Author's note: Obviously I didn't mention the Stargate convention up in Vancouver BC that I was going to. Sorry about that! I'm home, now, though, and I'm healthy, so I'm going to get this story moving along again. (And I had a great time!)

OOOOOOOOOO

It was much later when Kate Beckett closed the book she'd been reading and set it aside on the stand by Castle's bed. She looked down at him, watching him sleep for a moment. She started to reach out and touch his cheek, but drew her hand back and instead slipped quietly out of the bed and went into the bathroom, closing the door behind her and then turning on the light. She'd have loved to take a shower, but the bandages on her side weren't supposed to get wet and she didn't have any way of showering – or bathing without getting her side wet. She settled for brushing her teeth and washing her face with a washcloth and soap. Feeling a little less grimy – although she knew it was mostly psychological – she turned the light off and opened the door again.

Castle was still asleep. She knew he was tired, but she was pretty much wide awake now – at least for the moment. Not restless, though. The dull ache in her side reminded her that she didn't want to go wandering around trying to find something to occupy her while the rest of the household slept. Beckett went as far as the bedroom door and locked it before heading back to the bed, stripping clothing off as she went. She slid under the blankets, trying to go slowly and not wake him up – just because she was awake didn't mean he had to be, after all.

"Done reading?"

His voice was far more asleep than awake, but proof that she hadn't been completely successful.

"Yes," she whispered.

"And it didn't put you to sleep?"

Beckett smiled, and now she did reach out and touch his cheek, which made him open his eyes.

"It wasn't as bad as you made me think it would be."

"It wasn't that great, though."

"No, it was good."

He arched a brow at her.

"Yeah? You know, I'm a famous writer… you don't need to sugar-coat it. It won't hurt my feelings if you thought it was boring."

"It was different," she told him, leaning over and pressing a kiss against his lips to stop him from making another disparaging comment. She actually thought the story had been interesting. She could see the unrefined quality in the way the story had been written – different than how he would have done it now – but she hadn't been bored by it. And it had been crazy to read about someone hiding a necklace in the freezer when they'd just found the diamond in the same place. "That didn't make it bad."

He smiled at the kiss, and his expression was surprised when he reached for her and his hand encountered nothing but skin. Kate felt a rush of excitement go through her body at the touch and shivered.

"Kate?"

His voice was uncertain, his touch even more so. She wasn't so hesitant when she took his hand and placed it against her uninjured side.

"Hmmm?"

"I don't want to hurt you," he whispered. His hand slid along her side, though. "Are you sure that we can-"

"We can figure it out," she replied, amused that she had to seduce him, and touched that he was so worried about hurting her that he was willing to hold off for a while. Beckett might have been concerned, but his touch had told her all she needed to know and she was eager for a repeat of their earlier intimacy. "Unless you're too tired?"

He chuckled and slid his hand down her body, sensuously.

"I have you in my bed," he murmured, his eyes darkening with desire as she shifted to allow his hand better access. "Do you have any idea how many of my fantasies started this way?"

"Do I even want to know?" she asked him, more focused on his touch now than his words.

"I'll show you."

Beckett pulled his head down for a kiss and arched into his touch, encouraging him to do just that.

OOOOOOOOO

"Good morning, Richard."

Castle had been staring at the coffee maker, waiting for it to finish, and he jumped, startled. Grinning, he turned just in time to see his mother walk into the room, dressed and ready for the day despite the early hour.

"You're up early, Mother."

"I have an early morning breakfast with some thespians who want to convince me to let them use my school."

"For what?"

She rolled her eyes.

"Acting, Richard."

"Oh."

Martha smiled, and gave her son a sideways glance.

"So…"

He caught the tone of her voice immediately – even with just the one word – and knew something was coming. Something she found amusing – but not necessarily something that he would.

"So…?"

"I got up last night to check on you. You know; to make sure you had enough blankets and pillows – what with you sleeping on the sofa and all." She walked around the breakfast bar and reached for a cup and the coffee pot, which had just sounded a final gargle to announce it was finished brewing. "Imagine my surprise when I couldn't find you."

Despite himself, he felt his ear burning. He tried for nonchalance, though, knowing full well that she would love to tease him, even though she heartily approved of Beckett.

"I was in my bed," he said, simply.

"Oh?"

Again with the five hundred different reflections in the one word. Castle was sure part of it was her theatrical training and experience, but it never ceased to amuse him – or impress him.

"It was more comfortable," he added.

She gave him a knowing look, and then smiled and leaned over and pressed a gentle kiss against his forehead, careful not to hurt him.

"I'm glad for you."

She could have teased him, but she was too pleased that he'd finally chosen someone who wasn't flaky. And someone that complimented him so well.

Castle smiled, too, understanding everything she wasn't saying.

"Thank you, Mother. Enjoy your breakfast."

"Oh, I will," she told him; taking a sip of the coffee she'd poured before handing it over to him. "But probably not as well as you'll enjoy yours."

With that parting shot she headed for the door and Castle watched her as she left, bemused and a little relieved that there wasn't more conversation. Once the door closed, he poured two cups of coffee and headed back to his bedroom. It seemed that things were falling into place to give him and Beckett a quiet morning, and he was more than willing to take advantage of that.

Hopefully, she would, too.