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II

Kate tussled with the sheets, the demons of her nightmares still battling for her conscious, jerking her awake. She sat bolt upright – gasping – the remnants of the nightmare still clinging to the corners of her mind. The sheets felt cold and foreign against the fabric on her skin. Confusion seeped through her veins at the unfamiliar setting before recognition took charge, last night's events slowly dawning on her – the pitiful arrest, Kevin getting shot, crouching over his limp body, everything. A rogue sob tore through her throat, betraying her emotions. She needed to remain strong, not only for her team but for herself.

'Castle,' she breathed remembering she was in his house, in his bed, turning to the vacant dent in the bed by her side, a flare of panic rising within her. He hasn't been there for a while.

The detective frantically eyed the bedside table to her left, searching for her handgun and coming up short. She swore to herself that she had left it there the night before, along with her phone and badge in case a body dropped or there was any urgent news from the hospital. Kate staggered out from under the covers and hopefully towards the only person who had the answers.

Kate wondered if seeing him this morning would be awkward. She'd just spent the night in his bed and despite nothing happening there was a lingering feeling that she wished something had happened. They'd kissed twice the night before and despite the stick she'd get from Lanie and the boys – and from Rick too – she'd enjoyed it. He was intoxicating and far too good for her. Kate didn't know if she could ever get enough of him or if she ever would.

Stuck in the cloud of her thoughts, Kate remained oblivious to the three person party waiting for her the kitchen.

'Afternoon, Kiddo,' said Martha.

Kate jumped slightly reaching for the gun usually located on her hip instead finding nothing but air. She shook her lightly, clearing her thoughts, meeting the eyes of the Castle clan whose looks bore her down expectantly.

Martha was the first to make a move, getting up from her stool to wrap her arms around Kate, bringing her into a hug. 'Richard told me what happened. How you holding up?'

'I'm fine thank you, Martha,' she said after a light pause, gripping the older woman by the arms.

'Good to hear, Detective. If you need anything at all and I mean at all then you know where to find me,' admonished Martha shaking her hands dramatically in the air before swooping down upon her relations kissing them both delicately on the cheek, leaving Kate to nod in her wake. 'Don't wait up, momma's going fishing,' Martha rang out to no one in particular as she exited the loft.

She stared at the closed door for a couple of moments completely bewildered by whirlwind Martha but she liked it. Martha had a huge heart, the kind of heat that she had bestowed in her son. It was one of the things she liked best about it as well as his ability to care. Kate hadn't been here for even 24 hours and she felt at home, she felt safe. There was an aspect to their environment that she envied, that she wanted to have and hold every day. There was so much love and affection between them all it always continued to shock and warm her heart.

'What time is it?' Kate wondered aloud.

'Just after 1,' said Alexis.

Kate raised her eyebrows warily.

'I didn't want to wake you,' Rick interjected hovering at her side as if she would fall over any second.

'I'm fine, Castle, really.'

He didn't look certain, his eyes boring into hers, arms lingering ever so slightly away from his body waiting to catch her if he needed to. She laid a hand on his bicep in what she hoped was a gesture of reassurance, willing him to understand that she could do this, she needed to do this. Kate could see it in his eyes, he still wasn't satisfied but there was some kind of need there, a need she wasn't sure what to make of.

Their silent communication broken as Alexis stumbled slightly into her father, placing a cup of steaming coffee into the detective's hands, 'coffee?'

Kate hummed with gratitude taking a quick sip, allowing the scalding liquid to burn the back of her throat, 'Mmm yes, thank you so much Alexis.'

'We've just eaten lunch and I saved you a few things. I didn't really know what you wanted so there's some salad and some sandwiches left among other things.'

'A couple of sandwiches should be fine, Alexis, thank you.'

Rick leant back against the kitchen counter watching the scenario playing out before him between daughter and detective. Kate caught the heat of his gaze, glancing up at him trying to make out the expression on his face. The need to understand him coiled deep in her stomach but she held her tongue, now wasn't the time.

