Chapter 9

So, I'm writing the probably final chapter. I had problems with my new computer, and the files and all. But it worked out.

I am very sorry for the terribly long wait. Also, I'm sorry if this chapter isn't good… I haven't felt like writing lately. At all.

Ps: Oh and, you'll probably hate me.

The 3 weeks in the hospital were a drag, but eventually came to an end. And with the company of her lovely partner, not just in crime, Castle, she had been able to have a good laugh a couple of days. Of course he still had to write, but he often took his laptop with him, and sometimes he wrote, other times she got to do things online. Like check her email and such. She just had a computer, no laptop. Why didn't she get one of those things again?

But now, it had been 3 weeks, and she was cleared to go home! She was glad to finally get out of the little room, in a wheelchair, but out of it. And the hospital bed. Though, she was a little scared to go home. In the hospital, nothing had gone wrong, but that didn't change the fact that she had like a million broken bones, to be careful with, not walk around, stay on the couch or bed... She was looking forward to it, but also knew she'd hate not being able to take care of herself. She didn't want to depend on someone. But, she had 3 weeks to prepare herself that she'd have to, and now it was that time.

Rick pulled open the car door, "Welcome home, Kate." But by the face he got, he quickly added "temporarily" and she eventually cracked a smile. Looking up at the building she knew as Castle's. Or at least, his loft was located in the building. Not like he owned the building.

She put her good arm around Castle's neck, and relied on him to pull her up, out of the car. The standing up was still hard, with her broken ribs and all… But the walking itself? It was easier, if it was just for a little while. So the end to the elevator, through the hall, and to the couch, was just a tad too long for her.

Once she reached the couch, she just sat down, and took a few deep breaths. Oh, how quickly she was tired nowadays. These walks were so hard on her, but still, she was so happy she was home. Well, 'home' but still, more home than a hospital will ever be.

Over the next week, Rick took good care of Kate. She slept a lot still- medication- but she had a smile on her face again. He'd missed seeing that in the hospital. Of course, he made sure she had her occasional laugh, but there had always been sadness in her eyes. Now, for the first time in 5 weeks, she had that smile back on her face, that light in her eyes… God, she just looked so gorgeous. He melted for her smile, and she knew it. It came in handy once or twice when there was something she needed, but he was too lazy to get it. Not that it was the case most times, but still.

Kate got his bedroom, and Rick took the guest bedroom upstairs, seeing as he thought it was best that she didn't have to try go up staircases any time soon. But frankly, he also didn't want to carry her up the stairs. Not that she weighed a lot, he just didn't want to risk dropping her, and giving her more injuries.

Kate was a lot better in the 2de week out of the hospital. She had complete function -if you don't count the cast on her lower arm- of her arms again. No more shoulder pain, except when lifting things, but she couldn't do that because of her leg.

Her ribs had also healed a great deal. They didn't hurt anymore. Not a single bit. So now, it was just her leg that had to be left alone for a while. Because of the cast on her arm, she couldn't walk with crutches, but she had a wheelchair- which she hated- as an option.

Her cast had been plain for a week, but then Castle started to complain that it looked boring. Kate did see that he had a point, and to make him stop complaining, she let him write stuff on it when they were watching tv. He'd grab a sharpie, and she'd let him draw on it. At first it was just "Your Castle" which he received a loving kiss for. The next thing she knew, her cast was full with romantic things. Like, "KB RC" and "Always".

She rolled her eyes, but always ended up smiling like a fool. She loved it. Hell, she loved him! And the messages just made her smile every time she read them.

It was another lazy day in Casa de Castle. Kate went go for a checkup today, to see how long the cast had to stay on her leg. But the cast on her arm got replaced by a new sort of cast. The one officers used a lot because they had to be able to function with them. You could take it off- something you're not supposed to do unless you get permission- and it looked a lot "cooler" in Castle's eyes than the old cast. Even with the little cute things he wrote on them, he could not get enough of the new cool, bad-ass looking cast.

"Kate, break my arm, I need one of those!" he said when he saw it.

"Castle, don't be such a kid! It's just a stupid cast. And it hurts. So shut up or I'll break more than just your arm." Kate really wasn't liking the joke.

