities. This was going to make his books skyrocket. She did a celebratory dance, then back to the business at hand. She selected "home" on Rick's phone it rang and rang when the leave a message prompt came on she hung up. She tried "Alexis", same thing.

She knew who would answer, this should be good. She punched "Kate" Paula had a knowing grin plastered on her face.

Kate looked at her phone, It was Rick "Hey, babe"

'Babe' this just keeps getting better. "Kate, this is Paula, Rick's …."

Kate's voice changed instantly, "Yes, I know who you are…where is Rick? Has something happened?"

This girl is feisty, I like her. Paula continued unfazed, "I've tried calling Rick's home phone and daughter's cell. I'm not able to reach anyon…."

"I swear to God, Paula if you don't tell me right now where he is, I'll make you regret it the rest of your natural life" Kate used her most intimidating voice, she wasn't messing around.

"He is in the hospital," Geez! no need for violence.

Kate paled, "is he hurt? Her voice was shaking "what happened?"

"No nothing like that, he has a cold or something," Paula waved her hands in the air dismissing the idea it was anything serious.

Kate used her thumb and forefinger to press against the bridge of her nose. Her blood pressure was spiking. They don't generally hospitalize someone with a cold. Kate cleared her throat, "let me speak to Rick."

"Well, he isn't able to talk right now he's pass...asleep." Paula pinched her eyes closed, she hope the detective didn't catch the slip.

"Paula!"

She heard. "Okay he has pneumonia, they think it started with the flu... I told him to get a flu shot," she added defensively.

"Which hospital?"

She heard papers rustling, Paula was searching; she picked up a sheet of paper and read it to Kate "Ohio State University Weyner Medial Center."

"Address?"

"Um," Paula read further and found an address, "it's on 370 West 9th Avenue."

"Got it." You pushed him to hard, his schedule is ridiculous Paula, no wonder he got sick. Kate was pacing. "When Rick wakes up tell him I'm on my way. I'll talk to his family."

"Kate, he's going to be fine. Right now, he's hooked up to all kinds of stuff, IV's and that thingy in his nose. The Doctor just told me they are running tests to figure out what kind of pneumonia he has. "If I spread out the events anymore he wouldn't go. He doesn't want to be away from….home that long. Getting him out of town now was going to take a miracle.

Kate closed her eyes, Paula sucked at reassuring people, and she'd just described how sick he really was. Enough of this. "Do not leave his side, I am on my way. Tell them he is allergic to Penicillin." Kate wasn't asking. She hung up the phone, and pulled out the list of numbers for Alexis. Rick listed her as an emergency contact for his daughter. The list contained the phone numbers for: her school, her friends, her primary care Doctor. It also listed her known Allergies-penicillin, just like her father.

Paula looked at Rick's phone like she was afraid it was going to attack her. She quickly placed it on the tray table. She shuddered as she made her way over to sit and wait. She used her phone to begin the list of required calls, she was canceling the rest of his tour. She glanced nervously at Rick making sure he was still breathing. She didn't want to face the wrath of his muse if God-forbid he should stop.

Kate dialed the school, while she waited for the connection she grabbed a bag and stuffed clothes and her bathroom bag, her need to keep moving was overwhelming. Someone came on the line, and she realized it was a recorded voice repeating a list of prompts, she hung up, and slipped the phone in her pocket. Kate wanted to talk to Alexis face to face. First she needed to calm down, it was a good thing Paula was in Ohio, she was ready to rip her new one.

She finished packing and flipped her laptop open she checked the flights. It would take her nine hours to drive. She was hoping to get there sooner than that. There was an American Eagle flight that leaves at 1:50pm arrives 3:40pm she booked it. She'd flown American before, so she logged in and completed the transaction quickly. She printed her tickets and she was out the door.

Kate headed to Alexi's school.

Kate went straight to the office. She asked the secretary to pull Alexis Castle from her class.

"Are you her parent?"

"No, family friend."

"I'm sorry we only allow the parent or legal guardian to speak to our students."

Kate pulled out her shield, "Pull her school records you will see my name, Kate Beckett. I am listed as an emergency contact. Her Father set it up."

The secretary excused herself to retrieve the file. Kate wasn't upset, she was actually relieved the school took precautions. The secretary returned with a gentleman in a suit. He carried the file and introduced himself, he was the school's principle. We take our students safety seriously. We have several students here with famous parents. Discretion is key. The principal opened the file and assured himself that Kate was indeed listed as a person who was able to remove Alexis from school or authorize medical treatment. In fact he read on, she held 'guardian rights', the school's highest level. She was someone her parent trusted. "Ms. Beckett could you provide us with a photo ID, It's for our file."

Kate handed her driver licenses over to the secretary, as she headed to the copier, the principal informed Kate Alexis was on her way to the office. She was returning her licenses to her purse when Alexis came in.

"Hi," Alexis smiled and then she realized something was up. "Is everything ok? My Dad he is on tour…Did something happen?"

