A/N: This chapter is something that I've had on my laptop for quite a while - just something sweet and fluffy with a few flashbacks. In the following chapters, I'm planning on bringing crazy stalker lady back.

But in the meantime: enjoy!

Disclaimer: Oh, please. I bow to the genius that is Andrew Marlowe.

Chapter 54 - In Sickness & In Health

"Ugh," she grunted, turning onto her side. For the last two days, Kate Castle has been reduced to a sniveling, coughing, sore and utterly miserable human being. She sat up gingerly, her wavy hair falling haphazardly around her face and shoulders; her skin was pale and pasty, her nose red. She had the flu. And felt like a train-wreck victim. Just as she threw off the covers and placed one foot on the ground, Rick walked in with a tray filled with breakfast.

He stopped and raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing?" It was not even nine in the morning on a Saturday.

She glared at him and even in her weakened state and in fluffy pajamas, she was still somewhat intimidating.

He didn't flinch as he approached his sick wife.

"Getting out of bed," she croaked, her voice cracking.

"No, you're not." He placed the tray on the bedside table and proceeded to haul her back into bed without much difficulty. To say that his wife was upset would be an understatement.

She glowered at him. "Rick-"

"You're gonna eat your breakfast, drink your pills and then you can get out and take a shower." He paused for a moment. "And after you have taken a shower, you're getting back in bed."

She was stunned, her mouth falling open in shock. "I- You. . ." He was watching her with a stern expression and eventually she relinquished. A staring match with Richard Castle when he was acting all Papa Bear was useless.

Besides, he was much too adorable when he was being protective.

"Fine," she groused, wearing an impressive pout.

He grinned boyishly and carefully placed the tray with breakfast on her lap. She watched him with narrowed eyes, but couldn't help the smile tugging at her lips.

After a while, she asked: "Where's Lizzy?"

He took a sip of his own orange juice. "Uh, my mother has her." He gave a knowing look and a sly smile. "She's trying to feed her."

Kate's eyes widened. "Oh, no."

He grinned and nodded. "Oh, yes."

"I hope that your mother isn't wearing anything too fancy," she commented hoarsely before taking a sip of her coffee.

His grin widened. "It's Martha Rodgers we're talking about here, babe. What do you think?" He downed the rest of his juice and placed the empty glass on her tray with breakfast.

She shook her head and smiled before taking a bite out of the omelet – luckily not one of those Frankensteinish experiments that her husband loved to concoct.

"True. Let's hope your mother survives it," she added with a wince. Feeding Lizzy could sometimes get. . . messy.

He chuckled at that, busy gathering dirty towels and laundry from the en-suite bathroom.

"I'll relieve her later," he said, walking out of the bathroom towards their closet. Kate coughed a couple of times again, almost out of breath by the end of it. Her husband glanced at her, worry creasing his forehead.

"You okay?"

She nodded in reply. "Yeah, fine now."

He made his way to the bed, sitting down next to her. He placed the back of his hand against her forehead, moving it across her cheek.

"You're a little hot."

She smirked at him, an eyebrow raised. "Only a little?"

He huffed out a laugh, cupping her cheek. She leaned into his touch, placing her hand over his.

"You know what I mean - you may have a bit of a fever." His mouth curved into a grin. "You are a very, very sexy woman, Mrs. Castle. Even if you're a little gross and sweaty right now."

She gasped and slapped his shoulder, unable to keep her smile under wraps. "Jeez, Castle, you know how to make a girl feel special."

"I'm kidding. You're always beautiful to me." He grinned and leaned towards her for a kiss. Kate jerked back, a hand against his chest.

"Rick, no. You're gonna get sick."

He only shrugged in response and darted in for a kiss, a hand at the back of her neck to reel her in.

"I'm willing to take my chances," he murmured against her mouth before pulling away.

Kate hummed and shook her head in reproach.

"Don't complain to me when you get sick."

He waved her off, getting up and making his way towards the door. "I won't get sick." He stopped by the door frame. "Besides, I'm an easy patient," he said seriously before leaving their room to check on his mother and daughter.

Kate nearly choked to death on a piece of toast.

"Don't go. Stay with me," he whined, loosely wrapping an arm around her waist. Kate sighed and dropped her head into her hand, trying to quell her frustration and irritation.

Her husband was such a child.

