Richard Castle took a deep breath and shook his hands nervously as he stood in front of the bathroom mirror. With an afterthought he grabbed the bottle of lotion and squirted some in his hands again, rubbing it into his already soft skin. Glancing at the counter, he checked if he had everything: towels, a bowl of warm water and a bottle of arnica massage oil. He had completely forgotten about it until he started rummaging through the bathroom shelves, cursing for not thinking about it before.

The man looked at the lotion again but ultimately decided that since he would be using the oil too, his hands were soft enough to touch Kate's sensible skin.

Kate's skin. Kate's very naked skin. Castle risked another peek at the mirror and tried to lose the slack jaw he's been sporting ever since the detective had shyly asked him if he could massage her back.

He wouldn't mess this up. He couldn't. There was too much at stake now.

Kate tried to slow her breathing down. She reminded herself that it wasn't a big deal, that Castle had already seen her without much of a stitch on, that this was no different.

Except it was.

This time he would have his hands on her. Her very naked self. He had before but it was only brushes of fingers while he helped her changed, or a light caress of her arm or cheek to comfort her.

Kate had unzipped her sweatshirt but had kept it around her torso as she laid partially on her stomach, her ribs being too tender to put too much pressure on them. Soft footsteps announced the return of the writer, and Kate's breath hitched in her throat.

Her head was turned the other way so she couldn't see what Castle was doing exactly but, as she thought, it was better that way. She was too comfortable to move anyway. "Kate?"

"Mmm."

"Ok, just making sure you haven't fallen asleep on me there." He chucked as she heard him moving things around on the night table.

"It wouldn't matter, you could still do it." She mumbled tiredly, not knowing about just how much saying that would affect Castle. He stared at her, suddenly overwhelmed. "Um, I...okay. Do you need help taking off the shirt?"

Kate shook her head against the pillow, still not opening her eyes. "It's unzipped, I just need to pull it away from my shoulders." She moved to help him but stilled when a hand gently pushed her back on the bed. "Let me do it."

Castle dipped his hands in the warm water so they wouldn't be too cold against the woman's skin and hastily dried them before taking the sweatshirt by the shoulders, letting his hands slide down Kate's arms, helping her out of the piece of clothing. "Are you okay like this, do you need anything before I start?"

Castle felt proud for having managed to talk without stuttering, his voice showing no signs of surprise when the lack of the woman's clothing attire underneath was revealed to him. He knew the woman had been wearing a bra last night, but she wasn't anymore. Wisely keeping his mouth shut, wondering if this was a test on her part, Castle took the time to let his eyes examine the woman's back.

The massage would be quite a challenge, he quickly realized. Kate's back looked similar to an abstract painting as it was covered in all shades of color while the swelling of her ribs and lower back would make it hard for the writer to determine exactly where it would be safe to put his hands without hurting her too much. Some marks stood out more on the cop's pale skin, the deep angry blue lines showing where her back had hit the edges of the cement stairs during her fall.

"Are you done staring, Castle?"

"Yeah, sorry."

There was a faint blush covering her cheeks when he glanced at her to apologize and it was with an undisguised smile that Castle checked the oil's temperature. Satisfied that it was warm enough, he dropped a couple of drops on the detective's back and another few in his hands, covering his palms with it before slowly lowering first his fingers, then the rest of his hands on her back.

Kate's eyes snapped open as she felt warm and incredibly soft hands delicately kneading her shoulders and neck. The thumbs pressing in her knotted muscles hurt but, after a few minutes, the burning sensation that had lived with her for the past days, or weeks if she was being honest with herself, gradually faded into a dull ache until. She had to give it to him, Castle was right when he said he was good with his hands.

"Did you say something?" Castle suddenly asked as his hands stopped on the middle of her back, his thumbs absently stroking a patch of skin that was bruise free.

The soothing motion was lulling Kate back to sleep so it took her a moment before she realized that he had talked to her, and that she had thought out loud. Damn. "Um, no."

