Chapter 12

"What do I want to do today? Castle, I want to get back to work!"

"Look, Beckett. The doctor must have a good reason to refuse to release you, or you would be back already. Let's just enjoy this little vacation as long as we can. I have a few ideas of fun things we can do."

"Really?" she said, as she walked seductively towards him. "I guess maybe a week...alone...together might not be so bad." She reached up and put her arms around his neck, bringing their bodies firmly together.

"Uh, yeah. I'm sure we'll find all sorts of stuff to do." She looked slightly hurt, as he ducked out of her arms, just as she was about to kiss him. "Like we could read. Or go out to eat. Or watch tv..."

He watched as that sexy seductive smile grew back even larger than before. Ugh! You moron. Sure, use the most memorable line from your morning after, almost round four scene! Not helping!

"I know!" he said, eyes lighting up. "Let's have a movie marathon! How does a little John Woo sound?"

"That sounds great, Castle. We never did get around to watching them the last time. Though I'm not complaining about how we did spend that evening."

"Me either," he smiled, "but until you are released I think we should keep strenuous activities to a minimum as well."

"Seriously, Castle? First no work, and now you're saying you won't have sex with me? What the hell is going on? What did the doctors tell you guys?"

He could see the tears she was struggling to hold back, and it broke his heart. He wanted to see her smile, but he knew what she was expecting this week to be like, and he couldn't let her get her hopes up. As much as it hurt, he had to set the rules for his hands off week now.

"Kate, concussions are a brain injury. I know people act like they're nothing big, but they are. You just need to take it easy for a while, keep your blood pressure down, and try not to get too excited. We will spend this week together, but just none of that, ok?" Then just for good measure he threw in, "hey, this is probably harder on me than it is on you. I am just a man after all." He gave her one of his signature eyebrow wiggles.

She laughed and put her arms around him and leaned her head against his chest. "Yes, but you're my man." She smiled as she reached up and gave him a peck on the cheek, "and I love how you take care of me. Even if it does make me crazy."

He laughed. "Good, now why don't you go lie down for a bit, while I make us some lunch." He glanced down at his phone at the text craft services had sent him, yelling him that soup and sandwiches would be outside the door waiting for them in about 15 minutes.

"Ok, that sounds like a good idea. My head still is a bit sore I guess, and my back kind of hurts."

"That's my girl. I'll bring it in as soon as I'm done, ok?"

"Ok. Thank you."

"Always," he said giving her a light kiss on the top of her head. "Now go rest, I'll be in a minute."

She gave him one last smile as she headed into the bedroom.

He quickly went to the front door and as quietly as possible retrieved the lunch tray from outside. Thank god they had made enough for about four people, because he was starving. Apparently the stress of lying through your teeth works up quite an appetite. He carried the lunch tray into the bedroom and saw her sitting, with her knees pulled up to her chest. She seemed upset about something.

"Kate, what's wrong?"

"We'll, you should be happy now."

"What?" He looked at her totally confused. What had happened in the last few minutes to get her so upset?

"Apparently the universe is with you in conspiring against me to make this week as unromantic as possible."

"What are you talking about?"

"I got my period, ok? So now you don't have to worry about rejecting me. The universe is on your side. You win."

He laughed. He didn't mean to, but he laughed. He never thought that hearing that sentence from a woman, while not accompanying a pregnancy scare, would make him so giddy with relief. That was until he looked up at her.

Shit! He had laughed. And it so wasnt funny. She was giving him THE look. The" I may actually shoot you for real this time" look. Ok, Castle. Good luck talking your way out of this one.

"Oh, Kate. I'm sorry." He reached out to pat her arm and she pulled away from him, turning and looking at the wall. "Look, it was just the way you said it. The universe conspiring against you... It just sounded so... So... So like something I would say! I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. Forgive me. Please?" He whined, giving her his best puppy dog look.

"Fine," she said, " I tell you what. I'll forgive you on one condition."

"What's that?"

She looked at him shyly out of the tops of her eyes. "That tonight's movie marathon includes chocolate ice cream."

He laughed. "I think I can arrange that. Now, eat your lunch and get some rest while I go get you some ice cream."