Our story continues, while our couple grows close, they have several obstacles to overcome and deal with. Enjoy their progress, please let me know what you think.

As always, with the encouragement and input from my amazing friends-Bree, Marjo, and Stella-this story would not be possible. XXOO

Rick kept track of the time, not wanting to rush Kate, but also wanting to make sure all was well. He quietly slid into the bathroom, just in time to see her struggling to exit the tub. Everything was so slippery, and she was having problems getting her feet under her. She let out a combined groan and snort of disgust, followed by several expletives which highlighted her irritation.

"Hey, how you doing?" Castle inquired, not wanting to make a big deal of her problems.

"Trying to get out of here before I turn into a prune." Kate stated, trying to sound nonchalant, but in obvious need of assistance.

"Here let me help." He said as he moved closer.

She gladly took his hand and with him using his other hand to lift her, she was upright.

"Thanks", she smiled up at him.

Castle stood still while she used him for support and climbed out of the tub. Kate sat on the edge of the tub and reached for a towel.

Castle casually took the towel and began drying her. She thoroughly enjoyed this part of the process, he was so gentle and his touch awakened her senses. She closed her eyes and murmured softly, "I'll give you twenty minutes to stop." Her comments brought a smile of delight to Rick's mouth.

"There, I think you're all dry, though I could continue," he suggested, giving her his most seductive glance.

"Hold that thought." She responded, rubbing his jaw

Once she had slipped into her yoga attire and an oversized t-shirt, Rick started to depart.

"Rick can you help me braid my hair, I can't quite get it done."

"Why yes I can, I am an expert, after years of practice with a certain redhead." He grinned and began brushing her hair. and had her hair neatly braided to the side with minimal effort. Kate looked in the mirror, "Nice job, you are a man of many talents. Is there anything you can't do?" she teased her lover.

"Only time will tell, I'm sure we'll find something."

They made their way to the kitchen, arms wrapped around each other's waists. The bath had warmed Kate up, but resulted in zapping her of any residual strength. She still had a slight shiver and ached everywhere. What's that all about?

Castle suspected she would be tired, so he'd planned a low key dinner, followed by a quiet evening. He had everything ready on the table, including wine.

"Looks good, Rick." Reaching for the wine, she raised her glass. "Salute, love"

Rick followed suit. Dinner was subdued, with Kate determined to keep the conversation flowing even though her mind was numb and her head began to pound. Castle sensed she would refuse pain medication so was generous in her wine pour. As they finished, Kate was the first to rise, knowing if she was going to help clean up, she'd better keep moving. He scrutinized her movements and decided to keep quiet. Deciding to let her do what she could, no reason to make her feel worse. She was busy clearing the table and set the dishes in the sink while Rick put them in the dishwasher. The entire time, Kate's face was set in a scowl and not a word was uttered.

Kate looked around, and realized their task was finished. Rick was trying to be so nice and her mood was sour. Snap out of it, Kate. Admit that you're tired and you don't feel right.

"Hum," she started slowly, "I'm really tired, no let me re-phrase, I'm dead tired. But, I don't want to go to bed." She hesitated, "and I'm being a brat I admit it, satisfied?"

"Extremely, but you don't have to prove how tough you are, remember I've seen vintage Beckett, scary..." He shuddered and swept Kate into his arms, "Consider me your chariot, where do you want to be delivered?"

Kate was so tired she couldn't decide and fell into his shoulder.

"Let me help, suns already down, so roof is out. How about the nest?" Castle figured this would be her choice. Kate merely nodded and soon was deposited in her spot.

Rick picked up his computer, returned to his area and as he sat down noted Kate was already asleep.

He worked on his outline. Kate's illness had given him several ideas for future story development, however he would check with Kate first before adding any of his ideas to the plot.

Castle reflected on the day's activities. He was very satisfied with how open he had been with Kate about his previous relationships and marriages. She had been incredibly supportive, asking just the right questions.