Castle shot her a suspicious look but resumed his job, slowing down when he reached her lower ribs. The woman's lower left area was a mass of blues and purples and yellows and painful looking so he skipped over that part, instead letting his hands going back up to her spine and shoulder blades.

Every second Castle spent touching the woman's skin was a torturous mix of bliss and agony for him. This was not how he had imagined the first time Kate would let him have his hands on her. Giving her a massage had been one of his favorite fantasies over the years, but this was not what he had hoped for.

Castle's touch was gentle and caring, but instead of aiming to get the detective worked up and aroused just like he did in his fantasy, he went for a comforting and a soothing touch. He started to hum absently as his touch became softer with every passing minute until he was delicately caressing her porcelain skin, keeping the muscles loose and warm as much as he could. "Still okay down there?"

The writer didn't like that it took several seconds for Kate to answer, or that there was an obvious tightness in her voice when she finally answered him. "Yeah."

"Are you sure?"

He stopped at the detective's frustrated sigh, concerned. Rinsing his hands in the water, Castle went around the bed and kneeled next to her so they were face to face. Sleepy eyes soon met his and, once again, he was troubled with what he could read in them. He felt as if he could see the real Kate, the one from before she was shot and, to some extent, the one she had been before her mother's murder. On the other hand, it was clear that she was upset for having let her guard down and let him take care of her, let him touch her that way. "Kate-"

"It's fine, I'm fine. Thanks, Castle."

Kate winced at Castle's snort, knowing he wouldn't believe her but annoyed that he would demonstrate it so rudely. As irritated as she suddenly was at the writer, the frustration she felt toward her current predicament was much more prominent as she found herself in the impossibility of pushing herself to a sitting position without flashing the man that was still in front of her.

Clenching her jaw, she debated about her next move as she stared into his challenging blue orbs. As much as she loathed admitting it, Kate had to face the truth. She may be well enough to walk around the loft, but her stiff back and broken ribs prevented her from twisting around and reaching for her hoodie without hurting herself. "Could you give me back my shirt?"

"No."

"No?"

Dark and slightly glassy eyes glared at him, daring him to repeat the foul word but Castle kept his ground, using a low, calming voice. "I used arnica oil to massage your back and it's best to let it rest a few minutes so it keeps the muscles from cramping too quickly again. Once I've cleaned your back you'll be able to put it back on."

"Oh."

Kate felt silly as she lay down on Richard Castle's bed, naked from the waist up, her back undoubtedly shiny with the oil the man had so thoroughly rubbed on her for the past thirty minutes. She could still feel his fingers on her, she reminisced with a silent moan. Her skin was still tingling and it wasn't because of the arnica oil. Feeling herself blush again the detective hid her face in the pillow, ignoring the twinge of pain as the cut on her forehead was pressed sharply against it. The action was not lost on the writer. "Hey, you okay?"

"Yeah."

"Do you hurt somewhere else? I could massage your calves or your arms, or-"

"Castle, don't."

Castle frowned at the sharp tone. "What is your problem, Beckett? Was it so horrible? Did I hurt you?"

The mumbled 'no' Castle was given annoyed him even more. "Then what it is? What did I do that was so terrible for you to snap at me again? Did it feel so horrible for you to feel my hands on you?"

This time the detective's reply was clear as she moved her head back to face him.

"Hey, grams."

Martha glanced up from the paper she was reading to watch her granddaughter close the loft's door before coming her way. "Alexis. Why aren't you in school?"

"Mrs. Mason had a family emergency and I had fourth and fifth period free, so I came back early." The teenager explained as she cast the living room a calculated casual glance. "Where's everyone? Is Kate okay?"

"They're talking in the bedroom. She woke up about two hours ago and I had a little chat with her while your father was out, and I believe he's been spending the last hour trying to knock some sense into her."

Alexis frowned, immediately worried. "Why? Did something else happen?"

"No, kiddo. But you know how Beckett is a private, independent woman and having people witnessing her...ordeal last night really upset her."