Kate looked at the principal "Is there someplace we can talk privately?" The principle ushered them into his office and quietly closed the door as he left them to talk.

"Paula called, your dad is in the hospital. He has the flu. I think he is probably dehydrated and exhausted from his schedule." Kate sounded so calm and reassuring. On the inside she was in turmoil. She wanted to see him with her own eyes.

"Who is with him?"

"Paula is staying with him, until I get there. She said he is resting comfortably. The hospital is highly rated." (Kate already checked their credentials online.) "I expect him to be out of the hospital by the week-end." She smiled, she wanted to reassure Alexis. Kate was using her skills acquired over the years, talking to the family was never easy, and this time it was personal.

"I...I was going into class, I missed his call I didn't see it until …the bell rang and I had to put my phone away. We are taking finals …we are not allowed to have our phones out."

Kate nodded reassuringly "I'll call you as soon as I get to the hospital, give you an update."

Alexis nodded and ran into Kate's arms. "I know you won't let anything happen to him," Alexis pulled back and asks, "does Gram know."

Kate shook her head. "Paula couldn't reach her."

"I'm sure she was asleep, her students are preforming in an off-off Broadway production of "My Fair Lady." She was out late."

"I'll call her, as soon as I leave here."

"Detective Beckett?"

Kate chuckled, "Oh Alexis, I think you can call me Kate."

"Kate, thank you. I'm glad that you and dad are…together. He loves you, he's happier, when you are around," Alexis added in a quiet voice "bring him home."

Kate bit her bottom lip, she wasn't about to start crying. She took a deep breath and assured her she wouldn't return without him.

Kate headed to the precinct. She needed to ask the Captain for time off. She was prepared to resign if she wasn't granted the time, she didn't think it would be necessary, but nothing was stopping her from making that flight.

Kate sat across from her Captain, " Sir I need to take some personal time off."

Montgomery's curiosity peeked, Kate never asked for time off. He picked up his pen, to begin filling out the request to turn into human resources. He knew she had the time available. "When do you want it to start?"

"Today," Kate replied

This had to be good, Montgomery laid his pen down. "Talk to me Kate."

"I just got a call from Paula, She is Castle's publicist. He is in the hospital in Ohio." Kate could tell the captain wanted to hear the whole story." I-we- our relationship it's changed Sir," Kate took a deep breath here goes. "We are together." The Captain sat unmoved. "We are um, romantically involved."

Roy looked up at her guiltily, "I knew what you meant Kate, I was just messing with you. It took you two long enough. I'm happy for you two. Go take care of him." He picked up his pen, "I'll make this for two-weeks if you need more time let me know."

"Thank you sir," Kate stood up she was about to leave then she turned and added. "Captain we haven't told anyone yet we were waiting until he came back from his tour. We were going to tell everyone at once."

"I can keep a secret, go."

"Thanks Captain."

Roy watched her go with a heavy heart, he had 'big' secrets he was keeping from her. He knew who she was chasing, the ones responsible for her mom's murder, and he was part of it. He couldn't undo the past and bring back her mother, but he would do everything in his power to keep her safe. She deserved to be happy. He was glad to see the writer finally broke through her defenses. He could see the connection between the two early on, that why he kept him around. He finished filling out the request.

Kate came out of the Captain's office and headed to the elevator. She was flanked by Javi and Ryan they stepped in the elevator with her.

Javi didn't waste any time. "What's going on? Kate?" She knew he was asking out of concern, because he used her given name.

"Castle's publicist called he is in the hospital in Ohio, I asked for time off, I'm going to go and check on my partner."

She knew Ryan and Javi were communicating with each other. She did the same thing with Rick. It was important in their line of work to relay information with out saying a word. Your partner had your back if they felt something was amiss it was their job to convey the information, sometimes you didn't want the suspect to know what you were saying. Hand signals, eye gestures, posturing were all ways of passing info to your partner without speaking.

Ryan chimed in "tell him we hope he feels better."

"Thanks, I will," the doors opened Kate walked out and didn't look back. She knew she would tell them and it would lead to more questions right now she had a plane to catch.

Javi and Ryan stayed on the elevator and rode back up to the bull pen. They knew for certain now that she was with Castle, she would tell them when she was ready. They were satisfied, for now. They fist-bumped and started talking about last night's game.

Kate arrived with her carry-on. She collected her boarding pass and dialed Martha's number. The diva answered on the third ring.

"Hello"

"Martha"

"Katherine, darling what a pleasant surprise, Richard told me of your adventure, congratulations."

"Thank you Martha, ...Paula called Rick is in the hospital in Ohio."

"Oh dear, is he hurt?"

"No he is sick, he had the flu and now they think he has pneumonia. I'm on my way to Ohio," Kate looked at her dads watch, "my plane leaves in half an hour."

"Has anyone spoken to Alexis?"

"Yes," Kate darted her eyes around nervously. "I went to the school and spoke with her before I came here. I will call you, as soon as I have anything new."