But she did promise 'in sickness and in health'. Seriously, though, he was driving her mad. She was really trying to be the caring, sweet little wife who took care of her husband. And he was seriously taking advantage, milking it for everything that it was worth.

"Castle, I'm coming back," she huffed. "I just want to go get us something to eat."

He released his hold on her. "Oh, okay." She tried, but failed to hold onto her irritation when she glanced at him lying in bed; his hair tousled and his cheeks pink from the flu - he looked like a little boy.

She leaned down and pressed a kiss against his sweaty forehead. "You're burning up."

"Mm," he hummed, his eyes closed.

"I'll bring you some Tylenol."

He only nodded and clutched his pillow, burrowing further into the softness. She smiled softly and brushed a hand through his hair before getting up. Kate made her way through the office, dodging a few unopened boxes. They've only been married for three months and still had a few wedding gifts to open and a few boxes that still needed to be unpacked.

The telephone rang when she was in the kitchen. "Hello?"

"Hey, Kate!" Alexis' cheery greeting came through the line.

A beaming smile spilled across the detective's face.

"Oh, hi sweetie. How are you?"

They missed her. Alexis was settled in an apartment somewhere near campus with some of her friends - all grown-up and independent.

"I'm good, thanks. How are things? I've been trying to call Dad, but he's not picking up."

Kate let out a breath and leaned against the kitchen counter. "Things are good. Just. . . your dad isn't feeling well. I think he has the flu."

"Oh, no. Good luck." There was a amused lilt to the young woman's tone which Kate picked up on. She didn't necessarily liked it.

The detective sighed. "He's gonna milk it, isn't he?"

Alexis gave a laugh. "Oh, yeah. It is my dad we're talking about here, Kate."

The detective groaned and briefly closed her eyes. "Great." She let out a breath and pushed off the counter. "You wanna speak to him?"

"Nah, don't worry about it. I'll call him later." There was a pause. Kate could almost see the younger girl bite her lip - a habit she picked up from the detective. "I actually have some news about that guy I was telling you about."

Kate's mouth slid open into a grin. "Yeah?" She sat down at the kitchen stool, getting ready for a little girl talk. "Has he asked you out yet?"

Twenty minutes later, she walked back into the bedroom, a small smile fastened on her mouth.

"Where have you been?" Rick croaked, turning onto his back. He was pouting. Kate rolled her eyes and made her way to him.

"I made you a sandwich." She handed him a plate with a sandwich and placed a glass of juice on the bedside table. "I was talking to your daughter, by the way. She sends her regards."

His head snapped up. "How is she?"

"Fine. She's doing well." Kate sat down by his hip, her hand falling to his shin. "Great in fact. A cute guy in her Philosophy class which she has had her eye on for a while now, finally asked her out for coffee."

Rick narrowed his eyes, his mouth set in a grim line. "Philosophy class, huh? I don't trust him." He took a bite out of his sandwich.

Kate frowned. "What? Why not?"

He shrugged. "Just. . . they play mind games."

She barked out a laugh and shook her head. "Richard Castle, you are ridiculous."

He glared at her. "Am I?" He finished off the sandwich and placed the empty plate on the bedside table.

"Yes," she retorted emphatically.

He huffed and shook his head. "Just remember that I'm a sick man," he muttered with a scowl.

Her mouth cracked open into a grin. Insufferable man. "Oh, believe me, honey, I haven't forgotten."

Largely, because he keeps reminding her.

"Good." He slid down in bed again and opened his arms. "Cuddle with me?"

"Okay, but first, you need to take this." She held out the bottle of Tylenol to him.

"Then we can cuddle?" He whined.

She exhaled a laugh. "Yes, Rick, then we can cuddle."

"Fine," he sighed and sat up. "Hit me."

She handed him two capsules. "If your fever doesn't break tonight, we're going to the doctor in the morning." She placed a palm against his hot, damp forehead; her face drawn in concern.

Rick shook his head vigorously as he downed the pills. "No, no. I'm fine," he grunted. He wrapped a hand around her arm, pulling her towards him. "Now come lie down with me."

"Okay, okay," she said on a laugh, rolling her eyes. Kate detangled from his hold and scooted across the bed towards her side. "Just get don't me sick, Castle."

She curled on her side, her back to him as she waited for her husband to wrap himself around her. When he didn't make a move, she turned to look at him. He was staring at her, his arm suspended between them. Kate frowned and fully turned to face him.

