Chapter 8

As he drove back from the hospital, Nathan glanced over at the woman sleeping in the seat next to him. Thankfully the doctor had agreed that a little nap on the ride to her "apartment" might be a good idea. A small part of him still felt guilty for drugging her, but he kept telling himself that it was for her own good. Something that needed to be done to protect her. If he was honest with himself, this whole scheme just seemed wrong. The lying, the deception, encouraging her to live in this fake world, but if it's what the doctors said would help, who was he to argue. He just hoped it helped. He was so used to the bubbly, happy Stana that walked around set singing and laughing and pretending to airlift bridges. The memory of that made him smile. God, he missed her. Not that Beckett was bad, but she was different. For one thing, when she flirted, she meant it. If this had happened in any of the other seasons, it might not have been so bad, but now. Of course now that "Caskett" was a reality, this could be quite a challenge.

As he pulled up to the building where she would be staying for the next week or so, he couldn't believe his eyes. The Arts Department had really outdone themselves. The entire back lot looked like New York City. Every building front had been redone in a way that real New Yorkers would likely be fooled. He sighed as he looked over at her, still asleep in the seat next to him. He really didn't want to wake her. He wished she could just stay sleeping peacefully until Dr Burke returned. Well, she may not be able to sleep that long, but he wasnt going to be the one to wake her.

Walking around to her side of the car, he wondered what she would say if she knew what he was about to do. Stana would probably laugh at him, but Kate, what would Kate do? Probably threaten to shoot him, he laughed to himself. Carefully he lifted the still sleeping woman into his arms and headed for her new home.

Thankfully they had made her apartment on the ground floor. Not that she was heavy, she was surprisingly light, but being such a tall woman, it was awkward trying to carry her without waking her. He repositioned her a bit as he opened her door and then almost dropped her when he looked inside. This was amazing! It was her apartment from the set right down to every last detail. The nic- nacks, the throw pillows, everything was just as it had been on set. He headed in the direction he believed the bedroom to be, and was met once again with an exact replica. He slowly layed her down on the bed and removed her shoes before tucking her in. He stood there for a minute just watching her sleep. Lost in his thoughts. Wondering if they could actually pull this off. Failure is not an option, he reminded himself.

"Stop staring, Castle. It's creepy." she said softly, as she stretched up and looked at him.

"Oh, right. Sorry." He said, startled. "I didn't realize you were awake."

"Haven't been for long. How did I get into my bed? I don't even remember coming home."

That small guilty feeling hit him again, but he pushed it away. "You fell asleep just as we left the hospital. I didn't have the heart to wake you up, so I just carried you in."

"You carried me? Well aren't you just a big strong guy." She gave him one of her signature flirty smirks.

"Yeah, I guess so." He laughed nervously. God, this was easier when she was asleep.

"Are you hungry? Can I get you anything? Head feeling ok?"

"I'm fine Castle, really. A tiny headache, but that's to be expected."

"That's good. I'm glad you're feeling better. You sure there isn't anything I can get you?"

"Well, actually, now that you mention it, there is one thing I'd like right now."

"What? You name it."

"You, in this bed, with me."

Note: Yikes! How will Nathan handle this? Remember please that these are my characters using their names. I have no idea what they would really do, but stay tuned, I think you'll like his choice.