Martha could tell Kate was in love with her son. The concern in her voice and the fact that she was going to him, for the second time, it only meant one thing. She was in love with him. He needed her and she was going to him. Martha held her hand to her heart. She was thankful Richard finally found the real thing. She couldn't have picked a better partner for her Son.

"Katherine, you're the best thing to happen to him since Alexis was born. I'll await your call. Thank you dear." She hung up.

Kate was amazed how his family welcomed her with open arms, trusting her with the thing they loved most him. She felt honored.

Ohio

She grabbed her carry-on and exited the plane, she was walking out of the airport to catch a cab, when she saw her name on a sign, she walked over and the bodyguard ushered her to a waiting limo. Paula sent a car. She knew Rick would fire her if she let anything happen to his 'girlfriend.' She wanted her safely delivered to the hospital.

She was surprised when the bodyguard escorted her to Rick's room. He stopped when he reached his door. Kate nodded and thanked him. She quickly went inside, her heart dropped when she saw him.

His eyes remained closed. The lids were swollen and bruised. He was so pale, IV lines were snaking from a pole down to his arm. She reached the bed in two steps, she sat on the edge... "Hey, babe" she reached for his large hand and held it to her chest, then she waited. She felt him stir.

"I'm sick" he struggled with his eyelids, they were so heavy.

Her eyes widen, he was awake . "Yea, I think you are"

"... is this dream? 'Cause if it is don't wake me okay." He gave up trying to open his eyes. In this dream she was here, her slender hand touching him. He'd knew her touch, he'd anticipated it for years.

"..Um no babe, you're in a hospital in Ohio."

"No-you ….wake up without you… it hurts."

Kate smiled as the tears ran down her face, "I'm right here, and I'm not going anywhere." She ran her fingers across his forehead, lightly touching his skin with the pads of her finger tips. His breathing calmed and he drifted off again.

Kate heard a noise in the corner of the room, she focused on the noise. It was Paula, her eyes shot daggers across the room, straight into the eyes of the frightened publicist.

"That's the first time he's talked," Paula lowered her hand she was pointing toward the hospital bed. She quickly added "I've canceled the rest of the tour."

"Good" Kate steeled herself she wanted to make sure Paula heard her, she lowered her voice and looked her in the eye. "Our relationship is private, it is to remain private. We will decide when and if we choose to make it public, got it?"

Paula nodded. "I understand" she broke eye contact. "I used Rogers, to admit him…to keep his being here private. The bodyguard is just in case….well that shouldn't happen. I'll be at the hotel if you need anything." Paula handed Kate a card with her numbers listed. She got the hell out of there, fast.

Kate returned her attention to Rick. She watched him sleep. The nurse came in and checked his I.V. She smiled at Kate.

"Could you tell me when the Dr. will be in? I promised his family I'd call with an update." Kate was still sitting on the bed gently touching his forehead.

"Are you family?"

"I am his partner, Kate Beckett" She let the nurse draw her own conclusions.

His nurse went to the computer and typed in a code, the dormant computer screen sprang to life. "Kate?"

"Yes"

"I have a Katherine Beckett listed as in-case of emergency contact along with two others."

Kate nodded, "Martha Rodgers and Alexis Castle?"

"Yes"

"They are the two I'm supposed update." Kate suppressed a smile, he'd surprised her again.

"Dr. Casey is here making rounds. I'll relay the message"

"Thank you" Kate felt him stir.

"Kate?" Rick opened his eyes.

"Hey," Kate said smiling.

He smiled back, the one that crinkled his eyes, she loves that smile.

"I thought I was dreaming, but you're here." He coughed until his face changed colors. Then he sucked in a ragged breath.

"Shhh…don't talk, I'm here babe, I'm here. Kate squeezed his hand.

He closed his eyes and concentrated on catching his breath. It was easier to recover, now that he had oxygen streaming through the nasal cannula.

"Sucks," He said.

"I know," she kissed his forehead. He still felt warm.

"Lay with me" he pleaded with his eyes.

Kate nodded and positioned herself beside him on the bed. They spooned. His arm, the one tied to the IV rested on the natural curve of her waist, quickly they settled into one another, she listened as his breathing quieted, then she drifted off.

They slept. A restful deep sleep, they only achieved with they were together.

Dr. Casey walked into the room and saw the pair coupled together. She checked Mr. Castle's chart, and observed the monitors for a moment. He was doing better. His vitals were the best they'd been all day. Casey wrote her name and number down, with instructions to call when Kate awoke. She clicked her pen and placed it back in her pocket. She'd read the "Heat" books. Seeing the author and his inspiration together, it seemed fitting. She turned and flipped the main light off. Richard Castle needed rest, and Kate Beckett was helping him get it. It was just what the Doctor Ordered. She stepped out of the room and quietly closed the door behind her.

When Kate read the note later, she laughed and shared the newly gleaned information with Rick. His doctor's name was Casey Pepper... Dr. Pepper, no wonder she used her first name. Kate picked up her cell and punched in the doctor's number. She needed to know exactly what she was up against, and she'd promised his family She'd call.