A/N Thanks for the reviews on the last chapter. I'm currently off work due to a operation so it means you get more regular updates lucky you. I hope you enjoy this chapter. The lyrics below inspired me to write this chapter.

Once again I don't own Castle if I did I would shout it from the rooftops.

"I try to catch my breath it hasn't happened yet, I'm wide awake in the middle of the night, scared to death."

Carry Me by Josh Wilson.

The night was tough, sleep was frequently interrupted by harsh coughing fits. When she was wasn't awake coughing, the nurses would wake her up to check her vitals. She felt so tired by the time morning came. Castle had been made to leave for the night, hospital policy apparently. She had spent ages alone just staring at the ceiling, the previous day's events running through her mind. Parts were muddled but some of the events were vivid in her mind. The moment where her muscles began to betray her when she was in the water stood out the most. She remembers that at that moment she had thought that was it. She had survived a bullet to the chest but she was going to die drowning. She thought about how ironic that was, a speeding bullet couldn't kill her but a gun butt to the head then falling in the water would. She remembers the pain she felt as the water begun to seep into her lungs. The burning sensation she wishes to never experience again, the coldness of the water and the shooting pain of her overworking muscles. The recognition that she had never told castle how she felt out loud, she was sure he already knew. She had never uttered those simple 3 words back to him, and now she wasn't sure why.

She had walls surrounding her heart since her mother's death but he had broken them down years ago. His words, his books and later just him had turned them to rubble. He had told her several times, yes one was on her death bed and the other was during a heated argument but he had said them aloud. He had declared his love for her and she longs to do it back. She nearly lost her chance to, so she is determined to make it know to him, as soon as she can.

The one thing she can't erase from her mind is Javi's face when he spoke to her last night. She can't put a finger on it but he looked like he had seen a ghost. She knows he was there when she was pulled from the water but she doesn't know what his role was. He is like a older brother to her and he looked heartbroken. She decides when she is out of here that she will talk to him. Javi doesn't hug and kiss someone on the head as normal practice.

6 am comes slowly but it arrives. The nurse comes in to give her the last dose of intravenous antibiotics through the needle in her arm. The nurse makes small talk as she gives it but Kate's not feeling chatty today. She is shattered and the coughing has made her throat feel raw, her voice now has a hoarse tone to it. She wants to be home wrapped up in blanket or her duvet laying on her bed or on the couch. She wants to lay in Castle's arms. She doesn't want to be in hospital any more she has disliked them ever since her shooting, too many memories held within their walls. The nurse finishes her jobs and leaves her alone once again. She hopes that doctor will be along soon, and hopefully Castle will be here too.

…...

A few hours later the Doctor comes to her room, he wants a repeat head scan and chest X-ray so he can review them, before he thinks about letting her go. She understands his reasoning but she wanted to leave this morning and now it looks like it will be early to mid afternoon. She agrees to the scans and they take her down as soon as they can. This time she remains calm during them, yesterday with her muddled head they scared her and she panicked. The scans take around half an hour and soon she is back in her room. She tries to get some sleep in, she just nods off as the door opens.

She doesn't open her eyes, she is pissed why can't they leave her alone. She is fine. She hopes keeping her eyes closed, will give them the hint to go and come back later. She can hear light footsteps around the side of the bed, and soon her nose is full of the smell of a familiar scent. It smells like aftershave and home, she knows that smell anywhere. She feels the bed dip on her left side, then feels a light kiss placed in her hair. She hears him breath in taking in her own scent, which she is sure is not good at the moment. The sea & hospital combined can't be good, but he doesn't make a disgusted noise. His fingers ghosting over her cheek and she can't help but smile slightly. He must of realised she is awake, despite the ruse by now but he doesn't say anything. He places a feather light kiss on her forehead just next to the bump and this is when she decides to open her eyes. She is met by his beautiful blue orbs looking back at her.

" Hey".

"Hi".

She reaches up with her line free arm and pulls him towards her with her hand cupped round his neck. There lips touch, it's like electricity flowing through her veins. The kiss is sweet, not rushed but still full of passion. As he pulls back she rubs her nose on his, he just smirks.

"Later Kate, later. Have to get you better first."

How does he always know what she is thinking, it used to freak her out but it is one of the many things she loves about him. She is just about to tell him the three words when the door opens. Dr Relph walks in, a smile on his face, good news she hopes.