"Is she scared we're going to judge her or something? There's nothing to be embarrassed about, we all care about her." Alexis argued softly, dismayed that the detective could be uncomfortable around them because of what she was going through. Things may have been tense between the two of them but she had never stopped caring about the woman, and she thought they were doing better lately anyway. "Do you think I should go talk to her, tell her there's nothing to worry about?"

Martha glanced in her son's office direction as a small grin lit her face. "I think it's a great idea, sweetheart."

"What?"

Castle's knees were starting to hurt from kneeling on the floor but he didn't move. He wasn't sure if he ever wanted to move again, not after what Kate had just told him. "I..I'm sorry, what?"

"I am not repeating it." Kate huffed as she closed her eyes. Anything to avoid the writer's expression. Castle was trying so hard not to gloat but it was still obvious in his eyes. "Can I get my shirt back now?"

"Oh, yes of course. I mean, if you think you can handle it."

"Shut up, Castle, I mean it."

Castle took the detective's warning seriously and quieted down as he went back to pick up her shirt, laying it next to her before grabbing a towel. There was an hesitation before he lowered his hands on her again. "Just get it done, Castle, and you better not be gloating."

"Yes, right, sorry." The mystery writer smirked as he draped the soft yellow towel over the woman's back and gently but efficiently dried her skin as his mind spun wildly. She had loved it. She didn't want him to massage...other parts of her because she wasn't ready. It wasn't that she hadn't loved his massage. Her exact mumbled words had been 'quite the opposite,' and 'please, Rick, I can't do this now.'

The overexcited boy in him wanted to smile and dance around the bed at the admission, but the confession had come from Kate Beckett. No, not Beckett. Kate. Castle absently wondered if the words had slipped consciously or not, if she was really trying to be honest with him, or if it was a side effect from the sleeping medication she had took the night before. She did seem a little bit out of it still, he had remarked with a frown as he watched her earlier.

It didn't mean she hadn't been sincere about it though.

"Ok, I'm all done. How do you feel?"

Kate released a shaky breath. "Fine."

Castle observed her carefully before sitting on the bed and taking the oversized shirt in a hand. "Do you um, need help?"

"No thanks, I think I've got it." Kate replied as she slowly put a hand under her, bracing herself to sit up. "Um, Castle, could you...?"

"Oh, yes, sorry." The writer gracefully slid off the bed and turned his back on her, giving her privacy but refusing to leave the room in case she'd needed help.

Kate pursed her lips at the man's stubbornness, but it wasn't out of annoyance. She was struggling to hide the grin that threatened to escape her lips. She was still in shock that she had been so honest to him, and she was sure that even though she had quickly averted her eyes after admitting the effect he had on her, she knew the heat she felt as her cheeks burned had been seen by him as well.

She was pleasantly surprised that her back felt better as she pushed herself up gingerly. It still hurt but, for the first time since the accident, it didn't feel as if she was being stabbed in the back every time she moved. The man had been right to brag. He was good at massages.

It took some patience and a few cringes from the cop but, quickly enough, she was sitting in the middle of the bed and reaching for her sweatshirt when the bedroom door opened after a brief knock, Alexis' head peeking in. "Hey, can I come- Oh God, Sorry!"

"Alexis!"

Kate froze, her eyes locking with Alexis briefly before snapping out of her haze and hastily grabbing her shirt. "Castle!"

The writer's eyes were on the now closed door of the bedroom, still slightly stunned at what just happened, but his ears perked up at the woman's tone. "Yes?"

"Go talk to your daughter, she must be freaking out."

"Oh. Right. Are you okay?" He asked as he walked to the door, getting the feeling his daughter was not the only upset one.

"I'm fine, just...just go, okay?"

Kate waited until her partner was gone before sighing and dropping the hand that had thankfully been covering herself when the teenager had barged in. She was embarrassed that Alexis had seen her like that. Once again, the incident brought up her insecurities, leaving her with pondering if she had made the right choice in agreeing in coming to stay at the loft.