Alexis handed Kate a number of sandwiches ushering her into a seat, placing the remainder of the food in plastic containers depositing them in the fridge.

'I'm going to go now, Dad,' said Alexis planting a kiss on his cheek. 'Be good okay.' She spun around to face the detective awkwardly unsure of what to do before giving the shocked brunette a quick hug, 'bye Detective Beckett.'

'Bye Alexis and please, call me Kate.'

Alexis slowed at the door of the loft, a smile spreading across her face, 'bye Kate.'

'She really looks up to you, you know,' Rick said moments later after the flourish of goodbyes shared with his daughter, sitting in the chair beside her, bumping her shoulder.

Kate remained silent, a tender smile tugging at the corner of her mouth, her heart feeling lighter than it had all week. It was strange how such a small statement could make so much difference in someone's heart.

'Where's my gun?'

Castle huffed a laugh, 'I tell you my kid looks up to you and you want to know where your gun is?'

'Yeah sorry,' Kate said grinning at him sheepishly.

'I locked it in my safe,' said Rick cautiously. 'I just felt a bit funny with it being out.'

'No, no it's fine. I just didn't want to lose it that's all.'

Kate could feel the slight awkward tension lingering in the air, choosing to digest the remainder of her sandwich and coffee hoping for the tension to die down. Every now and then she could feel his eyes on her, watching her movements. If she hadn't of known Castle for so long she would have found it overly creepy and probably would have decked him but there was something oddly comforting with knowing that he was always there for her, watching.

'You want to get ready and go to the hospital? Or we could go later,' said Rick his voice tentative. 'It's really up to you.'

'No, now's fine... it's just that I don't have anything to wear with my clothes being covered in blood. Would you mind stopping by my place first?'

'No need. I got Alexis and mother to go out shopping this morning and get you a little something.'

'Castle, you didn't-'

'I know I didn't Kate but I wanted to,' said Rick staring at her earnestly.

Kate fumbled with what to say, overwhelmed with the affection this man had for the people he loved. Loved? Kate took a sharp inhale of air trying to stilt the erratic beat of her heart.

'Thank you,' she said.

'I put the bags of stuff they bought in the bathroom for you. I didn't want to look in case, you know...' he said taking her plates from in front of her and placing them in the sink allowing his sentence drift off with a sheepish grin on his face.

Kate placed her hand on top of Castle's, the warmth of his hand moulding into hers. She let it linger there for a moment before darting for the bedroom, a red hue rising to her cheeks. If she allowed her mind to drift she'd most definitely be needing a cold shower.

She found the bag of clothes below the sink and began sifting through, surprised at finding everything to her taste and nothing too – what would you say – slutty. Coming to the end of the pile (four different shirts, two jeans and underwear which they'd somehow managed to get the right size for) was a small package wrapped in black tissue paper.

Curiosity spiked through her as she tentatively attacked the paper, her fingers coming into contact with a sleek of silk. Kate ran her fingers over the softness of the fabric and the rough knot of lace that so elegantly lined the garment. A piece of paper unravelled from its position in the fabric, clattering to the floor.

Kate picked up the paper, a slight blush rushing to her cheeks as she read the inscription: 'Thought this might come in handy one of these nights. Don't tell Richard I had the good mind to get this for you, Darling. Don't work him too hard. – Martha xox.' Richard Castle's mother had bought her a nightdress, a nightdress she was sure would stick to each and every line of her body. The silk soft and slender for the touch and the lace just the added touch of sexy.

Embarrassment flooded through the detective at the thought that his partner's mother thought they were sleeping together or on the way towards it – not that she minded if they were – but the fact still remained, Richard Castle's mother had bought her a nightdress to seduce her son.

