Kate had went to Lanies apartment for her and retrieved her a suitcase of clothes and Esposito had waited outside while Kate helped her dress into baggy gray sweatpants and an all black t-shirt.
"I'm sorry that you can't stay with me" Kate said for about the thirtieth time.
"Oh, It's alright really. I only have to stay with Esposito until I'm out of the wheelchair and can go up the stairs to my apartment" She sighed. Kate new she had undecided feelings for him and that this arrangement was going to be hard.
"You can call me if you need anything. Day or night even if you just want to talk" Kate said and Lanie though sitting in a wheelchair gave her a hug. Her leg was elevated and her knee had a brace but the doctors told her it could be removed to bathe and she could stand to shower so long as she didn't put weight on her leg or bend it.
"I'll be fine"
Kate gave her a sympathetic smile then opened the door to let Esposito in.
They road to his apartment in silence she watched him drive. He was sitting up not leaning against the seat at all and she found this odd but she let it go.
Once at the apartment he went around to get the wheelchair out of the trunk and she was embarrassed that he had to help her into it and out of it since her leg and hands were causing her terrible pain.
He smiled at her when he set her in the wheelchair and she looked away.
"I will get you settled then come back for your bag" He said turning the wheelchair he pushed her into the building and then into the elevator.
When he opened the door to his apartment she was surprised at how cozy it really was and she was grateful that he would open his home to her.
He pushed her into the living room and she could sense how nervous he was.
"I want you to make yourself at home. If you need or want anything just let me know and I'll get it for you" She nodded.
"Thank you. I can never repay you for all you're doing" She said looking at him she tried to wheel herself further into the room and winced at the pain it caused her hands.
"You don't need to repay me. We're friends" He moved to push her a little further into the room.
"Are you tired? Would you like to lay down for awhile before dinner?" He asked and she nodded hating to admit she was still tired.
"Yeah, That would be nice" He smiled and turned the wheelchair wheeling her into a door that she assumed was a guest room.
She was wrong as soon as he turned on the light she tensed. The pictures on the dresser and clothes in the open closet told her what room she was in.
"This is your room I can't take it really" She shook her head and he shrugged.
"Of course you can and besides...I only have one bedroom" She felt bad and tried to use her good foot to stop the wheelchair but her foot slid on the carpet and he pushed her further into the room.
"No, I can sleep on the couch then really...I..."He stopped and knelt down in front of her so he was on her level.
"Lanie, You're hurt and you're here because you need help. Let me help you. It's fine I want you to sleep where you're comfortable" She bit her lip and he turned away from her turning down the blankets on the king sized bed.
He turned back to her and she winced again.
He moved putting one arm around her waist and her arm around his neck he lifted her out of the wheelchair moving her to the edge of the bed. He sat her there then she swung her legs up. He moved his arm to her shoulders helping her lay back only realizing a second later the closeness of the position.
She was laying on his bed, His arm behind her shoulders and he was leaning over her just inches away. She looked up and her gaze caught his. They both froze his gaze dropped to her lips and he thought of kissing her. She swallowed he was so close.
His eyes met hers and then he straightened.
"I'll wake you up for dinner"
Esposito shut the door behind him and took a deep breath. He really hadn't thought it threw before inviting her to stay with him. Anyone who knew him could tell that he was crazy about her anyone but her at least and now she was in his house. In his bed. He swallowed and moved to the main door deciding to get her bag and then start supper.
After putting her bag by his bedroom door he started cooking. He had gone to the store a few days ago but decided in the morning he'd hafy to go again since he wasn't planning on having a weekend guest. For tonight they could have spaghetti and garlic bread with a light salad.
He was just straining the pasta when the phone rang and he answered it knowing it was either Castle, Beckett or Ryan with news on the case.
"Esposito" He balanced the phone on his shoulder while he resumed straining the pasta.
"Hey man it's Ryan. Look, I just wanted to tell you that Captain Montogmery has put both you and Lanie on a paid injury release for awhile"
"How long?"
"Lanie is getting as long as it takes for her to be able to walk and of course she is off this case entirely. You get five days mandatory or until well...you know" Esposito winced when he moved to grab a bowl.
"Yeah, I know any leads?"