"Bu-"

"Castle! One word and I'll shoot you."

"No you won't." he scoffed but fell dead silent when she gave him 'the look'.

"You're lucky, I don't have my gun here. But as soon as I get my hands on it… I know where you live." She was actually looking very serious, but after a few seconds of Castle's pale face and terrified look, she burst out laughing. "Oh, you're such a baby, Rick!" she couldn't control her laughter.

"Not funny…" he pouted.

At that point, Dr. Torrez walked back into the room.

"Okay Kate, it looks like the cast on your leg will be replaced by a walking cast, but you'll have to be careful the first few days. And still use crutches for long distances. The only reason I'm giving you the cast today and not next week is because you'll function a lot better with the new one than this one."

Kate and Rick both nodded.

"Now, the big question is, do you want to keep it as a trophy?" Dr. Torrez was only half joking because she knew the answer, but the look on Kate's face was just priceless.

"Oh hell no, I want this thing as far away from me as possible." She was dead serious.

And with that, Kate got ready to have the cast taken off, and new cast put on.

When they returned home, they were both exhausted.

"I don't know about you," he yawned, "but hospitals make me sleepy." He rubbed his eyes like a little kid.

"Same here…" she also yawned. He guided her to the bedroom and sat her down on the bed. He turned around to leave, but she tugged his shirt and pulled him back.

"I want a kiss." She firmly stated.

He chuckled in response and leaned down to give her what she wanted. A sweet, heartwarming, loving kiss that neither of them would ever forget. It was perfect for the moment. He pulled away with an "I'll let you nap now," and wanted to walk away but Kate stopped him again.

"Rick, Come here… It's your bed after all." She smiled. All she wanted right now, was to fall asleep in his arms.

"You sure, Kate?" he thought she might have been too tired to realize what she was saying, but no, her nod confirmed she was certain. And he wanted nothing more than to lay with her as well.

He settled close beside her, and she nuzzled into him, arms around each other.

Another 2 weeks passed. Kate was excited because her casts were coming off. For good this time. She could finally be independent again! But that also meant not living with Castle anymore… She'd gotten so used to it, and now she'd have to go back to her apartment. She missed it, her place, but she loved living with Castle. And the loft was much more spacious than her apartment, so it was nice that she could still be alone if she wanted to be.

"Are you ready to get these casts off, Kate?" Dr. Torrez smiled.

"Yes! Please, the sooner the better." She was so excited. Like a little kid at Christmas. But after 2 months, she had the right to be.

Of course Castle was right there, smiling along with her. Though he was also sad. It could be seen in his eyes. He also didn't want her to go. He'd gotten used to laying with her at night, though nothing happened between them but sleeping, you could see their love. And he didn't want to go back to how it was before. He wanted her to stay with him… forever. But he was afraid to push her too far, and ruining it for them. That was the last thing he wanted.

The ride back in the car was also spent in silence. She was moving her leg, and arm and smiling bright as Castle drove them back home. Her temporary home…

We wanted to ask her to live with him. He wanted to ask her to stay! Forever. But it was too soon… right? He didn't know anymore. If he could just actually find the courage to ask…

He turned to Kate. She was so fascinated by the fact that she could move everything again. She noticed he was looking at her, so she met his gaze. The happiness was written in her eyes. She was finally free of those casts again. Of the daily reminder that she almost died.

Rick and Kate were lost in each other's eyes.

"I love you, Kate." He smiled. She smiled brightly back. "I love you too, Rick."

They broke eye contact and looked ahead into two bright lights coming towards them.

"Rick!" Kate gasped before their worlds turned black.

- The End -

Did I tell you you'd hate me, yup.

Where did that end come from? I don't have a clue.

I just… felt like writing this. Unexpected (I hope)

So, this is the end for this story. Idk about the others… I hope I get to writing again soon.

Also I wanted to say, Today, 1 year ago, I met my best friend. Through my first story He Leaves, She Breaks (In my opinion, it's rubbish, she loves it)

And I love her dearly.

And so, I wanted to thank all my readers for sticking with me, and to my #1 fan. 1 year, and many more ;)

-Lina