Fifteen minutes later, the detective ventured out of the bedroom to find the loft empty. She figured Castle must have been upstairs talking with Alexis and Martha had made herself scarce. Enjoying being able to walk around without having anyone staring and watching her every move, Kate traipsed into the kitchen and helped herself to a steaming cup of coffee. Castle had given her decaf for the major part of the week but he wasn't there now, and she deserved a cup of real coffee.

Her mug was already half drank when a knock at the door startled her. Scowling and mumbling about everyone keeping knocking and interrupting, Kate slowly made her way to the door and flashed a surprised smile to her friend as she let him in. "Espo, hey."

"Hey, Beckett. Look at you, up and walking and everything." The Latino detective smiled, genuinely happy to see his boss and friend back on her feet. "You alone?"

"No, I think Castle is upstairs with Alexis. Why?"

"Just wondering why he wasn't hovering like usual." Esposito smirked as he followed Kate in the kitchen, enjoying the eye roll she shot him. "Coffee?"

"Sure."

"So, not that I'm not happy to see you, but what brings you here with a bunch of folders under your arm and an odd look on your face?" Kate asked as she took a seat next to her friend and pushing a cup of coffee in front of him.

"I have papers for you to sign so we can press charges on Walberg." Esposito told her, opening the folders and pushing them so Kate could take a look at them. "You just need to sign where the 'x's are."

Kate felt the detective studying him as she signed her name on several pieces of paper, finding it strange to be filling them out as a victim instead of the investigating cop. "I am doing the right thing? He's just a kid. A stupid one, but still."

"Don't even think about dropping the charges, Beckett. The 'kid' is eighteen, he's not a kid anymore. He thought it'd be fun to play cat and mouse with a cop so let him deal with the consequences. He could have killed you, he's not getting away with this."

"Espo-"

"No, this isn't up for discussion." He warned her, taking back the files to check if everything was in order when she was done. "We found a new lead, by the way."

"Really? Who?"

Esposito smirked at the eager look on his almost sister's face. "The ex-girlfriend's father. Turned out he wasn't too fond of the victim, and he has no alibi for Victoria's time of death."

"Castle had called him, didn't he? After accusing the butler." Kate grinned at the news, and she found herself hoping they were going to wrap it up soon. The case had threatened to mess with her head enough already, even if she hadn't had time to spend much time working on it. "Hey, Espo?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you think Castle could be there when you interrogate him? He had a feeling from the start that it'd be him, and it'd give him a break from being stuck here."

"Sure," Esposito agreed easily, "but don't you mean it'll give you a break?"

Kate glared and swatted his arm. "Real funny, Javi."

"Just admit it, Beckett, you miss my jokes. You miss me." Esposito's cheesy line and Kate laughed before shooting the man a pointed look and a smirk. "Damn, you're right. But if that so, why am I sending Castle, the master of rapier wit, to go along with you instead of going myself?"

"Touché. But you know that Gates would kick your ass if you showed up your face at the precinct." Esposito watched his friend more closely when she didn't reply. She had flashed him a faint grin but nothing else. "How are you holding up, Kate?"

Kate's attention snapped to the cop at his use of her name. He almost never used it. "I'm fine, Javi. I guess I'm just antsy for things to go back to normal. And, hopefully, I'd like to manage being back to work for more than two months at the time for once. All of this is getting ridiculous." She sighed as she ran a hand over her face.

Esposito only nodded and kept his trained eyes on her, waiting. Kate met his eyes and felt something stirred inside as he stared unblinkingly at her. Her features darkened and her tired, sienna orbs narrowed as it dawned on her. "Who told you?"

"Lanie. She didn't say anything specific, but I heard her talking to Castle last night. We know that Castle has special...privileges, but we're your friends too, especially Lanie. She won't push you but she wants in, Kate. Don't be scared of talking to her. Or any of us, anytime. Okay?"

Kate pursed her lips but nodded half-heartedly, her eyes glued to her now empty cup. Esposito's gaze weighed down heavily on her but she couldn't meet his eyes, not quite just yet.