"Castle, what's wrong? I thought you wanted to cuddle."

He swallowed thickly, wincing at the soreness in his throat. "Maybe it's not such a good idea. I don't wanna get you sick," he croaked, his brow furrowing, his blue eyes wide with concern.

Kate smiled softly and shifted closer to her husband. She lifted a hand and brushed it along his cheek, her fingers stroking his skin. She leaned in and painted his lips with a featherlike kiss, her own mouth melting into a smile.

"I'm willing to take the chance."

She woke up to the sound of laughing - more like giggling. A little girl's giggling. Kate lifted her head and groaned - it felt heavy and thick and detached from her body. Her skin was flushed and her muscles and joints sore. She lifted a hand to her head, her hair tousled and in disarray from sleep. She glanced at the clock and bit back another groan when she saw that it was four in the afternoon. How on earth was she going to get any-

Just then her daughter scampered into their room, the little girl squealing with laughter. Kate grinned widely - Lizzy's head barely peeking out above the bed.

"Hey, baby," she cooed, her voice scratchy and rough. Lizzy turned to look at her mother, giving her a shy, toothy smile, her blue eyes glittering. She flung her hands around and hopped around in a silly little dance - the picture of mischief.

So much like Daddy.

A few moments later, Rick hurried into the room, seemingly concerned that his daughter was going to wake her mother.

"Come on, Sweet Pea," he whispered, unaware that Kate was already awake. Lizzy whipped around at the sound of her father's voice and shrieked, trying to dart away from him.

He caught his squealing, giggling daughter. "Shh, baby girl," he said with a grin. "We don't want to wake-"

"I'm up," Kate interrupted, sitting up. Rick whipped around, apologies already rolling off his tongue.

His wife just shook her head and waved him off. "I was a awake before you guys came in here." She threw off the covers and gingerly placed her feet on the ground. "What are you playing, by the way?"

"Hide and seek," he replied. "Honey, I don't think you should be out of bed."

Kate pinned him with an unimpressed look. "I'm getting out of bed. I can't lie here for another minute - no matter what you say." She picked up the glass of water on the bedside table and downed it.

He sighed and stepped closer, Lizzy still squirming in his arms. "How are you feeling?"

Kate just lifted a shoulder. "Kinda like death warmed up."

Rick placed a hand against her cheek and moved it up to her forehead. She was still burning up.

"Your fever still hasn't broken," he muttered unhappily. He put Lizzy down and the little girl immediately grabbed onto her mother's legs. She whimpered and held out her arms to her mother, seeking her undivided attention.

Kate brushed a hand through her daughter's dark, curly hair. "Oh, baby."

Lizzy's whines became insistent as bounced up against Kate's legs, her small still arms outstretched towards her mother; her hands opening and closing in supplication.

She hasn't seen her mother the whole day.

"Sweet Pea, Mommy doesn't feel so well." Rick bent down to pick up his daughter, but Kate placed a hand on his shoulder and shook her head.

The detective sighed and picked up her daughter. "Hey, sweetie." She hugged Lizzy, the little girl's small arms wrapping around her neck in a tight embrace. She burrowed into her mother's hold, her head resting on Kate's collarbone and one of her tiny hands tangling in a strand of her mother's hair.

Rick smiled at them, his eyes softening with affection. His heart always kinda melted at the sight of two of his girls sharing a moment.

"You want something to eat?"

Kate nodded, tightening her hold on Lizzy. "Yeah, I'm kind of hungry."

He guided her out of the room, a hand on the small of her back. "And you also need to get some Tylenol in your system."

"Mm." She turned around and handed their daughter to him. "Here - take her. I don't want her to get sick."

Before the little girl could whine in protest, Rick lifted her up onto his shoulders. Lizzy squealed and giggled heartily, her small face split open into a beaming, toothy smile as she rode on her father's shoulders.

Kate grinned at them, a hand covering one of Lizzy's small feet, playing with the little girl's toes. Lizzy squealed harder and tried to wriggle her foot away from her mother's tickling fingers.

"Where's your mom?"

He glanced at her, his mouth still parted in a smile. "She had an appointment with one of her old theater colleagues. She said she'll see us later tonight."

"Oh, okay. Did her outfit survive our daughter?"

Rick laughed. "Yeah, but only just."

She smiled. "Well, she was brave."