The car ride to the hospital had been a quiet affair – Castle not wanting to speak in fear of aggravating her and Kate unable to with the image of Martha's gift an ever evading presence in her mind.

He tugged at her hand before she had a chance to open the car door, reining her back in.

'Are we okay, Kate?' Rick implored, worry lining his features. 'You've just been really quiet this morning.'

'What? Oh, I'm fine,' said Kate, the realisation that he had said "we" and not "you" slowly dawning on her.

'You know you can always talk to me, Kate.'

'I- Rick, yes,' said Kate. 'You've been great this morning and last night and I just have a lot on my mind right now but I'm fine. Honestly.'

Kate watched as he simply nodded to her statement, getting out of the car. She knew he wanted to prod and poke at her until he got the answers he wanted but something held him back and for that she was grateful. She loved their friendship and how close they had grown over the last four years, it was one of those surprising things that had occurred from her job and she didn't want to lose it. Kevin getting shot last night had proven how quick someone could get hurt in this line of profession but a part of her felt like she was wasting time.

Rick's words as she faded into unconscious on the day of her shooting rung shrilly in her ear. She knew how he felt and she was pretty damn sure she felt the same way but a part of her still clung to the need to run. There were so many scars lining her broken soul that she wasn't sure whether she could ever love Rick the way he deserved to be loved.

A voice broke through the turmoil of her thoughts, causing her to shift her gaze to meet the pair of striking blue eyes gazing at her through the car window full of concern. She shook her thoughts away, wiping her eyes clearing away the tears that had yet to fall, composing herself once more. She exited the car and headed toward the reception desk, Castle hot on her heels.

The receptionist looked to be about her mid forties, the wrinkles beginning to line and age her face. Her hair formed a curly mass of frizz reaching her shoulder blades, the occasional grey streak hidden amongst the brown. She had a distinct air about her, the sour feel of wanting to be anywhere but where she was right now.

'Excuse me, Detective Kevin Ryan was rushed in last night with two gunshot wounds. Do you know what room he's in?' asked Kate, her voiced laced in syrup as she took in the haughty look of the receptionist.

The woman shot her a glare, dictating the course through the hospital in which to find the wounded Detective before turning back to the crossword they had so annoyingly distracted her from. Kate didn't need to be told twice speeding off in the direction she had been pointed in not waiting for Castle to follow but knowing he was only a step behind her.

Her brisk pace stuttered to a slow walk as she found Esposito seated in a chair outside the room, still covered in last night's blood. He got up as she approached, lingering there for a moment before bringing her into an awkward hug. Kate looked at him – really looked at him – for the first time in a long time and saw the broken pieces before her. He had almost lost his best friend last night; the signs of it evident from his red rimmed eyes, blood-shot from his lack of sleep to the crinkle of yesterday's clothes.

'How's he doing?' said Kate.

'Good. Real good. They just moved him into a private room this morning and took him off life support a couple of hours after you left last night,' said Esposito a smile spreading across his face. 'He's going to make it.'

'That's so good to hear,' said Rick getting a hug of his own from Esposito.

'Hey bro, thanks for getting the private room sorted out for him.'

'It was nothing, really. I'd do it for any of you guys.'

Esposito slapped a hand on his back, 'I gotta leave before Jenny comes back out and sees me still sitting here,' grabbing the jacket left slung on the back of his chair. 'I just wanted to wait till you guys got here.'

'Awh man, sorry we took so long to get here.'

Kate took a seat, sidelining herself from the conversation, leaving the boys to reconnect and catch-up. Relief flooding her system at the news that Kevin was going to be okay. It was a close call.

'No big deal, bro. You take care of her okay,' said Esposito nodding his head in Kate's direction.

Kate could feel the heat of Castle's gaze on the side of her face, determination not to turn around to see his response seized her. She heard his note of approval and hurried goodbyes between the two men before the creak of the chair beside her caught her attention. She unconsciously leant into him, the soothing heat of his presence acting as a prime calming agent for her tumultuous feelings. Kate felt the shift of his arm reaching around her back, his hand making small circular movements soothing the knotted muscles. She hummed with approval.