"None yet. As you probably guessed the body didn't survive the explosion so all we have to go on now is photos that were taken before the explosion. I got two days off as well then I'm on desk duty"
Esposito set the bowl of noodles on the table then glanced at the prescription bottle on the counter with his name on it he read the bottle before sticking it out of sight.
"How's Lanie?" Ryan asked and Esposito leaned against the counter.
"She's alright tired but alright. I'm making us dinner now"
"How are you? Seriously? Have you told her yet about..." Epsosito interrupted.
"No, She feels guilty as it is and besides it's no big deal"
"No big deal. Man, You ran into a building that was sure to explode for that woman. You covered her body with yours and you almost died. It is a big deal"
"Did you only call to lecture me?" Ryan sighed on the other end of the line.
"No, I'm sorry. Why don't you tell her everything? Tell her how you feel?"
"She's hurt"
"Which is exactly why you should. You almost died. She almost died. You could have lost the chance" Esposito heard the timer buzz and he turned a little too sharply and winced.
"I got to go man, Keep me updated will you?"
"You bet" Ryan hung up and he continued carrying the food all to the table before knocking on his door and opening it slightly.
He went to the bed and shook her careful not to cause her leg to move.
"Is it dinnertime?" She asked and he nodded.
"Sure is. I hope you're hungry"
"I'm starving" She sat up and he helped her into the wheelchair.
"I have news from work" He said pushing her to the table.
She looked at the array of food and he sat down across from her before continuing.
"The Captain has given you paid time off until you are able to return to work" She nodded but didn't say anything.
"Lanie, Is something wrong?"
She shook her head then proceeded to stare only at her plate as she ate.
They ate in a silence that soon became comfortable and when dinner was over he gave her the pain medicine the doctor prescribed.
"Would you like to shower?" He offered and she shook her head.
"I don't quite feel up to that yet" He nodded and she sat with him as he cleared the table.
"It is well past ten why don't we get some sleep" He turned to her and once again she noticed him wincing with certain movements.
After helping her into bed again and making sure she was comfortable he made himself a bed on the couch. She had still insisted that she could sleep on the couch but he wouldn't hear it. He wanted her to be comfortable even though the couch was causing him unbelievable pain.
He was still awake and sitting up debating taking one of the pills the doctor prescribed him when he heard her screams. They tore through his small apartment and sent shivers down his spine. On instinct he grabbed his gun from the coffee table and rushed to his room in only his boxers and a t-shirt.
When he shoved open the door and turned on the light she was sitting up. The covers a mess of tangled cloth and had tears in her eyes as he made his way towards her.
"I'm sorry" She buried her face in her hands and he relaxed.
"Lanie, what happened are you alright? Does something hurt?" She shook her head but didn't look at him when she spoke.
"I had a nightmare. I'm sorry I didn't mean to wake you up" He shook his head and sat down beside her on the edge of the bed placing his gun on the bedside table.
"I wasn't asleep anyways it's alright" He wanted to comfort her and take her in his arms but he didn't.
"You should really get some sleep" He said as she lay back down and he fixed the blankets around her once again.
"Are you sure you wouldn't prefer if I slept on the couch?" She offered and he shook his head.
"No, You're fine right here"
"Thank you. For everything you're doing"
"I wouldn't have it any other way" He pulled the blankets further onto her then stood.
"I know I'm being a burden and I'm sorry you haft to do everything for me but..."She bit her lip and he shook his head.
"What is it? You can tell me anything" He sat down on the bed again.
"Well, it's your room and your bed and it is awfully big..." His heart hammered surely she wasn't going to ask him to stay with her.
"You can sleep here" She said softly and he made a noise he didn't even recognize.
"Or not. I'm sorry I'm so stupid I just thought that since we ARE friends and everything surely it would be alright. I won't move around much because of my leg and there's more then enough room" He swallowed and felt a sweat break out.
"I don't want to make you uncomfortable" He said and his voice broke.
"Well, I might sleep better if I wasn't alone" She offered in a small voice and he winced.
"Alright" He picked his gun up and moved to the other side of the bed furthest from the door and placed his gun on the table beside it out of habit even though she was on his usual side.
He went to the switch and turned off the light before going back to the bed. He moved as far away from her as he could get before climbing under the blankets and turning his back to her facing the closet.
He listened for her breathing to deepen letting him know she was asleep and he sighed he was in serious trouble.