As he watched her sleep, he was relieved that she had started admitting how she felt. This was a huge step for someone like Kate who was proud and stubborn. He focused on her face, noticing that tonight she was particularly pale. Up until tonight, he thought her face had looked less gaunt and strained. He couldn't put his finger on it, but something was amiss tonight.

As he watched her, one of her feet appeared out of the covers. He had always been impressed with her legs, they were long and willowy and with her boots they went on forever. Her foot was strong, the arch high, and in high heels the curve drove him to distraction. The mere thought of this caused him to lean over and lightly kiss the inside of her arch. She stirred slightly, but didn't wake. He tried to refocus on his writing, but to no avail. She was so beautiful!

Eventually, he gave up and decided it was time for both of them to go to bed. Kate had been sleeping soundly for four hours. He ran his finger down her cheek as he leaned in and kissed her delicately on her mouth. She opened one eye halfway and blinked furiously, but her gaze was glassy and unfocused. She fought to sit up, but fell back to a reclining position. Rick bent down and pulled her into his arms, but couldn't shake the unsettled feeling running through him.

He carefully laid her in bed, undressed her and placed her in her favorite sleep shirt. Rick then joined her and fell asleep.

The sun had long been up when Kate opened her eyes, looking around, Castles side was cool. How long had she been out? Her question was promptly answered as she tried to move. Every part of her was stiff and aching. She felt feverish and a small groan escaped as she set up. Kate sensed his presence, shooting him a sideways glance she said "Morning."

"Thought I better wake you up, but you beat me too it."

"How long did I sleep, feels like a week."

"Almost 12 hours." Castle gazed intently at Kate, something was off.

"Boy was I tired. I'm so stiff." she returned in an attempt to make light of his look.

"Lay down I'll give you a massage." He helped her off with her night shirt and left her to get comfortable while he brought back some lotion.

"Comfy?"

She nodded, any vocalizations lost in the pillow. Rick started on her shoulders ever so softly. When he progressed to her left side, he asked if he could continue, she nodded. As he massaged her left side, Kate moaned.

"Does that hurt?" as he retracted his hands, her side felt warm and swollen. Was it that way yesterday?

"Yeah, but it hurts good."

He continued moving over her entire body, taking particular care with a prolonged firm massage of her feet. When he was finished, Kate expelled one giant moan of satisfaction.

"That was great, you're hired."

"So what's my tip?"

"Don't mess with a cop who carries a gun?"

"Funny, it's time to eat, I'll get things ready."

She got up, dressed and followed him to the kitchen. After breakfast, Kate asked what the agenda today. She hoped for low key as she just couldn't seem to get moving this morning.

"Actually, I have a couple of things in mind. First, stay here I'll be right back."

He brought back a box that looked familiar.

"Don't get mad." He was suddenly very nervous of her reaction. What the hell, she could just yell at him.

"Just show me", she didn't feel well, wasn't interested in playing games and threw him a scowl.

He began to remove items from the box. Kate gasped, these were ink drawings she had done years ago and hadn't touched them since the night her mother died.

"Castle, these are private, you had no right." Her throat tightened, God, not this.

Alexis and I found these when we packed your things. "Kate you're very talented, why don't ..."

"Stop it, I said these were private."

"Kate, we're together now, I'd like you to tell me about these."

She was furiously looking over the pieces, her hand gently tracing the outlines on the paper as she remembered each piece. She and her mother had spent hours walking about the city, finding interesting spots, people where they would stop and Kate would sketch, while her mother leaned in and offered suggestions. She closed her eyes; she could still smell her mother and the pain of her loss overtook her.

Rick could tell she was reliving her past. He took her hand and kissed her palm. "Kate talk to me, it will be better." None knew her secret, but his eyes were so accepting and loving. She licked her lips, bit her lower lip and told him everything. Strangely, telling Rick made her feel better and with her confession part of her heart opened.

"Kate, when you're ready, draw for me, but only when you're ready, OK?

She nodded, whispering "OK."

The pounding in her head had increased, but she could tell he was dying to share something else with her.

"Bring on the next topic; let's make it a day of surprises. What the hell!"