'You got him a private room?' said Kate after a moment, her eyes fluttering open and close, her hand finding its way to Rick's knee giving it a slight squeeze.

'I couldn't sleep last night and had some time on my hands. I phoned early this morning and made the arrangements. I thought it'd be better for him and for Jenny, you know, privacy.'

'That was really sweet.'

The sudden opening of the door to their right caused both detective and writer to jump slightly in their seats, limbs extracting themselves from the comfort of the other and back to the safety of their owners. Hearts racing, they both stared in the direction of the disturbance.

'Oh sorry,' said Jenny taking in their startled expressions.

Kate was the first to move, getting up to greet the woman, 'How's he getting on?'

'Really good. He just went back to sleep so I was just going to run to the ladies room,' said Jenny. 'You can go sit in there with him if you want.'

'You sure?'

'Yeah, yeah it's fine. He'll not be much company asleep but you can see for yourself how good he's doing.'

'Thanks, Jenny.'

'No,' said Jenny, tears swimming in her eyes. 'Thank you for saving his life.'

Kate tried to object pointing out that it was because of her that he was in here in the first place but before she could get a word in edge ways the tiny woman had sauntered off, her hands rubbing furiously at her eyes as the tears came streaming down.

Rick came up behind Kate, placing a hand on her back, nudging her towards the door, 'come on.'

They approached the wounded detective's sleeping form, a mask of peace strewn across his face. He looked a few shades paler than normal; a white gauze tapped to the side of the neck where he had been grazed by a bullet, another gauze she presumed resided on his shoulder under the hospital gown from his through and through.

Kate wasn't sure how long they had stood there staring at him, Rick's hand entwining with hers somewhere along the way, lost in their own thoughts and emotions. She made a motion to leave tugging on their entwined hands, passing Jenny on their way out – who had been sitting in a chair at the back of the room drifting in an out of sleep – whispering their goodbyes.

They didn't speak until they were seated safely in the vehicle – Kate behind the wheel and Rick in the passenger's seat. Kate's words were the first to break through the silence, 'want me to drop you off at the loft? I wanna head down to the precinct and finish up on some paper work.'

'Nah, I'll come with you.'

'You sure?'

'Yeah. Who else is going to make you coffee?' he said earning himself an eye roll and a smile.

The elevator descended upon their floor at the twelfth, the opening of the steel doors revealing a bullpen quieter than the normal buzz and roar she was used to. There was a quiet shuffle of voices scattered around the room as officers got on with their duties, many she presumed unaware of the recent near death experience of a fellow officer. They'd all be buzzing with the news before the day was through, she was sure of it. Any attempt on a life from the Police force always garnered attention – mostly anger but it was always there.

They had barely made it to Kate's desk before the Captain came bolting out of her office towards them.

'Detective Beckett,' Gates barked.

'Yes sir?' replied Beckett.

'You and the rest of your team have two weeks paid leave starting today.'

'But sir-'

'I want no objections, Detective. I do not want to see or hear from you for the next two weeks. Please inform Detectives Esposito and Ryan for me and wish Detective Ryan a good recovery.'

And with that Gates stalked back into her office, slamming the office door leaving a bewildered detective in her wake.

A/N: I can't believe I got so many story alerts with this story as I have so far. You guys are awesome and I hope you like this chapter just as much. Chapter 3 is almost done and I'll probably upload it when chapter 4 is halfway done. Remember... reviews are like chocolate, addictive for the soul (;

Oh and if anyone is a fan of Harry Potter I'll be meeting JK Rowling next month *cue fangirl scream and collapse* I'm doing a big ol' fan gift for her if anyone wants to take part (: Just go to OperationCongratulateJo / tumblr / com for more info :D

- Jess xox