A/N: Thanks for the response so here we go the 3 magic words.

I don't own Castle if I did I would have this as a episode of course.

"Can I lay by your side, next to you, and make sure your all right & take care of you."

Lay Me Down by Sam Smith.

Previously : Kate Says I love You to Castle.

"Say it again."

He pushes himself up onto his elbows and turn to look at her. He can't believe his ears, did she just say the words he has been longing to hear. She looks blissful as she repeats the phrase once again. He leans down and capture her lips in passionate kiss. He brushes his hands down her sides and she arches into him. He has to pull back, he knows she is healing and this can't go any further tonight. She looks disappointed but she seems to understands why. He places his hand on her cheek and leans down for one last lingering kiss, before he settles in next to her. She curls into his embrace, she is not much of a cuddlier normally but tonight she appears to be making an exception. He places his hand around her back and she lays her arm over his mid drift. He melts into her touch, he nearly lost her but now she is here in his arms safe and sound. He hears her breathing even out, her body relaxes and he knows she is asleep. He lays awake for awhile pondering over events of the last couple of days, until he too succumbs to sleep.

He is in the grip of sleep when he hears a whimper, he fights his way back to consciousness. His eyes heavy, unwilling to fully open. The whimpering continues, he begins to wonder if it is something outside until he takes a kick to the lower leg. Shocked he looks towards where Kate is laying, he finds her in the mists of what appears to be a nightmare. She is fighting a unseen enemy, limbs failing around. The noises she is making is what upsets him the most. She is gasping for air, he realises she must be dreaming about the dock. He sits up and leans over her, saying her name softly trying to calm her down. He places a hand on her cheek trying to stir her, but this earns him a right hook to the face.

He falls back,, his hand immediately coming up to grasp his face. He lets out a little gasp as he holds the throbbing area on his cheek & eye. Man could she throw a punch and man does that smart, he thinks to himself. She is still in the clutches of the nightmare so he puts the pain to the side and tries to wake her again. This time he holds her arms gently down on to the bed, he calls to her once again. She starts to say his name over and over again. Each time it gives the impression of being more clear, then her eyes open. She looks straight into his, tears brimming at the corners. He lets go of her arms and pulls her to him. She sags into his embrace, the sobs start and it breaks his heart. She is clinging on to him for dear life. He repeats a mantra over and over again.

"It's okay Kate I've got you, You're safe now."

His face is now throbbing like crazy, he is sure he will have a black eye by morning. The sobbing subsides and for the first time she looks directly at him.

"Oh God Castle what happened to your face?"

She delicately runs her fingers over the bruise that is forming. He doesn't want to lie to her but right now he doesn't want to tell her the truth. He doesn't want to tell her that she did this to him, while she was dreaming. However it seems he hadn't needed to worry she works it out for herself. She shakes her head in disbelief at what she has done.

"No I'm so sorry Castle. I hurt you, forgive me I didn't know what I was doing."

" Hey don't worry about it, at least we match now."

This earns him a giggle from her, the sound resonates right into his heart. He loves that sound, it's better than buzz from alcohol. She slips out of his embrace and heads out of his room. Concerned that she is shutting herself off from him he follows. He finds her standing at the fridge, pulling out a ice pack. She turns and places it on his cheek. The effect is quick, it feels so much better. He holds it there while she hoists her self up on the kitchen counter. Her shirt rides up, the silky cream skin of her taut stomach on show. He considers putting the ice somewhere else on his body. She is looking down at her feet as she starts to talk.

"The water was so cold, it made my lungs burn with a fury I have never felt. My muscles ached so much that they gave up. My vision swam, I couldn't see straight. I nearly died Castle. I have been shot in the chest and I wasn't as scared as I was being in that water. Being shot was quick, the shock dulled the pain and you where there. Being in the water I was alone, in pain and I didn't want to leave you again. What happened after I blacked out Castle? I need to know."

Her eyes are glistening with tears for a second time. He steps into the space left between her legs, his hands resting on her thighs as her looks her in the eyes.

" I was so Scared when I saw you in the water. I didn't have to think about it, I just jumped in. When I bought you to the surface your breathing was shallow. I thought I was losing you again. I tried to stay strong for the both of us, the boys pulled you out. Then while Ryan helped me out, Espo cradled you in his arms. He covered you in his coat, and tried to transfer his body heat to you. You were rousable at this point but that was it. Ryan called for an ambulance and it didn't take them long to get to us. The next bit is all pretty much a blur, I just remember being separated from you as they rushed you in to rhesus."

"I'm sorry Castle I should have waited instead of chasing the suspect, I acted on instinct."

She rests her head on his chest, he places a kiss into her hair and simply replies.

"Just don't do it again Kate, I can't face losing you again. I know you can't promise with your job but can you at least try"

She mumbles yes into his chest. He helps her down and directs them back to bed. It is 2am, they soon fall asleep.

Those three words so simple but convey such meaning.

A/N I hope you enjoyed it... It went off on it's own little journey...next chapter the boys come over...Please review etc.