"First, these are only preliminary. I want you to listen, then you can yell at me."

Kate was intrigued, what was he up to?

He started. This is the current layout of the loft and pointed out the various rooms. "Here is my new idea. The loft next to mine recently came on the market and I bought it. So the idea is to knock down these walls, join the living rooms and add a theater, over here, remove this wall and push the study out giving you a private room and studio. We can put a gym just like we have here. Combine the top floor for mother to have a private apartment and redo the kitchen for her. We can enter either loft from these points. Alexis gets her own apartment and gains privacy, she'll love that. It makes me a little nervous, but she's old enough now. We will enlarge the master closet, and then..."

As he presented each idea, he watched as Kate stood stunned. It washed over her; he was suggesting they join forces. Her breath froze before she gasped and shook her head. Looking at him, she licked her lips not sure how to broach this subject.

"Rick...are you...what are..." For a usually articulate person, words evaded her. Her mind was spinning and her head continued to throb. What was he saying?

Kate's face had turned ashen, "Kate, what's wrong? What did I do?"

Again, she couldn't speak. What Castle was proposing was overwhelming, Proposing, oh God, her heart stopped.

"Kate you said we would be together so why not make our living arrangements work for everyone."

"But, this means...it means." The words caught in her throat.

"Jeez, Kate, I'm talking rooms. I'm not pushing you to get married. Relax. That's way, way in the future. I'm not ready for another marriage, not yet. Is that better?"

Kate was clutching on to the table, lightheaded and terrified. Castle read all of this in her face.

"Kate, breathe, just take a breath, you're scaring me." He shook her shoulders roughly,

"Ow, that hurt." Kate broke free of his hold and her thoughts focused. She stared at him, still overwhelmed by what he said, but now understood his intent.

"OK, I got it."

This was not a trap or an ultimatum; and she listened as he repeated his plan. She studied the plans carefully. His ideas were brilliant. The finished product would be a wonderful home for everyone. She made some suggestions, moved things around a little, added some items and he liked the changes. He would get this rough draft back to the architect and have it ready for when Martha and Alexis came to visit.

"I didn't mean to imply that this meant we would marry. Of course, someday, who knows, but I don't need that to feel good about us, understand? I've failed twice I'm not anxious to dive back in."

"I've never thought about getting married until right then. I'm sorry I freaked out, it unnerved me. I can't believe you want to commit to something so permanent, the remodel I mean, not marriage, not yet." She reached forward and rubbed the back of her hand over his stubble which brought a warm smile to her face.

"Someday maybe, only time will tell."

Abruptly, Kate was exhausted. The morning's activities robbed her of all her reserves and pain began to creep back into her. She tried to stretch her back which only worsened the discomfort. She had not taken any pain medication for over twenty four hours, and now it was clear she had been cavalier as the pain was increasing rapidly and she felt her temperature rise also. Damn it!

Without warning,the pain attacked viciously and she wasn't sure if she was going to faint or throw up. She felt the color drain from her face and turned to seek Rick. He spotted her panicked look.

"God, what happened?" He leapt to catch her as she fell. "Kate" he cried.

Her eyes were glazed, and he wasn't sure if she was conscious. She was blinking wildly and her eyes fluttered as she tried to regain focus. Both of them had been taken by complete surprise at the intensity of this physical assault.

He gathered her up and took her to the couch. Kate continued fighting to remain conscious. Rick's hands ran all over her face. She was burning up, what went wrong?

He left her momentarily and grabbed the thermometer. As he returned, she attempted to sit up, but was unsuccessful. Her eyes were still unfocused and her face confused. He jabbed the thermometer in her mouth.

Kate closed her eyes, there was no sense fighting him. When he removed the thermometer, it read 103 degrees Fahrenheit.

Kate reached out for Rick's arm, "what?" she whispered.

"Your temperature is up, how do you feel?"

"My head is pounding, my side hurts and I feel...like hell. Why? Why?"

She put her right arm over her eyes, trying to make the room quit spinning.

