I do not own the characters. I'm only playing for a little while

A thank you to my Beta Robert Nielsen. He tirelessly wades through the jumble and helps me turn the words into a story, one that is easier to read.

Thank you for reading.

I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you.

Roy Croff

Kate settled into the routine of hospital life, adapting to the ebb and flow. She familiarized herself with his treatment, this being new to her she wanted to know everything. The nurses were great, explaining in detail the plans to get him well. They'd brought in extra blankets and a pillow for her. She'd discovered the couch pulled out into a bed. Lindsey (Kate's favorite nurse) welcomed her to stay with him. (It had not gone unnoticed by the staff, the writer improved steadily with her by his side.)

The nurse even filled her script for her in the hospital pharmacy. Kate learned Linz (her nickname) was a fan. She'd picked up one of his books in the nurse's swap a book box. She discovered after reading it was a series, so she ordered the other books from Amazon.

Kate gazed upon Rick's sleeping form lying in the hospital bed. Her breath hitched as she deduced how much she loves this man, overwhelmed by the powerful onslaught of emotion. He was in her veins; in every thought, and every breath. She felt a bond with him even though they didn't have a formal declaration. She was bound to this man, and yet she never felt freer.

Thankfully he was sleeping peacefully. Respiratory came in earlier and gave him a breathing treatment. She was worried when he began coughing again after. The therapist assured her it was perfectly normal, "it was the body's way of clearing out the gunk."

Kate stood beside the bed finally it was her turn to stare. Her eyes moisten, as she recalled the time spent with him. She wanted more. They were beginning their journey together. She knew life with Castle would be an adventure. She was trying to pinpoint the exact moment she knew he was the one. He'd integrated himself in every facet of her life. It was almost as if she couldn't remember her life before him. She couldn't come up with one pivotal moment. It was if she'd love him always.

He was beginning to stir. Kate sat on the bed.

"Hey," his eyes opened. It took a minute to focus. He blinked rapidly.

"Hey," Kate smiled down at him. "Your dinner is here." She slid off and wheeled the table over to the bed. "Let's get you raised up," she spoke softly.

Rick watched as Kate raised his bed and slid the tray across. She lifted the lid. "Soup, it smells good." She flashed him a smile.

He loved to see her smile at him. Hundreds of cups of coffee passed from his hand to hers, just to see that smile. He made a mental note to pen his thoughts, try and capture the feelings on paper. He didn't have the words to convey the depths of his love for Kate. He gained a new appreciation of the sonnets and other forms of expressions of Love captured in the arts. He felt a kinship with the artists of the past, wanting to capture and share the glorious wonder love brings. She'd told him once, when he'd ask" how do you know when you're in love?" Her reply, "all-of-the songs make sense."

He'd written things thru the years, saving them in a file labeled Kate, it contained rants, declarations of love, anything that popped into his head while trying to understand the hold she held on his heart. It was his way of coping. He'd added to it recently, describing how it felt to hold her and make love to her, it revealed the journey.

In the past the yearning in his own life left him feeling empty. He was grateful for his family, and his successful career. It wasn't enough. He didn't feel complete until he met Kate Beckett. She inspired him to be more, he wanted to conquer the world for her. His eyes crinkled, as he looked up and smiled.

Kate loved this smile, she dipped the spoon into the creamy soup, and lifted it to Rick's opened mouth. He could feed himself, but he kind of liked the fact she was taking care of him. This was new.

This image was filed away in his writer's brain, Kate Beckett the women took down violent criminals for a living, she was sitting on his bed tenderly feeding him soup. For the first time in his life he was being taken care of, by someone other than his daughter and it felt great. Her being here showed him that she loved him. She'd put him first. He could see the same feelings he would have if the situation were reversed. She needed to see for herself that he was okay, physically touch him. Then and only then would she believe it was true.

Kate stuck a bendy straw in the apple juice and held it for him to take a drink. Rick swore hospitals owned 'Jell-O' and apple juice factories, it was their main staple. His eyes lit up when Kate handed him a menu. He was allowed to select his food choices for tomorrow. He had to admit the soup was tasty. It was the first time since he'd arrived he had a choice on anything. He'd been poked, and prodded upon arrival, thankfully he'd been out of it for the most part.

Just like clockwork the respiratory therapist came in, time for another treatment it had been four hours.

Kate decided this would be a good time to take a quick shower. She grabbed her bag and headed into the bathroom. Rick nodded as she told him she was going to shower. The nebulizer bounced as he moved his head up and down to acknowledge his understanding.