"Yeah, she was." They made their way through the living room towards the kitchen. "What do you want?"

Kate shrugged. "Just something light. Maybe a sandwich."

Rick nodded and lifted Lizzy from his shoulder, tossing the girl into the air once, twice, three times causing her to laugh like crazy.

"What do you say, baby? You wanna help me make something to eat?" He finally let her down to dart away towards the kitchen.

Kate followed her fast-moving daughter, wrapping her arms around herself, shivering despite the warm temperature. Rick came up beside her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

He pressed a few kisses in her hair. "You cold, babe?"

"Mm, little bit," she replied, snuggling into his body.

"I'll make you some hot chocolate," he murmured, placing another light kiss against her temple before releasing her.

She sat down at the kitchen counter, her head falling into her hand as her husband and daughter puttered around in the kitchen.

"God, I hate feeling like this," she moaned, her face hidden behind her hands.

After a few moments, Rick put a cup of hot chocolate in front of her. "I know, but this will make you feel better." He grinned at her, blue eyes glinting with little boy delight. "I even added marshmallows." He pointed that out as he leaned on the counter. "See?"

Something clattered loudly behind him, causing both of them to turn their attention to what their daughter was doing. She was sitting on the ground and playing with tuperware she got out of one of the lower cupboards. She sensed their gazes on her and lifted her head. When Lizzy spotted her parents she offered them a beaming grin, showing off her row of baby teeth. She threw out her arms and giggled at her parents.

Rick turned back to his wife, an eyebrow lifted and grinning. Kate rolled her eyes and shook her head, her hands wrapping around the warm cup.

She tipped her head to one side and offered him a weary smile. "Thanks for the hot chocolate."

"No problem, babe" he said, his smile widening. He pushed off the counter and walked to the refrigerator, looking for something to eat. "Kate, if you're not feeling better by the morning, we're going to the doctor."

She grunted. "No, I'm fine." She coughed a few times.

He only raised an eyebrow. "Yeah? Keep telling yourself that."

"I don't like going to the doctor," she moaned.

Rick let out a laugh. "Nobody does, honey. Welcome to the world of us mere mortals."

"Shut up, Castle," she muttered, her eyes a little glassy and cheeks pink.

He grinned at her. Infuriating man.

"At least it's not as bad as that time in the Hamptons. Remember that?"

She dropped her head again. "Ugh, don't remind me."

"Are you sure it's not something you ate?"

"No," she groaned, hugging the cool porcelain bowl of misery. After a moment, she frantically struggled to bow over the toilet as another wave of nausea hit again.

Rick's eyes grew wide and he stepped into the bathroom towards her. "You're not pregnant, are you?"

The detective slowly turned around, leveling him with a withering glare. "No, Rick, I'm not."

"A-are you sure?" He asked tentatively. Not that he would be upset if she was, but they've only been married for about ten months and frankly, they weren't ready to start on little Castle babies just yet.

Kate narrowed her eyes, her jaw clenching in frustration. "Yes, I'm positive. Jeez. We've only been married for like ten months."

He sighed, a little relieved. "Okay, okay." His mouth twitched in amusement as he moved closer. "And it's ten months, one week and. . . three days to be exact, Mrs. Castle."

Kate rolled her eyes and laughed, the sound hoarse. "You're such a sap."

The twitch of his lips grew into a full-blown grin. "You love it."

"I do."

A moment later, Kate groaned and bent over the bowl of agony again. Rick winced in sympathy and walked over to the basin to get a washcloth. They thought a romantic getaway to the Hamptons would just be the thing after a long, hard week at work. And the perfect opportunity to make up for a week without sex.

Unfortunately, however, a bad case of the flu caught up with one of them.

"God, I hate this," she mumbled, hugging the toilet.

Rick sighed and sat down next to her, patting the wet washcloth over her face. "I know, honey." He bent down and brushed a hand over her back. "Maybe we should get you to a doctor."

She leaned back against the tub, her knees drawn and her head tipped upward. She closed her eyes and shook her head.

"No. I'll be okay."

"You sure?" He mimicked her position, trailing a hand over her cheek and tucking a piece of unruly hair behind her ear.

"Yeah." Kate nodded and turned her head in his direction, her eyes sliding open. "I'm sorry," she said softly after a moment.

Rick frowned. "What? Why?"

She offered him a tired lift of her lips. "For ruining our romantic getaway."