"Detective Beckett, I have reviewed your scans from today as well looked at your vital signs. I am happy from what I have seen to let you go home today. However you will need to continue a regime of oral antibiotics at home. You will need to stay with someone over the next few days to ensure your being supervised. There is a chance you could develop Pneumonia but the hope is that the iv antibiotics have prevented this. The sings to look out for are: Fever, pain in the chest, loss of appetite, a difficulty breathing and vomiting. Also if you bring up any spit that is dark green, brown or red come straight back. As for the head that will hurt for awhile till the bruising goes but after that you will be fine. Any questions?."

That is a lot of information to process, but she sees that Castle seems to be jotting things down in a notebook that he has brought along. That is really sweet of him. She however does have one question.

" When can I go back to work?"

" I would suggest taking a week off, Your body went through hell yesterday and it needs so time to recover. Now the nurse will be in with your paperwork shortly. Bye Detective Beckett hope not to see you again in the nicest way possible."

She thanks him and the doctor leaves. She turns to Castle who is still scribbling away, the sight melts her heart. She never wants to let him go, he is her one and done. He finally looks up, he looks a bit sheepish when he notices her staring at him.

" I didn't want to forget anything. It's a lot of important information."

"Actually I think it is kind of sweet that you wrote it all down."

She pulls him in for a quick peck on the lips. Now she needs to get ready to go home, but she has only got the hospital pyjamas as her clothes where all wet and probably a bit musty now. She doesn't really want to go out in this outfit though. Before she can think of a plan Castle picks up a bag off the floor. He must have bought it in while she was pretending to asleep. He places it on the bed in front of her. She unzips and finds fresh clothes, underwear and shoes. This makes her face light up with delight, he just simply looks at her.

" I figured you need new stuff to wear home so I went to your apartment and collected a few things. I hope that was okay, you did give me a key."

"Castle why would that be a problem, you're my boyfriend and thank you."

"Your welcome, now this little matter of you staying with someone. I think you should come back to the loft with me, you spend most of your time there anyway. However I know that you like your independence so if don't want to then you know that's fine too, but the doctor said to have someone there and I just thought…."

She laughs at his rambling, she's not sure he even knows what he was talking about now.

"Yes Castle I'll come stay with you."

…...

The Nurse came round with the paperwork & medication about half an hour later, and they were on they're way back to the loft. Castle's doorman gives them a wave as he opens the door, he doesn't seem to be shocked by the gigantic bruise on her forehead. He acts as if they're just coming back from a day at work and she likes that about him. They make there way to the loft where Castle eventually opens the door after fumbling around in his pockets for the key. As soon as the door is opened she is ushered inside and immediately pulled into a embrace by Martha. She didn't even realised that the once diva would be there. She doesn't pull away but allows her self to enjoy the hug, sometimes when you're feeling rough you just need a mothers hug.

She lets her go and directs her to the couch before walking over to the kitchen and telling her she is just cooking dinner. She sits down and lets herself just sink in the comfy couch. She tucks her feet under, rests her head back and shuts her eyes for just a moment. She is woken up 30 minutes later by Castle, she didn't think she had been asleep that long. She checks her phone she has text from the boys saying they will pop round after work tomorrow to see how she is. She places her phone on the coffee table and leans back into Castle who has come to sit beside her. Her head rests by his collar bone, she places a small kiss on the bit of his neck she can get to. He wraps a arm around and she finally feels safe.

…...

After dinner they spend some time just chatting to Martha about the last few days events. She begins to yawn, unable to stop herself. It seems the 2 hours she got last night and the half an hour earlier aren't enough to keep her awake any longer. She makes her excuse and heads to bed. She gets changed and begins to brush her teeth which seems to set off a coughing fit. She must be quite loud because she hears hurried footsteps and Castle comes barging through the bathroom door. She is leaning over the sink, her fingers turning white from the strong grip she has on the sides of it. He stands behind her and rubs his hand in circles on her back. Slowly the cough subsides, and she is able to breath normally again. She leans back into him and he places his arms around her waist and takes her weight. When she is finally calm she turns around and pulls him in for a searing kiss.

She knows nothing will happen tonight, she is too tired. Tomorrow will be a different day though. She lets go off him and heads back into the bedroom. He takes a deep breath and heads out himself. As she climbs into bed he disappears, she wonders what he is doing. Her question is soon answered when he comes back with a glass of water and the antibiotic tablet she forgot to take. She gladly takes off him and watches as he strips down to his boxers. She will never get sick of the sight of his body, she often wonders why it took her so long to see it. She puts the glass on the bedside table next to the alarm and gets under the covers. He gets in as well and pulls her to him, he gives her lingering kiss before saying night. She replies with …..

"I love you Castle."

A/N: Next chapter Castle's response to this or The boys come visit and Kate and Javi talk... Up to you guys. Please review etc...:D