The clock was ticking, she had twenty minutes before Rick finished the treatment. She turned on the water and undressed quickly. She'd become an expert at a fast shower, hurriedly she scrubbed clean noting the water pressure was fantastic, she finished even quicker than at home. She came out of the bathroom dressed in leggings and a t-shirt, after deciding it would work to sleep in, and the outfit would be appropriate enough to sit around in. Her hair was slightly damp when she pulled it into a pony-tail, she been too impatient to completely dry it, the urge to check on him stronger than completely dry hair.

Rick finished the treatment as Kate emerged from the shower. She came and sat on the bed, and ran her fingers thru his hair. "Hey"

"Linz is bringing you something to eat."

"I'm fine, you're the one who's sick."

"Kate, you need to eat something. I don't want you to get run-down."

"Fine, but I'm not eating any Jell-O,"

Rick's eyes twinkled "Fine."

Rick took a deep breath, and he didn't cough. He was getting better.

She'd helped him to the bathroom once again before they settled in for the night.

Kate walked over and began to pull out the couch.

Rick tried not to sound whiny, but he wasn't successful. "Umm….so I thought you were going to sleep with me."

"That bed is not very big." Kate pointed to the bed to prove her point.

"I don't mind snuggling," Rick looked down at his bed and back up at her.

"Just until you fall asleep," she gave him the I mean it look. "I'm bringing my own pillow you hog yours."

Rick scooted over and made room for Kate. She used her thumb and wiped off a dab of toothpaste from the corner of his mouth.

"I only hog the pillow so you won't drool all over it."

"I do not drool," she held his face in her hands and lightly brushed her lips across his.

"Fine, we will see whose pillow is dry in the morning." he frowned as she pulled away.

Kate rolled her eyes, "fine."

Kate made a show of fluffing her pillow before she lay down. As soon as her head touched the pillow he was drawing her into him.

"I needed you, I'm so glad you came," he whispered to himself.

She heard, and thought I never had a choice. Kate listened as her writer drifted asleep. She fully intended on getting up as soon as he was asleep, five more minutes she declared. She was still there come morning.

The nurses came in through-out the night checking vitals and replacing IV bags. Respiratory came by and decided to skip the two o'clock round.

Six o'-clock in the morning, Rick woke up, his bladder painfully full. He foolishly thought he could get out of bed without waking up his muse.

"Don't even think about getting out of this bed without me." Kate didn't even open her eyes.

"I wouldn't dream of it." He was so busted, she stayed he observed.

Kate dropped the rail and slid out of bed, and came to assist him. She noticed he was getting stronger, his gait was still wobbly. She sensed he needed more time in the bathroom so she left him in front of the toilet, with instructions to call her when he was finished. She waited at the door.

Respiratory was waiting for them when they emerged from the bathroom. After his treatment she helped him with a shower. Breakfast was waiting for the couple when they finished.

They sat on the couch and ate breakfast. It was the first time Rick was strong enough to stay out of bed.

Thankfully he was getting better day by day.

Later that day

Kate wheeled Rick's IV pole while he shuffled along the hallways. He'd made friends with all-of-the nurses, he talked with each one learning their stories. He promised to take photos with them before he was discharged. (His ruggedly handsomeness was slowly returning to full power.)

Kate watched her partner, he was usually in her world at the precinct. She was getting a glimpse of his. She'd been to his book premier parties, this was different. She admired his genuine interest in people. He talked to everyone, from orderly to surgeon. He was so engaging, soon they were telling him their story, their hopes and dreams, their struggles.

Kate was in awe, she remembered when he'd asked about her story, she remained tight-lipped, and dared him to 'guess' he was the writer, then he did. She realized now, he wasn't being glib he really wanted to know the person behind the mask she wore. She fiercely protected her privacy. It unnerved her that he knew so quickly everything she'd successfully hidden. She was so angry at him and herself for exposing her deepest secrets to him, he knew things in a matter of minutes. She was thankful she'd seen past the 'player' he was portrayed to be. He was so much more.

For Rick, he'd spent the last three years trying to unravel the mystery of Katherine Beckett, and now he was certain he would never discover the all-of-the hidden wonders of her. He was willing to spend his life trying.

Kate cut off the tour when she noticed her partner tire. She guided him back to his room to rest. The walk and the conversations stimulated his writer brain, but physically he was still weak. She was fiercely protective she would do what ever it took to aid in his recovery.

Kate steeled herself when she entered his room and saw Paula standing there.