"I'm calling Steve."

"I'm... not... going... to..." Exhaustion and nausea overcame her and she couldn't finish her thoughts.

Rick was able to get in touch with Steve immediately. He described what had occurred, how things had been going, their walk, her getting chilled, everything, not sure what would help. Steve asked Rick to examine her side. Rick put down the phone and started to feel her side as Steve had instructed. It was hotter and more swollen then their massage earlier. He relayed this to Steve. Though Steve was disappointed by her condition, he was not surprised. He reminded Castle, he had warned them something similar might occur. He suggested that this may have been exacerbated by the long walk, her getting chilled and not taking adequate pain medicine. Steve told him he would call in some additional pain meds, more antibiotics and medicine to combat nausea. He said to keep her quiet for at least four days, let the antibiotics take hold. He added he was ordering some meds to keep her calm, knowing Kate would not be a very cooperative patient.

"Let me talk to her."

Rick handed Kate the phone and set next to her with her legs on his lap, he rubbed her legs while he listened to their conversation. Steve was doing the majority of the talking, Kate nodded and said ok multiple times, her arm still covering her eyes. When they were obviously finished, Kate handed Rick the phone. She laid there shaking her head, inconsolable, now tears running down her cheeks.

Once Rick was finished with Steve, he hung up.

"Hey, little one, it will be OK. We've had a setback, but we caught it early."

"If I had any energy, I'd scream, I'd cuss, but I'm just too tired. My God, when, when..."

"Look at it this way, now I'm your house slave, at your disposal, many women would pay good money for such a service." He was trying to elicit a smile from Kate, though he couldn't blame her, he was discouraged too. They had been doing so well.

She uncovered her eyes, smiled softly, grabbed his shirt front and pulled him to her. "Hold me", was all she could say. He gathered her to him and held on tight.

"We'll be fine."

After the pharmacy had delivered the medicine, Castle came back with several pills and some Seven Up to wash it down.

Rick knew that she felt horrible, but he was most concerned about her apparent apathy. She projected a sense of defeat as she stared at the ceiling and shook her head in dejection.

"How's the stomach?"

"It's doing flip flops."

"One of the pills is for nausea."

"What about the others?"

"Pain medicine, antibiotics and anxiety."

"God...shit...so I get to be a drooling fool…wonderful! I thought I was so smart avoiding pain medicine, what an idiot!"

After he helped her take the medicine, Kate returned to lying down. Rick couldn't think of anything else to help her so he just stayed close, rubbing her legs.

"Rick, why me? What did..." She was desperate for answers.

They both turned silent, Kate drifting into sleep, and Rick moved her into the nest.

Hours later, Kate stirred, feeling somewhat better, called for him, "Rick?"

He was there and moved within her line of sight. "Hey, love."

"Do I really have to stay in bed for four days, I'll go nuts!"

"The nest will work. Is your stomach ready for food?"

Kate frowned, nothing sounded good.

"I have strawberry ice cream."

She raised an eyebrow in interest. After finishing most of her ice cream, she returned to staring out the window.

"Kate, please tell me what you're thinking?"

"Why would you want to stay with someone who is a walking disaster, one minute I'm OK, the next I'm a wreck, physically as well as emotionally. Jeez, If you were smart, you'd run."

"That's not how it works, there are always bumps in the road." He chuckled as Kate gave him a sideways glance and cocked eyebrow. "So, this is a big bump, it will be better. I'm strapped in the roller coaster next to you, so hang on."

"Seriously?" A wry smile slid on her lips.

Kate began to exit the nest and was stopped by Rick's hand on her shoulder.

"I have to pee." she tried to move

"No", she cried out as he lifted her up.

Back in the nest, her mood was black, it was going to be a long and difficult four days. Fortunately, the pills were working and she was mellowing out. Shutting her eyes, she relaxed and let the pills take her to sleep.

Hours later, she stirred, eyes bleary, she saw Rick typing furiously on his laptop with the edge of his tongue between his teeth. He was lost in thought, but as she crawled to him, he stopped and reached forward and gathered her to his side. Rick kissed her on the top of her head as she melted into him.