He breathed out a laugh and edged closer to his wife, his arm coming around her shoulders. He pressed a kiss against her temple and pulled her small frame further into his hold.

"You have nothing to apologize for." His mouth curled into a grin. "I see a bright future for us filled with romantic getaways and great, hot, animal-sex."

Laughter bubbled out of Kate, bright and beaming, setting her features alight. Rick stared at his wife - the stunning arch of her cheekbones, the strong, defined set of her jaw, the graceful slope of her nose. His eyes tripped down to her mouth. Her sensual, gorgeous lips which were now drawn open in joy, emitting the sound of her carefree laughter.

He almost unconsciously lifted a hand to her face, his fingers tracing the hard bone of her chin and jaw.

"God, you're beautiful," he exhaled, the words whooshing out of his lungs. Kate startled and looked at him, her mouth still parted, the laughter dancing behind the green of her eyes. Her wide smile muted into a shy curl of her mouth.

"Well, I don't feel too attractive now," she said, ducking her head, timid and suddenly self-conscious.

He drew both his arms around her and tugged her against his chest a little awkwardly, hauling her into his lap.

"Babe, you could be wearing a wet paper bag and you'd still be the most beautiful woman to me."

She puffed out a laugh, her breath wafting over the skin of his neck. "Charmer."

His mouth split open into a grin against her temple. "Oh, you love it."

"I do," Kate admitted.

He pulled away slightly and cupped her face. "Love you."

"Love you too."

He planted a soft kiss against her lips. "In sickness and in health."

"I feel better," Kate said before burrowing underneath the blankets.

Rick stepped out of the bathroom and flicked off the light, smiling softly at his wife.

"Yeah?" He got in and pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her small frame.

Kate snuggled into his body, her head coming to rest on his chest.

"Mm-hmm. Don't need to go to the doctor tomorrow."

Rick pursed his lips in an effort not to smile. Kate Castle and doctors were definitely not friends.

"You sure?" His combed his fingers through her hair in soothing, hypnotizing patterns. Her body grew heavy with sleep.

"Yeah, I feel much better," she sighed.

"Good, I'm glad." He pressed a kiss against the top of her head. "You have to admit - I make a pretty good nurse."

She huffed out a laugh, a small, dainty emission of sound. "You sure do, Castle. Just a pity we don't have a sexy nurse outfit for you."

He chuckled, a deep rumble vibrating throughout his body right into hers.

"We could always make a plan."

She smiled. "Mm. We sure can." Kate suddenly lifted her head, her mouth slowly curling into a feline smile, her eyes dancing. "Do you still have that space cowboy outfit?"

Rick's brow furrowed. "Yeah. Why?"

She bit her lip, teasingly lifting an eyebrow. "'Cause that might just be what the doctor ordered. It's sexy," she husked, her gaze dropping to his mouth.

He smiled, a hand sweeping down her back. "Oh, yeah?"

She nodded. "Mm-hmm."

"You want me to try it on for you?" He wriggled his eyebrows.

"Mm, yes, please."

He breathed out a laugh. "It's a deal, but on one condition."

"What?"

"If you agree to break out your Naughty Nurse outfit the next time I get sick."

Her mouth slowly curved into a wide smile. "Deal." She pressed a kiss against his mouth, painting his lips with hers.

After they broke apart, Rick faked a coughed. "Actually, I kinda feel something coming on."

She swatted his chest and laughed. "Fat chance, Casanova." She rolled her eyes and turned on her side, her back pressed against him.

"Oh, come on, Kate! It might be serious."

She shook her head, unable to stop the smile from taking over her features. "Get the light, Rick."

He switched off the light and curled up against her, dwarfing her body with his larger one; his arm enclosing around her waist like a band, their hands intertwining.

"In sickness and in health, Mrs. Castle. In sickness and in health," he muttered into her ear.

She lifted his hand to her mouth, letting her lips gently travel over the hard ridges of his knuckles.

"Yes, Mr. Castle. For better or worse."

[][][]

I'll stay right here, it's where I'll always belong

Tied with your arms

Days like this I wish the sun wouldn't set

I don't wanna forget

A/N: I struggled with this one and I'm not entirely happy with it. But, more regular writing will let this rustiness dissipate. Anyway, I hope it was enjoyable.

Reviews are like magic.

Lyrics at the end: From The After's song 'Ocean Wide'.