Footsteps in the stairs provided a more than welcome distraction for Kate. Castle's smile widened as he caught the sight before him, glad to see her up and having company by her side. "Esposito, my man!"

"Hey, bro. I see you two haven't killed each other yet."

Castle and Beckett shared a look, missing the other detective's quirked eyebrow as he watched them curiously. "Nope. We've had our moments I will let you know that I have been a perfect gentleman."

Esposito leaned beside Kate while keeping a suspicious eye on the writer. "Did he?"

Kate laughed and she was strongly tempted to deny it just to see Castle squirmed a bit, but in the end she nodded and padded his chest as the writer came close and stopped by her side. "He did. Even if he kept giving me that decaf crap all week."

Castle scoffed and pulled away before he could be hit by the detective's small but strong fist. "Yeah, because having you on strong painkillers and high on caffeine would have been smart."

"Esposito, didn't you come here to talk to him?" Kate pointedly ignored the writer's last comment to look at her friend. "Didn't you want him to go with you somewhere?"

Castle leaned over the counter, instantly curious. "What? Where do you want to go? Have you found the killer? Is it the ex-girlfriend's father?"

Kate rolled her eyes while Esposito debriefed the writer. Castle's smile got brighter as the story evolved, clearly excited about the imminent arrest, until something caught up with him. "I'm glad you thought of him, man, but I can't. Text me with updates though, okay?"

"Castle, don't feel like you have to stay here because of me, you should go. You did make the call about the father." Kate frowned and looking at Esposito for back up. "Javi?"

"Beckett's right, bro. Look at her, she can stay on her own for a while, and I'm sure she'll even promise she won't do anything stupid."

"Thanks a lot, Espo."

"No offense, boss, but we know you." Esposito replied with a sharp look, nonplussed by the detective's glare.

"Fine, I promise. Happy?"

"Um..."

"Ah, come on, Castle! There's no need for the both of us to sulk here all day. Go, have some fun."

Castle fidgeted, clearly wanting to be part of the take down but he didn't want to leave the woman alone, not after the events of the night before. No matter what kind of case the team would be working on, when it came down to it, he would always choose Kate over everything else. "Are you sure? Alexis was planning to go to the movies later but I can ask her-"

"Castle, don't. I don't need to be monitored or babysit. And you certainly don't need to chain your daughter here as well, especially not after this morning. You can go, she can go, it's all fine."

Esposito watched the strange exchange, making a mental note to text Lanie about it later. "So, bro, you coming?" The Latino detective asked as he gathered the files and walked to the door, squeezing Kate's shoulder as he passed by her. "Take care, Beckett."

Castle observed cautiously his partner one last time before nodding. "Fine. But I'll call to check on you later." Glancing over his shoulder and seeing that the other detective was busy on his phone, Castle leaned down and took Kate's hand in his own. "Are we good?"

"Of course," Kate reassured him, gripping his fingers into her own, "I'm tired so I'll probably end up sleeping off the pill anyway."

"Okay. I'll be back soon. Get some rest and please, don't drink too much coffee. Please?" Castle asked softly and, in a daring move considering he didn't know exactly where they stood after the morning they had, pressed his lips over her temple, letting them linger several seconds before pulling back.

Kate watched them go, taken aback. Finally alone, she listened to any potential movement coming from upstairs and, hearing nothing, glanced at her father's watch, staring at the time as if it was trying to tell her something.

With a sigh the detective got up on her feet and went back to the room, stopping in the middle of the living room a few moments to cast the loft a surprisingly longing stare. Going back to the bedroom, Kate eyed the unmade bed and the scattered towels on the floor, the sight of them bringing back to feeling of having had the man's warm and caring hands on her. This was going too fast. This was not how it was supposed to go.

Kate let her hand curled into a fist at her side before it made its way up to her chest, her fingers instinctively spreading to cover her scar and she took a deep breath, her eyes widening when the air caught in her throat.

It was all going too fast.

Thanks a lot for all the feedback and such, that was awesome! Please keep them coming!