"Read to me."

He started reading the outline of Frozen Heat. Kate's eyes were closed and her forehead deeply furrowed as she listened intently. As he finished, he asked.

" What do you think?"

"Hum, delicious", her hand stroked his chest.

"You better?"

"Yeah, guess I'm going to have to be patient, again", she growled.

Rick felt her body relax, she was asleep again. He was determined to make this time easy on her. Maybe I'll just keep her drugged. Certainly it would be easier to deal with a sleepy, cute Beckett as opposed to a fiery, cranky Beckett. Hmm, tempting.

It dawned on him, that neither of them had eaten much, so he slid out from her body and went in search of food. He returned with some special leek soup, grilled cheese sandwiches and passion tea. He set them on the coffee table and bent to wake Kate up.

"Hey Beautiful, time to eat."

"Not hungry." she returned.

"Not a request, Detective, it's important."

He helped her sit up and propped her in the corner. He arranged blankets and set the tray on her lap. She glanced at the offering and wrinkled her nose. Rick saw the look and leaned into her face

.

"Either eat or I'll feed you." He smirked, raising his eyebrows.

As she looked into his face, her eyes narrowed.

"Try it!" she met his challenge, glowering at him.

"So we're in agreement, every bit now", handing her the spoon he was ready to push the point if necessary. Fortunately, Kate took the spoon and began to eat.

It was actually very tasty and helped settle her stomach. Rick had already devoured his food and announced he was heading for seconds. Kate was smart enough to understand the relationship of nutrition to healing so she finished her food.

Kate's head was still fuzzy, and she shrugged, realizing these were the cards that they had been dealt, so she needed to make the most of it.

Rick took the tray and ran his hand over her face. Cooler, but still too hot.

"You're dying to drug me, aren't you?" Kate's eyes narrowed.

"You might as well be out of it, a bitchy Beckett is difficult; a mellow Beckett cute, just saying." He shrugged and gave her his most adorable smile.

"Bring it on." Kate's laughter filled the air and warmed his heart.

Castle was moving through his story, but decided, it was time to retire to the bedroom, the feel of Kate's body next to him would refill his soul, he picked her and they went to bed.

Kate woke and turned her head, Rick was sitting in bed next to her.

"You're just getting up?"

"My dear I've been up since 4, you had the late shift.

"Huh?" Slightly confused, Kate peered at the clock 3:30. Good grief.

"Am I hungry? I can't tell."

Rick shook his head and chuckled.

"I've fed you twice. I'm hurt you don't remember my culinary efforts."

Kate even laughed at this. Wow, those were good drugs.

"You could have had your way with me." She remarked and observed a smug look on his face.

"What did you do?" She was instantly suspicious.

"You'll find out." He smiled slyly.

"I better not see any photos on the Internet." Her voice warning him and she grasped his shirt.

"Threaten someone else, Detective, you don't scare me." Grinning he leaned in and kissed the back of her neck.

While her latest illness had shaken them, they had moved past their fears. Obviously, they would have to be careful with Kate's health. Even after she recovered, they would have to avoid or at least minimize physical stress in order to maintain her in peak form. During one of her coherent periods, they talked frankly about her progress and contingency plans for possible reoccurrences. It had become apparent that Kate would never completely free from the aftermath of her shooting, nor would Rick or anyone close to her. Kate would need to be open and honest with everyone. No hiding, no lying, no pretending she was fine. Total disclosure.

Rick had gone back to his laptop. Kate turned over and watched him. How could this talented, quirky writer and one hard-nosed homicide detective form such a unlikely alliance? Kate's face softened and a seductive smile slowly emerged.

"Rick, come here." her arms open, he set down his computer and settled down beside her. "I love you more than I ever imagined I could love anyone." she spoke in hushed tones and was soon lulled back into a drug induced sleep.

So, what did you think, review are very welcome-our story , this round is coming to completion-but not yet.

Melody